Ah, minna, sorry this comes in late. I really want to make this a good chapter, because it has a lot of important things in it. Thanks to all who reviewed. Disclamer: Ah, I had it all, until this uber-kawaii guy with black hair asked for it from me. Needless to say, it's in his hands now.
"Usa?" The golden child turned to see her friends staring at her worriedly. She managed a tired smile.
"Hai, minna?" Mina offered her a fry, but Usagi waved it away. She regretted the action immediately as the girls exchanged glances. They crowded into the booth next to her. Ami reached over and plucked up the book Usagi had been reading.
"What's this? Manga?" she joked lightly. Her smile turned into a scarcely hidden frown as she read the title. "Romeo and Juliet? Is this for school?" Usagi quickly took it back and stuffed it in her briefcase.
"Iie, I just wanted to see it, it looked good…." She faded of as Rei leaned in closer, her violet eyes glittering.
"Something's wrong with you, Usagi. We're not stupid. It's been a month since you found us, shouldn't you be overjoyed?" Usagi said nothing, so she continued. "What is it? Are your grades slipping? Are your parents worried about your lack of sleep? Is Mamorou-san teasing you again?" Usagi flinched, and Rei knew she had hit a nerve.
Mako growled softly. "We'll get him to stop, Usagi." The blonde quickly shook her head.
"Iie, minna. It's just…" her eyes became vacant and distant, and the others sighed. Mina sipped on her milkshake.
"Does this have to do with your fight last week?" The girls nodded, and she went on. "You never really told us what happened. Please, Usagi, will you tell us now?" Usagi seemed to come out of a stupor. She eyed the girls for a moment, and then nodded.
"Hai." They leaned in eagerly as she spoke. "Mamorou was teasing me, before. I got angry, and called him a jerk. He just smirked, and laughed at me. I told him to shut up or I'd hurt him, and I went home. Well, I left my briefcase and he followed me there. Mama let him in, and we were in the living room. I told him to get out, and he just stood still. I admit I was kind of mad…so I jumped on top of him and basically began to aim for every weak spot known to mankind."
She stopped there as a fit of giggles overtook her and the girls, before composing herself. "Well, Mama came in and tore us apart, and made me apologize. I did, and Mamorou apologized too, but none of us meant it. It's his fault."
"I disagree, Usagi, it may have been yours." Ami spoke up. Mina gaped.
"Are you kidding? It was so Mamorou's!" Rei sided with Ami, and Mako with Mina. Soon, there was a full out argument. In the confusion, Usagi slipped away and headed for the park.
She sat down on the dock of the lake, cross-legged. Smiling slightly, she removed her seldom-used CD player and the random CD she had grabbed earlier that day. Without looking, she clicked it in and pressed play.
Mamorou exited the arcade, sighing. He'd wanted to apologize to Usagi, and get it over with, but she wasn't there. Her friends had looked surprised that she had left, and Mamorou and left with a small feeling of anxiety. Where had she gone?
He glanced at the black object in his hands. Motoki's CD player. He had wanted to return it, but hadn't gotten a chance. Enigmatically, he slipped the headphones on and pressed play. He had no idea what song Motoki had left in there, but he'd listen to anything to get his mind off that Odango-ed girl. The music started in, and he smiled. An old favorite of his…
It's been one week since you looked at me, cocked your head to the side and said I'm angry.
Usagi stiffened slightly as the tune rushed into her ears, but then relaxed. She hadn't heard this song in a long, long time. But it was sending her the same vibes she'd had before, on her nighttime sprees. She lay on her back, and listened intently.
Five days since you laughed at me, saying: "Get that together, come back and see me." I realized it's all my fault but couldn't tell you. Yesterday you'd forgiven me, but it'll still be two days till I say I'm sorry.
Mamorou almost laughed at the nonsense verse that came next. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he wondered where he was going, but the thought soon faded away.
Hold it still now and watch the hoodwink, as I make you stop and think. You'll think you're looking at Aquaman. I summon the fish to the dish, although I like the Chalet Swiss. I like the sushi 'cause it's never touched a frying pan. Hot like wasabe when I bust rhymes. Big like LeAnn Rimes, because I'm all about value. Bert Kaempferts got the mad hits. You try to match wits, you try to hold me but I bust through.
Usagi let a small giggle escape her. She had enjoyed this song so much before, because the words seemed to have a different meaning every time. Her heart seemed to soar for the first time in a month. The next lyrics, she always felt like she could relate.
Gonna make a break and take a fake. I'd like a stinkin' achin' shake. I like vanilla; it's the finest of flavors. Gotta see the show, 'cause then you'll know, the vertigo is gonna grow 'cause it's so dangerous you'll have to sing a waiver.
Mamorou crossed the street quickly as the song rose in crescendo.
How can I help it if I think you're funny when you're mad? Trying hard not to smile though I feel bad. I'm the kind of guy who laughs at a funeral.
Usagi scrunched up her nose. Those words reminded her of Mamorou. But did he really think she was funny when she was mad? Is that why he teased her?
Can't understand what I mean? Well you soon will. I have a tendency to wear my mind on my sleeve. I have a history of taking off my shirt. It's been one week since you looked at me threw your arms in the air and said, "You're crazy!"
Mamoru entered the park, walking at a slow, leisurely pace.
Five days since you tackled me, I've still got the rug burns on both my knees. It's been three days since the afternoon; you realized it's not my fault, not a moment too soon.
Usagi felt his presence. She wasn't Sailor Moon for nothing. Inexplicably, she chose to ignore it, and instead tuned in to the song.
Yesterday you'd forgiven me, and now I sit back and wait till you say you're sorry. Boom anime babes who make me think the wrong thing… Chickity China, the Chinese chicken. You have a drumstick and your brain stops tickin'. Watchin' X-files with no lights on. We're dans la maison. I hope the smoking man's in this one. Like Harrison Ford, I'm getting frantic, like Sting I'm tantric, like Snickers, I'm guaranteed to satisfy.
Mamorou stopped when he saw her, her long golden hair spilling about her. He made an attempt to turn around, but something stopped him. He heaved a sigh, but walked over to the dock and stood behind her. Her eyes were closed, he could see that much. But she hadn't acknowledged his presence. Did she know he was there? He said nothing, only stared out over the water.
Like Kurasawa, I make mad films. Okay, I don't make films but if I did they'd have a Samurai. Gonna get a set a' better clubs. Gonna find the kind with the tiny nubs. Just so my irons aren't flying off the back swing. Gotta get in tune, with Sailor Moon, 'cause the cartoon has got the boom anime babes that make me think the wrong thing. How can I help it if I think you're funny when you're mad? Trying hard not to smile though I feel bad. I'm the kind of guy who laughs at a funeral.
Usagi had always wondered how they got the rights to use her name on that song. She felt Mamorou come next to her, but kept her eyes shut.
Can't understand what I mean? Well you soon will. I have a tendency to wear my mind on my sleeve. I have a history of losing my shirt.
Mamorou sat down next to her, glancing at her face. She was so beautiful…did she even know it? He'd never told her much…he only teased her. And now he regretted it.
It's been one week since you looked at me, dropped your arms to the side and said, "I'm sorry." Five days since I laughed at you and said: "You just did what I thought you were gonna do!"
Slowly, Usagi peeked open one eye, then the other. He was looking at her. Both of them stared, neither making a move to show they were uncomfortable.
Three days since the living room. We realized we're both to blame, but what could we do? Yesterday you just smiled at me; cause it'll still be two days till we say we're sorry.
"So…what're you doing here?" Usagi heard herself say. Mamorou looked away, and she felt as if some precious thing had been ripped from her. He looked back.
"I just come here sometimes. What about you?" She shrugged, and quickly removed her headphones. She opened the CD player to remove the CD, but Mamorou stopped her. She gazed at his hand on her wrist, and wondered if he had felt the same shock of electricity.
Mamorou removed his own headphones, and released Usagi's wrist. He opened the player, and took out the CD, showing it to her. She gasped slightly, and he smiled.
"Looks like we have the same taste, eh Odango?" She looked at him sharply, and for a moment he speculated on whether or not she might tackle him again. Instead, she bent her head.
"Gomen nasai, Mamorou-san. I was wrong to be so angry at you." Mamorou placed a hand on hers, and she looked up in surprise. He looked intently into her eyes.
"No, Usagi. I should say gomen. I shouldn't have teased you." Her eyes flared.
"Oh, no you don't Chiba! I was gonna apologize first, and I did! You'd better not be trying to steal my idea!" He laughed.
"Iie, Usa. I was serious. Lets just live and let live, ok?" She eyed him suspiciously, and then nodded. His face immediately got serious again. "I hear you've been depressed lately. What's up?"
Usagi bowed her head. "Nothing." Came the mumbled reply. She was surprised when Mamorou lifted her up by the chin with a gentle hand.
"Chigau! You haven't eaten a bunch of fries like they're the last ones on the earth or practically inhaled a milkshake for a month! You can't say it's nothing. So really, what's up?"
Usagi smiled, shocking him. "I thought you were mean, Mamorou-san." Her voice was soft; he had to lean in to hear her. "But now you're proving me wrong. I wish--" her voice broke, and she took a breath. "I wish I had gotten to know you before. Maybe then, we could have become friends." Her eyes rose to meet his. "Maybe, maybe even more than friends."
Mamorou's mind was a swirl of emotion. She liked him! She liked him! He opened his mouth so say something, anything, when her eyes widened. "Look out!" she screamed, and he was pushed into the water. He saw the beam of energy hit her, enveloping her before she and it disappeared. When he surfaced, he saw Jadeite's still smirking face as he held he unconscious Usagi in his arms. The general nodded towards him, and vanished in a bright light.
Mamorou dragged himself on land. Why had Jadeite wanted her? Ignoring these questions, he coughed up water as he stood and prepared to run, but was stopped by a sailor senshi, Mars.
"Where is she?" she demanded, her eyes glittering violently. "How could you just leave her Mamorou? She's been kidnapped, and she could be dead!" His brain suddenly sparked to life.
"Rei?" he asked cautiously. Venus smacked a hand to her hand.
"Yeah, and you said I was gonna be the one to tell everyone our identities?"
Mercury sighed. "You guys, focus on Usagi, ok?" The senshi turned and glared at Mamorou, who was kneeling on the ground.
"She was saving me." His eyes were raised to meet that of Jupiter's. "So she was Sailor Moon?" She hesitated, before nodding. Mamorou closed his eyes.
"Hai, the irony. I was Tuxedo Kamen. I was the one to save her, and she saved me. I must pay for my mistake, I guess." The senshi took a moment to process the information, and then Mars looked around.
"I'm still sensing evil around here. We should follow it; where it goes, Usagi might be." Mamorou stood.
"Let me come." He transformed into Tuxedo Kamen. The senshi looked at him skeptically, but then Mercury nodded.
"We'll need all the help we can get." They followed Mars as she tracked the energy to it's source; Tokyo Tower. Venus looked up.
"What now?"
"Now, you join your leader, Sailor brats!" They barely had time to turn and see Kunzite before they were knocked back by an amazing amount of dark energy. Their vision turned blurry, before being engulfed in darkness.
Usagi lay in a cell, deep in the center of Beryl's castle. She shivered; not from the cold, but what she saw in her head.
"Endymion, I will not have it! You cannot fight, you will not fight!" The black haired man walked towards her. She could see him clearly now, and he looked just like…Mamorou?
"Please, listen to me." He said. "Beryl is attacking us at this moment. Can you not see the carnage? Why is it that you refuse to see what is before you!" She collapsed sobbing. Pain, and grief washed over her.
"You would not know! You would not know!" Endymion knelt next to her, cradling her head.
"Shh, I'm sorry. This war is getting to me." But she would not be consoled.
"She killed Father, and she will kill the senshi. She will kill you, Endymion, and take you away from me! Then she will kill me…slowly, and painfully. She swore it."
Endymion held her, rocking back and forth on his knees. "I will not let her. By my sword, she will die if she dares try to hurt you." A cry and a rumbling noise made him stand. "I must go. Remember, Serenity, I love you." And he brushed his lips across hers.
Serenity? That was her name? But she was crying now, screaming her paint to all the world as he hurried out to the courtyard. Quickly she stood, and made her way to the balcony by her room. She could see them; dozens of dark creatures, formerly humans, as they brought down her best friends, the senshi. She could not cry, her tears were lodged in her throat. Instead she followed Endymion's path, watching as he waged war.
She did not notice the hand creeping to her neck till it was too late, or the knife behind her back. She stumbled back, gazing at her bloodstained hands in shock, then at the red haired woman smirking evilly. She felt heavy, and fell back. The woman smiled and knelt down. "Let's have some fun." With a cackle, she threw her over the balcony.
Falling…falling… she heard rather then felt Endymion catch her, and his mumbled words as he cried. "I'm sorry, so sorry. I should've listened…Oh, Gods, you knew she was coming…I never listened." Her world was fading away, and she tried desperately to make some sort of movement, but Endymion did not notice when the youma struck him in the side.
He keeled over, and Beryl appeared. She kicked at her body, and it felt like fire. Beryl laughed. "You should have picked me, Endymion! And now see, both you and your princess shall die!" Princess" She was the…princess? But her drooping eyes watched as Endymion struggled to her body, as he protected her even in death. Beryl plunged the knife, and all went dark.
In her cell, Usagi shivered again. Her hands reached out for comfort. "Mamo-chan…" was her whispered word, before the darkness took her again.
Wow, minna. I never knew I could be that angsty. Scary…