Title: Heaven, Hell, and Somewhere in Between
Authors: Stara and Nataku
Genre: Romance/Alternate Reality
Disclaimer: Despite how long that we have been working (or not working) on this story, we are sad to report that Naoko Takeuchi has still not given us the rights to Sailor Moon or any of its characters. Soooo, it's still hers. Poo.
Author Note: After nearly a year and a half without updating (Hm, maybe longer than that) the next chapter is finally here. Yes, finally here! We here at Stara and Nataku Inc realize that we have been exceptionally lazy for an (dare I repeat the word? I think I will) exceptionally long time. We are sure that all of you (if there are any of you left) are absolutely dying to read this, so, here ya go! Without further ado, we present to you Chapter 11.
Chapter 11 - Elevator Music
Usagi met Mamoru's eyes, continuing to probe him for information on exactly how he was going to fill her insatiable appetite. However, Motoki also seemed to want in on the 'action'.
"Hey, I'm the one giving you breakfast!"
"Ignore him," Usagi said, rolling her eyes. "So, Mamoru, please continue explaining how I make you ifeel/i."
"Err...." Mamoru started. "I thought I," he lowered his voice, "already showed you?"
"That was it?" She sighed heavily as if disappointed, "I was sure it would've been more something but...no... that was so...so...blah."
"And his ego takes a hit!"
"Shut up, Motoki!" Both of them yelled at the same time. The blonde arcade owner cowered from their glares, throwing his hands up to shield himself.
"You know, Usagi, we could always go to that nice COFFEE shop downtown, you know, the one across the street from that RAT-infested arcade/malt shop-"
"Shutting up...." Motoki had absolutely NO intention of letting them go anywhere else to eat. It was iway/i to amusing to watch the two of them.
Once he had silenced the glowering Motoki, Mamoru whipped his head around. "BLAH?!" he hissed.
"Yes, blah. I've been kissed like that so many times," She sighed again. "When I saw you I thought for sure that your kiss would have been different, but no. It's the same as all the others. You'd think you were all taught by the same woman...hmm...probably Beryl.." Her eyes widened slightly before she began to stutter. "I mean...probably...ba-barely a good kisser herself."
"Are you egging me on?" he asked, his eyes flashing. Mamoru did not take criticism very well.
Motoki reached the elevator and pressed the button. Throwing a glance over his shoulder, he suddenly got one of those (very rare) ideas. "Heh heh heh....guys, I'll meet you down in the lobby!" He called and dashed towards the stairs. There, he perched himself on a railing and waited.
"Alright, Motoki!" Mamoru shouted. Good. This would give them a chance to talk in the elevator alone, without the prying ears of his best friend. Mamoru buzzed for an elevator and stepped inside. Once Usagi was in, he set it to the first floor. "I'll have you know I've made women cry before when I kissed them."
"Aw, Mamoru, I didn't think you were ithat/i bad. I mean, it wasn't great...but nothing to cry over."
"Didn't see YOU complaining!"
Motoki cackled evilly to himself, almost falling off the railing to his death, but he caught himself in time and ran back toward the elevators, standing beside a new one. He pressed the button and hopped inside a new elevator. Motoki stuck his foot between the doors to keep them from closing and fumbled on the wall until he found what he was looking for- the emergency stop button. He pressed it.
Motoki laughed again and stepped outside of the elevator. "Have fun, kids!" he said and started leisurely making his way down the stairs.
Suddenly, an alarm filled the elevators. Mamoru cursed under his breath. "Damn old beasts! Broken again!" He kicked the wall.
Usagi ignored the alarm and returned to the argument at hand. "I was trying to make it work! But NO! You kiss just like him...them. Like them."
The alarm shut off and the elevator jolted once before stopping all together. Mamoru rolled his eyes. "Like who, Miss Tsukino?" he asked sarcastically.
"All of them...John, Mike, Tony, Daniel..." She leaned against the side of the elevator, Lucifer's face running through her mind. What name had she given him earlier? Oh yes. "And...and...Luke. You're all the same."
"Well, no one FORCED you to 'endure' the kiss, did they?" he shouted, annoyed.
"No, you're right. I don't know why you're taking it so personally...I mean, it's not like it was the best kiss you've ever had before, right?"
"You are absolutely right; it wasn't." Mamoru stared blankly ahead at the far wall of the elevator, his face calm but his insides raging.
Usagi sat down on the ground, leaning her back against the wall. "I wish I had a pair of underwear. I would even take a thong!" She turned towards him. "Those things are torture chambers I tell you!"
Mamoru recognized her attempt to change the subject and half smiled. "I know...," he said under his breath. What? So he was KINKY.
"I'm sorry...I'm just kind of frustrated I guess. And no, not just sexually as I know that was the first thing to run through your mind."
"At what?" Mamoru's gaze softened, but never left it's place on the wall.
Everything." She sighed looking down at her hands. "Do you know what it's like to have a talent and not be able to use it? That's not even the worst of it, the one person I didn't want to bring it out does and now I have my ex-boyfriend watching my every move. It's driving me completely crazy. I guess three years of being with a person will make them possessive though…"
Mamoru frowned and turned towards her. "Usagi? Have you thought of pressing charges? Maniacs like that can be put behind bars."
She laughed at that. She laughed REALLY hard. The thought of being able to throw Lucifer in jail was completely preposterous. "That would be harder than throwing you into jail for something, Mamoru."
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that last comment. What is he, a millionaire? Actor? Singer? Oh God..." Mamoru gasped. "You dated a politician."
"Nope, worse, he's the devil."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, but how much MONEY does he have?"
"None, he doesn't really need it. Not where he's from anyway."
Mamoru shrugged. "Then just hire an assassin." Suddenly he spun around and searched for any security cameras in the elevator. "Heh..." he laughed nervously, "I mean, I was totally joking. Murdering is WRONG."
She started laughing again. "Trust me, if he could be killed, I would've done it a long time ago." She HAD to get him off this topic..."So, how's Rei?" she blurted out before thinking. Oh that's just great Usagi! Just great!
He chuckled. "How's Rei? God only knows...haven't heard from her since that day I talked to her in my office when you were there."
"Really? Hm, mind if I ask how you know her exactly?"
"Eh.... Not really. I was in a bar one night and Rei had a little too much to drink. She started a fight with the barman about the definition of having had too much, and before you knew it, the whole place was in uproar. I thought she was cute, so I grabbed her and got her out of the bar before the cops showed up. And if you know Rei, you know that once she comes into your life, she doesn't go out."
"Yes, I know exactly what you mean." She laughed. "Her and I did business together in the past...it was odd seeing her again, but I have a feeling she was never completely out of touch." She paused for a minute before standing up and walking next to him, making him look at her. For some odd reason, she had an evil smirk on her face. "Even she's a better kisser than you."
Mamoru looked away. "Girl please."
"It was a dare at some party. You know, girl kiss girl so guys can get a hard on. I wonder why that turns guys on anyway. Hmm..." she went on, still taunting him. "Of course, maybe it was the lack of clothing messing with my brain. Maybe you are a better kisser than you appear to be."
"Damn straight. Do I need to 'prove' it again?"
"Like you could sway me."
"You're asking for it...."
"Asking for what, Mamoru?" She turned towards him and smiled innocently.
"You mean you don't want it?" Mamoru asked, feigning confusion. He stuck one arm against the wall next to her and the other on the opposite side of her body, trapping her against the wall.
"Want what?" she breathed, looking up at him with fake curiosity.
He growled in frustration. "You little wench, you always play this game with me." He smiled to show that he really didn't mind. In face, he moved closer.
"I am not a wench," she snapped, glaring up at him defiantly. "You're just mad because you're always the one begging for more where as I am indifferent."
"Fine," he laughed and pulled away, sauntering to the opposite corner of the elevator. "Doesn't bother me ONE BIT."
"Fine!" Damn, she was being repetitive now. What was she, a friggin parrot?! She shivered when the elevator's air conditioning came on and untied the shirt from its knot, letting it give the illusion that it was the only thing she was wearing. "Aren't you cold? It's freezing in here."
"I'm not the one dressed like an escaped biker waitress from a mental hospital. But, to tell you the truth, this isn't the first time the elevator's stalled. You wouldn't want to be in here if the AC wasn't on." He tossed her his coat.
"First off," She held up on finger, "they're your clothes, Mamoru." He rolled his eyes. "Secondly, thank you!" She quickly wrapped the jacket around her. "You know, I'm kinda afraid of the dark..."
"So."
"Well, it would be really bad if the lights went ou-"
Suddenly, the lights went out.
Usagi's scream pierced the air and a loud thud was heart before she called out his name. "Mamoru?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm scared."
"No shit, Sherlock."
"Help me up!"
"Where the hell ARE you?"
"Just stick your hands out and grab for anything...what the-HEY!" Smack.
"Owww!"
"I'll smack you again if you ever grab my ass like that."
"I couldn't see," Mamoru protested. She reached out and crawled into his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist. Yeah, after having examined both the dark and Mamoru, she had decided that he was the lesser of the two evils. "Oh, so I can't touch you, but you're allowed to come and sit on my lap? Where's the logic in that?"
"Like you mind."
"No, not really." He smiled saucily, though she couldn't see it in the dark.
"Wipe that smug smile off your face."
"Wait. HOW DID YOU KNOW?!"
"I know you too well."
"Hmph." He drummed his fingers on her stomach lazily, trying to think of something to talk about." So, you're afraid of the dark?"
"Yeah, I know it's silly," she laughed, resting her head against his chest. "Aren't you afraid of anything."
"No."
"Liar."
"Am not."
"Are so."
"Not."
"Are."
"Not."
"Are."
"FINE!" Throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation, he growled in her ear. "You are one of the most frustrating women I know."
"I have to keep you on your toes."
"So it seems." He got a thoughtful expression on his face. "Well, my parents died when I was really young...about six, on my birthday." He hesitated when he heard her soft gasp, trying to decide if telling her this was going to cost him too much. "I lived in orphanages for a few years, but I was really bitter. As soon as I could, I got myself out of there and put myself through school..."
"That's amazing."
"Yeah, well, I wasn't very popular. You know, too busy working and stuff. Plus, I think I came off as a bit arrogant."
"I wonder why," she said sarcastically.
"Yeah," he laughed sadly, trying to hide the weakness in his voice. "One day I got really, really sick. I was in the hospital for over a year and never had a single visitor." His eyes began to well up with tears, and his voice got quieter. "No one even came to my funeral-I mean- I bet no one would have come to my funeral IF I had died." He was finding it hard to continue as he choked out the words, holding back tears. How could this subject still make him so weak? Him, powerful Endymion, the demon who single-handedly wreaked havoc in Heaven, brought to his knees by something as simple as...loneliness. "So, that's my greatest fear. Having no one who cares enough to come to my funeral when I die..."
For a while, it was quiet, which he was thankful for, before she got up the nerve to speak.
"I care," she whispered softly, gripping his hand with her own.
"Usagi...please..." He was barely holding on now; the tears were screaming to be let loose.
"Just let it out, Mamoru. Let it all out." She turned in his lap and kissed him softly, but was met with the same barrier she was used to. She made the kiss more urgent, begging him to open up to her, using her lips to coax him out of his shell. Reluctant at first, he finally did so, and she was shocked at the force and sheer amount of emotions that hit her all at once. But, as the kiss deepened, one stood out above all the others.
Pain.
So much pain.
Mamoru struggled to maintain his facade, so much that he began shaking. Before he could stop it, he was in her arms, sobbing like a child. The grief and the anger and the hurt had built up so much, so much that it hurt. His chest ached, and the only thing he could do was cry, and cry he did.
Usagi gasped. She had never, never in a million years, guessed that she would ever watch this man break down as he was doing now. She slowly pulled away, her arms holding him even closer, and her voice attempting to soothe him.
It was then that the elevator decided to start working again. The lights came on and soft music began to play as the elevator began to descend once more.
Mamoru, finally able to see her face, studied it carefully. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips were bruised, but what fascinated him the most were her eyes. They were shining with something he couldn't place, something he had never truly seen directed towards him before. His mind reeled as he tried to name it and, unable to comprehend the adoration that emitted from her, he took it as some foreign form of pity. Disgusted with himself, he quickly wiped away the tears that he had shed earlier. Her face changed to a state of confusion as she felt his walls rise once more.
"Mamoru, what's wrong?" Trying to understand what was going through his mind.
"Nothing."
"Don't shut me out again!" She cried in frustration, glaring at him. "I want you to share your feelings with me."
"I have nothing I want to share with you except my bed," he calmly stated, his voice filled with his usual cynical tone. She winced as it cut through her like a knife, slicing away the precious moment from seconds before.
"Mamoru, wha-?"
"You heard me. You're a toy that I'm temporarily satisfied with, nothing more." She sucked in her breath and her eyes widened. It was killing him to hurt her, but that only made him continue. He didn't need her; he didn't need anyone. Slowly gathering confidence as he spoke, his voice became harsher and clearer. Who was he trying to convince, her or himself? "I don't need you, and I don't need your pity." He pushed her off of his lap and stood up before heading the now open, elevator doors.
"Mamoru..." Usagi whispered softly, involuntarily reaching an arm out towards him as he continued to walk away. When he didn't turn around, or slow his exit, she choked on a sob, hugging her knees to her chest. Tears spilled down her cheeks as the elevator doors closed. Ironically, Pat Benatar's "Heartbreaker" began to play.
Your love is like a tidal wave, rushing over my head...
You're a heart breaker, dream maker, love taker don't you mess around me...
"Motoki, you are too good!" He chuckled and patted himself on the back as he strolled leisurely across the hotel lounge. He checked his watch. About ten minutes ago, he had called in a request to fix the elevators, which were "apparently not working." Motoki turned his eyes to the first-floor elevator door expectantly. As if on cue, the humming and droning picked up, and in a few moment, a light flashed over the doors, and a little bell rang. Out stormed Mamoru, his face void of emotion.
"Hey Mamoru!" Motoki called, but the glowering man just kept walking. "So," he called as he jogged to catch up with him. "Anything interesting happen?" He laughed.
Mamoru said nothing.
"You'll just have to owe me one then, eh?"
Mamoru stopped and turned to face him. "What?"
"Maybe one day when I've got a little hottie in the elevator with me you could-"
Mamoru swung his fist and caught him in the face.
Motoki stumbled backwards and looked shocked. So did everyone else in the lounge. But Mamoru looked unphased. He turned on his right heel and walked out the door.
"Motoki!" Usagi cried out in dismay as she saw his bloody nose. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying.
"Usagi, what happened in there?" He placed his hand over his bloody nose.
"...I'm not sure..." She moved his hand and gasped when she saw the quickly purpling color. "He's such a monster!" Clenching her fists, she stomped outside and tapped Mamoru on the shoulder. "Hey, you! Where do you think you're going? You still owe me breakfast," she spat, looking at him with such hatred that he almost ran away in fear.
"I. Owe. You. Nothing." The same amount of emphasis was placed on each word in his monotonous tone. "But, for the record," he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out some money, "here." He placed the money into her hand. "I have to go." He turned and started to walk away.
"What about my clothes and stuff, they're still in your apartment..." she said, her voice quivering slightly.
"Go to the front desk. Box 106. Spare key."
"You know, for a minute in that elevator I was able to forget that cruelty existed in this world. Yeah, your kiss actually made me forget that, me who has experienced it first hand. For a moment I actually thought...No. Forget what I thought. Just let me say thank you for bringing me back to reality!"
It stung his heart to hear her say those words, but they were mere pinpricks compared to the...weakness...he had felt when she had looked into his eyes. Mamoru didn't want to feel like that-like an animal. So he swallowed what remaining anguish he felt.
And he walked away.
Did you enjoy? Well, if you did, make sure to review! We have still more of the story to post and will only do so if we get lots and lots of lovely reviews. Peace out!
Authors: Stara and Nataku
Genre: Romance/Alternate Reality
Disclaimer: Despite how long that we have been working (or not working) on this story, we are sad to report that Naoko Takeuchi has still not given us the rights to Sailor Moon or any of its characters. Soooo, it's still hers. Poo.
Author Note: After nearly a year and a half without updating (Hm, maybe longer than that) the next chapter is finally here. Yes, finally here! We here at Stara and Nataku Inc realize that we have been exceptionally lazy for an (dare I repeat the word? I think I will) exceptionally long time. We are sure that all of you (if there are any of you left) are absolutely dying to read this, so, here ya go! Without further ado, we present to you Chapter 11.
Chapter 11 - Elevator Music
Usagi met Mamoru's eyes, continuing to probe him for information on exactly how he was going to fill her insatiable appetite. However, Motoki also seemed to want in on the 'action'.
"Hey, I'm the one giving you breakfast!"
"Ignore him," Usagi said, rolling her eyes. "So, Mamoru, please continue explaining how I make you ifeel/i."
"Err...." Mamoru started. "I thought I," he lowered his voice, "already showed you?"
"That was it?" She sighed heavily as if disappointed, "I was sure it would've been more something but...no... that was so...so...blah."
"And his ego takes a hit!"
"Shut up, Motoki!" Both of them yelled at the same time. The blonde arcade owner cowered from their glares, throwing his hands up to shield himself.
"You know, Usagi, we could always go to that nice COFFEE shop downtown, you know, the one across the street from that RAT-infested arcade/malt shop-"
"Shutting up...." Motoki had absolutely NO intention of letting them go anywhere else to eat. It was iway/i to amusing to watch the two of them.
Once he had silenced the glowering Motoki, Mamoru whipped his head around. "BLAH?!" he hissed.
"Yes, blah. I've been kissed like that so many times," She sighed again. "When I saw you I thought for sure that your kiss would have been different, but no. It's the same as all the others. You'd think you were all taught by the same woman...hmm...probably Beryl.." Her eyes widened slightly before she began to stutter. "I mean...probably...ba-barely a good kisser herself."
"Are you egging me on?" he asked, his eyes flashing. Mamoru did not take criticism very well.
Motoki reached the elevator and pressed the button. Throwing a glance over his shoulder, he suddenly got one of those (very rare) ideas. "Heh heh heh....guys, I'll meet you down in the lobby!" He called and dashed towards the stairs. There, he perched himself on a railing and waited.
"Alright, Motoki!" Mamoru shouted. Good. This would give them a chance to talk in the elevator alone, without the prying ears of his best friend. Mamoru buzzed for an elevator and stepped inside. Once Usagi was in, he set it to the first floor. "I'll have you know I've made women cry before when I kissed them."
"Aw, Mamoru, I didn't think you were ithat/i bad. I mean, it wasn't great...but nothing to cry over."
"Didn't see YOU complaining!"
Motoki cackled evilly to himself, almost falling off the railing to his death, but he caught himself in time and ran back toward the elevators, standing beside a new one. He pressed the button and hopped inside a new elevator. Motoki stuck his foot between the doors to keep them from closing and fumbled on the wall until he found what he was looking for- the emergency stop button. He pressed it.
Motoki laughed again and stepped outside of the elevator. "Have fun, kids!" he said and started leisurely making his way down the stairs.
Suddenly, an alarm filled the elevators. Mamoru cursed under his breath. "Damn old beasts! Broken again!" He kicked the wall.
Usagi ignored the alarm and returned to the argument at hand. "I was trying to make it work! But NO! You kiss just like him...them. Like them."
The alarm shut off and the elevator jolted once before stopping all together. Mamoru rolled his eyes. "Like who, Miss Tsukino?" he asked sarcastically.
"All of them...John, Mike, Tony, Daniel..." She leaned against the side of the elevator, Lucifer's face running through her mind. What name had she given him earlier? Oh yes. "And...and...Luke. You're all the same."
"Well, no one FORCED you to 'endure' the kiss, did they?" he shouted, annoyed.
"No, you're right. I don't know why you're taking it so personally...I mean, it's not like it was the best kiss you've ever had before, right?"
"You are absolutely right; it wasn't." Mamoru stared blankly ahead at the far wall of the elevator, his face calm but his insides raging.
Usagi sat down on the ground, leaning her back against the wall. "I wish I had a pair of underwear. I would even take a thong!" She turned towards him. "Those things are torture chambers I tell you!"
Mamoru recognized her attempt to change the subject and half smiled. "I know...," he said under his breath. What? So he was KINKY.
"I'm sorry...I'm just kind of frustrated I guess. And no, not just sexually as I know that was the first thing to run through your mind."
"At what?" Mamoru's gaze softened, but never left it's place on the wall.
Everything." She sighed looking down at her hands. "Do you know what it's like to have a talent and not be able to use it? That's not even the worst of it, the one person I didn't want to bring it out does and now I have my ex-boyfriend watching my every move. It's driving me completely crazy. I guess three years of being with a person will make them possessive though…"
Mamoru frowned and turned towards her. "Usagi? Have you thought of pressing charges? Maniacs like that can be put behind bars."
She laughed at that. She laughed REALLY hard. The thought of being able to throw Lucifer in jail was completely preposterous. "That would be harder than throwing you into jail for something, Mamoru."
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that last comment. What is he, a millionaire? Actor? Singer? Oh God..." Mamoru gasped. "You dated a politician."
"Nope, worse, he's the devil."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, but how much MONEY does he have?"
"None, he doesn't really need it. Not where he's from anyway."
Mamoru shrugged. "Then just hire an assassin." Suddenly he spun around and searched for any security cameras in the elevator. "Heh..." he laughed nervously, "I mean, I was totally joking. Murdering is WRONG."
She started laughing again. "Trust me, if he could be killed, I would've done it a long time ago." She HAD to get him off this topic..."So, how's Rei?" she blurted out before thinking. Oh that's just great Usagi! Just great!
He chuckled. "How's Rei? God only knows...haven't heard from her since that day I talked to her in my office when you were there."
"Really? Hm, mind if I ask how you know her exactly?"
"Eh.... Not really. I was in a bar one night and Rei had a little too much to drink. She started a fight with the barman about the definition of having had too much, and before you knew it, the whole place was in uproar. I thought she was cute, so I grabbed her and got her out of the bar before the cops showed up. And if you know Rei, you know that once she comes into your life, she doesn't go out."
"Yes, I know exactly what you mean." She laughed. "Her and I did business together in the past...it was odd seeing her again, but I have a feeling she was never completely out of touch." She paused for a minute before standing up and walking next to him, making him look at her. For some odd reason, she had an evil smirk on her face. "Even she's a better kisser than you."
Mamoru looked away. "Girl please."
"It was a dare at some party. You know, girl kiss girl so guys can get a hard on. I wonder why that turns guys on anyway. Hmm..." she went on, still taunting him. "Of course, maybe it was the lack of clothing messing with my brain. Maybe you are a better kisser than you appear to be."
"Damn straight. Do I need to 'prove' it again?"
"Like you could sway me."
"You're asking for it...."
"Asking for what, Mamoru?" She turned towards him and smiled innocently.
"You mean you don't want it?" Mamoru asked, feigning confusion. He stuck one arm against the wall next to her and the other on the opposite side of her body, trapping her against the wall.
"Want what?" she breathed, looking up at him with fake curiosity.
He growled in frustration. "You little wench, you always play this game with me." He smiled to show that he really didn't mind. In face, he moved closer.
"I am not a wench," she snapped, glaring up at him defiantly. "You're just mad because you're always the one begging for more where as I am indifferent."
"Fine," he laughed and pulled away, sauntering to the opposite corner of the elevator. "Doesn't bother me ONE BIT."
"Fine!" Damn, she was being repetitive now. What was she, a friggin parrot?! She shivered when the elevator's air conditioning came on and untied the shirt from its knot, letting it give the illusion that it was the only thing she was wearing. "Aren't you cold? It's freezing in here."
"I'm not the one dressed like an escaped biker waitress from a mental hospital. But, to tell you the truth, this isn't the first time the elevator's stalled. You wouldn't want to be in here if the AC wasn't on." He tossed her his coat.
"First off," She held up on finger, "they're your clothes, Mamoru." He rolled his eyes. "Secondly, thank you!" She quickly wrapped the jacket around her. "You know, I'm kinda afraid of the dark..."
"So."
"Well, it would be really bad if the lights went ou-"
Suddenly, the lights went out.
Usagi's scream pierced the air and a loud thud was heart before she called out his name. "Mamoru?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm scared."
"No shit, Sherlock."
"Help me up!"
"Where the hell ARE you?"
"Just stick your hands out and grab for anything...what the-HEY!" Smack.
"Owww!"
"I'll smack you again if you ever grab my ass like that."
"I couldn't see," Mamoru protested. She reached out and crawled into his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist. Yeah, after having examined both the dark and Mamoru, she had decided that he was the lesser of the two evils. "Oh, so I can't touch you, but you're allowed to come and sit on my lap? Where's the logic in that?"
"Like you mind."
"No, not really." He smiled saucily, though she couldn't see it in the dark.
"Wipe that smug smile off your face."
"Wait. HOW DID YOU KNOW?!"
"I know you too well."
"Hmph." He drummed his fingers on her stomach lazily, trying to think of something to talk about." So, you're afraid of the dark?"
"Yeah, I know it's silly," she laughed, resting her head against his chest. "Aren't you afraid of anything."
"No."
"Liar."
"Am not."
"Are so."
"Not."
"Are."
"Not."
"Are."
"FINE!" Throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation, he growled in her ear. "You are one of the most frustrating women I know."
"I have to keep you on your toes."
"So it seems." He got a thoughtful expression on his face. "Well, my parents died when I was really young...about six, on my birthday." He hesitated when he heard her soft gasp, trying to decide if telling her this was going to cost him too much. "I lived in orphanages for a few years, but I was really bitter. As soon as I could, I got myself out of there and put myself through school..."
"That's amazing."
"Yeah, well, I wasn't very popular. You know, too busy working and stuff. Plus, I think I came off as a bit arrogant."
"I wonder why," she said sarcastically.
"Yeah," he laughed sadly, trying to hide the weakness in his voice. "One day I got really, really sick. I was in the hospital for over a year and never had a single visitor." His eyes began to well up with tears, and his voice got quieter. "No one even came to my funeral-I mean- I bet no one would have come to my funeral IF I had died." He was finding it hard to continue as he choked out the words, holding back tears. How could this subject still make him so weak? Him, powerful Endymion, the demon who single-handedly wreaked havoc in Heaven, brought to his knees by something as simple as...loneliness. "So, that's my greatest fear. Having no one who cares enough to come to my funeral when I die..."
For a while, it was quiet, which he was thankful for, before she got up the nerve to speak.
"I care," she whispered softly, gripping his hand with her own.
"Usagi...please..." He was barely holding on now; the tears were screaming to be let loose.
"Just let it out, Mamoru. Let it all out." She turned in his lap and kissed him softly, but was met with the same barrier she was used to. She made the kiss more urgent, begging him to open up to her, using her lips to coax him out of his shell. Reluctant at first, he finally did so, and she was shocked at the force and sheer amount of emotions that hit her all at once. But, as the kiss deepened, one stood out above all the others.
Pain.
So much pain.
Mamoru struggled to maintain his facade, so much that he began shaking. Before he could stop it, he was in her arms, sobbing like a child. The grief and the anger and the hurt had built up so much, so much that it hurt. His chest ached, and the only thing he could do was cry, and cry he did.
Usagi gasped. She had never, never in a million years, guessed that she would ever watch this man break down as he was doing now. She slowly pulled away, her arms holding him even closer, and her voice attempting to soothe him.
It was then that the elevator decided to start working again. The lights came on and soft music began to play as the elevator began to descend once more.
Mamoru, finally able to see her face, studied it carefully. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips were bruised, but what fascinated him the most were her eyes. They were shining with something he couldn't place, something he had never truly seen directed towards him before. His mind reeled as he tried to name it and, unable to comprehend the adoration that emitted from her, he took it as some foreign form of pity. Disgusted with himself, he quickly wiped away the tears that he had shed earlier. Her face changed to a state of confusion as she felt his walls rise once more.
"Mamoru, what's wrong?" Trying to understand what was going through his mind.
"Nothing."
"Don't shut me out again!" She cried in frustration, glaring at him. "I want you to share your feelings with me."
"I have nothing I want to share with you except my bed," he calmly stated, his voice filled with his usual cynical tone. She winced as it cut through her like a knife, slicing away the precious moment from seconds before.
"Mamoru, wha-?"
"You heard me. You're a toy that I'm temporarily satisfied with, nothing more." She sucked in her breath and her eyes widened. It was killing him to hurt her, but that only made him continue. He didn't need her; he didn't need anyone. Slowly gathering confidence as he spoke, his voice became harsher and clearer. Who was he trying to convince, her or himself? "I don't need you, and I don't need your pity." He pushed her off of his lap and stood up before heading the now open, elevator doors.
"Mamoru..." Usagi whispered softly, involuntarily reaching an arm out towards him as he continued to walk away. When he didn't turn around, or slow his exit, she choked on a sob, hugging her knees to her chest. Tears spilled down her cheeks as the elevator doors closed. Ironically, Pat Benatar's "Heartbreaker" began to play.
Your love is like a tidal wave, rushing over my head...
You're a heart breaker, dream maker, love taker don't you mess around me...
"Motoki, you are too good!" He chuckled and patted himself on the back as he strolled leisurely across the hotel lounge. He checked his watch. About ten minutes ago, he had called in a request to fix the elevators, which were "apparently not working." Motoki turned his eyes to the first-floor elevator door expectantly. As if on cue, the humming and droning picked up, and in a few moment, a light flashed over the doors, and a little bell rang. Out stormed Mamoru, his face void of emotion.
"Hey Mamoru!" Motoki called, but the glowering man just kept walking. "So," he called as he jogged to catch up with him. "Anything interesting happen?" He laughed.
Mamoru said nothing.
"You'll just have to owe me one then, eh?"
Mamoru stopped and turned to face him. "What?"
"Maybe one day when I've got a little hottie in the elevator with me you could-"
Mamoru swung his fist and caught him in the face.
Motoki stumbled backwards and looked shocked. So did everyone else in the lounge. But Mamoru looked unphased. He turned on his right heel and walked out the door.
"Motoki!" Usagi cried out in dismay as she saw his bloody nose. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying.
"Usagi, what happened in there?" He placed his hand over his bloody nose.
"...I'm not sure..." She moved his hand and gasped when she saw the quickly purpling color. "He's such a monster!" Clenching her fists, she stomped outside and tapped Mamoru on the shoulder. "Hey, you! Where do you think you're going? You still owe me breakfast," she spat, looking at him with such hatred that he almost ran away in fear.
"I. Owe. You. Nothing." The same amount of emphasis was placed on each word in his monotonous tone. "But, for the record," he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out some money, "here." He placed the money into her hand. "I have to go." He turned and started to walk away.
"What about my clothes and stuff, they're still in your apartment..." she said, her voice quivering slightly.
"Go to the front desk. Box 106. Spare key."
"You know, for a minute in that elevator I was able to forget that cruelty existed in this world. Yeah, your kiss actually made me forget that, me who has experienced it first hand. For a moment I actually thought...No. Forget what I thought. Just let me say thank you for bringing me back to reality!"
It stung his heart to hear her say those words, but they were mere pinpricks compared to the...weakness...he had felt when she had looked into his eyes. Mamoru didn't want to feel like that-like an animal. So he swallowed what remaining anguish he felt.
And he walked away.
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