Author's notes at bottom - enjoy!
@------
Flee to Destiny
Chapter 8 - No greater love
By: Bethany
Editor: Meara
Rated: PG-13
@------
Silence.
Even the sounds of the cleaning crew who had been in the
hallway earlier had faded. The clock sitting on the mantel clicked
- now 8:42a.m. Mamoru's mouth opened, but for a few agonizingly
long seconds, he said nothing. I currently sat, mentally kicking
myself - hard, I might add - for what I had just said.
"W-What?" he finally whispered, his eyes wide as he stared
at me.
My own eyes were strangely dry. My damp face was the only
sign of my resent tears. The strong odor of alcohol suddenly hit
me, making my stomach turn and threaten to rid me of everything
I had eaten. Mamoru's stutter of words stayed in the air between
us, repeating over and over again in my head. When finally I
regained control of my limbs, I moved back - pushing myself
against the wall, wrapping my arms around my stomach as if to
protect my baby from the argument that was sure to follow.
Mamoru tried to clear his throat, his eyes staring at me
oddly. "Usa," he finally mumbled. "You know that's - well, it's
impossible." He spread his hands out as he spoke, still staring
at me with an odd glint.
"Look, I know you won't believe me. I had no intention of
telling you this way.."
"This way?" Mamoru all but shouted. He stood up, his voice
rising more the longer he spoke. "What way? Look Usa, I don't
care to be a father for your child, okay? I care about you that
much, want to be with you that much. But you and I both know
this baby is not mine!"
I felt the tears - to my disgust - return to my eyes. I
pulled myself into a tighter ball, burning my face in my hands
and attempting to disappear. "But it is!" I cried even though I
knew he didn't believe me. "In our last life I became pregnant,
but then the battle on the Moon happened and I wished on the
Crystal for our baby to be reincarnated with us. And now.."
I stopped, noticing the blank expression on Mamoru's face. He
had stopped screaming and now sat in the floor across from me.
His focus didn't seem to be on me, but rather through me. I
suppose he was seeing his own thoughts - perhaps searching his
memories to see if what I said may be true. I bit my bottom lip,
waiting for his reaction.
"If what you're saying is true.." he whispered slowly,
looking dead into my eyes. "Will you take a paternity test?"
His uncertainty was a welcomed change from his all out rejection
of my child.
Relief flooded through me. Just as I had needed medical
proof that I was pregnant - Mamoru needed proof the child was
his. I shook my head yes, trying to stand up. Suddenly my stomach
felt heavier, pressuring on my pelvic bone, weighing me down. I
felt off center and ackward. Placeing my hand on the bottom of
the bulge, gaining the balance I needed to get to my feet. "When
do you want to have it done?"
"Ami's mother is an OB-GYN. I'll call Ami and see if her
mother can do it for us. I'm sure there should be no problems."
He looked to be attempting to convince himself of that, as well
as me. I watched him go into the kitchen to use the phone. While
he spoke I looked around the apartment.
What would happen when he found out the baby was his? Would
he want me and Shingo to move in here? Would he want us to get
married before the baby was born? It felt odd to be thinking
about marriage when I was still trying to get used to the idea
of so many other things in my life. Did I really want to throw
marriage in on top of it?
"Usa?" I looked up, slightly startled to be so abruptly
pulled from my thoughts. Mamoru scratched the back of his neck,
smiling at me boyishly. "Ami said to meet her at the hospital in
the morning. I'll pick you up around nine, okay?"
I nodded, standing up and walking towards the door. Mamoru
followed me, the tension sitting in the air between us. "I guess
I'll see you in the morning then," I said after putting my shoes
on and opening the door. He said nothing as I went out the door
and down the hall. I stopped as I reached the elevator - looking
back towards his apartment. His smiling face was still there,
staring at me when the doors closed.
@------
Doctor Minzuno Ainoko moved back from the door way, her hand
waving to indicate two empty chairs sitting in front of her desk.
I sat down, Mamoru sitting next to me. Doctor Minzuno was a tall
woman, her hair the same shade as Ami's. They also shared eye
color and the same sweet smile. She looked at me, as if she could
sense all my fears and identify with them. I immediately felt some
of the tension run out of my body when she sat down at her desk.
"Tsukino Usagi," she said, moving some papers out from in
front of her. "And Chiba Mamoru. Ami tells me that you want to
have a paternity test ran on the unborn child?"
I nodded my head, unable to take my eyes from hers while
she spoke. She said things so lightly, like she was asking someone
how they were doing today. Her blue eyes were so bright, so focused.
"Okay, what we are going to do is take a sample of fluid
from your womb called the amniotic fluid. With the DNA strain we
pull from that, we will compare it to a DNA sample we will take
from you, Usagi-san. Whatever strains that don't match yours,
will need to match Mamoru-san's for him to be the father. Now,
usually this takes around four weeks - but I think I maybe able
to speed up the process in this case." She sat back, one hand
under her chin thoughtfully. "Do you have any questions before
we get started?"
I looked at Mamoru, but he just shook his head. Just from
the way he held himself, I could tell he was nervous - anxious
even. I looked back to Doctor Minzuno. "No, I think we're ready."
As we walked down the hall towards the medical room, Mamoru
reached over and took my hand. Smiling, I took strength in the
fact that he was by my side. I could do this - we could do this.
Doctor Mizuno had me lay on a medical table, raising my
shirt to reveal my slightly swollen stomach. After washing her
hands, she turned back towards me with a long needle. I felt a
shiver go through my body. Squeezing my eyes closed, I turned
away from and her and towards Mamoru. Suddenly I felt fingers
brushing against my cheek. I opened one eye, looking up to see
Mamoru slightly bent over my head, his breath on my face. His
eyes were locked on my stomach, almost memorizing. When our eyes
meet, he smiled - his eyes so full of love that it took my breath
away.
When Doctor Minzuno had finished, she took DNA samples from
my and Mamoru's mouth and sent it off to lab. When she returned
she leaned up against the counter, crossing her arms in front of
her. "While you are here, do you want to go ahead and have a
routine check up, maybe take a peek at the little one?"
I felt my eyes go large. Actually see the baby? I didn't
even look to Mamoru for confirmation - immediately I nodded my
head.
@------
The cream was clear, oddly looking like jello - and cold.
Doctor Minzuno gave me a two second warning before placing the
jelly on my stomach. When I inhaled sharply, my eyes widening
as my senses picked up the feeling of the cold - she laughed
airily. "If I told you any sooner, you would have laid there
and dreaded it, ne? Better just to get it over with, I always
say."
I nodded, though I didn't feel too much relief from her
comment. She moved the small devise on my stomach around for
a few moments, and I noticed movement on the black and white
screen it was attached to. I looked to Mamo-chan, but he was
staring at the screen intensely.
"If you haven't already, you should be feeling the baby
move pretty soon. You probably won't be able to distinguish it
from your stomach growling unless you pay close attention. Your
uterus is growing and you might feel pangs of pain caused by the
ligaments stretching in your abdomen." She paused for a moment,
studying the screen. "There you are," she said sweetly, pointing
to the screen. "There is your baby." Reaching over, she turned a
knob on the ultra-sound machine and a sound that resembled a horse
running filled the otherwise quiet room. "And that is your baby's
heartbeat. Beating about one hundred and thirty times a minute,
which is perfectly normal."
I couldn't believe my eyes or my ears. I felt tears rise
up, and my breath caught in my throat. That small being, inside
me, right there on the screen. And for the last four months I
had been ignoring him or her. Shame filled me, but also determination.
I wouldn't ignore her anymore. No matter what, I would be a good
mother to this baby. The mother mine had been to me, passed on to
her grandchild. The feeling in my heart made a smile break out on
my face that I couldn't stop if I wanted to. I felt so much love
inside me for this small life. Up until now pregnancy was just a
word. I was pregnant, and that was as far as I thought about it.
Today would mark a new mile stone in my life and in my heart - the
first day I felt love for my child. It was breathtaking.
"She or he is about four and half, maybe five inches long,"
Doctor Mizuno told us, her voice barely a whisper as if to not
spoil the moment. "And could easily fit in the palm of your hand."
A few sparse tears left my eyes as I giggled, looking
up at Mamo-chan. "I've gained eight pounds and she is only five
inches long?"
"Five beautiful inches," he replied, still memorized by the
image on the screen. I nodded my head, a smile planted firmly on my
face as I looked at our baby.
@------
The crisp January wind blew against my face and neck as I
walked to work. My hair blew in waves behind me, the sun picking
up the blonde and making it shine when I saw it in front of me.
My thoughts kept returning to two weeks before, at the doctor's
office with Mamoru. The paternity test had been run - and even
though we hadn't gotten the results - Mamoru was every bit the
happy father. Something changed in him that day, something that
also sparked in me, I believe. No longer did I feel depressed
about my pregnancy, or darkened by it's meaning. I would make
due, and love my child no matter what.
I hummed as I walked into the arcade, heading upstairs to
the Fruit Parlor. Motoki smiled and waved as I bounced by, running
to clock in before I was late. Tying my apron around my waist, I
headed back out the swinging door and behind the counter. "Konnichi'wa
Naru-chan!" I smiled to the young girl whom I often worked shifts with.
"Hello," she replied, wiping her hands on her apron. "How are
you feeling today?" She turned away from me, placing a ticket in the
machine and ringing up the order. Even as she stayed busy, I knew she
was still listening to me and waiting for an answer.
"I'm wonderful," I replied enthusiastically. "I have had this
whole load of energy since I woke up this morning. I seen the doctor
yesterday, everything looks great. She also said now that I was in
my fifth month that I would get some of my old energy back." Grapping
a pen and ticket pad out from underneath the counter, I went over to
the dry erase board on the wall. "You want counter or floor tonight?"
"Counter!" Naru replied, her short brown hair swishing around
her face as she headed to the floor to take the ticket to it's own.
Beside the word "Counter" on the board, I wrote Naru's name and then
drew a small bunny next to "Floor". Looking out across the room, I
noted that we weren't too terribly busy - which was odd for a Friday
night. Shrugging it off, I walked towards the group who had just came
in.
The night that had started out so dull didn't stay that way for
very long. Before I knew it we had only one table free and five people
in line for it. Leaning against the counter, I brushed my bangs away
from my face with my hand. I had turned the air conditioning up twice,
but with all the people talking and laughing around me I was burning
up.
With the added work load time flew by, and before I knew it Naru
and I were cleaning tables - only a couple of people at the counter
that left not too long afterwards. Putting both hands on the table,
I closed my eyes and tried to stretch the muscles in my back. The
tips were good tonight, but I was bone tired. Suddenly I felt long
fingers massaging into my spine. I moaned softly in pleasure, peeking
back to see who was behind me.
"Feel good?" Mamo-chan mumbled in my ear as I leaned back against
him.
"Very." I felt his arms slip around my waist and squeeze lightly.
The thumping of his heart was in my ear, his breath on my neck.
Exhaustion made my eyes close wearily and I wondered what it would
be like to stay in these arms all night.
Mamo-chan and I pulled away slightly when we heard footsteps
in the room. I relaxed when I heard Naru giggling. "Don't mind me,
I'm just closing up."
"I need to go help her," I told Mamo-chan, lighting kissing
his lips. I backed away from him, our eyes never breaking contact.
"I'll be waiting for you downstairs with Shingo," he replied,
turning away from me. I walked behind the counter when I heard him
call my name. As I turned around he was smiling at me, a strange
glint in his eyes that I couldn't identify. "I love you."
Before I could reply he was gone through the door. Smiling
to myself, I walked into the kitchen. Naru turned to me, smiling.
"You two are so cute!" she exclaimed. "I wish I could get my
boyfriend to act like that..." she sighed wistfully and began
washing trays down again. "You are so lucky."
The slight pain Dr. Mizuno had warned me about was starting
in my lower stomach. I picked my rag up and walked into the lobby
and began taking apart the coke machine and cleaning it. After
standing for so long, I felt like I would collapse any minute.
Lucky, she says. Sometimes I wonder.
@------
On the way home that night Shingo fell asleep in the
backseat. Mamo-chan and I had discussed Shingo and I sleeping
over, but hadn't really came to a decision until we heard the
soft snoring of my young brother in the backseat.
Using Mamo-chan's cell phone, I called Makoto and told
her not to expect me in tonight. Thankfully, she said she would
explain to Luna. I cringed at the thought of my feline guardian's
reaction. But, then again, Luna had spent most of her time lately
with Artemis - supposedly "discussing" the enemy. I knew better if
I knew Luna.
With a huge ear to ear smile, Mamo-chan pulled the car into
the garage and parked. Shingo barely opened his eyes when Mamo-
chan picked him up and carried him to his apartment. Putting my
little brother in the spare bedroom we tucked him into bed and
the shut the door.
For an odd moment I had no idea what to do; what to say.
Appearing equally as nervous - Mamo-chan went into the kitchen.
I followed him, sitting down at the table while he fixed us both
a cup of hot tea.
"So, um, how are you feeling?" His nervous air did nothing
for my own nerves.
Quickly I tried to think of an answer that may make both of
us feel a little more easier. "Well," I began, staring into my cup
of tea and then at him. "I go through periods of being extremely
tired to extremely energetic. And then there's also the feeling
of having a small watermelon laying on my pelvic bone twenty-four
hours a day." I laughed at the expression on his face, which in
turn caused him to smile. "Otherwise it's a wonderful feeling to
be carrying our child."
For reasons I couldn't explain at the moment, Mamo-chan's
expression changed. I wondered what I had said wrong and connected
it to the fact that we had not gotten the paternity test results yet.
But since last week at the doctor he had seemed so suddenly at ease
with my pregnancy. I bit my bottom lip and watched my beloved stand
and go to the counter to pour another cup of tea. When he turned
back to me, I found I couldn't take my eyes from his intense stare.
"Usako, I've been thinking about what we should do." When I
gave him a blank stare, he motioned towards my stomach. "About the
baby." Oh no, my mind screamed. Here it comes. I had no earthly idea
what 'it' was - but the feeling in my gut said it couldn't be any
good when the conversation was on such a serious note. I just stared
at him as he crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. "I think
it would be in the best interest of all of us if you and Shingo moved
in here with me."
I continued to stare at him until the words finally made sense
in my slightly over stimulated mind. Relief, like a dam bursting,
flooded over me. Mamo-chan sat down in front of me, taking my hands
in his. "Now don't say anything. Just hear me out. I'm not proposing
marriage - yet. Just some stability in our future. Shingo, I think,
would be happier if he had two parent figures. And I want to be here
for every second of your pregnancy. I don't make a ton of money, but
I make enough to provide for all of us without struggle. We could
turn the spare bedroom into a bedroom for Shingo and the baby..."
Suddenly I began giggling. Mamo-chan stopped, looking at me
oddly. The way he babbled on about this made him appear like a child
with a new toy. His eyes were bright with excitement. "How long have
you been planning this, Chiba Mamoru?" I asked when finally I could
catch my breath from his frequent change of subjects.
He blushed (very adorably, by the way) and looked at our joined
hands. "Well, since the day we seen Dr. Mizuno." When he meet my eyes
again, there was the smallest trace of sadness in them. "I don't
remember my parents, they died when I was very young. I've never
had a family, anyone to care for. I want us both to be here for
our child like my parents couldn't be for me."
I felt the tears in my eyes. The longing in his voice, the love
and need. Without thinking I pulled Mamo-chan to my breast as my
mother had done me so many times before and wrapped my arms around
him. His arms encircled my waist as he sat on his knees before me.
"Don't worry love," I soothed. "You have a family now and we
aren't going anywhere." I felt years wiser in that kitchen. For
what seemed an eternity we stayed like that; Mamo-chan fell into
a light sleep as I sat running my fingers through his hair and
humming. It seemed I had acquired my mother's calming tone and
wonderful ways of saying just the right thing.
I only prayed I could be half the mother to my children
as she was to me.
@------
Contrary to what I thought may happen - Mamo-chan and I
only slept in each other's arms that night. As I was putting on
one of his shirts to wear as a night gown, he asked me what I
wanted. Unsure, I admitted that I wasn't ready to add a physical
relationship into everything else in my life. Not hesitating
for a second, Mamo-chan slipped his arms around my waist and
hugged me, reassuring me it was perfectly okay. "I just want
you to be happy." So that night I stayed curled up against
his chest - discussing baby names.
"I thought if it were a boy to name him Alexander, or
Dylan. But those are English names," I continued thoughtfully.
The only light in the room was that which shone through the
sheers on the window. For the first time in months I was
completely comfortable. Not once did being a princess cross
my mind, nor saving the universe. Mamo-chan's hand rubbed
small circles on my stomach as I continued to rattle on.
"And if it's a girl..."
"Usagi."
I looked at Mamo-chan, slightly puzzled. "Nani?" I
questioned, wondering why he hadn't addressed me by the pet
name bestowed on me almost immediately after we meet.
He leaned up, propping his head on his hand and looking
down at me. I felt a blush creep up my neck and to my cheeks
at his intense stare. It turned even brighter when he explained.
"If the baby is a girl, I want to name her Usagi. After the
most wonderful, beautiful woman in the world." He then reached
down, placing his lips on mine softly. "No objections, I hope?"
Shaking my head no, I buried my self in his arms and
started to say something when a tingling feeling of dread and
fear ran up my spine. Immediately my thoughts when to Shingo,
but before I could voice them we heard a scream.
"MAMA! HELP ME!"
I don't remember getting out of the bed, or going to
Shingo's room. Mamo-chan went in ahead of me, bursting through
the door and searching for the problem. The room was empty,
save for Shingo laying on the bed tossing and turning. His
arms struck out at the empty air, tears running down his face
as he let another howl of terror rise from his throat.
From one side of the bed Mamo-chan held Shingo's arms
down so that he didn't accidentally hit my stomach as he thrashed
about. Shaking him, I tried to wake him up from the nightmare.
He squirmed, fighting both Mamo-chan and I - but not waking up.
"Usako," Mamo-chan said gruffly, his voice demanding. "Go
get a cup of cold water and pour it over him." I began to shake
my head no when Shingo forced on of his arms loose and stuck
Mamo-chan in the nose. At the sight of the blood I began to
whimper. "Hurry Usako. It's the only way," Mamo-chan insisted.
"He might hurt himself."
As fast as my legs would take me, I ran down the hall
and into the kitchen. Looking around frantically I realized I
had no idea where the cups were. Instead of stalling any
longer, I began flinging cabinet doors open, crying harder
every time I heard Shingo scream for our mother - and then
for me. Finally I found the cups and filled one full of
cold water. Running back to the bedroom I stood above my
screaming brother and closed my eyes before pouring it over
his face.
Abruptly the room went quiet. Mamo-chan let go of
Shingo's arms and they fell to his sides limply. Quickly
his eyes opened and he chocked, sitting up and coughing.
He looked at Mamo-chan, then at me looking confused for a
moment, wiping water off his face with his shirt sleeve.
"Usagi, why did you pour water on me?" he asked, seemingly
totally ignorant to why we were even in his room. His eyes
stayed on Mamo-chan a bit longer. "Why is your nose bleeding?"
I looked at Mamo-chan, confused. How could he not
remember anything? Not even a trace of the situation was
evident in Shingo's features. Mamo-chan went to the bathroom,
coming back with a towel. Quietly he dried Shingo's face,
neck and hair. I continued to stare at my brother - dumbfounded.
"You.. you were having a nightmare. Do you not remember?"
Shingo shook his head no, reaching up and wiping a tear
off my face. "Did I make you cry?" he asked solemnly.
I looked to Mamo-chan for help, but he looked as helpless
as I felt. I reached over, brushing a strain of hair away from
his eyes. "You need a hair cut," I mumbled. Suddenly everything
hit me - the fear in his voice, the urgency, his arms swinging
about trying to protect himself because I couldn't. Shingo
stared at me worriedly when I burst out crying, pulling him
into a hug. Shingo moaned slightly - sounding in pain. "What's
wrong?" I demanded, terrified.
"I hurt all over," he mumbled in my shirt, snuggling more
into my embrace.
Mamo-chan came over to our side of the bed and felt Shingo's
forehead. "He feels a little warm. Hey buddy," he took Shingo from
my arms and stood up. "Do you want to sleep with us?"
Shingo nodded his head sleepily, laying on Mamo-chan's
shoulder. Wiping the tears of frustration and fear from my
face, I followed them into Mamo-chan's room.
After Shingo fell asleep, Mamo-chan moved him over on
the other side of the bed. I gave him a questioning look as he
tucked him in. "Just incase he has another nightmare I want
him away from you and the baby," Mamo-chan explained softly.
I nodded my head and laid on his chest, thinking. I was
terrified of what I had seen. Shingo had looked possessed as
he lashed out at his nightmare. I prayed it was only a dream
- some fiction in the small mind of a six year old - but
something told me different.
After listening to Mamo-chan and Shingo snore softly for
hours - I finally fell into a - thankfully - dreamless sleep.
@------
The warm rays of the sun greeted me the next morning. I
laid still, basking in the knowledge that when I opened my eyes
I would see Mamo-chan laying beside me. Goes to show how much I
know.
Slowly I turned over and, with a smile on my face, opened
my eyes and seen... an empty bed.
Confused, I sat up and looked around the bedroom. Empty.
"Okay," I mumbled to the baby in my womb as I got up. "Let's go
see if we can find your daddy." It didn't take long - all I had
to do was follow the sounds of Shingo's giggling and the
occasional deep laugh of Mamo-chan. I peeked around the corner
into the living room. Sitting on the floor, surrounded by empty
breakfast plates and cups - was Mamo-chan and Shingo playing a
racing game on the Nintendo.
"I'm going to beat you!" Shingo exclaimed, moving the
controller about in the air as if it were helping him go faster.
"Not today!" Mamo-chan replied, laughing. "I am the
master of this game!"
Holding my hand over my mouth to keep from giggling
out-loud, I walked up to the two on the floor. "Master, huh?"
I asked, seemingly impressed. "I bet I could beat you both,"
I stated, smiling at them.
Mamo-chan's attention left the screen to smile up at me,
and the room immediately was loud with the sound of Shingo
screaming his victory. "Hey!" my beloved protested, standing
up and hugging me. "I was being distracted by a beautiful
woman!"
"Not my problem," Shingo retorted, grinning from ear to
ear. "I still won."
"Alright, kiddo, you won." Mamo-chan reverted his attention
back to me, pulled me closer to his firm chest and kissing my nose
softly. "How are my two favorite people in the world doing this
morning?"
I giggled, inhaling his invigorating scent. "We are hungry."
"Why don't that surprise me?" he replied, winking. "You sit
down, and I'll make you a plate."
I watched him disappear into the kitchen and I walked over
to the balcony. Sliding the glass door back, I stepped outside and
let the warm air brush against my face. From twelve stories up, the
city was beautiful. The sounds of the city below floated up to my
ears, filling my mind with a peaceful calm.
But it was times like these that my mind had time to go over
my life - retract, and think about stuff that I didn't need to be
thinking of. A haunting image of Shingo, his arms swinging out madly
in the air, forced itself into my mind's eye. My parents - lying
dead atop each other. The eerie image of the words, scribbled in
my parent's fresh blood on the wall. Fleeing, into the arms of destiny.
Headlong into a country I hadn't stepped in since I was the tender
age of two. Mamo-chan, and the period before I knew who he was.
Searching for my guardians, the heartache deep in my chest when I
first realized I had died. And the latest trial added into the mess
called my life - my pregnancy.
I had often wondered how much the human mind could take, how
many blows could be added on top of blows before one just couldn't
take it anymore. I hoped I never found out. For now, I would cope.
Go on, fight, thrive, live and win.
Over all, it had been peaceful. Aside from the occasional youma
attack, I just lived my life. I settled in my new town, my new job,
my new life. I got comfortable. Too comfortable. I should have known,
I should have kept the image of my parent's death fresh in my mind,
never letting it fade. I knew what the enemy was capable of, and that
fact should have never, never faded from my memory. They had found me
once, ripping my life to shreds. It was only a matter of time before
they found me again.
An unearthly, shrill scream rose above the sounds of the city -
blocking out every other thought in my mind. It was followed by many
other screams, and the people on the road below began running in all
directions - without purpose, without destination. Away. Far away from
where they were.
Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. They scrambled, and my fear filled
eyes rose towards the heavens where I seen the object of their terror.
My mouth dropped open, my hands clutching the rail with a such a force
that my knuckles turned white and ached. I paid it no heed to the pain
as I stared at the sky.
"Oh my God," I whispered, unable to take my eyes from the once
clear blue sky. I couldn't move, the only thing that responded to the
commands of my brain was my voice. There was an explosion, and I
felt the scream release from my throat.
"MAMO-CHAN!!"
--End Chapter 8.
In case anyone was mistaken, I don't own Sailor Moon or any of the
characters. As always, I still own the cocker spaniel (try to take
him and you better have your will wrote out and ready for viewing),
the POS chevy cavalier (trade for about anything) and a new DVD
player (pay the bill and I might rent it to you) If you are so
inclinded, you may sue me. But know that Columbia House and
Blockbuster are ahead of you in that line and want their money
first ^_^;;
HUGE thanks to my wonderful editor, Meara *hugs* And everyone
who emails me and reads and reviews on FF.net - I love you guys!
*takes on radio broadcaster voice* Annnnnnd stay tuned next week
to find out what is scaring the hibbee geebees out of Usagi in
Chapter 9 - Unearthed Terrors!!!
^^
@------
Flee to Destiny
Chapter 8 - No greater love
By: Bethany
Editor: Meara
Rated: PG-13
@------
Silence.
Even the sounds of the cleaning crew who had been in the
hallway earlier had faded. The clock sitting on the mantel clicked
- now 8:42a.m. Mamoru's mouth opened, but for a few agonizingly
long seconds, he said nothing. I currently sat, mentally kicking
myself - hard, I might add - for what I had just said.
"W-What?" he finally whispered, his eyes wide as he stared
at me.
My own eyes were strangely dry. My damp face was the only
sign of my resent tears. The strong odor of alcohol suddenly hit
me, making my stomach turn and threaten to rid me of everything
I had eaten. Mamoru's stutter of words stayed in the air between
us, repeating over and over again in my head. When finally I
regained control of my limbs, I moved back - pushing myself
against the wall, wrapping my arms around my stomach as if to
protect my baby from the argument that was sure to follow.
Mamoru tried to clear his throat, his eyes staring at me
oddly. "Usa," he finally mumbled. "You know that's - well, it's
impossible." He spread his hands out as he spoke, still staring
at me with an odd glint.
"Look, I know you won't believe me. I had no intention of
telling you this way.."
"This way?" Mamoru all but shouted. He stood up, his voice
rising more the longer he spoke. "What way? Look Usa, I don't
care to be a father for your child, okay? I care about you that
much, want to be with you that much. But you and I both know
this baby is not mine!"
I felt the tears - to my disgust - return to my eyes. I
pulled myself into a tighter ball, burning my face in my hands
and attempting to disappear. "But it is!" I cried even though I
knew he didn't believe me. "In our last life I became pregnant,
but then the battle on the Moon happened and I wished on the
Crystal for our baby to be reincarnated with us. And now.."
I stopped, noticing the blank expression on Mamoru's face. He
had stopped screaming and now sat in the floor across from me.
His focus didn't seem to be on me, but rather through me. I
suppose he was seeing his own thoughts - perhaps searching his
memories to see if what I said may be true. I bit my bottom lip,
waiting for his reaction.
"If what you're saying is true.." he whispered slowly,
looking dead into my eyes. "Will you take a paternity test?"
His uncertainty was a welcomed change from his all out rejection
of my child.
Relief flooded through me. Just as I had needed medical
proof that I was pregnant - Mamoru needed proof the child was
his. I shook my head yes, trying to stand up. Suddenly my stomach
felt heavier, pressuring on my pelvic bone, weighing me down. I
felt off center and ackward. Placeing my hand on the bottom of
the bulge, gaining the balance I needed to get to my feet. "When
do you want to have it done?"
"Ami's mother is an OB-GYN. I'll call Ami and see if her
mother can do it for us. I'm sure there should be no problems."
He looked to be attempting to convince himself of that, as well
as me. I watched him go into the kitchen to use the phone. While
he spoke I looked around the apartment.
What would happen when he found out the baby was his? Would
he want me and Shingo to move in here? Would he want us to get
married before the baby was born? It felt odd to be thinking
about marriage when I was still trying to get used to the idea
of so many other things in my life. Did I really want to throw
marriage in on top of it?
"Usa?" I looked up, slightly startled to be so abruptly
pulled from my thoughts. Mamoru scratched the back of his neck,
smiling at me boyishly. "Ami said to meet her at the hospital in
the morning. I'll pick you up around nine, okay?"
I nodded, standing up and walking towards the door. Mamoru
followed me, the tension sitting in the air between us. "I guess
I'll see you in the morning then," I said after putting my shoes
on and opening the door. He said nothing as I went out the door
and down the hall. I stopped as I reached the elevator - looking
back towards his apartment. His smiling face was still there,
staring at me when the doors closed.
@------
Doctor Minzuno Ainoko moved back from the door way, her hand
waving to indicate two empty chairs sitting in front of her desk.
I sat down, Mamoru sitting next to me. Doctor Minzuno was a tall
woman, her hair the same shade as Ami's. They also shared eye
color and the same sweet smile. She looked at me, as if she could
sense all my fears and identify with them. I immediately felt some
of the tension run out of my body when she sat down at her desk.
"Tsukino Usagi," she said, moving some papers out from in
front of her. "And Chiba Mamoru. Ami tells me that you want to
have a paternity test ran on the unborn child?"
I nodded my head, unable to take my eyes from hers while
she spoke. She said things so lightly, like she was asking someone
how they were doing today. Her blue eyes were so bright, so focused.
"Okay, what we are going to do is take a sample of fluid
from your womb called the amniotic fluid. With the DNA strain we
pull from that, we will compare it to a DNA sample we will take
from you, Usagi-san. Whatever strains that don't match yours,
will need to match Mamoru-san's for him to be the father. Now,
usually this takes around four weeks - but I think I maybe able
to speed up the process in this case." She sat back, one hand
under her chin thoughtfully. "Do you have any questions before
we get started?"
I looked at Mamoru, but he just shook his head. Just from
the way he held himself, I could tell he was nervous - anxious
even. I looked back to Doctor Minzuno. "No, I think we're ready."
As we walked down the hall towards the medical room, Mamoru
reached over and took my hand. Smiling, I took strength in the
fact that he was by my side. I could do this - we could do this.
Doctor Mizuno had me lay on a medical table, raising my
shirt to reveal my slightly swollen stomach. After washing her
hands, she turned back towards me with a long needle. I felt a
shiver go through my body. Squeezing my eyes closed, I turned
away from and her and towards Mamoru. Suddenly I felt fingers
brushing against my cheek. I opened one eye, looking up to see
Mamoru slightly bent over my head, his breath on my face. His
eyes were locked on my stomach, almost memorizing. When our eyes
meet, he smiled - his eyes so full of love that it took my breath
away.
When Doctor Minzuno had finished, she took DNA samples from
my and Mamoru's mouth and sent it off to lab. When she returned
she leaned up against the counter, crossing her arms in front of
her. "While you are here, do you want to go ahead and have a
routine check up, maybe take a peek at the little one?"
I felt my eyes go large. Actually see the baby? I didn't
even look to Mamoru for confirmation - immediately I nodded my
head.
@------
The cream was clear, oddly looking like jello - and cold.
Doctor Minzuno gave me a two second warning before placing the
jelly on my stomach. When I inhaled sharply, my eyes widening
as my senses picked up the feeling of the cold - she laughed
airily. "If I told you any sooner, you would have laid there
and dreaded it, ne? Better just to get it over with, I always
say."
I nodded, though I didn't feel too much relief from her
comment. She moved the small devise on my stomach around for
a few moments, and I noticed movement on the black and white
screen it was attached to. I looked to Mamo-chan, but he was
staring at the screen intensely.
"If you haven't already, you should be feeling the baby
move pretty soon. You probably won't be able to distinguish it
from your stomach growling unless you pay close attention. Your
uterus is growing and you might feel pangs of pain caused by the
ligaments stretching in your abdomen." She paused for a moment,
studying the screen. "There you are," she said sweetly, pointing
to the screen. "There is your baby." Reaching over, she turned a
knob on the ultra-sound machine and a sound that resembled a horse
running filled the otherwise quiet room. "And that is your baby's
heartbeat. Beating about one hundred and thirty times a minute,
which is perfectly normal."
I couldn't believe my eyes or my ears. I felt tears rise
up, and my breath caught in my throat. That small being, inside
me, right there on the screen. And for the last four months I
had been ignoring him or her. Shame filled me, but also determination.
I wouldn't ignore her anymore. No matter what, I would be a good
mother to this baby. The mother mine had been to me, passed on to
her grandchild. The feeling in my heart made a smile break out on
my face that I couldn't stop if I wanted to. I felt so much love
inside me for this small life. Up until now pregnancy was just a
word. I was pregnant, and that was as far as I thought about it.
Today would mark a new mile stone in my life and in my heart - the
first day I felt love for my child. It was breathtaking.
"She or he is about four and half, maybe five inches long,"
Doctor Mizuno told us, her voice barely a whisper as if to not
spoil the moment. "And could easily fit in the palm of your hand."
A few sparse tears left my eyes as I giggled, looking
up at Mamo-chan. "I've gained eight pounds and she is only five
inches long?"
"Five beautiful inches," he replied, still memorized by the
image on the screen. I nodded my head, a smile planted firmly on my
face as I looked at our baby.
@------
The crisp January wind blew against my face and neck as I
walked to work. My hair blew in waves behind me, the sun picking
up the blonde and making it shine when I saw it in front of me.
My thoughts kept returning to two weeks before, at the doctor's
office with Mamoru. The paternity test had been run - and even
though we hadn't gotten the results - Mamoru was every bit the
happy father. Something changed in him that day, something that
also sparked in me, I believe. No longer did I feel depressed
about my pregnancy, or darkened by it's meaning. I would make
due, and love my child no matter what.
I hummed as I walked into the arcade, heading upstairs to
the Fruit Parlor. Motoki smiled and waved as I bounced by, running
to clock in before I was late. Tying my apron around my waist, I
headed back out the swinging door and behind the counter. "Konnichi'wa
Naru-chan!" I smiled to the young girl whom I often worked shifts with.
"Hello," she replied, wiping her hands on her apron. "How are
you feeling today?" She turned away from me, placing a ticket in the
machine and ringing up the order. Even as she stayed busy, I knew she
was still listening to me and waiting for an answer.
"I'm wonderful," I replied enthusiastically. "I have had this
whole load of energy since I woke up this morning. I seen the doctor
yesterday, everything looks great. She also said now that I was in
my fifth month that I would get some of my old energy back." Grapping
a pen and ticket pad out from underneath the counter, I went over to
the dry erase board on the wall. "You want counter or floor tonight?"
"Counter!" Naru replied, her short brown hair swishing around
her face as she headed to the floor to take the ticket to it's own.
Beside the word "Counter" on the board, I wrote Naru's name and then
drew a small bunny next to "Floor". Looking out across the room, I
noted that we weren't too terribly busy - which was odd for a Friday
night. Shrugging it off, I walked towards the group who had just came
in.
The night that had started out so dull didn't stay that way for
very long. Before I knew it we had only one table free and five people
in line for it. Leaning against the counter, I brushed my bangs away
from my face with my hand. I had turned the air conditioning up twice,
but with all the people talking and laughing around me I was burning
up.
With the added work load time flew by, and before I knew it Naru
and I were cleaning tables - only a couple of people at the counter
that left not too long afterwards. Putting both hands on the table,
I closed my eyes and tried to stretch the muscles in my back. The
tips were good tonight, but I was bone tired. Suddenly I felt long
fingers massaging into my spine. I moaned softly in pleasure, peeking
back to see who was behind me.
"Feel good?" Mamo-chan mumbled in my ear as I leaned back against
him.
"Very." I felt his arms slip around my waist and squeeze lightly.
The thumping of his heart was in my ear, his breath on my neck.
Exhaustion made my eyes close wearily and I wondered what it would
be like to stay in these arms all night.
Mamo-chan and I pulled away slightly when we heard footsteps
in the room. I relaxed when I heard Naru giggling. "Don't mind me,
I'm just closing up."
"I need to go help her," I told Mamo-chan, lighting kissing
his lips. I backed away from him, our eyes never breaking contact.
"I'll be waiting for you downstairs with Shingo," he replied,
turning away from me. I walked behind the counter when I heard him
call my name. As I turned around he was smiling at me, a strange
glint in his eyes that I couldn't identify. "I love you."
Before I could reply he was gone through the door. Smiling
to myself, I walked into the kitchen. Naru turned to me, smiling.
"You two are so cute!" she exclaimed. "I wish I could get my
boyfriend to act like that..." she sighed wistfully and began
washing trays down again. "You are so lucky."
The slight pain Dr. Mizuno had warned me about was starting
in my lower stomach. I picked my rag up and walked into the lobby
and began taking apart the coke machine and cleaning it. After
standing for so long, I felt like I would collapse any minute.
Lucky, she says. Sometimes I wonder.
@------
On the way home that night Shingo fell asleep in the
backseat. Mamo-chan and I had discussed Shingo and I sleeping
over, but hadn't really came to a decision until we heard the
soft snoring of my young brother in the backseat.
Using Mamo-chan's cell phone, I called Makoto and told
her not to expect me in tonight. Thankfully, she said she would
explain to Luna. I cringed at the thought of my feline guardian's
reaction. But, then again, Luna had spent most of her time lately
with Artemis - supposedly "discussing" the enemy. I knew better if
I knew Luna.
With a huge ear to ear smile, Mamo-chan pulled the car into
the garage and parked. Shingo barely opened his eyes when Mamo-
chan picked him up and carried him to his apartment. Putting my
little brother in the spare bedroom we tucked him into bed and
the shut the door.
For an odd moment I had no idea what to do; what to say.
Appearing equally as nervous - Mamo-chan went into the kitchen.
I followed him, sitting down at the table while he fixed us both
a cup of hot tea.
"So, um, how are you feeling?" His nervous air did nothing
for my own nerves.
Quickly I tried to think of an answer that may make both of
us feel a little more easier. "Well," I began, staring into my cup
of tea and then at him. "I go through periods of being extremely
tired to extremely energetic. And then there's also the feeling
of having a small watermelon laying on my pelvic bone twenty-four
hours a day." I laughed at the expression on his face, which in
turn caused him to smile. "Otherwise it's a wonderful feeling to
be carrying our child."
For reasons I couldn't explain at the moment, Mamo-chan's
expression changed. I wondered what I had said wrong and connected
it to the fact that we had not gotten the paternity test results yet.
But since last week at the doctor he had seemed so suddenly at ease
with my pregnancy. I bit my bottom lip and watched my beloved stand
and go to the counter to pour another cup of tea. When he turned
back to me, I found I couldn't take my eyes from his intense stare.
"Usako, I've been thinking about what we should do." When I
gave him a blank stare, he motioned towards my stomach. "About the
baby." Oh no, my mind screamed. Here it comes. I had no earthly idea
what 'it' was - but the feeling in my gut said it couldn't be any
good when the conversation was on such a serious note. I just stared
at him as he crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. "I think
it would be in the best interest of all of us if you and Shingo moved
in here with me."
I continued to stare at him until the words finally made sense
in my slightly over stimulated mind. Relief, like a dam bursting,
flooded over me. Mamo-chan sat down in front of me, taking my hands
in his. "Now don't say anything. Just hear me out. I'm not proposing
marriage - yet. Just some stability in our future. Shingo, I think,
would be happier if he had two parent figures. And I want to be here
for every second of your pregnancy. I don't make a ton of money, but
I make enough to provide for all of us without struggle. We could
turn the spare bedroom into a bedroom for Shingo and the baby..."
Suddenly I began giggling. Mamo-chan stopped, looking at me
oddly. The way he babbled on about this made him appear like a child
with a new toy. His eyes were bright with excitement. "How long have
you been planning this, Chiba Mamoru?" I asked when finally I could
catch my breath from his frequent change of subjects.
He blushed (very adorably, by the way) and looked at our joined
hands. "Well, since the day we seen Dr. Mizuno." When he meet my eyes
again, there was the smallest trace of sadness in them. "I don't
remember my parents, they died when I was very young. I've never
had a family, anyone to care for. I want us both to be here for
our child like my parents couldn't be for me."
I felt the tears in my eyes. The longing in his voice, the love
and need. Without thinking I pulled Mamo-chan to my breast as my
mother had done me so many times before and wrapped my arms around
him. His arms encircled my waist as he sat on his knees before me.
"Don't worry love," I soothed. "You have a family now and we
aren't going anywhere." I felt years wiser in that kitchen. For
what seemed an eternity we stayed like that; Mamo-chan fell into
a light sleep as I sat running my fingers through his hair and
humming. It seemed I had acquired my mother's calming tone and
wonderful ways of saying just the right thing.
I only prayed I could be half the mother to my children
as she was to me.
@------
Contrary to what I thought may happen - Mamo-chan and I
only slept in each other's arms that night. As I was putting on
one of his shirts to wear as a night gown, he asked me what I
wanted. Unsure, I admitted that I wasn't ready to add a physical
relationship into everything else in my life. Not hesitating
for a second, Mamo-chan slipped his arms around my waist and
hugged me, reassuring me it was perfectly okay. "I just want
you to be happy." So that night I stayed curled up against
his chest - discussing baby names.
"I thought if it were a boy to name him Alexander, or
Dylan. But those are English names," I continued thoughtfully.
The only light in the room was that which shone through the
sheers on the window. For the first time in months I was
completely comfortable. Not once did being a princess cross
my mind, nor saving the universe. Mamo-chan's hand rubbed
small circles on my stomach as I continued to rattle on.
"And if it's a girl..."
"Usagi."
I looked at Mamo-chan, slightly puzzled. "Nani?" I
questioned, wondering why he hadn't addressed me by the pet
name bestowed on me almost immediately after we meet.
He leaned up, propping his head on his hand and looking
down at me. I felt a blush creep up my neck and to my cheeks
at his intense stare. It turned even brighter when he explained.
"If the baby is a girl, I want to name her Usagi. After the
most wonderful, beautiful woman in the world." He then reached
down, placing his lips on mine softly. "No objections, I hope?"
Shaking my head no, I buried my self in his arms and
started to say something when a tingling feeling of dread and
fear ran up my spine. Immediately my thoughts when to Shingo,
but before I could voice them we heard a scream.
"MAMA! HELP ME!"
I don't remember getting out of the bed, or going to
Shingo's room. Mamo-chan went in ahead of me, bursting through
the door and searching for the problem. The room was empty,
save for Shingo laying on the bed tossing and turning. His
arms struck out at the empty air, tears running down his face
as he let another howl of terror rise from his throat.
From one side of the bed Mamo-chan held Shingo's arms
down so that he didn't accidentally hit my stomach as he thrashed
about. Shaking him, I tried to wake him up from the nightmare.
He squirmed, fighting both Mamo-chan and I - but not waking up.
"Usako," Mamo-chan said gruffly, his voice demanding. "Go
get a cup of cold water and pour it over him." I began to shake
my head no when Shingo forced on of his arms loose and stuck
Mamo-chan in the nose. At the sight of the blood I began to
whimper. "Hurry Usako. It's the only way," Mamo-chan insisted.
"He might hurt himself."
As fast as my legs would take me, I ran down the hall
and into the kitchen. Looking around frantically I realized I
had no idea where the cups were. Instead of stalling any
longer, I began flinging cabinet doors open, crying harder
every time I heard Shingo scream for our mother - and then
for me. Finally I found the cups and filled one full of
cold water. Running back to the bedroom I stood above my
screaming brother and closed my eyes before pouring it over
his face.
Abruptly the room went quiet. Mamo-chan let go of
Shingo's arms and they fell to his sides limply. Quickly
his eyes opened and he chocked, sitting up and coughing.
He looked at Mamo-chan, then at me looking confused for a
moment, wiping water off his face with his shirt sleeve.
"Usagi, why did you pour water on me?" he asked, seemingly
totally ignorant to why we were even in his room. His eyes
stayed on Mamo-chan a bit longer. "Why is your nose bleeding?"
I looked at Mamo-chan, confused. How could he not
remember anything? Not even a trace of the situation was
evident in Shingo's features. Mamo-chan went to the bathroom,
coming back with a towel. Quietly he dried Shingo's face,
neck and hair. I continued to stare at my brother - dumbfounded.
"You.. you were having a nightmare. Do you not remember?"
Shingo shook his head no, reaching up and wiping a tear
off my face. "Did I make you cry?" he asked solemnly.
I looked to Mamo-chan for help, but he looked as helpless
as I felt. I reached over, brushing a strain of hair away from
his eyes. "You need a hair cut," I mumbled. Suddenly everything
hit me - the fear in his voice, the urgency, his arms swinging
about trying to protect himself because I couldn't. Shingo
stared at me worriedly when I burst out crying, pulling him
into a hug. Shingo moaned slightly - sounding in pain. "What's
wrong?" I demanded, terrified.
"I hurt all over," he mumbled in my shirt, snuggling more
into my embrace.
Mamo-chan came over to our side of the bed and felt Shingo's
forehead. "He feels a little warm. Hey buddy," he took Shingo from
my arms and stood up. "Do you want to sleep with us?"
Shingo nodded his head sleepily, laying on Mamo-chan's
shoulder. Wiping the tears of frustration and fear from my
face, I followed them into Mamo-chan's room.
After Shingo fell asleep, Mamo-chan moved him over on
the other side of the bed. I gave him a questioning look as he
tucked him in. "Just incase he has another nightmare I want
him away from you and the baby," Mamo-chan explained softly.
I nodded my head and laid on his chest, thinking. I was
terrified of what I had seen. Shingo had looked possessed as
he lashed out at his nightmare. I prayed it was only a dream
- some fiction in the small mind of a six year old - but
something told me different.
After listening to Mamo-chan and Shingo snore softly for
hours - I finally fell into a - thankfully - dreamless sleep.
@------
The warm rays of the sun greeted me the next morning. I
laid still, basking in the knowledge that when I opened my eyes
I would see Mamo-chan laying beside me. Goes to show how much I
know.
Slowly I turned over and, with a smile on my face, opened
my eyes and seen... an empty bed.
Confused, I sat up and looked around the bedroom. Empty.
"Okay," I mumbled to the baby in my womb as I got up. "Let's go
see if we can find your daddy." It didn't take long - all I had
to do was follow the sounds of Shingo's giggling and the
occasional deep laugh of Mamo-chan. I peeked around the corner
into the living room. Sitting on the floor, surrounded by empty
breakfast plates and cups - was Mamo-chan and Shingo playing a
racing game on the Nintendo.
"I'm going to beat you!" Shingo exclaimed, moving the
controller about in the air as if it were helping him go faster.
"Not today!" Mamo-chan replied, laughing. "I am the
master of this game!"
Holding my hand over my mouth to keep from giggling
out-loud, I walked up to the two on the floor. "Master, huh?"
I asked, seemingly impressed. "I bet I could beat you both,"
I stated, smiling at them.
Mamo-chan's attention left the screen to smile up at me,
and the room immediately was loud with the sound of Shingo
screaming his victory. "Hey!" my beloved protested, standing
up and hugging me. "I was being distracted by a beautiful
woman!"
"Not my problem," Shingo retorted, grinning from ear to
ear. "I still won."
"Alright, kiddo, you won." Mamo-chan reverted his attention
back to me, pulled me closer to his firm chest and kissing my nose
softly. "How are my two favorite people in the world doing this
morning?"
I giggled, inhaling his invigorating scent. "We are hungry."
"Why don't that surprise me?" he replied, winking. "You sit
down, and I'll make you a plate."
I watched him disappear into the kitchen and I walked over
to the balcony. Sliding the glass door back, I stepped outside and
let the warm air brush against my face. From twelve stories up, the
city was beautiful. The sounds of the city below floated up to my
ears, filling my mind with a peaceful calm.
But it was times like these that my mind had time to go over
my life - retract, and think about stuff that I didn't need to be
thinking of. A haunting image of Shingo, his arms swinging out madly
in the air, forced itself into my mind's eye. My parents - lying
dead atop each other. The eerie image of the words, scribbled in
my parent's fresh blood on the wall. Fleeing, into the arms of destiny.
Headlong into a country I hadn't stepped in since I was the tender
age of two. Mamo-chan, and the period before I knew who he was.
Searching for my guardians, the heartache deep in my chest when I
first realized I had died. And the latest trial added into the mess
called my life - my pregnancy.
I had often wondered how much the human mind could take, how
many blows could be added on top of blows before one just couldn't
take it anymore. I hoped I never found out. For now, I would cope.
Go on, fight, thrive, live and win.
Over all, it had been peaceful. Aside from the occasional youma
attack, I just lived my life. I settled in my new town, my new job,
my new life. I got comfortable. Too comfortable. I should have known,
I should have kept the image of my parent's death fresh in my mind,
never letting it fade. I knew what the enemy was capable of, and that
fact should have never, never faded from my memory. They had found me
once, ripping my life to shreds. It was only a matter of time before
they found me again.
An unearthly, shrill scream rose above the sounds of the city -
blocking out every other thought in my mind. It was followed by many
other screams, and the people on the road below began running in all
directions - without purpose, without destination. Away. Far away from
where they were.
Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. They scrambled, and my fear filled
eyes rose towards the heavens where I seen the object of their terror.
My mouth dropped open, my hands clutching the rail with a such a force
that my knuckles turned white and ached. I paid it no heed to the pain
as I stared at the sky.
"Oh my God," I whispered, unable to take my eyes from the once
clear blue sky. I couldn't move, the only thing that responded to the
commands of my brain was my voice. There was an explosion, and I
felt the scream release from my throat.
"MAMO-CHAN!!"
--End Chapter 8.
In case anyone was mistaken, I don't own Sailor Moon or any of the
characters. As always, I still own the cocker spaniel (try to take
him and you better have your will wrote out and ready for viewing),
the POS chevy cavalier (trade for about anything) and a new DVD
player (pay the bill and I might rent it to you) If you are so
inclinded, you may sue me. But know that Columbia House and
Blockbuster are ahead of you in that line and want their money
first ^_^;;
HUGE thanks to my wonderful editor, Meara *hugs* And everyone
who emails me and reads and reviews on FF.net - I love you guys!
*takes on radio broadcaster voice* Annnnnnd stay tuned next week
to find out what is scaring the hibbee geebees out of Usagi in
Chapter 9 - Unearthed Terrors!!!
^^