Hello again, Here is Chapter 4 of Fantastic Journey. I hope you enjoy it...please R & R and let me know what you think.
Authors Notes - 'Denotes People's Thoughts' A word for my reviewers.
A Bakers Dozen Chocolate Chip Cookies go out to CRESCENDO - You guessed it, my story is based loosely off of the Phantom of the Opera, Serenity-hime - You get a half dozen for catching it too:) Starangel07 - Thanks, Santi - ma o (my) pronoun, first person singular possessive petit 1. diminutive, little, small Thanks for reading, Maroon Heart - Thank you, Tsukiko Haneino - I am glad you are enjoying it, Jamesstutz - Thannks alot.
Now on to the good stuff...
Fantastic Journey
Chapter 4 - Plots' Everywhere?
"It was strange this morning, her mood I mean. I sensed it immediately, she seemed distracted and then I swear I glimpsed guilt on her face, but she really has nothing to be guilty about, does she." Mamoru glanced at the girls to see if they understood what he was asking.
"I don't think so. Mamoru-kun," Rei glanced at everyone before finishing, "But she has been acting oddly though. Last night she dodged an attack like a pro and then blamed it on luck and you saw her tonight." She paused for a moment choosing her words before continuing. "She didn't act like her usual crybaby self tonight when she dodged that first attack."
Makoto listened avidly before adding her own thoughts. "Yeah and she seemed more thoughtful last night. What was the question she asked us? Did you get any information out of him? That was it."
"Of course when has Usagi ever been concerned if we have any information about the enemy? It was more a Luna type question." Minako glanced at Ami smiling. "Of course Luna has been busy with Artemis lately."
"Never say it." Rei busted out laughing as she spoke. Minako glanced at her strangely.
"Never say what?" She shrugged not understanding the funny part.
"Never say Luna is rubbing off on odango amata." Rei spit it out between peals of laughter chiming in with everyone else except Mamoru.
He coughed bringing back the serious note to their discussion. He realized the four girls had needed a tension break especially after fighting an enemy and then worrying about Usagi, but he needed them back on track.
"So what should we do? Do we ask her outright, or do we keep an eye on her for the next couple of days?" He waited to see what the girls had to say.
"Have you asked her if everything is all right?" Rei eyed him curiously waiting for an answer.
"Actually I did that this morning. She just said she had missed me because we had all been so busy." He thought back over her hurried words. That is when he had seen the guilt pass over her features.
"I say we take turns keeping an eye on her. At least until she figures it out." Mamoru blurted his thought out loud
"You know guys, sometimes..." Ami paused here not wanting to hurt anybodies feelings. "We don't give Usagi enough credit. Maybe we should confront her and just ask, because I think if she finds out about this she is going to be quite upset."
Four heads all whipped her directions with matching looks of surprise but no one could find the words to deny Ami's statement. She glanced at all of them and then spoke again.
"Well it's true you know." Ducking her head she was shocked herself to finally have spoken her thoughts. Mamoru glanced at Ami with surprise. 'She is right,' he smiled gently trying to be reassuring.
"Okay you are right, we will keep an eye on her until she figures it out and then confront her. Does everyone agree?" He looked at each of the girls and watched as they nodded except Ami who shrugged helplessly. "Good that is comforting"...
She stood once again in the white lace gown, the cool night air kissing her warm flesh. Glancing around, Usagi recognized the now familiar misty area. She only had a second to wait before he arrived. Tenderly he picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles.
"Ma petite cherie, I am so glad you came again. Will you do me the honor of a waltz?" He stood waiting holding himself stiff until with a small smile she nodded. She saw him visibly relax and that put her at ease.
"I would love to." He held out his arm and Usagi reached out placing her hand on his arm as he escorted her to the dance floor. He pulled her again into his arms, placing one hand at the base of her spine the other gently clasped her other hand.
She smiled softly glancing up at him as they twirled around the room. With the moonlight and Japanese lanterns being their only light, her eyes were lit up like sapphires stealing his breath.
He sensed more than saw the need and desire in the depth of her cerulean eyes. It called to his soul like the ocean pulling him in, gently and slowly taking his will and leaving him wanting to feel it, explore it. He pulled her from the dance floor offering her his arm.
"Would you like to stroll about ma petite Cherie," he glanced down to see her smiling up at him. He led her off the dance floor and down a few steps to a path that meandered away from the party.
Usagi took in her beautiful surroundings, not recognizing anything except her teacher. They strolled along the path through tall trees. With needles as carpeting, their shoes made no noise leaving the music of the night as their only companion.
The music of the dance slowly faded along with the hum of many voices replaced by a gentle tinkling sound. Etienne watched her excitement grow as she realized what the sound was.
"Is there water nearby?" Her eyes lit up just thinking about it. Coming around a bend in the path her exclamation of surprise made him happy.
"Ah it's beautiful." She released his arm to sweep forward for a better view. Usagi could not believe her eyes a beautiful fountain stood in front of her.
A cherub stood with her small hands outstretched as the top part of the fountain poured water down over her little arms. The look of happiness the cherub seemed to possess was one of pure delight.
Usagi could just see coins in the water from people making wishes. She wandered over to the edge where a natural bench waited. The lights in the bottom of the fountain gave everything a luminous glow.
Etienne stood back watching her joy. She sat carefully trailing her fingers through the water. Glancing up at him, she smiled.
"It really is just beautiful. Can I ask you a question?" She watched quietly as he nodded. "What is your real name?" He seemed to pause a moment before answering, debating whether to tell her. "It is Etienne." He smiled as he slowly approached her. Swallowing nervously she did not know what to do and ducking her head seemed like a good idea. She glanced up at him when he spoke.
"Mademoiselle may I have the honor of this dance?" She thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement and stood up.
He pulled her into his arms and began to twirl around the forest floor. Humming ever so softly, he created a haunting tune to keep time. Glancing down at the beauty in his arms, he found himself once more trapped by the desire in her eyes, forgetting his tune and the dancing they slowed to a stop.
His hand slowly moved to caress her face. The silkiness of her skin driving him to distraction, he traced his thumb over her cheek.
"Ma petite Cherie, the things you do to me." He angled her face as his tipped down and he caught her lips in tender kiss.
His lips were firm and gentle and he tasted of chocolate. His hand, resting on her face, slipped to the side and wandered just a bit to tangle in her hair. When he tipped her head back and deepened the kiss, she found her arms wandering up to snake around his neck so her fingers could play in his hair. She stretched up on tiptoe to bring him ever closer clinging to him.
He allowed his hand at her back to glide over the lace and skin to explore the feel of her. When his hand wandered around to the front and stole over her collarbone her knees went weak.
Pulling back just a bit, he guided her over to the bench and sat pulling her onto his lap. Deepening the kiss once more, he let his hand continue to explore the feel of her satiny skin. He let his thumb trace the swirl of her ear before his fingers slid down her throat teasing its way down to her collarbone.
His kisses wandered from her lips to trail a blazing heat to her jaw, and even on behind her ear. His fingers traced over the delicacy of her collarbone before feathering down to the tops of her breasts.
Usagi could not breath much less think. So many wonderful sensations washing over her had her reaching seeking something she did not understand
"Etienne," it was nothing more than a sigh on her lips. She must have broken the spell for suddenly everything was fading.
# # SCREECH # #
Usagi opened her eyes to see harsh daylight and hear her alarm going nuts. Sitting up quickly she gazed around to find herself half hanging off of her bed tangled in her comforter. A light sheen of sweat lay damp on her skin helping her pajamas to cling to her. The echoes of his hands still burned a delicious path over her skin.
Her hand wandered to her mouth, brushing over her lips, still tingling and swollen from where her dream lover had kissed her.
"Etienne" the name still fresh from the dream tumbled from her lips in a whisper. The dream had seemed so real. She could swear it was real but she knew better, looking around her room grounded by reality.
She scrubbed her hands over her face trying to erase the heated memories from her mind. Jumping up she grabbed her clean uniform and headed for the shower...
When the final bell rang, Usagi hurried out of the school to run directly into Minako who seemed to be waiting for her.
"Usagi-chan, hi, we are all heading to the arcade for sundaes, you have to come." Minako latched onto her arm starting to drag Usagi along with her.
"Hey wait a minute. I know what you are up to but I can't I...uh...have to meet Mamo-chan." Usagi prayed Minako would believe her and not question her too much. Minako suddenly looked hurt for a moment before looking angry. Usagi glanced at her in surprise.
She did not know why Minako would be upset with her unless she knew, so she asked the only question she could. "What?"
"You are lying to me." Minako looked hurt having to admit that she knew Usagi was lying.
"Oh and how would you know that?" Usagi felt bad for lying but everything was still supposed to be a surprise. She was not ready to share it all anyway.
"Because it was Mamoru-kun's idea to get you to go to the arcade with us," Minako snapped looking angrier than Usagi had ever seen her.
"And why would Mamoru want me to go to the arcade with you guys?" Usagi was starting to get angry at the implications.
"Well because...because...we have all been so busy and...well we want to...we are...concerned about you." Immediately realizing her slip, Minako quickly covered her mouth with her hand praying Usagi missed it. She glanced up to see Usagi glaring at her.
"Oh so now everyone is "concerned about me" you have obviously all discussed this, why is that?" Usagi stood tapping her foot waiting for Minako to answer.
"Well we all thought...mainly Mamoru-kun thought that you have been acting strange." Minako sighed glad to have finally said it.
"So let me get this straight...all of you are concerned because I am acting strangely but no one thinks to ask me?" Usagi was almost yelling by this point, and Minako cringed knowing it would only get worse.
"Instead you all decide to discuss me and keep tabs on me. So whose idea was it for you all to watch over me?"
Minako ducked her head dreading this part. She mumbled as quietly as possible. "Mamoru-kun", with a small sigh she raised her eyes to peek at Usagi. She was surprised to see an unconcerned look.
"Look, I don't have time for this. I have to go. Just tell them you could not find me. I will take care of the rest of it." Minako could only stare as Usagi took off at a dead run.
She ran all the way home and changed quickly, it was not until she neared the dojo that she even spared a thought for her friends' behavior. 'How dare they? It hurts that no one even bothered to ask me, they just all assume that I am acting strange.' A lone tear trickled from her eye before she swiped it away and pulled her emotions under control.
Opening the door to the dojo, she was not surprised to find Sensei waiting for her. The balance beam stood in the center of the room. She slipped off her shoes and strolled over to where he waited.
Etienne immediately sensed her distress but did not comment on it, instead waiting for her to trust him enough to tell him. He waited patiently for a few moments waiting to see if she would talk. Finally, the silence drove him to speak.
"You are not centered today!" He left it at that giving her an opening to help break the ice. Usagi ducked her head, everything catching up to her, and her tears fell.
Etienne could see that she was upset but not talking. He approached her slowly and hesitantly reached out lifting her chin. When he saw the tears, he immediately gathered her up in a hug.
"Ah ma petite what weighs so heavily upon your heart? Please speak to me...tell me of your troubles." He ran his hand up and down her back in comfort.
"M-My...friends have been plotting behind my back. I planned a nice surprise for them and they think I am acting strange."
"Ah ma Cherie that is too sad. I am sorry that they trust you so little." She cried freely digging her fingers into his shirt letting her pain out. Etienne soothed her with words of comfort letting a smile grace his features. 'Things just keep getting better and better.' When she was finally calm, he asked her a question.
"Would you like to skip today's lesson and have a cup of soothing green tea instead?" He waited patiently as she sniffled and wiped her eyes as she thought about it. With a faint blush, she ducked her head suddenly nervous and nodded.
"Tea would be great." Her voice came out quietly and he glanced at her in surprise. She seemed to be fiddling with her clothes to hide her embarrassment.
"Have a seat and I will be right back with our tea." Etienne smiled at her reassuringly and walked to the backroom. She could hear him moving stuff around and the water running and then the sound of a microwave.
When she heard the ding, it was just a few more seconds and then he wandered out carrying two ugly coffee mugs.
"Sorry about the cups. I know they are cracked and ugly but it is all I have." He waited for the cruel comments. When none came, he glanced at her in surprise.
"No that is all right. The tea is great. You have no need to apologize." Usagi smiled softly not wanting to hurt his feelings after all of his kindness towards her. "In fact I should be thanking you for being so nice to me."
Etienne watched her unable to look away. She seemed so sad and troubled that he just wanted to offer comfort any way he could.
She blushed softly and her gaze seemed glued to the floor. 'None of it was real it was all just a dream. I have to quit thinking like that. He just sees me as a young girl.'
Here is an end to Chapter 4 I hope you have enjoyed it. Please R & R and let me know what you think. As it is a holiday weekend my muse is still hard at work in Chapter 5 but I will be away from my internet connection so please do expect to see an update until late monday or early tuesday. Thanks Guys...Love to everyone- Be safe this weekened...