first and second part now (the first is pretty much just like the last part 1 I posted so if you already read it, don't reading
it again). I'll post the third and final part sometime before I graduate.
A big big BIG thanks to Analla for helping me and giving me the great
suggestions and advice that made this story
better. Someone who'll do that for you, even if they don't know
you, is a really special person.
By Byrdgirl
PART I
Usagi was just putting on her winter coat when she called out
"Mom, I'll be back in a little bit! I'm going to Mamoru's!"
She zipped up her jacket. "Usagi," came the voice from upstairs. "I don't want you going out right now. It looks like it's
going to snow soon."
"But Mom, I left my math book there yesterday when Momo-Chan was
helping me with my homework. I have to go, my
homework's due tomorrow. I'll just take the bus there and come
right back, 'kay?" She opened the front door and ran out
before her mother had the chance to object.
As soon as the door closed behind her she understood why her mother
was so concerned. Her breath came out in cold white
puffs that stood out starkly against the slate gray sky. A bitter
wind blew steadily between the houses, stinging her face. It was
definitely going to snow. She could feel it. Usagi hugged
herself against the cold and began the walk briskly towards the bus
that would take her to her future husband's apartment.
***
A pair of deathly blue lips smiled.
Revenge.
For years that was all she could think about, locked in Queen Beryl's hellish prison.
Revenge.
It was the mantra that kept her going, and kept her sane for so
many years; revenge on Beryl, revenge on those people that cost
her her freedom. She had long ago lost track of the years spent
locked up for failing Beryl, forgotten like a lost, mismatched sock;
years spent in limbo, her brilliant mind being laid to waste. She had lost track of the years spent reliving the moment when her life
and her future were shattered by a flimsy wisp of luck.
Each day, she kept her keen intellect conditioned by devising
newer and more ingenious ways of getting her revenge. She had nothing
to record her ideas with, but she didn't need anything. It was
all in her head, memorized. Each plan, every detail, and each fantasy
that she had of her enemies screaming in agony because of HER genius
were etched into her mind like a fine engraving.
Towards the end however, the plans stopped. They made no
sense to her anymore. They were all there, but she couldn't figure
out
how they worked or where they came from. She was loosing her
mind. She knew it. No matter. Revenge was all that mattered
now.
She had other talents she could use. If she couldn't use
her intelligence to make them suffer, then she would use brute force. Brute
force and violence were more fun anyway. She chuckled.
After Queen Beryl was defeated, she still rotted in prison. The only difference now was the silence. The sound of Beryl's voice,
taunting and ridiculing her eternally, was gone. The walls remained,
but the magic that held them strong faltered. Now , they were
just stone and ice.
But it was only recently that the walls around her began to crumble. Age was finally taking it's toll on them. Her revenge on Beryl
had been taken from her. Beryl was dead now. Her kingdom
was gone. It didn't bother her, though. Her need for vengeance
would
still be satisfied. HE would pay.
Before leaving, she looked with malice into a tiny recess of her
prison. There sat a small figure, carved from the very ice of the
failing
cell walls. She had carved every detail herself, from the tall
hat to the billowing cape. "Berly's prescious little Prince" she growled.
Her angry fist lashed out, sharp claws unsheathed from perfect blue
fingers, and the figurine was smashed into a thousand pieces.
And with that done, a burning cold wind came up from nowhere, enveloping
her and disintegrating the last vestiges of her prison cell.
She laughed.
***
Chiba Mamoru stood out on his balcony. The storm had finally
hit. Mamoru could barely see through the heavy snowfall to the
street beneath his apartment. There were even occasional
hail stones that would bounce off the rail of his balcony before continuing
their decent to the pavement. It was blisteringly cold out. It was certainly too cold for someone to be standing outside without a
coat.
But there was something about the air that bothered Mamoru, so he lingered. He took in a deep breath and the hairs on the back of his
neck stood on end. Something was coming. "Storm's got me
on edge." He mumbled to himself. He was about to turn and go
back
inside when something caught his attention. The bus was letting
someone off right in front of his apartment. He could just make out
a pair of golden ondangos before a hood was pulled over them. "Oh no. Usagi!"
***
Usagi pulled her hood over her head. Since she boarded the
bus, the storm had progressed from tangible threat to all out assault. The
wind alone threatened to blow the slight girl to the snow covered pavement. The heavy snow kept her from seeing clearly and the hail
pelted her covered head. She rushed as best as she could to the
apartment building doors and the warmth within.
When she reached the inside of the building she threw herself
onto one of the lobby's couches with a loud sigh. She listened to
the wind
howling past the doors and the hail tapping on the glass. And
she listened to her own breath slow to a normal pace. *Am I really
going to
have to go back out in that in a moment? Maybe I could have a
cup of hot cocoa with Mamo-chan first* She smiled as she pushed herself
off of the couch and walked through the opened elevator doors. She pushed the button for her boyfriend's floor and waited as the
elevator climbed to its destination. The doors opened up and
Usagi walked out...right into another body. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I..."
"Usako, what do you think you're doing out in this weather?" The voice was stern.
Usagi looked up at the concerned face of her Mamoru. "Oh
Mamo-chan!" She exclaimed and threw her arms around him. He
returned the embrace, his stern face softening a little. "Come
on. let's get you warmed up."
They went down the hallway and into Mamoru's apartment. Usagi settled down on the couch while Mamoru went into the kitchen t
o boil water for tea. "You'd better call your mother, Usako." Came his voice from the kitchen. "She'll be worried about you. I think
she'll agree with me that you ought to stay here until the storm dies
down, but you should let her know you're safe." Usagi paused
before going to the phone. The idea of spending an entire evening
with Mamoru in his apartment would normally send her into fits of
pure joy and she knew Mamoru felt the same, but there was something
about this storm that made her very nervous. It set her teeth on
edge. She didn't feel any better when she picked up the telephone
and discovered that the line was dead.
"Mamo-chan?" She found it impossible to disguise the uneasiness
from her voice. Mamoru hurried into the room and saw Usagi still
holding the phone, a frown on her face. He took it from her and
listened for a moment, then put the receiver back on the hook. "Well,
I hope your mother isn't too much of a worrier." He saw the look
of concern on her face, then stepped up to her and wrapped his arms
around her waist. "Don't worry" he smiled. "We'll
just wait until the storm dies down." She smiled, thankful for his
reassuring words.
Their eyes met and suddenly the rest of the world melted away. Mamoru leaned closer to Usagi. Usagi closed her eyes and tilted her
head
up. Then, there was an ear splitting whistle...the tea pot. Mamoru straightened and glanced towards the kitchen. He looked back
at Usagi
and smiled sheepishly. "Tea's ready. I...uh...better go
get that." He said apologetically.
"Tea? What, no hot cocoa?" Usagi walked back over
to the couch and slumped down on it, concern for the weather forgotten.
***
Outside, the storm grew worse. All traffic stopped and every
person on the street ran for the closest cover they could find. Some
were
saying that this was the worst snow storm in living memory. White
out conditions, high winds, quarter sized hail, and thunder and lightening
all contributed to the storm's impact on the city. But there
was something odd about it. Though the storm covered the entire city,
it seemed
to be focused on a small area around Jubaan school and
the surrounding streets. And when the storm grew stronger, it seemed
to be
focusing all its energy on pummeling that small area.
To some, it seemed like the storm was alive with a will of its
own. To others it seemed like it was being controlled. There
was one man that
even swore he heard harsh laughter, like dry leaves underfoot, coming
from the sky. Everyone told him that he was crazy.
***
Usagi grasped the cup of hot cocoa in her hand as she watched
the storm rage outside. They had long since finished off the pot
of tea, and
now had identical cups of cocoa in their hands. Mamoru pulled
out a large blanket from the closet and wrapped it around the two of them.
They both sat, leaning into each other in silence for a very long time,
not wanting to disturb the moment. Eventually, it was Usagi that
broke
the silence.
"Mamo-chan, do you ever wonder what it's like to be normal?"
"What do you mean, Usako?" Mamoru placed his mug on the
floor beside him and turned his full attention to her. Usagi stared
into her
mug for a long moment, not answering his question. Then she sighed
deeply and looked directly into his eyes. "I can't remember what
it's like. I remember when I was normal. I remember the
things I did, but I can't remember what it felt like. I just..." She struggled with
the words to describe how she felt. Mamoru paused for a moment. Then took the cup from her hands and put it next to his own. He looked
into Usagi's eyes and placed a hand on her cheek. He took in
the hurt and regret that filled her whole face. Here was a girl who
carried the
weight of two lifetimes on her shoulders. She had seen battle. She had seen death. She had seen and dealt with far too much for
a girl her
age. Sometimes even Mamoru forgot that.
Instantly, Mamoru wrapped his arms around her, lending his support
and comfort. Her held her tightly, wishing that he could protect
her
from the world, from her own past. He felt Usagi's muscles begin
to relax in his embrace. They stayed like that for a long time, holding
each other. Not one sound was made between them.
Finally, Mamoru pulled away and, grasping both of her shoulder's
firmly, he looked deep into Usagi's eyes. He searched out any sign
of
trouble in them and his kind concern alone made her smile again. They both sighed, lost in each other's eyes. Then Mamoru's hand swept
from Usagi's shoulder to the back of her neck gently, but at the same
time firm. Usagi closed her eyes in anticipation of what was coming.
He smiled (she was so adorable), then whispered "I love you Usagi."
and pulled her into a deep passionate kiss.
***********
Outside, the wind blew stronger. The snow fell thicker and
thick icicles pulled heavily at the power lines. All at once, several
power lines
snapped like twigs
and all the surrounding buildings went dark.