Finally Able To Walk Away
AN: Wow, you guys really liked this! Thanks so much wow! I was smiling the entire day after reading your reviews!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!
Blood River, you n' me both. Reviews are like gold man, they are my sustenance! Thanks so much!
DuosBunnie, I like your penname! And I do feel Honored that you reviewed! Thank you so much!
Concrete Tenshi, Thank you so much for appreciating the description and emotion I put into how the characters feel! Most people over look it or don't care! Thank you so much for reviewing!
Pretty Pilot, thank you, I try very hard for originality, in every way. Um, I guess Chibi Usa ... well hey, the future isn't decided yet, so who knows? I see the Pink Venom teetering on a fine line of existence and none- existence. It's Usagi's decision so to speak. Yeah, I am tired of Mamoru bashers; he wasn't too much of a jerk in the series. Thanks so much for your review!
Jenn, thanks so much for your review!
Silver Hawk Angel, thanks! I'm ecstatic that you find this story interesting! Thanks so much for your review!
Kitty Kat Chan, you got it! Next chapter acometh! Thanks so much for your review!
GemJewel, hey, you're awesome! Thanks so much for reviewing!
Senshi, thanks so much for your review!
Pumpunita, I really didn't think much of adding Luna to this story, my apologies, but I will add her just for you! Actually, an idea just birthed from my head, so I guarantee you a human shaped Luna! Thanks for the idea! And thanks so much for your review! AHHHHHHH!!! I GOT MY TEN REVIEWS! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!
Now, on with the story!
Chapter two, Risking It All
"Oh Usako, you failed another test. Did you forget to study again or something?" Makoto said rubbing the back of her head. Usagi laughed, a slight bitter tone in her voice. She forced a smile.
"No, I actually stayed up real late last night studying I guess I am just stupid!" She exclaimed, passing her inward pain and worry off as a joke. 'No, actually, I didn't study at all. I was up all night crying.' Usagi darkly thought as she spoke. It seemed like less of a lie that way. Makoto shrugged.
"You're not stupid, you only need to find the right way to study, that's all. C'mon, let's go eat lunch. I made an "end of exams" feast for us!"
"Thanks Mako, but I'll pass. I'm not hungry; I guess I'll go study for retakes in the library. See ya 'round!" Usagi turned to leave, hoping her words were feasible. Makoto was faster than Usagi however. She reached out and grabbed Usagi's arm and pulled her back.
"But you're always hungry, what's wrong?" Makoto asked, her voice sounding concerned. Usagi laughed Makoto's worry off.
"Nah, I ate in class."
"You usually do Usako."
"Mum packed me extra today. Later Mako—"Usagi said happily as she roughly and firmly jerked her arm free of Makoto's grasp. Quickly exiting Usagi ducked around a corner of her school building. She sighed, letting out all of her breath.
'Why can't I just tell them that Mamoru ditched me? Right... cuz' then I'd be weak. And I promised myself I'd be strong too, so I need to just get over this! I don't want to be weak anymore...' Usagi thought. She then desperately broke into a run, not caring where her feet took her, so long as it was away from people. But soon Usagi found she would have rather not even left the school. Her feet took her right outside Mamoru's apartment. And just her luck, Mamoru was exiting his apartment. He glanced at her, slightly shocked to see her.
"Oh... Hi... Usagi. How's it going?" He sad casually, not really looking at her, but everywhere else.
"Just fine." Usagi said indifferently. 'Yes! I can do this, I can be strong!'
Then a hand reached out from behind the door as it opened again, and it gave Mamoru a slight shove. A woman with light blonde hair and purple eyes (looking almost identical to Usagi) stepped out behind Mamoru.
"Mamo, are we going then? Who's this girl?" She asked in a sweet soft voice. Mamoru laughed and turned to Usagi.
"Usagi, this is Usako—I mean Usano Seno. She's my girlfriend now. Hey, we've gotta go, but, uh, have a nice day. And go back to school." He said in a plain voice. The two walked to Mamoru's red convertible and drove away with out a second or last glance back at the girl. Usagi's eyes had followed them with out blinking and now stared after them. She then brought her eyes to the ground and dropped on the stairs of the stoop leading to Mamoru's apartment.
'No... he can't have replaced me so soon...' She thought as her heart shattered. 'Anything but this...' Usagi then gripped her hair tightly and curled up into a protective ball. Letting loose a new tsunami of tears Usagi began to fade away from the world and drop further into herself. Old pain burning new... 'No', she thought, 'this is a new pain entirely... it hurts so much more than before...'
"Hey, Angels shouldn't cry, what's wrong? What's hurting you?" A male voice suddenly spoke out. Usagi quickly looked up from her ball. The sun was almost done setting already.
"Duo? Wha—hi." She said quickly wiping her tears away. Duo slid next to her and wrapped his arms around her.
"Hey—it's all right to cry you know." He said softly.
Usagi froze. It felt so good to have strong male arms wrapped around her, but it felt so wrong at the same time. She couldn't even tell her friends about her pains, but she could let Duo hold her. Her heart then over loaded with emotions and Usagi broke down, crying into Duo's chest. He seemed surprised, but held her more tightly. She gently snuggled against him, falling deeply into his comfort. Mamoru's body had nothing on Duo's, a voice kindly reminded Usagi in the back of her mind.
Duo had no idea what the hell he thought he was doing. Why did he care about some stranger he met in a park? Why did he want to see this broken dove smile again, why would he do anything and everything to make that possible? Meanwhile Duo sat comforting Usagi Hilde was waiting for him back at their apartment. But right now, Hilde didn't actually matter. Only this crying angel mattered. These thoughts raced through Duo's head wildly. Usagi then broke him from his thoughts as she jumped up suddenly.
"Ack! Mamoru is gonna be home any second now! He can't see me like this!" She exclaimed, taking Duo's hand and bolting.
By now the sun had crested over the horizon as Usagi and Duo slowed to a stop. Again they found themselves in the park. Laughing they collapsed onto a park bench.
"I have no idea why, but I always feel so good after running!" Usagi exclaimed as she caught her breath. Duo smiled lightly, having already found his breath.
"It's because when you run, you leave everything behind. When you run, you're ahead of everything, and nothing can catch up to you. Or at least, it is for me."
Usagi thought about Duo's words for a moment, carefully turning them over in her mind. "Yeah, I guess you're right!" Usagi said. She then suddenly became serious. "Hey, Duo... I really like you... I want to be friends. And I was wondering if... I could introduce you to my friends?"
Duo also turned serious, but in a more grave way. He inhaled deeply, held his breath, then slowly let it out. "I'd love too... but I don't want to see you get hurt, especially by my hand. I'm a very dangerous person to be around."
Then Usagi got pissed, and untraceable anger filling her and brimming tears to the edge of her eyes. Hot, angry tears threatened to spill as she jolted to her feet. "What kind of line is that? I'm just asking for friendship, what's so dangerous about that?"
"Odango Atama..." Duo said softly. "There's more to it than that—"
"Don't call me that!" Usagi yelled, her voice bordering on screaming. Duo stood up, prepared to retaliate, but stopped. There was something in Usagi's eyes, a deep pain. This wasn't about him. Duo got a bit of a muddled expression, then sighed. He never liked letting people vent on him, but for this broken angel, he could take it. As Duo opened his mouth to speak Usagi interrupted him again.
"Am I not a good enough person for "friends"? Am I too childish, too spoiled, too ugly? Am I not good enough?!" Usagi now screamed. And suddenly, when Usagi looked Duo in the eyes, she saw Mamoru. Instinctively she slapped him, trying to get rid of his poison.
Duo fell roughly to the ground.
Usagi gasped.
"Oh I'm so sorry Duo!" She reached down to help Duo up, but Duo pulled himself to his feet. He stood tall, and for a second, Usagi panicked that Duo might hit her back. Duo then grabbed Usagi by her shoulders and sharply pulled her into a tight embrace, one hand on her back and the other stroking the back of her head.
"Hey, it's okay." His voice was soft and comforting. Usagi gently closed her eyes, enveloped by comfort. Something that actually felt like happiness. "That man really has you torn up, hasn't he? Hey, I'll tell you what—you name the day, I'll take you and your friends out for anything, my treat. We'll be friends."
Usagi sighed. "Duo, you don't have to. I'm sorry I threw a fit, I don't know why I got so angry."
"I know where your anger came from. You weren't talking to me were you? You were talking to Mamoru. And I know I don't have to do anything; that's what makes me want to." He said quietly. 'I'll just risk everything...' His mind thought grimly.
"Thanks Duo—hey! What time is it! Ahhh! I have to get home! Bye Duo, oh, how can I get in touch with you?"
"Don't worry, I'll find you. Good Night "Duo released Usagi from his embrace and watched her run off to her home. He smiled lightly.
"Hey, if I can't call you Odango Atama, then can I call you Usako?" Duo asked quietly as he watch Usagi run off. He then checked his watch and smirked. He had to make a house call.
Usagi slowly opened the door to her house and her blood froze. Her mum was sitting in front of the door, waiting. It looked as tough the grim had passed over her. Usagi gulped.
"Five seconds to explain yourself Usagi Tsukino. {Now}." Her mum informed her. It was rather frightening, actually. Mrs. Tsukino had a fiery look in her eyes and a very dark tone to her voice. She sat very still as Usagi tried to find the words to explain her late night rendezvous in the park, nicely. Or the best that she could. Either one would work.
"Uhh, well I was—"
"Were you out with your boyfriend Mamoru? Were you sleeping with him? I excused you the last couple of nights, I even looked the other way and lied for you when your father noticed you were gone. {Explain}." Her mum's voice had become lethal. Usagi hung her head.
"Mum, I wasn't sleeping with him. He—we're not seeing each other anymore, so I needed to clear my head. I've been in the park, at the swings. I'm sorry, I never thought about it before. I've just always ended up there." She confessed, awaiting her mum's wrath. But instead a soft, comforting tone came form Mrs. Tsukino's mouth.
"Usa, did he break up with you? Is that why you've been sleeping on the couch each night? To get away from Mamoru? I know how you've decorated your room with him."
Usagi tried to sound strong. She had sworn herself to strength, to no one seeing her cry. But this was her Mum, her loving, caring mum. "Yes..." She said in a quiet, teary voice. Usagi then broke down and cried in her mother's arms. Mrs. Tsukino held her crying daughter.
"It'll be okay Usa, it'll be okay..."
5.35 am. Duo smirked as his digital watched glowed amidst the dark morning. Dawn had yet to crest over the horizon as Duo leaned against the side of the building with his left arm. He cracked his knuckles and grinned. Then, in rapid succession, he began ringing the doorbell to room twenty-seven on the third floor. Such things gave Duo a sweet, grim satisfaction. Duo began to casually examine his nails while leaning against the wall of the apartment building, waiting for his victim. Soon shuffling sounded from behind the door and it opened, a bleary eyed Mamoru squinting at Duo.
"Who the hell are you?"
Duo glanced up from his nails and gave Mamoru a blank stare. "You Mamoru Chiba?"
"Yes." Mamoru growled. Duo smiled wickedly.
"Great." He said, clearing his throat. When he looked back up at Mamoru Duo's expression changed to a drunken elation. "Buddy! Hey, how's it goin' man" You haven't called in ages! You with a woman or something? Well c'mon and let an ol' high school buddy in!" Duo called out very loudly. Through bewilderment Mamoru obliged. He led Duo up to his apartment in silence while Duo gabbed away, not talking about anything in particular. Soon Duo plopped down on Mamoru's couch and spread out.
'This will be fun' Duo thought wickedly, the smirk on his face growing...
AN: AH! All done, with a cliff hanger! Love me! Review me! Cuz I'll luv you too...
AN: Wow, you guys really liked this! Thanks so much wow! I was smiling the entire day after reading your reviews!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!
Blood River, you n' me both. Reviews are like gold man, they are my sustenance! Thanks so much!
DuosBunnie, I like your penname! And I do feel Honored that you reviewed! Thank you so much!
Concrete Tenshi, Thank you so much for appreciating the description and emotion I put into how the characters feel! Most people over look it or don't care! Thank you so much for reviewing!
Pretty Pilot, thank you, I try very hard for originality, in every way. Um, I guess Chibi Usa ... well hey, the future isn't decided yet, so who knows? I see the Pink Venom teetering on a fine line of existence and none- existence. It's Usagi's decision so to speak. Yeah, I am tired of Mamoru bashers; he wasn't too much of a jerk in the series. Thanks so much for your review!
Jenn, thanks so much for your review!
Silver Hawk Angel, thanks! I'm ecstatic that you find this story interesting! Thanks so much for your review!
Kitty Kat Chan, you got it! Next chapter acometh! Thanks so much for your review!
GemJewel, hey, you're awesome! Thanks so much for reviewing!
Senshi, thanks so much for your review!
Pumpunita, I really didn't think much of adding Luna to this story, my apologies, but I will add her just for you! Actually, an idea just birthed from my head, so I guarantee you a human shaped Luna! Thanks for the idea! And thanks so much for your review! AHHHHHHH!!! I GOT MY TEN REVIEWS! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!
Now, on with the story!
Chapter two, Risking It All
"Oh Usako, you failed another test. Did you forget to study again or something?" Makoto said rubbing the back of her head. Usagi laughed, a slight bitter tone in her voice. She forced a smile.
"No, I actually stayed up real late last night studying I guess I am just stupid!" She exclaimed, passing her inward pain and worry off as a joke. 'No, actually, I didn't study at all. I was up all night crying.' Usagi darkly thought as she spoke. It seemed like less of a lie that way. Makoto shrugged.
"You're not stupid, you only need to find the right way to study, that's all. C'mon, let's go eat lunch. I made an "end of exams" feast for us!"
"Thanks Mako, but I'll pass. I'm not hungry; I guess I'll go study for retakes in the library. See ya 'round!" Usagi turned to leave, hoping her words were feasible. Makoto was faster than Usagi however. She reached out and grabbed Usagi's arm and pulled her back.
"But you're always hungry, what's wrong?" Makoto asked, her voice sounding concerned. Usagi laughed Makoto's worry off.
"Nah, I ate in class."
"You usually do Usako."
"Mum packed me extra today. Later Mako—"Usagi said happily as she roughly and firmly jerked her arm free of Makoto's grasp. Quickly exiting Usagi ducked around a corner of her school building. She sighed, letting out all of her breath.
'Why can't I just tell them that Mamoru ditched me? Right... cuz' then I'd be weak. And I promised myself I'd be strong too, so I need to just get over this! I don't want to be weak anymore...' Usagi thought. She then desperately broke into a run, not caring where her feet took her, so long as it was away from people. But soon Usagi found she would have rather not even left the school. Her feet took her right outside Mamoru's apartment. And just her luck, Mamoru was exiting his apartment. He glanced at her, slightly shocked to see her.
"Oh... Hi... Usagi. How's it going?" He sad casually, not really looking at her, but everywhere else.
"Just fine." Usagi said indifferently. 'Yes! I can do this, I can be strong!'
Then a hand reached out from behind the door as it opened again, and it gave Mamoru a slight shove. A woman with light blonde hair and purple eyes (looking almost identical to Usagi) stepped out behind Mamoru.
"Mamo, are we going then? Who's this girl?" She asked in a sweet soft voice. Mamoru laughed and turned to Usagi.
"Usagi, this is Usako—I mean Usano Seno. She's my girlfriend now. Hey, we've gotta go, but, uh, have a nice day. And go back to school." He said in a plain voice. The two walked to Mamoru's red convertible and drove away with out a second or last glance back at the girl. Usagi's eyes had followed them with out blinking and now stared after them. She then brought her eyes to the ground and dropped on the stairs of the stoop leading to Mamoru's apartment.
'No... he can't have replaced me so soon...' She thought as her heart shattered. 'Anything but this...' Usagi then gripped her hair tightly and curled up into a protective ball. Letting loose a new tsunami of tears Usagi began to fade away from the world and drop further into herself. Old pain burning new... 'No', she thought, 'this is a new pain entirely... it hurts so much more than before...'
"Hey, Angels shouldn't cry, what's wrong? What's hurting you?" A male voice suddenly spoke out. Usagi quickly looked up from her ball. The sun was almost done setting already.
"Duo? Wha—hi." She said quickly wiping her tears away. Duo slid next to her and wrapped his arms around her.
"Hey—it's all right to cry you know." He said softly.
Usagi froze. It felt so good to have strong male arms wrapped around her, but it felt so wrong at the same time. She couldn't even tell her friends about her pains, but she could let Duo hold her. Her heart then over loaded with emotions and Usagi broke down, crying into Duo's chest. He seemed surprised, but held her more tightly. She gently snuggled against him, falling deeply into his comfort. Mamoru's body had nothing on Duo's, a voice kindly reminded Usagi in the back of her mind.
Duo had no idea what the hell he thought he was doing. Why did he care about some stranger he met in a park? Why did he want to see this broken dove smile again, why would he do anything and everything to make that possible? Meanwhile Duo sat comforting Usagi Hilde was waiting for him back at their apartment. But right now, Hilde didn't actually matter. Only this crying angel mattered. These thoughts raced through Duo's head wildly. Usagi then broke him from his thoughts as she jumped up suddenly.
"Ack! Mamoru is gonna be home any second now! He can't see me like this!" She exclaimed, taking Duo's hand and bolting.
By now the sun had crested over the horizon as Usagi and Duo slowed to a stop. Again they found themselves in the park. Laughing they collapsed onto a park bench.
"I have no idea why, but I always feel so good after running!" Usagi exclaimed as she caught her breath. Duo smiled lightly, having already found his breath.
"It's because when you run, you leave everything behind. When you run, you're ahead of everything, and nothing can catch up to you. Or at least, it is for me."
Usagi thought about Duo's words for a moment, carefully turning them over in her mind. "Yeah, I guess you're right!" Usagi said. She then suddenly became serious. "Hey, Duo... I really like you... I want to be friends. And I was wondering if... I could introduce you to my friends?"
Duo also turned serious, but in a more grave way. He inhaled deeply, held his breath, then slowly let it out. "I'd love too... but I don't want to see you get hurt, especially by my hand. I'm a very dangerous person to be around."
Then Usagi got pissed, and untraceable anger filling her and brimming tears to the edge of her eyes. Hot, angry tears threatened to spill as she jolted to her feet. "What kind of line is that? I'm just asking for friendship, what's so dangerous about that?"
"Odango Atama..." Duo said softly. "There's more to it than that—"
"Don't call me that!" Usagi yelled, her voice bordering on screaming. Duo stood up, prepared to retaliate, but stopped. There was something in Usagi's eyes, a deep pain. This wasn't about him. Duo got a bit of a muddled expression, then sighed. He never liked letting people vent on him, but for this broken angel, he could take it. As Duo opened his mouth to speak Usagi interrupted him again.
"Am I not a good enough person for "friends"? Am I too childish, too spoiled, too ugly? Am I not good enough?!" Usagi now screamed. And suddenly, when Usagi looked Duo in the eyes, she saw Mamoru. Instinctively she slapped him, trying to get rid of his poison.
Duo fell roughly to the ground.
Usagi gasped.
"Oh I'm so sorry Duo!" She reached down to help Duo up, but Duo pulled himself to his feet. He stood tall, and for a second, Usagi panicked that Duo might hit her back. Duo then grabbed Usagi by her shoulders and sharply pulled her into a tight embrace, one hand on her back and the other stroking the back of her head.
"Hey, it's okay." His voice was soft and comforting. Usagi gently closed her eyes, enveloped by comfort. Something that actually felt like happiness. "That man really has you torn up, hasn't he? Hey, I'll tell you what—you name the day, I'll take you and your friends out for anything, my treat. We'll be friends."
Usagi sighed. "Duo, you don't have to. I'm sorry I threw a fit, I don't know why I got so angry."
"I know where your anger came from. You weren't talking to me were you? You were talking to Mamoru. And I know I don't have to do anything; that's what makes me want to." He said quietly. 'I'll just risk everything...' His mind thought grimly.
"Thanks Duo—hey! What time is it! Ahhh! I have to get home! Bye Duo, oh, how can I get in touch with you?"
"Don't worry, I'll find you. Good Night "Duo released Usagi from his embrace and watched her run off to her home. He smiled lightly.
"Hey, if I can't call you Odango Atama, then can I call you Usako?" Duo asked quietly as he watch Usagi run off. He then checked his watch and smirked. He had to make a house call.
Usagi slowly opened the door to her house and her blood froze. Her mum was sitting in front of the door, waiting. It looked as tough the grim had passed over her. Usagi gulped.
"Five seconds to explain yourself Usagi Tsukino. {Now}." Her mum informed her. It was rather frightening, actually. Mrs. Tsukino had a fiery look in her eyes and a very dark tone to her voice. She sat very still as Usagi tried to find the words to explain her late night rendezvous in the park, nicely. Or the best that she could. Either one would work.
"Uhh, well I was—"
"Were you out with your boyfriend Mamoru? Were you sleeping with him? I excused you the last couple of nights, I even looked the other way and lied for you when your father noticed you were gone. {Explain}." Her mum's voice had become lethal. Usagi hung her head.
"Mum, I wasn't sleeping with him. He—we're not seeing each other anymore, so I needed to clear my head. I've been in the park, at the swings. I'm sorry, I never thought about it before. I've just always ended up there." She confessed, awaiting her mum's wrath. But instead a soft, comforting tone came form Mrs. Tsukino's mouth.
"Usa, did he break up with you? Is that why you've been sleeping on the couch each night? To get away from Mamoru? I know how you've decorated your room with him."
Usagi tried to sound strong. She had sworn herself to strength, to no one seeing her cry. But this was her Mum, her loving, caring mum. "Yes..." She said in a quiet, teary voice. Usagi then broke down and cried in her mother's arms. Mrs. Tsukino held her crying daughter.
"It'll be okay Usa, it'll be okay..."
5.35 am. Duo smirked as his digital watched glowed amidst the dark morning. Dawn had yet to crest over the horizon as Duo leaned against the side of the building with his left arm. He cracked his knuckles and grinned. Then, in rapid succession, he began ringing the doorbell to room twenty-seven on the third floor. Such things gave Duo a sweet, grim satisfaction. Duo began to casually examine his nails while leaning against the wall of the apartment building, waiting for his victim. Soon shuffling sounded from behind the door and it opened, a bleary eyed Mamoru squinting at Duo.
"Who the hell are you?"
Duo glanced up from his nails and gave Mamoru a blank stare. "You Mamoru Chiba?"
"Yes." Mamoru growled. Duo smiled wickedly.
"Great." He said, clearing his throat. When he looked back up at Mamoru Duo's expression changed to a drunken elation. "Buddy! Hey, how's it goin' man" You haven't called in ages! You with a woman or something? Well c'mon and let an ol' high school buddy in!" Duo called out very loudly. Through bewilderment Mamoru obliged. He led Duo up to his apartment in silence while Duo gabbed away, not talking about anything in particular. Soon Duo plopped down on Mamoru's couch and spread out.
'This will be fun' Duo thought wickedly, the smirk on his face growing...
AN: AH! All done, with a cliff hanger! Love me! Review me! Cuz I'll luv you too...