Hi guys! Sorry for taking a bit long, but my exams are killing me- like really REALLY killing me. Thanks again so much guys for reading and reviewing! I love reading 'em, so keep them coming. (Big smiles)
Anyhoo, it's about to get seriously dramatic in here, and OH this stuff'll make you wanna hunt me down… teehee I am so ever so cruel…oh well.
Enjoy!
Chapter Ten:Different Paths
Usagi couldn't believe her luck. The hottest guy on the planet had asked her out. She had bounced all over the house and room. It became so intense, that Luna actually started to get dizzy. Her laughter was the happiest it had sounded in days, the little cat friend expected that something really good happened. But Usagi didn't deliver the news to her, she couldn't expect her to talk it over with a cat. Luna tried to nuzzle the information out of her, so that she could keep up to date with what was going on. And if there was reason to be worried.
It was a hot night, but that wasn't why Usagi couldn't fall asleep. She kept her excited smile and glazed eyes locked on Mizu's memory. How sweet and romantic he was. She always wanted the sort of guy who would appreciate things like a sun set.
'Oh wait till I tell Naru-chan'. She gleefully thought. And yet, somewhere in the corner of her heart, there was a feeling; a strange feeling. Something was wrong, could she be forgetting something. Was it just the homework she left behind at school, or was it something else. But slumber finally took the better of her, and she fell asleep with Mizu's name on her lips. It was that name that woke Luna up.
'Mizu-san?' She thought a little upset. Who could this be?
'Could it be that boy from the other day?' Luna was a smart cat, who always kept a stern eye on Usagi's daily activities. Whenever she could she braved the crowded streets to make sure her moon Princess was always safe. But it was that boy, she wished she could've been there to see him. She wondered about it long and hard, what sort of man kisses a girls hand out of the blue. Luna didn't like it, but other then watching over Usagi, there was nothing else to be done.
'Oh Usagi-chan.' She sadly whispered. There was so much the girl had gone through, so many things she had seen; and yet all her memories were gone and that was the way she wanted it to be. And yet, it seemed Usagi's path from Mamoru was parting, and really quick. But Luna was helpless, there was nothing she could do to bring Usagi's memories back, it was something they would have to do on their own.
She watched over the blonde sleeping princess, wondering if such a bad day would come, when Usagi's path was no longer with Mamoru.
Mamoru had the worst dreams, things he didn't want to see came each time his eyes closed. He saw Usagi again, black and blue and crying. He had shook her, yelled her and kissed her. He had broken the kiss this time though and shouted something to her, something about 'not me?'. He wondered, what did he mean by that. He got up again, this time looking down to the side Usagi had slept in. She was really cute balled up against him, kissing him back. It was the greatest feeling he ever had. The sweet feel of her lips on his.
'Sick Chiba, you're sick.' He cursed himself. How and why was he thinking of such things, and with Usagi was twisting his sanity. Things like that couldn't and shouldn't happen, especially when his relationship with her was a very strange kind. One day they were enemies like they always had been, and then; they were in a weird place. Neither friends or foes.
"What am I gonna do?" He asked himself walking and getting a nice tall glass of ice water. It was what he needed, and the cold feeling hit his body the right way. He felt better, more relaxed, he may even get some sleep. But would he see her again.
It was morning, and his room remained dark. He had always kept his apartment so dark, fidget and cold looking, it suited his very well. He liked the grey un-invited feel. It kept people away. He sighed and got ready for another day of school. Time had gone by really fast, and it was now clocking in to do the presentation. He worried though, Usagi attended that school. Why did things always go back to her.
A couple of shy knocks at the door captured his attention. He wondered who that could be.
"Mamoru-san, um hello." It was Ai, in the plainest clothes, and looking…rather ordinary, less then ordinary. Mamoru was taken back, his voice caught in his throat. Without that ghastly make-up, and flashy clothes, Ai was actually very beautiful. She was beautiful to begin with, but without all that extra work, she took his breath away. He looked down at her, her sweet eyes looking up at him. She seemed flushed and embarrassed, as if she was trembling.
"Good morning Ai. What are you doing here?" Mamoru asked tolerant of her for the first time since he had met her. He actually even had a smile on his face, happy to see her.
"Um, well I was wondering if I…um if I could walk with you…to school." Ai looked down, her cheeks looking suddenly rosey. She was talking softly, in a low voice, something close to a whisper. Mamoru was taken back again. He had never had so many surprises in his life, so quickly. She had made such a dramatic transformation. He was thinking long and hard, not really about if he should take the offer, but about her.
"I understand. Gomen, for bothering you." Ai said sweetly, her eyes looking heart broken and sad. She walked away with a sad smile, when Mamoru snapped from his trance.
"No, wait. I'd love to walk with you to school." Mamoru grabbed her arm, not really sure what he was doing, or why. Was he really going to walk with her to school. She had come to his door, obviously in a wreck, perhaps staying up all night rehearsing how she would ask him. He felt for her. After all, she had made a lot of changes to herself. But he wondered, could these changes be for real.
He had no time to think about that right now though, he had other things in his mind. And Ai had been staring at him for a long time, wondering what he was doing.
"Let me just grab my things." Mamoru finally said looking a little clumsy himself. He understood how Usagi must feel when preparing in the morning. A smile came to his face thinking of her. It was the strangest thought, to remember Usagi was never his intention. But it was enough to make him pause as he reached for his books.
'I gotta stop this' He thought angrily to himself. He heard Ai cough gently at the door way, she actually waited there, not her usual ways. He stared at her long and hard, she stood there blushing still, and looking really sweet. He wondered, if he started to date someone, maybe he would stop thinking about Usagi. Maybe what he was really feeling was lonely, and in need of a female companion.
"Mamoru-san, is everything okay?" Ai asked after realizing that Mamoru was staring at her for a long time. She smiled to him, making him feeling like all she wanted was to walk with him.
"Ah, yeah, gomen" Mamoru said looking like he was just caught. He turned back around gathering his things, he was too consumed in his books, that he didn't see the wicked smile cross her face.
'Everythings going according to plan.' Ai smirked.
Usagi yawned yet again. She was exhausted. Her morning was packed with things she didn't want to learn, and then a boring lunch followed. Finally the day was over, and she was looking forward to her date with Mizu. It was all she could think of all day. His face, his sweet words, those beautiful eyes; it made her smile so brightly. She hopped along the streets, panicking some people as she went with her obnoxious laughter (she was thinking of getting another kiss on her hand from Mizu). But nothing could faze her today, she was too happy.
As she bounced along, in her happy thoughts, she never noticed that Mamoru and Ai were walking from the opposite street. They had just missed each other, another fated encounter that just wasn't paid attention to. Ai was quietly walking with the tall Mamoru as they made their way to Motoki's house. They would rehearse one last final time for their presentation, and they would never have to crowd his place again. Mamoru thought he sensed something familiar close by, and his eyes did shift, but he saw nothing. It was that same feeling he got when he kissed Usagi, a tense happy jump in his heart. But where could this feeling be coming from, he wondered? She was not around, and he certainly wasn't kissing her right then.
'Stop this Chiba, you're a child molester for thinking of stuff like that' Mamoru cursed himself, for remembering her again. All throughout the day, there was always something, big or small, but it was there; her memory. And along with Usagi's memory, there was that distant feeling that he had forgotten something. He hated feeling that way. And yet, it was as if the words were at the tip of his tongue just waiting to be said.
Usagi had no clue, of course that Mamoru was close by. She couldn't focus on anything but Mizu. But then it occurred to her, where was she supposed to meet him. They had never discussed where the date would be, or where they'd meet. Her eyes swelled into large circles as her smile twitched madly. She screamed as she fell into a oblivion of colourful swirls.
"Oh, how can this be. And he was so dreamy." She whined to herself, sniffling. She walked slowly now, slumped over and depressed. Her heavy sighs could be heard as she mopped the streets with her hair. She felt stupid and devastated.
'To think a guy like that would ask me "USAGI" out' She pouted with teary eyes.
"Usagi-chan!" It was Mizu, he was running up to her looking dashing as always. Usagi turned and saw him. A large smile came on her face, she couldn't hide how happy she was.
"Glad I caught you in time." He smiled coming to a stop in front of her. Usagi couldn't do anything but smile, she was too happy to contain herself. He looked down at her, sparkles in his eyes. Usagi blushed under his gaze, she felt so needed, so beautiful. Since the first time she had met him, he had done that to her. Made her feel like no one else but her existed.
"Shall we go?" He smiled. Usagi flashed him a wonderous smile.
Luna had run up and down the streets looking for Usagi. It was late, even for her. Her parents were starting to get concerned too. The time was now hitting nine and Usagi hadn't even called. Her heart was racing as she darted the streets and ran across the busy roads. She was out of breath and getting very tired. That long break after fighting the dark forces, had made her out of shape.
She stopped, panting.
"Usagi-chan, where are you?" She whispered looking out into the distance.
The city lit up with all the different lights. It had become bright and alive, even in the dark. Usagi had never seen the city look so beautiful. Mizu walked beside her for a long time just taking her around town after eating. He enjoyed her happy gasps when she saw something new. Even started to smile whenever she did. Something about her, just made him feel very happy and he wondered why.
"Usagi-chan, are you having a good time?" He asked coming to a stop by the street corner. The crowd had thinned so much, just a handful of people. Usagi had always seen it busy with people pushing and screaming trying to get to work.
"Hai." Usagi blushed. He stared down at her with his big eyes doing that strange thing in her stomach. His hand found hers. She blushed even more, realizing that her hand was locked in his. His smile grew even softer as he continued to look down at her. Usagi felt hot, and nervous. Storms of bee's had attacked her tummy. His head started to move closer to hers.
"Usagi-chan." He whispered gently as he closed the gap between them. Usagi swallowed, feeling too nervous to think. There was an awful feeling in her chest, a panic surged over her hands and feet.
'This isn't what I felt like with Mamoru….' It was the weirdest thought to have, and yet it was true. She had felt good kissing Mamoru, and yet her head spun terribly with Mizu. Her heart went mad and beat badly against her chest. Her eyes started to water as Mizu's face came closer.
"Meow Meow." They both heard but before neither of them could react, a white blur had attacked Mizu. He was pushed over on to the pavement. Usagi came out of her bizarre trance and realized what was going on. She started to breath a little heavy from the shock her body went through. She watched Mizu fight with the white cat, who seemed familiar. Finally the cat let up and moved away from Mizu and started to nuzzle sweetly against Usagi's leg. It was then that she noticed the crescent bald spot on his furry head.
'Just like Luna's' She thought surprised to see another cat have the exact trademark.
"Artemis!" A girl came rushing up to Usagi. She looked almost like her. Her blonde hair followed down to well past her knees, and a bright red bow tied some of it up. Usagi watched the girl for a bit, feeling rather strange about meeting her.
"Gomen, he never does that." The girl smiled and bowed. Mizu got up, his normal self wanting to lash out at the girl and her abusive cat. But he saw Usagi standing there, and remembered what he was all about.
"No it's okay." He sighed and smiled getting to his feet. He dusted off himself as Artemis hissed at him.
"Artemis!" the girl scolded, not sure why her cat had turned on somebody. Usagi felt suddenly very uncomfortable with Mizu, like the picture was wrong. The girl apologized again feeling like she shouldn't leave the girl with the man. He seemed nice enough, but there was a strange vibe she got from him.
"Well goodbye." Mizu smiled and waved as he once again took Usagi's hand and walked off, leaving the blonde and her white cat looking upset. Artemis's back curled angrily, wanting to jump out of his owner's arms. But she held on tightly.
"OH no you don't. That was very bad Artemis. Bad kitty." The girl scolded as she went the other way.
They had walked closer to Usagi's house now, after Mizu had lost his opportunity to kiss Usagi there, he planned that he would do it before dropping her home. That was the perfect place. Usagi was too lost in her thoughts to see the wicked smirks that came to Mizu's face here and there. As they approached home Usagi started to feel normal again, like things were back to the way it was supposed to be. She was once again, comfortable with Mizu. She wondered why she had felt that way to begin with. Was it just nervousness? But why hadn't she been this way with Mamoru, the person who had taken her first kiss? A strange expression came to her face when she thought about that day when her lips locked in with his. Mostly embarrassed that she had kissed back.
He sighed for the final time. His heart had raced madly so much just awhile ago, after he had insisted on dropping Ai home when Mizu never showed up. His normal attitude towards Mizu had come back. But after he had come home, his chest hurt madly, as if something was going to happen. He had remembered Usagi over and over again, the same strain he felt when she was in trouble plaguing his whole body. He wanted to rip his heart out, to stop the pain from killing him.
"I gotta get some air." He moaned in pain, as he left his apartment. He wondered on the way down, was he going mad, was his mind finally gone. Why Usagi, why did she always come into mind, and especially when he was in so much pain. His chest beat against his clothes, the pounding noise in his ears. Was she in trouble? He thought. Suddenly, a panic drown over him, the thought of Usagi in trouble was killing him. He darted down the hallways, Usagi all he could see.
They were closing in around the corner, Usagi's head in jumbles. Her mind had drifted from thing to thing. And on the top of the list was Mamoru. Even with Mizu still holding on to her hand and leading her home, she thought about him. The kiss he gave her, the way he held her. All the details she had never paid attention to suddenly came into her mind. Why hadn't she seen those things before. He had even said something to her.
'No wait, that was in my dream.' She remembered. She had a dream, about kissing him, and he had said something, something loving and tender to her. Her eyes soften remembering the looking in his eyes, how happy and warm he was. She blushed.
'Mamoru, what was your dream?' She thought. He had a dream too, could it have been the same one? But that was impossible, how could they be having the same dream. Then again, how could they have been kissing that day, like they had. It was like they were lovers, who had kissed many times before. Usagi blushed even more thinking about such a thing. She wondered what he was doing then? She hadn't seen him in a long time. Maybe the kiss was nothing for him. She felt upset with the idea of his brushing her off, like nothing had happened.
"Usagi-chan, is that your house?" Mizu pointed down the street to her home. The house was lit up, she wondered why it seemed so busy. She nodded.
"I had a great time." He said softly as he turned to her. Usagi turned to face him, his eyes forcing her to melt away Mamoru. He was deeply gazing down at her, like nothing else mattered, and she felt that way too. His hands came up to her shoulders, his body coming closer to hers. Usagi gasped alittle not sure what to do, if she should even accept this to happen. He was leaning in, moving incredibly slow.
Mamoru ran, without thinking he just kept running. He wasn't sure where he was going, but his heart was taking him there. He stormed past Luna, Usagi's cat, who wondered what was going on. She followed behind, trying to keep up with his speed.
'Did something happen?' She thought wildly as she followed behind. As they ran, Luna recognized where he was going, it was Usagi's house. Luna started to worry, what could have happened. She sped up to make sure she didn't loose him.
Mizu licked his lips, he would finally get to kiss her, with no interruptions. He leaned in even more, closing in our her little pink lips. Usagi became overwhelmed. A worry fell over her, she felt what she was about to do was wrong, that her place was elsewhere. Mizu's lips came down, but Usagi moved her face so that she felt his lips on her cheeks. It was not a kiss, but it still felt wrong. Usagi was no longer blushing in glee, but feeling very nervous.
'This isn't right….' She thought, her eyes tearing up a little. But this is what she wanted, a hot guy on a date with her.
He couldn't exhale as he came to a dead stop. His mouth fell open, his heart sinking into deep misery. Mamoru saw Mizu leaned over Usagi, kissing her, and she wasn't doing anything to push away. His heart fell even further. He felt deranged and angry, so much that the pain in his chest was comparing to the pain in his head. What was going on, why did he feel this way. Luna came rushing to a stop too, horror planted on her face as Mizu pulled back.
'Usagi-chan…'Luna whispered teary eyed. She looked up at Mamoru, a vacant expression on his face. He was in shock, like his heart had given up, his soul had left his body. She felt for him, the hurt he must feel inside. But she knew he didn't understand why he felt this way.
But instead of rushing over and beating Mizu into nothing, Mamoru smiled and started to walk away. Luna was confused and she watched him disappear into the darkness.
'Odango.' He thought.
Mizu was confused he looked down to her face still moved away from his gaze. He wondered why the sad expression.
"Usagi-chan?" He asked feeling a little upset that she ignored his kiss. No girl rejected a kiss from him, he was the stud that everyone always fell for. But Usagi seemed resistant.
"Gomen. I just…" Usagi started. She felt really guilty. It wasn't like Mamoru and her were a couple, then why did it feel like she was cheating on him. He didn't say anything to her, nor had she seen him in a while. So what if he was nice to her that day in his apartment, but that was only to humour her probably. And here she was with the cutest guy in the whole world, on a date. And he thought she was so beautiful and yet she pulled away from his kiss.
"It's okay Usagi-chan." Mizu smiled. His ego and pride was really hurt, but he wasn't going to lash out just then. He hadn't achieved what he was going for yet. Instead he forced a perfect smile and understanding eyes.
"You should go home." He smiled. Usagi smiled back as she started to walk away. Everything about the date felt weird. It started off so perfect, why did he try to have to kiss her. Why was Mamoru's kiss in her head suddenly. She never thought about it like this, she had said to herself that it was nothing. So what if it was her first kiss. And she wasn't even awake for it anyways, so why did it matter so much. She walked off to her home, without looking back at Mizu who kicked the gates in upset.
"That girl" He cursed grinding his teeth. He had worked so hard to act the perfect gentlemen, to be the sort of guy flakes like Usagi fell for. He wondered as he walked, if the rejection had something to do with Mamoru.
'They are together…hmm, gotta make sure he stays out of this.' He plotted. He would get home quickly and talk it over with his evil sister, and make up the next stage. A twisted smile came on his face. By the end of the month, she would defiantly be his.
OOOHHHH getting tres interesting? LOL Anyhoo, sorry for the delay, but I'll try to get in chapters quicker. Thanks again
On the next chapter: Mamoru goes on a short date with Ai, and Usagi goes to the amusement park with Mizu. Will Mamoru accept that Usagi isn't his? Will Usagi realize she likes Mamoru?