Hi. Thanks for keeping up with The Hand that Robs the Craddle. If you like this story then I think you would like Sailor Debbie's Secrets. Uh huh, yeah that one. It's pretty cool. It basically has the same characters… yeah you know, Usagi and Mamoru. Uhh… Well yeah, that's all about it that's the same. So, you should go read it. Thanks Debra for all your kind words, even though they aren't true. And thank you to Big Sister who is supposed to be my editor. You are too honest. Thanks for pointing out all my mistakes and tossing your head back and laughing at me…nah, you don't do that…at least I hope you don't do that… Oh well, I wouldn't know anyways, since I usually only talk to you online...You know sometimes you need a bit of cheese… Thanks again to you the reader. If there is anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable then just press that little X box at the top corner of your screen….no don't…If anyone would be so kind enough to write reviews, then feel free, so I can see how much improvement I need. Ok bye. (Sorry for killing the mood…ok here…Usagi swings her feet over the bridge…dum dum dum)
Chapter 4
'God, please let him be safe.'
The impact felt like shattered glass. Usagi gasped. Cold swallowed her entire body. The fall brought her a few feet beneath the surface. She opened her eyes and anxiously searched for any signs of the boy. The remaining beams of sunlight hit the water, lighting only a few feet below the surface. Evening was approaching and the sun was being put to sleep. 'Mamoru…' Usagi found frightened fish and tossed over items from the bridge eaten away by rust and time, nestled on the bottom of the riverbed. Usagi rose to the surface and panted for air. She dove once more, taking in so much air that her chest began to ache. Her head pounded at the depth she reached. Usagi kicked her legs violently. She wanted to move faster, but the water bogged her down and tempered her movements. She whimpered helplessly. She felt as though she was fettered down with heavy shackles. The only sound that she could hear was the sound of her own heartbeat. Her lungs began to throb for oxygen. 'Mamoru…' She swam another feet deep. She felt as though a bottomless pit was forming in her stomach. Her mind began to spin. Her chest felt as though it was about to burst. Breath escaped her lips. Her heart pounded violently as though it were about to explode. She gasped for air, but all she gulped was a mouthful of water.
Everything became quiet. It was a peaceful evening. All was still. The body twitched and then it became limp. The flailing arms and legs no longer fought. The gentle current swept it away and happily danced with the flaccid body. The water turned black. Evening became night.
"When I was a child I used to peer over the bridge and make wishes." He gazed at the glowing blue sphere that they called Earth. It illuminated the bridge, making everything around them radiantly azure, like water. "Now I don't have to because I think already have it in my arms." He had raven black hair and deep dark eyes. His face was stern, yet still showed signs of boyishness. He looked down at the fair face.
The young woman turned around and looked up at the man. Her long golden locks cascaded down her back and over her shoulders. The man was struck by her beauty. He gazed into a pair twinkling sapphire eyes that seemed to dance with the Earth's luminescence. He gently took her hands and brought them to his cheek. He caressed them softly against his face. "If only all nights were like this. I would jump off a bridge a hundred times for moments like these." The young woman smiled. The man blushed. "I don't usually act this way or say these things… but when I'm around you I--- I don't know who I am anymore…and when I'm out there I think about the warmth of your arms…I'm at a loss for words… I just can't stop thinking about you… then when I'm with you--- when I'm with you I just want time to stop so I can spend eternity in your embrace…if this is love…then I think…I think I am falling in it…" The man looked away, ashamed of his words. He was not the type to express his feelings. He seemed mature, yet there was a hint of childishness in him. The young woman was the only one that knew this part of him.
The lovely girl tenderly brought her hands up to the man's face. She pulled him toward her and kissed him on the lips.
"Your wish did come true."
Footsteps approached them on the bridge. The melody of a flute came close. A tall man stood before them. His hair was golden just as the young woman's. They were both of the same lunar race. He was hidden underneath a crimson hood. He stopped playing and looked up. His eyes were deep sandy pools. His eyes shimmered just as the young woman's. They sparkled like topaz, but the hood hid the rest of his face from the Earth's glow. It seemed as if his face was a deep black void and only two dark stars were set in blackness. "Mamoru, the commanders are asking for your assistance. The rebels are on the move. I think this is it. They are weak." The two dark stars focused on the young lady.
The girl quickly looked away from the hooded man. She turned back to Mamoru. "I pray to God that you will be safe."
Mamoru held her in a warm embrace and kissed her on the forehead. He peered over the bridge that was lit by the blue orb. The mist-like substance underneath them whirled in little pools. It reminded him of whirlpools back on Earth. The mist was like water, but not as heavy. Things sunk faster in this mist than it did in water. After all these years on the moon, it still amazed him. Ever since he was a boy, he fell into a trance just staring at the water under the bridge. "Don't worry. Don't make a wish for me yet."