Chapter 3
Chiba Mamoru could feel his strength ebbing away. His head slowly drooping, his eyelids leaden. Eventually he would no longer be able to fight off the inevitable. The others had already succumbed scattering a few hours before. Only he and Ami remained. Summoning up his remaining energy and focus, he turned to her offering the only thing he could.
"Ami, want some more coffee?"
She nodded slowly, drowsily offering up her chipped brown mug. Mamoru shuffled into the kitchen taking a few moments to warm up the last dregs in the pot. He took a quick gulp from his cup, grimacing "God, that's potent." He staggered back into the front room, squinting at the clock on the wall. "Three a.m...no wonder..." He turned to say something to Ami about getting some rest. But she was already asleep.
Mamoru carefully set down the coffee mugs and stepped closer. Her legs were drawn up under her, the Biochemistry book still open on her lap. A circumference of notes and papers circled her chair resembling a bank of snow more than reams of notes in neat small print. He sighed softly considering his possibilities. Studying the soft fringe of dark lashes against the slight purple shadows under her eyes, he slowly shook his head. She looked fragile like something made of porcelain or ice.
He carefully hooked one arm behind her neck and another in the crook of her legs. He certainly had practice moving his dozing Usako enough to do this seamlessly. She stirred a bit only to lean her head against his chest, one small hand clutching the front of his shirt. He tried to ignore all of the protective feelings welling up inside of him. And what would he protect her from..the youma of finals? Sighing noiselessly he gently placed Ami under the covers. Reaching underneath to take off each shoe and sock, he lingered for a moment to brush a stray lock of hair away from her face. His finger stopped, gently touching her cheekbone. She looked so lonely and bittersweet even in her sleep: it seemed as though a thousand tears pulsed beneath her skin. Heaven's tears perhaps...as the senshi of ice and rain perhaps it is her job to mourn...to cleanse. Mamoru studied the blue veins crossing her pale eyelids, the sad tilt of her mouth...Without even thinking about it, Mamoru leaned in and kissed her sleeping lips. Her lips moved silently, but she didn't wake. It only took a moment to feel her breath mix with his own, to feel the slight warmth of her curved mouth and to realize what he was doing.
His head shot up quickly. What are you thinking? You must be tired. Mamoru stepped away from the bed his hands shaking. Usako, I'm so sorry. His mind kept repeating that over and over before it finally let him fall asleep on the couch. Grey dawn flashed over him before he finally closed his eyes...sorry...sorry. He softly licked his lips turning away from the window wondering at the sweet, clean taste of rain on his tongue.