THE HALF I NEVER KNEW

By Heather Martin

Chapter 15

There was a knock at Mamoru's door. He put down his book and went to answer it. He pulled it open to see Usagi standing outside. Her eyes were puffy from crying. She stepped inside.

"I asked Motoki for directions," she explained.

Mamoru closed the door. "Why are you here?"

She seemed to break down then. She flung herself at him and started to sob. "It is horrible, Mamo-chan!" He held her back, not knowing exactly how to handle the situation.

"Luna says I'm promised to some prince Endymion. I am the moon princess and. . ." Her crying became so hared that she couldn't speak. Mamoru was left embracing her. He had no idea what else to do.

Usagi lifted her head. "I don't want to marry some guy I don't know. I love you," she whispered.

Time seemed to freeze. Mamoru couldn't breath. She loved him? Did he love her back? Is that what strange feeling he had about her?

Mamoru noticed that he hadn't been saying anything. He felt that he had to. "We're together now. That's all that matters," he said.

She nodded. I don't care about the past. This is the present."

He led her further into his apartment. She was trembling. They came to his bedroom. They settled next to each other. He wrapped a protective arm around her. "I think I love you too, Usako," he confessed.

New tears spilled down Usagi's cheeks. She cuddled up close to him. He felt warm against her body. She closed her eyes. Soon, they were both sound asleep.

(see, nothing happened. *S* This is a PG fic)

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~Usagi~

I can't take the fact that I'm supposed to be with someone else. No, I take that back. I belong only with Mamoru. I can't handle someone telling me it isn't true.

And this prince, he could be on the other side of the world. How can we find him in time to stop Beryl? The truth is we won't. Queen Beryl needs to be stopped now. She could be gathering energy at this moment.

I will probably regret this later. But it seems like the right thing now.

Goodbye my Mamo-chan. I pray I will see you again.

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Mamoru rolled over. He stretched out an arm to feel nothing beside him. His eyes opened. Usagi was gone. An empty pillow was left where she had been. In alarm, he sat up. Where was she?

Calm down, he told himself. She is probably in the bathroom. He got up and checked the rest of his apartment. It was no use. His Usako was not there.

Now, he knew that he was being paranoid. Usagi was most likely at her house. She just hadn't wanted to wake him up. But, still a nagging feeling was in his stomach. Like somehow things weren't right.

He knocked on the door. In a few seconds, Usagi's mother answered. She looked out at him with curiosity. "May I help you?" she asked.

Mamoru cleared his throat. "Uh, hi. My name is Chiba Mamoru. I'm a friend of Usagi. Is she here?"

Ikuko shook her head. "I'm afraid not. I came home from work about an hour ago and she wasn't here. She didn't even leave a note, which is unusual."

A meow was heard behind Ikuko. The woman turned to see Luna there. The cat started to walk out the door. "Okay, Luna. If you find Usagi, be sure to bring her home," she joked. Ikuko laughed. "I just hope she isn't late for dinner. Her father absolutely hates that."

"Well thank you, Tsukino-san," Mamoru said.

Ikuko nodded. "Nice meeting you." Then she shut the door.

Mamoru sighed. His heart was beating very fast. He had to find Usagi.

"What are you doing here?" a voice demanded. He spun around to find Luna. The feline seemed to be angry with him.

"I'm looking for Usagi. She was at my house. When I awoke, she had vanished," Mamoru said.

"When you woke up!" Luna appeared to be as if she were about to pounce on him.

Mamoru shook his head. "No, it is not what you think. She was awfully upset, so I laid her in my bed to take a nap. I simply fell asleep next to her. Nothing happened. I swear."

The cat relaxed a little.

All of a sudden, Mamoru fell to his knees. A searing pain spread through his body. He let out a moan.

Luna gasped. "What is it?" she asked, puzzled.

"Usagi," he choked. Then his clothes changed into a tuxedo and cape. The pain receded, allowing him to stand up again.

Worry fell over his face. "She has turned into Sailor Moon!" he burst out in alarm.

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So, how is it? Getting to the climax.