They emerged into a clearing so majestic and overgrown and wild that Mamoru paused, needing to just stand and take it all in with awe for a moment. Of course, he had forgotten there was a girl behind him who could not see that he had stopped, and she bumped into his back with an "Oof!"
"Sorry, so sorry," Mamoru cringed, reaching out to steady Usagi before she toppled. "That was stupid. I just... wow. I can't believe it. This place is incredible!"
It was very large, surprisingly so, with meandering cooblestone paths that formed into an intricate mandala in the middle. All around, trees of various species rose overhead, but there was a particular abundance of willows that hung like heavy green curtains over the path, embracing hidden alcoves where meditation benches sat. The most impressive to Mamoru though, were the flowers. So many colors, so many different kinds - from violet asters to yellow susans, scarlet sage and white alstroemeria - all in disarray, all fighting over each other to grow, discontent to simply remain in the beds in which they were originally planted.
His eyes continued to rove, next fixating on the back of the weathered grey mansion, and with interest the stained-glass cathedral windows. Another, a picture window massive in size, overlooked a sprawling terrace.
He was insanely jealous of whoever used to own this place, and befuddled why they would've let it fall to ruin.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Usagi whispered, and Mamoru glanced at her. There was a heartbreakingly wistful sheen to her faraway blue eyes.
"Yeah," he swallowed, uncomfortably averting himself, hardly able to bear the pity that stirred within his heart. This place clearly meant something to the odango-headed blonde, and she would never be able to enjoy its full and true beauty again.
In looking away, Mamoru spotted a series of curious designs along the side wall, and his eyes widened as he realized what they were. Then they narrowed, speculatively. These designs had been made via carving tool, but to his observant mind it seemed a much more recent addition than the rest of the property would have him believe.
"Oda- Usagi-san, are you sure no one lives here?"
The aforementioned teen adopted a vaguely annoyed expression. "I mean... it looked awful abandoned the last time I was here."
Mamoru considered for a moment, finally coming to the conclusion that if they were trespassing, they'd soon hear about it, and if not it really was the best place to have their lessons. Here, there was space; there was privacy. As much as he appreciated the open arms the Tsukinos had treated him with thus far, he rather thought their coddling nature had the potential to prove detrimental to Usagi right now. What she needed to progress, she would only find outside the safety of her home. And with that determined, the med student ploughed forward.
"On the far wall, over on your right. There are some inscriptions carved into the brick."
Usagi tilted her head. "Really? I never noticed. I guess I probably wasn't paying much attention before."
He bit back the sassy comment the old spiteful Mamoru would've longed to make in light of that remark, and instead said gently, "It's not too obvious if you're not staring straight at it. But I have an idea. A warm-up lesson, if you will."
He led her to the wall, and placed her hands upon it.
"In these lessons I am going to try to strengthen your other senses, in particular, those of touch and hearing. If you're going to acclimate back into society, you need to be acutely aware of your surroundings. A step ahead of the game," Mamoru said, expounding on what he had explained to her earlier, with a small uptick of the lips. "Part of that is using the sensory information given to infer the bigger picture. The pieces into the puzzle."
"I was doing that a bit earlier," Usagi told him, sounding proud of herself. "At my house. 'Mentally mapping' every room until I had the layout memorized."
Mamoru was a bit surprised; he wasn't sure he would've possessed the same motivation were the tables turned. A grudging admiration burgeoned within him, and he smiled, sort of glad Usagi couldn't witness the affect she was having on him. Heaven forbid!
He guided her appendages to the deep gouges, then quickly let go. With an almost conspiratorial air, he said, "Alright now. Tell me what it is."
"...what?"
"The design!"
Usagi huffed, bringing her hands back to her sides, clenching them into fists. "I can't do that!"
"Of course you can," Mamoru countered, bringing his own to cross against his chest.
"It's - it's too hard, there's too much to try to decipher-"
"You've barely even attempted it."
Usagi made another noise in the back of her throat, but if it was a growl it was one of tortured acquiescence, for she slammed her hands back onto the brick and began to jerkily pass them over the carvings.
"Slower," Mamoru urged, keeping his voice even.
Usagi seemed to draw from his calm, whether consciously or not, and her fingers began to take their time analyzing every minute ridge or change in texture. She frowned. "It's like... lots of little dots... that form into a shape..."
Mamoru nodded eagerly, then realized Usagi couldn't see that. "Yes, but not dots. What's like a dot, when you're making a picture?"
Usagi was quiet for a few seconds, still working her hands feverishly. Then -
"Stars!"
Mamoru could have whooped for joy, but he schooled his excitement, poorly. "And if these are stars..."
Usagi was breathing quickly now, utterly caught up in the thrill of her discovery; of finally feeling like she was making headway in this dark new world of hers. "These are... constellations!"
Mamoru beamed, and didn't even bother trying to disguise it this time. Well now. There was hope yet. She was actually a smart cookie - just hid it behind her laziness. Who knew! "Very very well done, Usagi-san."
Another flicker across the blonde's visage, but he didn't have a chance to dwell on it because now that she knew the theme Usagi was fast unwinding all mystery surrounding these inscriptions. Her fingers never ceased flying over the chiseled stars. "This, this is a lion - Leo? - and... this one... a horse? Or, maybe not, I think it's a human face..."
"Centaurus, actually. You were pretty spot on!"
And so it went, Usagi gleefully deciphering each carving with an exultant exclamation, though she did still need Mamoru's assistance on which constellation it was. She was certainly no astronomy buff, and it figured he was. But it was such a wonderful feeling, the happiest and most confident she'd felt in days, like maybe she could do this. The future seemed a little less bleak with every correct answer.
It was just like that sadist to go and break her when she was floating at her highest.
The second lesson was to hone hand-eye (or in her case, hand-ear) coordination. Simple enough in theory, until the practice came into play, and Usagi found herself the target of what she could only assume was a freaking cat toy Mamoru had acquired from God knows where... in fact, she didn't doubt it was his own personal possession, the jerk was definitely a weirdo like that!
Usagi could feel her anger and frustration mounting with every *BRRRING-POCK!* of the noisy little toy careening at her, only to find its mark on her unsuspecting figure in every manner of cruel bodily assault. She located it and flung it back wildly, not even caring if it was in his propinquity, just so sick and tired of this sick and twisted game.
She hated him!
"Usagi-san, c'mon now, you're supposed to listen for it, then try to catch it-"
"That's rich coming from the man throwing it, and who can see, may I add!"
"It's like you're not even trying," Mamoru groused, chucking the toy once more, and - wonder of all wonders - Usagi's face caught it instead of her hands. Right in the eye. Well that was it, Usagi was done, and she threw the offending item at her feet and stomped childishly at it, relishing in the pained squeaks it emitted.
"No! I hate this! You know, I thought you meant it when you said you wanted a truce, but now you're just... just getting off on this, aren't you! It's payback for having thrown the stuffy at you! Isn't it!"
To her consternation, Mamoru barked with laughter, in a way that intimated he was truly amused. Usagi glared darkly towards him, but the fire inside her was beginning to fade as she felt exhaustion creeping in, and she wiped wearily at her sweaty features. "I don't want to do this anymore, Mamoru-san."
Mamoru was still chuckling lightly as she heard him shuffle closer.
"What's so funny?" she snapped. "I said I was done. You got your masochistic fun for the day. I want to go home now."
"While I admit the idea of concocting this silly game as revenge for you wailing me with a stuffed animal is a highly entertaining one, that's not why we're doing this. One more time, Usagi-san. Just one more, and then we'll go home."
Usagi's eyebrow twitched. For a long moment, that was the only part of her that responded. But then slowly - very slowly, like a woman to the gallows - she reached down, plucked up her freaking cat toy assailant and tossed it to Mamoru. He at least had the decency to give her a moment to mentally prepare this time, instead of just line-driving it at her face.
"Listen. Really listen this time. Close your eyes if you have to, if you think it'll help you concentrate. Feel the breeze on your face, what direction it's coming from. The toy's fairly light, it'll tend towards sailing on the current. Try to gauge its trajectory from the sound it makes, and ready your stance as moves closer. You've got this, Usagi-san. Now... catch it!"
She wasn't sure if she just listened better this time, or if because she knew it was the last toss she was more relaxed. Whatever the reason, Usagi found herself paying rapt attention to the *BRRRINGGG!* of the toy, and managed to stick out her palm just as it neared her chest, snagging it clean from the air.
Mamoru hooted and hollered and made generally an abnormal amount of noise, and Usagi couldn't help it, she joined in, so freaking proud of herself and her abilities. "I did it... I DID IT!"
She jumped up and down, ecstatic peals of laughter tearing from her throat.
"That was amazing," Mamoru complimented, and he came to stand beside her. "See what you did? You wouldn't have done that if you hadn't pushed yourself. I'm sorry for maybe seeming like a jerk, but I thought by pushing you'd get better results and... look at you! You killed it today!"
Usagi shook her head with awe, grinning from ear to ear. She gazed in Mamoru's direction with new appreciation, and in a swift movement so as to not give herself the opportunity for second thoughts, she offered Mamoru her hand.
"Alright Chiba. I agree to your truce. But on one condition!"
Mamoru chuckled. "What's that?"
"I get why you want to call me Usagi during lessons and around my family. But I'm not sure how I feel about it still. It's... weird, coming from you. So... I can't believe I'm saying this... but when we're alone, after our lessons, if - if you want to call me Odango... as like, just a nickname, not to be mean! Then... I'll allow it."
There was silence for a beat, then Mamoru replied in a rather stunned voice, "Deal. Odango."
And he grasped up Usagi's proffered hand, giving it a gentle squeeze and a firm shake.
Usagi felt something then - a strange flash of something - warmth and gold and an emotion she couldn't identify - before her hand was released and her former (that was going to take some getting used to!) archnemesis stepped away. It was with fleeting confusion that she wished him back, but she chased the unusual thought from her mind.
A wall had been brought down within her, and unexpected emotions surged through the broken defenses, overwhelming the girl who had already had such a long and hard-fought day. She longed for the safety and solitude of her bedroom to sort through all that had transpired.
"Ready to go home now?"
"Yeah."
TO BE CONTINUED...
Author's Note: Ahhh I'm SO curious what you guys thought about this chapter and the progress made, also, what little Easter eggs you might have picked up on ;) There are definitely things we'll be coming back to. Seriously, this story is going to be HUGE, and I'm terribly excited to share all the twists and turns with you! Also I just finished Stranger Things season 3 and it totally may have influenced a scene or two later on, hehe. Anyone else a fan!?
MUCHOS GRACIAS to tryntee13, lisasailor, Serenity Red Eclipse, Jenbunny, Ruk, Asj Johnson, Wenchster, Millie, Moon Bunny, karseneau1, Guest (x2), missmartian369, Rufael, SaphireShimmer, NikkiBC, Daire123, and Xxkirbylover11xX. Your reviews are my lifeblood!
Next chapter, other important relationships in Usagi's life take the focus ;)
Stay tuned!
AngelMoon Girl