Author's Notes: There is no excuse for me not getting this chapter done. I'm sorry, I really am. I could give you a page long list of reasons why this has been postponed so long, but you probably don't care. ; But, needless to say, this chapter is finally finished. I'm terribly sorry. For those of you who have stuck with me this far – thank you. It means everything to me.
Disclaimer: Yes – I don't own Sailor Moon. Get over it.
Heaven's Flames
Chapter 22
Usagi purred softly and sunk deeper into the water that sloshed around her. The warmth of the night only heightened the wonderful cool water she waded in. Her blonde tresses were tied up into a massive lump of waves at the top of her head, random strands falling down and kissing the lake. She closed her eyes blissfully.
"Having fun?"
The blonde didn't open her eyes, but her lips spread into a wide smile. That luscious tenor could only be from a certain vampire that seemed to catch her fancy.
"Mmm…" she mumbled in response. Her blue irises slowly made themselves known as her lashes fluttered open. "But I'd be having more fun if you were in here with me."
Mamoru grinned, his fangs gleaming in the faint moonlight. He ran a hand through his unruly raven hair and exhaled in amusement.
"I think that can be managed." He tugged his tee-shirt off and proceeded to undo the button on his jeans. "But what if Seiya catches us?" he drawled playfully, stripping down to his boxers.
Usagi stretched her arms out in front of her lazily, causing the water to churn from the motion. "Who cares?" she answered disinterestedly. "If he catches us skinny-dipping, then we'll just have to be sure to give him quite the show."
The vampire laughed shortly as he sunk into the lake. He waded past the miniature waterfall and crossed to his playful lover. She greeted him with a tender kiss and they wrapped their arms around one another's water-slicked frames. Usagi sighed softly and rested her head on Mamoru's shoulder.
Neither spoke for a long while, only basking quietly in the body heat (or lack thereof, in Mamoru's case) that the other emanated. Their arms curled slowly and gently about each other's body.
The two stayed that way for a while, bodies pressed gently to one another, hearts throbbing, and chests tightening. The vampire's hand ran through the stray golden locks that fell from Usagi's make-shift bun atop her head. The blonde's arms were wrapped around her lover's waist and she lightly rubbed her thumbs up and down against his skin.
Had they been in a different predicament the moment would have been cherished and heavy with content. However, both knew that such an embrace would be their last. It weighed their minds down with sorrow and desperation.
"Mamo-chan…" Her voice was shaking.
Mamoru let out a shuddering breath and kissed Usagi's temple. "Don't say anything," he shushed her. "It hurts too much…" He felt his voice cracking, more so then usual.
Usagi's grip on the older man tightened. She sniffled and whimpered softly, burying her face in his shoulder. Mamoru clenched his jaw, trying to suppress the wave of emotions that was threatening to wash him away.
The water slopped about as a small breeze blew by. For a while it had seemed as if the two were lost in time, but when they felt the water move and their hair dance in the wind they new that this was no time-freeze. They knew then that time would keep moving without them and there was nothing they could do about that. Any minute now and Seiya would come along, taking Usagi away.
Time was a cruel, cruel device – if one could consider it such.
With their naked bodies pressed tightly against one another, Mamoru could feel himself on the verge of tears. He pressed his lips to a mess of golden curls and his chest heaved once in a dry sob. His shoulder was already wet with Usagi's quiet tears.
"Don't make me leave," she pleaded desperately against his neck. "Don't—"
"Stop it," Mamoru managed out gruffly. He pushed her back just the slightest. "I thought we already discussed this."
"I can't do this, Mamo-chan!" Usagi cried out, tears spilling. She gripped at his waist, never realizing that her nails were curled into his flesh. Mamoru set his jaw, ignoring the pain. It was nothing compared to the pain in his chest.
"Don't make it harder, Usako!" He was breaking down, and they both knew it.
No, I have to be the strong one here, Mamoru barked at himself. I have to make sure she goes home without either one of us giving in. I have to.
Usagi's head fell to rest against her chest. She sobbed uncontrollably.
Mamoru felt something wet and burning slide down his cheeks and he knew then he was crying. He tried to hold it back, tried to blink away the blood-tears, but every time he did more fell.
"Stop crying," he demanded weakly, voice wavering all over the place. "If you cry it will just hurt more…"
Usagi swung her blonde head up. Her cheeks were flushed and streaked with tears. "You're crying, too!"
"You're making me cry!" the vampire retorted, rubbing at his nose and cheeks. Blood stained his hands. He could barely see now past the red film of blood-tears in his eyes.
"Mamo-chan," she tried, pressing her hands to his chest frantically, "let's just go back to your little home underground. Seiya can't find us there. I'll stay with you, Mamo-chan. I'll stay here and—"
"That's enough."
Mamoru and Usagi both jumped and jerked their heads to the side. Seiya was standing before them, leaning against a nearby tree. He held a gun in one of his hands. There were a few three teenagers behind him, presumably the ones ready to go home.
The vampire's eyes narrowed into slits at the sight of the man he abhorred more then anything. He wasn't sure why exactly the hatred bubbled, but he followed the emotion on instinct, letting it take him over. He was a potential rival. Mamoru wasn't blind, he could see the way Seiya's eyes followed Usagi.
No, dammit, no. Mamoru shook his head and turned to a fumbling Usagi. She was ducked low in the water, trying to keep her body hidden. She's leaving, once she's gone from here she can do whatever she pleases. And if that consists with being with Seiya then… he gulped, then so be it.
"Alright," Mamoru growled, quickly overcoming the crying. "Give us a second so we can get dressed at least."
Seiya smirked. "You better not think of running off," he replied, voice dripping with cockiness. Mamoru wanted to punch him.
"We won't."
The long, raven-haired man spun around, ponytail flaying out behind him. He gestured for the three to follow him and they did so, trembling.
"We'll meet you a few yards ahead in that clearing," Seiya informed, already walking away. "Ten minutes."
As the three teens followed Seiya their hearts and hands quivered in anticipation. Home was in their reach.
As Seiya stuffed his gun in the waist of his pants a slick grin spread his lips. This was his moment. He would finally be able to prove himself as a reliable police officer. Triumph was in his reach
As Mamoru and Usagi dried themselves off and got dressed they sniffled and swore to each other they wouldn't cry. They would soon be torn apart.
Solitude was in their reach.
Author's Notes: This story has been going on for over a year now, and without everyone's support I wouldn't have made it this far. Thank you so much for being with me up until this point, and please continue to be. If I don't update, then e-mail me and harass me. It makes me feel guilty, and I'll write more often. ;;
The next chapter will be up by the end of next week. I promise. I swear. I will have it up. And if I don't then you all have the right to e-mail me and hunt me down.
But I'll probably have it up.
Unless I die first.
Let's not hope for this.
