Title: Roses
Author: Lisa
Chapter: 4
Rating: G
Author's Notes:
Well, I'm back, and here's chapter 4!It's longer. I know I said this entire fic will be in Mamoru's p.o.v., but I changed my mind. This chapter is in Usagi's p.o.v., but the others will be in Mamoru's. Why I did this..I don't know. Sorry for any confusion. Um...I seem to be developing writer's block...I can't seem to really be interested in writing anymore. Anyway, I hope to get over it soon. My V-Day fics will be out shortly, a few days before Valentines Day, so don't miss it! This is a spoiler fic. Enjoy!
Disclaimers: Sailor Moon and the others don't belong to me, but this story does.
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I look over at Mamoru, who was at the moment sitting beside me. I could feel my cheeks growing hot from staring at his side profile. I would have to admit...he is handsome. I wonder if he think I'm pretty. I look down at my hands. Everything seemed to go by so slow...I wish this would be over soon. I don't know how long I can just sit here this still. I am a very active girl, you know. Mamoru doesn't seem to mind siting there though...

Halfway through the painting session, we took a brief break. Mamoru sat there, sipping some hot drink as I explored more of the artist's house, and her other paintings. One caught my eye. The one with a young woman handing her locket to a young man. How come it seems so familiar? I walk up to it, gently tracing it's lines. The locket...why does it seem so...like I have seen it before? The star locket seemed to almost jump out of the canvas. It was so unique....so beautiful. From just seeing it on a painting, I knew it could play beautiful music. And the young couple...they seemed very much in love. I wonder if I would ever be able to meet my one and only...

I walked over to Mamoru, carrying the painting with me, careful not to break it. Paintings were fragile you know. "Mamoru, come and take a look at this painting...it's so...magical." I breathed to him.
Mamoru stared at it...and his eyes went wide. He gasped sharply, alarming me. I was not expecting such an outburst from the usually calm Mamoru. "The locket..." He muttered, probably mostly to himself. "It is..." Now I was really confused. What was wrong with Mamoru to cause such a change in him? The locket in the painting?
I look more closely at the shining locket...and then it hit me. The locket...I recognize it. It was the one Mamoru has! But how could that be? It was not possible...unless...it was not the same one. How could it be?

Mamoru seemed so excited all of a sudden. "Where did you get this painting?" He questioned me, staring into my eyes.
I staggered back. "From..over there." I managed to say, pointing to a corner.
"I see." Silence. "It's beautiful..bu in a sad sort of way..." He whispered.
I agreed with him. It was a sad painting, but in a good way. They were departing from each other, but they will be together again. Love conquers everything.


"That is one of my favorite paintings."Yumemi said, walking over to us. She stood there, as if admiring her own drawings. "My inspiration was my grandmother...and all the tales she would tell me when I was little." She smiled faintly, reminiscing the past.

I could see Mamoru nodding. "It's delightful." He remarked. We sat down again, and were silent for the rest of the painting session.
Yumemi invited us over for dinner. Of course, being the hungry girl I was, agreed immediately. Mamoru on the other hand kindly and politely refused. He must not be used to stuff like this. I sure was.
The dinner was fabulous, and the artist and I chatted for awhile about her paintings. What I loved most about that night had to be the apple pie for dessert.

We walked by her displayed painting again. I was awed by the beauty of it. The vivid details...she had to be one of the most talented artists alive! I turned to her, my eyes shining with excitement and encouragement. "Don't ever stop painting! And never let others judge you. I love your paintings, but what I love even more is that you put your whole heart and soul into it. You're a wonderful artist." I uttered to her.
She smiled. "Thanks Usagi. Take care."

"Ja ne." I replied as we went our separate ways. I smile happily. Today was a wonderful day. I think Mamoru and I had actually come to some terms. I mean, we had been fighting since...the first time we laid eyes on each other. Now, I am too tired to fight anymore. I want to be friends..and after that...the word love rings in my ears. Could that be possible though? I've always thought of Mamoru as handsome...but he does have a very bad teasing side to him. But it's just the way he is I suppose. He can't help it..or can he? I guess I've always had a secret crush on him...but would never admit it.
As I walk down this street, I wonder if we could really actually get along. We've never really tried...and I guess I've never really stopped and thought about it before. How do I really feel about this so called insensitive jerk whom I bump into everyday? The first time we met, I would suppose it was hate...now that a few months has passed...I seriously don't know. It's like part of me says that I hate him, while the other part tell me that I have hidden feelings deep inside my heart? Two voices that are constantly nagging me whenever I see Mamoru. Which one do I listen to? That is the main question. Maybe if we were to get to know each other, it would enable me to make that decision. Then, what if I regret the one I make? My mind is so filled with fears, doubts, and an unknown emotion. I wonder how Mamoru feels towards me.

The streetlights came on at that moment. It was getting dark as the sun disappeared over the horizon. Well, I guess it was time for me to go home...and be nagged by Luna. I sighed. How boring my life is...
Sure enough, there was Luna, standing on the sidewalk. "Usagi, where have you been?" She stormed, her feline face furious. "I've been searching around for you all day!" I walked slowly over to her, eyes downcast.
"Luna..." I whined. "I am tired. Can we talk about it tomorrow?" I pleaded with my guardian, giving her me best pleading look.
Luna shook her head. "Usagi," She threw something at me. "remember this?" I looked down at the object. "Uh..." It was my moon wand. Great. Just my luck that I had to drop my wand. "Luna...I didn't...know that it was gone my bag...I was uh..." Luna gave me a glare before starting her lecture.
"Usagi, you know how important that wand it to our mission. You are our leader. How could you be so irresponsible?" She inquired. That is a good question. Why am I so irresponsible? Why are all the scouts better than me? I could feel tears of shame in my eyes. Why did I have to be leader?
Clutching the moon wand tightly, turned around and faced Luna. "Luna, if you don't want me to be leader, all you have to do is say so."

I ran as fast as I could. My footsteps pounding on the cement sidewalk. I could hear Luna shouting after me, but I didn't care.
When I stopped, I didn't know. I examined the wand again. "Is the whole world depending on me?" I asked out loud. But how could they? All I am is a girl who makes bad grades. I want to be normal...I want life to be normal.

The wand started beeping, snapping me out of my tranced state. My first instinct...call the others scouts. I was going to..until I realized something. I am the leader of the scouts. I need to be more responsible. And I will to the best of my ability fight this enemy that poses a threat to Earth.
I started running again, faster this time. Peeking in a window, I could see my newfound friend, the artist, was int serious trouble. Yes, it was that witch again. She was on the move. Using quick thinking skills, something I don't quite master yet, I called all the senshi, asking for their help.
My heart pounded like a drum. I felt so nervous, yet so excited all at the same time. "Moon Prism Power!" I shout out loud, feeling instantly the transformation taking place. Within seconds, the swirling pink ribbons transformed me into the senshi of love and justice, my alter ego, Sailor Moon. I remember the first time I transformed. It was this magical feeling, quite like the way I am feeling now. But, no time to reminisces the past now.

During my brief moment transforming, Zoisite had already successfully taken the crystal from my friend. The two were preparing to leave...that is until I showed up.
"Hold it!" I shouted to them.
"Huh?" Zoisite looked towards me, a look of disgust instantly covered her twisted features. "Sailor Moon. It's you again." She sneered at me, proudly displaying her prize. "Looks like you're too late. I have the crystal." Once again with her hideous laugh. Uh, can't she learn not to laugh like that?

"Get rid of her." Zoisite replied, pointing a finger at me.
"Yes, I would be glad to." Yumemi smiled wickedly at me, plucking out a feather from her wings. I shuddered. Just exactly does she have in mind. If it's to tickle me...let's not go there. "Please Yumemi, it's me. Usagi. Don't do this." I implored her, of course with no avail. She smiled at me maliciously, her eyes flickering with hatred. How could such a kind girl and talented artist become so evil? This isn't the real Yumemi, I know it isn't. Tears welled up in my eyes. "Stop Yumemi. Remember...all the times...everything you did...all the paintings." I whispered to her, but she didn't care. She threw the feather into the air, which in turn came over to me. The feather promptly turned into a giant rock hovering above, about to smash me into a flat pancake. "Uh-oh." I said, my eyes quivering with fear. I couldn't do this alone. Now where were the other senshi when I needed them? And they say I'm irresponsible...

Yumemi threw more and more feathers into the air, each and every one forming into a good sized rock.
"Hurry up. We don't have all day!" Zoisite yelled, impatiently tapping her feet on the ground. She should talk. All she does is order people around...
Yumemi's rocks didn't seem to stop. So many...I couldn't dodge them forever. After several agonizing minutes, I tripped on a slippery rock. And in the same moment, a rather large...enormous rock hovered over me, a dark shadow covering my entire body. I was too afraid to move, I guess nervousness had that effect over me. What was I to do? I was going got die...

In that very second, my savior came. I felt warm, being in Tuxedo Kamen's strong arms. We were floating in the air, his black cape fluttering in the breeze. Whew, was I glad I wasn't smashed by that big rock. I shuddered to think of all the possibilities of disaster that could overcome me...but I have nothing to fear...my savior is always here for me. He's just so handsome...

We landed on the ground, safe and sound. I beamed. After all, I would be dead if he didn't come. "Tuxedo Kamen, thank you for saving me." I say to him, feeling a blush creep up on my cheeks. Zoisite was leaving...probably scared...she always leaves. "No, she has the crystal!" I heard Tuxedo Kamen yell beside me.

It was like time stood still. Why does he want the crystals? Is he our enemy? And if so...why does he always come to my rescue? All me happiness dissolved into thin air, depressions taking over. I hope Tuxedo Kamen is on our side...that he's not our adversary. Please don't let that be true...
He leaves, going after Zoisite. Why? I ask silently. the word rings in my ears. But this was not a good time to think about it. Yumemi was still on the move. "Sailor Moon, die." She yelled at me, snakes flying out of her hands. I knew that the deadly venom of the snakes could kill me instantly...so I did the only logical thing to do in that situation...I screamed.

"Help! Somebody!"
And guess who came to help me? Why the sailor senshi of course. The whole group, Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter. Mars used her fire power to destroy the disgusting snakes. For once, I was actually really glad to see Rei...
Together as a group, we were unbeatable. Something still bothered me though. I knew Tuxedo Kamen went to fight Zoisite. I was worried about him. "Uh guys, you can handle her." I pointed to Yumemi. "I go see if I can retrieve the crystal." Without another word, I turned around, and started to run as fast as I could.

When I got there, it seemed like I was needed. The witch Zoisite was holding a rather sharp crystal in her hands, preparing the kill Tuxedo Kamen. And she threw it...

I gasp sharply. "No!" I shout, and without thinking, I grabbed my tiara off my forehead, aiming at the crystal. "Moon Tiara Action!" Still breathing heavily, I looked towards the crystal, seeing my tiara meeting the crystal sphere. Perfect aim. I like that. My tiara shattered the crystal immediately. It was funny to think that all those times I depended on my savior...this time...I saved him.
"Sailor Moon?" I could hear him say, still a little confused. Zoisite left as usual, with her crystal this time. But we'll get it back I say to myself. It never pays to be evil. Good always conquers evil.

I walk over to Tuxedo Kamen. "Are you alright?" I ask him. It seemed weird. This was the first time I am able to actually talk with him up close. He turned away from me in a swift movement.
"Arigato Sailor Moon." He responded after a moment. " For your help." Boy, he sure wasn't talkative. "Sayonara." He replied simply, preparing to leave. But he couldn't leave...not so soon. I had so many questions for him to answer. I grab his arm, and turned him around to face me. While doing so, the star locket fell out of his pocket.
My eyes went wide. This was Mamoru's. Why does Tuxedo Kamen have it?
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Okay, uh there's the end to chapter 4! Sorry that it took so long. I know you're proabably confused, but if you read my previous chapters, you would know that Mamoru still has the locket. Do you think this is a cliff-hanger? Just curious. Um, chapter 5 will be out tomorrow, since I did promise 2 chapters this week. Please send all comments and suggestions to LisaZUMstories@aol.com. Thanks!
This story written and posted February, 2001.