Okay it's past midnight and I'm still up finishing this chapter up. Saying I'm sleepy is an understatement.;; Yes I'm aware that's it's taken me close to forever to update something, but at least now I updated something. Thanks to Purr-chan, because if it wasn't for her, I'd still be happily slacking off with everything half finished.v No, this doesn't mind I'll be updating more regularly since I've just got roped into being my father's assistant cook at his restaurant. Yay, I get to learn how to make Chile Colorado! . Oh well I know where the fried ice cream isv Sorry to anyone who thought I was going to my butt back in gear and start updating again. Maybe, in September I'll have a new chapter or two out;; That's if I don't go and learn how to gamble;; Woohoo! I'm gonna be legal!;; Yes, I'm a full fledge baka.

Now honestly I don't know what to think of this chapter. Part of me likes it, the other part of me wonders if I threw a wrench in my plans. But I have no plans, so that isn't much of a problem;;

Thank you to everyone for reviewed! I'm so sorry that it took so long! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, Weiss Kreuz or Yami no Matsuei(Mentioned only in passing) Lyrics removed 4/30/05

Torn in Two:

Chapter Eight Ese Momento (That Moment)

Her head jerked up at the sound of the balcony sliding door opening. Serenity watched quietly from the kitchen's entrance, as Endymion toss his hat and demi-mask on the sofa. She didn't know where he had gone off to, nor did it matter to her. As he shrugged off his jacket, the silver haired princess followed him slowly. She peered through the small crack of the slightly opened door. He stared at nothing as a name escape his lips.

"...Usagi..."

Serenity backed away, hurt flashing in her silvered blue eyes. She had thought she had only to abide her time. To wait for when that impostor was forgotten... But with the days passing by, her memory was still fresh. Slowly she pushed opened the door, as snores filled the dimly lit room. She had nothing expect her wits seeing how even her birthright has forsaken her. The sun's dying light streamed through as she walked across the floor.

Endymion to Serenity...

One love and no other.

Fingertips skimmed lightly against the exposed flesh before laying her hand over his heart. Serenity closed her eyes, as she listened to the gentle heartbeat. A single tear slid down her cheek. What was she to do when their hearts no longer beat as one?

What could she do when it was an other's name that escaped his lips? Let it be or let him go...

"Mamoru?" The name felt strange as it slipped from her lips. Nothing like Endymion...Not as comforting, not as loving. She waited until unfocused blue eyes looked up at her. Gently Serenity brushed her fingers across his chest and then up to his face, slow and sensual, causing his eyes to close once again. Boldly she pressed her lips to his, only to pull away once he began to respond.

Dazed by the action and sleep, Mamoru stared up at the silvery haired blonde. Her eyes, an shade of inhumanly blue, stared down at him as her hands took ahold of his. Small hands brought his to her chest, resting them over her heart. Her increased heartbeat revealed her nervousness. Only a thin rode shielded her skin from his touch. In a soft voice, Serenity declared confidently. "I am yours, as you are mine Mamoru."

Serenity threaded her fingers though his, bringing them over his head. Eye to eye, watching his every move and letting him watch hers. She let her lips brush across his heated skin. As she whispered into his ear, his hands took ahold of her wrists.

"...Mamoru...I am the only one you love..."

She was a watcher of her dreams. An observer on the outside looking in.

Usagi was in a accumulate apartment. The barest minimum of furniture decorated the loft. Not a object out of place, in the almost sterile apartment. Even her own temporary room above the Koneko reflected more of her personality than this room.

Hands trailed over pristine counters while eyes lingering on blurry picture frames, Usagi unconsciously followed the faint voices that echoed out from down the hall. The tiny blonde wrapped her arms about her, as a chill run down her spine like an unwelcome kiss. She was torn. Part of her what to stay within the walls of this dream, to find any clues that she might cross.

The other part of her wanted to leave. The air about her hung heavy all around her, almost suffocating her with each step forwards. Her hands began to shake as her whole body trembled, while icy chills over took her body like hands raking over her body. A faint hint of light from ahead, offered a cool warmth.

Surely there was safety with the light.

Her shaking hand flat against the wooden pane, she pushed the door open.

Her voice was lost in the mist of shock.

Wide eyes grew vacant, as Usagi fell to her feet. Pain blanketed her lower body, as matching blue eyes, looked down at her. A hand, that looked as familiar as her own yet different as night and day stroke the tousled head resting upon her breast. Through the cloud of numbness she recognized the man. Just the sight of him made her shuddered uncontrollably. A bitter look of triumph cross her look alike face.

It was as though her heart was shattered into a thousand pieces, while she was robbed of something she couldn't explain or didn't know of.

This wasn't what she had what to discover...She just wanted to know who she was...what was the reality of her life.

A hand tilted her face up, making her look up. Usagi would say that she was looking into a mirror, but she couldn't. Even through her haze of pain, she knew that this look alike was far more beautiful then her...

"There's no need to cry. I won."

Usagi looked at her blankly, before hunching over slightly trying to relieve some pain. "Endymion is mine...Mamoru is mine."

Across Town

Sleep never came easily to those with blood on their hands. Yet for the last few night it wasn't his victim's last cries for mercy plaguing him. It was Usagi. Weiss' little blonde charge had him completely mystified. It wasn't enough that she seemed to prefer his silent company to the rest of guys. No, she had to possess unnatural ability to elicit a respond from the comatose. 'Hime' The first word for his sister to utter, since that day, the first time he had seen Aya-chan's dark eyes in a long two years. Why had Aya-chan responded to the tiny blonde? Why not, to him? Why did he keep bring Usagi back to the hospital to visit Aya-chan...Why he did give himself false hope?

The red head glared at the ceiling. The sooner they got rid of Usagi, the better. He did not need some-

"Minna, I think we should do something nice for Usagi tomorrow." Omi's soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

Seeing it was half-time, Ken managed to unglue his eyes from the TV screen to look at Omi. "That sounds like a nice idea, but why?"

"It's her birthday." Omi held up a mission's folder that held all of Usagi's information. "It doesn't seem fair to just let it pass by..."

"I volunteer Yohji to make the cake!" Ken exclaimed. That teach to the absent Playboy to make fun of his lack of a lovelife.

"Okay," Omi agreed, "Yohji-kun will buy the cake. I can't imagine Yohji- kun baking anything. At least not with the fire department on stand by." Omi flushed as he realized he had spoken out loud. "Would you like to get anything, Aya-kun?"

Aya stood up and left, his voice carrying behind him. "Do what you want."

In the back of his mind, he noted that Usagi was only a few months younger than Aya-chan. He could easily imagine the two girls as friends, if things had turned out differently. If they had been a change...

Lost in his own musings, Aya barely the soft sobs coming from Usagi's room. How had he need up in front of her door. His own room down the hall from hers. His hand was on the knob before he could gather his bearings.

"Aya...Is something wrong?" Omi called out, as he poked his head out into the hall. The younger boy moved forward, a frown lighting his face as he heard the sobs. "Usagi-chan's crying! Why? What happen? How-"

Aya jerked opened the door, stopping Omi from continuing.

Usagi was curled up in the corner of her bed, crying and obviously frightened. Blankets cover the blonde like a protective cocoon. Tearful vacant blue eyes looked up at him, before moving pass him and settling on Aya. Shame filled her eyes, as she started to cry even harder. What did she have to feel ashamed of? It was a dream.

"...It hurt..." Her words were so softly spoken, that the two teammates barely heard her.

Usagi hiccuped as she rubbed her eyes. She didn't want to be afraid. It had only been a dream, perhaps a nightmare was a better description. Though, it had felt so real. Usagi pulled her blankets around her small frame tighter.

Usagi looked down at her hands, clutching the cotton material . The long slender fingers bared to much of a resemble to her. Angrily she threw the blankets off her body, careful not to let her hands touch her much. Her blue eyes stared tearfully at the young men standing at her door. Pained she lifted her hands to them, "They're the same...My hands are her hands."

The same hands that held her face as other with her voice claimed victory.

Worried Omi ducked pasted Aya as Ken appeared behind him. "What's wrong?"

Ken looked concern. "Did you have a bad dream, Usagi-chan?"

"It wasn't just a dream."

The statement was so simple, yet almost impossible to grasp. What could she possibly mean? Aya waited for a moment, letting Usagi try to gather her bearings. "Why?"

The blonde looked blankly at him, as she rub her hands with the sleeve of her nightgown. The pale skin quickly turned red, as she did so. Usagi bit her lip, and tears slid down her cheeks. She couldn't get rid of the filthy feeling on her skin...

"Usagi-chan," Ken began in a gentle, soothing tone. "Why wasn't it just a dream?"

Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. Those eyes of her focused on Aya as if apprehensive of his respond. "...It hurt."

Her normally cheerful voice, sounded so lost. Not even when she had awaken the first time, had so sounded so lost nor confused. Usagi's small body trembled violently at her words. She didn't dare closed her eyes. To close them, meant to relive...The unwelcome caresses...The violating kiss...The brief flash of pain...Her victory.

To acknowledge that her hands were not just hers. Her body was not completely her own. The pain was proof...

Neither Aya, Ken or Omi knew what to do. Both Ken and Omi would have offered to comfort Usagi, but it did not seem right. It was as though, their subconscious already acknowledged Aya and Usagi as a pair, while the two fumbled through awkward beginnings. Omi looked down at the discard blankets, looking for something to relieve the tense atmosphere. With a frown, he noticed dark stains on the pale covers. His mind focused, he noted the lingering scent. It wasn't a scent easily forgotten in his line of work. Blood.

Tense, Omi picked up the sheets, his eyes scanning the small room. "Ken, search the perimeters for any signs of force entry." Despite the questions in his brown eyes, Ken did as Omi requested. "Aya-"

"Stay with me...please?" Usagi winced as she moved, her body still sore. She didn't want for him to leave. With Aya by her side, Usagi felt safe. With him, the all too real dreams wouldn't come back.

Aya moved to leave the room, determine to also check for any signs of strange activity. He'd seen the sheets, and mentally berated himself for slacking on the job. Usagi was their mission. Failure would not do. Immediately before either men could blink, the blonde girl was attached to Aya's arm. Golden hair clashed with Aya's orange sweater as Usagi buried her head into his side.

"Stay with me...please?"

The plea was so softly uttered, Aya almost missed Usagi's words. The red head reached up to removed the tiny hands clutching the front of his sweater. Stepping away from her grasp, Aya did not catch the frightened look that flashed across her face.

Panic swelled within her chest at the thought of being alone to face those nightmares. Lost in her own thoughts, she jumped at the slight touch on her shoulder. Apologetically she looked up into violet eyes. Before she could say anything, Aya scooped her up into her arms and carried her out. Usagi was too startle to do anything but settle her head on his shoulder, just under his chin.

It was the sight that greet Yohji as he sauntered in. It was like something out of a fairy tale, a surreal one Yohji decided, the handsome prince sweeping the innocent maiden to safety. Yohji briefly wondered if maybe one of his drinks were laced with something, that made him see things. Nah, the chibi sees it too... His green eyes followed his teammate's back until the bathroom door slammed shut.

"One of them is bound to be hurt."

Omi looked up, "What do you mean?"

"Do you think that they have any idea of the effect they have on each other? Much less on the people around them?" Yohji mused.

"Aya does," Omi answered solemnly. "He doesn't like it..."

"Exactly." Yohji pondered if he could get away with lighting a smoke and decided not with Omi around. "He doesn't like because he can't understand why he is attracted to Usagi-chan. With the blood on his hands, and whatever secrets he has, Aya wouldn't think he's worthy of any form of love. Not that any of us, expect you chibi, are."

Omi didn't know what to say, he wasn't sure if he agreed or disagreed. "I need to call Manx."

Her bare feet curled up against the tiled floor, as Aya set her down. Quietly she watched as Aya ran a bath. "Are you going to take a bath?" Usagi questioned as he tested the water.

"It's for you."

"...Oh..." Usagi fidgeted. It was awfully sweet of him to do such a thing, but...But did it mean that he would leave her alone?

Usagi was pulled from her thoughts, as long well shaped fingers worked open the buttons of her nightgown. A deep blush stained her cheeks as the light material fell to the ground. Usagi quickly covered herself as best as she could with her arms, as Aya touched the small of her back gently pushing her to the bath. Embarrassed, Usagi glanced back at the red head. He wasn't looking at her, rather her discarded gown. Usagi shuddered as her eyes finally noticed the dark spots staining the white fabric.

Aya picked the nightgown and threw it in the waste basket. "You don't need this anymore."

Usagi said nothing as she let the warm water cover her body. It went a long way to calm her frayed nerves. Usagi stilled, as efficient hands pinned her long locks of hair up more securely before they got more wet. She offered a warm smile as thanks.

It should have felt wrong. Here, she was with a man she barely knew, who fought against his emotion to retain a blank facade. Nude, she sat submerge in water as his gentle hands carefully handled her as though she was the finest of porcelain. In the deepest reigns of her heart, she knew that no one has ever treated her as such. No kisses...No lover's caresses...No endearments...were needed.

It felt so right.

Nightmares momentarily forgotten, Usagi wore a serene smile, as water rained down from between her fingers. She shouldn't have feared that Aya would leave her alone. For now he wouldn't...

For now that was enough.

The morning shift was at a lulled. Customers trinkled in and out, as Ken and Aya prepared for the schoolgirl lunch rush. Yohji had offered to take her out on his deliveries, but Usagi was content to stay in the Koneko. She liked the schoolgirl rush...It was amusing to watch. Usagi had a small bet going with Momji-san ever since the fire inspector stopped by last week. During the lunch break, how long would it take for the mobs to swarm the shop and break the fire code.

Usagi had 1000 yen that it was under five minutes.

Momji-san had 1000 yen that it was under three.

Today was the day, both ladies would find out who would be 1000 yen richer.

Aya glanced at Usagi who scribbled quietly by the register, glanced down at his order form. He could easily guessed that she had hadn't listen to him, when he had said stop drawing on the order forms. Last nights events didn't seem to plague her. She had woken up with a smile, curled up against him. Content, and at ease in his persence. He shouldn't have allowed that. What was he doing...Letting her get under his skin. Aya had enough problems of his own without adding to hers to his list.

"Yohji-kun!" Aya watched as the blonde playboy appeared behind Usagi, startling her. He noted the stiffness, that quickly disappear from her body, as Usagi realized who it was. The nightmare still lingered, but Usagi didn't allowed that to control who she was. Looking away Aya didn't know whether he was a bit envious of the easy affection Yohji bestowed upon the tiny blonde and Usagi return. Or the way handled herself, through everything with a smile. "You scared me!"

Yohji grinned down at the blonde playfully. "Gomen ne, Tenshi. Maybe a peace offering is in order." He held a small bakery box just above Usagi's head.

A sweet smelling aroma tickled her nose and made her stomach growled. "What is it!"

"If you want to know, it'll will cost you," Yohji teased.

"But I don't have a lot of money!"

"Who said anything about money?" Yohji leered, leaning closer to the blonde. "A kiss might be sufficient. But it's hard to decide with just one kiss."

"Baka," Aya muttered as Usagi blushed..

Yohji grinned at the red head. "No need to be jealous, Aya-kun."

Before anyone could reply, the little bell above the door, clanked loudly, as Omi in his uniform rushed in. "Hurry up! I don't have a lot of time."

Usagi watched at Ken and Omi closed the window blinds and flipped over the open sign, as Yohji cleared off a table to set down the box. Aya disappeared into the back, as Omi ushered her to the table, making her stand between them. Two plainly wrapped packages surround the pastry box. "What are you doing?"

"Hoarding a beautiful princess all to ourselves," Yohji teased, tugging gently at a ponytail.

"No we're not!" Ken laughed. It was nice to do something that lighten the strained atmosphere from last night. "We just wanted to do something nice from you because...You're you!"

Usagi flushed at the words, a smile tugged at her lips as Omi nodded in agreement. Smiling winningly at her, "Just think of it as an anniversary of friendship. It's been two months since you joined us."

Yohji leaned down, "What an learning experience it has been for you, ne?"

"If you call learning that handcuff aren't just used by the Police department, a learning experience," Ken snorted.

Usagi laughed feeling wonderfully happy. She lifted the flap of the pastry box. Inside was a lovely decorated cake of white frosting and little roses. Trimmed in a light blue, the pink and yellow roses are artfully scattered across the icing. Elegantly scrawled in royal blue was her name. Blinking back happy tears for a change, Usagi sliced the cake chattering as she handed out slices. Should the future, be filled with more moments, just like these...Just maybe, Usagi could live without her past.

The remaining cake with seventeen little rosettes was packed away for later. One piece set aside as the remaining trio waved off Omi, who back to school and cleaned up. Usagi glanced down at Yohji's gift, a little jade bracelet. For Beauty...Yohji had said. Smiling Usagi gathered Omi's and Ken's gifts in her arms. Manga. The first four volumes of 'Yami no Matusei' to be exact. Omi had even apologized, saying it wasn't much of a gift compared to Yohji's, while Ken exclaimed, rather befuddled, that the male store clerk had hit on him while buying the manga. Usagi had laughed giving each a kiss on the cheek, and then tried to soothe Yohji bruised ego when all he got was a hug.

Manga at hand, and armed with cake Usagi made her way to deliver Aya's cake. She found him, pruning the newest arrival of roses. Quietly Usagi waited for him to notice her. A minute was far to long to wait, Usagi decided as she moved forward. "Ta-da!" Usagi presented him his cake piece. "Chocolate cake with white icing."

Aya continued on with his work.

Usagi pouted. "Won't you have one little bit? Tsuzuki-kun likes his cake? Why can't you?"

Aya looked up. "Tsuzuki?"

Beaming, Usagi held up the first volume. Unfazed Aya stared at the cover picture of a violet eyed young man with dark brown hair wearing a trenchcoat. Lost on her own happy little cloud, Usagi cheerfully gave him a detailed summary and character description of the cast. Nice to know the important things weren't forgotten. Aya gently lowered the manga from his face to look at the blonde. "If I take a bite, will you quiet down?"

Usagi smiled serenely, holding up a forkful of cake. "Maybe..."

Aya leaned down, to be face to face with the impish blonde. A pink blush stained her cheeks, obviously she hadn't expected him to play along. Her heart beat a little faster, as she lifted the cake to his mouth, his violet eyes never leaving hers. Impulsively Usagi leaned forward, brushing her lips across his. Usagi could barely taste the cake crumbs on his lips, she had feed him when she pulled away.

Afraid of rejection. Afraid to see a icy glare directed her way, Usagi quickly turned around and hurried out of the backroom. Stopping at the stair case, she collapsed on a step. Fingers touch her lips, imagining that she could still feel the touch of his lips on hers. Getting up, Usagi climbed up to the apartment she held her gifts protectively in front of her chest.

How could such a simple kiss mean so much to her...

Usagi looked at her surroundings. Her heart had lead her to Aya's room. She took in the neat room, with it's neatly made bed and polished wood floor. Everything was in order, as she had imagine it would be. Usagi smiled, comfortable within these walls. Settling herself in the center of Aya's bed, she looked about the barely decorated room. The only area of interest was the bookcase filled with well worn books and leather bound texts. None of the titles, Usagi recognized though she could tell that some where written in different languages. For a moment, glancing down at her manga, Usagi felt childish compared to Aya. Men like Aya, didn't need someone like her, who still read stories with pictures. Albeit pretty pictures.

Aya need someone...

Yawning, Usagi laid her head on the pillow. Closing her eyes, she smiled inhaling the pillow's lingering scent. It was distinctly Aya.

Usagi never felt the covers tuck in around her as she still loosely clutched Ken's and Omi's gift in her arms. Or the calloused fingers that brushed gently across her lips. Not until she awoke, would she see the black little book with a decorated tin pencil case tied together in a blue ribbon. For now, it was pleasant dreams and hope...

...Just maybe, Aya needed someone like her.

Ikuko set down her icing knife. For a spilt second, she had almost called down Usagi to to give her first dibs on the leftover frosting. With a heavy sigh, Ikuko stepped back feeling far older than her forty years. For as long as she could remember, her little bunny would be at her apron strings awaiting her birthday cake. It didn't matter that, Usagi would spend the day with her friends...Her daughter would always come back to her apron strings. Picking up her pastry bag, Ikuko began the trimming as Shingo walked in. "Honey...Do we have any candles?"

Shingo moved to stand next to her mother. Looking down, he studied the unfinished cake. He could almost hear, Usagi shouting at her not to eat her frosting."Seventeen, right?"

"Yes. Seventeen," Ikuko glanced at the clock, and smiled slightly. "Your father is just on time to lit the candles.

With a graceful flourish, Ikuko finished writing Usagi's name, knowing that she had but to hope that next year, Usagi would be back where she belonged.

Both Inners and Outers, gathered to watch Rei tied seventeen good luck charms on the branches on the sacred tree. Seventeen wishes. Seventeen hopes. It had been Minako's idea get Usagi's friends and family to write special wishes. Rei didn't know about the others, but it had help ease her heart a bit for the moment. With each tie of the knot Rei sent to pray to whatever deity deign to listen.

Respectfully stepping back with her bow, Rei took one last glance at small paper charms swaying in the slight breeze. As a group the head to Rei's room to discuss Takatori's next assignment, Haruka closed her eyes. Her short blonde hair ruffling in the wind, a faintest of smiles, graced her face.

"The wind will send our wishes to her heart."

Alone Serenity, awaited the sunset for the moonlight. The night had not gone as planned, leaving her more alone in this world than before. Looking out the window and into the blue skies, Serenity couldn't help but think that she didn't like this new world. She wanted her world of silver moon where she watched the blue orb earth.

Sensing the first rays of moonlight, Serenity knew her time was coming near. She been wrong.

She hadn't won.

Mamoru glanced at the store window, Memories of the glass slippers and the heart snatchers came to mind. What a disaster that had been. The next year hadn't been any better. He had just let it slip by like any other day. This time he had thought he would have had the chance to make up for his past callousness.

But yet again...It slip through his hands like sand in an hour glass.

Bradley Crawford, awaited for Takatori to finish his negotiations with an rather shady public servant. If his visions were correct, Takatori would be able to show off his latest prize to offer. Very soon.

"Crawford-san?"

"Mr. Takatori," the American began. "I would suggest that you give Miss Ouka, three invitations for Friday night's gala."

"May I ask why, Crawford-san?"

Crawford, pushed up his glasses as he looked straight down at his employer. "Miss Ouka will bring Miss Tsukino to you."

I do this. On the order forms and tickets, at my dad's place when it's slow and I'm stuck there, I draw and write. That's where my Hoto/Usa fic was born;;

sigh It's done. Yay...yawn;;