"Mamoru?" asked Usagi as she knocked on the door of his apartment gently.
The door opened slowly and half of Mamoru's body appeared in the open space. "Hello Odango. Come in." he put his hand lightly on her back, his fingers over her shoulder. She winced at his touch, one finger had brushed near her wound. "What's wrong Usa?" he asked, eyes suddenly deep with concern.
"Nothing. Nothing" she muttered as he took her fleece jacket. But her loose t-shirt had slipped down on one shoulder, exposing the bandages.
"Oh God Usa" Mamoru staggered back, appalled that he had let this happen to her. "When?"
"Three weeks ago. Wednesday. There was a yomaMars, Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, they all got taken. Even Luna" Usagi's eyes dropped to her hands and she felt her cheeks being covered in tears. "Mama wouldn't let me out of the house until now, and I'm not to do anything strenuous. I had to beg Mama to let me out. And I don't know what to do. The Senshi must hate me for taking so long"
"They don't hate you. The only person involved who should do any hating is you Usa. Hate me. For not showing up." Mamoru let his head flop into his hand as he turned away and sat on the couch.
"I don't hate you Mamo-chan. I love you! I wondered at first why you didn't show up, but I trusted that you couldn't. I lay no blame on you. You can't always protect me. You have your own life!"
"My life is bound to yours Usa. But that day I couldn't feel anything. I felt fine. I never sensed your pain. I'm frightened Usa." Mamoru kept his head down as Usagi sat next to him on the sofa, very carefully. She leaned him against her chest, even though it hurt, and gently rocked him. Mamoru said he couldn't feel her pain. But he had never failed to do so, even when they didn't know each other. Usagi realized slowly that Mamoru might be hiding something. Had he been with another woman? Mamoru was getting ready to go to college, maybe he wanted things from women Usagi wasn't ready to provide. She had only kissed him a few times. Was that not enough?
"I have to go. Mama will worry." Usagi spoke sharply as she stood up suddenly.
"Not yet Usa. Stay just a little longer." Mamoru stood up and took Usagi's hand.
"I'll change his mind" thought Usagi. She stood on tip toe and folded her arms around Mamoru's neck, kissing him deeply like never before. "I have to go. I'm sorry." Usagi slowly walked to the door, her hand only letting go of Mamoru's when she could go no farther without releasing it. "I'm not afraid." She said, puzzling Mamoru as she opened the door and walked down the hall.
Once at home, Usagi lay on her bed and thought. Minako's mother thought her daughter was with Makoto, and Ami's mother didn't know where Ami was. Usagi didn't know what Rei's grandfather thought, but that was the least of her troubles now. What if that five-second idea about her Mamo-chan having another woman was correct? Some college woman, some hussy who was probably at every party getting drunk and snorting some drugs. And seducing her Mamoru. But he had said that his life was linked to hers. Such devotion wouldn't inspire a secret relationship. But what if he was lying?