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Usagi, Makenai!
Part 3
By Usa and Emiri
Disclaimers in Part 1
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I walked over to the Juuban Park bridge. I felt bad for not confiding in Ami-chan, but I've been like this for a while now and her, of all people, finally asked me if something was wrong. Why couldn't she come to my house sooner? Do I have to be dead for people to realize something was wrong?

Sighing, I climbed onto the railing. I sat and stared at the water for a while. The water's lucky. It comes for a short visit, then flows wherever the current takes it. I'd like to be like that too.

"Is this spot taken?"

I turned my head. "Mamo-ru-san!"

"Usa...What are you doing here?"

"Nothing, really," I said, looking back at the lake. "Thinking..."

"About what?"

I barely noticed the tear fall down my cheek. "It's not important. Besides, why would care? Why would anyone care? I'm just a klutzy, crybaby, ne?"

"You're more than that, you're--" Mamoru looked away, stopping. "Why do you think that? Is it because of 'us'?"

"It's... everything." I look longingly at the water. It seems peaceful and I want to join it.

"Usa, I still...you can tell me."

I laugh. "You still what? Love me? Only if you did then I'd tell you. But if you did, I wouldn't have such horrible thoughts."

"What kind of thoughts? Did you have a weird dream or something?"

"Yeah... the past two nights. I know that's it going to come true. I can feel it."

"Will you tell me what you saw?"

The tears started coming again. I couldn't hold them back. "Okay, so I know the first part isn't coming true... We were getting married when all of the sudden, the ground began to shake and I was being pulled away from you. I heard a voice tell us that if we were together I would die."

Mamoru exhaled sharply. "That's the same dream I had...why I broke up with you. I *do* still love you, Usako. I did it because I couldn't bear the thought of you being hurt."

"N-nani?" I looked up at him and could tell he was telling the truth. "Mamo-chan..."

As we leaned in for a kiss, we didn't notice some kids who were playing near us. Suddenly, I felt someone push into me and I was flying off the bridge... and into the water.

"Usako!"

I hit the water, which was cold, with a splash. I couldn't tell which way was up and I couldn't hold my breath much longer. Finally, I felt strong arms around my waist and realized that Mamo-chan was helping me to the surface.

Eventually, I was on the ground again, this time sputtering and coughing up water. "Daijobou, Usako?"

"H-hai..." I loooked at him, my bottom lip trembling. "Mamo-chan!" I cried, throwing my arms around him.

"Usako. I'm glad that I have you back."

"I've missed you so much," I whisper. The wind is picking up and I start to shiver.

"Let's get you home, so you can get warm." Mamoru gasped as he noticed the red mark. "Usako, what did you do?"

"Nani?" Oh, I had forgotten about that... "I klutzed out, as usual..."

"Usako...that doesn't look accidental...please don't ever hurt yourself..."

He helped me up and I decided to tell him everything. "Mamo-chan, there's some things that I want to talk to you about. Can we go to your apartment?"

"Alright."

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After we arrived at Mamo-chan's apartment and I got some dry clothes and a cup of hot chocolate, we sat together on the couch. I cleared my throat. "Ne, I'll understand if you decide to leave me after I tell you this. I know I'm a handful and annoying and hard to look after."

"It can't be that bad."

With a slight nod, I began. "It all started with Haruna-sensei talking about the Cherry Blossom Fesitval..."

I finally came up to the point I was dreading. "Last night I felt so scared and alone... No one seems to care much about me. I haven't seen my friends in a long time and they haven't bothered to come see me. This cut..." I showed him again. "You were right, I did it. I was thinking about cutting a bit more to the left, but figured I'd give myself one more day, just to see if things would change...

"Well, I ran into Ami-chan. She only now just asked me if I was doing all right. I ran off to the bridge and I was going to jump..."

I kept my eyes averted from Mamo-chan's gaze. "Usako...you're not talentless...you're special. Maybe you can't share your talent with everyone, but you don't need to. I *know* you're special."

I still couldn't bring myself to look at him. I don't think what he's saying is true.

Mamoru lifted my chin with a finger. "Usako, you *are* special."

And that made me smile. I could see so much love in his eyes. And truth... I hugged him tightly. "Arigatou, Mamo-chan!"

Mamoru hugged back. "I"m glad I can make you feel better."


^^^^END FLASHBACK^^^^

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^^^^PRESENT^^^^

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Cherry Blossom Talent Show!"

I sighed backstage. No one had said a word to me all day. I think it was because they were all busy practicing or something. I still can't believe Mamo-chan convinced me to do this...

I can hear it now: "Did you know Tsukino-san SANG! How sad can you get!" and "She sucks big time!"

I smack myself. I really need to get my self-esteem up...

Reality came crashing down when Haruna-sensei told me I was up next. That was fast! I'm suppose the be the last to go. I shrugged.

Finally, it was time and nervously stepped onto the stage. I saw my parents with Chibiusa and Shingo as well as Minako-chan and Rei-chan in the audience. I'm half surprised that Rei-chan didn't force her way onto the stage.

I heard the music start and began to sing...

There are somethings I can't see in this world
No, it's just the wind blowing around me
This dream I wanna wake up from right now
Seems awfully real, making my skin crawl in fear

Ah... what kind of evil things are happening?
There wasn't a sign telling of danger ahead
My mouths becoming dry and inside my heart I'm so cold

What a scary fog is setting in
All alone in the mists, ghosts are chasing me round and round
What a scary dream this is becoming
There's unexpected fright around each and every corner
I wanna leave! I wanna leave this frightening dream behind
Come on, dream! Disappear! Come on, dream! Just go away!

Ahh... I need my beloved man now
To take me far, far away from this horrible place
Filled with anxieties dark clouds seem like they're coming to get me!

What a scary night it's becoming
Only I have no idea what's there
What a scary dream its becoming
Again my chest is pounding and pounding with fright
I wanna leave, I wanna leave this big ominous dream behind!
This dream will for sure, go away when the morning comes!

When I finished, everyone cheered. I couldn't believe how well I did. I smiled and bowed, thanking everyone, then ran off stage.

After much deliberation, Haruna announced. "The winner of this year's talent show is...Tsukino-san!"

My eyes widened. I couldn't believe it! "Well, get your award, Usagi-chan!" Mako-chan said, shoving me onto the stage.

I finally stepped up to Haruna-sensei and she handed me an award.

"Congratulations!" she said, beaming. "You really deserved it."

"I-I don't know what to say! I can't believe it!"

"Way to go, Usagi-chan!" Ami cheered.

This was truly wonderful, but I still felt like something wasn't right... I looked at Ami, then Makoto. I spotted Rei and Minako in the audience. They were smiling and clapping... for me! Everyone in the entire room was clapping for me! I never thought I'd ever feel this good about myself... but I do.