Escaping Oblivion
Attention!!!!
As you all know, I'm running a C2 with Usagi and Mamoru Romantic Suspense fics, and I'd love to take on as many staff members as possible.
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Ok, what other business do I have to cover… Oh yeah! If anyone who happens to be on staff of the First Love C2 archive happens to be reading this… I have a great story for you guys to add! I know that sounds dumb, since I'm on staff, too, but I added it to mine, and didn't know you couldn't add the same story to different archives. It's called "A Lost Princess" by WingsofaDream. Great story, and fits the charter!!! Check it out!
Reminder Ail and Ann are not brother and sister. Their human forms, Seijuurou and Natsumi are pretending to be brother and sister, but in reality, they aren't. Keep that in mind.
Ok, FINALLY. Review Replies!!
ells: How observant of you! . I didn't think anyone would catch that little twist, but YES! Someone did! You'll just have to see how it develops… Thanks for reviewing! Yay for regulars!
WingsofaDream: I just finished reading your newest chapter! Man, I love it so much!!!! Did you see the little plug up there! Yay! I hope you find your way home, and quick! Because this update shouldn't take as long as the last one did. YAY! Thanks for reviewing!!!!! I love my faithfuls. I was very proud of my "Fine, I'm going to take a limp!" line! glad you liked it!
omystars: Another faithful! The next one will most likely come sooner. That last one took about a week. Whoa! It's funny how I say that was a long delay, because all my other stories had like weeks and…. months in between updates. But not this story! I've never had so many readers, so I've never written this fast! YES! And I'm loving it! Thanks for your delightfully constant reviewing!
Starlight Warrior: Oh, I did need that luck! It worked! lol! Thanks for reviewing!! Yay, faithfuls!
Carla: Everyone wants Mamoru to remember soon! It will be soon, I promise! Thanks for reviewing!
Moonmoore: Thanks for your touching reviews! I'm floored that you were moved that much by my humble little story, and it thrills me to know that you like it so much! Thanks for reviewing!
Kawaii Usa: You think it was an evil cliffy? Good! I thought it was kind of wimpy myself, lol. Thanks for reviewing!
karone-sakura: Gah, yes, more action, more action!!!! I want more too! Action is way fun to write. More is coming, like very soon. In this chapter, we'll deal with the mushy stuff first then get straight to the action!
Archangel Rhapsody: I think you're a new face, unless my lack of short-term memory is flaring up again. Good to have you! And I'm glad you like the story so far!
PisxiePam: Updating, updating! As fast as I can! Hope this one didn't take too long! enjoy!
JadesRose: OMG, don't get fired! But I'm ticked that you couldn't wait! That makes my day… though, if you get fired, I'll feel guilty and unable to sleep at night! lol! And about the guys… they're coming soon. It's fascinating to try and find a spot to put them in. But I'm loving it. But thanks to you, I've got lots of ideas… lol! AND THANKS FOR THE EXTRA NAGGING REVIEW! IT WAS HILARIOUS AND I SERIOUSLY BEGAN A TYPING FRENZY!!!!!
Neonlights: Yay, my most faithful reviewer!! I'm sooo glad you're loving it still! And Darien will remember sooooooon! It's coming! Stay with me!
cardcaptor eternity: Hey, your review showed up twice, but hey, that's no prob with me! Haha! Here's the next chapter, enjoy! And thanks for reviewing! And thanks for reviewing! (.)
Nazi Hater: I was waiting for your review! And I'm glad you caught that little mistake. What would I do without you? Watakushi-wa Tsukikage no Knight desu does indeed mean I am the Moonlight Knight, or I am called or my name is the Moonlight Knight. Good guess!!! Thought I put that in the thingie… I'll have to check… Thanks for reviewing and enjoy!
GAH! Sorry for all of that stuff up there that isn't review replies! But business is business! LOL! I'll cut down all that substantially by next chapter! And to make up for it, this one is extra long! You guys seem to like long chapters, so here's one!
Chapter 15: The Dinner and the Date
Rei was sweeping the steps in front of the temple with sharp, jerky motions, and her hair was frazzled. She moved agitatedly brushed the dirt from the step, as if the dirt had done her some unforgivable wrong. She looked up when she sensed she was not alone.
"Luna? Artemis?" She paused to lean the broom on the wall of the temple. "What are you two doing here?"
The two cats hopped up the steps easily. Luna scuffed her paws against the floor, looking off to the side. She sat, sullenly, looking very miffed, but Artemis didn't both hiding his goofy cat grin.
"Usagi kicked us out," Luna stated, annoyed. Artemis just shook his head and gave a feline laugh.
"Doushite?" Rei wondered, opening the door to let them into the temple. She followed them in, closing the door behind her.
"Because Mamoru is coming to dinner tonight," Artemis supplied slyly, "and for some reason or another, Usagi-chan doesn't want her advisors around."
Luna's eyes widened, and she smacked him upside the head indignantly. "ECCHI!" she screeched, arching her back. "Her parents will be there, baka!"
Rei giggled, and led them to the door to her room. She grinned, gripping the knob. "Well, it's good that you're here." She opened the door to reveal the other three Senshi lounging around a table. "Usagi said she couldn't come, but refused to say why. Now we know, and now you're here! Two very good things. Because we decided to have the Senshi meeting anyway."
"D…oushite?" Luna asked hesitantly, unsure if she wanted to know.
Rei grinned deviously, shutting the door ominously behind the cats. "We want our guys back, and you're going to help us."
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Mamoru held his breath and watched as the door opened agonizingly slowly. Bit by bit, it revealed a blushing blond beauty.
The breath he'd been holding caught in his throat.
Mamoru bowed slightly, a soft smile playing in his eyes. Usagi had done the best she could with a cast and crutches, he could tell. She had dressed up, wearing a mature knee-length khaki skirt, a lavender peasant top, complete with intricate brown sandals. Her face shimmered in painstakingly applied make-up, just enough to enhance her natural beauty, and a touch of rouge, highlighted by the brightening blush in her cheeks.
She'd dressed up, paid careful attention to her appearance…but she was staying in. That told Mamoru that she cared about looking attractive to him, that the show was just for him, an idea that Mamoru found endearing and undeniably erotic.
"Kobanwa, Usagi…" Mamoru breathed huskily, ticking her hand with his warm breath before he kissed it.
"K…kobanwa," she whispered back, both pained and aroused by his close proximity. She could feel her good knee weakening from the feel of his lips on her hand, and leaned heavily on her crutches.
They stood that way, hand-in-hand, for a moment, until Usagi came to her senses and invited him in.
Ikuko rescued them from the impending awkwardness by sweeping down the hall to greet the guest.
"Mamoru! I'm so glad you could make it!" Then, she proceeded to eagerly grill him about his food preferences. Mamoru was touched by the woman's strong desire to please him and answered her questions eagerly, eager to experience more of this family's warmth. When Mrs. Tsukino was satisfied that he would enjoy what she'd planned, she asked Usagi to set the table then help her in the kitchen. Mamoru smiled, watching the girl carefully. She obviously didn't want to, but she didn't say a word of complaint, even with the cast and the crutches and the great effort it took just to stand, she didn't complain, but hobbled to the kitchen.
"Mrs. Tsukino, matte," Mamoru said, bashfully. He revealed the plant, and presented it to her. "Just in gratitude for inviting me over."
Mrs. Tsukino fawned over it for a moment, then looked up, her eyes shimmering. "Mamoru, I should be giving you a thank you gift!" she said, choking up. "If it wasn't for you, Usagi could be…" She couldn't go on. She set the plant very carefully on the table next to the telephone, and fervently embraced Mamoru. He was stiff and surprised at first, but then, he relaxed and hugged her back.
"Really, all I did was make a call on my cell phone," he said, laughing as they pulled apart.
Ikuko had regained composure. She smiled grandly, picking up the pot again. "But to us, it was so much more!" she said, turning away. "Mamoru, make yourself at home. Feel free to join Kenji and Shingo in the living room. They're watching a baseball game!"
Mamoru laughed when he heard a loud, gagging noise from the kitchen. Ikuko rolled her eyes, and left to follow the sound.
Mamoru approached the living room, and stood at the doorframe for a moment, nervously watching the two—mainly the elder—in order to devise the favored baseball team. Once he'd figured it out, Mamoru cleared his throat, knocked on the doorframe, and plastered on a smile now that his presence was announced.
Kenji looked up, startled, then grinned when he saw who it was. "Hey, Mamoru! Sit down, my teams winning!"
Mamoru grinned, and complied. Shingo didn't even acknowledge his presence. He too became immersed in the game, but when it turned into a shut out, Kenji pulled him back to reality to talk.
Mamoru mentally prepared himself. Success here was crucial.
Instead of the typical "explain your intentions" question, Kenji thought for a moment, and popped a different one. "What made you decide to go pre-med, Mamoru?"
Mamoru was surprised, but answered readily. He explained how his parents had died in a car accident and he'd been left without any memory of seven years of childhood. He confided to Kenji Tsukino that he planned to do research about reversing memory loss due to head injuries so no one else would have to go through what he did. During this conversation, Shingo got bored and snuck upstairs to the haven of his video games.
Kenji was struck silent for a moment. He mentally tabulated everything he knew about the boy in his mind. He rescued my daughter. He came to check on her instead of forgetting about her entirely. He's in a good college, presumably with a fairly good part-time job since he apparently had no family to support him, he was studying to become a doctor. He'd been orphaned at a young age, but he'd still made something from himself. He was a go-getter. He suffered a terrible accident, but despite everything, he was going on with his life. AND he's shown himself to be only polite and good-natured.
Kenji grinned, and decided he liked the boy. So, he cut straight to the chase.
"Mamoru, I want to repay you in some way for what you've done for my daughter. She hasn't been happier in months, and I'm sure that we owe that to you."
Mamoru opened his mouth to protest, but Kenji kept talking.
"And in fact, I was once a teenage boy, and judging by the way you treat my daughter, I'm pretty sure what it is you want." He suddenly realized what he'd just said, and turned bright red. "AND LEMME TELL YOU, YOU AIN'T GETTING NONE OF THAT OR I'D BE FORCED TO FLY YOU FROM A FLAG POLE."
Mamoru cowered before the raging paternal figure, whose sanity was questionable judging by the look in his eyes. But then, the outburst was over, and Kenji continued speaking as if nothing unusual had happened.
"However, before I even know your intentions (though I can guess by the way you greeted her this evening), I just want to say that if you have any honorable interest you would like to pursue with my daughter, I will not stop you. You're just the kind of boy any father would hope for his little girl. And considering your… ano… past, I just want you to know that you are always welcome here."
Mamoru stared for a moment, then turned in his seat. Just as he suspected, the front porch and the front door were clearly visible through the window. He felt himself sheepishly turning red, and returned his attention to the man in front of him.
"You honor me, Mr. Tsukino," he said simply, gratitude pooling in his eyes. He quickly blinked it away.
Kenji grinned. "Well, let's see about some food, boy!"
Mamoru grinned and rose, following Kenji to the kitchen, where the smell had become to delectable to ignore. Mamoru's eyes were immediately drawn to Usagi and the underlying scent of lavender he thought was coming from her. She hobbled on her crutch with a speed only gained by experience, doing whatever her mother told her to do. Kenji inquired after their progress, and was playfully told to "Wait just ten more minutes! Sheesh!" by his wife.
Mamoru wandered upstairs to find Shingo, eager to fit in with everyone in the family. "Hey, the Sailor V game," he observed from the door.
Shingo looked up as the game over sign flashed. He looked dejected. "Yeah, and I'm no good at it. Here's something Usagi-baka is actually good at, and I can't beat her at it!"
Mamoru grinned and sat down. "Would you like some hints?"
A few moments later, Shingo and Mamoru descended the stairs, the ten-year-old eagerly talking about video games and grilling Mamoru for more tips.
Usagi glanced at them over and had to smile. Mamoru already fit into her family, just as it was meant to be. Her smile fell. "Oh, Endymion, what shall I do with you?" she whispered, brokenly, missing him but fighting her tears bravely.
She quickly turned back to the table she was supposed to be setting so he wouldn't see her filling eyes.
When they sat down to dinner, conversation was lively, thanks to Mrs. Tsukino, who was sure to involve everyone. Mamoru smiled, positive that Usagi had inherited that talent. Mamoru and Usagi took up a fervent game of eye tag. Usagi gazed at Mamoru until he caught her, where she would get flustered and look away, whence Mamoru would admire her until she met his eyes, where he would smile softly and slowly shift his eyes.
Ikuko noticed this gleefully, and was about to suggest some inconspicuous, genius thing that would leave Usagi and Mamoru alone, but the phone rang.
Usagi volunteered to get it.
She hobbled over to the phone, and picked it up. "Moshi moshi."
Mamoru listened carefully.
"Seijuurou-san?" He watched as her face crinkled slightly into a frown. She paused to listen for a moment. "That sounds like fun, but I'm sure I will have to check with my parents first…" Another pause. "Saturday? I'll ask them. Thank you for asking me." Another pause, this one longer. Mamoru studied Usagi's frown, feeling his own face burning with hot anger. Usagi continued to frown as 'Seijuurou-san' talked. Several times, she tried to open her mouth to speak but was interrupted. Finally, Mamoru saw her uncoil the phone cord from her finger impatiently, and gently cut the person off. "Gomen, Seijuurou-san, I can't talk anymore. I have special company over tonight, and I've been away from him too long. Ja!"
Mamoru felt his anger and jealousy evaporate, and a wide grin replace the tense frown. What guy dared to ask Usagi out while Mamoru was over at her house for dinner? Seijuurou… Mamoru thought. I'll remember that name. But he grinned, remembering how Usagi had cut him off as politely as possible then innocently informed him that she had another guy at her house. It made Mamoru want to laugh; she'd played it innocently enough, but he knew better. He was proud of her for the way she handled it.
Special company…Mamoru pondered. It sounded nice to be considered special company, but it wasn't quite what he wanted. But it was too early for that. I've been away from him for too long.
For some reason, hearing Usagi say that over and over in his head put an ache in his chest. And the tone lingering behind those words brought back the gruesome image of a sword driven between her breasts, and the blood staining an elegant white gown…
He desperately buried the image, and refocused on Usagi.
Dinner was over much too quickly for Mamoru. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do after that, but luckily for him, Usagi took the reins. She invited him to the backyard, and Mamoru first glanced at Kenji for permission.
Kenji beamed with respect when Mamoru sought permission from him before being alone with his daughter, and grinned widely, nodding. Mamoru smiled gratefully, and allowed Usagi to lead him outside to their backyard. It was already dark, but the moon shone brightly overhead, lighting the whole yard and the old playground equipment in it. Hobbling, Usagi led him around her mother's garden to a swing capable of seating two. Mamoru sped up to reach it first, and held it steady so she could get in. He helped her get the cast situated comfortably and leaned her crutch against the nearest tree. Then, he slid himself beside her and gave them a little push.
They were silent for a while, but Mamoru found he wasn't uncomfortable with the silence at all. And neither was Usagi, apparently. She leaned back and relaxed, and didn't put as much space as possible between them as some other girls her age might. She just gazed at the moon, and after a while, let out a long, soft sigh, as if the world was pressing down on her.
Mamoru watched her, concerned. "Penny."
Usagi looked at him curiously. "What?"
Mamoru smiled. "That's what they say in America. Penny for your thoughts."
Usagi smiled. "I was just thinking about the past."
Mamoru saw the pain in her eyes, and longed to dispel it. "Why do you watch the moon, Usagi?"
Usagi smiled serenely, her thoughts miles away. "Because when I see the moon, it gives me hope. I feel at peace when I look at it. Does that sound strange?"
Mamoru locked eyes with her, touching her hand. "Ie. Not at all."
She was silent again. Mamoru could see she was hurting, and somehow knew it had something to do with him, but it was something he couldn't touch, a memory locked away in his mind, far from his reach. Usagi held the key; he was sure of it.
And she was so blasted beautiful… so kind and trusting and mysterious and innocent. So much older inside than out.
"Usagi… I want to see you again."
She looked up. She was smiling, but he couldn't read anything in her eyes.
"I know," she answered, holding his gaze.
It was an arrogant answer. It was an affirmative, an agreement.
Mamoru reached into his jacket, and found the rose. He was surprised to see that it was still flawless, and not wilted or browned at all. Slowly, he pulled it from his jacket, and presented it to her.
"Here," he whispered, huskily, tucking it into her small hands. She slowly closed her eyes, and brought the red petals to her nose, inhaling their scent. When she opened her crystalline eyes again, they were filled with tears.
"What's wrong?" Mamoru cried, tortured, longing to pull her into his arms and apologize until his throat was raw.
She looked up, and quickly scrubbed away the tears. She smiled brightly at him, surprising him. A solitary tear lingered on her cheek, glimmering in the moonlight. Mamoru tentatively brushed it away, but she didn't recoil from his touch. In fact, she leaned into his hand just slightly, her eyes closing partly.
"Nothing at all, Mamoru-kun. It's a beautiful gift, very beautiful."
He stared.
Mamoru was enamored by Tsukino Usagi. She wasn't quite sixteen, but she acted more like a woman than anyone her age that he knew. Even though he'd seen her eyes playful and mischevious, she wasn't immature. She was more mature than many grown women he knew, actually. Mamoru could sense that something… massive… had happened to her to age her so far beyond her years.
She was a freshman in high school for a few more months, but Tsukino Usagi was drawn to the sight of the moon, cried when she was given a rose, wasn't bitter or hateful after been brutally beaten for some measly cash, didn't complain about helping with dinner or having a cast, and seemed to carry the world on her shoulders.
Mamoru passed his fingers down her cheek, then let them run through her blond hair, studying her flawless face. Instead of feeling fiery desire, Mamoru felt a calm, warm, tender affection, gently aroused by something far beyond Usagi's beauty. He smiled, leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
"Usako, I should be getting back home soon. But call me when you leave for the hospital to get your cast off, and I'll take you out to lunch. But tonight, I must hurry home and get to sleep so I can dream about you."
With this soft declaration, he leaned forward and gently kissed her cheek, relishing the feel of her warm skin on his lips. He heard her sigh, contentedly, and smiled as he pulled away.
"Okay…" she breathed. He grinned. She didn't tell him she'd have to check with her parents as she'd told Seijuurou.
In comfortable silence, he slid his hands underneath her and lifted her from the swing, snagging her crutch on the way. His heart soared when she rested her head against his chest. When he got to the sidewalk, he set her down, getting the crutch settled under her arm. He didn't stop supporting her until he was sure she was steady. She was slow to move from his arms, and when she did, she held the rose over her heart.
"I had a wonderful time, Usagi," Mamoru said sincerely, aware that now they were in her parents' line of vision. "You have a wonderful family."
"So do you," Usagi answered sagaciously. It took Mamoru a moment to figure out what she meant.
My family is your family, she was saying. No strings attached.
"Arigatou, Usako," he whispered. "Arigatou."
He said goodbye to her family, thanking her parents over and over, and telling Shingo a farewell tip on how to get past a certain level on the Sailor V game. Usagi watched him drive off from the porch.
It wasn't until he got home, and climbed into bed that he realized he'd never told Usagi herself about his past, and her father hadn't ever had a chance to tell her what Mamoru had confided.
But she'd known anyway.
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"Ann."
The alien tilted her head towards her paramour, a question in her eyes.
"Could we be wrong about this?" Ail asked quietly, fingering his flute. Ann sat in the branches of the Makaiju, legs dangling.
Ann cocked an eyebrow. "Ie! What could be wrong about it, Ail? This planet's population is ripe with energy. We need energy to feed the Makaiju. Without the Makaiju, we die. It's the law of nature, is it not? Survival of the fittest?"
Ail thought on it a moment. "Hai," he decided. "You are right. We should attack again tomorrow. The Makaiju grows weaker."
Ann smiled, satisfied. But something dangerous flashed in her eyes as she asked, "Who were you on the phone with a moment ago?"
"No one."
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Rei massaged her temples, and settled herself before the fire, late that night. The meeting an hour ago had been useless. Luna and Artemis declared them hormonal teenage girls and dismissed the matter, declaring that the Shitennou would turn up eventually, and to let Usagi decide what to do.
Ami had been too timid to dispute the decision, and Mako too annoyed to protest without bashing heads. So she'd remained sullenly silent. And Minako hadn't been bothered by the verdict, obviously thinking that since she was the Senshi of Love, it was not an obstacle.
Well, Usagi was the leader, and she could decide about what to do about their memories, but since she was sort of dating Mamoru without his memories, Rei found no problem in finding the Shitennou in their civilian form.
Rei gazed into the fire, but a moment later, clenched her eyes shut, slamming her fist on the floor, aggravated. Something irritated her, grinding her last nerve, practically taunting her memory.
She'd seen Jadeite somewhere. But she could remember where or when. But she knew she'd seen him, remembered the look on his face, the glint in his eyes from the sunset.
Rei opened her eyes, and tried to clear her mind. Brushing her ebony hair from her shoulders, she squared them and gazed into the fire, determined to discern where her true love was hidden.
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The next morning, Usagi woke eagerly, fairly jumping out of bed. When she got in the shower, she grinned smugly. This was the last shower she'd have to take with one leg sticking out of the curtain, and balancing on one foot. Yes, baths were easier, but she liked showers better, so she made extra effort.
She dressed quickly and called Mamoru. She already knew his number by heart of course, even though he didn't think to give it to her last night. She talked as quickly and briefly as possible, uncomfortable with the situation. Well, uncomfortable because it was so not uncomfortable. It was natural, despite his memory loss, he'd returned to her.
When she hung up, her face was flushed. She willed it back to normal, protesting. It was happening again, too fast, way too fast. He called me "Usako." Three times now.
She straightened as best she could, leaning on one crutch, and looked at herself in the mirror. "I am Sailor Moon," she said to her reflection, watching how her lips moved. "It's my destiny to defend this universe against evil. Anyone who associates with me is in danger, a possible asset to use against me. My Senshi accepted this duty long ago, and they awakened on their own. Mamoru… Endymion loved me." He'd sworn his loyalty to her mother when his kingdom was corrupted. But when her mother died, the throne was passed to her…
Usagi shut her eyes, confused. She didn't want Mamoru to have sworn loyalty to her crown.
"Baka," she laughed, derisively. "You know that Mamoru would want his memories back. He'd WANT to be in danger as long as he was protecting me. I know that. But I want him to be safe and I want him to be happy. At the moment, it seems like he is both. So I'm not going to mess with him!" she decided. "I'll just see how it goes. Surely, he'll remember on his own like the Senshi did!"
With this, she made the long exhausting journey down the stairs, eager to get the cast off.
When Usagi arrived at the hospital, she was pleasantly surprised. Her Senshi, Naru and Umino, Mika and Shingo, AND Mamoru were waiting for her in the waiting room with a table and a small banner on the table that proclaimed "Congratulations, Usagi!" with a cake and everything.
Usagi laughed, delighted. "Is it my birthday already?" she teased her friends with a grin.
"I'll have you know this is a real cake, baka, and Mako made it," Rei said affectionately. "So eat."
Usagi refused. "I cannot indulge in a single pleasure and truly enjoy as long as I have this infernal thing on my leg a moment longer!" she declared dramatically. "But if you guys eat all that cake, you're going down."
Laughing, the doctor led her to a room, and explained to her how the machine that would cut of her cast worked so she wouldn't be nervous or uncomfortable. When she was, he cupped a hand to his mouth and called to the door, "Come on in."
Usagi looked up curiously, then froze.
She found herself face to face with Zoisite, the Strategist, in a white lab coat and glasses. She stared, suddenly aware of Ami's presence in the nearby waiting room.
"Usagi, this is Zoisite. He's a pre-med student, and he's here to observe the operation of the equipment."
Usagi greeted him warmly, endeared by the look of confusion and frustration on his face. Just the sight of him made him struggle with his memories, Usagi noticed. Well, what if he saw Mamoru? she wondered.
She dismissed it, and gave him a warm smile, hopefully to ease his nerves. He smiled back, tentatively.
They removed her cast, and Usagi is just about to stretch out the sore joint, but the older doctor stops her. He gently worked her knee himself for a few minutes, watching her face carefully to see which movements caused her pain. When he stopped, Usagi let out a breath, and allowed her face muscles to relax. She was still as the doctor fastened a brace on her knee.
"You should be able to walk, Usagi, but it might be a little painful at first because of the joint's stiffness." He handed her a cane, and she grinned. It was pink and girlishly decorated. She had to laugh.
"What?" The doctor asked, grinning. "Would you prefer this?" He produced a brown, old man's walking stick. She giggled, and shook her head. The doctor left to make some notes, and motioned for Zoisite to help Usagi He helped her to sit up, and then off of the examination table.
"Tsukino-san, I'm positive we've met before," he said softly.
Usagi met his eyes, smiling. "Positive, Zoisite? Then, you've nothing to ask of me?"
He studied the girl carefully, remembering the face of pain she'd worn during the physical therapy. Seeing her suffer sent a cold, guilty chill down his spine.
"How did you hurt your knee, Usagi-san?" he asked, quietly.
She looked up, and locked eyes with him, remaining still for a moment. When she answered, Zoisite knew she was lying, but he also knew she could not tell him the truth.
"I was mugged."
He held her gaze, trying to let her know that he understood. "Gomen."
The doctor entered again with Usagi's chart. "Usagi, you should come in about twice a week for physical therapy for a while. I've set up a schedule with your parents, and I'll be seeing you again on Tuesday! Ja!"
Usagi waved, then tentatively practiced walking with the cane. She grinned; it was much easier and more comfortable than the cast and the stupid crutches. She turned back to Zoisite.
"Come, there's someone I want you to meet! I have a friend about your age and he's also a pre-med student," Usagi said, wondering if she was doing the right thing.
When Zoisite came out with Usagi, Ami caught her breath, and frantically locked eyes with Usagi. Usagi smiled back reassuringly, then introduced Mamoru and Zoisite.
Mamoru was looking over the man, trying to decide if he was competition, but when their hands touched, both jumped at flash of pictures that flew across their eyes. Grinning as if he'd found a long lost friend, Mamoru engaged the other guy in a conversation about the pre-med major until Zoisite was called back. Ami watched him go, wistfully, and Usagi laid a hand on her arm, encouraging her.
As soon as the cake was all finished, Mamoru swept Usagi off, escorting her to the crown for lunch. Motoki was there, and he was thrilled to see Usagi and Mamoru and surprised to see them together. He eagerly served them, and then left them alone.
Mamoru watched Usagi for a moment, then took a deep breath, and reached across the table for her hand. She looked up, surprised, but she didn't pull away. Her small hand was warm in his own, smooth and unblemished. Unconsciously, he rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand while they waited in comfortable silence.
Usagi thought she'd died and gone to heaven, but suddenly, she sensed a furious and ominous gaze on her. She looked around and her eyes fell on Ginga Natsumi. Their eyes locked, and Natsumi smiled evilly.
The next instant, a youma crashed through window, and Usagi went flying through the air.
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Well, that's it.
JUST KIDDING!! KEEP GOING!!!!
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Screams pierced her ears but her only thought was, I just got that cast off. Shimatta!
But she didn't land on the ground; she landed in Mamoru's arms, and he instinctively thrust her behind his back to shield her. Her cane clattered the ground.
SENSHI!
Natsumi was gone.
An instant later, Sailor Jupiter somersaulted through the window, launching an attack while she was in the air.
"Sparkling Wide Pressure!"
The youma took the hit and went flying into the wall.
Mercury! A distraction! Anything!
"Shabon Spray!"
Thick fog filled the air. When Mamoru reached for Usagi, she was gone.
Sailor Venus casually walked through the shattered door the Crown, closing it behind her, then whipped out her chain, screaming, "Venus Love-Me Chain!" The youma dodged the snap of the chain, but fell straight into a carefully thrown, "Burning Mandala!"
Mamoru frantically looked around for Usagi, calling out her name.
Suddenly, a white rose shot through the air, and the room was silent. Up in the rafters, Tsukikage no Knight stood with a blonde haired beauty with an unmistakable hairstyle.
Sailor Moon had returned.
The agitated cardian threw an energy blast at her, but Tsukikage unsheathed his sword lightning fast, and blocked it. The shiny blade reflected the blast back to the youma, who frantically dodged.
Sailor Moon jumped easily down from the rafters, hair flying out behind her. She landed gracefully like a cat in front of the cardian. She paused, then whipped out her scepter, placing it at the monster's throat. Her eyes dared it to move.
"Who sent you?!" she demanded.
Silence.
"SPEAK!"
Silence.
Sailor Moon could see that the youma was not going to talk, so she stepped back and fell into a fighting stance.
"Moon Princess Halation!" she cried, blasting the youma into oblivion.
Before she could detransform and look for Mamoru, an oddly familiar voice called out to her.
"Sailor Moon!"
She looked up, and saw a pair of strange, human-like creatures.
"Ann and Ail are your opponents," the pink female one declared. The blue one floated beside her, but Sailor Moon curiously recognized the familiar hungry look in his eyes. She turned her head back to the female.
"What do you want with Earth? What have we done to you?" Sailor Moon demanded.
The way her lips curved was maddeningly familiar. "You'd like to know that, wouldn't you, soldier? Who are you, anyway?"
Sailor Moon stood to her full height, but instead of introducing herself, threw the alien's own words back at her. "You'd like to know that, wouldn't you?"
The being known as Ann scowled. "Watch yourself, soldier." And they disappeared.
But Sailor Moon didn't miss the look in the being known as Ail's eyes. She didn't miss it because it was so similar to the look Mamoru gave her, except for one thing. Depth. Mamoru gave a her a gaze that was far from shallow.
Mamoru!
She caught him watching her carefully, unharmed. She prayed he wasn't suspicious… she wasn't sure what to do about him yet.
She turned quickly and found Tsukikage no Knight preparing to leave. She called his name, and jumped back into the rafters to meet him.
"Sailor Moon," he whispered, holding his sword over his heart and bowing.
She touched the fabric covering his face, but he didn't jerk away. There was no threat in her eyes, and she didn't pull down the fabric.
"Who are you, Tsukikage no Knight?"
She couldn't see his smile on his lips, but it sparkled in his eyes. "I am a memory of you, Princess Serenity."
"Are you Endymion?" she asked, carefully.
The enchanting blue eyes twinkled mysteriously. "Tsukino hikari wa ai no message."
White cape flying, he disappeared, and Sailor Moon was left alone, but Mamoru was walking purposely towards her, a question in his eyes.
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How was that? Hope it was enjoyable and not too boring.
Something weird happened to my profile. There are no spaces… how annoying. I hope it fixes itself so I don't have to do it. Haha!
Anyway, 17 long pages! Hope you liked it! I loved writing the sappy stuff but the action was great too! Hope you liked it!
So what do you guys want to happen in the next chapter? I'm thinking maybe the a special scene with the Generals, and the VR episode aka very tense love square… it's going to be great! Excited? Me too!
-rosa lunae