Hello Mina, Here is Chapter 5 of Mind Games

Author's Note - 'Denotes People's Thoughts' I'd like to take a moment and thank my reviewers.

Faerex - Yes for now... Grinning Evilly Thanks, CardCaptor Eternity - Blushing Thanks, Jamesstutz - Thanks, FireFlamezZzZ - Thanks I am glad you are enjoying it..

Per accordance with the law, I do not own Sailor Moon or any of these characters. Okay I know, on to the story

The Game

Chapter 5 - With Mixed Emotions

"Here comes the part where I am going to need your help." Mamoru glanced at Motoki. "You are going to have to hold Usagi down while I clean those wounds. It's going to hurt badly with the infection."

He left the room and went in search of all the things he would need, grabbing a bowl from the kitchen; he filled it with warm water and soap. Running into the bathroom, he found a washcloth and hand towel and fumbled through his first aid kit. Coming back into the bedroom, he carried the whole mess in on a tray. Setting it on the bed beside her, he lifted her gently before rolling her onto her stomach.

"Okay Motoki you have to hold her as still as possible. Motoki went up by her head and waited to see what Mamoru was going to do.

"First I have to clean it but this will not be the most painful part though." He started with the deepest strip, dipping his washrag in the warm soapy water he wiped away the dried blood, dirt and other unknowns, and cleaned each wound as gently as possible.

"Now comes the more difficult part. I have to pour peroxide on these to clean them out." Mamoru set the bowl and washrag aside and picked up the peroxide bottle, glancing at Motoki, before continuing. "Are you ready?"

Motoki solemnly nodded his head. Mamoru sucked in a breath as he unscrewed the cap.

"Mamo-chan" The scream came from Usagi as she tried to rise off the bed, and the sound affected both men greatly. Motoki found himself struggling with all of his strength to hold her still while gently murmuring words of comfort.

It's all right, shush...it is okay." Motoki kept glancing at Usagi praying his words helped.

"Usagi this is going to hurt but I need you to hold still for me sweetheart. Real still and soon it will all be over." Mamoru used his most soothing voice trying to help. "Now Usagi, sweetheart, this is really important, I am trying to help you so please hold still and let the peroxide do it's job."

His words had an immediate effect as soon as he called her sweetheart she stilled and only whimpered. Mamoru poured more peroxide on each of the strips.

'How does Odango know me and why did she snuggle up to me on the way here? Why did she hold still when I called her sweetheart?' These thoughts bounced around in his head looking for an explanation. Mamoru glanced at her.

"I think she finally passed out," he continued with what he was doing. Working quickly and efficiently he soon had all three strips dry and covered with an antibacterial cream.

"I think it's best for now if we leave the wounds open to the air. The cream as well as protecting the wound will reduce scarring. In fact she is lucky if whatever was used had cut deeper she would have permanent scars." He gently pulled the blanket up just to the bottom of the wounded area. He cleaned up his mess and picked up the tray signaling Motoki to follow he walked out into the kitchen.

"Motoki I have a favor to ask. I have nothing here to eat for her if she awakens. Can you run to the store and grab some groceries for me? I don't want to leave her for the moment."

"Sure anything for Usagi" Motoki walked to the door before glancing back. "I'll be back shortly."

Mamoru wandered back into the bedroom. Seeing that there was nowhere to sit he turned and walked back to his living room and hefting his chair, he carried it in and sat it by the side of the bed. Plopping down in it, he reached over and tenderly took her hand.

"Who did this Odango and why would someone do something like this to you?" He sat holding her hand pondering these questions.

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Only a few minutes later Motoki returned knocking softly at the door. Mamoru hearing it stood and went to let Motoki in.

"I bought soup for her and noodles for you, I figured that soup would be gentle enough. I also stopped by the Arcade quickly." Out of the bag, he pulled out a small box with a flourish. "Her favorite, chocolate, that'll help make her feel better. Ah shimatta, I have to be at work in twenty minutes, can you handle this on your own? I have a date later with Reika, but if you need help, I can cancel and come back."

Mamoru smiled at his friend, "Nah I think I can manage, you get to work and enjoy your date, tell Reika I said hi."

Motoki grinned in return, "Can do...remember if you need anything just call." He waved as he went out the door.

Mamoru was still grinning, he knew why Motoki was his friend and in that moment, he counted his blessings. Putting the groceries away, he quickly had everything ready in case she woke. Deciding to check on her, he wandered into his bedroom. She had not moved at all and that is when he noticed her shoes. He chuckled in all the excitement he had forgotten them. He walked over and slid them off carrying them out he sat them by the door with his own.

Wandering back into his bedroom he plopped back into the chair and reaching over he gently picked up her hand. His brain was still buzzing with all these new questions.

Her hand clenched his and his eyes jumped to her face; no movement of any kind, and he sighed in disappointment. It must have been her dreaming. He looked again at the purple bruises around her wrist. It looked as though someone had pinched her several times, he inspected her other wrist, which had bruising ringed around it and little bruises all around it also.

Squeezing her hand gently he apologized out loud, "I am sorry Odango I was not able to protect you this time."

'Whoa, wait a minute, where had that come from, I have never protected her before or have I?' The buzzing in his brain got louder and the room spun a bit. He closed his eyes and evened his breathing and before long, he was gently snoring.

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Mamoru could see the most beautiful woman he had ever laid his eyes on, she was kneeling over him in a long white dress, bathed in a soft comforting light.

"Endymion I remember, please don't leave me. Tuxedo Kamen, you have to help me." He could feel her hand on his cheek and her touch was familiar and comforting. "Mamo-chan you cannot die."

He tried to speak but found he was too weak. The light began to fade as she cried harder, leaning down over him. The last thing he saw was her beautiful eyes filled with sadness and then it all faded away...

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Mamoru awoke to someone pounding on his door; he wiped the sleep out of his eyes and looked at the clock. He had been sleeping for a half an hour. He walked out of the bedroom closing the door on his way. Shaking himself awake, he called out.

"Just a second," Walking over he undid the lock and opened the door.

"Hey Mamo-chan, I missed you today." Natsumi tried to grab him in a hug but he backpedaled. "I had so much fun last night, I was hoping we could go do something tonight...can we...please?"

He held her at arms length, holding her at bay. "I am sorry but this is not a good time right now, maybe another time?" He hoped this would not make her angry.

Natsumi let go of him and stepped back. "Okay I guess, maybe tomorrow then." She looked down pretending to be shy and her eyes froze on a pair of shoes. She pretended not to notice them and then made her excuses. "Well I better go and let you be but I hope to see you tomorrow?"

He smiled at her youthful enthusiasm, "Yeah maybe tomorrow." He closed the door behind her and relocked it. If he had seen the look on her face when he closed the door, he would have been worried.

Wandering back to his bedroom he checked again on his patient. He felt her forehead and it was hotter than before. Her body was still fighting the infection and that was a bad sign. If she couldn't fight it off, he might yet have to take her to the hospital. He sat in the chair and gently picked up her hand. She immediately clenched his hand.

"Mamo-chan, help me!" She seemed trapped in a nightmare.

"I will help you Odango", he spoke soothingly praying his voice would help calm her down.

This upset her more. "No..., No..., Mamo-chan loves Natsumi now...Someone...please help...Tuxedo Kamen, where are you?...Sei...NO!" she was struggling and whimpering a bit as tears leaked from her eyes. He was afraid she might hurt her wounds and he words coming from her were like physical blows to him yet he did not know why.

"Save me please...Ami-chan I am so sorry...didn't want to see Motoki hurt. Had to protect you guys...Please forgive me...I am sorry, not good enough...Mamo-chan wants Natsumi...Mamo-chan... Tuxedo Kamen Please," She sounded so hurt and confused, desperate even. He climbed up on the bed and gently gathered her close.

"It is alright Odango...I promise to make this better somehow...Shh... Everything is going to be fine." She let out another whimper before finally settling back down. Some of what she said made no sense but he thought her dreams were mixing with reality.

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Natsumi left Mamoru's apartment furious. 'How dare that bitch Mamoru is mine, all mine.' Wanting to find Sei, she knew how to get perfect revenge. "Sei is really wild for Usagi, when he finds out where Usagi has been there will be hell to pay." She giggled evilly heading towards their apartment lost in thought. Reaching the doors, she entered inside and headed to the elevator. As the door slid open out stepped Sei wearing a furious look.

Natsumi walked right up to him and leaned in close to whisper in his ear.

"Well you want the good news or the bad news first?" She grinned seeing his face register shock. She slid her arms up around his neck and began toying with his hair as she pressed against him suggestively.

He paused in thought studying Natsumi, he knew by her attitude that she was up to something. "Give me good news, I could really use some? Usagi disappeared today and no one seems to know where?" He saw the gleam in Natsumi's eyes and dreaded what she was going to say.

Licking his lower lip with her tongue, she then decided to bite his lip lightly. When he gasped in surprise, she kissed him provocatively. Just when his interest began to grow she pulled back slightly to glance up at him gloating.

"I know." Two little words thrilled her beyond belief she could read Sei like an open book. 'The question being how long should I toy with him?' She studied him for a moment.

He read the intent in her eyes and lost control of his temper. Grabbing her by the throat, he had her pinned to the wall in a heartbeat. "Tell me now, Damn you!"

Natsumi fought to breath, his grip cutting off her air as her feet fought for purchase but he had her several inches above the floor. She tried to pull his hand off but with no success.

Seeing her turning blue he let his hand relax a bit, "Now where the hell is she."

"She is with Mamoru." her voice squeaked. "I saw her shoes by his door." Natsumi smiled seeing the hurt look on his face.

Sei let go and she crumpled to the floor. He half turned and walked back into the elevator.

"So the bitch thinks running to him will save her." His mind worked furiously forming a plan to teach them both a lesson. Natsumi followed him into the elevator and smiled when she heard what he said.

"But you can't hurt Mamoru, he is mine I don't care what you do to that bitch but you can't hurt Mamoru." The doors closed and she pressed their floor number.

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Mamoru lay stretched out with Usagi snuggled into his arms. Her breathing was slow and even. He sighed in relief it seemed the worst was over. She seemed to be in a healing sleep now. He just stared at her beauty.

Other than the purple discoloration and the slight bruising, her skin was unmarred. Her long blonde lashes just tickled the pale skin of her cheeks. Her mouth was slightly open, her pink lips relaxed in sleep.

He was lost in thought, 'The last couple of months we have run into each other several times. Every time I get this strange feeling that I should know her. This feels so natural I have never wanted to be this close to anyone before.' With a puzzled expression his thoughts kept wandering.

'Even Natsumi holds no real appeal for me and I definitely have feelings for this girl, but Kamisama why? If I am going to be truthful, I know why, she makes me happy; not just me but anyone she is around. I love how riled up she gets when I tease her, but she is never mean, just throws it right back in my face. I love her eyes; they glow from within.' Without realizing it he was staring into her cerulean eyes.

"M...mamo-chan," Usagi sounded breathless and still half-asleep.

"It's alright sweetheart you are safe now. Do you need anything?" Blinking up at him, she looked as though she was not sure if he was real.

She blushed, "I need to use your bathroom."

"Oh yeah, it's right over there." He slowly disentangled her and helped her sit up. Realizing she was half-dressed, she threw her arms up to hide herself. "Where is my shirt?" Blushing to her roots, she looked for a way to hide.

Mamo-chan did not want to frighten her, so he spoke softly. "Uh you see...I uh...had to cut it off of you." Blushed he swallowed nervously before continuing. "You see I knew something was wrong with your back and I didn't want to hurt you further by pulling it off. I am sorry but it seemed the easiest way to check your back out. It's a good thing too your wounds were infected and that was why you were so sick."

He went to his dresser and pulled out a white dress shirt setting it on the bed he gently turned her away from him.

"Let me check them out and see how they are doing. They look much better, the peroxide really did clean them well. We need to cover them before you put this on."

He walked into the bathroom and she could hear him digging around. He came back holding gauze and medical tape. He quickly tore strips of the gauze and his gentle fingers covered all three strips.

"I put antibacterial cream on them to help fight the infection and scarring." He grabbed the shirt, gently worked it up one arm, and then gently followed suit with the other one. He then took time to roll the long sleeves up for her. Her hands reached up to button it and she hissed in pain. He brushed her hands away.

"Here let me do that." He started just under her chin and quickly had it buttoned up. She slowly walked into the bathroom, and shut the door. Mamoru took a quick glance around making sure things looked decent.

'I don't want her thinking I am some kind of slob.' He heard the toilet flush and the water run for a moment before she returned.

"How did I get here?" she asked him shyly.

"Don't you remember running into me in the park."

"Well yeah barely but I thought I was imagining things that is the last of what I remember." She had been startled to wake up to see Mamo-chan lying with her. The look on his face had been so tender and filled with emotion. Now his features were calm and unreadable.

He smiled gently. "Are you hungry?" Her stomach let out a loud growl in response and she blushed as they both broke out laughing. That eased the tension some and he waved her into the kitchen.

"Motoki brought you some soup, and even some ice cream, chocolate no less. He must really like you." He turned to see her eyes filled with tears and her face filled with sadness.

Rushing over to her he stopped directly in front of her, mere inches away seeing the fear in her eyes he just stood there making no attempt to touch her.

"Would you like to talk about it?" She glanced up at him for a moment trying to decide finally she gave up and shook her head. He dropped a kiss gently on her forehead and left it that. He went back to preparing her soup and left her reeling in shock.

'Kamisama he just kissed me, does he remember? No he would have immediately said so.' She walked over to the table and sat on one of the chairs. Letting her chin rest in her hand, she studied him. He moved with a fluid grace, seeming comfortable in his kitchen.

Usagi watched as he fixed them both food and shortly they were sitting at the table eating in a comfortable silence. When he dished up their ice cream, he finally found his voice again.

"So how are you feeling?"

"Not so bad now, what happened the last thing I really remember is heading to the park. OH NO!" she wailed remembering. "My sweatshirt, I left it there with Sei last night." Realizing her mistake, she clapped her hand over her mouth. He chose to ignore her slip for the moment.

"Don't worry, I have it you don't remember but I gave it to you at the park and you tried to snuggle under it like a blanket. When I carried you here you had it and it is on the floor in the bedroom."

Usagi smiled in relief. "I'm glad you found it."

"Yeah I thought I recognized it. You wore it a couple of days ago." He paused between bites deciding how much to reveal. "The funny thing is when I was at the bench last night just before the sun set, it wasn't there. Strangely enough when I arrived today, it was thrown haphazardly on the bench. Care to explain?" He stopped waiting for her to fill in the blanks.

"Um well you see..." she paused, thinking.

"Usagi cut it out!" his tone was gruff but he continued anyway. "I've seen your back, I've seen your wrists, and I've seen your face. What the hell is going on?" He watched her face crumble and her eyes fill with tears.

He grabbed both of their bowls and set them in the sink. With his back to her, he rubbed his eyes with his hands, trying to calm down, before turning to face her again. He slowly walked over and sat down. It tore at his heart, seeing the pain on her face. Picking up her hands gently, he studied her.

"Are you ready to talk about it yet?" She looked so lost and confused but she shook her head.

"Do you realize that you are hurting those that care about you, including me?" He took a deep breath before continuing. "Motoki was crying earlier when he saw your back. He mentioned something about you protecting him, look maybe I can help you somehow, please just talk to me?"

He let go of her hands to plead with her. When he had mentioned Motoki, he saw her eyes widen in shock. Her tears fell unchecked her voice was quiet when she finally spoke.

"Look I got everyone into this mess and somehow I have to get everyone out. You can't understand." She was slowly getting more upset, rambling, on the verge of hysteria. "I don't know what he is capable of...and Tuxedo Kamen...is gone. I don't want anyone else hurt so I have to fix this myself."

Her words struck him like a fist. That name again, his head buzzed as though he should know something...He closed his eyes for a moment to settle everything back into its place.

Usagi ran into his bedroom and grabbed her sweatshirt. "I have to go, where are my shoes?" Crying and upset, he did not know how to stop her.

"They are over by the door...but wait, come here for a moment, please?"

She paused as though not knowing what to do. Finally making up her mind she slowly approached him.

"I care about you Odango and I don't want to see you hurt anymore. What can I do to stop you from leaving just say the words?" He gently wiped away her tears.

She looked at him sadly. "You can't help me, until you can remember." She leaned forward and laid a gentle kiss on his forehead. "I love you Mamo-chan never forget that." Then she was gone.

He sat puzzled by what she had said then he jumped into action. Grabbing the phone, he called the Arcade.

"Crown Arcade, moshi-moshi"

"Look Motoki It's me Usagi just left, are any of her friends there?"

"No Mamoru I am sorry. Where was she heading?" Motoki sounded as worried as Mamoru felt. He could hear the worry in Motoki's voice.

"That's just it, I don't know. She got upset and told me that I couldn't help her." The urgency in his voice was evident. "I need to find her friends because maybe they know what I am missing.

"They are at Rei's Temple, do you know the number?"

"Sorry no I have no clue." Mamoru grabbed a pen, pad, and prepared to write.

Motoki quickly gave him the phone number. "Keep me updated, will you?"

"Yeah I will thanks." He pushed in the button and looked at the number he had scrawled.

Here is an end to Chapter 5. I hope you all enjoyed it, plenty of Mamo-chan. Please let me know what you think. I am currently hard at work on Chapter 6 but will be away for the rest of the weekend...Look for my next update early next week.