A New Beginning!

Chapter Three: Worries and Hugs

The next few days had gone by in a blur. I had spent more time with Mamoru and he answered more of my questions. Yesterday he took me out to see my friends. It felt kind of weird having to be introduced to them. They all had tears in their eyes when they ran up and hugged me. Some even looked a bit guilty. I was slightly shocked at this but then I remembered how Mamoru had reacted too. I found myself tearing up as well just thinking of the great friends I must have for them to care so much. We spent the day together going to various places such as the Crown Arcade, Juuban District Mall, and the Juuban Park, along with other places along the way. I bumped into some people that knew me and asked how I was feeling. The girls had to explain my situation to them, which granted me a few pitting glances. But all around it was a great day!

It was one more week until my parents came home. I was getting nervous about meeting them. Meeting friends is one thing. Meeting your own parents... I wasn't sure what to call them. Mom and Dad sounded too personal and as far as I was concerned, I didn't even know them yet. But it would also be awkward if I called them by name. Mamoru has really been a great help with everything though. He tells me stories of them, that I've either told him or things that he was there for. It made me more comfortable with the whole situation, like I knew them more now. I also got to meet my brother this week. I wasn't so nervous about meeting him though I guess because he was 15. He didn't act weird around me at all and I was so glad. He was worried at first but we jumped right into a regular habit of teasing one another. He stayed at a friend's house though, while I still stayed with Mamoru.

Mamoru. Speaking of him, I'm not sure what's going on. No matter what I do he is always on my mind. I don't know if I'm falling for him or if it's a natural thing since he is the first person I have met since...I can remember really. He understands me more than anyone and sometimes it's as if we are one soul. I know that probably sounds very cliché and everything but something about him ...I don't know, draws me to him. sigh Better not think on it too much for now. I'll let fate take the wheel for a while.

"Usa? Are you awake yet?" I heard a voice calling to me through my fogged up brain. I didn't want to leave my peaceful sleep yet so I simply turned over and put the pillow over my head. I heard the door click open and gave a muffled 'I need SLEEEEP!' before collapsing back into my dream world. He chuckled and came to sit on the bedside. I felt something poke me in my back and swatted it away. When it kept poking me I sat up to glare at it only to find a small black cat. "This is Luna. She is your cat." I noticed a small crescent shaped mark on her forehead and traced it with my finger. A surge of electricity shot up my finger and I gasped. When I looked into the cats eyes again, she almost looked concerned. "Why don't you get up and get ready so you two can ta-" For a minute I thought he would say talk but a swift hiss from the cat in question and he finished with "catch up on things. I'm sure she misses you." I gave a small smile and with sluggish movements, dragged myself into the bathroom for a shower.

When I finally tamed my long hair and got dressed I walked into the living room to find, not only Mamoru and Luna, but the girls as well. I smiled at them and went to sit by Mamoru on the couch. "Well this is a nice surprise." I said as a greeting to them all. They looked worried about something and exchanged glances between themselves. "Is something wrong?" I was getting slightly worried.

"No. nothing is wrong. I guess we are still a bit wary about addressing your situation directly." Ami was the one who had spoken up and the others nodded their heads and gave a nervous laugh. I smiled at them and tried to reassure them everything was fine. I was fine. I was. "I hear your parents will be arriving in a week. Are you excited?"

"Umm...A bit nervous, but yes, I suppose I'm also a bit excited." I smiled nervously at them. How to change the topic? "So what have you guys been up to?" Ami exchanged a look with Rei and they both nodded as if coming to a decision. That was really starting to get annoying.

"Not much. We just wanted to come and see you. Want to go to the mall later on or maybe the arcade?" Minako asked.

Before I had a chance to answer Ami spoke up again, "Actually we have homework still." She turned to me, "Sorry but we just came by to say hi and see how you were doing."

"I brought you some of your fave cookies too. Made them myself." Makato handed me a tin box that I guessed the cookies were in and they stood up.

"Alright, Well I'm doing fine as you can see. You really don't have to keep stopping by like this. I really am fine now." I hated feeling like everyone thought I was made of glass.

"Of course you are. You can get through anything!" Rei smiled at me and gave me a hug as did the others before walking out the door.

Once everyone was gone I heaved a sigh and plopped myself on the couch. "I hate everyone thinking I'm made of glass!"

"They're just worried about you, Usa. They probably don't realize they're smothering you with too much attention." He smiled at me and came to sit by me on the couch. "How about we..." He tapped his chin thoughtfully for a moment and I looked on expectantly. ",clean house today!" I face faulted at that. He laughed at my expression "I was kidding. Want to go see a movie?" I laughed with him and said 'sure'. He grabbed my coat for me and helped me into it before gathering his own and his wallet.

We had gone to see an American movie called Spiderman. It was dubbed in Japanese but I found I didn't need to read it. I knew English! Mamoru explained that he has been helping me with my English for a while now and that I knew quite a lot of it. I was so pleased to find this out! It was kind of weird though. Hearing a completely different language and realizing you understand it. But all the better for me since I could pay more attention to the amazing graphics. The end was kind of sad though since Spiderman and that girl didn't get together, but I guess that leaves it open for a sequel.

The rest of the week was uneventful. My friends started acting more normal to me, which I was very grateful for. I also began realizing something. I was falling for Mamoru. He was always so sweat and such a gentlemen without over doing it. He could always make me laugh. I didn't know how to tell him though. So I figured I would just go with the flow. Tomorrow my parents would be getting home. Mamoru and I were picking them up at the airport. Shingo was going to wait at home for them or his home at least. I've taken to calling Mamoru's home, my home.

The night before we were to pick them up, Mamoru made us some hot coco and started a fire. I was a little surprised to find he had a fireplace in an apartment but shrugged it off. I guess they can do that on the top floor. We got some marshmallows and put them on bent hangers to roast. We made up ghost stories and I had fun that night. When we finally did go to bed, I remembered what was going to happen tomorrow and immediately got tense. Mamoru must have sensed it though, because he put his arms around me and told me to relax. He whispered soothing nothings into my ear and I soon fell asleep.

The next morning, I actually woke up before Mamoru. I got an idea at this. It would be the perfect way to tell him I love him! I went to the kitchen and started making some breakfast. I scrambled some eggs and made some toast. After pouring the orange juice I brought it all into our room. I gently put the food on the edge of the bed and sat the glass down on the floor so it wouldn't spill. "Wake up sleepy head..."I whispered in his ear. He groaned and opened his eyes.

"What smells so good?" He looked over to my side and noticed the breakfast tray. I placed it on his lap and smiled. "You made me breakfast in bed?" I nodded and my smile widened at his shocked face. "What this for?"

I pouted slightly, "What? I'm not allowed to make breakfast for the man I love?" He smiled and me and was about to say something when his eyes went unbelievably wide.

"You...You mean you love me?" The look on his face was priceless and I couldn't help but giggle as I nodded. He smiled brightly and pulled me into a huge hug, placing kisses all over my face. I laughed the whole time.

"You know, I'm not the breakfast. It's sitting right there." I got out in between giggles. He chuckled.

"Oh but you are so much sweater." He said right before placing the most searing kiss to my lips. He gently nudged my lips open with his tongue and deepened the kiss. I melted against him, and it would have lasted longer had there not been an insistent coughing coming from the doorway. I could have sworn Mamoru growled as he pulled away. "This had better be good..."