M&M's
Chapter Fifteen: Mr. and Mrs. Shinimori
Thoughts
Before Aoshi could ask why Mako was in his arms yet thinking about Mamo, the phone rang, "Hello?" he answered curtly.
"Aoshi? Is Mako awake?" the soft voice of the blue haired doctor spoke.
"Yea, Ami, hold on."
"How is she?"
"I think she just had a bad dream, she's shaking right now." He handed the phone to a trembling Mako.
"H-hello?"
"Mako, you need to come down to Tokyo Memorial Hospital now."
"Aims, I'm fine, I just needed to rest."
"No Mako!" Ami's voice began to shake, "It's Mamo, there's been an accident."
"I'll be right there." Mako hung up and jumped out of bed. She frantically got dressed as Aoshi swept her into his arms, trying to calm her down.
"Mako, what happened?"
"It's Mamo, he's been in an accident, he's at Tokyo Memorial, I need to go to him." She whimpered as she clung to his shirt.
Aoshi nodded slowly, "I'll take you there, come on." He pulled on a pair of jeans and grabbed his coat, "Let's go."
Mako rushed to the waiting room, Aoshi not far behind. She managed to hold it together on the ride over; emotions were swirling within her at the thought of loosing Mamo. Her strong resolve broke when she saw the redden eyes of her fellow senshi, the floodgates opened and she collapsed to the floor crying heavily. Aoshi stepped forward to comfort her, but Yuuchiro held him back as the women went to hold her all of them crying together.
"Let them work their way through this, they need each other right now." Yuuchiro explained as Aoshi nodded, noticing that all of the husbands were standing off to the side.
"Mako?" Ami appeared, her white lab coat and blue scrubs stained in blood, Mamoru's blood. Mako looked into the teary eyes of the blue haired genius. "Mamo's asking for you." Mako nodded and stood up, "I don't know what to tell you, Usa's already been in there with the crystal to no avail." Ami tried to soften the news as the two walked towards Mamo's room, "Mako," she paused at the door, "It doesn't look good. We've done all we can, it's up to him now whether or not he wants to live. Medically speaking he's lucky to even be here. Mamoru's body is strong, it's his soul that needs a reason to live."
Mako nodded as she wiped away her tears before stepping into the cold room. She took in a shaky breath as she noticed Mamo's still form, bandaged and bruised lying there, tubes running in and out of his body. She approached slowly, sitting at his side, she tenderly took his hand in hers, smiling through her tears as he opened his eyes. He smiled back at her, and she couldn't hold back her tears any longer, as they rolled in crystal gems down her cheeks.
"Shh…" he wiped her tears away, "Kirie, don't cry." His own voice wavered as he pulled her closer, forcing her to climb into bed with him. He held her close as she cried,
"You can't leave me Ru. I'd be lost without you. You can't leave, I won't let you." She sobbed into his hospital gown. "I need you." She whimpered softly.
Mamo brought her face up to look into her eyes, "I promise you Mako, I'm not going anywhere. Ami told me my condition and I know what lies in the road ahead. It won't be easy, but I'm going to fight to live." The determination within his eyes, sparked hope within her.
She smiled, "Good," sensing the need for a mood change, "Cause otherwise, I'd bring you back and kill you myself."
Mamo chuckled as she brushed a strand of hair from his face, where he noticed her engagement ring. "Does he make you happy?" he asked softly.
Mako looked away, "Yea, he does." She replied, "He absolutely adores me."
"I'm sorry I couldn't give you what you needed back then."
She moved even further away, "The only thing I needed was you."
He patted her hand gently, not wanting to alienate her even more, "Well I'm happy that you're happy. Aoshi's a great guy, and damn good looking if I say so myself." He teased playfully causing Mako to giggle.
Ami came in, as Mako crawled out of the bed, "Alright Aims, lay it on me."
"Well Mamo, the good news is that because of your powers, it seems that you're healing at an accelerated rate. The chances of you surviving are growing." She smiled as both Mamo and Mako breathed sighs of relief. "However, there was some injury to your spine. We won't know for another couple of days if you'll be able to walk." Ami watched as Mamo nodded and Mako's face fell as she clutched his hand to her heart.
"I will walk out of here on my own two feet."
Mako smiled at his determination, "And I'll be there every step of the day."
Ami checked her watch, "Well he needs his rest, and I'm sure the rest of the group wants to see him."
Mako nodded, "I'll see you tomorrow." She kissed Mamo's forehead.
Ami and Mako walked back to the waiting room. "I don't know what you did Mako, but his vital signs jumped when you went into his room. I think that having you by his side will help him get through this."
"Well then by his side I will be." Mako smiled softly.
The entered the waiting room where eight people were waiting anxiously. Ami smiled, alleviating the worry, "Mamo's taken a turn for the better, looks like he just might make it." She paused as the group cheered. "Visiting hours will end in ten minutes, but you guys can go see him now." She side stepped as the group rushed past her. She shook her head and followed them down the hall.
Mako turned to Aoshi, "Come on love, let's go home." She kissed him as she took his hand, entwining her fingers with his.
"So, he's going to be alright?"
Mako nodded, "Yea, he's got one hell of an immune system and will to live."
The next day Mako returned as promised, with flowers, food and Aoshi in tow.
The two men smiled cordially at one another, both still a little unnerved at having a doppelganger.
"Look!" Mako squealed, handing Mamo a folded paper, "It's my restaurant." She smiled happily as Mamo opened the sheet.
"Wow, it looks great Mako."
"Yea, she did an amazing design job." Aoshi smiled fondly at her.
"You designed this?" Mamo looked at her in awe.
"Part of it, Aoshi did most of it, he is after all the architect."
Mamo nodded, "When will it open?"
"Should be in three months." Mako smiled happily.
"Well a restaurant opening sounds like the perfect motivation to get you walking again." Ami entered.
"What's it called?"
"Kirie"
Mamo smiled that she was using the nickname he gave her, "It suits you well." Mako blushed as Mamo turned his gaze to Aoshi, "So, when's the big day?"
Aoshi put his arm around Mako, "A week after the opening." Mako leaned against him, "And then a three week honeymoon to the Caribbean."
Two months later the couple was in the kitchen, Mako was preparing a new dish for the restaurants opening when the doorbell rang, Mako looked at Aoshi questioningly, "Were you expecting anyone?" she asked as she got up to get it, he shook his head, no. She opened the door only to see a well-dressed man and woman standing in front of her. "Hi." She smiled warmly.
The elderly couple simply stared at her, "Is this Aoshi Shinimori's residence?" the man looked down on her, even though he was the same height.
"Yes, hold on," she moved aside to let them in, "I'll go get him for you." She walked back to the kitchen where Aoshi was stirring the dinner.
"Who was it love?" he asked, as she returned.
"Um, there's an old couple in the hallway asking for you." Sheturned off the burner as Aoshiheaded to the hallway, Mako by his side.
As soon as he entered the hallway he froze, the man and woman turned to face him, "Mom, Dad." The words just fell from his mouth.
Mako gasped, "Oh my God! You're his parents! I should have recognized you!" she exclaimed happily as she moved to hug them. "It's so nice to meet you."
The woman smiled at her, "I'm Mrs. Shinimori and this is Mr. Shinimori," she introduced her and her husband, Aoshi was still to stunned to say anything, "And who are you dear?"
"I'm Mako." She replied, a little stunned that Aoshi's mom didn't know who she was.
"Mako, it's very nice to meet you, are you Aoshi's new maid?"
Mako simply stared at her, "You don't know who I am?" her voice started to waiver, as she turned to look back at Aoshi who was staring at his father, who was rather rigid.
Aoshi's mother shook her head, "I'm sorry dear, should I?"
Mako struggled to hold back her tears, "No," she shook her head, "It was silly of me to think that you would know me, his maid." She glared at Aoshi as she rushed to their bedroom.
"Mako wait!" he ran after her, but his father caught his arm.
"What are you doing? Shinimori's don't chase after the help, after her performance here you can't possibly keep her."
Aoshi tried to wretch his arm away from his father, "Dad, back off!" He ran after Mako.
He found her in their bedroom throwing things into a suitcase. "Mako what are you doing?" he approached her cautiously.
"What!" she turned around and glared at him, "You're not seriously asking me that!" she shoved the last of her stuff in her suitcase, glad that even though she had been living here for the past two months, she had lived outof her suitcase, so busyshe had barely had time to unpack.
He wrapped his arms around her, "Mako, why is this bothering you so much?"
She shoved him off of her and closed her suitcase, "Do you not realize that your parents have no idea who I am!" she yelled, "We've been dating for two years, you asked me to marry you! You claim to love me, but you couldn't even tell your parents about me. Were you ever planning on telling them? Or were you just planning on never marrying me?" she angrily wiped away her tears, "I don't have parents, the only thing I long for, you have, I looked forward to meeting them after all the things you said they said about me. But you lied, they don't even know about me! What else have you lied to me about? Do you even love me?"
Aoshi stared at her in shock, her question breaking his heart, "Don't be stupid, you know I love you."
"So now, I'm stupid?" she picked up her bags and started to walk out the door,
"No Mako, I didn't mean it like that and you know it." He started after her again.
She turned around suddenly, "You know what, I am stupid, stupid for letting love screw me over again." Her voice wavered as she headed towards the front door.
Aoshi's father glared at his son as he returned, chasing Mako who was holding a suitcase, "You will not speak to me in that manner, I am still your father, and you will treat me with respect." He raised his voice, "You should fire her," he glared at Mako, "Help shouldn't be so insolent."
Mako shifted the suitcase in her hands, before glaring at Aoshi "Don't bother, I quit." Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I quit being your maid," she spat out the word,"I quit the restaurant, and I quit us." She pulled the engagement ring off, and threw it at him, before leaving the apartment and running to the elevator, stepping in before Aoshi had a chance to fully understand what just happened.
Aoshi stared at the ring that had bounced off of his chest, leaving a small mark on his heart where the ring hit. It looked so sad, and lonely lying there discarded on the floor. He slowly bent down to pick it up, ignoring the ranting of his father.
"What the hell did she mean she quits us! You were engaged to that woman?" his fathers voice boomed loudly throughout the hall.
Aoshi glared up at his father, "I love her dad, I'm in love with her, and nothing you can say is going to change that. I don't care if you like her or not, she will become my wife!"
"Don't you take that tone with me young man, I brought you into this world, I take you out of it!" his father threatened, yet somewhat proud that his son had finally had the courage to stand up to him. Maybe it's the real thing with this maid-woman, he's never defended a girl with such conviction before.
"Oh, Hirasaki shut up!" his mother snapped at her husband before bending down to Aoshi's level. "Go after her Aoshi, I'll deal with your father."
"Thanks mom." He grabbed a shirt and headed out to search for his green eyed goddess.
Mako sat in the cab, as he drove aimlessly around the city, "Hey, where to?" the cabbie asked, looking at her sympathetically through the rear view mirror.
"Tokyo Towers please." She sniffled as the man nodded.
Fifteen minutes later, Mako was knocking on Mamo's door. Mari answered the door, "Mako! What a wonderful surprise!" the elderly woman hugged her, "It you're looking for Mamo, he's not here. Motoki took him to his physical therapy appointment."
Mako looked at her strangely, "He didn't tell me he had an appointment today."
Mari covered her mouth, realizing she had let something slip, "Oh honey, I might as well tell you. He's been doubling his physical therapy so he can walk in time for your opening next month."
Tears gathered in her eyes, "He is?"
Mari nodded, "I've never seen a more determined man in my life." She smiled warmly at Mako, "Why don't you come in and have a seat, I'll make us some tea." She led Mako to the living room, "Mamo should be home soon anyway."
Mako sat on the couch as she watched Mari disappeared to the kitchen. Mako looked around Mamo's apartment; it had been while since she had been here. Sure she had been by his side for all his appointments, but she never came into the house, as if it held too many memories of what could have been. She looked at his mantle which was filled with photos, she stood up to take a closer look and gasped, every single photo was either of her, or them as a couple.
"He's never gotten over loosing you." Mari's soft voice caused Mako to turn around, "He hasn't seen anyone in two years." She handed Mako a cup of tea. Mako sat there silently, feeling guilty for pushing Mamo out of her life. "I'm glad you're back," Mari patted her knee, "I don't think Mamo would have made it if you weren't here by his side."
Mako smiled sadly, "Even though we're not together, I couldn't live in a world without him in it." She looked away, "I wouldn't have survived if he hadn't made it." She added softly.
Mari's eyes grew wide at Mako's admission before smiling knowingly, She still loves him, I knew a love as strong as theirs couldn't be denied.
Just then the front door opened and closed, "Mari?" Mamo's tired voice rang out.
Mari gathered her belongings, "Do you want to take over tonight?" she asked Mako in an effort to rekindle the couples love. Mako nodded, "Great, thank you child," she kissed Mako's forehead, "I'll see you later." She left Mako on the couch.
"Welcome back Mamo." She smiled as she pulled on her coat, "I have to run, my replacement is in the living room,"
Mamo wheeled himself into the room only to see the woman who was burned into every fiber of his being. "Mako?"
She smiled at him, but Mamo immediately noticed that it didn't reach her eyes, "Hey Mamo."
He wheeled himself to where she was on the couch, "Mako what's wrong?" he took her hand in his.
She produced another fake smile, "Nothings wrong, I was just thinking about what to make for dinner."
Mamo stared deep into her eyes, "Food never makes you this upset, what's really wrong?"
"There's nothing wrong." She tried to insist.
"Mako, I know you better than anyone, how can you think I wouldn't notice that your smile didn't reach your eyes. The sparkle is missing."
A few tears escaped her eyes, as Mamo pulled himself to the couch beside her, she fell into his embrace, "Everything's wrong Mamo, everything."
He ran his hands soothingly through her hair, "There, there" he cooed softly, "Tell me everything, what happened?"
"I met Aoshi's parents today, and they had no idea who I was. His dad thought I was his new maid, and when I flipped out at Aoshi, his dad told him to fire me. I told him not to bother because I quit, I quit the restaurant, and that I quit us. Then I threw the engagement ring at him and stormed out." She replied rather calmly, but looking into her eyes, he could see the storm raging within. "Two years. We've been together for two years, we're engaged for Kami's sake! How could he have not told his parents about me?" The anger and pain of betrayal growing within her. "Every time I mentioned his parents, he would have a reason on why I hadn't met them yet, but that they were dying to meet me. He lied to me about them, what else has he lied about!" she took a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself, before looking down in shame, "We can't even be honest with one another, how are we going to make a marriage work?" she looked back at Mamo, "I can't even bring myself to tell him what I really am, and I'm flipping out cause he didn't tell his parents about me?"
"Mako," he took her face between his hands, "It's understandable why you're having such a hard time telling him of your past, because it affects not only you, but me and the rest of the scouts." he kissed her forehead, "Go to him Mako, I've only known one love stronger than Aoshi's love for you. Give him a chance to explain."
"You really think I should?"
It broke his heart to say yes, but he nodded, "Yea, I do."
Mako gave him a small smile, but a real one this time, "Thanks Mamo," she stood up to leave before remembering Mari had left and she needed to help Mamo.
"Go Mako, I'll be fine." He gestured for her to go as if reading her mind.
She began to leave again before stopping and turning around, "Who's love was stronger?" she asked, a part of her hoping he was going to say theirs.
Our love, Endymion and Jupiter, Mamoru Chiba and Makoto Kino, "Romeo and Juliet." He smiled though his lie as she nodded before kissing his cheek.
"Bye Mamo, and thanks."
Mamo watched her leave, before falling back onto the couch, tears creeping down his face. If you love her, you have to let her go. If it's meant to be she'll come back to you. He sat up, slowly and painfully pulling himself to his feet, Come on Mamo, you can do this, don't give up without a fight
Mako returned to her old apartment only to find Aoshi sitting outside her door, he looked up at the sound of the elevator doors opening. His eyes were puffy and red, obviously from crying, Mako had never seen a more heartbreaking sight in her life. He got up to his knees as he approached, "Mako I am so sorry."
She simply nodded, "Get up Aoshi, and come inside." She pushed past him to open the door. Although he looked sad and was on his knees begging for forgiveness, she wasn't about to give into him. He got up and followed her inside, head bowed, avoiding her eyes. She sat down on the couch, where he sat next to her. "So speak."
Aoshi stood up and paced, "I know I screwed up big time by not telling my parents about you. I wanted to, believe me I did, but my dad isn't the easiest man to please. He's been trying to set me up with one of his business partners daughters, to merge the companies, since I was 10. He's the entire reason I left Japan for Paris. He thinks that old money should marry old money. He's never approved of any of the girls I dated."
"So you're ashamed of me because I'm not rich?"
He turned to stare at her, "Not at all. I just didn't want to subject you to him, he's driven away many of my girlfriends."
"Aoshi I love you, do you think I'd let anyone get in the way of that love?"
He shook his head as he sat next to her, "I just didn't want to loose you because of him, cause then I'd have to disown him."
Mako looked up at him, "You'd pick me over your father?"
He nodded slowly, "Don't get me wrong, I'd always love him because he's my father, but you're the one I'm in love with." He took her hands in his, "Please Mako, could you ever find it in your heart to forgive me? I know I don't deserve another chance, but let me spend the rest of my life making it up to you." He begged his eyes tearing again.
Mako smiled softly, "Of course love," she pulled him in for a hug, "In fact you can start making it up to me right now." She grabbed his hand and led him to the bedroom.
Ok, some drama going on, but things are better now. Don't know when the next chapter will be out, cause I'm still playing with different endings... Who knows, I might have alternate endings. Oh yea, I haven't mentioned this in a while, but I don't own any of the characters... except for the nurse Mari and Aoshi's parents... For those of you who were wondering, Kirie means beauty or beautiful in Japanese :) Thanks you guys, I got even more reveiws for the last chapter than ever before! I can't believe I have over a hundred reviews! Thanks so much! I love you all!
Thanks to:
Becks: Well Mamo didn't die, can't have the leading man bite the dust now can we? Besides, the fics called M&M's and the other other M is Motoki, and we don't want Mako being a homewrecker.
Dimonyo-Angel: Yes, poor Mamo, he has a booboo, and yes it is Aoshi from RK. Glad you're enjoying the fic!
Kourui: I'm not going to kill Mamo, although the thought of letting him die only to be reincarnated in Aoshi's body did cross my mind... but that's a little too scifi for me. Haven't heard from you in a while, hope you're ok! BTW, I think you left a review for Mar in the review you left for me...
Yassig: Can't wait for the next chapter of your fic to post. Have you recieved the invite yet? If not I'll try to send it again.
Mar-Mar: Well, you'll be happy to know that I'm going to write more than one ending, so who knows, she just might end up with Aoshi in one of them... by the way, I'm totally stuck on 'Spanish Fly'! Sorry it's taking so long!
Cris: Thanks, I think I surprised everyone with the implication of killing Mamo off instead of Aoshi... gotcha! Glad you're enjoying the story!
Moongoddess86: Thanks for pointing that out, I went back and fixed it, don't know what happened, it was fine when I typed it on Word...
MonkeyChow: Thanks so much! The more I write Mako with Aoshi the more I like them together, but the story starting out M&M's, but who knows, there might be a change of title on the horizon. ;)
Clemen: Thanks for the idea for two endings, since so many people are asking for it, I think I will, cause you are the fans, and without your support, this story wouldn't have come as far as it has. Thanks :)
Elara2: I think that your review was the sweetest I've ever gotten, it made mewant to cry, knowing that you like my work enough to wish it was a show of its own. Thanks for the suggestion, I really like it, and intend on trying to write an ending like the one you suggested.
Miyumi-Chan: Harsh indeed, but he's not dead, nor is he going to die, so I'm not that evil... right?
Mako-Chan Fan: Thanks for you adamate support of Mamo and Mako, I agree, I did make Aoshi a little more simpering than I should have, but he did stand up to his father...
Lady D: LOL you're review cracked me up! Thanks for the support!
Raven Kino: Thanks for pointing out my mistake, and kill Mamo! Are you nuts? He's to hot for me to kill... the SM world wouldn't be the same without him. :) Thanks for the support 'little one'... although I think you're taller than me...
Reading Recommendation: Cycle of Our Souls: Hearts Thunder, by MoonRaven2, it's an oldie but a goodie, main characters, Mako and Neph.
One Love,
Athena Kyle