Title: Living In Fear
Authors: Usa (Usako0@aol.com) and Emiri (bunny_s_@hotmail.com)
Rated: R
Notes: AU, violence...

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Living In Fear
Part 1
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Usagi sat down with a sigh as she watched her mother dance with her new husband. She knew how much Ikuko loved Tanaka but couldn't she see that he wasn't right for her. Usagi just had this bad feeling about him. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she felt like Tanaka was trying to replace her father. She wasn't certain.

Usagi missed her father terribly and always felt a slight pain her chest when she thought of him and the last words he said to her before getting into the car. ' "Usako, never let anyone tell you what to do. You are your own beautiful, and special person. I love you, honey." ' That would be the last time she'd see him too... a drunk driver hit his car head on.

Usagi sat up straighter when she noticed Tanaka heading in her direction. A quick glance to her left showed her that her mom was talking to a friend. *Please go by me* she pleaded.

"All alone, Usagi?" Tanaka asked.

"H-hai... Tanaka-san," Usagi replied. She sliently asked herself why she was always nervous around this guy... her stepfather now.

"Nobody to dance with, eh?"

Usagi shook her head. "Not really..."

"Well, that's good. You're too young to date anyone anyway."

"But I'm..." Usagi clamped her mouth shut. Telling this man she had a 20 year old boyfriend, was not going to help anything!

"You're what?" His eyes narrowed slightly.

"I'm going to go and get a drink," Usagi finished, getting up from her seat.

Tanaka grabbed her wrist. "You'd better not be dating anyone behind my back, dear. I'm now head of the house, and you'll do as I say."

Usagi gasped and stared at him. She had to look away for fear the look on her face told him what he had suspected.

"Usagi, Tanaka..."

Usagi pulled from Tanaka's grip. "Hai, Mama?"

"The photographer would like to take a picture of the two of you," Ikuko said with a smile. She was obvlivious to what had just occurred.

"That would be great, dear." Tanaka smiled at Ikuko.

Usagi didn't want to upset her mother. "Okay."

"Where would he like us?"

"In front of the ice sculpture, honey."

Ikuko looked at her daughter. "Usagi, hold on." Usagi stopped. She had to smile at her mother as she fixed her odangos.

"Arigatou..." Usagi then stood next to Tanaka

The photographer ran up to them. "There you both are! You're the only two I haven't gotten a picture of together and the reception is just about over! Tanaka-san, put your arm around your stepdaughter."

Tanaka put an arm around her shoulder, and smiled a huge, fake smile. Usagi did the same. "Wonderful, ne, Ikuko-san?"

Ikuko smiled. "Beautiful!"

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Usagi sighed as she took her shoes off. It had been another long and boring Senshi meeting. With Rei screaming in her ears, they hardly got anything accomplished. Now all she wanted to do was eat a home cooked meal and go to bed. However, her mom was out of town.

Ikuko's friend, Maleena had called. She needed help with something over the weekend so Usagi's mom was staying there. Which left Usagi with Tanaka, who had to work...

The banging of the door interrupted Usagi's thoughts. "Anyone home?" Tanaka called.

"I am," Usagi said, standing up.

"Ah, Usagi. When did you get home?"

"A few minutes ago, why?"

"I was wondering why dinner wasn't ready for me. Have you started anything yet?"

Usagi's mouth hung open. "Me? Cook?"

"Is there a problem with that?" Tanaka's eyes narrowed again. "I'm hungry. I want dinner. Now."

"But... but I can't cook," she whispered, tears threatening to fall.

"Well, you'd better come up with something," Tanaka said. "Order me a pizza then."

She noddded and ran to the phone. After that was accomplished, Usagi sat in living room. *Why does he have to be so mean?*

"Oh, and be sure to make my lunch in the morning!"