I thought I had gotten out of the note department a while back, but it seems like lately there's been a lot of questions/comments that need replying, so, here goes…
Almaseti: First off, sorry, I forgot to respond to yours last chapter, but I forgot, so here it is now. Aforementioned fics? Check my bio, there's a few there, others will be out shortly, though they aren't Usagi-centered, which tends to be a favorite around here, though not mine. And everyone likes big words, try supercilious and bulbiferous. Now, why the heck did Mamoru kill himself? Well, as was stated in the past chapter, Usagi doesn't even know, so, seeing as this is mostly centering Usagi's knowledge, opinions and thoughts, I'd say we're never going to find out, and frankly, eh, I don't think it matters. So that's my "plan". Is Trunks going to be Chibi-Usa's dad? I dunno. *shrugs* And Trunks really has purple hair, he inherits it from his mother, Bulma. And the "blame Canada" stuff comes from the animated movie, South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut, in which the youth of the small town of South Park, Colorado is corrupted by a film called "Asses of Fire" made by a daring duo from Canada, known as Terrance and Phillip. Upon the parents' discovery of the children's corruption, they decide to launch a campaign, and blame Canada. I, being a fan of this film, like to use this phrase in conjunction with mocking one of my favorite flamers, H3ll, who also happens to be Canadian. You're half Canadian? I'm sorry. And about Dic, yes, every moonie must hate and despise that evil Canadian company! Actually, no, I could give a shit. Honestly, Cloverway didn't do much better either. Wanna know why? Because we live in Amercia/Canada, filled with neurotic conservative parents (like the ones in the South Park movie) Lots of the things that Japanese censors would allow, American ones don't. Although really, it doesn't matter to me. There comes a point in your life as a fan when you begin to stop worrying about things that you can't control, and just don't care about anymore. Oh, and actually, the Japanese spelling is Bishoujo Senshi Sera Muun. ---Please, don't be offended, I just have a rather biting sense of humor, and have been flaunting it quite a bit recently, don't be oversensitive like so many people around here are, it's quite annoying, I'm really flattered by your review.
Sporanox: *falls out of chair laughing* Hahahaha…constipated Super Sayians…potty jokes…17 and 18 bringing about the Apocalypse…everyone dying horribly…*suddenly stops laughing* Hey! Why didn't I think of that ending before?! Crap, now it's too late! Oh well, guess I'll have to stick with the ol' standby of having Vejiita create an army of Super Apes and taking over the world and making Jay Leno his sex slave…Actually, on a more realistic note, the part about Usagi making a mistake, um, well, you'll see…^_-
Saru-san: Ahh, you guys are giving me all these wonderful ideas for the ending!! *huggles Clu* I love you, even if you are depressing! And you got a sweatshirt! *Gives her five* Sweatshirts kick ass! Okay, okay, so maybe I am stalling, on to the next note!
Angelique Haverston: 50 or more chapters?! *faints at the idea of the story being that drawn-out* Well, I think I really could make t hat happen, but I'm on a loose deadline. I've got other stuff to write…
Well, after all of that god-awful shizzat, it's time to shift gears! And seek some guidance from whoever or whatever resides above us, for some uplifting upheaval and…damn, I'm bad at this whole revival stuff…-_-;; Well, two songs to thank, Nine Days' little ditty Story of a Girl, and Moby's Flower. I recommend them both. I also recommend good personal hygiene, including routine bathing and excess hair removal.
So, let's go!
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Nothing was said as Trunks drove Usagi home. The change in her that had occurred in the hospital had caused Trunks to change the entire way he looked at her. She had become so isolated and sullen. It was almost as if you could see the walls rising up around her. He could still see that she was detached, almost numb in the way that she watched the scenery go by. Was this the real Usagi? Had she only put on a façade in order to keep working for his mother? How deep did the scars go from her past?
He knew that she was hiding more from him, she had openly admitted to it. And he was hiding things from her. He liked her, he really did, but what kind of relationship was one in which neither knew the real truth about the other? His mother had been the one who had pushed him, and her to some extent, to be together. She had told him that Usagi was perfect, who could go wrong with someone so sweet and shy and normal? Bulma had said resolutely that someone like Usagi was just the right person for Trunks, someone normal, and uncomplicated, and with a heart of gold.
He almost laughed out loud at the irony of it. The girl who had seemed the most harmless of all, seemed to almost as much emotional baggage as he did. He wanted to believe more than anything else that at least part of her was still the quiet girl with the beautiful smile he had originally met. He thought of when she had looked at him in the hospital as she had confronted him. The depth and darkness that had come over her irises made him wonder just how much she had been through. There was wisdom, along with pain, it wasn't just angst, it was a sense that you weren't born with.
He pulled into the driveway of her house, and let her out, walking with her to the front door.
She hadn't looked at him yet, and still didn't as she fumbled around in her purse, looking for her keys. She found them, looked up at him for the first time, and opened her mouth to say something. She froze midway, and the only sound that escaped was a choked sob.
Any tears that hadn't been shed earlier, were, as she fell forward, burying her face in his shoulder
All of the questions he had pondered earlier flew from his mind.
She pulled away, trying to regain her composure. "I-I'm sorry, I'm such a mess, I c-can't even talk to a psychiatrist without getting angry and running away," she wiped her eyes with her shirtsleeve. "M-maybe I should be back on medication or something, I'm-"
Trunks pulling her towards him again and bending down to press his lips to hers cut her off.
She wasn't quite sure what happened after that, it seemed another one of those strange but meaningful moments had occurred, without her knowing. She did vaguely remember finally pulling away from him, but still being in his arms. Their faces were mere inches away, and he had said something softly to her. Her head had been swimming far too much for her to truly comprehend, but she had nodded, and found herself mumbling something back, before being kissed again.
They parted again, this time more permanently, and she began to fumble with her lock, stammering out a farewell before stumbling inside of her house. She closed the door, and leaning her back against it, slid slowly to the floor, her fingers touching her lips in awe.
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It was quite some time before Usagi moved from her seated position on the hardwood floors, her mind swimming with all of the recent events. She had decided that chaos came in waves. There were lulls where nothing seemed to happen, and a serene peace ruled, only to be shattered by a tsunami of mind-boggling conflicts, all of which seemed to shape her future and destiny.
It was the phone ringing that caused her to cease her meditative state of mind and return to the world at hand. Pulling herself back to her feet, she wandered into the kitchen, still slightly dazed, and picked up the receiver. "Hello?" she queried.
"Oh good, you're finally home! I called earlier but I guess you hadn't gotten out of the hospital yet," Minako's cheery voice came from the other line.
"Yeah, I just got home," Usagi said, pulling up a stool to sit at the counter.
"So what's been going on? I had to call you! None of the people around here are worth talking to, they're too busy quizzing me on my next movie," she said distastefully. "So I need someone to tell me what's going on in the real world,"
"Um, well-" Usagi began to recount the entire grocery store incident, Rei, the hospital, and her blow-up with the psychiatrist.
"Usagi-chan, you said that?" Minako asked incredulously. "And you walked out?"
"Yeah," Usagi said dismally.
"That just doesn't seem like anything you'd ever do," she mused.
"I know, he just, had this way about him, the way he asked me questions just set me off, I wanted to strangle him!" she replied.
"He doesn't sound like much of a psychiatrist, but I think you could have handled it better," she said frankly.
"I know," Usagi said, aggravated with herself. "I'm never like this, it was like I was a different person,"
"So are you sure you're okay?" Minako persisted. "You're not going to go on a killing spree or anything?"
Usagi laughed in spite of herself. "No, I promise I won't resort to homicidal tendencies."
"Good," Minako was laughing as well. "So you and Rei-chan are speaking again, that's good,"
"Yeah, I'm glad she's going to be at the ball," Usagi answered.
"Ah, so you're going now!" Minako said excitedly. "I knew you'd come around!"
Usagi flushed. "Well, I didn't really have a choice in the matter to begin with, call me weak-willed."
"Oh but that must have been so embarrassing in the grocery store! He didn't think you're crazy or anything does he?"
"Um, well, I don't think so," Usagi stammered. "He gave me a ride home from the hospital,"
"So he didn't act like he thought you were a psycho?" Minako asked jokingly.
"Well if he does think I'm a psycho he must really like crazy girls," she said, continuing to beat around the bush.
"And what leads you to believe this?" Minako asked, having no trouble in picking up that Usagi was hiding something.
"H-he kissed me," Usagi rushed out, her cheeks aflame.
There was a long pause at the other end of line followed by a loud squeal of happiness. "You're kidding! Oh Usagi-chan! What was it like?! He kissed you right? Not you kissed him? When did it happen? Is he a good kisser? Was there tongue?"
"Minako-chan!" Usagi burst out, cutting off her interrogation. "You don't get it!"
Minako was silent.
Usagi realized she was on the verge of tears. "Minako-chan," she said softly. "I don't know what to do,"
Minako was silent for a moment. "What can I say?" she said quietly, in a tone that didn't seem to suit her. "Usagi-chan, what you do is your choice."
"If you were me, what would you do?" she said desperately. "Because I'm running out of ideas."
"Usagi-chan, I'm not you, and I don't know exactly what you're going through…but if it were me, I'd pick whichever made me happiest."
"But I can't dishonor Mamoru and Chibi-Usa's memory!" Usagi said, tears sliding down her cheeks. "I can't do that to them! Or to the senshi! They'll disrespect me, it would be the selfish decision."
"Usagi-chan, you're greatest strength is that you are so selfless, don't let it become your weakness too," Minako said.
"But-"
"Usagi-chan, I have to go, there's a bunch of reporters banging on my door, I'll call you tomorrow," Minako said regretfully.
"Wait! Minako-chan!" Usagi cried, but there was simply a click and the line went dead.
She dropped the phone on the counter, and placed her head in her hands, crying softly to herself.
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Usagi smiled awkwardly as she opened the door. "Hi, um, let me get my coat, and then we can get going," she said, turning to enter the small coat closet by the door.
"You look really nice," he said, feeling equally awkward.
She came out of the closet carrying a black coat. "Thanks, the dress is my roommate Minako's," she said, pulling on the coat.
"Are you ready to go?" he asked.
She picked up her purse, and then nodded.
"Oh, um, here," he said, and she noticed a bit more color entering his cheeks, as he handed her a small flower.
She hesitantly took it, and stared down at it. It was a rosebud. She felt her eyes water slightly. "How did you know?" she asked softly, looking up from the flower. "Roses are my favorite,"
He smiled slightly, and they both felt some of the ice begin to melt. "Lucky guess," he replied with a shrug.
"Thank you," she said, and there was no question about whether she truly meant it or not. She smiled, tucking the bud into one of her odangoes and grabbing his hand. "Come on, we have a party to get to,"
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*Collapses from exhaustion and despair* It just gets longer and longer and longer! @.@ Need…emergency plot detonation device…*revives herself* oh yeah, Chasing Amy is the best fucking romance movie ever! At least, I thought so o.O;; And The Little Mermaid 2 sucked! *collapses again*