Chapter 9

'she loves me' Mamoru thought to himself looking down at his pale, thinner hands, realizing just how far into depression he had sunk,

 'no wonder people were staring' he thought as he recalled the way his hands used to be tanned and strong, and immediately vowed to do something about his condition as he never wanted Usagi to leave him again. 

Meanwhile at the front of the classroom the teacher rambled on about Shakespeare, and other great play writes from the past while an inattentive Usagi sat, sneaking sidelong glances at her boyfriend, trying to decide what to do about her feelings.

'I've already told him I love him…' she thought 'and it's true. I do. Oh Mamo-chan…what did you do to yourself' she mused comparing the deadly handsome figure from her memory to the sickly broken looking man beside her 'he is still handsome…but he majorly needs to put on some weight!' she decided as memory of the incident came back and a single unwanted but true statement pierced her mind. 'He still needs regain my trust….but how do I tell him?' she wondered her heart sorrowing at the fact that she did not trust him like she used to. 

Finally the bell rang marking the end of class, everyone shuffled out leaving two figures seated, lost deep within their own thoughts. That is until Usagi broke out of her reverie and she stated,

"We have to talk"

Mamoru looked up at his angel, still coming to terms with the fact that she was really there; then he nodded in assent and slowly stood up. Offering her his arm he led her out of the class walking towards his favourite place at the local gardens a few blocks away.

As they walked down the street in silence people stared, wondering who the beautiful girl was as she walked alongside the once handsome man.

When they reached the entrance to the park, a white archway overgrown with a purple morning glory, Usagi took a deep breath and sighed as she entered, it was beautiful. From the rise where they stood you could see a small clear lake surrounded by flowering trees, a grey path ringed it and white benches were placed at regular intervals along the paths length. A large garden sporting brightly coloured flowers was on the left and a maze like rose garden stretched out to the right, the sweet sent of the roses filled the air, reminding Usagi of all the good-times they had shared.

Impulsively she grabbed his hand and ran down the path towards the lake.

'She's so alive!' thought Mamoru as he was dragged after her.

Out of breath Usagi plopped down on a bench and breathing heavily she looked up into Mamoru's eyes mentally preparing herself for what she had to tell him.

Her breathing finally returning to normal Usagi gently stroked the back of his hand and said,

"Mamo-chan you know I still love you, and will always love you…but…" she trailed off

"but what Usako?" asked a worry stricken Mamoru

Taking a deep breath she looked back up into his troubled midnight eyes and said,

"But you broke my trust and well now you have to re-earn it"

Mamoru said nothing he just felt himself falling backward down, down, down into a pit of despair.

Usagi saw the change in his eyes and became over come with worry when he didn't respond to her crying of his name…

Grabbing his shoulders she shook him,

"Mamo-chan, Mamo-chan!" she cried over and over, and to her distress he showed little sign of having heard her. Sobbing in desperation she leaned over and pressed her lips against his sighing in the joy of coming home. 

Mamoru felt a fire shoot through him, his eyes opening wide in shock. Then his arms came up to grasp her about the waist as he responded to her kiss. He couldn't get enough of her, the feeling of her love flowing through his veins; this is what it meant to be truly alive.

Reluctantly she pulled away, her chest heaving as she struggled to regain her breath. Mamoru looked into her eyes and vowed to do whatever it took to get her back in his arms for good.

Usagi on the other hand, wanted nothing more than to forget the whole thing, discard the plan, and just go back to loving him like she used to, but a small part of her mind held firmly onto reason,

'he hurt you, and broke the trust between you. Now things can't really go back to how they were until you know you can trust him again.' The voice told her and she knew it was right.

"Usako…" Mamoru whispered as he looked deep into her eyes

'I will regain your trust if it's the last thing I do…' he told himself while out loud he smiled and suggested,

"Let's go get something to eat."

This sparked a monstrous grin to spread across Usagi's serene face as she lightly squeezed his hand, telling him she had understood his silent vow.

All thorough the exchange two different people had been watching from the shadows, with two very different purposes in mind, and as they watched the couple leave the park together hand in hand one simply left, smiling to himself while thinking,

'I hope everything works out between them'

While the other slunk after them in the shadows muttering to herself,

"I'm going to win Darien no matter what it takes!"