Rabbits and Roses
Chapter 14
By: Prophetess of Hearts
Disclaimer: Standard!
A.N: I'm FREE! Free as a bird! Wahoo!
~~~~{~~@ August 7th @~~}~~~~
^_^ Usagi's PoV ^_^
Even though I haven't seen Mamoru since the night on the porch a few scant days ago, I know that it is partly my fault. That is because I have been avoiding him and his gang. I know that the only way I can stop my self from the inevitable nervous breakdown is to avoid him. All I want to do though is to cry against him or kiss him to death. Is that so wrong?
This fact should probably have stabilized me a bit more emotionally. But it doesn't work that way; I've been getting more and more depressed over this situation. So much in fact that it seems I cannot hide it no matter what I try.
That is easily proven by the ever so annoying 'Usa, are you all right?' comments. I mean how utterly stupid is it to ask such an obvious question with an even more obvious answer. Wouldn't it be easier to say 'Usa, you and I both know your depressed out of your freakin' mind, so just spit out the damned reason already'. At least to that I could tell them to take a long walk off a short cliff.
Even though Mom and Shingo haven't asked I have the feeling that they already know that my depression is in at least some part thanks to Mamoru. I mean that is the logical conclusion seeing as it was only since that night that they saw us together on the porch that I've really started to change. And I admit that the change is not really for the best.
You know, in addition to this I think I may actually be starting to go paranoid about the idea of people forcing the details out of me as to why. Could this be why I've been staying away from Deena? Ell Yeah! After all she IS a shrink. This thereby gives her an all access pass into the truths behind a person even if they don't mean to tell her what the truth really is. And I tell you...That really blows royally.
Also with all this shit whenever I talk with or see Ami and Rei they end up giving me this strange looks that make me VERY nervous. And trust me, if you have known them for as long as I have (because of how long I've known them, and the fact that they are my followers) you would be worried as well.
Is it too much to ask to be left alone to my pain? I thought not.
^_^ Shingo's PoV ^_^
My sister is in love; this is a fact that causes any brother to be a little fidgety. Okay, so I've never met this Mamoru person IN person, but that can be remedied. You see the reason that I'm a little skeptical over this whole thing is because of the fact Usagi is depressed. I've been forced to watch those sappy emotional romantic 'tear-jerkers' (or should I say 'CHICK FLICKS') from a very young age. That's what I get for being the younger sibling. But the thing is that in all the movies that I've seen there is only one cause for the girls to be as sad as my sister now is... someone or something coming between them.
So I may not be the perfect brother, but this is because of the sibling code. If you don't really know what that is let me outline some of the specifications for you:
1. Never let you sibling know you care, although rare situations may make it so you have to.
2. Always protect your sibling but in a way that it is basically undetectable to said sibling (unless it is a life or death situation).
3. Always keep balance intact. For every two negative actions there must be at least one good one, even if said act is indictable to normal person's eyes.
4. If you are a younger sibling it is your obligation to drive your other siblings up the wall with annoyances. You can do this by being a general pain in the neck. In the fashion of: asking a lot of questions about any given thing even if you already know the answers. Or this can be achieved by physical acts to which you know they do not like (if a girl you can do this by hugs. Especially when dealing with older brothers: most hate that).
5. When a sibling is in love you must tease, taunt and threaten to tell the person (if it is unknown to person that they are in love with) of that fact. In rare cases there will be times when you must help your sibling to deal with the pains of love, or yell and hurt the one whom maybe hurting your sibling emotionally over this love.
So you see, it was there in the sibling code that means I am required to help Usagi, and have a nice little talk with the guy who she was crying against.
I really do care about her, but rule One that I stated makes it so I usually can't tell her. And so, this is one of those situations where I can. And so, it being only about noon I decide on what I am going to do in order to help her. Approach the guy who seems to have made my sister sad. How am I gunna do that? By going where I know Usagi usually goes. That means my first stop is The Crown Arcade.
Usually I stay away from there because that's why Usagi usually goes, but you see, I know for a fact that Usagi hasn't gone there every day like she usually does. So I'm safe.
How am I going to know who he is? Well that is really easy; I happened to see what he looks like. That you curiosity over my sister! Yeah, I saw them when they were on the porch. So that has got to help me out just a little.
I started out to the crown without a second thought right away, and walked down the streets, wondering what exactly I was going to say to him when I found him. But that I can easily do when I see him. I'm good at thinking on my feet.
I arrived at The Crown a short while later, and decided to sit on a stool by the counter, after all I can see the door from there. So I sit down and scan the room for him, not forgetting to look beside me, that's always a good think to do. After all, the saying 'The best place to hide things is out in the open' is really accurate.
'Good, he isn't here' I start to think to myself, as I watch the door wondering if he was even going to show today. I hear something behind me and so I turn around quickly, oh, it's just a guy in an apron. I nearly laugh at myself, but I'm still kinda nervous.
"My name is Motoki, so what can I do for you?" The guy in the apron asks. He's a blond, taller then me of course. I'd guess he is about 6 foot. He seems to like to smile since that's what he is doing.
"I'd like a double chocolate milkshake, with a cherry. And my name is Shingo." I tell him as I look at him, I'm not smiling very much, but he starts to give me a weird look.
"That's funny, that's Usagi's favorite shake... I wonder what's up with her recently." He says as he stares out into space a little. And so I decide to pull the sibling routine.
I hang my head and say loudly enough for him to hear: "Great! Just great! I'm just like my sister. Damn." I wonder what that is going to do. Maybe we can get into a talk and I can ask him if he knows the guy that my sister was with.
It worked like a charm though, because he looks at me and says in a curious tone "YOUR Usagi's brother? Are you serious?" this guy, Motoki asks as if it is a novelty.
"Yeah, I am." I say as if it is a big regret or burden for me. But you see no matter how friendly this guy seems I'm still a little worried over the whole talk thing that I have to do with that black haired guy.
And so, Motoki starts me on a conversation about what I think about Usagi as a sister and what she is like to live with. So being the brother that I am I start to tell stories about her. It's the right and proper thing to do after all.
^_^ Mamoru's PoV ^_^
I ran like normal and then decided to walk around the park to help get my mind off Usako. It had only been a day or so since I had last seen her, but I missed her like nothing else. She was constantly on my mind. My gang was as normal arguing amongst themselves when the attack on the Rabbits would be. Not that I much cared, it just meant more pain for me.
It was about noon when I got home, I changed of course into something a little better. Black pants, black T-shirt and my favorite green jacket ((A.N: hey, I happen to like that jacket, the color looks good on him, it is just... well him!)) and was out the door and off to where I had someone I could talk with about Usako with out fear. To see Motoki at the Crown Arcade, or his Arcade, whatever.
I didn't want to take my bike or my convertible today, it just didn't seem right, and so I walked. After all it was just about a dozen blocks or so. Not much to worry about. And so by dodging the traffic on the sidewalk (after all this was Tokyo, people seem to always be around) I arrived there about half an hour after 12.
When I got in there, the sound of the bell on the door announcing it I saw Motoki at the counter talking with a young boy, who must be about 9 or 10. The thing was that Motoki seemed cheery then normal. This was evident by the fact that Motoki was all but rolling on the floor laughing. And as if by magic or willed by my though he fell to the ground and started laughing.
I walked over to Motoki quickly; long legs good for something and stood above him. "Um, Motoki, what are you doing?" I asked him. After all, it was a logical question. Although I admit it could be taken a few ways.
"Nothing, nothing... Shingo here was just telling me a story about his sister." Motoki told me. He seemed to think that this was relevant and so I decided to ask the follow up question, which Motoki knew I would.
"Who's his sister?" Was the question... maybe that would give me the answer. The strange thing was thought that the kid, Shingo was keeping quiet, ands o I regarded him out of the corner of my eye wondering if he was going to talk.
"His sister is Usagi." Motoki said as if it was the most natural thing in the world. At this of course, my face faulted and turned a bit whiter. Okay, not the most regal thing to do, but it just happened, not my fault.
"Yeah, Usagi's my sister" The kid, Shingo I believe said. He was looking straight at me now, a determined look upon his face, he seemed to be thinking about something rather strongly, that I could see in his eyes. Something he was thinking about would be hard for him to say to whom he would end up sawing it to. That seemed obvious, at least to me. "Can I talk with you though?"
I regarded the boy then slowly nodded. I turned to Motoki. "Borrow the back room?" I asked. I knew the answer already, he would agree, and so I lead Shingo to the back room opening the door, and entering, then locking the door behind us. I knew already that this would be about Usagi.
"We, my family saw you a few days ago in the early morning holding Usagi on the porch, we knew enough to leave you two alone. Even my dad who normally would want to kill any guy who so much as hugged Usagi normally. When we asked her in the morning a question she answered by nodding her head." He started. This had me curious, and so like any normal person I asked the question on my mind.
"What did you ask her?" I asked in a low, quiet tone, to match the one that he was giving me as he told the story tome so far.
Shingo looked down now, and said in a quiet voice: "If she loved you." He paused then looked up into my eyes, I could see the starting of tears that made his eyes glisten. "And as I said, she nodded her head as to tell us that she does." He looked down again then collapsed into the couch that was there. "You see, she's been more depressed then normal. Except normally no one can tell that she is depressed, at least not many other then my mother and me. And I know that it has partly to do with you... and I know that there is something else as well other then you, but I really can't ask her. You see my family has agreed that we wouldn't push her, so I came to you to find out what is going on between you and her." He finished softly.
I understood now why he was originally determined, this would be a hard thing for any guy to talk about with another. Sure normal topics like drinking and such would be easy, but the idea that someone's sister loves the person and hat the brother can tell there is a problem is a touchy subject. You see, I don't have a sister myself, but I always thought it would be nice to be an older brother, to protect a sister.
I looked down at him and sighed. "The reason why Usako may be a little upset about me is an easy answer. There is some problems dealing with my friends and hers, and well you see there could be some bad things to happen if we were together." I said, trying not to say that I was the Rose leader and she the leader of the Rabbits.
"Does this have anything to deal with Usagi being in charge of the White Rabbits?" Shingo asked, to this I gave him a questioning raised eyebrow. "No, before you ask Usagi never told me that she was, not in so many words. But you see I've heard some of her phone calls, and I am old enough and unnoticeable enough to know what the symbol of the leader of the Rabbits looks like. I just won't tell her that I know, and well I'm not going to tell anyone else." He continued. Okay, so this kid turns out to know quite a bit that you wouldn't think.
"Hmm, you kids are smarter then you let on." I stated. Then I looked hi in the eye. "Fine, sine you know about Usako, I'll tell you this much. I am a Rose, in specific the leader." I told him, and looked him in the eye. "And I trust that you won't tell anyone about it because you'd have a lot of trouble on your hands if you did." I continued. I sighed, I hated to even slightly threaten the kid.
He nodded and smiled slightly. "I understand now. I just want one thing from you though. When the most trouble happens because of who you two are, protect her, because I won't be able to." He said and then to my surprise walked out of the room and out of the Arcade.
Motoki walked into the room and looked at me then asked me "So what was that about?" He said as he closed the door.
"The kid is smart and brave, I'll give him that. He was just making sure that his sister was safe." I told Motoki and decided to walk home, and so I did as Shingo did just a minute before and left without another word, and was on my way home.
Chapter 14
By: Prophetess of Hearts
Disclaimer: Standard!
A.N: I'm FREE! Free as a bird! Wahoo!
~~~~{~~@ August 7th @~~}~~~~
^_^ Usagi's PoV ^_^
Even though I haven't seen Mamoru since the night on the porch a few scant days ago, I know that it is partly my fault. That is because I have been avoiding him and his gang. I know that the only way I can stop my self from the inevitable nervous breakdown is to avoid him. All I want to do though is to cry against him or kiss him to death. Is that so wrong?
This fact should probably have stabilized me a bit more emotionally. But it doesn't work that way; I've been getting more and more depressed over this situation. So much in fact that it seems I cannot hide it no matter what I try.
That is easily proven by the ever so annoying 'Usa, are you all right?' comments. I mean how utterly stupid is it to ask such an obvious question with an even more obvious answer. Wouldn't it be easier to say 'Usa, you and I both know your depressed out of your freakin' mind, so just spit out the damned reason already'. At least to that I could tell them to take a long walk off a short cliff.
Even though Mom and Shingo haven't asked I have the feeling that they already know that my depression is in at least some part thanks to Mamoru. I mean that is the logical conclusion seeing as it was only since that night that they saw us together on the porch that I've really started to change. And I admit that the change is not really for the best.
You know, in addition to this I think I may actually be starting to go paranoid about the idea of people forcing the details out of me as to why. Could this be why I've been staying away from Deena? Ell Yeah! After all she IS a shrink. This thereby gives her an all access pass into the truths behind a person even if they don't mean to tell her what the truth really is. And I tell you...That really blows royally.
Also with all this shit whenever I talk with or see Ami and Rei they end up giving me this strange looks that make me VERY nervous. And trust me, if you have known them for as long as I have (because of how long I've known them, and the fact that they are my followers) you would be worried as well.
Is it too much to ask to be left alone to my pain? I thought not.
^_^ Shingo's PoV ^_^
My sister is in love; this is a fact that causes any brother to be a little fidgety. Okay, so I've never met this Mamoru person IN person, but that can be remedied. You see the reason that I'm a little skeptical over this whole thing is because of the fact Usagi is depressed. I've been forced to watch those sappy emotional romantic 'tear-jerkers' (or should I say 'CHICK FLICKS') from a very young age. That's what I get for being the younger sibling. But the thing is that in all the movies that I've seen there is only one cause for the girls to be as sad as my sister now is... someone or something coming between them.
So I may not be the perfect brother, but this is because of the sibling code. If you don't really know what that is let me outline some of the specifications for you:
1. Never let you sibling know you care, although rare situations may make it so you have to.
2. Always protect your sibling but in a way that it is basically undetectable to said sibling (unless it is a life or death situation).
3. Always keep balance intact. For every two negative actions there must be at least one good one, even if said act is indictable to normal person's eyes.
4. If you are a younger sibling it is your obligation to drive your other siblings up the wall with annoyances. You can do this by being a general pain in the neck. In the fashion of: asking a lot of questions about any given thing even if you already know the answers. Or this can be achieved by physical acts to which you know they do not like (if a girl you can do this by hugs. Especially when dealing with older brothers: most hate that).
5. When a sibling is in love you must tease, taunt and threaten to tell the person (if it is unknown to person that they are in love with) of that fact. In rare cases there will be times when you must help your sibling to deal with the pains of love, or yell and hurt the one whom maybe hurting your sibling emotionally over this love.
So you see, it was there in the sibling code that means I am required to help Usagi, and have a nice little talk with the guy who she was crying against.
I really do care about her, but rule One that I stated makes it so I usually can't tell her. And so, this is one of those situations where I can. And so, it being only about noon I decide on what I am going to do in order to help her. Approach the guy who seems to have made my sister sad. How am I gunna do that? By going where I know Usagi usually goes. That means my first stop is The Crown Arcade.
Usually I stay away from there because that's why Usagi usually goes, but you see, I know for a fact that Usagi hasn't gone there every day like she usually does. So I'm safe.
How am I going to know who he is? Well that is really easy; I happened to see what he looks like. That you curiosity over my sister! Yeah, I saw them when they were on the porch. So that has got to help me out just a little.
I started out to the crown without a second thought right away, and walked down the streets, wondering what exactly I was going to say to him when I found him. But that I can easily do when I see him. I'm good at thinking on my feet.
I arrived at The Crown a short while later, and decided to sit on a stool by the counter, after all I can see the door from there. So I sit down and scan the room for him, not forgetting to look beside me, that's always a good think to do. After all, the saying 'The best place to hide things is out in the open' is really accurate.
'Good, he isn't here' I start to think to myself, as I watch the door wondering if he was even going to show today. I hear something behind me and so I turn around quickly, oh, it's just a guy in an apron. I nearly laugh at myself, but I'm still kinda nervous.
"My name is Motoki, so what can I do for you?" The guy in the apron asks. He's a blond, taller then me of course. I'd guess he is about 6 foot. He seems to like to smile since that's what he is doing.
"I'd like a double chocolate milkshake, with a cherry. And my name is Shingo." I tell him as I look at him, I'm not smiling very much, but he starts to give me a weird look.
"That's funny, that's Usagi's favorite shake... I wonder what's up with her recently." He says as he stares out into space a little. And so I decide to pull the sibling routine.
I hang my head and say loudly enough for him to hear: "Great! Just great! I'm just like my sister. Damn." I wonder what that is going to do. Maybe we can get into a talk and I can ask him if he knows the guy that my sister was with.
It worked like a charm though, because he looks at me and says in a curious tone "YOUR Usagi's brother? Are you serious?" this guy, Motoki asks as if it is a novelty.
"Yeah, I am." I say as if it is a big regret or burden for me. But you see no matter how friendly this guy seems I'm still a little worried over the whole talk thing that I have to do with that black haired guy.
And so, Motoki starts me on a conversation about what I think about Usagi as a sister and what she is like to live with. So being the brother that I am I start to tell stories about her. It's the right and proper thing to do after all.
^_^ Mamoru's PoV ^_^
I ran like normal and then decided to walk around the park to help get my mind off Usako. It had only been a day or so since I had last seen her, but I missed her like nothing else. She was constantly on my mind. My gang was as normal arguing amongst themselves when the attack on the Rabbits would be. Not that I much cared, it just meant more pain for me.
It was about noon when I got home, I changed of course into something a little better. Black pants, black T-shirt and my favorite green jacket ((A.N: hey, I happen to like that jacket, the color looks good on him, it is just... well him!)) and was out the door and off to where I had someone I could talk with about Usako with out fear. To see Motoki at the Crown Arcade, or his Arcade, whatever.
I didn't want to take my bike or my convertible today, it just didn't seem right, and so I walked. After all it was just about a dozen blocks or so. Not much to worry about. And so by dodging the traffic on the sidewalk (after all this was Tokyo, people seem to always be around) I arrived there about half an hour after 12.
When I got in there, the sound of the bell on the door announcing it I saw Motoki at the counter talking with a young boy, who must be about 9 or 10. The thing was that Motoki seemed cheery then normal. This was evident by the fact that Motoki was all but rolling on the floor laughing. And as if by magic or willed by my though he fell to the ground and started laughing.
I walked over to Motoki quickly; long legs good for something and stood above him. "Um, Motoki, what are you doing?" I asked him. After all, it was a logical question. Although I admit it could be taken a few ways.
"Nothing, nothing... Shingo here was just telling me a story about his sister." Motoki told me. He seemed to think that this was relevant and so I decided to ask the follow up question, which Motoki knew I would.
"Who's his sister?" Was the question... maybe that would give me the answer. The strange thing was thought that the kid, Shingo was keeping quiet, ands o I regarded him out of the corner of my eye wondering if he was going to talk.
"His sister is Usagi." Motoki said as if it was the most natural thing in the world. At this of course, my face faulted and turned a bit whiter. Okay, not the most regal thing to do, but it just happened, not my fault.
"Yeah, Usagi's my sister" The kid, Shingo I believe said. He was looking straight at me now, a determined look upon his face, he seemed to be thinking about something rather strongly, that I could see in his eyes. Something he was thinking about would be hard for him to say to whom he would end up sawing it to. That seemed obvious, at least to me. "Can I talk with you though?"
I regarded the boy then slowly nodded. I turned to Motoki. "Borrow the back room?" I asked. I knew the answer already, he would agree, and so I lead Shingo to the back room opening the door, and entering, then locking the door behind us. I knew already that this would be about Usagi.
"We, my family saw you a few days ago in the early morning holding Usagi on the porch, we knew enough to leave you two alone. Even my dad who normally would want to kill any guy who so much as hugged Usagi normally. When we asked her in the morning a question she answered by nodding her head." He started. This had me curious, and so like any normal person I asked the question on my mind.
"What did you ask her?" I asked in a low, quiet tone, to match the one that he was giving me as he told the story tome so far.
Shingo looked down now, and said in a quiet voice: "If she loved you." He paused then looked up into my eyes, I could see the starting of tears that made his eyes glisten. "And as I said, she nodded her head as to tell us that she does." He looked down again then collapsed into the couch that was there. "You see, she's been more depressed then normal. Except normally no one can tell that she is depressed, at least not many other then my mother and me. And I know that it has partly to do with you... and I know that there is something else as well other then you, but I really can't ask her. You see my family has agreed that we wouldn't push her, so I came to you to find out what is going on between you and her." He finished softly.
I understood now why he was originally determined, this would be a hard thing for any guy to talk about with another. Sure normal topics like drinking and such would be easy, but the idea that someone's sister loves the person and hat the brother can tell there is a problem is a touchy subject. You see, I don't have a sister myself, but I always thought it would be nice to be an older brother, to protect a sister.
I looked down at him and sighed. "The reason why Usako may be a little upset about me is an easy answer. There is some problems dealing with my friends and hers, and well you see there could be some bad things to happen if we were together." I said, trying not to say that I was the Rose leader and she the leader of the Rabbits.
"Does this have anything to deal with Usagi being in charge of the White Rabbits?" Shingo asked, to this I gave him a questioning raised eyebrow. "No, before you ask Usagi never told me that she was, not in so many words. But you see I've heard some of her phone calls, and I am old enough and unnoticeable enough to know what the symbol of the leader of the Rabbits looks like. I just won't tell her that I know, and well I'm not going to tell anyone else." He continued. Okay, so this kid turns out to know quite a bit that you wouldn't think.
"Hmm, you kids are smarter then you let on." I stated. Then I looked hi in the eye. "Fine, sine you know about Usako, I'll tell you this much. I am a Rose, in specific the leader." I told him, and looked him in the eye. "And I trust that you won't tell anyone about it because you'd have a lot of trouble on your hands if you did." I continued. I sighed, I hated to even slightly threaten the kid.
He nodded and smiled slightly. "I understand now. I just want one thing from you though. When the most trouble happens because of who you two are, protect her, because I won't be able to." He said and then to my surprise walked out of the room and out of the Arcade.
Motoki walked into the room and looked at me then asked me "So what was that about?" He said as he closed the door.
"The kid is smart and brave, I'll give him that. He was just making sure that his sister was safe." I told Motoki and decided to walk home, and so I did as Shingo did just a minute before and left without another word, and was on my way home.