Hi Everybody! It's me! And I'm all married LOL Sad thing is, I won't be able to enjoy it too much, I have to go back to school in the winter! DANG-NA-MIT! Oh well, the honeymoon was good- OOOOOOOOHHHHHHH LOL
Anyways, I made you all wait too long, and I'm really sorry about that. But I'm back and we can all go back to the regular updates. Thanks again to the reviewers and my loyal readers! Love you!
Enjoy!
Chapter fifteen: Stepping Up
It was the light from the large window that touched Usagi's skin. She was fast asleep, as if it had been ages since she relaxed. Mamoru was turned to his side, still laying down and watching her. He had woken up with the sun rise, unable to get any more sleep. It had been the first night in a long while since he slept that well. He expected to be awake the whole night thinking about what had happened and where he was now, but he was just too relaxed, his mind for the first time; serene. He wished, as he watched her snore gently, that this would never end, that he could watch her for the rest of his life. Not all his memories had returned, but he had enough in his mind to want Usagi forever with him. That first kiss, on the moon; in her kingdom, when he first knelt down to kiss her. To when they first met on earth, what a crazy fate it was. So many different turns they took in their lives, and still they remained; and still came back together. It was destiny, he knew. But what had happened, on the moon, with their love, why had they come to this earth in the first place. He wished there was a way to figure this out.
Suddenly Usagi groaned a little, her expression looking disturbed, like she was having a poor dream. And she was, she dreamt that she was standing alone in a ruined place. It was dark there, she called out for someone, but no one answered. She could see the blue of the earth outside in the abyss of space, but nothing else. A sadness welled in her stomach, wondering why she felt such a great loss.
"Usagi…" Mamoru gently moved to hold her. It had been an urge he was fighting for a long time, and it felt so wonderful to be able to embrace her. She snuggled into his chest, feeling a lot of her stress vanish. Mamoru was warm, the sweet smell of her hair; the soft sigh that escaped her lips when he took her into his arms. His eyes became heavy, and closed as she relaxed in his arms.
"It's okay." He whispered as he too faded back to sleep.
"It'll be alright."
It was well past breakfast, when knocking came on the door. Mamoru was fast asleep, too deep into his dream world to move. Usagi woke though, feeling rather warm and under something heavy. Her eyes fluttered open to see Mamoru's chest in her vision and his arm protectively wrapped over her. She blushed. How long had they been like this. She wondered if he had planned that. A sweet smirk came to her face as she moved to sit up, hearing the knocks on the door once again. She didn't want to leave the bed, she wanted to fake her sleepiness and go back in his arms. But the knocks continued.
She sighed and moved to the door, yawning as she entered the living courters, sluggishly making her way to the door. She opened it slowly and gasped when she saw.
"Good morning Usagi-san." Mizu smiled brightly and became a little excited to see that she was in her pajama's. He wished it was something a little more sexy but this was good. Usagi's blushed, a weird smile on her face.
"Mizu-san..what…what're you doing here?" Usagi struggled to find the right words, hoping that Mamoru didn't get to see this. She liked the way Mizu was with her, but Mamoru was her lost love. She couldn't leave him, regardless of all the weirdness they went through.
"For breakfast of course." Mizu smiled sporting another brilliant smile. He looked really good, and smelled good too. Usagi wondered what she should do. She wanted to be with Mamoru, but she made plans with Mizu last night; when Mamoru had abandoned her for Ai. That was another thing, what would he do with Ai? Would he break things off with her.
"Mizu?" Mamoru came out of the shadow's and to the door suddenly. Usagi gasped comically as Mamoru appeared behind her, but it had devastated Mizu. There was Mamoru, with no shirt; standing with Usagi with her pajama's on. What was he doing in her room, had he stayed the night. And judging by his ruffled hair, and the 'morning' wake; he had. Mizu was silent for a few moments, just staring at Mamoru.
'Oh no, this is bad.' Usagi thought as she looked from Mizu to Mamoru. She stepped aside allowing Mamoru to move to the door. She wondered if Mizu would say anything or if Mamoru would start to fight.
"What are you doing here?" Mamoru asked. His eyes had narrowed considerably, madness knocking at his head. Regardless, he wasn't going to let Usagi go with him, she was his; and always his.
Mizu regained composure and cleared his throat.
"Well Usagi-san and I have plans to spend the day together." Mizu said looking to Usagi standing at the door, she was beet red and biting away at her nails. Her nervousness made him think things, that maybe she had spent the night with Mamoru. After all they had won this cruise together.
"Well I'm sorry, but she can't make it. You better get going." Mamoru asserted closing his eyes and the door. Usagi moved back looking a bit shocked at how well that went. Mamoru turned to her looking a bit frustrated.
"You made plans with him?" He asked a little roughly. Usagi swallowed, she wasn't sure why she felt so tense, but she did. It was those icy eyes that always sent shivers up her spine. But she wasn't scared of him, just worried that it seemed bad.
"Sort of." Usagi explained with a comical smile.
"I won't say anything because I left you yesterday. I didn't want to but I did." He started to say. He felt really bad about all the mean things he did to avoid her, and all the time he spent with Ai just to drown Usagi. He should've known better then to ditch her. Usagi calmed down, blushing a bit.
"It's okay. I just thought that you wanted to spend time with your girlfrie-"
"She's not." Mamoru blurted out stepping closer to Usagi. She blushed even more being that close to him, and under his hot gaze. It was as if he was telling her soul and not just her.
"I should explain something's." He sighed, feeling really dirty and upset with himself.
"After what happened at the arcade that night..." He started as he walked Usagi to the couch.
"I felt like I had some feelings for you. When I saw those guys…" Mamoru added looking down at Usagi. That memory did torment him whenever it could. Usagi listened carefully, her big blue eyes staring up at him begging him to continue.
"And then that day at the apartment. When we kissed. I liked it, so much that I thought if I had the chance; I would kiss you again." Mamoru smiled a little feeling confident in his feelings now. He looked over to a beet red Usagi, her eyes bulging in blushful bliss.
"I was scared. We always fought…never thought that I would want you so badly in my life." Mamoru's voice trailed off into a soft whisper. He was thinking back to his feelings, when his emotions were lost; when he was lost. In all that grey living, he had never known of colour, never known what to do with such feelings. And they were so strong for Usagi. She watched on, her heart filling with that happy sensation. She finally heard and felt what she thought she could never have with Mamoru.
"Gomen, I was avoiding you. Thought that I could just get rid of these feelings." He sadly confessed with a small smile. Usagi's eyes started to water with happiness.
"Why did you try so hard to avoid me?" Usagi asked wondering what was holding him back for so long. Why he didn't want anything to happen between them, even though his very soul ached for her. Mamoru moved towards her, looking down into her eyes.
"Because you are young Usagi. And you and I always in fights. I thought that, you weren't exactly interested in a guy like me. We're so different." He admitted. Usagi felt a little disappointed by his statements. She was a lot younger then him, but when did age became a issue, considering they just found out they were meant to be a lot sooner. Mamoru understood her disappointed smile.
"Yet…it's that same difference that makes you so perfect for me Usagi." He smiled brushing the long strands of hair off of her face. In all the confusion, she had forgotten that she was still in her pajama's.
"I thought I was alone, and always would be." He smiled. He moved his head down to hers and gently placed a simple kiss on her forehead. She blushed, heat burning up her whole face. She never knew that Mamoru could have such a side. But she had seen this side of him before, the sweet passionate man that gave up his life for her.
Suddenly, her eyes became vacant, spell bound almost as her mind drifted to that time, when Mamoru ran in front of her; to protect her. She heard herself scream his name as the cut plunged deeper into him.
"Usagi?" He shook her gently wondering what had happened to her. Usagi came out of her trance, a small helpless tear fell down her cheek.
"What is it?" Mamoru asked worried.
"I remember how we died. All of us" She smiled sadly. Mamoru sighed, smiling slightly himself. It was the one memory she could have lived without, but the clock could not be turned. What happened, had happened.
"I can't believe this!" Ai screamed throwing the night stand lamp across the floor. She had never been this mad in her life.
"How dare he! How dare he!" She shouted again, unbelieving. Mizu was seated calmly on the couch. He had expected her to react this badly. He felt betrayed by Usagi, feeling like she owed him something. In the back of his hurt feelings, he felt his heart break. She was the first girl he felt like this for, and rather then be grateful for his attention; she went to him, Mamoru. His eyes closed picturing how it happened, how Mamoru just walked up to the door behind her, the image so suggestive. What could they have been doing?
"I'm gonna set this straight with that bitch once and for all!" Ai shouted getting back Mizu's attention. She stormed to the door.
"What are you going to do, just tell her off?" Mizu smirked. He had no plans himself. He worked so hard to gain her trust, and it all had shattered. He had left her last night, she was alone, he was sure of it. So when did Mamoru come? Did he sneak into her room in the night, and slept with her. Had they slept together before, or was this the first? All these questions burned his chest for answers.
"Yeah!" Ai shouted opening the door in a rush and slamming it shut. Mizu sighed. This over-reaction of hers was going to cost Mamoru. But what did it matter, it was obvious what Usagi's choice was, and he was not it. And yet still, he needed to know; why Mamoru? What was so good about him?
"Usagi, eat more?" Mamoru asked putting his hand up in the air for some more service. Usagi wasn't feeling very hungry, mostly sad and confused. Why did they all have to see such things in their lives. Why did they alone have to face troubles like this? Usagi felt she had lost a lot of her soul in these wars, battling monsters and being less of a normal girl. Guess it answered the question why she never felt normal.
"No I'm good." She nodded politely dismissing the extra helping of eggs. Mamoru felt sad for Usagi. He wasn't sure what was worse, her sad eyes from knowing the truth; or the sadness she would feel if they hadn't found out.
"Do you think the girls remember?" Usagi asked hopeful. Mamoru smiled warmly his hand reaching out to comfort hers.
"Yes. I think they do." He smiled. Usagi felt a lot better. Many questions weren't answered, but the main memories that told them who they were had come back. She should've been extra happy like she was last night, but something felt wrong. Mamoru could feel her dis-comfort, and hoped that it was not because of him.
"Usagi, if there's something that I said or did-"
"No, that's not it." She sighed feeling bad for tormenting her lost love. It had been so long since she could embrace him, love him, kiss him.
"I just hope…that this won't go away again." She sighed sadly with a small smile on her face. Her cheeks were flushed but not from shyness, but from sadness. Mamoru became worried for her, and her heart ache. He understood what she meant.
"I don't want us to forget. Or to be parted again….I-I don't think I could go through that again." She felt tears coming, burning at her to cry, but she just didn't want to. All those memories of her past, of her real past had overwhelmed her; but now she was upset with fate. That they should be brought together and parted so many times. When would this end, when could they just be.
"I know. But if there's anything I learned from you…" He smiled. Usagi looked up at him, wondering what could it be that she taught him. A brilliant smile came to his face, a glow Usagi had never seen on him before.
"That you have to live every day." He whispered gently. And it was true. It was something that came naturally to her. To flow in and out a day without carrying burden, because it did nothing to worry over what you carried. She smiled. She never pictured in all their bitter fights, that he would be the one to cheer her up whenever she was down.
"The important thing is that we found each other once again. No matter how many times we part, I'll always be with you." His warm smile did something in Usagi's chest. It beat quickly, the need to hug and kiss him screaming from her silence. They sat still staring into each other's eyes, as if to forever burn the other's image into their minds. He didn't want to forget her no more, never again he prayed. And she did the same. No matter where they went, no matter how far or in what situation; she wanted to remains his.
She had stormed through pretty much every corner of the cruise, even hassling innocent sweet hearts as she went. She wanted to find them, but it seemed they had both disappeared. Ai stomped her foot finally hitting ticked off nerves she never hit. Her anger had swelled since she heard the news, and now that it became hard to find Mamoru; temper was only getting hotter.
Usagi and Mamoru forgot Ai and Mizu, they had lost time to make up for. This trip was fated, their encounter that night was too. In fact, every movement they made was for this moment, so that they could have this peace again. She stared out to the ocean, the afternoon just the perfect warmth. She inhaled taking in the sea air. Mamoru felt like he should say something, but what to say. He had already said all that he wanted too, and yet there were still words left in his mouth.
"THERE YOU ARE!" Ai screeched as she busted down the door to reveal a very puzzled and frightened couple.
"Ai." Mamoru said, his eyes narrowing. He couldn't believe he ever thought that she was tolerable even for a second. Ai was shaking with madness to see that girl standing beside her catch.
"How dare you think that you could take my Mamoru away from me! Just who do you think you are!" She shouted storming closer to Usagi and getting closer. Usagi backed up a little feeling very hot and upset. But before Ai could get any closer to Usagi, Mamoru grabbed Ai uncomfortably by the elbow and pushed her back. She was shocked to see that Mamoru did that to her, after all the time and effort she spent to please him.
"Ai, stop this!" He shouted. Usagi looked up at Mamoru a little surprised herself. Her eyes went back to a shaking Ai, who was very beautiful and very sexy; but it was that temper and that attitude that drove men away.
"Mamoru! After all the time we shared, you are ditching me for her?" She pointed a disgusted finger on Usagi, her face scrounged repulsed by the blonde. Usagi's eyes narrowed too.
"Hey." Usagi said grinding her teeth and loosing a lot of her own patience.
"Don't you speak to me! Do you know who I am? I own you that's how powerful my family is." She scolded with a triumphant smile.
"That's it." Mamoru's eyes closed, his voice deep. Ai and Usagi both looked up at him, Ai feeling particularly worried. She had never heard his voice like that.
"You think that just because you have money, you can talk to people like that?" He took a step forward to Ai, but his threatening voice didn't force her legs to shake; she stood there in front of him as cocky as ever.
"Now listen to me you dollar hussy." He shouted, his eyes strained with red veins. Ai's left eye started to twitch feeling a little trapped. No one had ever spoken to her like that, and no man had ever dumped her. She was too beautiful too powerful to be treated this way.
"If you ever come near us again, I won't be responsible for what I do." His voice was stern, in a low growl almost. Usagi's eyes widened, she had never seen Mamoru this upset. He didn't even look that crazy, but just the way his eyes were. He was tense, almost as if he was holding his fist back from hitting Ai.
"Now get out of here, and leave us alone." He said putting an arm around Usagi and pulling her to walk to the other side. Usagi blushed and wanted to see what was on Ai's face, but was too scared to look back. She supposed that the girl was shaking with uncontrollable anger and waited to hear swear words. But she never heard anything.
Ai was furious. More then she had ever been in her life. She shook in her high heels, not from the crisp cool ocean air, but from the frustration and madness building in the pit of her stomach.
"You'll pay for this humiliation." She growled under her breath.
Usagi stayed quiet for a long while, not sure what she could say to the silent Mamoru. Whenever her eyes shifted to see what he was thinking, he still looked upset. She wanted to say something to relax him, but what. He stared out to the flooded world before him, wondering, when these perils would end. When could they just be free to love each other without any disturbance.
"Mamoru." Usagi said sweetly tugging on his casual blue jacket. He looked down to her romantic eyes, her slight smile. Just a glance at her and his woe's seemed to vanish from his veins.
"Gomen, I never meant to be so angry." He said quietly to her pulling her closer to him. She blushed. She couldn't be sure, but every time he touched her; a surge of warmth would electrify her body. She wanted to be hugged by him, wanted to be near him all the time. And now that could be possible.
"It's just that now that we found out who we really are, we can finally have time together and…" Mamoru felt like he was a child again, begging for love and attention. Usagi smiled, it felt really good to be needed by him so much. He looked down to those eyes, now closed, happily snuggling into him.
"Usagi." He whispered as they continued to stare out to nothing. It didn't matter to him that so much was still missing from his memories about their past lives. Everything he needed to know about each other before this, he understood. But it was their lives on the moon he wanted to know. Who was that enemy that destroyed their love, destroyed their homes and lives. And could that life be restored.
Well there you have it folks, another chapter. I'll be posting the next one pretty soon too, and I think you will love it! I hope. LOL
On the next chapter: Ai's still bitter and boils up Mizu to feel the same rage, what revenge will the two siblings scheme. Will it be enough to ruin the last night on the Cruise for Mamoru and Usagi. Stayed tuned!