Title: What She Wants
Chapter Six: True Love's Kiss or Sleeping Beauty
Author: Kitty Malfoy
Rating: R
Setting: After Galaxia. Everyone, except for the Outers, and Mamoru, are in college. Sooooo basically the inners...and starlights.
Summary: Usagi comes to terms that her love with Mamoru has died. Never knowing what she really wants she wishes on a shooting star. Now everything in life is coming together and Usagi finds a new person inside herself.
Disclaimer: Naoko Takeuchi owns everything. Except for the plot. I came up with that. {My plot bunnies are on vacation =) }
A/N: Yes, I know that the last chapter was kind of angsty and could be described as a "tear-jerker". This one is going to be a bit sad as well, just due to the context of it. I'll try and make it as light as possible, but you gotta understand, that she's not gonna be immediately bubbly after being practically mauled to death. Thanks.
%^%^%^%^%^%
Twelve hours later, Usagi's immobile body was wheeled into the intensive care unit and given round-the-clock surveillance.
%^%^%^%^%^%
The constant beeping of Usagi's heart monitor was the only sound in the twilight filled room. The large bay windows of her private room opened silently. The white, starchy curtains that framed them were rustled ever so slightly as a warm breeze slithered inside. A dozen shadowed figures vaulted into the room. Their footsteps made no noise upon the cold, tiled floor as they slunk cautiously towards Usagi's resting-place.
A light flickered to life in the hallway, and the figures froze. The dark, yellow-orange light slipped beneath the cracks of the door and lent light to their eyes.
As Yaten's eyes adjusted to the change in lighting she wished she had been left in the darkness. A stiff, white coverlet was pulled up around Usagi's waist. It rose and fell rhythmically with Usagi's faint but constant breathing. Michiru started to lift the sheet, but Setsuna stayed Michiru's hand with her own. None of them were ready to view the entirety of the damage inflicted upon their friend. Her entire left arm, from shoulder to fingertip was wrapped in taught white bandages and lay straight at her side. Her right wrist was secured in a brace, but not quite a cast, and rested lightly across her waist. What else they could see of her arm was covered in sickly yellowish purple bruises that were already beginning to heal themselves. She was shirtless but her modesty remained intact. Thick bandages were wrapped around her chest and broken ribs and stopped just above the woman's navel. Silver hairs poked out of the turban-like bandage wrap around the top of her head to staunch the bleeding from the injuries sustained from the broken beer bottle. A square pad of gauze was taped over a severe gash she had acquired across her forehead. Beneath the numerous bruises and scrapes that adorned her face, Usagi's skin was deathly pale. Her once full and sweet, coral lips were now bruised and a cold, bluish purple.
Usagi's body shivered with cold and her lips trembled. She gasped in pain brought on by the slight movement of her quaking. Her brow furrowed and her shrouded eyes twitched. They watched as the pain subsided and her body relaxed. Once again her mind fell to fitful dreams. Michiru sniffed slightly against the emotions that threatened to rise in her and grasped the edge of the coverlet. Rather than pull it back she lifted it up and draped it gently around Usagi's shoulders.
Yaten found her legs were no longer able to support her lithe body and she collapsed to her knees. None noticed her, too involved in their own emotional struggle to help in hers.
%^%^%^%^%^%
(1 Week Later)
"Hizuma! Motoki!" Mamoru called out. He jogged across the empty street and flagged them down. Motoki was holding a large bouquet of brightly colored flowers. His cousin, Hizuma, was holding tight to a ball filled with sand. Shimmery colored ribbons were tied around the ball and led up to a dozen 'Get Well' balloons.
"Where are you off too?" He asked quizzically. The pair looked at each other in surprise. Hizuma gave him her own questioning look as if to say: "You don't know?" Motoki stepped back maneuvering away from Mamoru, leaving Hizuma to answer. "You're dumb." She whispered to him.
She flipped her wavy blonde hair over her shoulder and gave Mamoru a terse look. She smacked her lips and shifted her load in her arms. "We're going to see Usagi..."
"What?!"
"I'm sorry...I thought you knew..."
Mamoru's navy ocean eyes were wide with shock. His large hands trembled as they raked through his raven hair. "H-how...how long?"
"About a week..." Hizuma bit her lower lip.
"Oh my god..........how bad?"
Motoki stepped forward, and put his hand upon his friend's shoulder, "She hasn't woken up yet."
%^%^%^%^%^%
::.....BEEP.....BEEP.....BEEP.....::
Golden sunlight streamed in through the window. Dust settled on Minako's nose tickling her. Her nose twitched and she let out a small and ladylike sneeze. Her eyes flashed open and she yawned. She rubbed the sleep from her face with the back of her palm. The blonde took her time stretching her arms sensuously over her head. Carefully, so as not to disturb Makoto who had fallen asleep beside her, she slid out of the chair. Pulling an extra hospital blanket, from where it had been discarded on the floor, she wrapped it around her still sleeping friend.
She started towards the door but stopped at the foot of Usagi's hospital bed. Yaten sat beside it, her hand laid in Usagi's. Minako couldn't remember when she had ever seen Yaten sleep since that night at Area 61. She turned back to Usagi. Her friend lay still beneath rumpled white bed sheets; her complexion as ashen as her sterile surroundings. No longer were her dreams troubled and she slept like the dead for she hadn't woken in 7 days. The doctors had told them that the longer she stayed in this state the less likely it was that she would ever wake.
Her fingers brushed the tips of Usagi's in a tender touch and then Minako slipped out the door; closing it softly behind her.
It was the click of the closing door that woke the others. They found themselves terribly skittish and unable to sleep well since the attack. The slightest noise or light woke them from dreams that were better left behind than left to dream. The groups' movements were sluggish and made in exhaustion. Sleep would not come to them when Usagi remained as she was, nor did they crave it.
Everyone save for Yaten looked towards the door as it opened again, but this time with less caution. They were taken back by the unexpected visitor at this hour, especially since it was Mamoru. He entered the room with long strides followed by a visibly flustered Minako, and a curious Motoki and Hizuma followed her.
Mamoru ran to Usagi's bed, but froze immediately at the sight of Yaten. The green-eyed woman held Usagi's hand to her cheek with closed eyes. She opened her eyes and locked them with Mamoru's. With a final caress she lowered Usagi's hand and laid it back upon the bed.
She nodded Mamoru forward, but made no move to relinquish her seat. Mamoru moved to the other side of the bed and knelt beside it. "What happened?" He asked taking in Usagi's condition; his voice raw with emotion. Ami was the one who finally stepped forward and revealed what had happened that night at the club, and the details of Usagi's comatose state.
"I think I may know a way..." Minako said quietly.
The entire room turned towards her. "A kiss. True love's kiss always breaks the spell..."
"Minako!" Haruka yelled angrily. She stood, knocking her chair over. "Our princesses' life stands upon the edge of a knife and you make jokes!"
Makoto stood up in defense of her friend, and faced off with the older woman. "How DARE you..."
Setsuna stepped between the two and pulled Haruka back. "It has worked before..." She said quietly. Hotaru nodded her head in support. "She's right..."
"After you."
The group turned away from Setsuna and Hotaru. Both Yaten and Mamoru were standing face to face across Usagi's bed. Yaten's face was decorated in a mocking half-smirk and Mamoru's face was one of surprise that was turning to anger. Mamoru snorted, but his face softened. "I'm hardly her true love........" He said quietly.
"I know." Yaten muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing...just kiss her."
Mamoru turned from the green-eyed woman and looked down at Usagi. Slowly, he bent at the waist and lowered his face to Usagi's. He touched nothing, save for her lips, for fear of hurting her.
When he pulled away they looked with half-hearted hope for any sign that his kiss had stirred something inside Usagi.
::.....BEEP.....BEEP.....BEEP.....::
Nothing.
The confidence Yaten had earlier felt left her as her friends turned and looked at her with longing in their eyes. She was their last hope. Usagi's last hope. She reached down and brushed stray bangs away from Usagi's face. She trailed a finger down the side of Usagi's cheek and let it rest alongside it. Her small pink lips grazed across a forehead of ice, before moving down to Usagi's mouth.
She parted her lips slightly before pressing them against Usagi's. They were surprisingly warm and soft beneath her own. It felt so good to be kissing her again. She still tasted so good. She didn't realize how much she had missed kissing her until now. The past seven days had been hell on her mind and body; far worse for her than for the others. Knowing that this might be one of the last chances she would ever have to kiss Usagi she fell into it unconsciously.
::.....BEEP.....BEEP..BEEP..BEEP..BEEP.BEEP.BEEPBEEPBEEPBEEP::
"What the fuck?!" Yaten shouted and fell backwards onto the tiled floor. Usagi's back arched slightly away from the bed and her eyes flickered upon. She turned wide blue eyes on the silver-haired woman sprawled out on the floor. As a strange twist her lips formed a pout.
"What? Not happy to see me?"
::THUD::
Setsuna fainted
Tears rolled down Yaten's face and she pulled herself to her knees. Usagi lifted her hand weakly and wiped away Usagi's tears. Yaten chuckled, "No.........It's just that Minako was right for once..."
Usagi humored them and tried her best to look shocked. Minako made an indignant face, but it crumbled when her best friend broke into halting giggles. A dozen girls swarmed around Usagi and Mamoru found himself pushed aside. He gave Usagi one last look and then stepped out into the hall.
"I guess Minako WAS right..."
%^%^%^%^%^%
R & R
KissThis
Chapter Six: True Love's Kiss or Sleeping Beauty
Author: Kitty Malfoy
Rating: R
Setting: After Galaxia. Everyone, except for the Outers, and Mamoru, are in college. Sooooo basically the inners...and starlights.
Summary: Usagi comes to terms that her love with Mamoru has died. Never knowing what she really wants she wishes on a shooting star. Now everything in life is coming together and Usagi finds a new person inside herself.
Disclaimer: Naoko Takeuchi owns everything. Except for the plot. I came up with that. {My plot bunnies are on vacation =) }
A/N: Yes, I know that the last chapter was kind of angsty and could be described as a "tear-jerker". This one is going to be a bit sad as well, just due to the context of it. I'll try and make it as light as possible, but you gotta understand, that she's not gonna be immediately bubbly after being practically mauled to death. Thanks.
%^%^%^%^%^%
Twelve hours later, Usagi's immobile body was wheeled into the intensive care unit and given round-the-clock surveillance.
%^%^%^%^%^%
The constant beeping of Usagi's heart monitor was the only sound in the twilight filled room. The large bay windows of her private room opened silently. The white, starchy curtains that framed them were rustled ever so slightly as a warm breeze slithered inside. A dozen shadowed figures vaulted into the room. Their footsteps made no noise upon the cold, tiled floor as they slunk cautiously towards Usagi's resting-place.
A light flickered to life in the hallway, and the figures froze. The dark, yellow-orange light slipped beneath the cracks of the door and lent light to their eyes.
As Yaten's eyes adjusted to the change in lighting she wished she had been left in the darkness. A stiff, white coverlet was pulled up around Usagi's waist. It rose and fell rhythmically with Usagi's faint but constant breathing. Michiru started to lift the sheet, but Setsuna stayed Michiru's hand with her own. None of them were ready to view the entirety of the damage inflicted upon their friend. Her entire left arm, from shoulder to fingertip was wrapped in taught white bandages and lay straight at her side. Her right wrist was secured in a brace, but not quite a cast, and rested lightly across her waist. What else they could see of her arm was covered in sickly yellowish purple bruises that were already beginning to heal themselves. She was shirtless but her modesty remained intact. Thick bandages were wrapped around her chest and broken ribs and stopped just above the woman's navel. Silver hairs poked out of the turban-like bandage wrap around the top of her head to staunch the bleeding from the injuries sustained from the broken beer bottle. A square pad of gauze was taped over a severe gash she had acquired across her forehead. Beneath the numerous bruises and scrapes that adorned her face, Usagi's skin was deathly pale. Her once full and sweet, coral lips were now bruised and a cold, bluish purple.
Usagi's body shivered with cold and her lips trembled. She gasped in pain brought on by the slight movement of her quaking. Her brow furrowed and her shrouded eyes twitched. They watched as the pain subsided and her body relaxed. Once again her mind fell to fitful dreams. Michiru sniffed slightly against the emotions that threatened to rise in her and grasped the edge of the coverlet. Rather than pull it back she lifted it up and draped it gently around Usagi's shoulders.
Yaten found her legs were no longer able to support her lithe body and she collapsed to her knees. None noticed her, too involved in their own emotional struggle to help in hers.
%^%^%^%^%^%
(1 Week Later)
"Hizuma! Motoki!" Mamoru called out. He jogged across the empty street and flagged them down. Motoki was holding a large bouquet of brightly colored flowers. His cousin, Hizuma, was holding tight to a ball filled with sand. Shimmery colored ribbons were tied around the ball and led up to a dozen 'Get Well' balloons.
"Where are you off too?" He asked quizzically. The pair looked at each other in surprise. Hizuma gave him her own questioning look as if to say: "You don't know?" Motoki stepped back maneuvering away from Mamoru, leaving Hizuma to answer. "You're dumb." She whispered to him.
She flipped her wavy blonde hair over her shoulder and gave Mamoru a terse look. She smacked her lips and shifted her load in her arms. "We're going to see Usagi..."
"What?!"
"I'm sorry...I thought you knew..."
Mamoru's navy ocean eyes were wide with shock. His large hands trembled as they raked through his raven hair. "H-how...how long?"
"About a week..." Hizuma bit her lower lip.
"Oh my god..........how bad?"
Motoki stepped forward, and put his hand upon his friend's shoulder, "She hasn't woken up yet."
%^%^%^%^%^%
::.....BEEP.....BEEP.....BEEP.....::
Golden sunlight streamed in through the window. Dust settled on Minako's nose tickling her. Her nose twitched and she let out a small and ladylike sneeze. Her eyes flashed open and she yawned. She rubbed the sleep from her face with the back of her palm. The blonde took her time stretching her arms sensuously over her head. Carefully, so as not to disturb Makoto who had fallen asleep beside her, she slid out of the chair. Pulling an extra hospital blanket, from where it had been discarded on the floor, she wrapped it around her still sleeping friend.
She started towards the door but stopped at the foot of Usagi's hospital bed. Yaten sat beside it, her hand laid in Usagi's. Minako couldn't remember when she had ever seen Yaten sleep since that night at Area 61. She turned back to Usagi. Her friend lay still beneath rumpled white bed sheets; her complexion as ashen as her sterile surroundings. No longer were her dreams troubled and she slept like the dead for she hadn't woken in 7 days. The doctors had told them that the longer she stayed in this state the less likely it was that she would ever wake.
Her fingers brushed the tips of Usagi's in a tender touch and then Minako slipped out the door; closing it softly behind her.
It was the click of the closing door that woke the others. They found themselves terribly skittish and unable to sleep well since the attack. The slightest noise or light woke them from dreams that were better left behind than left to dream. The groups' movements were sluggish and made in exhaustion. Sleep would not come to them when Usagi remained as she was, nor did they crave it.
Everyone save for Yaten looked towards the door as it opened again, but this time with less caution. They were taken back by the unexpected visitor at this hour, especially since it was Mamoru. He entered the room with long strides followed by a visibly flustered Minako, and a curious Motoki and Hizuma followed her.
Mamoru ran to Usagi's bed, but froze immediately at the sight of Yaten. The green-eyed woman held Usagi's hand to her cheek with closed eyes. She opened her eyes and locked them with Mamoru's. With a final caress she lowered Usagi's hand and laid it back upon the bed.
She nodded Mamoru forward, but made no move to relinquish her seat. Mamoru moved to the other side of the bed and knelt beside it. "What happened?" He asked taking in Usagi's condition; his voice raw with emotion. Ami was the one who finally stepped forward and revealed what had happened that night at the club, and the details of Usagi's comatose state.
"I think I may know a way..." Minako said quietly.
The entire room turned towards her. "A kiss. True love's kiss always breaks the spell..."
"Minako!" Haruka yelled angrily. She stood, knocking her chair over. "Our princesses' life stands upon the edge of a knife and you make jokes!"
Makoto stood up in defense of her friend, and faced off with the older woman. "How DARE you..."
Setsuna stepped between the two and pulled Haruka back. "It has worked before..." She said quietly. Hotaru nodded her head in support. "She's right..."
"After you."
The group turned away from Setsuna and Hotaru. Both Yaten and Mamoru were standing face to face across Usagi's bed. Yaten's face was decorated in a mocking half-smirk and Mamoru's face was one of surprise that was turning to anger. Mamoru snorted, but his face softened. "I'm hardly her true love........" He said quietly.
"I know." Yaten muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing...just kiss her."
Mamoru turned from the green-eyed woman and looked down at Usagi. Slowly, he bent at the waist and lowered his face to Usagi's. He touched nothing, save for her lips, for fear of hurting her.
When he pulled away they looked with half-hearted hope for any sign that his kiss had stirred something inside Usagi.
::.....BEEP.....BEEP.....BEEP.....::
Nothing.
The confidence Yaten had earlier felt left her as her friends turned and looked at her with longing in their eyes. She was their last hope. Usagi's last hope. She reached down and brushed stray bangs away from Usagi's face. She trailed a finger down the side of Usagi's cheek and let it rest alongside it. Her small pink lips grazed across a forehead of ice, before moving down to Usagi's mouth.
She parted her lips slightly before pressing them against Usagi's. They were surprisingly warm and soft beneath her own. It felt so good to be kissing her again. She still tasted so good. She didn't realize how much she had missed kissing her until now. The past seven days had been hell on her mind and body; far worse for her than for the others. Knowing that this might be one of the last chances she would ever have to kiss Usagi she fell into it unconsciously.
::.....BEEP.....BEEP..BEEP..BEEP..BEEP.BEEP.BEEPBEEPBEEPBEEP::
"What the fuck?!" Yaten shouted and fell backwards onto the tiled floor. Usagi's back arched slightly away from the bed and her eyes flickered upon. She turned wide blue eyes on the silver-haired woman sprawled out on the floor. As a strange twist her lips formed a pout.
"What? Not happy to see me?"
::THUD::
Setsuna fainted
Tears rolled down Yaten's face and she pulled herself to her knees. Usagi lifted her hand weakly and wiped away Usagi's tears. Yaten chuckled, "No.........It's just that Minako was right for once..."
Usagi humored them and tried her best to look shocked. Minako made an indignant face, but it crumbled when her best friend broke into halting giggles. A dozen girls swarmed around Usagi and Mamoru found himself pushed aside. He gave Usagi one last look and then stepped out into the hall.
"I guess Minako WAS right..."
%^%^%^%^%^%
R & R
KissThis