Chapter 12 – Can You Stand the Rain?

Over the next few months, calm was present in Tokyo. With the plants
provided by the Queen of Pluto, Setsuna and Miari Chibi-Usa were revived.
All of the Inners were now preparing themselves for college, while Chibi-
Usa returned to start junior high on earth. Neo-Queen Serenity wouldn't have
it any other way. The Inners has not seen much of Sosoru or Mamoru, as
well as the Outers. It seemed as if the calm has brought a sense of
separation, of independence.

While in the mall one fall afternoon, Usagi caught a glimpse of a familiar
figure. "Sosoru," she said to herself, following her into a little boutique.
Usagi hid near a rack while Sosoru went to the counter and opened a bag.

"This shirt is too small. I'd like my money back," she said bitterly.

The clerk opened up the shirt and looked at it. It was a man's shirt that had a gaping
tear in it. Usagi noticed it was Mamoru's favorite color, and held in her
surprise. The clerk folded the shirt and placed it back into the bag.

"Ma'am, we cannot give a cash refund for damaged materials."

Sosoru rolled her eyes, jammed her hand into her purse and slammed her credit card down.

"Here, put it on my credit then."

The clerk quickly complied and Sosoru turned around and tapped her foot impatiently. Usagi was totally shocked at Sosoru's demeanor, it was so unlike her to act in such an unrefined way.

When the clerk finished with the card she handed back to Sosoru, who
snatched it and stormed out of the boutique. She breezed past Usagi without
even noticing her, or noticing that she dropped a card on the ground. Usagi
looked at it and reluctantly picked it up. She read it. It was Sosoru's ID card.

"She lives with Mamoru," she thought to herself, "Should I return it?"

Deciding it was the right thing to do, she pocketed the card and headed for
Mamoru's apartment.

It had been months since Usagi laid eyes on the complex in which
Mamoru resided. Since they had decided to remain friends, she simply made
no effort to see him, and he obviously never attempted to see her. Finally,
Usagi made her way up the stairs and into the hallway which changed her
life. It was this hallway in which she broke up with Mamoru, in this hallway
in which she overheard Mamoru and Sosoru making love. Her gut dropped
to the floor as she inched over to Mamoru's door. She lowered her eyes and
took in a deep breath. She lightly tapped on the door, which opened at her
touch. Surprised, she pushed open the door just enough to poke her head
through. All she could see was darkness inside the apartment. She opened
the door wider and stepped through, trying not to make a sound. She tip-toed
through the darkness and almost fell over a shoe. She regained her balance
and began to have second thoughts.

"Maybe I shouldn't be here. Who knows what they could be doing."

She turned around to leave, but then the light flicked on and Usagi turned bright red.

"What are you doing here," asked Sosoru, who was in nothing but a beater and some boxers.

Usagi turned back around, dug in her pocket and pulled out a card.

"You dropped this at the mall, "she said, while Sosoru walked over and took it from her. "When I saw you, you didn't seem like yourself."

Sosoru let out a half smile, "That'sbecause I haven't quite been myself lately. So, how have you been?"

Usagi, puzzled, answered her question, "I've been ok, you?"

Sosoru made her way to the couch and sat down.

"Well, I'm alive, so I guess that's good. Why don't you have a seat?"

Usagi uncomfortably sat next to her, who still did not appear to be the same person she knew from before. Appearance wise, she was the same beautiful goddess she had grown to love to hate, but something was still different. Usagi looked around and noticed the decor of the apartment had not changed by much, except work was being done in the extra bedroom Mamoru had.

Curiously, Usagi asked, "What are you guys building in there?"

Sosoru smirked and left for the kitchen, "We are expecting a guest. Would you like something to drink?"

Usagi, puzzled again, nodded her head while Sosoru poured some apple juice.

Suddenly, the door opened and the pair drew their attention that way. Mamoru stood in the doorway, his eyes wide open at the sight of Usagi on the couch. Irritated,
Sosoru spoke.

"So, you're just going to stand there while we have company. Say hi to her. Geez, it isn't like you two are strangers."

Mamoru closed thedoor and placed his jacket on the coat stand. "We might as well be."

Offended, Usagi lowered her eyes.

"I knew I shouldn't have come."

Sosoru walked over and handed her the glass of juice.

"No, it's fine, you aren't bothering me. Don't mind sour-puss over there. He's probably had a hard day at work." Mamoru smirked, "Yeah, now that I'm busting my ass trying to make sure everything's ready for the baby." Usagi's eyes grew wide and she
dropped the glass on the floor. "Oh, shit, I didn't tell her yet, Mamoru. Now
the poor girl's in shock."

Usagi woke to the sight of Mamoru standing over her. She slowly sat up
and put her hand to her head. Recollecting the event that caused her to pass
out, she stood and made her way to the door. Mamoru grabbed her by the
arm and pulled her to him.

"You aren't even going to stay and ask what happened?" Usagi turned her head and stared at Mamoru with hateful, tear-filled eyes. "Why should I? I already know she is pregnant with your bastard. Now, I have all the incentive I need to keep you out of my life!"
Mamoru, hurt by her words, let her go. She was about to open the door,
when he spoke.

"It's not like that, Usagi, not at all." She took her hand off the door-knob and turned to him again.

"Oh really. Then, what was it? You broke up with her for a day, then she slept with someone else and is not sure who's the daddy? Oh, I suppose the little slut was raped, huh? Oh, poor little goddess was raped by a mortal. Now Mamo-chan here has to pick up the pieces. Bullshit, Mamoru! I'm getting to old for this."

Mamoru lowered his head and whispered, "You are right."

Unsure of what she heard, she peered in closer to Mamoru and asked, "What did you say?"

Mamoru began to weep, a trait that was not indicative of his persona. "It's so complicated, I can't even explain it."

Usagi rolled her eyes and began to walk towards the door again. "You probably just can't get your lies straight right now."

Mamoru got up and stormed to Usagi and wheeled her around. His blood-
shot eyes told a story of hardship that she wanted to hear about. Her body
was telling her to open up her heart and pull him into her arms and love him
like she used to, but her mind was telling her to get far away. Her mind and
body in limbo, unable to move, Mamoru spoke.

"She's not immortal yet, she may never be immortal again. Her mother's poison was much stronger than we thought… she goes through bouts of weakness. She would be fine one day, and bed-ridden the next. She was coming home from the mall," he
broke his sentence, in obvious pain. In a defeated voice, he continued,"...from the mall, buying me a shirt. Some dirtbag tried to take the shirt, but she wouldn't let him. Suddenly, she lost all her strength..." He trailed off, unable to continue.

"And the bastard raped me," Sosoru said, walking into the living room from the bedroom. She paused to hold herself, then proceeded, "Several times. I couldn't even move. I was too weak to even scream. We are making the room for the baby just in case I still cannot teleport to the future by then." She looked down rubbed her stomach, "If I can ever go back."

Sosoru then shed a tear and Usagi felt horrible.

"So, you are just taking care of her," Usagi asked without thinking about what she just
said.

Sosoru looked up and stormed out of the room, Mamoru looked at Usagi in disbelief.

"How could you ask that in front of her," he scolded. "She is very sensitive."

Usagi shrugged and lowered her eyes. Mamoru pulled her into a corner, so Sosoru could not hear.

"Yes and no. Yes, I still care for her, but we were on the rocks before she was raped. I couldn't have left her like that, with no one to take care for her. You know how the laws are here, the police would have blamed her. The guy may even end up getting visitation rights if he ever shows up. I can't let that happen."

Usagi turned around and began to walk away.

"Oh, I didn't think it would be like that. Well, what am I to expect from the one and only Chiba Mamoru? I should expect nothing less from such a gentleman. I really must be going."

Mamoru grabbed her arm again and swung her around.

"Enough with the sarcasm. I have been wanting to see you for ages, but I have been doing her a well deserved favor. A friend is a friend, even if we are not a couple anymore. If something happened to Rei, you would do the same."

Usagi lowered her eyes and thought. Mamoru was right. Even those she and Rei were always at each other's throat, they care for each other very dearly. If anything were to ever happen to Rei, she would be by her side until the end. Why was she expecting something different from him? Why did she detest the fact that he was helping his friend out? Maybe it was because she stole him from under his nose. Maybe it was because she was jealous. Usagi turned around and walked toward the door, this time not met with resistance. Before exiting, she spoke to Mamoru.

"Meet me at the café tomorrow at seven."

He mouthed "OK" as he moved into the extra room. Sosoru then shut the bedroom door and leaned on it for support, and cried.

*l*l*

Mamoru sat uncomfortably in his favorite booth. He had not been to
the café in months, and as soon as the waitress recognized him, she hurried
him over to his seat. He looked at his watch; it was 7:30. As usual, Usagi
was late. He motioned for the waitress to come over so he could order when
Usagi casually walked up to the pair. Mamoru then brushed the waitress off
and Usagi seated herself. He looked her up and down and noted she looked
different from the last time he saw her. Her face began to mature, and her
hair, it was no longer styled in ordangas. Usagi noticed him staring and
decided to speak.

"Yes, I changed my hair. I no longer desired to be 'Ordanga Atama'. It was quite childish really," she giggled. "Well, I guess it's time for me to talk, since I did ask you to come."

Mamoru raised his hands to his chin and stroked his jaw.

"Yes, I suppose so. What do you want?"

Usagi looked down into her lap, as if the answer lied down there. She nervously bit her bottom lip, one of the few traits she shared with Sosoru, which Mamoru only noticed, and began to speak.

"Well, I've missed you." Mamoru smiled and went to hold her hand.

"I missed you too," he whispered, "…Usako."

The sound of his voice uttering that word made Usagi melt. It had been so long since she heard her love call her that, the name he made for her. It made her eyes burn and her body weaken. Emotions ran over her, and finally expelled when a tear ran down her face.

Mamoru smiled and wiped the lone tear and looked into her eyes. She
was startled at the depth of his midnight blue eyes, her own transfixed as if
she were hypnotized.

"Why did you leave me, Usako? My heart is so empty without you."

Usagi snapped out of her trance with his words. She snatched her hands back and glared at him coldly.

"You lied to me. You slept with her. You chose her over me. I should be asking you why you left me!"

Mamoru did not lower his eyes, even though he was full of shame. She was
right, he did choose Sosoru over her. He was so sure he could find
happiness. When he didn't, he was afraid to ask for Usagi back.

"I thought that it was over and that I could rekindle everything between Sosoru and
myself," he smiled, reflecting, "She and I are so much alike…too much
alike. It was like I was dating myself. We both realized that our time as a
couple had passed, we just did not want to admit it. It was very hard for her,
with me being the only one…" He stopped his sentence, remembering the
wrongs bestowed upon her. "I was the only one she had been with until that
day. Don't get me wrong, there was love, and definitely attraction, but the
love faded from a lover-type love, to a friend-type love. And now, well, I
feel obligated to care for her until she is well enough to return to her
people."

Usagi took all of his words in. Still, only one thing echoed through
her head, Mamoru and Sosoru were no longer a couple. She wanted to beam
at this, but her better judgment told her not to.

After a few moments of silence, he looked at her, searching for her
response.

"Well, does that mean everything is ok between you and I? Sosoru
won't get between us anymore?" Mamoru's expression dropped, which
made her worry. "Are you still sleeping with her?"

Mamoru rose from the booth and threw some yen on the table, even though he had not bought anything, and walked out of the door. Usagi watched as he walked past the
window and down the street. Usagi let out a big sigh and left as well, walking in the opposite direction.

A few booths away, Sosoru lowered the menu she had raised to her face with tears in her eyes. She had went unnoticed, which was her aim. But now, she wanted to be held, be noticed, be comforted. Instead, she was alone, just like she had been most of her life. She put her hand on her stomach and looked down mournfully.

"At least I'll have you," she whispered to her so-to-be baby and shed another tear. "I honestly thought there was a chance for us…to be a family. How stupid of me! I knew we were never destined to be! My mother was right, I never should have left."
More tears stung her cheeks as she realized what she had just said. "But it
wouldn't have mattered. Usagi and Mamoru are destined to be King and
Queen of Crystal Tokyo, parents of Goddess Chibi-Usa. I have not been
acting like a princess, but like a spoiled brat."

She stood up and walked to the door. She had a sudden thought and touched her stomach once more.

"I am sorry, you do not need me as a mother, you do not need to suffer as I
did." She looked outside and noticed that the sun had already hid beneath the
horizon and the brisk air already begun to settle in. She zipped up her jacket
and walked down the dark street, alone.

*l*l*

Mamoru had many thoughts dancing through his head as he walked
down the well-lit streets of southern Juuban. Walking was actually an
afterthought, all of his concentration lied in the beckoning questions he
asked himself.

"Why am I doing this to both of them? I should just leave both of them alone, they would be better off without me. All I have done is cause pain."

He discontinued his thought when he saw a bench and decided to rest for a bit. As soon as he got comfortable, he continued in his mind.

"Usagi will never forgive me. Sosoru will be hurt for life. Those memories
will never erase, never go away."

He sighed as a cool breezed whipped past him, stirring his hair, making it dance on his forehead. With his eyes closed, he took in the air and felt calm and felt peaceful. Another breeze whipped past him and the air turned frightfully cold. He closed the top buttons on his jacket and opened his eyes. A rumble of thunder rolled through the air and Mamoru decided it was time to go home. As he stood, he saw a figure
standing in the distance.

"Hello, out there! You should get inside, a storm is coming!" The figure did not move. Mamoru moved closer, as rain began to pit-pat on the dry cement. "It may get ugly out here, you may want to gohome!"

Lightning streaked through the sky and for a spilt second, the face of
the figure could be seen.

"Sosoru," he said in disbelief. The figure moved closer, and he noticed that the figure had blond hair, which whipped in the cold wind. "Usagi," he gasped, "what are you doing out here?"

She ran and fell into his arms just as the rain became steady. Slowly, he put his arms
around her, and held her tight. Tears flowed down his cheek, mixing with
the cold raindrops. He put his hands through Usagi's hair, which was
weighed down by the water. He moved his hands her the sides of her face
and tilted her head up. He looked into her eyes, blue and deep as the ocean,
and smiled.

"I've missed you, Usako."

Slowly, he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her gently. Stunned, Usagi backed away, almost in fear. Mamoru's arms dropped to his side and he turned around and walked away. Usagi then leaped to him, and grabbed him by the sleeve of his rain soaked jacket. He turned around and looked at her. The rain made her bang stick to
her forehead, the rest of her hair framing her face and body almost to the
ground. In an act of desperation, Usagi pulled him close to her and kissed
him passionately. Instinctively, he put his arms around her and returned the
kiss. Their tongues danced to a tune only known by them, the electricity
seemed to flow out of them and into their surroundings. The thunder rolled
again, and they broke the kiss. Panting, Usagi looked at Mamoru, who was
not smiling or frowning, just looking at her.

He raised his hand to her face and cupped her cheek and mouthed, "Usako," and ran into the distance.

Usagi watched him dash out of her life once more. With the ice-cold rain
now pounding on her body, she wrapped her arms around her and turned
around, muttering to her love, "Mamo-chan."