Orion Saga
Part 1
Quest for the Orbs
Chapter 8: Usagi's problem
Mamoru sits in the teahouse holding the glass. "I don't know what's wrong."
"She hasn't said anything?" Deep violet eyes meet his blue ones.
"No." His long fingers strum the table. "She barely talks to me as it is, Rei-chan. I don't know what's wrong."
Looking at her tea, the young priestess talks to her friend. If you want, I can talk to her for you."
"I'd appreciate that." The fingers stop moving for a moment. "I'm afraid she's really mad at me."
Rei places her hand on his. "I'll see what's wrong."
"Usagi and Rei are walking through the Juuban-cho district when Usagi walks past the candy store. "Mamoru was right. She didn't even pause." "Usagi-chan? What's the matter?"
"Nothing."
"Don't give me that." She walks up to her friend. "There's something wrong. I can tell." She carefully presses the issue. "Is something going on between you and Mamoru-chan?"
Usagi glances at Rei. "Why would you think that?"
"Well, it has to be something. Do you realize we just walked past the candy store and you didn't even stop."
"I'm just kind of sick of candy. I mean, too many sweets aren't good for you."
"Are you sick?" Rei looks her friend in the eye.
"Nothing's wrong, Rie-chan."
"Well, I was trying to give you a chance to explain."
Usagi raises an eyebrow. Rei sits on a bench at the end of the corner before she speaks. "Mamaoru-chan said that you two weren't talking. He said he thinks you're mad at him." Usagi sits down quietly. "He's really upset, Usagi-chan."
Entwining her fingers on her lap, Usagi sighs. "I-I'm not mad at him. Not really."
"Then what's wrong?"
"I don't feel like…like he loves me anymore."
"Why not?"
"I'm not good enough for him. I mean-"
Usagi-chan, that's not true. You two were practically made for each other. Why would you think that?" Usagi shakes her head. "Well…why don't we do something to cheer you up?"
"Like what?"
"A party. Summer's almost here. Yeah. You and Mamoru could be the guests of honor."
"Really, a party for Mamo-chan and me/"
"Yeah. Why not?"
Eyes sparkling, Usagi looks over to her friend. "Thanks Rei-chan." As Rei walks off, Usagi turns toward the candy store.
"I still can't believe she said that. What could've happened to make her think that way?"
Michiru's thoughtful eyes turn from the music to look at her partner. The violin is gently cradled in her lap. Haruka is leaning over the coffee table, looking over a racing application. "I don't know." The two of them are referring to the statement Zentora made when they were at the gardens that past week. "But it worries me."
"Me too. I don't see why-" A knock at the door stops Haruka in the middle of her thought. Slightly annoyed, she stands to go answer it.
"Haruka-san."
"Hello…odango." The look of annoyance breaks way to a slight smile at the sight of the senshi leader. "What brings you here?"
Michiru stands when she hears who is at the door. Addressing them both, she beams. "We're having a party!"
"Who?"
"It's for Mamo-chan and me. I came to tell you you're invited."
"Thanks. Should we bring anything?"
"You don't have to. Mako-chan's cooking."
"I'm sure it will be delicious." Michiru looks up at Haruka and anticipates the question. "Do you mind if we bring a guest?"
Still overjoyed about the prospect of a party, Usagi nods. "Sure. Who is it?"
"A new friend. Zentora."
"Zentora?"
"Yes. Is anything wrong?"
Hiding her surprise and slight disappointment, Usagi grins nervously. "No…no. Go ahead. It's next weekend."
"We'll be there."
Grumbling, Usagi leaves the apartment. "What are the odds?"
"Usagi-chan, hello. I'm on my way out right now. I'll meet you a few blocks away." Mamoru hangs up the phone, glad that his girlfriend is not only talking to him again, but wants to meet for ice cream.
Resting her head on Mamoru's shoulder, Usagi is surprised when he suddenly stops walking. "Mamo-chan, what is it?" Gazing up, she sees that the young man's eyes are staring at something to their left. Glancing over herself, she sees Zentora walk out of the high school. A few feet off, she sees a young black man looking at the girl. "I see what's going on now!"
"Aaagh! What is it, Usagi?" Mamoru rubs his arm where she had pinched him. Looking down, he shrinks at the penetrating look in her eyes.
"You were staring at her again weren't you?"
"No…honest. That guy. I think I know him. He's an intern from school."
"Crossing her arms, Usagi stares at him pointedly. "Why don't you invite him to the party then?"
The young man sits on the edge of the wall and watches the girl intently before speaking. "It really looks like her."
An older female voice answers somewhat hopelessly. "But there were others who looked like her too."
Not to be discouraged, he looks at the communicator in his hand. "I have a really good feeling. We actually picked up a signal from this one. But if it isn't her, then all we can do is keep looking."
Trying to sound hopeful, the woman answers. "Thank-you. You've been very good about this."
"Believe me. I want to find her too."
"Hey." Mamoru sees the young man shove something into his pocket.
Still a little shaken, he turns to look at his visitor. He secretly hopes that he wasn't over heard. "Hi."
"Hi."
The two young men remain silent. Mamoru standing, and the other man sitting on the wall. "Do I know you?"
"Yeah. Sorry about that. I'm Mamoru. I think we had physics together. You interned where I do my graduate work."
Nodding, the young man introduces himself. "I'm Samaru."
"Hey. Are you waiting for someone?"
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Zentora walk out onto the street. "No. Not really."
"Listen. I know this sounds a little strange, but I was wondering if you wouldn't mind coming to a party." Samaru raises a thin brow. "My girlfriend and I are having it this weekend."
Though puzzled by this strange invitation, Samaru accepts. "Sure. I could make it."
"Really?!" Mamoru is equally shocked that this stranger actually accepted the invite.
"Yeah. I'm not doing anything and I could stand to get out."
"Okay." Mamoru scribbles on a piece of paper he'd just fished from his pocket. "See you then."
"Sure thing." Samaru watches him walk off. "…Endymon."
"Haruka-san, Michiru-san, hello." Usagi steps aside to let the two girls into the house. Planting a smile on her face, she greets Zentora. "Hi. Glad you could make it."
"Um, thanks Usagi-san." Pulling her hair out of her face, she glances around to see people dancing and hanging around the table of appetizers.
Usagi stares at the taller girl for a few minutes. Her five foot seven inch frame clothed in coolie pants and a short sleeved shirt with a mandarin collar. The brilliant Nassau blue setting off her purple hair and complementing the brown skin. After a few minutes, she notes the girl's apprehension. "Oh, make yourself comfy. Have fun." Nodding, she walks over to look at some pictures on the wall.
"Samaru. Hi!"
"Hello, Mamoru." He looks at the man standing in front of him.
"Mamo-chan, who-" Usagi stops talking when she sees the tall young man in the door. The warm hazel eyes are cast down at her. "Hello."
"Hello, you must be Mamoru's girlfriend."
"Yes, I'm Usagi."
Samaru bows graciously in response to the introduction. "Thank-you for inviting me. I might have been very bored tonight."
"No problem." Usagi smiles mischievously. "Why don't you go and mingle? You might meet someone."
Mamoru glances at Usagi, but she continues smiling. "Thank-you." Samaru walks away from them. Seeing the girl standing alone on the balcony, he slides the door open. "Hey, why aren't you at the party?"
"Without turning, Zentora's quiet voice answers. "I'm not really into parties."
"You don't sound like you want to be here."
The hair falls around her face as she shakes her head. "It's okay."
Leaning on the rail next to her, he tries to get a glimpse of the face underneath the wall of hair. "Nice night, huh?"
Zentora nod and peels her bangs away from her eyes.
The dark blue eyes peer at the young man on the balcony. "What's he up to?"
"Mamo-chan, what's going on?" Usagi stands next to her boyfriend and looks at his reflected face in the glass. "Looks like Zentora's made a new friend. Come on, let's dance."
"Not right now, Usa-chan. Maybe a little later."
Dejected, she walks off. Minako notices the distraught look on Usagi's face when she gets to the snack table. "Usagi-chan, what's up?"
"Hey, Mina-chan. It's Mamoru. Something's going on."
"How do you mean?"
"Haven't you noticed? Look over there."
"What? At Mamoru? He's standing near the door. What's so bad about that?"
"Zentora's out there."
"So you think-come on. You can't be serious."
"Well he's been checking her out for weeks."
"He couldn't be interested in her. Maybe they're just friends."
Ami walks over to her two blonde friends. "What's wrong, Usagi-chan?"
"She thinks Mamoru-chan is falling for Zentora."
"Oh." She looks over to Mamoru. "What could he see in her?"
Minako places a hand on her chin to think. "Now that I think about it…" Both girls look at her.
Before she can say anything, Ami answers. There can't be anything between them. I mean he loves you, Usagi-chan. He's never given you reason to be jealous."
"I guess you're right." Usagi goes back to Mamoru. "They seem to be getting along well."
"I don't trust him, Usa-chan."
"What?"
"There's just something about him. He was staring at her the other day. I think he was talking to someone about her."
"I think you're paying too much attention to this."
"What are you saying?"
"Mamoru, you've been staring at her for weeks. I don't like it."
"I'm sorry."
"Yeah right. I don't think you love me anymore." Surprised Mamoru stares at her. "Usagi! How could you say that?"
"Well is it true?"
"Of course not. I love you more than anything. You know that."
"Do I?"
"Look. I'm sorry. You're right. I can understand why you'd think that."
Usagi looks at him. "It's just that…you two seem to connect." Mamoru looks at her. "I mean, she's younger, but she reads all those books and she's so deep. I could see why you'd fall for her."
Taking Usagi's hand, Mamoru leads her to a quiet corner of the bustling room. Gently, he places his hand on the side of her face. "Usagi. Look at me." The delicate young woman's eyes meet with his. "You are the only one for me. Got it?" He leans over to kiss her.
Zentora turns to Samaru as she flips a strand of hair off her face. "You know, it's weird. You remind me of someone. Only, I can't remember who he was."
"Was? Did he die?"
Zentora looks out at the city and shakes her head. "I don't know. I really can't even remember where I knew him from." She pauses, her voice taking on a reminiscent tone. "It seems like a lifetime ago. It's really frustrating."
Samaru looks at her intently, the green flecks in his eyes, sparkling with sincerity. "I'm sure it must be."
Usagi and Mamoru see their guests off as the party draws to a close. Haruka looks up to see Zentora walking inside.
"Zentora?" The girl turns to look at Samaru. "Would you like to visit my place sometime?"
"That would be nice, but-"
"But you hardly know me."
Zentora looks up at him. "Actually, that isn't what I was going to say." The quiet girl continues to look at him, "I was going to ask if we could meet at the museum."
Samaru smiles warmly at her as the lucid brown eyes peer at him from beneath the thick bangs. "Okay." He watches her as she leaves to join Michiru and Haruka.