DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SAILORMOON. HOWEVER THE STORYLINE IS MINE.
RATED: R FOR SEXUALITY AND COARSE LANGUAGE
Trust Between the Covers
Not a Fairytale
Usagi sat at her vanity absent-mindedly, running a brush repeatedly over her silky blonde hair. The repetitive motion gave her a sense of peace. In the mirror she could see her husband preparing for work. She watched as he pulled up his black pants that hung so seductively on his flat stomach and slender hips. She didn't know what time he had come home last night. She couldn't count the hours, and her eyes had become too tired. But now thoughts were buzzing through her brain. Her hand gripped the brush tighter as she glanced at her purse that was thrown beside her bed. The damn condom sat innocently inside, taunting her with thoughts of her husband's infidelity.
"You need not get ready today," her husband's husky voice pierced through the silence of the room.
"And why might that be?" she replied trying to keep her voice even.
"You and I both know that the only reason you have that job is because I wanted to give you something to do. But I've found someone more qualified, so there's no point in wasting both of our time. Besides I think you need time to master being a good wife, two tasks have seemed to prove too much for you," he answered matter-of-factly.
Usagi's face burned and she clenched her teeth, trying to keep in the venomous words, but that proved to be a task too hard.
"Does more qualified mean a bigger chest?" she bit back angrily.
Ryan stopped buttoning his shirt in mid-way, and pivoted sharply towards her. Fear rose up in her like a tidal wave but she pushed it aside and bravely titled her head, locking her eyes with is. Blue fire met with green.
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" he demanded softly.
"Well the person who replaced me, correct me if I'm wrong, but is she not female?" she asked.
"I don't see what that has to do with anything, but yes, she is a female."
"You just don't get it, do you Ryan." Usagi replied disgusted.
"No, I think I get it just fine. And it disgusts me that you would think that of me. After what your father put you through...."
Usagi's bottom quivered, as she looked quickly away trying to hide the memories.
A satisfied smirk crossed Ryan's lips; he had her just where we wanted.
He knelt down beside her, his breath warm against her sensitive neck.
"I know how hard it must have been for you, to have your mother dying of cancer in your own household. And then...all you wanted was to ask your father what was wrong with mommy, she was making funny noises, and then you saw him, on top of your mother's nurse...how dreadful," he whispered into her ear.
Usagi could no longer keep in the tears. She let out a small gasp as she choked on the pain.
"I know how much fidelity means to you Usagi, and it hurts me to think that your esteem of me is so low," he said as he began to place soft kisses down her neck and his large hands slowly began massaging one of her breasts as her body raked with sobs.
"Please...please...Ryan...stop..stop," she strangled out the words in between sobs.
He grabbed her breast, squeezing it hard, and gave her a rough kiss before rising to his feet to continue getting ready for work.
"Trust, Usagi, that's all one needs in a relationship. That's why I married you. I know that you would never be so hypocritical to perform adultery. You always told me that the last person you wanted to ever become is your father," Ryan said as he closed the door softly behind him, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Usagi lifted her tear-stained face from in between her crossed arms and looked at herself hard in the mirror.
He had done it again. He turned everything against her. She reached for her brush angrily, throwing it full force into the mirror, breaking it into thousands of little shards.
She had become what she had always hated.
Endymion gripped the wheel of his SUV tightly. This was it. He was going to tell Usagi the words that had been on the tip of his tongue since a few nights ago.
"Everything's going to be okay," he kept on reassuring himself as he slowed to a stop in front of Usagi's large home.
He held his violin case in one hand, the handle slippery under his sweaty palm. Nervously his pushed his quivering finger to the doorbell.
"Oh God," Usagi murmured as she wiped furiously at her eyes and pulled her hair back into a messy bun.
"Hel..." Usagi's voice fell flat as she was met with a gorgeous dark-haired violinist at her front door.
"Endymion...this isn't" but he cut her off as he swiftly moved inside, and placed a finger on her lips.
"I need to talk to you," he said urgently.
"You're right..we do need to talk," Usagi conceded as she led him up the stairs to the bedroom.
"Let me go first, before I loose the courage," he smiled.
"Usagi. I love you. I am head-over-heels, madly in love with you. And I want you to run away with me. Don't worry about money, I'm going to make it big, I know it Usagi. And even if I don't, we don't need all this," Endymion said motioning to the splendor around him.
"What about Ryan?" she asked flabbergasted.
"I will always protect you. We'll move to Italy, or England. And oh France is absolutely beautiful," he said grasping her hands.
She smiled at the excitement in his eyes.
However, he husband's words still echoed plainly in her mind.
"Oh my poor deluded Endymion," she gained immense pleasure at the malicious tone of her words.
All the pain and venom from Ryan that etched her soul, now poured out of her mouth into the fragile spirit of Endymion.
"This isn't some fairy tale or cheesy romantic comedy. This is real life. And do you honestly think that I would give up all this wealth around me, and run off with some violinist that I only really know from bed? How do I know that you won't leave me the second we get in a little argument? Besides, you haven't proved that faithful either," she continued.
"But..but...I love you," Endymion said incredously, trying his best to fight back the tears.
"Do you think that those three little words fix everything? Wake up and smell the thorns Endymion, life isn't all roses" she replied bitterly.
He glared at her for a moment.
"Since when have you become so jaded?" he asked sharply.
"Since I saw my father fucking my mother's nurse as she lay dying in their bed," she replied softly.
"I'm sorry about your childhood Usagi, I really am. But I'm taking risks too. Do you honestly think that you are the only who had an asshole for a father? My mother was a beautiful woman; some said that she was the most beautiful woman in all of Italy. But my father was a jealous man, and worse a very bad alcoholic. I'll never forget that night. It was a gentle summer evening, the kind that bought the sound of the crickets from the bull rushes. It was just after dinner, my mother was clearing the table and I was trying to play her violin. I remember she told me to be careful, because she had to go to practice that night. My father slammed his beer onto the table and asked if practice was a code name for Michael's house. Michael was a trumpet player that my mother sometimes played with. She just laughed and told my dad to stop being silly. He asked if being silly meant the laughing stock of the entire town because his wife was a whore. I just remember a lot of screams after that; I couldn't make out a lot of the words. My father was not a bad man, just extremely jealous. And he had reason to be suspicious, even though I was only seven I think I knew my mother was cheating on my father, but I had met Michael once or twice. He seemed like a nice man, and he didn't drink. I just don't think my mother could put up with his drinking any more. Anyway, I remember my father grabbing the knife from the kitchen table, and then I heard it, it sounded like the moan of a wounded animal. The next thing I remember was my mother falling on top of me. I woke up and the police were there. I was covered in blood and I didn't know why. I later found out that he had stabbed my mother twenty-six times. Maybe if she had left and run away with Michael she would still be alive today, and I would still have a mother and a father. After the accident with Gianna, everyone was so quick to believe. They said I was just like him. But I will never be like him, and I don't want you to end up like my mother," Endymion finished, tears running silently down his face as he gripped his violin so tightly that his knuckles were turning white.
Usagi's mind flashed back to the man at the theater that had looked so vaguely familiar.
"Is your father still alive?" she whispered softly.
"My father was dead to me a long time ago. A man comes to my shows sometimes, but he is not my father," he replied dully.
Her mind recalled her father who now lived in America with her mother's Vietnamese nurse. She had not spoken to him since her mother died and he moved away and she moved in with Ryan.
"I'm sorry what happened to your mother, but Ryan would never do that to me. I think it would be better if you left," she explained gently.
"NO! I'm not leaving without you," he shouted.
"Don't you understand Endymion? What we had meant nothing to me. You were just a fuck Endymion, just a mindless fuck!" she cried.
"You don't mean that. Look at you, you can't even speak, you're shaking," he replied softly.
"Do NOT tell me what I do and do not mean. You..you were just a pawn I used to get back at my husband. And I had my revenge and I had fun. Now it's time to return to my normal organized life Endymion, without you," she said, no longer able to hold back the tears.
"I'm not leaving until I'm sure that you feel nothing for me," Endymion said, determination lacing his words.
He grabbed her arms and pressed his lips firmly upon hers, coaxing her mouth open with his velvety tongue. Usagi moaned softly into his lips and she began to drown in the passion she felt. After a few moments in which time felt as if it had stopped, he moved away, letting her gasp for air.
"Tell me, tell me you feel nothing," he demanded, his voice shaking.
Usagi looked at him through tear-filled eyes and labored breaths and the images of her father moving up and down filled her tender mind.
"I. felt. NOTHING," she screamed, her voice breaking.
"You're lying," Endymion said softly.
However, before she could answer the soft squeaking of the door opening and the patter of footsteps on the stairs made her stop.
She looked around wildly before shoving Endymion into the little hidden closet behind her bed that housed her drawings. She managed to slid the door shut and push Endymion's violin under the bed just as Ryan walked in.
"Sweetheart, what are you doing home so early?" she asked in what she hoped sounded like a normal tone.
Ryan did a little hop as he dodged the pieces of glass littered around the bedroom. He gave a confused look at the carpet and broken vanity before his gaze settled upon Usagi.
He took a swift glance over her disheveled appearance and swollen lips.
"Well I have a doctor's appointment later this afternoon. I'm getting a vasectomy," he replied skeptically.
Usagi tried to keep her voice even.
"A vasectomy?" she asked softly.
"Yes, at least we'll save money on condoms."
Endymion tried to regulate his breathing. Usagi had not managed to close the door all the way and he could just barely see Ryan through the crack as he moved around the bedroom, hands in his pockets.
Ryan gave Usagi a small smile, before yanking up the comforter on their large bed, searching underneath it. Although he did not find Endymion, he did find something very interesting.
"What would this be darling?" Ryan asked in false sweetness.
Endymion's heart jumped to his throat.
"Well, sweetheart, it looks to me like a violin," she replied with a smile.
"A violin? A VIOLIN. I know what the bloody hell it is, but what I do not know is what it is doing underneath my bed!"
"Uhm...I was...learning how to play it. You know to occupy my time because you're always gone. And good thing too. I'm going to have loads of free time now that I no longer have a job,"
"You were trying to learn how to play the violin? Oh that's rich. Honey, you can't even learn how to turn on the stove, how are you going to the play the violin?" he asked mockingly.
Usagi's face burned with shame.
"So, this violin means nothing to you?" he asked.
"Well...it was slightly expensive," she chose her words carefully.
"Hmm..well I'm glad my hard earned money goes to entertaining your fancies," he scoffed.
Usagi didn't bother to contradict that she had also worked before today.
"So it wouldn't matter to you, if I just got rid of it, you really don't need anymore distractions," Ryan asked smoothly holding the violin by the fireplace.
It was all Endymion could do to hold himself back from throwing himself upon Ryan and saving the only possession he had of his mother.
But he knew he couldn't. If he revealed himself it would be like signing Usagi's death certificate. It was all he could do to hope that Usagi would find some way to save it.
Usagi locked her eyes with Ryan, trying desperately not to shift her glance towards Endymion's location.
"It means nothing," she said coldly.
Ryan gave her a twisted smile before he threw into the flames. The fire rose up, engulfing the cherry wood and casting eerie shadows around the room.
Usagi's face remained stoic as Endymion quietly perished in the small closet along with his most beloved possession.
He watched as he saw his instrument and soul burn. Love was unselfish.
Endymion stretched is cramped legs. Usagi had let him out of the closet when the coast was clear. He moved away from her soundlessly. He had nothing to stay.
He walked down the street, the cool evening air brushing his midnight locks away from his eyes. The sky above darkened with an impending thunderstorm, matching his mood. What was love anyway? He was beginning to realize it was a waste of time. He looked up at the sky, as a raindrop landed onto his nose. He continued walking, face to the heavens, until he collided with a soft body.
"Oh, I'm sorry," he replied uncaringly as he bent down to help the person pick up their scattered books and papers.
"Oh no, it's fine, I wasn't watching where I was going either," the young girl answered, blushing prettily.
Suddenly a carnal desire rose up within. The pain and hurt mingled with the now increasing rain as he drunk in the sight of her short brown hair which curled under chin, and shirt that cut down low enough to reveal the curve of her breasts.
"I knocked into you, let me get you drink, we can both get out of the rain," he answered flashing a charming smile.
"Oh..goodness, okay," she replied smitten.
Usagi knelt down beside the ashes of Endymion's violin. She picked up the delicate dust, reveling in its feel upon her fingertips. Her life, her marriage, and the one relationship that had made her happy lay in the ashes.
Usagi glanced at her reflection in the broken shards, her face tear-stained and sooty. Endymion had sacrificed the one thing that meant the most to him for her. That was love. And she would be damned if she let that get away. Yes her father had cheated on her mother, but her mother had always told her that everyone gets at least one chance at love, and that she would die happy if her only daughter had found and taken that chance. Usagi stared at the picture of her lovely mother upon the bed stand.
"I made a lot of mistakes Mommy, but at least I won't have to live with this one," she whispered as she got to her feet, and headed towards another gift that Endymion had given her.
"Is next Thursday a good time Mr. Black," the secretary asked as she began typing rapidly at her desk.
"Thursday would be splendid," Ryan replied giving the cute brunette a little wink before collecting his medical information and walking out the door.
The violin was the last straw. He was almost positive that he had caught Usagi, and if he hadn't well then she was a faithful bitch and kudos to her. But this had to end now. He had flown too close to the sun, and he was going to get burnt. He was ending this charade now, before his wife fell in love with a certain violinist who had deep feelings for her.
"What an asshole, falling in love. Didn't he know that he couldn't win?" Ryan thought to himself.
In the game of life love is not the winning weapon, manipulation is.
Ryan whipped out his cell phone and dialed a familiar number.
"Hey, meet me at Café Centro at seven. Hopefully, that'll be the last time you'll ever see me."
"Oh my God Usagi, what happened to you?" Mina asked incredulously as she ushered her disheveled friend inside.
"Mina, who is it?" a deep male voice asked from the bedroom, "if it isn't important get your hot ass back in here sweetheart."
Mina had the courtesy to blush.
"It's Usagi," she called back.
"Oh, I see you're busy, I'll come back," Usagi said flustered.
"Don't be silly, Malachite can wait," she replied as she pushed Usagi down on the couch.
"Mina, I think I just made the biggest mistake of my life. I'm in love Mina, and this time I think I got it right. But I don't think he'll ever forgive me," she explained trying to hold back the tears.
"Well Usagi, Malachite always told me that all you needed in a relationship was love. If Endymion sees how much you truly care for him, everything else will seem trivial," she replied reassuringly.
"I thought all you needed was trust," she replied bitterly.
"If you love someone then you trust them," Mina said simply.
"How did you know it was Endymion?" she asked between sniffles.
"I'm your best friend. And besides I'm pretty sure you're not talking about Ryan," Mina answered with a snort.
Usagi laughed slightly.
"You know, I really feel for the first time since my mother died that I have control over my life," Usagi replied with a weak smile.
"Yeah..." Usagi sighed as she gazed outside the window as the sun was beginning to break through the stormy sky.
Endymion placed the phone back onto his cradle. Oh how payback was a bitch. Usagi was about to get her just desserts. Endymion headed towards the shower, throwing a look to the tousled brunette now sleeping in his bed. It was so incredibly easy. He had just said a few charming words, a few touches, and before he knew it she was pinned beneath him, screaming his name to the heavens. And he had gotten such a thrill; he didn't know how it could be better.
"Hmm..where are you going?" a groggy voice answered from in between the pillows.
"I'm getting a shower. Here's some money for a cab, leave whenever you please," Endymion said, nonchalantly tossing a few bills beside her on the bed. Her hazel eyes locked with his, and he saw all the pain that swirled within his soul reflected in her eyes.
It had just gotten better.
Ryan walked into the house to find Usagi in the bathroom, scrubbing her face.
"Good get ready; we're going out to celebrate. I got a date for my operation," he said to her before closing the bathroom door.
"Oh we'll be celebrating," Usagi thought bitterly as she splashed cool water onto her face, "our divorce."
Usagi sipped at her wine pensively, trying to find the best way to break the news to Ryan. Mina and she had decided it would be best to do it in a public place and with support. She played out many fulfilling fantasies in her mind, all including a completely crushed Ryan and an accepting and horny Endymion, who would welcome her back and fuck her until her body could take no more.
However, she was broken from her reverie as the man from her daydreams was suddenly standing in front of her.
"Endymion, sit down," Ryan motioned to a chair in front of him.
Usagi's head began to spin. Endymion and Ryan, friends?!
The moment Endymion laid eyes upon Usagi, all his venom vanished. Love was forgiving. And even though he tried to fight it, he still loved her.
Ryan savored the moment. If Usagi had in fact fallen for this man, she would despise him after she discovered that he was merely a pawn in his game. None of his declarations of love could repair the damage and lost trust. He would always win.
"I admit that I had an alternative motive for this meeting. Usagi you deserve to know the truth. This man was hired by me to test your faithfulness, because I know you so desperately want a baby, but we both you would never be competent enough to take care of a child, it would be unfair to the baby. Every word he ever spoke to you, every caress, every statement of love, was lie. Let's just hope that you passed the test Usagi, because if not, I will be forced to limit some of your freedoms...dreadful as it is," he said calmly.
Endymion's blood boiled. Ryan did have it worked out. Nothing he could say could change
Usagi mind. But he had to try.
Usagi sat quivering in her seat. Endymion was going to expose her, he had never loved her, and now...ooh..now. She cast a nervous glance towards her husband. She could never get away. She would never be allowed to be in a public place, and if she would try to divorce him privately, she secretly knew she would end up with Endymion's mother. A small smile crossed her lips. Endymion was going to get his revenge.
"Usagi..please listen..." Endymion pleaded with her.
"I do not have any desire to hear what you have to say," Usagi replied softly. Her heart and hopes had already fallen and broke when she heard Ryan's words, and discovered that Endymion's love was lie. Like everything else in this world. Love was lie.
"So that's it. After I had forgiven her for the unthinkable, she won't even listen to a word I have to say," Endymion thought bitterly as he gazed at the blonde hair beauty sitting tensely across from him.
He could destroy her now, but a familiar feeling rose within him. He would do her one last favor. For his mother.
"She was completely faithful. Sorry to tell you but she refused all of my advances. I even bought her a violin that she kept under her bed. I thought that I could try to seduce through lessons, but it was to no avail. You have yourself a good wife Ryan," Endymion said softly.
Usagi looked up, unable to believe her ears. He had once again performed a completely unselfish act.
"Goodbye Usako," he whispered to her as he slipped a piece of paper into her hand.
He turned and walked away down the empty Tokyo streets.
She wanted to call after him, but her voice wouldn't work. And she knew that this wasn't a fairytale, there was too much hurt, too much pain for their relationship to ever be what is once was. Too many lies, too much deception.
She felt the warm touch of her husband's hand against her thigh.
But oh, Ryan was in for a surprise. Endymion had left her one last chance at happiness and freedom. And she would be damned if she would let it pass her by. Ryan and the world were about to see a brand new Usagi.
I know you guys probably hate me, but the story is not over yet. Please review! I'm trying to reach 200!
RATED: R FOR SEXUALITY AND COARSE LANGUAGE
Trust Between the Covers
Not a Fairytale
Usagi sat at her vanity absent-mindedly, running a brush repeatedly over her silky blonde hair. The repetitive motion gave her a sense of peace. In the mirror she could see her husband preparing for work. She watched as he pulled up his black pants that hung so seductively on his flat stomach and slender hips. She didn't know what time he had come home last night. She couldn't count the hours, and her eyes had become too tired. But now thoughts were buzzing through her brain. Her hand gripped the brush tighter as she glanced at her purse that was thrown beside her bed. The damn condom sat innocently inside, taunting her with thoughts of her husband's infidelity.
"You need not get ready today," her husband's husky voice pierced through the silence of the room.
"And why might that be?" she replied trying to keep her voice even.
"You and I both know that the only reason you have that job is because I wanted to give you something to do. But I've found someone more qualified, so there's no point in wasting both of our time. Besides I think you need time to master being a good wife, two tasks have seemed to prove too much for you," he answered matter-of-factly.
Usagi's face burned and she clenched her teeth, trying to keep in the venomous words, but that proved to be a task too hard.
"Does more qualified mean a bigger chest?" she bit back angrily.
Ryan stopped buttoning his shirt in mid-way, and pivoted sharply towards her. Fear rose up in her like a tidal wave but she pushed it aside and bravely titled her head, locking her eyes with is. Blue fire met with green.
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" he demanded softly.
"Well the person who replaced me, correct me if I'm wrong, but is she not female?" she asked.
"I don't see what that has to do with anything, but yes, she is a female."
"You just don't get it, do you Ryan." Usagi replied disgusted.
"No, I think I get it just fine. And it disgusts me that you would think that of me. After what your father put you through...."
Usagi's bottom quivered, as she looked quickly away trying to hide the memories.
A satisfied smirk crossed Ryan's lips; he had her just where we wanted.
He knelt down beside her, his breath warm against her sensitive neck.
"I know how hard it must have been for you, to have your mother dying of cancer in your own household. And then...all you wanted was to ask your father what was wrong with mommy, she was making funny noises, and then you saw him, on top of your mother's nurse...how dreadful," he whispered into her ear.
Usagi could no longer keep in the tears. She let out a small gasp as she choked on the pain.
"I know how much fidelity means to you Usagi, and it hurts me to think that your esteem of me is so low," he said as he began to place soft kisses down her neck and his large hands slowly began massaging one of her breasts as her body raked with sobs.
"Please...please...Ryan...stop..stop," she strangled out the words in between sobs.
He grabbed her breast, squeezing it hard, and gave her a rough kiss before rising to his feet to continue getting ready for work.
"Trust, Usagi, that's all one needs in a relationship. That's why I married you. I know that you would never be so hypocritical to perform adultery. You always told me that the last person you wanted to ever become is your father," Ryan said as he closed the door softly behind him, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Usagi lifted her tear-stained face from in between her crossed arms and looked at herself hard in the mirror.
He had done it again. He turned everything against her. She reached for her brush angrily, throwing it full force into the mirror, breaking it into thousands of little shards.
She had become what she had always hated.
Endymion gripped the wheel of his SUV tightly. This was it. He was going to tell Usagi the words that had been on the tip of his tongue since a few nights ago.
"Everything's going to be okay," he kept on reassuring himself as he slowed to a stop in front of Usagi's large home.
He held his violin case in one hand, the handle slippery under his sweaty palm. Nervously his pushed his quivering finger to the doorbell.
"Oh God," Usagi murmured as she wiped furiously at her eyes and pulled her hair back into a messy bun.
"Hel..." Usagi's voice fell flat as she was met with a gorgeous dark-haired violinist at her front door.
"Endymion...this isn't" but he cut her off as he swiftly moved inside, and placed a finger on her lips.
"I need to talk to you," he said urgently.
"You're right..we do need to talk," Usagi conceded as she led him up the stairs to the bedroom.
"Let me go first, before I loose the courage," he smiled.
"Usagi. I love you. I am head-over-heels, madly in love with you. And I want you to run away with me. Don't worry about money, I'm going to make it big, I know it Usagi. And even if I don't, we don't need all this," Endymion said motioning to the splendor around him.
"What about Ryan?" she asked flabbergasted.
"I will always protect you. We'll move to Italy, or England. And oh France is absolutely beautiful," he said grasping her hands.
She smiled at the excitement in his eyes.
However, he husband's words still echoed plainly in her mind.
"Oh my poor deluded Endymion," she gained immense pleasure at the malicious tone of her words.
All the pain and venom from Ryan that etched her soul, now poured out of her mouth into the fragile spirit of Endymion.
"This isn't some fairy tale or cheesy romantic comedy. This is real life. And do you honestly think that I would give up all this wealth around me, and run off with some violinist that I only really know from bed? How do I know that you won't leave me the second we get in a little argument? Besides, you haven't proved that faithful either," she continued.
"But..but...I love you," Endymion said incredously, trying his best to fight back the tears.
"Do you think that those three little words fix everything? Wake up and smell the thorns Endymion, life isn't all roses" she replied bitterly.
He glared at her for a moment.
"Since when have you become so jaded?" he asked sharply.
"Since I saw my father fucking my mother's nurse as she lay dying in their bed," she replied softly.
"I'm sorry about your childhood Usagi, I really am. But I'm taking risks too. Do you honestly think that you are the only who had an asshole for a father? My mother was a beautiful woman; some said that she was the most beautiful woman in all of Italy. But my father was a jealous man, and worse a very bad alcoholic. I'll never forget that night. It was a gentle summer evening, the kind that bought the sound of the crickets from the bull rushes. It was just after dinner, my mother was clearing the table and I was trying to play her violin. I remember she told me to be careful, because she had to go to practice that night. My father slammed his beer onto the table and asked if practice was a code name for Michael's house. Michael was a trumpet player that my mother sometimes played with. She just laughed and told my dad to stop being silly. He asked if being silly meant the laughing stock of the entire town because his wife was a whore. I just remember a lot of screams after that; I couldn't make out a lot of the words. My father was not a bad man, just extremely jealous. And he had reason to be suspicious, even though I was only seven I think I knew my mother was cheating on my father, but I had met Michael once or twice. He seemed like a nice man, and he didn't drink. I just don't think my mother could put up with his drinking any more. Anyway, I remember my father grabbing the knife from the kitchen table, and then I heard it, it sounded like the moan of a wounded animal. The next thing I remember was my mother falling on top of me. I woke up and the police were there. I was covered in blood and I didn't know why. I later found out that he had stabbed my mother twenty-six times. Maybe if she had left and run away with Michael she would still be alive today, and I would still have a mother and a father. After the accident with Gianna, everyone was so quick to believe. They said I was just like him. But I will never be like him, and I don't want you to end up like my mother," Endymion finished, tears running silently down his face as he gripped his violin so tightly that his knuckles were turning white.
Usagi's mind flashed back to the man at the theater that had looked so vaguely familiar.
"Is your father still alive?" she whispered softly.
"My father was dead to me a long time ago. A man comes to my shows sometimes, but he is not my father," he replied dully.
Her mind recalled her father who now lived in America with her mother's Vietnamese nurse. She had not spoken to him since her mother died and he moved away and she moved in with Ryan.
"I'm sorry what happened to your mother, but Ryan would never do that to me. I think it would be better if you left," she explained gently.
"NO! I'm not leaving without you," he shouted.
"Don't you understand Endymion? What we had meant nothing to me. You were just a fuck Endymion, just a mindless fuck!" she cried.
"You don't mean that. Look at you, you can't even speak, you're shaking," he replied softly.
"Do NOT tell me what I do and do not mean. You..you were just a pawn I used to get back at my husband. And I had my revenge and I had fun. Now it's time to return to my normal organized life Endymion, without you," she said, no longer able to hold back the tears.
"I'm not leaving until I'm sure that you feel nothing for me," Endymion said, determination lacing his words.
He grabbed her arms and pressed his lips firmly upon hers, coaxing her mouth open with his velvety tongue. Usagi moaned softly into his lips and she began to drown in the passion she felt. After a few moments in which time felt as if it had stopped, he moved away, letting her gasp for air.
"Tell me, tell me you feel nothing," he demanded, his voice shaking.
Usagi looked at him through tear-filled eyes and labored breaths and the images of her father moving up and down filled her tender mind.
"I. felt. NOTHING," she screamed, her voice breaking.
"You're lying," Endymion said softly.
However, before she could answer the soft squeaking of the door opening and the patter of footsteps on the stairs made her stop.
She looked around wildly before shoving Endymion into the little hidden closet behind her bed that housed her drawings. She managed to slid the door shut and push Endymion's violin under the bed just as Ryan walked in.
"Sweetheart, what are you doing home so early?" she asked in what she hoped sounded like a normal tone.
Ryan did a little hop as he dodged the pieces of glass littered around the bedroom. He gave a confused look at the carpet and broken vanity before his gaze settled upon Usagi.
He took a swift glance over her disheveled appearance and swollen lips.
"Well I have a doctor's appointment later this afternoon. I'm getting a vasectomy," he replied skeptically.
Usagi tried to keep her voice even.
"A vasectomy?" she asked softly.
"Yes, at least we'll save money on condoms."
Endymion tried to regulate his breathing. Usagi had not managed to close the door all the way and he could just barely see Ryan through the crack as he moved around the bedroom, hands in his pockets.
Ryan gave Usagi a small smile, before yanking up the comforter on their large bed, searching underneath it. Although he did not find Endymion, he did find something very interesting.
"What would this be darling?" Ryan asked in false sweetness.
Endymion's heart jumped to his throat.
"Well, sweetheart, it looks to me like a violin," she replied with a smile.
"A violin? A VIOLIN. I know what the bloody hell it is, but what I do not know is what it is doing underneath my bed!"
"Uhm...I was...learning how to play it. You know to occupy my time because you're always gone. And good thing too. I'm going to have loads of free time now that I no longer have a job,"
"You were trying to learn how to play the violin? Oh that's rich. Honey, you can't even learn how to turn on the stove, how are you going to the play the violin?" he asked mockingly.
Usagi's face burned with shame.
"So, this violin means nothing to you?" he asked.
"Well...it was slightly expensive," she chose her words carefully.
"Hmm..well I'm glad my hard earned money goes to entertaining your fancies," he scoffed.
Usagi didn't bother to contradict that she had also worked before today.
"So it wouldn't matter to you, if I just got rid of it, you really don't need anymore distractions," Ryan asked smoothly holding the violin by the fireplace.
It was all Endymion could do to hold himself back from throwing himself upon Ryan and saving the only possession he had of his mother.
But he knew he couldn't. If he revealed himself it would be like signing Usagi's death certificate. It was all he could do to hope that Usagi would find some way to save it.
Usagi locked her eyes with Ryan, trying desperately not to shift her glance towards Endymion's location.
"It means nothing," she said coldly.
Ryan gave her a twisted smile before he threw into the flames. The fire rose up, engulfing the cherry wood and casting eerie shadows around the room.
Usagi's face remained stoic as Endymion quietly perished in the small closet along with his most beloved possession.
He watched as he saw his instrument and soul burn. Love was unselfish.
Endymion stretched is cramped legs. Usagi had let him out of the closet when the coast was clear. He moved away from her soundlessly. He had nothing to stay.
He walked down the street, the cool evening air brushing his midnight locks away from his eyes. The sky above darkened with an impending thunderstorm, matching his mood. What was love anyway? He was beginning to realize it was a waste of time. He looked up at the sky, as a raindrop landed onto his nose. He continued walking, face to the heavens, until he collided with a soft body.
"Oh, I'm sorry," he replied uncaringly as he bent down to help the person pick up their scattered books and papers.
"Oh no, it's fine, I wasn't watching where I was going either," the young girl answered, blushing prettily.
Suddenly a carnal desire rose up within. The pain and hurt mingled with the now increasing rain as he drunk in the sight of her short brown hair which curled under chin, and shirt that cut down low enough to reveal the curve of her breasts.
"I knocked into you, let me get you drink, we can both get out of the rain," he answered flashing a charming smile.
"Oh..goodness, okay," she replied smitten.
Usagi knelt down beside the ashes of Endymion's violin. She picked up the delicate dust, reveling in its feel upon her fingertips. Her life, her marriage, and the one relationship that had made her happy lay in the ashes.
Usagi glanced at her reflection in the broken shards, her face tear-stained and sooty. Endymion had sacrificed the one thing that meant the most to him for her. That was love. And she would be damned if she let that get away. Yes her father had cheated on her mother, but her mother had always told her that everyone gets at least one chance at love, and that she would die happy if her only daughter had found and taken that chance. Usagi stared at the picture of her lovely mother upon the bed stand.
"I made a lot of mistakes Mommy, but at least I won't have to live with this one," she whispered as she got to her feet, and headed towards another gift that Endymion had given her.
"Is next Thursday a good time Mr. Black," the secretary asked as she began typing rapidly at her desk.
"Thursday would be splendid," Ryan replied giving the cute brunette a little wink before collecting his medical information and walking out the door.
The violin was the last straw. He was almost positive that he had caught Usagi, and if he hadn't well then she was a faithful bitch and kudos to her. But this had to end now. He had flown too close to the sun, and he was going to get burnt. He was ending this charade now, before his wife fell in love with a certain violinist who had deep feelings for her.
"What an asshole, falling in love. Didn't he know that he couldn't win?" Ryan thought to himself.
In the game of life love is not the winning weapon, manipulation is.
Ryan whipped out his cell phone and dialed a familiar number.
"Hey, meet me at Café Centro at seven. Hopefully, that'll be the last time you'll ever see me."
"Oh my God Usagi, what happened to you?" Mina asked incredulously as she ushered her disheveled friend inside.
"Mina, who is it?" a deep male voice asked from the bedroom, "if it isn't important get your hot ass back in here sweetheart."
Mina had the courtesy to blush.
"It's Usagi," she called back.
"Oh, I see you're busy, I'll come back," Usagi said flustered.
"Don't be silly, Malachite can wait," she replied as she pushed Usagi down on the couch.
"Mina, I think I just made the biggest mistake of my life. I'm in love Mina, and this time I think I got it right. But I don't think he'll ever forgive me," she explained trying to hold back the tears.
"Well Usagi, Malachite always told me that all you needed in a relationship was love. If Endymion sees how much you truly care for him, everything else will seem trivial," she replied reassuringly.
"I thought all you needed was trust," she replied bitterly.
"If you love someone then you trust them," Mina said simply.
"How did you know it was Endymion?" she asked between sniffles.
"I'm your best friend. And besides I'm pretty sure you're not talking about Ryan," Mina answered with a snort.
Usagi laughed slightly.
"You know, I really feel for the first time since my mother died that I have control over my life," Usagi replied with a weak smile.
"Yeah..." Usagi sighed as she gazed outside the window as the sun was beginning to break through the stormy sky.
Endymion placed the phone back onto his cradle. Oh how payback was a bitch. Usagi was about to get her just desserts. Endymion headed towards the shower, throwing a look to the tousled brunette now sleeping in his bed. It was so incredibly easy. He had just said a few charming words, a few touches, and before he knew it she was pinned beneath him, screaming his name to the heavens. And he had gotten such a thrill; he didn't know how it could be better.
"Hmm..where are you going?" a groggy voice answered from in between the pillows.
"I'm getting a shower. Here's some money for a cab, leave whenever you please," Endymion said, nonchalantly tossing a few bills beside her on the bed. Her hazel eyes locked with his, and he saw all the pain that swirled within his soul reflected in her eyes.
It had just gotten better.
Ryan walked into the house to find Usagi in the bathroom, scrubbing her face.
"Good get ready; we're going out to celebrate. I got a date for my operation," he said to her before closing the bathroom door.
"Oh we'll be celebrating," Usagi thought bitterly as she splashed cool water onto her face, "our divorce."
Usagi sipped at her wine pensively, trying to find the best way to break the news to Ryan. Mina and she had decided it would be best to do it in a public place and with support. She played out many fulfilling fantasies in her mind, all including a completely crushed Ryan and an accepting and horny Endymion, who would welcome her back and fuck her until her body could take no more.
However, she was broken from her reverie as the man from her daydreams was suddenly standing in front of her.
"Endymion, sit down," Ryan motioned to a chair in front of him.
Usagi's head began to spin. Endymion and Ryan, friends?!
The moment Endymion laid eyes upon Usagi, all his venom vanished. Love was forgiving. And even though he tried to fight it, he still loved her.
Ryan savored the moment. If Usagi had in fact fallen for this man, she would despise him after she discovered that he was merely a pawn in his game. None of his declarations of love could repair the damage and lost trust. He would always win.
"I admit that I had an alternative motive for this meeting. Usagi you deserve to know the truth. This man was hired by me to test your faithfulness, because I know you so desperately want a baby, but we both you would never be competent enough to take care of a child, it would be unfair to the baby. Every word he ever spoke to you, every caress, every statement of love, was lie. Let's just hope that you passed the test Usagi, because if not, I will be forced to limit some of your freedoms...dreadful as it is," he said calmly.
Endymion's blood boiled. Ryan did have it worked out. Nothing he could say could change
Usagi mind. But he had to try.
Usagi sat quivering in her seat. Endymion was going to expose her, he had never loved her, and now...ooh..now. She cast a nervous glance towards her husband. She could never get away. She would never be allowed to be in a public place, and if she would try to divorce him privately, she secretly knew she would end up with Endymion's mother. A small smile crossed her lips. Endymion was going to get his revenge.
"Usagi..please listen..." Endymion pleaded with her.
"I do not have any desire to hear what you have to say," Usagi replied softly. Her heart and hopes had already fallen and broke when she heard Ryan's words, and discovered that Endymion's love was lie. Like everything else in this world. Love was lie.
"So that's it. After I had forgiven her for the unthinkable, she won't even listen to a word I have to say," Endymion thought bitterly as he gazed at the blonde hair beauty sitting tensely across from him.
He could destroy her now, but a familiar feeling rose within him. He would do her one last favor. For his mother.
"She was completely faithful. Sorry to tell you but she refused all of my advances. I even bought her a violin that she kept under her bed. I thought that I could try to seduce through lessons, but it was to no avail. You have yourself a good wife Ryan," Endymion said softly.
Usagi looked up, unable to believe her ears. He had once again performed a completely unselfish act.
"Goodbye Usako," he whispered to her as he slipped a piece of paper into her hand.
He turned and walked away down the empty Tokyo streets.
She wanted to call after him, but her voice wouldn't work. And she knew that this wasn't a fairytale, there was too much hurt, too much pain for their relationship to ever be what is once was. Too many lies, too much deception.
She felt the warm touch of her husband's hand against her thigh.
But oh, Ryan was in for a surprise. Endymion had left her one last chance at happiness and freedom. And she would be damned if she would let it pass her by. Ryan and the world were about to see a brand new Usagi.
I know you guys probably hate me, but the story is not over yet. Please review! I'm trying to reach 200!