Trapped Together till Halloween, Another Outcome
By: Reba Jean, 9/25/02
Email: rjean@ghg.net or rebajean@Stories.Com
Webpage: http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/prairieskye
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Rating: R
Usual Disclaimer: Characters are based on Sailor Moon copyright 1992
by Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha, TOEI Animation, English language
adaptation copyright 1995 by DIC Entertainment. This story is not
intended for monetary gain or tangible profit, but purely for
entertainment of the readers.
Unexpected company. Escape!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 4
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Mamoru slipped quietly out of bed, trying not to wake Usagi. He
left the shelter and headed down to the beach. He needed some time
alone to think.
~*~*~*~*~*
Running almost silently on the trolling motor, the nondescript
cutter pulled up to the pier. Tossing a line over the post, the
pilot tied off and went below. Pushing and shoving one another,
three men emerged from the hatch and made their way across the deck
to the dock. "You two stay aboard; we'll scout around and see if
it's all clear to stow the loot from the last job on the island.
Jake thought he saw a fire on the hill last night when we took a
look through the telescope," the skipper instructed the other men
below.
~*~*~*~*~*
After Mamoru left, Usagi opened her eyes, she was glad of the chance
to mull things over before she had to face him again. She could
hardly believe that she had actually slept with Mamoru of all
people. She never would have even considered such a thing until the
senshi had dumped them here together. Mamoru loved her. He had
been so sweet, gentle, and vulnerable, not at all what she had
expected. She felt wonderful, almost euphoric, relaxed, and only a
little stiff. She was a little raw, but no more than if she had
scraped herself with a tampon applicator. It hadn't even really
hurt the first time, only an uncomfortable stretching as she had
wiggled and stretched herself to accommodate him. He hadn't just
rammed through, tearing her, as she had heard that guys did. It had
been quite late when they had finally dropped off to sleep, both too
tired and sated to continue their lovemaking. She certainly
wouldn't have believed that cold, teasing, grouchy Mamoru could ever
be that loving.
Usagi wondered what would become of their relationship in the
future; things between them were now forever changed. She had no
clue what she should do about Sailor Moon's relationship with Tuxedo
Kamen. She hadn't even thought of him in days. Usagi was startled
out of her reverie as a shadow loomed across the shelter floor.
~*~*~*~*~*
Mamoru still wasn't sure that he hadn't dreamed it all; that had
certainly happened often enough in the past. But the marks on his
skin came from somewhere. He never would have imagined that Usagi
would approach him because she wanted him to make love to her. She
loved him. Incredible, if he wasn't so tired, he would be
ecstatically shouting it to the world.
He had even admitted that he loved her. He had just blurted it out,
surprising them both. So much for candle lit romantic surroundings
and proclamations of undying devotion. He had managed to conjure a
single rose when she wasn't looking. She had had the strangest
expression when he gave it to her. It was almost recognition and
she had a very speculative look in her eyes, although she had said
nothing beyond expressing her thanks.
His beautiful angel loved him as much as he loved her; wanted him as
much as he wanted her. Now what in the world would he do about
Sailor Moon? For some reason he didn't feel guilty at 'betraying'
her, although he thought he should. How would Usagi react to him
being Tuxedo Kamen? Would she understand when he had to leave her
any time Sailor Moon was in danger? What would she think of him
being that to another woman in that way? And the Princess, he had
even forgotten about her. He had tremendously complicated his life
last night, as if it weren't already insane enough. But she loved
him and wanted him. Amazing.
A horrible sense of danger overwhelmed Mamoru's reminiscences. It
was almost as if Sailor Moon were in danger nearby. Usagi was in
trouble! He leapt out of the water and ran up the beach and the
hill. He had transformed before he was even aware of it; he was so
focused on getting to Usagi. Then he heard her terrified scream.
~*~*~*~*~*
"Mamoru?" Usagi asked as she sat up and turned to face the shelter
opening. Three menacing looking men were blocking the shelter
entrance. A sneaky looking short man with a pock-marked face, a
large burley man that looked like a wrestler, and a cleaner, neater
tall man with medium build closed in. Usagi screamed and clutched
the sleeping bag tightly around her.
"Well, lookie here. We've been such good boys; somebody left us a
little present," the large man sneered.
The taller man directed, "Per look through those boxes to see if
there's anything worth taking. Me and Li are gonna have us a little
fun now." Their exchanges took place in some obscure dialect Usagi
did not know.
The three were dressed in quasi-military style looking fatigues with
insignia. The taller one addressed Usagi in Chinese, "We are border
sea patrol. Get up against that wall and spread out your arms and
legs to be searched, Russian spy."
When he saw her look of confusion he repeated the command in broken
English adding, "you American whore."
Usagi remained huddled in the sleeping bag, pretending that she
couldn't understand. The taller man drew a handgun and pointed it
at her, remaining in his position near the entrance. He gestured to
the larger man, who approached her from the other side. He grabbed
her by the hair and dragged her out of the sleeping bag, accompanied
by Usagi's ear piercing shrieks and futile kicks and punches. She
was dressed only in the lace camisole and thong that Mamoru had
liked so much.
A blur of black, white, and red flashed around the corner. The
taller assailant screamed and dropped his weapon, his hand impaled
by a red steel tipped rose. The gun skidded across the room under
the table. The smallest ruffian dropped to the floor behind the
pile of boxes, cowering in fear.
Usagi gasped, "Tuxedo Kamen, you came!'
Mamoru recited a standard flowery Tuxedo Kamen haiku, "For daring to
assault this fair princess, I shall punish you." Actually he stole
part of Sailor Moon's line. The effect was lost on the three crooks
as the lines were delivered in Japanese. The large man strengthened
his hold on Usagi, drawing a knife and holding it to her throat. He
snarled, "Back off pretty boy or the broad is history," in Chinese.
Mamoru caught enough to know he had better stall for time and think
up something quick. Furrowing his face, he asked, "Nani?"
Repeating, "What did you say?" and Qu'est-ce que vous disez?" He
didn't have the concentration he needed to form his thought in
Chinese, not a language he spoke fluently.
"I said back off dumb ass, or the bitch buys the farm," Li growled
again. Switching back to the pirate's dialect, he called for Per
and the captain to try and circle behind "pretty boy".
Usagi and Mamoru carefully remained motionless. Usagi's face wore
an expression of extreme concentration. Mamoru was startled to see
a crescent moon beginning to glow silver on her forehead. Usagi
gulped nervously, what she was about to try would certainly be
dangerous and something she had never attempted before. But she
felt the power well up within her at her summons. Usagi said to
Tuxedo Kamen, "I have an idea I want to try but I need you to
distract these men so I can get away from the fat one."
Glancing quickly at the other men, the injured one was still
crumpled down on the floor holding his hand and moaning. The small
one was attempting to crawl over toward the table and retrieve the
pistol from beneath it. Tuxedo Kamen taunted, "Hey fat boy, watch
this," and conjured a rose. Quickly throwing it toward the man
heading for the gun, he conjured a second that he held ready. A
howl from beneath the table let them know that the rose had hit the
mark.
Usagi had the distraction she needed. She pushed away Li's knife
hand, simultaneously landing a blow to the man's shin, and landing a
kick to the groin as she spun away. A rainbow cloud shimmered and
whirled around her, hiding her from view. A flash of brilliant
light followed. Tuxedo Kamen shielded his eyes to look within the
light shielding her from view. The form revealed as the light faded
was a woman with two buns and long silver blond hair, wearing a
floor length white dress trimmed in gold, clasping a brilliant
silver gem at chest level. Three times in turn she pointed the
crystal at the three men, a sliver light shot out, and they slumped
to the floor.
Usagi began to sway and started topping towards the floor. Tuxedo
Kamen rushed to her side and caught her in his arms. Usagi gazed up
at his face with dawning recognition. "Endymion?" she whispered.
Mamoru gasped. That was the name he remembered her calling him in
his dreams. "Princess . . Serenity?" he asked.
Usagi smiled faintly, "The same. Mamoru, you've been keeping
secrets. When were you going to tell me that you are Tuxedo Kamen
and were Prince Endymion long ago?" She chided gently.
"What about you? You're the Princess we have all been searching for
all this time. It was you all along. Why haven't you told anyone?"
Mamoru retorted defensively.
"I couldn't tell anyone until just now, because I didn't know it
myself," she answered. She smiled teasingly; he hadn't mentioned
Sailor Moon at all. Could he have not yet made the connection yet
between her three aspects? Well if not it could be fun, and a
little payback for not telling her he was Tuxedo Kamen.
Switching topics, Usagi asked, "Are there any more of them? Do you
know where they came from?"
Mamoru guided her to the edge of the shelter, making sure they
remained concealed from view and pointed to the boat moored at the
pier below. "They came aboard that cutter. I don't know how many
more there might be? Are you ready to find out and fight the rest?"
With a softly spoken, "Hai." They turned and slipped quickly down
the hill. Usagi, still in princess form, approached the boat openly
from the shore and walked down the pier. She called out loudly in
English, "Oh boys, could you come out here and help me?"
Tuxedo Kamen gave her a thumbs-up from his concealed position on the
side of the wheelhouse behind the hatchway. The sailors aboard
hurried out, curious to see the source of the female voice. Tuxedo
Kamen struck the first with his cane and bashed the two remaining
heads together. Tossing the three in a pile on deck, he
fastidiously dusted off his gloves.
"You watch this lot and I'll see if there are any more below," he
directed Usagi. A quick check below revealed no more pirates, but a
well-stocked armory, a large stash of drugs, cash, and stolen loot.
Tuxedo Kamen came back on deck flashing a large wad of cash.
"Here's our ticket home, my dear."
Usagi smiled, "This was just too easy. What a bunch of
incompetents." They tossed the riffraff over to shore and reboarded
the cutter. It was an easy matter to start the engine and get
underway. Mamoru grinned sardonically as they sped away in the
cutter stranding the pirates on their former island "honeymoon"
hideaway.
After giving Mamoru the GPS reading, Usagi went below to search for
food and anything useful. Common seamen's shirts, pants, sweaters,
and deck shoes should be less remarkable than Usagi's formal gown
and Mamoru's white tie garb when they reached the nearest island
with a ferry back to Kyushu, Japan. They had also found enough
currency and coins to cover both the ferry and train tickets back to
Tokyo. The gold, jewels, and smuggled drugs, they would leave
aboard for the harbor police, along with the criminal's location.
They radioed anonymously as they left the boat at a public marina.
Collapsing from their extended adrenaline rush, Usagi and Mamoru
spent most of the ferry voyage and train ride sleeping.
After arriving back in Tokyo, Mamoru and Usagi decided to hide out
in his apartment. A late night visit by Tuxedo Kamen and Usagi to
her room enabled them to corner Luna and demand an explanation. It
had been gratifying to watch Luna actually cower and grovel. She
knew how far a cat kicked by a red boot toe would fly out the
window. Luna swore that she and Artemis had nothing to do with the
evil plot and had not found out about it until after the dastardly
deed was done. The senshi had refused to tell Luna and Artemis
where Usagi and Mamoru had been stranded. Spotting her broach and
communicator on the bedside table, Usagi snatched them up and threw
them in the small bag of clothes she had gathered.
Usagi and Mamoru plotted their revenge and enjoyed their last few
days together. At least Usagi enjoyed the shopping trips with
Mamoru and his credit card; he was less enthusiastic. It was even
more fun to send him to the convenience store for 'feminine hygiene'
supplies. It was not quite so much fun for Mamoru; especially when
she informed him she did not feel like participating in certain
activities that he had come to enjoy very much indeed. Usagi was
due back home from her month long 'academic boot camp' on Halloween.
Apparently Rei had managed to hypnotize Usagi's family into
believing they had sent Usagi to 'boot camp', at least that is what
Luna said. Ami had altered the school's computer records to reflect
Usagi's temporary re-assignment to boot camp until the end of the
quarter. She also generated all the 'forms' her parents had filled
out under hypnosis. Motoki and Ami had performed a similar hack on
the university computer, dropping all Mamoru's classes and replacing
them with special topics and field seminar in psychology on his
records. This meant he still had to do a major project research
paper and forge his field studies log book in less than two weeks if
he wanted to pass that term. Mamoru decided that killing Motoki
quickly would not be good enough; he would torture him to death
slowly. Mamoru decided to do his paper on the psychological effects
of isolation, since he now had additional personal experience in the
field.
It was Usagi's idea to visit the arcade on two occasions and totally
ignore and snub the senshi and Motoki. Mamoru would only let
Unazuki take their orders. She and Mamoru also put on quite a show
of their involvement with each other with their public displays of
affection. Even Minako's eyes popped at their 'show'.
At last everything was ready to take their revenge. Usagi used the
crystal magic to transport the unknowing victims to their
destination. But she and Mamoru personally delighted in giving
Motoki and the girls their color makeovers and new hair styles.
Reika was safely in Africa by this time, Usagi didn't believe that
she had taken part in the evil plot anyway. They took pity and did
provide them with a minimum of clothing; constructed from the now
discarded hair of course. It should prove extremely interesting to
see the senshi the next time they were called out.
~*~*~*~*~*
Didn't happen,
Never would,
But wouldn't it be romantic,
If it could.
~*~*~*~*~*
Usagi and Mamoru could postpone their parting no longer. "I'll walk
you home then," Mamoru said sadly.
"Yes, we should probably go before my dad gets home," Usagi replied
unenthusiastically. As Mamoru quickly turned away, she saw his eyes
glitter with liquid and one stray drop trickle down the side of his
cheek. Usagi hugged him fiercely and brushed it away. Tears
streamed freely down her own face.
"Don't go. Stay with me forever. Marry me now," Mamoru whispered.
Usagi cried even harder. "I can't. I'm too young. My father would
never agree."
"At least take this until you can," Mamoru said as he slipped a ring
on her finger.
Usagi and Mamoru slowly covered the distance to her house in
silence. Mamoru attempted to lighten the mood, "It's not like it's
the end of the world. We'll still see each other just about every
day. I'll offer to tutor you; your parents should agree to that."
Usagi started to cry again when they reached her door. "Who am I
kidding? Now I've got you, I don't ever want to let you go. So
maybe I should say good-bye now before I break down again too,"
Mamoru offered. Usagi hugged him tightly and gave no sign of
turning loose her strangle hold around his neck.
Ikuko opened the door, surprised to see her daughter there with a
death hold on an extremely handsome looking young man. "Usagi come
in and bring your friend. I didn't expect you back until later.
Let me look at you. Oh my, you've cut your hair and you are so tan.
Do either of you want something to eat?"
"Mother, this is Chiba Mamoru, my friend who was with me at the
'camp'. He tutored me in a lot of subjects."
Mamoru bowed, "I am honored to meet you. I tried to help her
anyway. I think she has improved a lot with her languages and
history. I didn't do quite as well with math and science, but her
overall scores should improve quite a bit and there should be no
danger of her having to repeat the term now."
Ikuko looked puzzled, "Isn't Chiba the name of the boy you are
always fighting with at the arcade?"
Usagi blushed, "Hai, but we have learned to get along now."
"More than just get along, I would say," Ikuko remarked. The
attraction between the two was obvious and the looks they exchanged
were anything but subtle.
"I should be going now," Mamoru broke in.
"You must come to dinner some time soon and meet the rest of the
family, Chiba-san," Ikuko invited. She turned and went down the
hall to the kitchen.
Mamoru and Usagi exchanged one last kiss before he tore himself away
and left. "Goodbye, Usako. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodbye, Mamo-chan." Usagi watched Mamoru walk sadly off with his
head down and his hands stuffed in his pockets. She sniffled and
wiped away a few stray tears before following her mother into the
kitchen.
Usagi climbed on a stool and rested her head on her arms on the
kitchen counter, sighing dramatically.
"My little girl has fallen in love," Ikuko observed and came up and
hugged her. "And so has Mamoru, I think."
"Hai, Mama."
"Let me see your hand, what are you wearing?" Ikuko asked.
Usagi showed her the ring Mamoru had given her, a gold band inlaid
with three red roses. "Usagi, this is a very expensive gift. These
stones are real garnets, rubies, peridot, and emeralds, I think.
This is really not an appropriate gift for a new relationship. This
is a wedding band."
"I know. Mamoru wants me to marry him," Usagi revealed.
Ikuko looked stunned, "You are too young. Your father would never
give his permission. He would say you must finish school and
university before you even think of such a thing."
"I know, Mama. That is what I told Mamoru. I love him very much,
but I don't think I am ready for marriage yet," Usagi admitted.
"You should wear that on your other hand. Your father might notice
if you are wearing a wedding band. I don't think it would be wise to
mention these things to him. He would be greatly upset. I do
assume you want Mamoru-san to stay alive long enough so that Kenji
can become accustomed to him being around, ne?" Ikuko teased.
Late that night Usagi felt the tie she now had with Mamoru. "Mamo-
chan can you hear me? I'm going to sleep now. I love you."
She felt distantly his comforting touch. "Good night, Usako. I
love you too. Pleasant dreams, beloved."
By: Reba Jean, 9/25/02
Email: rjean@ghg.net or rebajean@Stories.Com
Webpage: http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/prairieskye
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Rating: R
Usual Disclaimer: Characters are based on Sailor Moon copyright 1992
by Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha, TOEI Animation, English language
adaptation copyright 1995 by DIC Entertainment. This story is not
intended for monetary gain or tangible profit, but purely for
entertainment of the readers.
Unexpected company. Escape!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 4
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Mamoru slipped quietly out of bed, trying not to wake Usagi. He
left the shelter and headed down to the beach. He needed some time
alone to think.
~*~*~*~*~*
Running almost silently on the trolling motor, the nondescript
cutter pulled up to the pier. Tossing a line over the post, the
pilot tied off and went below. Pushing and shoving one another,
three men emerged from the hatch and made their way across the deck
to the dock. "You two stay aboard; we'll scout around and see if
it's all clear to stow the loot from the last job on the island.
Jake thought he saw a fire on the hill last night when we took a
look through the telescope," the skipper instructed the other men
below.
~*~*~*~*~*
After Mamoru left, Usagi opened her eyes, she was glad of the chance
to mull things over before she had to face him again. She could
hardly believe that she had actually slept with Mamoru of all
people. She never would have even considered such a thing until the
senshi had dumped them here together. Mamoru loved her. He had
been so sweet, gentle, and vulnerable, not at all what she had
expected. She felt wonderful, almost euphoric, relaxed, and only a
little stiff. She was a little raw, but no more than if she had
scraped herself with a tampon applicator. It hadn't even really
hurt the first time, only an uncomfortable stretching as she had
wiggled and stretched herself to accommodate him. He hadn't just
rammed through, tearing her, as she had heard that guys did. It had
been quite late when they had finally dropped off to sleep, both too
tired and sated to continue their lovemaking. She certainly
wouldn't have believed that cold, teasing, grouchy Mamoru could ever
be that loving.
Usagi wondered what would become of their relationship in the
future; things between them were now forever changed. She had no
clue what she should do about Sailor Moon's relationship with Tuxedo
Kamen. She hadn't even thought of him in days. Usagi was startled
out of her reverie as a shadow loomed across the shelter floor.
~*~*~*~*~*
Mamoru still wasn't sure that he hadn't dreamed it all; that had
certainly happened often enough in the past. But the marks on his
skin came from somewhere. He never would have imagined that Usagi
would approach him because she wanted him to make love to her. She
loved him. Incredible, if he wasn't so tired, he would be
ecstatically shouting it to the world.
He had even admitted that he loved her. He had just blurted it out,
surprising them both. So much for candle lit romantic surroundings
and proclamations of undying devotion. He had managed to conjure a
single rose when she wasn't looking. She had had the strangest
expression when he gave it to her. It was almost recognition and
she had a very speculative look in her eyes, although she had said
nothing beyond expressing her thanks.
His beautiful angel loved him as much as he loved her; wanted him as
much as he wanted her. Now what in the world would he do about
Sailor Moon? For some reason he didn't feel guilty at 'betraying'
her, although he thought he should. How would Usagi react to him
being Tuxedo Kamen? Would she understand when he had to leave her
any time Sailor Moon was in danger? What would she think of him
being that to another woman in that way? And the Princess, he had
even forgotten about her. He had tremendously complicated his life
last night, as if it weren't already insane enough. But she loved
him and wanted him. Amazing.
A horrible sense of danger overwhelmed Mamoru's reminiscences. It
was almost as if Sailor Moon were in danger nearby. Usagi was in
trouble! He leapt out of the water and ran up the beach and the
hill. He had transformed before he was even aware of it; he was so
focused on getting to Usagi. Then he heard her terrified scream.
~*~*~*~*~*
"Mamoru?" Usagi asked as she sat up and turned to face the shelter
opening. Three menacing looking men were blocking the shelter
entrance. A sneaky looking short man with a pock-marked face, a
large burley man that looked like a wrestler, and a cleaner, neater
tall man with medium build closed in. Usagi screamed and clutched
the sleeping bag tightly around her.
"Well, lookie here. We've been such good boys; somebody left us a
little present," the large man sneered.
The taller man directed, "Per look through those boxes to see if
there's anything worth taking. Me and Li are gonna have us a little
fun now." Their exchanges took place in some obscure dialect Usagi
did not know.
The three were dressed in quasi-military style looking fatigues with
insignia. The taller one addressed Usagi in Chinese, "We are border
sea patrol. Get up against that wall and spread out your arms and
legs to be searched, Russian spy."
When he saw her look of confusion he repeated the command in broken
English adding, "you American whore."
Usagi remained huddled in the sleeping bag, pretending that she
couldn't understand. The taller man drew a handgun and pointed it
at her, remaining in his position near the entrance. He gestured to
the larger man, who approached her from the other side. He grabbed
her by the hair and dragged her out of the sleeping bag, accompanied
by Usagi's ear piercing shrieks and futile kicks and punches. She
was dressed only in the lace camisole and thong that Mamoru had
liked so much.
A blur of black, white, and red flashed around the corner. The
taller assailant screamed and dropped his weapon, his hand impaled
by a red steel tipped rose. The gun skidded across the room under
the table. The smallest ruffian dropped to the floor behind the
pile of boxes, cowering in fear.
Usagi gasped, "Tuxedo Kamen, you came!'
Mamoru recited a standard flowery Tuxedo Kamen haiku, "For daring to
assault this fair princess, I shall punish you." Actually he stole
part of Sailor Moon's line. The effect was lost on the three crooks
as the lines were delivered in Japanese. The large man strengthened
his hold on Usagi, drawing a knife and holding it to her throat. He
snarled, "Back off pretty boy or the broad is history," in Chinese.
Mamoru caught enough to know he had better stall for time and think
up something quick. Furrowing his face, he asked, "Nani?"
Repeating, "What did you say?" and Qu'est-ce que vous disez?" He
didn't have the concentration he needed to form his thought in
Chinese, not a language he spoke fluently.
"I said back off dumb ass, or the bitch buys the farm," Li growled
again. Switching back to the pirate's dialect, he called for Per
and the captain to try and circle behind "pretty boy".
Usagi and Mamoru carefully remained motionless. Usagi's face wore
an expression of extreme concentration. Mamoru was startled to see
a crescent moon beginning to glow silver on her forehead. Usagi
gulped nervously, what she was about to try would certainly be
dangerous and something she had never attempted before. But she
felt the power well up within her at her summons. Usagi said to
Tuxedo Kamen, "I have an idea I want to try but I need you to
distract these men so I can get away from the fat one."
Glancing quickly at the other men, the injured one was still
crumpled down on the floor holding his hand and moaning. The small
one was attempting to crawl over toward the table and retrieve the
pistol from beneath it. Tuxedo Kamen taunted, "Hey fat boy, watch
this," and conjured a rose. Quickly throwing it toward the man
heading for the gun, he conjured a second that he held ready. A
howl from beneath the table let them know that the rose had hit the
mark.
Usagi had the distraction she needed. She pushed away Li's knife
hand, simultaneously landing a blow to the man's shin, and landing a
kick to the groin as she spun away. A rainbow cloud shimmered and
whirled around her, hiding her from view. A flash of brilliant
light followed. Tuxedo Kamen shielded his eyes to look within the
light shielding her from view. The form revealed as the light faded
was a woman with two buns and long silver blond hair, wearing a
floor length white dress trimmed in gold, clasping a brilliant
silver gem at chest level. Three times in turn she pointed the
crystal at the three men, a sliver light shot out, and they slumped
to the floor.
Usagi began to sway and started topping towards the floor. Tuxedo
Kamen rushed to her side and caught her in his arms. Usagi gazed up
at his face with dawning recognition. "Endymion?" she whispered.
Mamoru gasped. That was the name he remembered her calling him in
his dreams. "Princess . . Serenity?" he asked.
Usagi smiled faintly, "The same. Mamoru, you've been keeping
secrets. When were you going to tell me that you are Tuxedo Kamen
and were Prince Endymion long ago?" She chided gently.
"What about you? You're the Princess we have all been searching for
all this time. It was you all along. Why haven't you told anyone?"
Mamoru retorted defensively.
"I couldn't tell anyone until just now, because I didn't know it
myself," she answered. She smiled teasingly; he hadn't mentioned
Sailor Moon at all. Could he have not yet made the connection yet
between her three aspects? Well if not it could be fun, and a
little payback for not telling her he was Tuxedo Kamen.
Switching topics, Usagi asked, "Are there any more of them? Do you
know where they came from?"
Mamoru guided her to the edge of the shelter, making sure they
remained concealed from view and pointed to the boat moored at the
pier below. "They came aboard that cutter. I don't know how many
more there might be? Are you ready to find out and fight the rest?"
With a softly spoken, "Hai." They turned and slipped quickly down
the hill. Usagi, still in princess form, approached the boat openly
from the shore and walked down the pier. She called out loudly in
English, "Oh boys, could you come out here and help me?"
Tuxedo Kamen gave her a thumbs-up from his concealed position on the
side of the wheelhouse behind the hatchway. The sailors aboard
hurried out, curious to see the source of the female voice. Tuxedo
Kamen struck the first with his cane and bashed the two remaining
heads together. Tossing the three in a pile on deck, he
fastidiously dusted off his gloves.
"You watch this lot and I'll see if there are any more below," he
directed Usagi. A quick check below revealed no more pirates, but a
well-stocked armory, a large stash of drugs, cash, and stolen loot.
Tuxedo Kamen came back on deck flashing a large wad of cash.
"Here's our ticket home, my dear."
Usagi smiled, "This was just too easy. What a bunch of
incompetents." They tossed the riffraff over to shore and reboarded
the cutter. It was an easy matter to start the engine and get
underway. Mamoru grinned sardonically as they sped away in the
cutter stranding the pirates on their former island "honeymoon"
hideaway.
After giving Mamoru the GPS reading, Usagi went below to search for
food and anything useful. Common seamen's shirts, pants, sweaters,
and deck shoes should be less remarkable than Usagi's formal gown
and Mamoru's white tie garb when they reached the nearest island
with a ferry back to Kyushu, Japan. They had also found enough
currency and coins to cover both the ferry and train tickets back to
Tokyo. The gold, jewels, and smuggled drugs, they would leave
aboard for the harbor police, along with the criminal's location.
They radioed anonymously as they left the boat at a public marina.
Collapsing from their extended adrenaline rush, Usagi and Mamoru
spent most of the ferry voyage and train ride sleeping.
After arriving back in Tokyo, Mamoru and Usagi decided to hide out
in his apartment. A late night visit by Tuxedo Kamen and Usagi to
her room enabled them to corner Luna and demand an explanation. It
had been gratifying to watch Luna actually cower and grovel. She
knew how far a cat kicked by a red boot toe would fly out the
window. Luna swore that she and Artemis had nothing to do with the
evil plot and had not found out about it until after the dastardly
deed was done. The senshi had refused to tell Luna and Artemis
where Usagi and Mamoru had been stranded. Spotting her broach and
communicator on the bedside table, Usagi snatched them up and threw
them in the small bag of clothes she had gathered.
Usagi and Mamoru plotted their revenge and enjoyed their last few
days together. At least Usagi enjoyed the shopping trips with
Mamoru and his credit card; he was less enthusiastic. It was even
more fun to send him to the convenience store for 'feminine hygiene'
supplies. It was not quite so much fun for Mamoru; especially when
she informed him she did not feel like participating in certain
activities that he had come to enjoy very much indeed. Usagi was
due back home from her month long 'academic boot camp' on Halloween.
Apparently Rei had managed to hypnotize Usagi's family into
believing they had sent Usagi to 'boot camp', at least that is what
Luna said. Ami had altered the school's computer records to reflect
Usagi's temporary re-assignment to boot camp until the end of the
quarter. She also generated all the 'forms' her parents had filled
out under hypnosis. Motoki and Ami had performed a similar hack on
the university computer, dropping all Mamoru's classes and replacing
them with special topics and field seminar in psychology on his
records. This meant he still had to do a major project research
paper and forge his field studies log book in less than two weeks if
he wanted to pass that term. Mamoru decided that killing Motoki
quickly would not be good enough; he would torture him to death
slowly. Mamoru decided to do his paper on the psychological effects
of isolation, since he now had additional personal experience in the
field.
It was Usagi's idea to visit the arcade on two occasions and totally
ignore and snub the senshi and Motoki. Mamoru would only let
Unazuki take their orders. She and Mamoru also put on quite a show
of their involvement with each other with their public displays of
affection. Even Minako's eyes popped at their 'show'.
At last everything was ready to take their revenge. Usagi used the
crystal magic to transport the unknowing victims to their
destination. But she and Mamoru personally delighted in giving
Motoki and the girls their color makeovers and new hair styles.
Reika was safely in Africa by this time, Usagi didn't believe that
she had taken part in the evil plot anyway. They took pity and did
provide them with a minimum of clothing; constructed from the now
discarded hair of course. It should prove extremely interesting to
see the senshi the next time they were called out.
~*~*~*~*~*
Didn't happen,
Never would,
But wouldn't it be romantic,
If it could.
~*~*~*~*~*
Usagi and Mamoru could postpone their parting no longer. "I'll walk
you home then," Mamoru said sadly.
"Yes, we should probably go before my dad gets home," Usagi replied
unenthusiastically. As Mamoru quickly turned away, she saw his eyes
glitter with liquid and one stray drop trickle down the side of his
cheek. Usagi hugged him fiercely and brushed it away. Tears
streamed freely down her own face.
"Don't go. Stay with me forever. Marry me now," Mamoru whispered.
Usagi cried even harder. "I can't. I'm too young. My father would
never agree."
"At least take this until you can," Mamoru said as he slipped a ring
on her finger.
Usagi and Mamoru slowly covered the distance to her house in
silence. Mamoru attempted to lighten the mood, "It's not like it's
the end of the world. We'll still see each other just about every
day. I'll offer to tutor you; your parents should agree to that."
Usagi started to cry again when they reached her door. "Who am I
kidding? Now I've got you, I don't ever want to let you go. So
maybe I should say good-bye now before I break down again too,"
Mamoru offered. Usagi hugged him tightly and gave no sign of
turning loose her strangle hold around his neck.
Ikuko opened the door, surprised to see her daughter there with a
death hold on an extremely handsome looking young man. "Usagi come
in and bring your friend. I didn't expect you back until later.
Let me look at you. Oh my, you've cut your hair and you are so tan.
Do either of you want something to eat?"
"Mother, this is Chiba Mamoru, my friend who was with me at the
'camp'. He tutored me in a lot of subjects."
Mamoru bowed, "I am honored to meet you. I tried to help her
anyway. I think she has improved a lot with her languages and
history. I didn't do quite as well with math and science, but her
overall scores should improve quite a bit and there should be no
danger of her having to repeat the term now."
Ikuko looked puzzled, "Isn't Chiba the name of the boy you are
always fighting with at the arcade?"
Usagi blushed, "Hai, but we have learned to get along now."
"More than just get along, I would say," Ikuko remarked. The
attraction between the two was obvious and the looks they exchanged
were anything but subtle.
"I should be going now," Mamoru broke in.
"You must come to dinner some time soon and meet the rest of the
family, Chiba-san," Ikuko invited. She turned and went down the
hall to the kitchen.
Mamoru and Usagi exchanged one last kiss before he tore himself away
and left. "Goodbye, Usako. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodbye, Mamo-chan." Usagi watched Mamoru walk sadly off with his
head down and his hands stuffed in his pockets. She sniffled and
wiped away a few stray tears before following her mother into the
kitchen.
Usagi climbed on a stool and rested her head on her arms on the
kitchen counter, sighing dramatically.
"My little girl has fallen in love," Ikuko observed and came up and
hugged her. "And so has Mamoru, I think."
"Hai, Mama."
"Let me see your hand, what are you wearing?" Ikuko asked.
Usagi showed her the ring Mamoru had given her, a gold band inlaid
with three red roses. "Usagi, this is a very expensive gift. These
stones are real garnets, rubies, peridot, and emeralds, I think.
This is really not an appropriate gift for a new relationship. This
is a wedding band."
"I know. Mamoru wants me to marry him," Usagi revealed.
Ikuko looked stunned, "You are too young. Your father would never
give his permission. He would say you must finish school and
university before you even think of such a thing."
"I know, Mama. That is what I told Mamoru. I love him very much,
but I don't think I am ready for marriage yet," Usagi admitted.
"You should wear that on your other hand. Your father might notice
if you are wearing a wedding band. I don't think it would be wise to
mention these things to him. He would be greatly upset. I do
assume you want Mamoru-san to stay alive long enough so that Kenji
can become accustomed to him being around, ne?" Ikuko teased.
Late that night Usagi felt the tie she now had with Mamoru. "Mamo-
chan can you hear me? I'm going to sleep now. I love you."
She felt distantly his comforting touch. "Good night, Usako. I
love you too. Pleasant dreams, beloved."