Author's Notes at bottom - Enjoy!
@------
No Greater Love
Chapter 3 - Bad Surprises
By: Bethany
Editor: Meara
Rated: PG
@------
We stayed in Hawaii for one week. And even though I adored the
lu-ows and sunny beaches, by Friday I was happy to be going home. I
missed Chibi-Usa and Shingo terribly and from the way Mamo-chan acted,
he did, too. So with our tanned skin and extra energy from a week of
relaxation, we bored the plane to return home.
Our plane didn't land until nearly ten o'clock that night. Even
though it was late, I wanted to go straight to Mako-chan's and pick up
the children. As Mamo-chan and I walked hand in hand through the
airport, I couldn't help remembering the first time I stepped off a
plane and into this hustle and bustle. I had brought so much luggage
with me that it was nearly impossible to carry it all and keep up with
Shingo. I remembered how scared I was, but determined to appear brave
for my little brother. How different I was then compared to now. Back
then I didn't need anyone, I thought. It was me against the world. Of
course, now I know better. Having real friends, Mamo-chan and our
children in my life is what makes it worth while.
"What are you thinking about?" my new husband asks, letting go of
my hand and wrapping his arm around me.
I snuggled my face against his cotton shirt, inhaling his
cologne. "Just how lucky I am, to have you and our children. And such
wonderful friends," I replied, feeling him plant a kiss on top of my
head.
"Hmmmm," Mamo-chan replied, his deep voice vibrating in his chest
and against my cheek. I thought he might say something, but we came
upon the luggage carousel and he pushed through the crowds to grab our
bags.
When finally he had grabbed all of our bags, we went outside to
find our car. Our luggage must have doubled in weight from gifts, but
neither of us seem to mind. Especially since Mamo-chan was carrying the
larger suitcases while I carried my backpack and camera case. Even
though we rushed, we still didn't make it out of the airport garage
until a quarter till' eleven. When we finally approached Mako-chan's
apartment, I was nearly jumping in my seat. Mamo-chan cast me an odd
look, and I giggled. "I want to hold Chibi-Usa and cover her small face
with a hundred kisses!" I told him, opening the car door the second we
came to a stop. "And I can't wait to give Shingo the model ships we
bought him in Pearl Harbor. I know he's going to love them!"
Mamo-chan smiled, joining me at the door to the building and
together we went up. Mako-chan opened the door, hugging me before I
could even get my shoes off. "Did you two have a good time? The kids
have been great! Chibi-Usa wanted her Mama and Papa at least twenty
times a day, but that was to be expected. Shingo was perfect; helping
take care of the baby and even helping me do house work!"
I laughed at her exuberance and headed towards the bedroom. I
heard Mako-chan continue to ask Mamo-chan questions about Hawaii as I
opened the door to the spare bedroom. I approached the crib and looked
in, expecting to see Chibi-Usa asleep. But the crib was empty! I
smiled, this was insane. I knew I was tired from the flight, but to see
things? I closed my eyes and reopened them. But there was no mistake,
Chibi-Usa was not there! Keep calm, I told myself as my heart began
pounding in my chest. I rushed out of the room. Surely Mako-chan has
Chibi-Usa in her room. But only an empty room greeted me. By the time I
reached Mamo-chan and Mako-chan again, I'm sure my eyes looked as wild
as a frightened cats. "Mako-chan..." I gasped. "Where's Chibi-Usa?"
The Solider of Jupiter smiled at me, confused. "She's in her
crib."
I forced myself to swallow the lump in my throat and to stay
calm, although how I managed it, I'll never know. "No, she's not."
Mako-chan ran past me and into the bedroom, Mamo-chan and I on her
heels.
She only confirmed that the crib was empty. Mamo-chan glanced
around the room, his features a million times more calm than mine. I
felt like my heart would leap out of my chest any second. His eyes
wondered to the hall and the door across from the room we were in. "Did
you check on Shingo? Maybe he as her," he suggested, going quickly to
the opposite door.
I followed behind and prayed silently as Mamo-chan threw the door
open. The bed was stripped of the blankets and empty. "Shingo!" I
called, looking under the bed. "Chibi-Usa?!"
"Over here!" Mako-chan called, standing at the closet door.
Inside, backed into a corner, was Shingo and Chibi-Usa asleep. All
under and around them was the bed sheets and blankets. Mako-chan pulled
the string above her, the light coming on and casting a bright yellow
glow over the children. Chibi-Usa's eyes fluttered open and she stared
at Mamo-chan and I in disbelief. "Mama! Papa!" she shrieked, pushing
the covers off her body and crawled towards us as fast as her small
legs take carry her.
Relieved, I scoped her up in my arms and kissed her face over and
over between hugging her tightly. Mamo-chan reached in the closet and
picked Shingo up, sitting him on the bed. I sat in the rocker with
Chibi-Usa, a faint smile on my lips to hear her carrying on a
conversation which only she could understand. Every now and then she
would list all the words she knew, and then go back to babbling.
Mamo-chan stared at Shingo for a long moment, gathering his
thoughts. I flinched when he began, knowing he was more upset than he
was letting on earlier. "Son, what were you thinking? You're almost
eight years old, you know better than to take your baby sister out of
her crib," he bellowed, his arms swinging wide. His arms and hands
always betrayed his feelings, moving like little creatures that were in
no way attached to his body when he was angry. He stopped suddenly,
seeing the fear in Shingo's eyes. I watched as he got down on his knees
in front of the bed, taking Shingo's hands in his larger ones. "I'm not
mad, Shingo. But you nearly scared all of us to death. Why did you take
Chibi-Usa out of her crib and into a closet?"
We waited, but Shingo offered no explanation. Chibi-Usa fell
asleep about the same time and finally my heart slowed to a normal
pace. The uncomfortable silence stretched on and on. Shingo bit his
bottom lip, looked at me with tears in his blue eyes and looked down.
"I-I'm sorry," he mumbled, burying his face in his hands.
I shook my head at Mamo-chan and he stood up. "Your mother and I
are disappointed in you, Shingo." Mamo-chan let out a deep breath and
gently took Chibi-Usa from my arms so I could stand.
Mako-chan helped me carry the kid's suitcase to the door and we
hugged again. "I'm so sorry, Usagi-chan..." she began, but I cut her
off.
"It's not your fault. Don't worry about it." At my side, Shingo
continued to sniffle. Mako-chan reached out and ruffled his blonde
hair. "It's late, we'd better get going. I'll call you tomorrow," I
said and followed Mamo-chan to the elevator.
Chibi-Usa barely opened her eyes when Mamo-chan put her in the
car seat. The car was silent on the way home, save for the soft music
playing on the radio. By the time we pulled up in the garage, all I
wanted to do was crawl into the bed and close my eyes.
Shingo took his bag and went straight to his room. I took Chibi-
Usa to her room and Mamo-chan went into ours. The events of tonight had
silenced the moments we usually shared before putting the children to
bed. Everything night Shingo and Chibi-Usa would crawl up on my lap as
I sang and rocked them. Mamo-chan would stand at the door, watching and
waiting for me to finish so he could tuck them in. But those sounds
were gone tonight, replaced by the slow ticking of the grandfather
clock in the hall.
I kissed Chibi-Usa's rosy cheeks and pulled the covers up over
her chest. When I peeked in on Shingo, he was buried under the
blankets. I bent down and kissed his forehead, flipping the night light
on as I went out. Just as I reached the door, I heard him move. "Mama?"
"Yes, Shingo?" I replied, opening the door further to allow the
hall light in.
"I was..." he stopped, afraid, it seemed, to continue. "I'm
sorry, Mama," he finally said and pulled the comforter over him again.
Heavy hearted, and slightly bothered by Shingo's reluctance to
talk to me, I went to bed.
@------
The phone ringing woke me up the next morning. Groggily I reached
for the pillow and pulled it over my head. "Get that..." I mumbled at
Mamo-chan. Still the phone rang. "Mamo-chan?"
"The phone is on your side of the bed," he replied, turning over.
"So?" I retorted. Ugh, the ringer on the phone was exceptionally
shrill this morning. Maybe whoever it is will get the hint and call
back later, I hoped. Finally it stopped - and then started again.
"Damn," I mumbled, reaching for it. I dropped it twice before I got it
to my ear. "Moshi Moshi."
"It's about time you answered!" Minako shrieked, her voice nearly
as shrill as the phone ringer was. "Don't tell me you're still asleep!
It's nearly ten o'clock!" she rambled before I could get a word in
edgewise. "What time did you get back last night? Oh, never mind. We'll
be over there in a half hour to see the tape and hear all about Hawaii,
ja!"
I heard the click of the phone before I had said a word.
Groaning, I put the phone back on the hook and turned over to face my
husband. "And I repeat - damn."
"Who was that?" he asked, his voice muffled by the pillow.
"Minako-chan."
"What did she want?"
"She'll be here in a half hour."
"Damn," he grunted, pulling the pillow over his face.
"That's what I said."
@------
As promised, a half hour later the doorbell rang. Chibi-Usa
looked up from her high chair where she sat happily slapping her hands
in her food and pointed to the door. "Door!" she stated, as if she were
the only person in the room smart enough to figure out that the
doorbell meant someone was at the front door. I laughed at her,
throwing my rag down and opening the door.
"Good morning!" Minako said happily, rushing past me and into the
kitchen. Each bidding me a good morning, Rei, Mako-chan and Ami
followed.
When Mamo-chan came out of the bedroom, he bore a bag with
everyone's presents we had bought. I watched expectantly as they each
pulled out a pearl necklace set in a beautiful gold dolphin setting.
Jaws dropped around the room. Minako, as usual, was first to find her
voice. "Oh. My. Gosh. Usagi-chan, it's beautiful!" she exclaimed,
jumping up and throwing her arms around my neck. Everyone else had the
same opinion after the initial shock.
Mamo-chan sat at the table with his coffee and explained to
everyone how we plucked the pearls from the oysters ourselves while I
went to get Shingo up and shower.
Before I was out, however, Mamo-chan came in the bathroom. When I
stepped out of the shower he was leaning against the sink. I started to
smile, but the look on his face told volumes; and the news he had was
disturbing him.
"What?" I asked anxiously. I wrapped a towel around my body and
sat on the edge of the tub, attempting to prepare myself.
"Haruka just called," he said, as if that explained it all. I
waited while he sat quietly for a moment. "It seems Michiru's mirror
picked up a presence near the Moon last night. They want us all to come
over and discuss this." I stared at him, not understanding what this
meant. "Usako, this could be another enemy."
I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath. "Well, when I'm
dressed we'll go over there," I told him and began towel drying my
hair.
He stood up, reaching out to run his fingers along my cheek.
"You're okay with this?"
I meet his eyes, my own watering. "What choice do we have? If we
don't fight the enemy - who will?"
Mamo-chan kissed me deeply and without another word, left the
room. Sighing, I began brushing my hair out.
@------
We pulled up in front of a large white mansion and Mamo-chan cut
the engine. A beautiful bed of flowers lined both sides of the side
walk that lead up to a large porch with white columns that reached up
to the roof of the house. I had never been to the house where the Outer
Senshi lived, but somehow they never seemed the type to have something
so magnificent.
Mamo-chan rang the doorbell and we waited. I suppose I was
waiting for a butler or a maid to show us in, but I was surprised to
see Michiru open the door and greet us. I know I looked like a bum from
the streets the way I stared around the foyer. I tried not to gape at
the ceilings that reached twelve feet high, or at the tear drop
chandelier that sparkled like diamonds. But it seemed there was an
invisible string pulling my head up against my will.
Michiru lead us to a large sitting room where Haruka and Hotaru
were playing a piece on the piano. I sat down carefully on a velvet
settee nearby, Mamo-chan following. When they finished, Chibi-Usa
clapped her hands so hard her palms turned red.
"She appreciates good music, ne?" Michiru asked, sitting across
from us. "In another year we could begin teaching her the piano."
"Isn't two a little young?" I asked, not wanting to think about
Chibi-Usa growing up. It seemed like only yesterday she was a newborn
baby. Even though, the idea of her playing the piano as beautifully as
Hotaru was an appealing one.
Haruka stood to help Setsuna pour tea for everyone. "Two is the
perfect age to begin teaching the discipline it takes to play an
instrument well. We actually began with Hotaru a few months before her
second birthday."
Michiru smiled gently and took a cup from Setsuna. "Of course,
it's up to you."
"I think it's a wonderful idea," Mamo-chan suddenly said. "Don't
you think so, Usako?"
I hugged Chibi-Usa to me. "Yes," I agreed. But the small talk was
making me nervous. I wanted to know about what Michiru seen in her
mirror and the longer we just sat the worse I felt.
As if I had spoke my feelings aloud, Hotaru grabbed Shingo's
hand. "Want to go outside and play?" Shingo nodded and Hotaru looked at
me. "I can take Chibi-Usa-chan, too."
I nodded and Hotaru held her arms out towards the baby. Happily
Chibi-Usa went to the petite Senshi, blowing a kiss back as they went
out the double doors. As soon as they were gone Michiru uncrossed her
legs and sat forward. "Now, let's get down to business, shall we?"
"At precisely ten minutes after one this morning there was a
massive storm in the Time Space Continuum. As is, it poses no threat to
the time line," Setsuna explained.
"Minutes later my mirror picked up a faint shadow near the moon.
But it disappeared as soon as it appeared." Michiru sat back again,
looking slightly uneasy.
"Haruka-san, what do you think?" I asked.
Haruka put her cup down, staring at the liquid a minute. "I think
that anything Michiru's mirror doesn't pick up can't be that bad. And
time storms happen. We have no conclusive evidence that there is an
enemy of any sort. So there's nothing we can do but stay alert - and
hope for the best."
As much as I hated to admit it, she was right. What more could we
do?
@------
Monday morning came whether I wanted it to or not. I awoke early
and began dressing. By the time I had showered, Chibi-Usa was awake, so
I carried her in our bedroom while I finished applying make-up.
Mamo-chan stumbled out of the bed seconds after the alarm went
off, kicking a pair of shoes under the bed and practically falling into
the bathroom. Both Chibi-Usa and I watched with temptation to see if he
would run into anything before getting in the shower. I had learned a
long time ago that if Mamo-chan didn't wake up on his own and not by
the alarm, he was rather disoriented. I let out a breath of relief when
I heard the shower. My hair drier - and thus Mamo-chan's big toe - had
both been spared this morning.
The king of fast showers was back in a few minutes, looking
decidedly more alert. "Morning baby," he grinned, kissing me quickly
and then kissing Chibi-Usa. "How are the two most beautiful women in
the world this morning?"
"Good," I replied and stood up, picking Chibi-Usa up as well.
"And hungry, right sweetie?" Chibi-Usa nodded her head in response.
I went into the kitchen and began preparing everyone's breakfast
just as Shingo came in and plopped down in a chair. He said nothing at
all; simply ate his breakfast before grabbing his backpack and leaving.
I watched him go with a confused and heavy heart. "You know," I said
thoughtfully as Mamo-chan came in the kitchen and grabbed his lunch. "I
think it's time we realize that Shingo isn't getting any better on his
own and needs professional help."
My husband glanced at the place where Shingo usually sat and
shook his head. "You're probably right." He bent down and kissed Chibi-
Usa's cheek, then came over to me. "Call a couple of places today, ne?
I'll be home around four." We kissed before he grabbed his keys and
briefcase. "I love you."
"I love you," I repeated and he left. Chibi-Usa blew him a kiss
and giggled when Mamo-chan stuck his head back in the door and winked
at her. I couldn't help but laugh at them. If he ever forgot to peek
back in at her, she'd probably cry.
"Your Papa sure has you spoiled, doesn't he?" I teased her. I
left her playing in the rest of her breakfast while I went to pick her
out some clothes. When I returned with the wet wipes I was surprised to
hear the phone ringing. The caller ID said Tokyo National Laboratories,
but I knew Mamo-chan hadn't had time to get to work yet. Puzzled, I
picked up the phone. "Moshi Moshi."
"Is Mamoru there?"
The voice on the line was practically whispering, but even so I
knew who it was. "No, he's already left for work," I replied, eager to
hand up.
Daiki laughed, his voice rising. "So you're all alone with the
baby, eh?" He didn't wait for me to answer before he continued. "Don't
worry, you won't be alone for long."
I tried to keep my voice calm when I spoke, though my heart was
thumping so loud I was sure he could hear it over the phone. "Look, I
know what happened at my wedding between you and my husband. Unless you
want him to finish what he started, leave me alone."
"You won't think that way for long," he threatened and hung up.
I slid down the wall, the dead phone still clutched in my hand.
The look of horror on my face frightened Chibi-Usa and she began
crying. "If you'd like to make a call, please hang up and try again. If
you need help, hand up and then dial the operator. If you'd like to
make a cal--"
"AHHH!" I screamed, throwing the phone across the room where it
hit the wall and fell in pieces to the floor. The loud crash made
Chibi-Usa scream louder, her small face red and soaked in tears. I
picked myself up off the floor, wiping my face free of tears with a
dish towel and pulled Chibi-Usa out of her high chair. I ran out of the
room, picking up wet wipes and bibs as I went. I threw everything I
seen that I might need in a baby bag and left without even dressing
Chibi-Usa.
I didn't know what I was doing or where I was going. All I knew
was that I was scared to stay at my apartment, Daiki's threat still
echoing in my ears. After facing a dark and evil force and saving Earth
I never thought I would be so terrified of a single man. I finally
ended up in front of Minako's house. I pounded my fist on the door,
forgetting that she had a door bell. Minako finally came to the door,
the sleepiness leaving her features as soon as she seen me. Quickly she
rushed me in the house and shut and locked the door behind me. "Usagi-
chan, what's wrong?"
I sucked in a breath, trying to swallow down my tears so I could
speak. Where do I begin? I thought. For months I've been harassed -
sometimes sexually - by the man my husband works with. And now he's
threatened me... but nothing that should have me so panicked. I felt
stupid for being here. Minako took Chibi-Usa from my arms and told me
to sit while she got me a glass of water. She returned a few minutes
later, Luna and Artemis in tow.
I took the glass from her and she sat down across from me,
tucking her legs under her. "Now, what's wrong?"
I hoped I didn't sound as stupid as I felt. But the bottom line
was, I couldn't keep this to myself any longer. "You know the guy that
Mamo-chan works with? Well, for months he has been saying stuff to me -
weird stuff. Before I got married he kept telling me to leave Mamo-chan
for him."
Luna looked shocked and just a little hurt that I hadn't said
anything before now. Minako sat forward, her mouth open. "Usagi-chan,
have you told Mamoru-san?"
I shook my head and stared down at my cup. "He called his morning
and I threatened to tell. But... but..." I looked up into Minako's rage
filled face and found the courage I needed. "He ask me if I was alone
with the baby, and then told me I wouldn't be alone for long. When I
told him that I would tell Mamo-chan, he said I wouldn't feel that way
for long and hung up. Oh Minako-chan," I moaned. "I'm sorry to put this
all on you, but I was scared to stay there by myself."
Minako jumped up from her seat, putting Chibi-Usa down and coming
over to hug me. "Usagi-chan, you did the right thing. We are not just
your friends, but your protectors. I wish you had said something before
now." I nodded and she wiped a tear off my face. "Now, Mamoru-san's at
work ne? We should call him."
"No!" I yelped, shaking my head. "He hasn't worked there for long
and I don't want to cause him any trouble. Besides, I'm just over
reacting, I think..."
"Usagi-chan," Luna said sternly, jumping up on the arm of the
couch. "This is serious and you need to get this taken care of. The
longer you stay quiet the more he thinks he is going to get away with.
Now, either you call Mamoru-san or I will."
I felt tears stinging behind my eyes as I reached into the diaper
bag for my cell phone. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice
so that it didn't squeak when I spoke. As I started to dial the
numbers, however, my phone began ringing. Without even checking the
caller ID I clicked the phone on. "Moshi Moshi."
"Hey sweetie," Mamo-chan said lightly on the other end of the
phone. "I called the house and didn't get an answer. Where are you?"
"Eh, Minako's house," I replied slowly, staring at Luna's nodding
head urging me to continue.
"Is everything alright?" he asked immediately. "You sound odd."
I swallowed hard, closing my eyes and telling myself it would be
okay. "Actually, no. I need to talk to you about something important."
I was going to suggest we meet for lunch, or even discuss it when
he got home. Neither of those options were open with him. "I'll be
there in ten minutes." And before I got another word in, he said "I
love you" and hung up. I stared at the silent phone in my hand and
turned it off. Strangely enough, the idea of getting this all out in
the open with Mamo-chan made me feel better. So much so that I felt
myself start to relax. Chibi-Usa got out of the chair Minako had sat
her in and crawled over to me. I picked her up, placing a kiss on top
of her head.
"Well?" Minako questioned.
"He's on his way," I replied.
"Good," Luna stated in a pleased tone. "And you have to promise
me, Usagi-chan, that you won't do this again. Not only could this be
dangerous for you, but you have to remember who you are."
I started at Luna, already resorting into one of her old and
tired speeches, and smiled. We all did something that made us feel
better about certain situations. I was a firm believer that Luna felt
better by talking me to death. Beside her, Artemis laid his head down
and said nothing. That was probably one of the smartest things he had
done to date.
@------
Mamo-chan sat quietly while I repeated everything to him that I
said to Minako earlier. This time, however, I even threw in that I had
overheard the conversation (if that is what you call it) between him
and Daiki at our wedding and even threw that in Daiki's face when we
talked this morning. As I awaited Mamo-chan's reaction, I found myself
torn between what I wanted. Half of me wanted him to come to me, hug me
and tell me he would always protect me. The other half of me wanted him
to burst out of the house and swear to kill Daiki. Imagine my surprise
when a firm look of hurt settled on his features when I finished.
"Mamo-chan?" I whispered, hugging Chibi-Usa close to me.
"Why did you keep this from me for so long?" he asked slowly, an
underlying rage momentarily blocked by his hurt. I could see that any
second he may snap and for some reason I was fearful of whether it
would be towards me or Daiki.
"I'm sorry, Mamo-chan. But I didn't want to cause any problems
with your work. And I thought I could take care of it myself..." I
stopped mid-sentence, fresh tears filling my eyes. If I could have
shrank into a ball and disappeared, I would have. "I'm sorry."
He said nothing, which to me his silence was worse than if he had
been screaming. The longer he said nothing, the more uncomfortable I
grew. I wanted him to yell at me, to scream - to say something before I
went mad. Instead he sat looking at me, though not really seeing me. I
had disappointed him, I knew. He always wanted to protect me from
everything. The hands on the clock ticked another minute by and I
couldn't take it anymore. "Say something, please! Don't sit there
looking hurt; yell at me!" I screamed, my tears coursing down my face
as I spoke. Chibi-Usa looked up at me, her blue eyes wide from surprise
at my outburst.
Minako got up, picked up Luna and Artemis and left the room -
shutting the door behind her. Mamo-chan watched her go before he
dropped his head into his hands. "Why didn't you tell me? Usako, why?
Who cares if you cause me problems at work?" he began, lifting his face
up. "There are other jobs, but I'll be damned if I care about this job
if it means harm would come to my family. I thought you knew that,
Usako. I thought you knew that you mean more to me than anything,
especially some job."
I put Chibi-Usa down and went to him, falling to my knees in
front of his clasped hands and looking into his eyes. "I'm so sorry,
Mamo-chan. I know that we mean so much to you. But you were so happy at
that job, and your happiness means as much to me as mine does to you.
Do you think I could live with myself if you had to settle for a second
rate job because of trouble I had caused?"
"You didn't cause this," Mamo-chan said sternly, his mind now
focusing the blame on Daiki. The more he thought about it, the redder
his face became. "I'm going to kill that bastard once and for all," he
swore. His eyes took on a hard look of determination that scared me,
for I hadn't seen him look this angry since Beryl had taken me and
tried to take Chibi-Usa before she was even born.
I found myself trying to calm him down, as much as I hated the
idea. The part of me that wanted him to pound Daiki into a pancake was
rejoicing - but the more logical part didn't want him getting in any
legal trouble. And Daiki could press charges if he just went up to him
and beat him up. "Mamo-chan, don't lose your temper over this, ne? You
can't just walk up to him and beat him into a pulp."
"Says who?"
"I say," I said forcefully. I swallowed my tears, reaching my
hands up to cup his face. "There has to be something we can do that
wouldn't get you thrown in jail. Besides, he has already shown that he
is relentless. If you beat him up and went to jail for it, he would
come after me again. And who would be around to protect me then?"
My words hit home, making sense to him when not much else would
at the moment. He brought his hands up over mine and closed the
distance between our lips quickly. "Usako, don't do this again. Don't
keep something this important from me and your friends. Promise me you
won't."
It was something I could do without hesitation. I nodded my head,
mouthing "I promise" just as he leaned in to kiss me again. I began to
wrap my arms around his neck when someone pulled on my hair. We broke
away, looking down at Chibi-Usa's grinning face. "Aww!" she squealed,
tilting her head. She opened her mouth, indicating she wanted a kiss,
too. I scooped her up between us and kissed her sweet lips. She
giggled, the wonderful sound of her laughter making my heart feel light
once again.
Instead of going back to work, Mamo-chan returned with Chibi-Usa
and I to our apartment. I went into the bathroom to bathe and dress
Chibi-Usa while Mamo-chan pieced our phone back together and called the
local law enforcement to see what could be done about Daiki harassing
me. He came into the bathroom just as I was finishing telling me what
he had found out.
"You'll have to go down to the station and file an official
complaint against him. But at the rate it would take them to get around
to doing something about it..." His eyes twinkled madly as he came up
and put his arms around my waist. "Couldn't Tuxedo Kamen just take up a
little score with him?"
I shook my head, giggling at the mental image of Daiki coming
face to face with Tuxedo Kamen. Although it was an appealing one, the
Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen didn't need the negative publicity that would
result from it. There was already a split in sides over whether we were
to be trusted or not - that definitely wouldn't help. Mamo-chan sighed,
holding his hands up in a peace offering. "Okay, okay. It was just a
suggestion anyways."
"So I'll go down there first thing tomorrow morning and file the
complaint. Until then, I was planning on taking Chibi-Usa to the zoo
today, care to join us?" I asked my husband, grinning slyly.
"I would love to," he replied, bending down to place his lips on
mine.
Putting off going to the police station would be something I
would live to regret. Unfortunately, I wouldn't have to wait long. I
regretted it as soon as the next morning.
@------
Mamo-chan slept with his arms around me every night since I had
moved in more than a year before. This night was no different, either.
But I liked how some things were a constant, as I loved the feel of his
lips on mine when he awoke in the mornings (if the alarm didn't wake
him first). I wish I could say all things in my life were a constant,
but this was not to be. Especially this morning. No, this morning I
would catch a long glimpse at the way my life could be - which only
made me want my constants back even more.
I awoke suddenly, the wisp of a nightmare around the edges of my
conscience. I couldn't remember details, but my heart pounded badly and
I was sweating. The overall feeling that something wasn't right tugged
at my mind. And even though I associated it with my dream, when I lay
awake for a few minutes and the feeling didn't leave, I became worried.
Mamo-chan slept on beside me, never even flinching when I moved so that
he would wrap his arms around the pillow instead of me and I could get
up. With cautious steps I left our bedroom and went down the hall. And
that's when I noticed it.
I had done a good amount of redecorating over the year I had
lived with Mamo-chan - something that would suite both our tastes
instead of just his. But as I walked down the hall and towards Chibi-
Usa's room, the walls were the same color they were before I moved in.
And the small shelves with different knick knacks on it were gone,
replaced with the same paintings that had long since been taken to a
consignment store. The more I saw, the more fear built up inside me.
I ran the rest of the length of the hall, shoving Chibi-Usa's
door open. Inside the room was stacked to the ceiling with boxes and
broken or unused furniture. Nowhere was Chibi-Usa's belongings - or
Chibi-Usa. Panicked, I ran for Shingo's room. Just as before, the room
was the same as it was before Shingo had moved in it. Only, thankfully,
Shingo was on the bed holding Chibi-Usa. When I entered he busted out
crying. "I'm sorry Mama! Don't be mad! But I had to move her so they
didn't take her away!"
I covered my mouth with my hand and ran to the bed, pulling both
my children into a hug. "It's okay Shingo, I'm not mad. I'm so glad you
took her in here with you. I don't want to think about what would have
happened to her if you hadn't. Who are they?" I asked him, kissing his
unruly hair.
"I don't know," he sobbed against my breast. Chibi-Usa sat on my
lap, rubbing her small eyes free of sleep. I stood up, keeping a tight
grasp on Shingo's hand as we went to the living room.
Again I was greeted with an apartment that was void of anything
changes I had made. Nowhere was Chibi-Usa's play pen, or the movies
that we had bought. Everything was as neat and as orderly has Mamo-chan
had once kept it before I came. I shivered, it was like I had never
existed. I ran back to our bedroom and turned the light on. How I
hadn't noticed that I was sharing a twin bed with Mamo-chan when I had
gotten up instead of our king size, I'll never know. But that was what
greeted me when I came in. My vanity table was gone, as well as all my
clothing, jewelry - anything that belonged to me was gone. Mamo-chan
blinked, rubbing his eyes and looking at me standing in the door way
holding Chibi-Usa, Shingo pressed against my leg. "Usako?"
"Mamo-chan, thank God," I whispered, going to the bed and sitting
down. Chibi-Usa crawled out of my arms and lay down beside Mamo-chan
with a smile on her face. "Something is happening," I told him as he
sat up, still looking at me in a confused sense. "Look around, do you
notice anything different?"
"You're up before dawn?" he asked, not taking the time to look
around before he spoke. At the look on my face he then took notice of
his surroundings. "Where is your stuff? And... since when was the walls
that color? We repainted six months ago...." With that revelation, he
jumped out of the bed. I picked Chibi-Usa back up, afraid of what may
happen if I left her alone, and followed him through the apartment. He
came to the same conclusion I did - everything was like I had never
been there.
I moved closer to him, drawing strength from the arm he
soothingly put around me. "I'm scared, Mamo-chan. What's going on?"
"I don't know," he admitted. "But I say the first thing we do is
contact the girls, see if we are the only ones with this... this..
whatever this is."
I nodded and went looking for my communicator, but it was as gone
as everything else I owned. Shaking my head, I picked up the phone and
dialed Minako's number while Mamo-chan went to dress and to try and
find something for me to wear. She answered after only one ring.
"Usagi-chan, oh my gosh! The weirdest thing has happened!" she gushed.
"I know, believe me," I said. "All of my stuff as disappeared and
all of the changes we made to our apartment has been reversed."
Something about the dead silence on the other end of the phone caused
me to stop for a second. "Minako-chan, you were awake when I called," I
said more to myself than to her. "What's happened?"
"Luna and Artemis..." she breathed like a person in denial of
what she knew to be true. I clamped my teeth down so hard my jaw ached.
"They can't talk."
"Are you sure? Has their moon symbols been covered?" I asked
quickly, sitting down in a chair to keep myself from falling. Luna
couldn't talk? But that was impossible! What had happened?
"No, their symbols aren't covered. They just can't talk. I'm
awake because Artemis was making all sorts of racket and woke me up. I
was about to call you when there was a huge explosion somewhere in
town, didn't you see it?"
"That must be what woke me up," I mumbled. Poor Luna, I thought.
This was horrible! Somehow I had to get to the bottom of this. "Minako-
chan, call the others and have them meet us at Haruka's house in
fifteen minutes."
"Okay, ja," she replied and hung up. I put the phone back on the
charger and held Chibi-Usa close to me, rocking back and forth.
Something told me this was bound to get worse before it got better.
I had no idea just how right I was.
--End Chapter 3.
Konnichi'wa all! I know, you're going to kill me for resorting back to
my old cliff hanger endings ^^ Gotta keep you all coming back somehow.
Huge thanks to everyone who reads and reviews on Fanfiction.net and on
ASMR. And of course, many, many, many thanks to my wonderful editor,
Meara.
My web site, Moon Bunny's Closet, has a voting booth for Sailor Moon
web site of the month - please go and enter your web page or vote ^_^
http://MoonBunnysCloset.tripod.com
Email and reviews, onegai!! =)
@------
No Greater Love
Chapter 3 - Bad Surprises
By: Bethany
Editor: Meara
Rated: PG
@------
We stayed in Hawaii for one week. And even though I adored the
lu-ows and sunny beaches, by Friday I was happy to be going home. I
missed Chibi-Usa and Shingo terribly and from the way Mamo-chan acted,
he did, too. So with our tanned skin and extra energy from a week of
relaxation, we bored the plane to return home.
Our plane didn't land until nearly ten o'clock that night. Even
though it was late, I wanted to go straight to Mako-chan's and pick up
the children. As Mamo-chan and I walked hand in hand through the
airport, I couldn't help remembering the first time I stepped off a
plane and into this hustle and bustle. I had brought so much luggage
with me that it was nearly impossible to carry it all and keep up with
Shingo. I remembered how scared I was, but determined to appear brave
for my little brother. How different I was then compared to now. Back
then I didn't need anyone, I thought. It was me against the world. Of
course, now I know better. Having real friends, Mamo-chan and our
children in my life is what makes it worth while.
"What are you thinking about?" my new husband asks, letting go of
my hand and wrapping his arm around me.
I snuggled my face against his cotton shirt, inhaling his
cologne. "Just how lucky I am, to have you and our children. And such
wonderful friends," I replied, feeling him plant a kiss on top of my
head.
"Hmmmm," Mamo-chan replied, his deep voice vibrating in his chest
and against my cheek. I thought he might say something, but we came
upon the luggage carousel and he pushed through the crowds to grab our
bags.
When finally he had grabbed all of our bags, we went outside to
find our car. Our luggage must have doubled in weight from gifts, but
neither of us seem to mind. Especially since Mamo-chan was carrying the
larger suitcases while I carried my backpack and camera case. Even
though we rushed, we still didn't make it out of the airport garage
until a quarter till' eleven. When we finally approached Mako-chan's
apartment, I was nearly jumping in my seat. Mamo-chan cast me an odd
look, and I giggled. "I want to hold Chibi-Usa and cover her small face
with a hundred kisses!" I told him, opening the car door the second we
came to a stop. "And I can't wait to give Shingo the model ships we
bought him in Pearl Harbor. I know he's going to love them!"
Mamo-chan smiled, joining me at the door to the building and
together we went up. Mako-chan opened the door, hugging me before I
could even get my shoes off. "Did you two have a good time? The kids
have been great! Chibi-Usa wanted her Mama and Papa at least twenty
times a day, but that was to be expected. Shingo was perfect; helping
take care of the baby and even helping me do house work!"
I laughed at her exuberance and headed towards the bedroom. I
heard Mako-chan continue to ask Mamo-chan questions about Hawaii as I
opened the door to the spare bedroom. I approached the crib and looked
in, expecting to see Chibi-Usa asleep. But the crib was empty! I
smiled, this was insane. I knew I was tired from the flight, but to see
things? I closed my eyes and reopened them. But there was no mistake,
Chibi-Usa was not there! Keep calm, I told myself as my heart began
pounding in my chest. I rushed out of the room. Surely Mako-chan has
Chibi-Usa in her room. But only an empty room greeted me. By the time I
reached Mamo-chan and Mako-chan again, I'm sure my eyes looked as wild
as a frightened cats. "Mako-chan..." I gasped. "Where's Chibi-Usa?"
The Solider of Jupiter smiled at me, confused. "She's in her
crib."
I forced myself to swallow the lump in my throat and to stay
calm, although how I managed it, I'll never know. "No, she's not."
Mako-chan ran past me and into the bedroom, Mamo-chan and I on her
heels.
She only confirmed that the crib was empty. Mamo-chan glanced
around the room, his features a million times more calm than mine. I
felt like my heart would leap out of my chest any second. His eyes
wondered to the hall and the door across from the room we were in. "Did
you check on Shingo? Maybe he as her," he suggested, going quickly to
the opposite door.
I followed behind and prayed silently as Mamo-chan threw the door
open. The bed was stripped of the blankets and empty. "Shingo!" I
called, looking under the bed. "Chibi-Usa?!"
"Over here!" Mako-chan called, standing at the closet door.
Inside, backed into a corner, was Shingo and Chibi-Usa asleep. All
under and around them was the bed sheets and blankets. Mako-chan pulled
the string above her, the light coming on and casting a bright yellow
glow over the children. Chibi-Usa's eyes fluttered open and she stared
at Mamo-chan and I in disbelief. "Mama! Papa!" she shrieked, pushing
the covers off her body and crawled towards us as fast as her small
legs take carry her.
Relieved, I scoped her up in my arms and kissed her face over and
over between hugging her tightly. Mamo-chan reached in the closet and
picked Shingo up, sitting him on the bed. I sat in the rocker with
Chibi-Usa, a faint smile on my lips to hear her carrying on a
conversation which only she could understand. Every now and then she
would list all the words she knew, and then go back to babbling.
Mamo-chan stared at Shingo for a long moment, gathering his
thoughts. I flinched when he began, knowing he was more upset than he
was letting on earlier. "Son, what were you thinking? You're almost
eight years old, you know better than to take your baby sister out of
her crib," he bellowed, his arms swinging wide. His arms and hands
always betrayed his feelings, moving like little creatures that were in
no way attached to his body when he was angry. He stopped suddenly,
seeing the fear in Shingo's eyes. I watched as he got down on his knees
in front of the bed, taking Shingo's hands in his larger ones. "I'm not
mad, Shingo. But you nearly scared all of us to death. Why did you take
Chibi-Usa out of her crib and into a closet?"
We waited, but Shingo offered no explanation. Chibi-Usa fell
asleep about the same time and finally my heart slowed to a normal
pace. The uncomfortable silence stretched on and on. Shingo bit his
bottom lip, looked at me with tears in his blue eyes and looked down.
"I-I'm sorry," he mumbled, burying his face in his hands.
I shook my head at Mamo-chan and he stood up. "Your mother and I
are disappointed in you, Shingo." Mamo-chan let out a deep breath and
gently took Chibi-Usa from my arms so I could stand.
Mako-chan helped me carry the kid's suitcase to the door and we
hugged again. "I'm so sorry, Usagi-chan..." she began, but I cut her
off.
"It's not your fault. Don't worry about it." At my side, Shingo
continued to sniffle. Mako-chan reached out and ruffled his blonde
hair. "It's late, we'd better get going. I'll call you tomorrow," I
said and followed Mamo-chan to the elevator.
Chibi-Usa barely opened her eyes when Mamo-chan put her in the
car seat. The car was silent on the way home, save for the soft music
playing on the radio. By the time we pulled up in the garage, all I
wanted to do was crawl into the bed and close my eyes.
Shingo took his bag and went straight to his room. I took Chibi-
Usa to her room and Mamo-chan went into ours. The events of tonight had
silenced the moments we usually shared before putting the children to
bed. Everything night Shingo and Chibi-Usa would crawl up on my lap as
I sang and rocked them. Mamo-chan would stand at the door, watching and
waiting for me to finish so he could tuck them in. But those sounds
were gone tonight, replaced by the slow ticking of the grandfather
clock in the hall.
I kissed Chibi-Usa's rosy cheeks and pulled the covers up over
her chest. When I peeked in on Shingo, he was buried under the
blankets. I bent down and kissed his forehead, flipping the night light
on as I went out. Just as I reached the door, I heard him move. "Mama?"
"Yes, Shingo?" I replied, opening the door further to allow the
hall light in.
"I was..." he stopped, afraid, it seemed, to continue. "I'm
sorry, Mama," he finally said and pulled the comforter over him again.
Heavy hearted, and slightly bothered by Shingo's reluctance to
talk to me, I went to bed.
@------
The phone ringing woke me up the next morning. Groggily I reached
for the pillow and pulled it over my head. "Get that..." I mumbled at
Mamo-chan. Still the phone rang. "Mamo-chan?"
"The phone is on your side of the bed," he replied, turning over.
"So?" I retorted. Ugh, the ringer on the phone was exceptionally
shrill this morning. Maybe whoever it is will get the hint and call
back later, I hoped. Finally it stopped - and then started again.
"Damn," I mumbled, reaching for it. I dropped it twice before I got it
to my ear. "Moshi Moshi."
"It's about time you answered!" Minako shrieked, her voice nearly
as shrill as the phone ringer was. "Don't tell me you're still asleep!
It's nearly ten o'clock!" she rambled before I could get a word in
edgewise. "What time did you get back last night? Oh, never mind. We'll
be over there in a half hour to see the tape and hear all about Hawaii,
ja!"
I heard the click of the phone before I had said a word.
Groaning, I put the phone back on the hook and turned over to face my
husband. "And I repeat - damn."
"Who was that?" he asked, his voice muffled by the pillow.
"Minako-chan."
"What did she want?"
"She'll be here in a half hour."
"Damn," he grunted, pulling the pillow over his face.
"That's what I said."
@------
As promised, a half hour later the doorbell rang. Chibi-Usa
looked up from her high chair where she sat happily slapping her hands
in her food and pointed to the door. "Door!" she stated, as if she were
the only person in the room smart enough to figure out that the
doorbell meant someone was at the front door. I laughed at her,
throwing my rag down and opening the door.
"Good morning!" Minako said happily, rushing past me and into the
kitchen. Each bidding me a good morning, Rei, Mako-chan and Ami
followed.
When Mamo-chan came out of the bedroom, he bore a bag with
everyone's presents we had bought. I watched expectantly as they each
pulled out a pearl necklace set in a beautiful gold dolphin setting.
Jaws dropped around the room. Minako, as usual, was first to find her
voice. "Oh. My. Gosh. Usagi-chan, it's beautiful!" she exclaimed,
jumping up and throwing her arms around my neck. Everyone else had the
same opinion after the initial shock.
Mamo-chan sat at the table with his coffee and explained to
everyone how we plucked the pearls from the oysters ourselves while I
went to get Shingo up and shower.
Before I was out, however, Mamo-chan came in the bathroom. When I
stepped out of the shower he was leaning against the sink. I started to
smile, but the look on his face told volumes; and the news he had was
disturbing him.
"What?" I asked anxiously. I wrapped a towel around my body and
sat on the edge of the tub, attempting to prepare myself.
"Haruka just called," he said, as if that explained it all. I
waited while he sat quietly for a moment. "It seems Michiru's mirror
picked up a presence near the Moon last night. They want us all to come
over and discuss this." I stared at him, not understanding what this
meant. "Usako, this could be another enemy."
I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath. "Well, when I'm
dressed we'll go over there," I told him and began towel drying my
hair.
He stood up, reaching out to run his fingers along my cheek.
"You're okay with this?"
I meet his eyes, my own watering. "What choice do we have? If we
don't fight the enemy - who will?"
Mamo-chan kissed me deeply and without another word, left the
room. Sighing, I began brushing my hair out.
@------
We pulled up in front of a large white mansion and Mamo-chan cut
the engine. A beautiful bed of flowers lined both sides of the side
walk that lead up to a large porch with white columns that reached up
to the roof of the house. I had never been to the house where the Outer
Senshi lived, but somehow they never seemed the type to have something
so magnificent.
Mamo-chan rang the doorbell and we waited. I suppose I was
waiting for a butler or a maid to show us in, but I was surprised to
see Michiru open the door and greet us. I know I looked like a bum from
the streets the way I stared around the foyer. I tried not to gape at
the ceilings that reached twelve feet high, or at the tear drop
chandelier that sparkled like diamonds. But it seemed there was an
invisible string pulling my head up against my will.
Michiru lead us to a large sitting room where Haruka and Hotaru
were playing a piece on the piano. I sat down carefully on a velvet
settee nearby, Mamo-chan following. When they finished, Chibi-Usa
clapped her hands so hard her palms turned red.
"She appreciates good music, ne?" Michiru asked, sitting across
from us. "In another year we could begin teaching her the piano."
"Isn't two a little young?" I asked, not wanting to think about
Chibi-Usa growing up. It seemed like only yesterday she was a newborn
baby. Even though, the idea of her playing the piano as beautifully as
Hotaru was an appealing one.
Haruka stood to help Setsuna pour tea for everyone. "Two is the
perfect age to begin teaching the discipline it takes to play an
instrument well. We actually began with Hotaru a few months before her
second birthday."
Michiru smiled gently and took a cup from Setsuna. "Of course,
it's up to you."
"I think it's a wonderful idea," Mamo-chan suddenly said. "Don't
you think so, Usako?"
I hugged Chibi-Usa to me. "Yes," I agreed. But the small talk was
making me nervous. I wanted to know about what Michiru seen in her
mirror and the longer we just sat the worse I felt.
As if I had spoke my feelings aloud, Hotaru grabbed Shingo's
hand. "Want to go outside and play?" Shingo nodded and Hotaru looked at
me. "I can take Chibi-Usa-chan, too."
I nodded and Hotaru held her arms out towards the baby. Happily
Chibi-Usa went to the petite Senshi, blowing a kiss back as they went
out the double doors. As soon as they were gone Michiru uncrossed her
legs and sat forward. "Now, let's get down to business, shall we?"
"At precisely ten minutes after one this morning there was a
massive storm in the Time Space Continuum. As is, it poses no threat to
the time line," Setsuna explained.
"Minutes later my mirror picked up a faint shadow near the moon.
But it disappeared as soon as it appeared." Michiru sat back again,
looking slightly uneasy.
"Haruka-san, what do you think?" I asked.
Haruka put her cup down, staring at the liquid a minute. "I think
that anything Michiru's mirror doesn't pick up can't be that bad. And
time storms happen. We have no conclusive evidence that there is an
enemy of any sort. So there's nothing we can do but stay alert - and
hope for the best."
As much as I hated to admit it, she was right. What more could we
do?
@------
Monday morning came whether I wanted it to or not. I awoke early
and began dressing. By the time I had showered, Chibi-Usa was awake, so
I carried her in our bedroom while I finished applying make-up.
Mamo-chan stumbled out of the bed seconds after the alarm went
off, kicking a pair of shoes under the bed and practically falling into
the bathroom. Both Chibi-Usa and I watched with temptation to see if he
would run into anything before getting in the shower. I had learned a
long time ago that if Mamo-chan didn't wake up on his own and not by
the alarm, he was rather disoriented. I let out a breath of relief when
I heard the shower. My hair drier - and thus Mamo-chan's big toe - had
both been spared this morning.
The king of fast showers was back in a few minutes, looking
decidedly more alert. "Morning baby," he grinned, kissing me quickly
and then kissing Chibi-Usa. "How are the two most beautiful women in
the world this morning?"
"Good," I replied and stood up, picking Chibi-Usa up as well.
"And hungry, right sweetie?" Chibi-Usa nodded her head in response.
I went into the kitchen and began preparing everyone's breakfast
just as Shingo came in and plopped down in a chair. He said nothing at
all; simply ate his breakfast before grabbing his backpack and leaving.
I watched him go with a confused and heavy heart. "You know," I said
thoughtfully as Mamo-chan came in the kitchen and grabbed his lunch. "I
think it's time we realize that Shingo isn't getting any better on his
own and needs professional help."
My husband glanced at the place where Shingo usually sat and
shook his head. "You're probably right." He bent down and kissed Chibi-
Usa's cheek, then came over to me. "Call a couple of places today, ne?
I'll be home around four." We kissed before he grabbed his keys and
briefcase. "I love you."
"I love you," I repeated and he left. Chibi-Usa blew him a kiss
and giggled when Mamo-chan stuck his head back in the door and winked
at her. I couldn't help but laugh at them. If he ever forgot to peek
back in at her, she'd probably cry.
"Your Papa sure has you spoiled, doesn't he?" I teased her. I
left her playing in the rest of her breakfast while I went to pick her
out some clothes. When I returned with the wet wipes I was surprised to
hear the phone ringing. The caller ID said Tokyo National Laboratories,
but I knew Mamo-chan hadn't had time to get to work yet. Puzzled, I
picked up the phone. "Moshi Moshi."
"Is Mamoru there?"
The voice on the line was practically whispering, but even so I
knew who it was. "No, he's already left for work," I replied, eager to
hand up.
Daiki laughed, his voice rising. "So you're all alone with the
baby, eh?" He didn't wait for me to answer before he continued. "Don't
worry, you won't be alone for long."
I tried to keep my voice calm when I spoke, though my heart was
thumping so loud I was sure he could hear it over the phone. "Look, I
know what happened at my wedding between you and my husband. Unless you
want him to finish what he started, leave me alone."
"You won't think that way for long," he threatened and hung up.
I slid down the wall, the dead phone still clutched in my hand.
The look of horror on my face frightened Chibi-Usa and she began
crying. "If you'd like to make a call, please hang up and try again. If
you need help, hand up and then dial the operator. If you'd like to
make a cal--"
"AHHH!" I screamed, throwing the phone across the room where it
hit the wall and fell in pieces to the floor. The loud crash made
Chibi-Usa scream louder, her small face red and soaked in tears. I
picked myself up off the floor, wiping my face free of tears with a
dish towel and pulled Chibi-Usa out of her high chair. I ran out of the
room, picking up wet wipes and bibs as I went. I threw everything I
seen that I might need in a baby bag and left without even dressing
Chibi-Usa.
I didn't know what I was doing or where I was going. All I knew
was that I was scared to stay at my apartment, Daiki's threat still
echoing in my ears. After facing a dark and evil force and saving Earth
I never thought I would be so terrified of a single man. I finally
ended up in front of Minako's house. I pounded my fist on the door,
forgetting that she had a door bell. Minako finally came to the door,
the sleepiness leaving her features as soon as she seen me. Quickly she
rushed me in the house and shut and locked the door behind me. "Usagi-
chan, what's wrong?"
I sucked in a breath, trying to swallow down my tears so I could
speak. Where do I begin? I thought. For months I've been harassed -
sometimes sexually - by the man my husband works with. And now he's
threatened me... but nothing that should have me so panicked. I felt
stupid for being here. Minako took Chibi-Usa from my arms and told me
to sit while she got me a glass of water. She returned a few minutes
later, Luna and Artemis in tow.
I took the glass from her and she sat down across from me,
tucking her legs under her. "Now, what's wrong?"
I hoped I didn't sound as stupid as I felt. But the bottom line
was, I couldn't keep this to myself any longer. "You know the guy that
Mamo-chan works with? Well, for months he has been saying stuff to me -
weird stuff. Before I got married he kept telling me to leave Mamo-chan
for him."
Luna looked shocked and just a little hurt that I hadn't said
anything before now. Minako sat forward, her mouth open. "Usagi-chan,
have you told Mamoru-san?"
I shook my head and stared down at my cup. "He called his morning
and I threatened to tell. But... but..." I looked up into Minako's rage
filled face and found the courage I needed. "He ask me if I was alone
with the baby, and then told me I wouldn't be alone for long. When I
told him that I would tell Mamo-chan, he said I wouldn't feel that way
for long and hung up. Oh Minako-chan," I moaned. "I'm sorry to put this
all on you, but I was scared to stay there by myself."
Minako jumped up from her seat, putting Chibi-Usa down and coming
over to hug me. "Usagi-chan, you did the right thing. We are not just
your friends, but your protectors. I wish you had said something before
now." I nodded and she wiped a tear off my face. "Now, Mamoru-san's at
work ne? We should call him."
"No!" I yelped, shaking my head. "He hasn't worked there for long
and I don't want to cause him any trouble. Besides, I'm just over
reacting, I think..."
"Usagi-chan," Luna said sternly, jumping up on the arm of the
couch. "This is serious and you need to get this taken care of. The
longer you stay quiet the more he thinks he is going to get away with.
Now, either you call Mamoru-san or I will."
I felt tears stinging behind my eyes as I reached into the diaper
bag for my cell phone. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice
so that it didn't squeak when I spoke. As I started to dial the
numbers, however, my phone began ringing. Without even checking the
caller ID I clicked the phone on. "Moshi Moshi."
"Hey sweetie," Mamo-chan said lightly on the other end of the
phone. "I called the house and didn't get an answer. Where are you?"
"Eh, Minako's house," I replied slowly, staring at Luna's nodding
head urging me to continue.
"Is everything alright?" he asked immediately. "You sound odd."
I swallowed hard, closing my eyes and telling myself it would be
okay. "Actually, no. I need to talk to you about something important."
I was going to suggest we meet for lunch, or even discuss it when
he got home. Neither of those options were open with him. "I'll be
there in ten minutes." And before I got another word in, he said "I
love you" and hung up. I stared at the silent phone in my hand and
turned it off. Strangely enough, the idea of getting this all out in
the open with Mamo-chan made me feel better. So much so that I felt
myself start to relax. Chibi-Usa got out of the chair Minako had sat
her in and crawled over to me. I picked her up, placing a kiss on top
of her head.
"Well?" Minako questioned.
"He's on his way," I replied.
"Good," Luna stated in a pleased tone. "And you have to promise
me, Usagi-chan, that you won't do this again. Not only could this be
dangerous for you, but you have to remember who you are."
I started at Luna, already resorting into one of her old and
tired speeches, and smiled. We all did something that made us feel
better about certain situations. I was a firm believer that Luna felt
better by talking me to death. Beside her, Artemis laid his head down
and said nothing. That was probably one of the smartest things he had
done to date.
@------
Mamo-chan sat quietly while I repeated everything to him that I
said to Minako earlier. This time, however, I even threw in that I had
overheard the conversation (if that is what you call it) between him
and Daiki at our wedding and even threw that in Daiki's face when we
talked this morning. As I awaited Mamo-chan's reaction, I found myself
torn between what I wanted. Half of me wanted him to come to me, hug me
and tell me he would always protect me. The other half of me wanted him
to burst out of the house and swear to kill Daiki. Imagine my surprise
when a firm look of hurt settled on his features when I finished.
"Mamo-chan?" I whispered, hugging Chibi-Usa close to me.
"Why did you keep this from me for so long?" he asked slowly, an
underlying rage momentarily blocked by his hurt. I could see that any
second he may snap and for some reason I was fearful of whether it
would be towards me or Daiki.
"I'm sorry, Mamo-chan. But I didn't want to cause any problems
with your work. And I thought I could take care of it myself..." I
stopped mid-sentence, fresh tears filling my eyes. If I could have
shrank into a ball and disappeared, I would have. "I'm sorry."
He said nothing, which to me his silence was worse than if he had
been screaming. The longer he said nothing, the more uncomfortable I
grew. I wanted him to yell at me, to scream - to say something before I
went mad. Instead he sat looking at me, though not really seeing me. I
had disappointed him, I knew. He always wanted to protect me from
everything. The hands on the clock ticked another minute by and I
couldn't take it anymore. "Say something, please! Don't sit there
looking hurt; yell at me!" I screamed, my tears coursing down my face
as I spoke. Chibi-Usa looked up at me, her blue eyes wide from surprise
at my outburst.
Minako got up, picked up Luna and Artemis and left the room -
shutting the door behind her. Mamo-chan watched her go before he
dropped his head into his hands. "Why didn't you tell me? Usako, why?
Who cares if you cause me problems at work?" he began, lifting his face
up. "There are other jobs, but I'll be damned if I care about this job
if it means harm would come to my family. I thought you knew that,
Usako. I thought you knew that you mean more to me than anything,
especially some job."
I put Chibi-Usa down and went to him, falling to my knees in
front of his clasped hands and looking into his eyes. "I'm so sorry,
Mamo-chan. I know that we mean so much to you. But you were so happy at
that job, and your happiness means as much to me as mine does to you.
Do you think I could live with myself if you had to settle for a second
rate job because of trouble I had caused?"
"You didn't cause this," Mamo-chan said sternly, his mind now
focusing the blame on Daiki. The more he thought about it, the redder
his face became. "I'm going to kill that bastard once and for all," he
swore. His eyes took on a hard look of determination that scared me,
for I hadn't seen him look this angry since Beryl had taken me and
tried to take Chibi-Usa before she was even born.
I found myself trying to calm him down, as much as I hated the
idea. The part of me that wanted him to pound Daiki into a pancake was
rejoicing - but the more logical part didn't want him getting in any
legal trouble. And Daiki could press charges if he just went up to him
and beat him up. "Mamo-chan, don't lose your temper over this, ne? You
can't just walk up to him and beat him into a pulp."
"Says who?"
"I say," I said forcefully. I swallowed my tears, reaching my
hands up to cup his face. "There has to be something we can do that
wouldn't get you thrown in jail. Besides, he has already shown that he
is relentless. If you beat him up and went to jail for it, he would
come after me again. And who would be around to protect me then?"
My words hit home, making sense to him when not much else would
at the moment. He brought his hands up over mine and closed the
distance between our lips quickly. "Usako, don't do this again. Don't
keep something this important from me and your friends. Promise me you
won't."
It was something I could do without hesitation. I nodded my head,
mouthing "I promise" just as he leaned in to kiss me again. I began to
wrap my arms around his neck when someone pulled on my hair. We broke
away, looking down at Chibi-Usa's grinning face. "Aww!" she squealed,
tilting her head. She opened her mouth, indicating she wanted a kiss,
too. I scooped her up between us and kissed her sweet lips. She
giggled, the wonderful sound of her laughter making my heart feel light
once again.
Instead of going back to work, Mamo-chan returned with Chibi-Usa
and I to our apartment. I went into the bathroom to bathe and dress
Chibi-Usa while Mamo-chan pieced our phone back together and called the
local law enforcement to see what could be done about Daiki harassing
me. He came into the bathroom just as I was finishing telling me what
he had found out.
"You'll have to go down to the station and file an official
complaint against him. But at the rate it would take them to get around
to doing something about it..." His eyes twinkled madly as he came up
and put his arms around my waist. "Couldn't Tuxedo Kamen just take up a
little score with him?"
I shook my head, giggling at the mental image of Daiki coming
face to face with Tuxedo Kamen. Although it was an appealing one, the
Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen didn't need the negative publicity that would
result from it. There was already a split in sides over whether we were
to be trusted or not - that definitely wouldn't help. Mamo-chan sighed,
holding his hands up in a peace offering. "Okay, okay. It was just a
suggestion anyways."
"So I'll go down there first thing tomorrow morning and file the
complaint. Until then, I was planning on taking Chibi-Usa to the zoo
today, care to join us?" I asked my husband, grinning slyly.
"I would love to," he replied, bending down to place his lips on
mine.
Putting off going to the police station would be something I
would live to regret. Unfortunately, I wouldn't have to wait long. I
regretted it as soon as the next morning.
@------
Mamo-chan slept with his arms around me every night since I had
moved in more than a year before. This night was no different, either.
But I liked how some things were a constant, as I loved the feel of his
lips on mine when he awoke in the mornings (if the alarm didn't wake
him first). I wish I could say all things in my life were a constant,
but this was not to be. Especially this morning. No, this morning I
would catch a long glimpse at the way my life could be - which only
made me want my constants back even more.
I awoke suddenly, the wisp of a nightmare around the edges of my
conscience. I couldn't remember details, but my heart pounded badly and
I was sweating. The overall feeling that something wasn't right tugged
at my mind. And even though I associated it with my dream, when I lay
awake for a few minutes and the feeling didn't leave, I became worried.
Mamo-chan slept on beside me, never even flinching when I moved so that
he would wrap his arms around the pillow instead of me and I could get
up. With cautious steps I left our bedroom and went down the hall. And
that's when I noticed it.
I had done a good amount of redecorating over the year I had
lived with Mamo-chan - something that would suite both our tastes
instead of just his. But as I walked down the hall and towards Chibi-
Usa's room, the walls were the same color they were before I moved in.
And the small shelves with different knick knacks on it were gone,
replaced with the same paintings that had long since been taken to a
consignment store. The more I saw, the more fear built up inside me.
I ran the rest of the length of the hall, shoving Chibi-Usa's
door open. Inside the room was stacked to the ceiling with boxes and
broken or unused furniture. Nowhere was Chibi-Usa's belongings - or
Chibi-Usa. Panicked, I ran for Shingo's room. Just as before, the room
was the same as it was before Shingo had moved in it. Only, thankfully,
Shingo was on the bed holding Chibi-Usa. When I entered he busted out
crying. "I'm sorry Mama! Don't be mad! But I had to move her so they
didn't take her away!"
I covered my mouth with my hand and ran to the bed, pulling both
my children into a hug. "It's okay Shingo, I'm not mad. I'm so glad you
took her in here with you. I don't want to think about what would have
happened to her if you hadn't. Who are they?" I asked him, kissing his
unruly hair.
"I don't know," he sobbed against my breast. Chibi-Usa sat on my
lap, rubbing her small eyes free of sleep. I stood up, keeping a tight
grasp on Shingo's hand as we went to the living room.
Again I was greeted with an apartment that was void of anything
changes I had made. Nowhere was Chibi-Usa's play pen, or the movies
that we had bought. Everything was as neat and as orderly has Mamo-chan
had once kept it before I came. I shivered, it was like I had never
existed. I ran back to our bedroom and turned the light on. How I
hadn't noticed that I was sharing a twin bed with Mamo-chan when I had
gotten up instead of our king size, I'll never know. But that was what
greeted me when I came in. My vanity table was gone, as well as all my
clothing, jewelry - anything that belonged to me was gone. Mamo-chan
blinked, rubbing his eyes and looking at me standing in the door way
holding Chibi-Usa, Shingo pressed against my leg. "Usako?"
"Mamo-chan, thank God," I whispered, going to the bed and sitting
down. Chibi-Usa crawled out of my arms and lay down beside Mamo-chan
with a smile on her face. "Something is happening," I told him as he
sat up, still looking at me in a confused sense. "Look around, do you
notice anything different?"
"You're up before dawn?" he asked, not taking the time to look
around before he spoke. At the look on my face he then took notice of
his surroundings. "Where is your stuff? And... since when was the walls
that color? We repainted six months ago...." With that revelation, he
jumped out of the bed. I picked Chibi-Usa back up, afraid of what may
happen if I left her alone, and followed him through the apartment. He
came to the same conclusion I did - everything was like I had never
been there.
I moved closer to him, drawing strength from the arm he
soothingly put around me. "I'm scared, Mamo-chan. What's going on?"
"I don't know," he admitted. "But I say the first thing we do is
contact the girls, see if we are the only ones with this... this..
whatever this is."
I nodded and went looking for my communicator, but it was as gone
as everything else I owned. Shaking my head, I picked up the phone and
dialed Minako's number while Mamo-chan went to dress and to try and
find something for me to wear. She answered after only one ring.
"Usagi-chan, oh my gosh! The weirdest thing has happened!" she gushed.
"I know, believe me," I said. "All of my stuff as disappeared and
all of the changes we made to our apartment has been reversed."
Something about the dead silence on the other end of the phone caused
me to stop for a second. "Minako-chan, you were awake when I called," I
said more to myself than to her. "What's happened?"
"Luna and Artemis..." she breathed like a person in denial of
what she knew to be true. I clamped my teeth down so hard my jaw ached.
"They can't talk."
"Are you sure? Has their moon symbols been covered?" I asked
quickly, sitting down in a chair to keep myself from falling. Luna
couldn't talk? But that was impossible! What had happened?
"No, their symbols aren't covered. They just can't talk. I'm
awake because Artemis was making all sorts of racket and woke me up. I
was about to call you when there was a huge explosion somewhere in
town, didn't you see it?"
"That must be what woke me up," I mumbled. Poor Luna, I thought.
This was horrible! Somehow I had to get to the bottom of this. "Minako-
chan, call the others and have them meet us at Haruka's house in
fifteen minutes."
"Okay, ja," she replied and hung up. I put the phone back on the
charger and held Chibi-Usa close to me, rocking back and forth.
Something told me this was bound to get worse before it got better.
I had no idea just how right I was.
--End Chapter 3.
Konnichi'wa all! I know, you're going to kill me for resorting back to
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Huge thanks to everyone who reads and reviews on Fanfiction.net and on
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Meara.
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