Hello again, Here is Chapter 2 of The Ghosts of Christmas Eve please read and review and let me know what you think.
Author's Notes – 'Denotes People's Thoughts' Thanks to my reviewers. Cardcaptoreternity – I am glad you are enjoying it. Priestess-Taisho, Thanks I hope this is soon enough?
Disclaimer - Yoshi-sama made me swear never to send money to try and own the copyrights – So obviously I don't own any of this, except the idea for the plot… ;) Now on to the story…
The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Chapter 2 - Doubts Fears and Recriminations
Mamoru awoke with a start to hear Usagi whimpering in her sleep. Slowly sitting up he rubbed at grainy tired eyes. Glancing at his watch he realized he had only been asleep for an hour. Stretching tired muscles he leaned over towards Usagi to offer comfort.
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Usagi watched in horror as the grisly scene from reality tortured her in her dreams over and over again. When she could find no way to stop the replay she let out a heart-breaking cry and sat straight up.
Blinking rapidly she found herself on the floor of the shrine, Mamoru leaning towards her. Moonlight washed the room in pale luminosity. Taking deep calming breaths to slow her rushing heart, she blushed softly.
"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" Her voice trembled as she held back the onslaught of tears that threatened.
"No I was already awake. Are you all right?" His concerned gaze evoked odd feelings in her.
"I am okay it was just a nightmare, well sort of." She stumbled to a halt in shock as she realized it wasn't just a nightmare. "I saw it over and over and I still couldn't stop it from happening." Tears broke free at this point slipping down her cheeks unacknowledged. Gulping to fight the horror and hysteria rising within her, she tried to speak again. "I…I…am supposed to protect people, not watch them die because I am this city's protector."
Mamoru watched as she fought for control. He could sense the overwhelming hysteria bubbling up inside her but he did not know how to help her. Her next words sent an icy chill through him.
"I failed in my duty and that poor child paid with her life." Her whispered words were rife with guilt and shame. Head bowed she could not even seem to look him in the eyes as she berated herself.
He could not find the words to reassure her, there were no words to ease the guilt she felt. If he tried, he knew that it would just be contrived and useless. Reaching out tentatively he lifted her chin.
When she glanced up and met with his dark eyes, it took a second to remember how to breathe. Something indescribable lurked in the depth of his eyes washing over her but before she could figure it out he spoke.
"You need to try and rest, here lie down and I will help." Glancing at him in shock she did not even question him. Lying back down she pulled the comforter up to her chest and watched him silently. When his hand stroked over her cheek and up towards her hairline she shivered, "Close your eyes." Once she did she felt his fingers feather down over her closed eyes and circle around to begin the process again. Finding the touch soothing, she soon relaxed and slipped into an untroubled sleep.
He watched her as he stroked over her face until her breathing relaxed and slowed. When assured that she was resting peacefully he finally let his hand wander away and drop into his lap.
Mamoru took one last glance around to make sure all were sleeping and then leaned over and gently whispered, "Oyasumi", before kissing Usagi on the lips. He backed away and lay down once more.
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A few feet away, Rei smiled silently. She hadn't meant to overhear the conversation but when Usagi cried out she been awake instantly. Seeing Mamoru checking on her, Rei had stilled and kept her breathing normal. When they quieted back down and he glanced around she almost alerted him to her presence, but something in his manner halted her. When he leaned over and whispered before kissing her, she couldn't help but pray that Mamoru could do Usagi some good.
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Usagi slowly awoke to one of her favorite smells, fried eggs and ham. She could hear quiet voices and people moving around. Opening bleary eyes she sat up and stretched feeling sore muscles. Standing slowly she folded up the comforter, gathered up the pillow and walked over to Rei's bed. Placing the armload onto the bed she prepared to face everyone. Walking slowly into the kitchen she found everyone preparing to eat. Easy smiles and sympathetic glances all turned in her direction. With a half hearted smile she walked over to the table and knelt down next to Mamoru in the empty spot. Listening to the idle chatter she realized they were planning on going Christmas shopping.
"Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I haven't bought a single gift!" Minako appeared stressed as she spoke.
Ami smiled, "I've been done since mid November." She glanced over at Usagi. "How about you, Usagi-chan, do you have a lot left to buy?"
Minako rescued Usagi from having to reply. "Oh so the early bird leaves the nest." She smiled brightly her point clear. Everybody dropped his or her heads.
"I think you mean the early bird gets the worm." Ami replied chuckling.
"Actually I still have one or two gifts to buy." Usagi spoke quietly and a small smile flitted over her features.
"I have a few to buy too." Makoto smiled reassuringly. "Let's do our best eh Usagi-chan?"
Usagi nodded realizing that her friends were avoiding the discussion about the previous evening on purpose.
Mamoru watched Usagi quietly paying attention to the conversation. He knew what the girls were doing. Hiding his smile he focused his attention on the food waiting. 'Usagi is unusually quiet but I guess that is expected. What is going on today, no classes, so should I tag along, uh…teenage girls, shopping, maybe not?' He was chewing thoughtfully when he realized that it had grown unusually quiet. Snapping back to the moment he glanced around to find everyone watching him waiting. Caught unaware he chuckled nervously.
"Mamoru-san, Usagi-chan asked if you were going to join us." Rei supplied helpfully.
"Oh…eto…I…uh" He paused thoughtfully, 'what do I say…what do I say?' He glanced over to find cerulean eyes regarding him with a look of tragic sorrow. 'I can't refuse when she looks so sad.' "I guess I could join you for some shopping. I still have a couple of gifts to buy." 'What have I gotten myself into?' He listened to the excited chatter, glancing at Usagi he saw she had withdrawn, back into her shell.
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Usagi walked home slowly. Thinking about the evening before had dulled her excitement for shopping. Reaching her front porch she opened the door slowly and walked in. Slipping off her shoes she called out. "I'm home." Hearing her mom call out, "okay dear", she wandered to her room. Climbing on her bed she curled up in a little ball.
'I don't know if I can go on with blood on my hands? I should have done more; there must have been something I could have done.' Her thoughts whirled around in giant circles not helping. She finally slipped into a troubled doze and it wasn't until Luna jumped onto the bed that she startled awake.
"Usagi-chan we need to talk. Who is this Chiba-san and what do you know of him?" Luna eyed her expectantly waiting for answers.
"Why do you want to know about Mamoru-san?" Usagi blinked sleepily not understanding.
"Well if he is Tuxedo Kamen we need to know everything about him." Luna lifted a paw and licked delicately.
"What did you just say?" Usagi shot straight up off the bed.
"If Chiba-san is Tuxedo Kamen," Luna stopped mid sentence as a pillow smacked her. "Usagi-chan, what was that for?"
"What gives you the idea that Mamoru-san is Tuxedo Kamen? There is no way that annoying baka is the handsome Tuxedo Kamen!"
Luna looked at Usagi startled as though she had gone over the edge. 'She does not realize.' "Usagi-chan why was Chiba-san at Rei's temple last night?"
"Eto…you know," She paused in thought. 'What had Mamoru-san been doing there last night? Let's see we were at the battle and then we de-transformed…' With a dawning look of horror, Usagi realized the truth. "Kami-sama that explains a whole lot of things I did not understand." Usagi spoke to herself, forgetting for the moment that Luna was still waiting, until she heard the cat clear her throat.
"Now that you understand, what do you know about Chiba-san?" Luna sounded slightly impatient. Usagi quickly filled her in before realizing it was time to meet the girls.
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The mall nicely decorated for the holidays with soft Christmas music slipping from hidden speakers to cheer shoppers looked warm and inviting. Mamoru walked into the mall berating him self the whole way. 'What did I get myself into, the things I do for a certain pair of beautiful eyes?' He shook his head and chuckled. 'Well love does strange things to a man. Note to self: remember to warn Motoki-kun.' Spotting the girls up ahead he wandered in their general direction.
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The girls all stood around looking at the window display waiting on Mamoru-san. Rei was hoping to spy him before everyone else to talk to him privately for a moment. Spotting him before everyone else she made a hasty excuse.
"Just a second, guys I see an old friend. I'll be right back." She waved and then hurried towards where she had spotted Mamoru. Pulling him quickly behind a column she glanced at the look of surprise on his face.
"Sorry not trying to frighten you, but I wanted a private word with you. I can't see you anymore." Rei waited for his reaction.
"Oh really, and why is that?" Mamoru hid his look of confusion and waited to see what the fire senshi would say.
"Well…As Tuxedo Kamen you obviously have a thing for Sailor Moon and…well I think you will be good for Usagi-chan as well." With a soft smile she turned to head back to the girls. Glancing back she winked. "I just thought you should know that." She turned around again strolling away leaving Mamoru with a smile.
'Where did that come from? Wow, she thinks I will be good for Usagi-chan. Hmm that is interesting.' He thought for a minute about his easy acceptance of her words and how it made him happy, until that line of thought frightened him and he tucked it away.
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Usagi was standing with her friends waiting on Rei to return and for Mamoru to arrive. Still trying to comprehend that Mamoru-san was Tuxedo Kamen she was confused. 'How am I supposed to behave? Will this change our relationship now? How can I tell him that I can no longer be the leader of the Senshi, much less Sailor Moon?' Rei's voice broke through the fog of her thoughts. Registering that she was back, Usagi gave a small smile. Not really listening to the conversations buzzing around her she resumed worrying.
Mamoru strolled up to the girls, eyes searching for one person. When he spotted Usagi and noticed the look on her face he became worried. Stepping closer he spoke quietly.
"Usagi-chan how are you doing?" studying her he waited for a response. When none was forthcoming, he lifted a hand waving it in front of her face. "Usagi-chan…"
Usagi, lost in thought, had not noticed Mamoru's approach or his question. Snapping back into the moment, she found Mamoru and everyone else watching her waiting. Mamoru had gone so far as to wave his hand in her face. Blushing fiercely, she tried to act casually as though nothing was wrong.
"Mamoru-san, are you ready to shop?" She glanced at him through her lashes watching as surprise flitted over his features.
"Uh sure yeah I guess." He did not know what to make of her strange behavior and decided to let it slide. "Well let's be off then. Where are we going first?"
Everyone clamored to answer but Rei beat them all to it.
"I think we should split up and meet back at the food court. Minako-chan and I will be a team and Ami and Makoto can partner up and that leaves Usagi," Looking thoughtful she paused for a moment. "Mamoru, you can go with Usagi-chan right? We'll meet in the food court in an hour and Usagi-chan no fighting today please." With a wink in Mamoru's direction she tugged Minako away gesturing wildly for Ami and Makoto to do the same.
As they rounded a corner, Makoto exploded. "What was that all about?" She jumped in surprise when Rei answered from behind her.
"I thought they needed some time alone is all." Turning around shocked Makoto stared at Rei.
"And what made you suddenly decide this?" Makoto looked perplexed knowing that Rei had a thing for Mamoru.
"Since I suddenly realized, obviously as Tuxedo Kamen he cares greatly about Sailor Moon so don't you think he would care about Usagi-chan?" Rei stopped there unable to say more. What she had seen last night was private but still proof enough. "Let's go shopping." She smiled relieved to realize that when she had discovered his identity that she really didn't love Mamoru, it was more just the fun of flirting with a cute guy.
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Mamoru hid his smile as Rei conveniently manipulated the situation leaving him alone with Usagi. She stood mouth agape shocked at Rei's behavior.
"Where do you want to go first?" He held out a questioning hand asking for directions.
"I…don't know, let's just wander." Usagi sighed unsure of what she wanted to do. They strolled along in silence for a bit, until Usagi spotted a toy store up ahead.
"I need to go in there." Pointing towards the toy store, Mamoru shot her an odd look.
"Isn't your brother a little too old for toys." He followed as she quickened her pace.
"It's not for my brother." Usagi went silent once more and wandered into the store. Mamoru watched closely as she seemed to be searching for something. She went up one aisle and down another just glancing at the myriad toys. When she came to the aisle of stuffed animals she slowed down and began studying them. Finally it seemed she had settled on something. He watched quietly as she picked up a decent sized happy looking black and white panda with a big pink bow.
"Perfect", she carried it up front and paid for it. When Mamoru heard her mutter the lone word he worried. 'What is she up to?' He followed her from the store keeping a close eye on her. Trying to think of a way to ask questions with out seeming obvious he kept drawing a blank. Deciding that obvious would have to suffice he just asked the question burning foremost in his mind.
"So who is the gift for?" He waited expectantly for some kind of an answer. She glanced at him with a deceptive look.
"A friend," she turned around once more and went silent.
'She's lying, and I need to know why. This is very odd behavior.' Mamoru lost in thought kept quiet and followed her as she made her way to the food court.
Here is an end to Chapter 2. I hope you have enjoyed it please let me know what you think?