A Second Chance At Love
Chapter 3: So Near Yet So Far
By: Minako-chan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: As much as I'd like to say Sailor Moon belongs to me,
it doesn't. *shoulders sagging*
Author's Notes: Just a fic inspired by a short Chinese series.
E-mail me! cupid_teacup@hotmail.com ^_^
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 3: So Near Yet So Far
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mamoru walked back into the living room with yet another mug of
hot chocolate in his hands.
"Usagi, I---" He paused as he glanced at the still, fragile form
on his couch. Usagi had fallen asleep, clutching onto a picture
of Motoki and Mamoru.
"Usako." He murmured as he tiptoed to the lightswitch and dimmed
the lights to a soft, yellow glow. Setting the mug on the coffee
table without making a sound, he bent down slowly and studied her
angelic features.
Her cheeks were flushed from crying. But she had been so brave.
After breaking down when she had first entered his apartment with
the box, she had contained her emotions, knowing that Mamoru him-
self was going through as much pain as she was.
She had not contained her emotions. She only tried.
Mamoru knew what she was feeling deep down inside. Her smiles
might have fooled herself, but they would never fool him.
Because he loved her.
"Usako." He whispered huskily as he lifted a trembling hand
to her soft, flawless skin. Stroking her tear-stained cheek,
he let his finger trace along her lower lip. Her brows furrowed
at the tender touch, but she did not awaken.
He brushed his hand lightly across her forehead and removed a
few strands of golden silk away from her eyes. Then, knowing
that he might never have the opportunity if she had been awake,
he bent down and kissed her forehead. It had merely lasted
a second, but for Mamoru, it was eternal bliss. The taste
of her skin lingered upon his lips, and he hesitated, wanting
to do it just once more.
And Mamoru bent down again, closing his eyes as his lips touched
her skin again. Tears fell and splashed on her cheeks.
"Usako, you are so beautiful." He whispered again as Usagi turned
her head away, her lips curving upwards into a slight smile.
"Motoki..." She murmured, and turned and buried her face into a
cushion.
The name of his best friend brought Mamoru back to reality like
a slap in the face. As if dunked into a pool of ice cold water,
Mamoru suddenly realized what he had done. What he had almost
given into - his own selfish desires. He could not betray
Motoki - he was his best friend. He had already been guilty of
loving Usagi, when Motoki had been her love.
Mamoru stepped out to his balcony and watched the stars blink at
each other, mocking his misery, mocking his loneliness.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Usagi awoke to a dark room of cold air. The flapping of curtains
was the only sound she could hear. Furrowing her brows, she let
her eyes adjust to the darkness of the room, and she stirred on
the couch.
Getting up, she squinted her eyes and noticed a line of golden
light coming from the window.
The curtain continued to flap, and she realized the window was
opened. Goosebumps covered her arms as she shivered against the
cold breeze.
"Mamoru-san?" She called out softly, finally remembering that the
last time she saw him was when he said he was going into the
kitchen for a refill of hot chocolate for her.
He did not reply. Usagi pulled the sliding glass window open and
gasped.
Mamoru sat on the hard ground of the balcony, his arms folded in
front of him, his chin touching his chest. The wind made his ebony
bangs dance, covering his closed eyes, the rain soaking his shirt,
matting it to his skin.
Usagi saw the tear stains, and approached the sleeping figure as
quietly as she could.
He had been so brave, so strong, she thought. He had been the one
standing by her side through out. She had hurt him greatly. Baka!
She said to herself. She knew Motoki was his best friend, yet she
had come to him and cried her heart out when he had probably been
doing the same thing by himself.
'Usagi, you are so selfish.' She thought.
Gently, Usagi brushed the bangs from his eyes as she removed her
thin cardigan and placed it over his chest. Her finger touched his
cool forehead and she let her hand caress his cheek in a caring
manner.
Mamoru, in a half-sleep, half-awake state, thought that he had felt
her touch. His eyes opened ever so slowly and saw his angel merely
inches away from him.
"Mamoru-san, arigato." She whispered and leaned forward, intending
to kiss his forehead in the same manner as he, only with different
meaning. She had only seen him as her best friend. An older
brother, even.
Mamoru's heart fluttered wildly in his chest. He was certain it was
a dream. But he would not let the opportunity pass him by, even
though it was just a dream. When she leaned forward, he opened his
eyes fully and tilted his head upwards, capturing her lips with his
own.
Usagi opened her eyes, shocked, as she realized what had just happened.
She pulled back and stood up abruptly, staring at the startled Mamoru.
His eyes widened as he came to the same realization.
It had -not- been a dream, Mamoru said to himself, a little too late
for the realization.
It had been a short, chaste kiss, but one that he knew he would never
forget. But neither would he be able to forget the look on her face
afterward. The look of confusion, pain, and ... a hint of rage.
"What...what just happened?" Her fists tightened as her tears glistened.
"Go--gomen, Usagi...I--"
Before he could come up with an excuse, or to let her know the truth,
Usagi had rushed through the narrow gap that separated the outside
from his apartment. A moment later, the door slammed.
Mamoru could only sit there, frozen to the spot, his lips still
tingling from the kiss. He hit his forehead with the palm of his
hand, and jerked his head back, staring at the brightly-lit sky.
It was not until he heard running footsteps from the outside of his
apartment complex that he decided to move from his spot. Knowing
that it was Usagi running away, he stood up and watched her figure
becoming smaller and smaller as the distance between them increased,
and not just physically.
The cardigan that she had placed upon him slipped off his chest and
fell, his arm reaching out but a little too late. He watched with
desperation as the pale blue - the colour of her beautiful eyes -
cardigan descended onto the ground stories below, landing onto a
puddle of rain.
Looking away, he spotted the picture of Motoki and himself on the
ground. Usagi must have dropped it on her way out. He bent over
as he tried to pick it up, but he couldn't.
Trembling uncontrollably, Mamoru fell back and his chin quivered as
he stared at the picture on the ground, raindrops wearing the surface.
"What have I done?" Mamoru cried. "I'm so sorry, Motoki, I'm sorry
I betrayed you...I'm sorry I've been betraying you ever since Usagi
came into our lives."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Usagi cringed as she stepped into her dark, silent house. Her
family had gone out for dinner with their neighbour, thinking
that Usagi would stay at Mamoru's longer.
Her barefeet hurt, and she realized that she had not even stayed
long enough to put on her raincoat and her shoes. Sneezing,
Usagi hit her head on the door after she closed it, closing her
eyes, feeling an intense headache coming.
"How could you do this to me, Mamoru?" She said, her voice
muffled. "How could you betray your own best friend?"
The phone rang, cutting through the thick silence of the room,
making Usagi jump. Cursing, Usagi approached the phone with
caution, knowing very well just who was on the other line.
She let it ring five times, then six, then seven...
"Hi, this is the Tsukinos residence. We apologize for not
being able to take your call, but please leave your name,
your number and your message after the beep, and we will get
back to you as soon as possible."
The beep rang loudly in the room. Usagi continued to stare
at the red sports car shaped phone, her breath ragged.
"Usagi, I know you are there. Please pick up, please listen
to me...please..."
Usagi's hand reached for the phone, but she jerked it back
as soon as her fingers touched it, as if it was a burning
flame.
"Please..." Mamoru continued to plead. In a swift motion,
Usagi yanked the plug from the wall violently, cutting his
painful pleas short. She ran to her room, wanting to wake
up from this terrible dream.
Moments later, the tall figure of Mamoru stood on her drive-
way with his whole being completely soaked from the cold rain.
He stayed there staring at the immense dark house with clouded
eyes until he heard her parents' car approaching. It was then
that he decided to retrieve to his apartment once more, expecting
another sleepless night.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 4: The Kiss Meant Nothing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.N.: Hello! Sorry this took so long to get out...I've had a hectic
week at university *hangs head*...anyways, thanks for reading this
far, and I promise for more mush soon^_^ Thanks to Usa-p, Arty,
Bunny-chan (didn't forget you this time^_~), Lelu, Anime Queen,
those on the SMRFF list who's made my days more enjoyable
with their wonderful fics and their endless encouragement, and
those who've e-mailed me privately and nudged me for a new part^_~
E-mail me! cupid_teacup@hotmail.com
- Minako-chan
Chapter 3: So Near Yet So Far
By: Minako-chan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: As much as I'd like to say Sailor Moon belongs to me,
it doesn't. *shoulders sagging*
Author's Notes: Just a fic inspired by a short Chinese series.
E-mail me! cupid_teacup@hotmail.com ^_^
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 3: So Near Yet So Far
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mamoru walked back into the living room with yet another mug of
hot chocolate in his hands.
"Usagi, I---" He paused as he glanced at the still, fragile form
on his couch. Usagi had fallen asleep, clutching onto a picture
of Motoki and Mamoru.
"Usako." He murmured as he tiptoed to the lightswitch and dimmed
the lights to a soft, yellow glow. Setting the mug on the coffee
table without making a sound, he bent down slowly and studied her
angelic features.
Her cheeks were flushed from crying. But she had been so brave.
After breaking down when she had first entered his apartment with
the box, she had contained her emotions, knowing that Mamoru him-
self was going through as much pain as she was.
She had not contained her emotions. She only tried.
Mamoru knew what she was feeling deep down inside. Her smiles
might have fooled herself, but they would never fool him.
Because he loved her.
"Usako." He whispered huskily as he lifted a trembling hand
to her soft, flawless skin. Stroking her tear-stained cheek,
he let his finger trace along her lower lip. Her brows furrowed
at the tender touch, but she did not awaken.
He brushed his hand lightly across her forehead and removed a
few strands of golden silk away from her eyes. Then, knowing
that he might never have the opportunity if she had been awake,
he bent down and kissed her forehead. It had merely lasted
a second, but for Mamoru, it was eternal bliss. The taste
of her skin lingered upon his lips, and he hesitated, wanting
to do it just once more.
And Mamoru bent down again, closing his eyes as his lips touched
her skin again. Tears fell and splashed on her cheeks.
"Usako, you are so beautiful." He whispered again as Usagi turned
her head away, her lips curving upwards into a slight smile.
"Motoki..." She murmured, and turned and buried her face into a
cushion.
The name of his best friend brought Mamoru back to reality like
a slap in the face. As if dunked into a pool of ice cold water,
Mamoru suddenly realized what he had done. What he had almost
given into - his own selfish desires. He could not betray
Motoki - he was his best friend. He had already been guilty of
loving Usagi, when Motoki had been her love.
Mamoru stepped out to his balcony and watched the stars blink at
each other, mocking his misery, mocking his loneliness.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Usagi awoke to a dark room of cold air. The flapping of curtains
was the only sound she could hear. Furrowing her brows, she let
her eyes adjust to the darkness of the room, and she stirred on
the couch.
Getting up, she squinted her eyes and noticed a line of golden
light coming from the window.
The curtain continued to flap, and she realized the window was
opened. Goosebumps covered her arms as she shivered against the
cold breeze.
"Mamoru-san?" She called out softly, finally remembering that the
last time she saw him was when he said he was going into the
kitchen for a refill of hot chocolate for her.
He did not reply. Usagi pulled the sliding glass window open and
gasped.
Mamoru sat on the hard ground of the balcony, his arms folded in
front of him, his chin touching his chest. The wind made his ebony
bangs dance, covering his closed eyes, the rain soaking his shirt,
matting it to his skin.
Usagi saw the tear stains, and approached the sleeping figure as
quietly as she could.
He had been so brave, so strong, she thought. He had been the one
standing by her side through out. She had hurt him greatly. Baka!
She said to herself. She knew Motoki was his best friend, yet she
had come to him and cried her heart out when he had probably been
doing the same thing by himself.
'Usagi, you are so selfish.' She thought.
Gently, Usagi brushed the bangs from his eyes as she removed her
thin cardigan and placed it over his chest. Her finger touched his
cool forehead and she let her hand caress his cheek in a caring
manner.
Mamoru, in a half-sleep, half-awake state, thought that he had felt
her touch. His eyes opened ever so slowly and saw his angel merely
inches away from him.
"Mamoru-san, arigato." She whispered and leaned forward, intending
to kiss his forehead in the same manner as he, only with different
meaning. She had only seen him as her best friend. An older
brother, even.
Mamoru's heart fluttered wildly in his chest. He was certain it was
a dream. But he would not let the opportunity pass him by, even
though it was just a dream. When she leaned forward, he opened his
eyes fully and tilted his head upwards, capturing her lips with his
own.
Usagi opened her eyes, shocked, as she realized what had just happened.
She pulled back and stood up abruptly, staring at the startled Mamoru.
His eyes widened as he came to the same realization.
It had -not- been a dream, Mamoru said to himself, a little too late
for the realization.
It had been a short, chaste kiss, but one that he knew he would never
forget. But neither would he be able to forget the look on her face
afterward. The look of confusion, pain, and ... a hint of rage.
"What...what just happened?" Her fists tightened as her tears glistened.
"Go--gomen, Usagi...I--"
Before he could come up with an excuse, or to let her know the truth,
Usagi had rushed through the narrow gap that separated the outside
from his apartment. A moment later, the door slammed.
Mamoru could only sit there, frozen to the spot, his lips still
tingling from the kiss. He hit his forehead with the palm of his
hand, and jerked his head back, staring at the brightly-lit sky.
It was not until he heard running footsteps from the outside of his
apartment complex that he decided to move from his spot. Knowing
that it was Usagi running away, he stood up and watched her figure
becoming smaller and smaller as the distance between them increased,
and not just physically.
The cardigan that she had placed upon him slipped off his chest and
fell, his arm reaching out but a little too late. He watched with
desperation as the pale blue - the colour of her beautiful eyes -
cardigan descended onto the ground stories below, landing onto a
puddle of rain.
Looking away, he spotted the picture of Motoki and himself on the
ground. Usagi must have dropped it on her way out. He bent over
as he tried to pick it up, but he couldn't.
Trembling uncontrollably, Mamoru fell back and his chin quivered as
he stared at the picture on the ground, raindrops wearing the surface.
"What have I done?" Mamoru cried. "I'm so sorry, Motoki, I'm sorry
I betrayed you...I'm sorry I've been betraying you ever since Usagi
came into our lives."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Usagi cringed as she stepped into her dark, silent house. Her
family had gone out for dinner with their neighbour, thinking
that Usagi would stay at Mamoru's longer.
Her barefeet hurt, and she realized that she had not even stayed
long enough to put on her raincoat and her shoes. Sneezing,
Usagi hit her head on the door after she closed it, closing her
eyes, feeling an intense headache coming.
"How could you do this to me, Mamoru?" She said, her voice
muffled. "How could you betray your own best friend?"
The phone rang, cutting through the thick silence of the room,
making Usagi jump. Cursing, Usagi approached the phone with
caution, knowing very well just who was on the other line.
She let it ring five times, then six, then seven...
"Hi, this is the Tsukinos residence. We apologize for not
being able to take your call, but please leave your name,
your number and your message after the beep, and we will get
back to you as soon as possible."
The beep rang loudly in the room. Usagi continued to stare
at the red sports car shaped phone, her breath ragged.
"Usagi, I know you are there. Please pick up, please listen
to me...please..."
Usagi's hand reached for the phone, but she jerked it back
as soon as her fingers touched it, as if it was a burning
flame.
"Please..." Mamoru continued to plead. In a swift motion,
Usagi yanked the plug from the wall violently, cutting his
painful pleas short. She ran to her room, wanting to wake
up from this terrible dream.
Moments later, the tall figure of Mamoru stood on her drive-
way with his whole being completely soaked from the cold rain.
He stayed there staring at the immense dark house with clouded
eyes until he heard her parents' car approaching. It was then
that he decided to retrieve to his apartment once more, expecting
another sleepless night.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 4: The Kiss Meant Nothing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.N.: Hello! Sorry this took so long to get out...I've had a hectic
week at university *hangs head*...anyways, thanks for reading this
far, and I promise for more mush soon^_^ Thanks to Usa-p, Arty,
Bunny-chan (didn't forget you this time^_~), Lelu, Anime Queen,
those on the SMRFF list who's made my days more enjoyable
with their wonderful fics and their endless encouragement, and
those who've e-mailed me privately and nudged me for a new part^_~
E-mail me! cupid_teacup@hotmail.com
- Minako-chan