Mamoru was actually able to find the files he had faintly remembered when he got to work. He searched for about half an hour to make sure he had them all and once sure he took them to his desk. The amount of paperwork surprised him. Over the last eight years there had been almost fifty accounts of incidents almost identical to what was happening now. Most of them had been attributed to the extra ordinarily hot summers since very few actually happened in the winter, except of course the bizarre snowstorm in July.
Snow… The story seemed faintly familiar but when he tried to think about it the memory eluded him. Shrugging his shoulders he went back to his paperwork and tried to find some sort of connection and although there was a pattern, that was it. It seemed that each series of attacks had been focused on certain areas and only for a certain amount of time. Then they'd drop off for a while and pick up again somewhere else. They rarely were longer than five-week increments with anyway from a week to a month in between.
The regularity of it surprised him but the attacks seemed random enough as they were in many different areas of both Jubaan and Tokyo. The entire thing infuriated him and he slammed the top file down on his desk and sat there to think.
What was the link? There was always a link. He took a map of both cities and circled the areas of the attacks then put it up on the wall besides his desk. The results surprised him. The attacks were almost all in the area of a star… in Tokyo. The points weren't exactly anything special but it was a definite shape. There had even been one major occurrence in the very center of the star, and that was the spot he decided he should check out. He grabbed his keys and went out to his bike. Pulling out of the parking-lot he felt a pain deep inside his chest and as familiar as it was, it still caught him by surprise. He leaned over the handlebars as he blacked out.
She felt the attack and woke up immediately sitting up strait in bed and knocking Luna to the floor. The cat yowled at her angrily and hopped back up on the bed. When she saw Usagi's face all complaints where gone, even when she was suddenly covered by a big pink comforter. As she finally crawled out, the transformation was complete and it's glow fading from the room. Sailor Moon threw open the sliding glass door and leapt off the balcony without a second thought. Luna hurried to catch up.
It was the crystal point she had come to call the Center, just because it was where she and Rini had fought Rubeus, and the Dark Moon Family for control of the present and future. Even still there were crystal shards imbedded in the cement and buildings, the ones that were still standing, and nothing would grow there. She had cleansed the area of lingering evil, but even that wouldn't convince plants to grow.
Leaping from building to building she raced against both time and the monster in order to get there before people were hurt. As she neared, she could feel the beginnings of the energy drain on the people. For a moment she was unable to see where the monster was as everything looked like an ordinary street, except the people weren't moving. Neither were the cars, bikes, or even the large bus that seemed frozen in the street. The people inside were as unmoving as everything else. She pulled up short on the roof of a grocery store and looked around.
"What I wouldn't give for Mercury's visor right now." She said under her breath. Squinting her eyes she could see a faint red glow around each of the peoples feet and the tires of the cars and the only thing she could think of was that it was underground.
"SHOW YOURSELF!" She yelled hoping to get some sort of response. A breeze ruffled the leaves on a tree, but other than that there was nothing. She didn't dare touch the ground but… She removed her tiara and calling out the attack she aimed for the ground just below the feet of a young man right in front of the store. The small blast rocked him back a bit and he stumbled to the ground broken from the trance. He looked around at the other people and promptly fainted.
"Lovely." She said sarcastically and taking aim again she knocked three more people lose. Weather it was from energy loss, or something else, each one promptly fainted. All she could do was hope it wasn't some sort of side effect. The next hit took out five people and as she prepared to throw again there was a low rumbling sound. The building beneath her feet shook ever so slightly, and she took a step back from the edge just to be careful.
A red glow seeped from the holes in the ground that she had made and pulling together it created the form of a man who's entire right side was made of dirt, branches, and something crawling and black which she suspected was bugs. Her skin crawled just thinking about it. When the form was complete he looked up at her with black soulless eyes and opened his mouth to talk. A small moth fluttered out of it and Sailor Moon was sure she was going to be sick. He cleared his throat and tried again.
"WHO ON EARTH ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" It asked seemingly outraged that she had ruined its day. Sailor Moon took up a striking pose and began her little speech. Each time she said it, she got a little bit sadder since she always expected one of the other scouts to join in.
"I am Sailor Moon the Champion of love and Justice. I right wrongs and triumph over evil and on behalf of the moon, I shall punish you!" She called down in a clear and strong voice. The being looked at her for a moment then shook its… hair. A few more moths fluttered from him and Sailor Moon fought hard not to dry heave. This bug thing was really grossing her out.
"Sailor Moon huh? I've heard of you… somewhere." It spoke as though it were trying really hard to think. She probably should have felt something, but she didn't really care weather he'd heard of her or not. All she wanted to do was get rid of him and make sure the people were okay. Out of now where a fist bowled her over and as she tumbled off the roof she saw that a mound of the same stuff as the gross half of his body had grown up behind her. She touched down on the ground then leapt up to another building making sure to keep an eye out for more growths. Her side ached again, but it wasn't anything serious.
"Moon Tiara MAGIC!" She cried and let loose with the glowing disk. It cut through the dirt arm of the man as though nothing where there, but the arm grew right back. Her tiara returned and she tried again, this time for the flesh half. The man knocked her tiara to the side with the re-grown dirt arm and it fell uselessly to the ground. Sailor Moon was to stunned to notice another growth to her right side and when a rope of dirt, mud and other things picked her off the ground all she could do was scream. Her arms were pinned to her side, and pain ripped through her body as sharp objects dug into her flesh through the small protection of her fuku. She took a deep breath and screamed again then only because it hurt to much she stopped. After whimpering for a moment she looked around and tried to get her bearings.
The 'arm' had lifted her up almost twenty feet from the top of the building she'd been on so she dangled over the nearby area. Faintly she could hear the engine of a motorcycle but it seemed to far off, and who could come help her on a bike?
Her tiara lie useless on the ground far to far to be of any use, and she needed her arms to get her scepter. She cried out in frustration this time and if it had been flesh holding her, she probably would have bit it. Her only choice was to call upon her crystal, but that was taking to much of a risk.
"LET ME GO!" She yelled at it angrier than she had been in a long while. She tried to wriggle free, but the 'arm' tightened till she had problems breathing. She tried to catch her breath but it kept getting tighter and tighter until all she could hear was this deep rumble that suddenly cut off. Then she was falling. With a quick breath she was able to scream again, and she did, although weakly till warm familiar arms caught her. She was covered by a white cloak and its warmth and healing properties took immediate effect. She could breath again and the pressure of his arms against her flesh didn't hurt as much.
"I've never been so glad to see you." She told him in little more than a whisper. He responded with a chuckle and finally set her down on her own feet. With his steadying arm around her waist she was able to stand and she nodded once she was sure she could walk. He let go and stood besides her waiting. Sailor Moon placed her arms out in front of her and after concentrating for a moment she summoned up her scepter without her normal spins and twirls. She couldn't have handled it today.
"You take the plant side, I'll take the flesh." The Moonlight Knight told her gruffly already walking away before she could respond so she nodded and braced her feet. Another small growth started to one of her sides and she turned to it placing her back to the real monster as she called out.
"Moon Princess Halation!" She scorched the small growth before it could do her any harm but turned just a little to late.
"Sailor Moon, WATCH OUT!" The Moonlight Knight yelled at her as he leapt to place himself between her and the outstretched tentacle of dirt and stuff that was aimed to kill. She cried out as it caught him in the side and grazed her thigh to cut deep into the muscle. She went down and watched the Moonlight Knight fall as though in slow motion to the ground. Anger clouded her mind, and gritting her teeth she regained her feet.
"MOON PRINCESS HALATION!" She shouted and put all of her energy into the attack full force at the monster. All that remained after a few moments was a small pile of dust and a couple of rocks and glass. Her eyes were only for the man in front of her as the wand disappeared, and she reverted to normal clothes. The lost tiara disappeared as well, and she ran to the man in white.
"Moonlight Knight!" She exclaimed and wadding up his cape she pressed it against the wound in his side. Blood seeped through it quickly but she had nothing else to use. Looking around she noticed a motorcycle and tying the cape to staunch the blood-flow with her sleeve she ran over to it and looked it over. The key was still in the ignition and the engine warm she'd driven a bike once in her life, and hadn't done to poorly, but she only hoped she was good enough to get him to a hospital. Limping heavily she pushed the bike over to where the Moonlight Knight had been and stopped dead in her tracks.
Instead of the man in the cape Mamoru was laying on the ground with a wad of white cloth tied to his side with the sleeve of her pajamas. Usagi almost let go of the bike then gripped it harder till she stopped shaking.
"Oh Mamoru…" She breathed and set the bike on the kickstand. Taking his hand she felt for a pulse and found a weak one. She looked down at him the memories rushing over her and tears fell from her eyes to land on him. She closed her eyes and cried silently wishing she had known, wishing that they hadn't lost all these years, wishing that he had wanted to remember. So many things were explained in just a few brief moments and yet she still felt so incomplete. She felt a pressure against her hand and her eyes flew open. Mamoru was looking up at her with a look of understanding.
"Usagi… my Serenity. I'm so sorry… I've left you alone when my one job was to stay with you. Can you forgive me?" He asked faintly. She nodded and tears cascaded down her face. Mamoru reached up and with a careful touch removed a tear so that it stood beaded on his finger. The tear started to glow and soon they were both engulfed in a blazing white light that Usagi faintly remembered. It was a healing light, much like that of the moon crescent wand. When the glow faded the wound in her leg was gone and with trembling fingers she removed the sodden cloak and ruined sleeve. His wound was gone also.
"Mamoru… Endymion… I've missed you so much." She whispered taking his hand in hers again and resting his head on her lap. Both of them were weak from blood loss, him even more than her and she had a horrible feeling that this wouldn't last. Mamoru knew it too.
"I know Usako and I'm sorry. Just a bit longer m'love. I don't think I'm supposed to know yet there's some reason I can't, but I will again. And I want you to know something." He had to catch his breath and she held on to his hand trying not to squeeze it to hard.
"What Mamo-chan?" This was to hard knowing that he would go back to having forgotten. How could she know and live with him when he knew nothing?
"I may not remember much in a few moments, but I will always love you, memory or no. I thought it was for the best when I asked to have them erased, I now know I was wrong. I should have been with you this whole time, protecting you, caring for you, loving you…" He ran out of breath again and Usagi bowed her head over his hiding the world with her hair.
"You always were… as the Moonlight Knight. You were always there when I needed you most. I love you Mamoru Chiba.. don't forget that, please… Please remember…" Even as she said it she saw the light of understanding stolen from his eyes and for a few moments the Mamoru that she remembered fought with the Mamoru that was now. He blinked a few times then looked around.
"What happened Usako? What's going on?" He sat up and put a hand to his head which was pounding. Usagi looked at him a little sadly then looked around.
"I'm not exactly sure Mamo-chan. I went for a walk and all of a sudden I got really sleepy. When I woke up, you were on the ground, and I thought you might be hurt." She lied quickly. Mamoru looked at her, then around them at the other people who were beginning to move again. He looked at her again then quickly drew her into his arms.
"Are you okay?" He asked looking at her. She prayed that he wouldn't realize she was still in her pajamas and she felt something shift and knew that he wouldn't see them. She nodded faintly and hugged him back.
"I'm okay now Mamoru. I'm okay now." She whispered.
* * *
Mamoru filed a report before taking Usagi home. It was a short one, and he knew Rei would be livid, but he just didn't remember enough to know what to put down on paper. He had left for that area, and had ended up there, but everything in between was gone. And for some odd reason his side hurt. Not the sharp pain of a fresh wound, but the dull ache of something that's been there a while. Usagi snuggled against him on the bike, and he promptly forgot all about it as her touch sent tingles up and down his body. Each time this happened it got stronger, and he wasn't sure he'd be able to take it much longer.
Usagi on the other hand, was more confused than ever. Now that she knew that Mamoru, Tuxedo Kamen, the Moonlight Knight, and Prince Endymion where one and the same person where did that leave them? He didn't know, and she couldn't tell him. She had all these memories of their love, of the kindness that had been between them, and the passion but nothing to do with it. She held him tighter more for comfort than for safety and the energy between them built.
It hadn't been like this before…. It hadn't been just a tingle, more like a raging fire but maybe that part had been lost along with the memories. She could only hope it would return along with the rest whenever that was. She sighed and closed her eyes. How can I do this? I love him with every fiber of my body, and I can't do anything about it. She cried inwardly. It wasn't fair. She opened her eyes again and looked up as they neared the apartment complex. Mamoru dropped her off in front and went to park the bike, then hurried back around taking her hand.
"Come on." He said softly and she followed. Somehow the illusion that she was wearing normal clothes was still holding, but she didn't know for how long. Usagi had the feeling that somehow her crystal had sort of stolen the powers of the disguise pen, not that she was complaining. The cold air of the apartment blasted her and she shivered uncontrollably. Mamoru took it for something else, and drew her into another hug.
She didn't argue, but instead buried her face against him and he wrapped his arms around her waist. She was suddenly very tired and a few tears escaped her eyes from the emotions running through her. Here she was in the arms of the love of her life, and he didn't even know it. Her prince, her everything, and she couldn't tell him. Her hands clenched the front of his shirt and he pulled her closer. Goddess why? Why does it have to be like this? She cried inwardly.
Mamoru didn't know why she seemed so intent on keeping him close, and the smell of her skin and hair was almost intoxicating, but he wasn't about to let go. He could sense that she needed him and the more they were together the more he began to feel as though he needed her to, and for him it was an odd sensation. He'd spent most of his life alone, or in denial and this sudden change was confusing him. It was good, just confusing. And every time they touched, or stood like this it seemed that there was something more, something he was missing and needed to know. The cat meowed and they broke from their reverie.
Luna could see that she was still in her pajama's but she could see the aura of the illusion, and the fact that it was fading. Usagi used the cat as an excuse to leave the comfort of Mamoru's arms and raced to her room. Instead of flinging herself on the bad as she so wish she could, she changed back into her clothes she'd been wearing before her nap. Mamoru knocked on the door just as she finished and she opened it. He looked troubled and tired. He needed to sleep.
"I'm okay Mamoru, just tired. Why don't we go to sleep early tonight?" It wasn't even six yet but she didn't care. She needed fresh air and sleep. Mamoru leaned against the door frame and traced a finger along the side of her face before nodding.
"Your right Usako, I'm incredibly tired." He wanted to say more, felt he needed to, but there was nothing to say. Usagi stood on the balls of her feet and kissed him lightly before taking his arm and leading him to his familiar room. Once that she saw him lying down even if he was still in his clothes she kissed him again sitting besides him and holding his hand.
"Sleep Mamo-chan you'll feel better. I'll see you in the morning." She promised. He nodded rolling on his side and she shut the door to his room behind her as she made her way back to her own. Finally she could toss herself upon the pink covers of her bed and cry. Luna figuring out what must have happened lay next to her pillow and offered as much comfort as she could with a gentle purr.
Snow… The story seemed faintly familiar but when he tried to think about it the memory eluded him. Shrugging his shoulders he went back to his paperwork and tried to find some sort of connection and although there was a pattern, that was it. It seemed that each series of attacks had been focused on certain areas and only for a certain amount of time. Then they'd drop off for a while and pick up again somewhere else. They rarely were longer than five-week increments with anyway from a week to a month in between.
The regularity of it surprised him but the attacks seemed random enough as they were in many different areas of both Jubaan and Tokyo. The entire thing infuriated him and he slammed the top file down on his desk and sat there to think.
What was the link? There was always a link. He took a map of both cities and circled the areas of the attacks then put it up on the wall besides his desk. The results surprised him. The attacks were almost all in the area of a star… in Tokyo. The points weren't exactly anything special but it was a definite shape. There had even been one major occurrence in the very center of the star, and that was the spot he decided he should check out. He grabbed his keys and went out to his bike. Pulling out of the parking-lot he felt a pain deep inside his chest and as familiar as it was, it still caught him by surprise. He leaned over the handlebars as he blacked out.
She felt the attack and woke up immediately sitting up strait in bed and knocking Luna to the floor. The cat yowled at her angrily and hopped back up on the bed. When she saw Usagi's face all complaints where gone, even when she was suddenly covered by a big pink comforter. As she finally crawled out, the transformation was complete and it's glow fading from the room. Sailor Moon threw open the sliding glass door and leapt off the balcony without a second thought. Luna hurried to catch up.
It was the crystal point she had come to call the Center, just because it was where she and Rini had fought Rubeus, and the Dark Moon Family for control of the present and future. Even still there were crystal shards imbedded in the cement and buildings, the ones that were still standing, and nothing would grow there. She had cleansed the area of lingering evil, but even that wouldn't convince plants to grow.
Leaping from building to building she raced against both time and the monster in order to get there before people were hurt. As she neared, she could feel the beginnings of the energy drain on the people. For a moment she was unable to see where the monster was as everything looked like an ordinary street, except the people weren't moving. Neither were the cars, bikes, or even the large bus that seemed frozen in the street. The people inside were as unmoving as everything else. She pulled up short on the roof of a grocery store and looked around.
"What I wouldn't give for Mercury's visor right now." She said under her breath. Squinting her eyes she could see a faint red glow around each of the peoples feet and the tires of the cars and the only thing she could think of was that it was underground.
"SHOW YOURSELF!" She yelled hoping to get some sort of response. A breeze ruffled the leaves on a tree, but other than that there was nothing. She didn't dare touch the ground but… She removed her tiara and calling out the attack she aimed for the ground just below the feet of a young man right in front of the store. The small blast rocked him back a bit and he stumbled to the ground broken from the trance. He looked around at the other people and promptly fainted.
"Lovely." She said sarcastically and taking aim again she knocked three more people lose. Weather it was from energy loss, or something else, each one promptly fainted. All she could do was hope it wasn't some sort of side effect. The next hit took out five people and as she prepared to throw again there was a low rumbling sound. The building beneath her feet shook ever so slightly, and she took a step back from the edge just to be careful.
A red glow seeped from the holes in the ground that she had made and pulling together it created the form of a man who's entire right side was made of dirt, branches, and something crawling and black which she suspected was bugs. Her skin crawled just thinking about it. When the form was complete he looked up at her with black soulless eyes and opened his mouth to talk. A small moth fluttered out of it and Sailor Moon was sure she was going to be sick. He cleared his throat and tried again.
"WHO ON EARTH ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" It asked seemingly outraged that she had ruined its day. Sailor Moon took up a striking pose and began her little speech. Each time she said it, she got a little bit sadder since she always expected one of the other scouts to join in.
"I am Sailor Moon the Champion of love and Justice. I right wrongs and triumph over evil and on behalf of the moon, I shall punish you!" She called down in a clear and strong voice. The being looked at her for a moment then shook its… hair. A few more moths fluttered from him and Sailor Moon fought hard not to dry heave. This bug thing was really grossing her out.
"Sailor Moon huh? I've heard of you… somewhere." It spoke as though it were trying really hard to think. She probably should have felt something, but she didn't really care weather he'd heard of her or not. All she wanted to do was get rid of him and make sure the people were okay. Out of now where a fist bowled her over and as she tumbled off the roof she saw that a mound of the same stuff as the gross half of his body had grown up behind her. She touched down on the ground then leapt up to another building making sure to keep an eye out for more growths. Her side ached again, but it wasn't anything serious.
"Moon Tiara MAGIC!" She cried and let loose with the glowing disk. It cut through the dirt arm of the man as though nothing where there, but the arm grew right back. Her tiara returned and she tried again, this time for the flesh half. The man knocked her tiara to the side with the re-grown dirt arm and it fell uselessly to the ground. Sailor Moon was to stunned to notice another growth to her right side and when a rope of dirt, mud and other things picked her off the ground all she could do was scream. Her arms were pinned to her side, and pain ripped through her body as sharp objects dug into her flesh through the small protection of her fuku. She took a deep breath and screamed again then only because it hurt to much she stopped. After whimpering for a moment she looked around and tried to get her bearings.
The 'arm' had lifted her up almost twenty feet from the top of the building she'd been on so she dangled over the nearby area. Faintly she could hear the engine of a motorcycle but it seemed to far off, and who could come help her on a bike?
Her tiara lie useless on the ground far to far to be of any use, and she needed her arms to get her scepter. She cried out in frustration this time and if it had been flesh holding her, she probably would have bit it. Her only choice was to call upon her crystal, but that was taking to much of a risk.
"LET ME GO!" She yelled at it angrier than she had been in a long while. She tried to wriggle free, but the 'arm' tightened till she had problems breathing. She tried to catch her breath but it kept getting tighter and tighter until all she could hear was this deep rumble that suddenly cut off. Then she was falling. With a quick breath she was able to scream again, and she did, although weakly till warm familiar arms caught her. She was covered by a white cloak and its warmth and healing properties took immediate effect. She could breath again and the pressure of his arms against her flesh didn't hurt as much.
"I've never been so glad to see you." She told him in little more than a whisper. He responded with a chuckle and finally set her down on her own feet. With his steadying arm around her waist she was able to stand and she nodded once she was sure she could walk. He let go and stood besides her waiting. Sailor Moon placed her arms out in front of her and after concentrating for a moment she summoned up her scepter without her normal spins and twirls. She couldn't have handled it today.
"You take the plant side, I'll take the flesh." The Moonlight Knight told her gruffly already walking away before she could respond so she nodded and braced her feet. Another small growth started to one of her sides and she turned to it placing her back to the real monster as she called out.
"Moon Princess Halation!" She scorched the small growth before it could do her any harm but turned just a little to late.
"Sailor Moon, WATCH OUT!" The Moonlight Knight yelled at her as he leapt to place himself between her and the outstretched tentacle of dirt and stuff that was aimed to kill. She cried out as it caught him in the side and grazed her thigh to cut deep into the muscle. She went down and watched the Moonlight Knight fall as though in slow motion to the ground. Anger clouded her mind, and gritting her teeth she regained her feet.
"MOON PRINCESS HALATION!" She shouted and put all of her energy into the attack full force at the monster. All that remained after a few moments was a small pile of dust and a couple of rocks and glass. Her eyes were only for the man in front of her as the wand disappeared, and she reverted to normal clothes. The lost tiara disappeared as well, and she ran to the man in white.
"Moonlight Knight!" She exclaimed and wadding up his cape she pressed it against the wound in his side. Blood seeped through it quickly but she had nothing else to use. Looking around she noticed a motorcycle and tying the cape to staunch the blood-flow with her sleeve she ran over to it and looked it over. The key was still in the ignition and the engine warm she'd driven a bike once in her life, and hadn't done to poorly, but she only hoped she was good enough to get him to a hospital. Limping heavily she pushed the bike over to where the Moonlight Knight had been and stopped dead in her tracks.
Instead of the man in the cape Mamoru was laying on the ground with a wad of white cloth tied to his side with the sleeve of her pajamas. Usagi almost let go of the bike then gripped it harder till she stopped shaking.
"Oh Mamoru…" She breathed and set the bike on the kickstand. Taking his hand she felt for a pulse and found a weak one. She looked down at him the memories rushing over her and tears fell from her eyes to land on him. She closed her eyes and cried silently wishing she had known, wishing that they hadn't lost all these years, wishing that he had wanted to remember. So many things were explained in just a few brief moments and yet she still felt so incomplete. She felt a pressure against her hand and her eyes flew open. Mamoru was looking up at her with a look of understanding.
"Usagi… my Serenity. I'm so sorry… I've left you alone when my one job was to stay with you. Can you forgive me?" He asked faintly. She nodded and tears cascaded down her face. Mamoru reached up and with a careful touch removed a tear so that it stood beaded on his finger. The tear started to glow and soon they were both engulfed in a blazing white light that Usagi faintly remembered. It was a healing light, much like that of the moon crescent wand. When the glow faded the wound in her leg was gone and with trembling fingers she removed the sodden cloak and ruined sleeve. His wound was gone also.
"Mamoru… Endymion… I've missed you so much." She whispered taking his hand in hers again and resting his head on her lap. Both of them were weak from blood loss, him even more than her and she had a horrible feeling that this wouldn't last. Mamoru knew it too.
"I know Usako and I'm sorry. Just a bit longer m'love. I don't think I'm supposed to know yet there's some reason I can't, but I will again. And I want you to know something." He had to catch his breath and she held on to his hand trying not to squeeze it to hard.
"What Mamo-chan?" This was to hard knowing that he would go back to having forgotten. How could she know and live with him when he knew nothing?
"I may not remember much in a few moments, but I will always love you, memory or no. I thought it was for the best when I asked to have them erased, I now know I was wrong. I should have been with you this whole time, protecting you, caring for you, loving you…" He ran out of breath again and Usagi bowed her head over his hiding the world with her hair.
"You always were… as the Moonlight Knight. You were always there when I needed you most. I love you Mamoru Chiba.. don't forget that, please… Please remember…" Even as she said it she saw the light of understanding stolen from his eyes and for a few moments the Mamoru that she remembered fought with the Mamoru that was now. He blinked a few times then looked around.
"What happened Usako? What's going on?" He sat up and put a hand to his head which was pounding. Usagi looked at him a little sadly then looked around.
"I'm not exactly sure Mamo-chan. I went for a walk and all of a sudden I got really sleepy. When I woke up, you were on the ground, and I thought you might be hurt." She lied quickly. Mamoru looked at her, then around them at the other people who were beginning to move again. He looked at her again then quickly drew her into his arms.
"Are you okay?" He asked looking at her. She prayed that he wouldn't realize she was still in her pajamas and she felt something shift and knew that he wouldn't see them. She nodded faintly and hugged him back.
"I'm okay now Mamoru. I'm okay now." She whispered.
* * *
Mamoru filed a report before taking Usagi home. It was a short one, and he knew Rei would be livid, but he just didn't remember enough to know what to put down on paper. He had left for that area, and had ended up there, but everything in between was gone. And for some odd reason his side hurt. Not the sharp pain of a fresh wound, but the dull ache of something that's been there a while. Usagi snuggled against him on the bike, and he promptly forgot all about it as her touch sent tingles up and down his body. Each time this happened it got stronger, and he wasn't sure he'd be able to take it much longer.
Usagi on the other hand, was more confused than ever. Now that she knew that Mamoru, Tuxedo Kamen, the Moonlight Knight, and Prince Endymion where one and the same person where did that leave them? He didn't know, and she couldn't tell him. She had all these memories of their love, of the kindness that had been between them, and the passion but nothing to do with it. She held him tighter more for comfort than for safety and the energy between them built.
It hadn't been like this before…. It hadn't been just a tingle, more like a raging fire but maybe that part had been lost along with the memories. She could only hope it would return along with the rest whenever that was. She sighed and closed her eyes. How can I do this? I love him with every fiber of my body, and I can't do anything about it. She cried inwardly. It wasn't fair. She opened her eyes again and looked up as they neared the apartment complex. Mamoru dropped her off in front and went to park the bike, then hurried back around taking her hand.
"Come on." He said softly and she followed. Somehow the illusion that she was wearing normal clothes was still holding, but she didn't know for how long. Usagi had the feeling that somehow her crystal had sort of stolen the powers of the disguise pen, not that she was complaining. The cold air of the apartment blasted her and she shivered uncontrollably. Mamoru took it for something else, and drew her into another hug.
She didn't argue, but instead buried her face against him and he wrapped his arms around her waist. She was suddenly very tired and a few tears escaped her eyes from the emotions running through her. Here she was in the arms of the love of her life, and he didn't even know it. Her prince, her everything, and she couldn't tell him. Her hands clenched the front of his shirt and he pulled her closer. Goddess why? Why does it have to be like this? She cried inwardly.
Mamoru didn't know why she seemed so intent on keeping him close, and the smell of her skin and hair was almost intoxicating, but he wasn't about to let go. He could sense that she needed him and the more they were together the more he began to feel as though he needed her to, and for him it was an odd sensation. He'd spent most of his life alone, or in denial and this sudden change was confusing him. It was good, just confusing. And every time they touched, or stood like this it seemed that there was something more, something he was missing and needed to know. The cat meowed and they broke from their reverie.
Luna could see that she was still in her pajama's but she could see the aura of the illusion, and the fact that it was fading. Usagi used the cat as an excuse to leave the comfort of Mamoru's arms and raced to her room. Instead of flinging herself on the bad as she so wish she could, she changed back into her clothes she'd been wearing before her nap. Mamoru knocked on the door just as she finished and she opened it. He looked troubled and tired. He needed to sleep.
"I'm okay Mamoru, just tired. Why don't we go to sleep early tonight?" It wasn't even six yet but she didn't care. She needed fresh air and sleep. Mamoru leaned against the door frame and traced a finger along the side of her face before nodding.
"Your right Usako, I'm incredibly tired." He wanted to say more, felt he needed to, but there was nothing to say. Usagi stood on the balls of her feet and kissed him lightly before taking his arm and leading him to his familiar room. Once that she saw him lying down even if he was still in his clothes she kissed him again sitting besides him and holding his hand.
"Sleep Mamo-chan you'll feel better. I'll see you in the morning." She promised. He nodded rolling on his side and she shut the door to his room behind her as she made her way back to her own. Finally she could toss herself upon the pink covers of her bed and cry. Luna figuring out what must have happened lay next to her pillow and offered as much comfort as she could with a gentle purr.