A/N: This was an arduous task and I apologize for the long wait. It isn't the best, but I really wanted to post it. I'm a bit tired of trying to fix it. There are big jumps, so beware!

This story is focused on the different ways people behave after a break up, specifically the toxic ones. Essentially, a "don't do any of these things" manual.

The last chapter focused on desperation, this will focus on rebounding. Mamoru is reluctant to let go of Usagi but agrees to give her space. Usagi on the other hand begins to accept that there might not be another way to avoid the end of universe, whilst gaining experience...

Reminder: This is a darker portrayal of Mamoru. Make sure to exit out if you don't like an aggressive Mamo-chan.

Key

I*'''*I

II*'''''*II

The symbol above indicates that it is the same day but different setting or change in point of view.

Key

~'"'"'"~

The symbol above indicates a different day.

The Premise Series

How Not To Handle a Break Up

Chapter 4

~'"'"'"~

I*'''*I

II*'''''*II

When Usagi returned home she locked her bedroom window. She shut her door, pulled out her phone, and selected her 'Blamelessly Blaming" playlist. As the first song came up she let herself fall onto the bed. The coils dipped under her weight as the ones in her stomach curled even tighter. Staring up at the ceiling she ran through the past months events: the break up, decisions made in anger and pain, denying the truth and her uncontrollable libido, and finally their argument in the car. It was too much. She was only seventeen, these weren't the things she should be dealing with.

So she did the thing she had been avoiding.

I*'''*I

II*'''''*II

Mamoru opened his door to find four teens waiting on the other side.

"Hello Mamoru-kun!" Mina chirped, walking in without invitation. The others followed in suit, all but Ami who gave him an apologetic look.

"We came to check on you," Rei added, waltzing into his kitchen. The raven haired man closed the door and surveyed the women suspiciously.

"And because Usagi-chan called us," added Makoto. Bingo

He closed the door and met them in his living room.

"So" Mamoru inquired, pushing his hands into the pockets of his jeans. Rei, who was sitting on the loveseat next to Ami, spoke first.

"How have you been?"

"Okay."

"I hear college is really challenging. Is that true?" Makoto asked.

"It depends," Mamoru's brows furrowed in confusion at the question.

"I mean, you must really have to focus on those classes. Becoming a doctor's not easy."

"Yes," Mamoru felt himself open up on the topic. "The medical pathway takes a lot of time and determination. The classes are difficult and certainly challenging."

"What courses are you taking this year?" It was Ami who now expanded on the topic.

"Biostatistics, biochemistry, and two writing intensives."

"That's a lot of complex classes. The workload must be tremendous." The blue haired teen admired how studious he was.

"It is, most of my time is spent translating my research papers into English."

"Wow."

"Can't be too hard," Makoto interrupted, "since you're spending all your time bothering Usagi-chan."

"Makoto!" Mina scolded.

The brunette simply shrugged.

"Listen Mamoru," Rei began. "We came here to check on you, but also to talk about what's going on with Usagi."

The college student quirked an eyebrow.

"You know why Usa broke up with you, right?" When Mamoru didn't speak, the miko continued. "She wants to live her own life not be-"

"Beholden to the past?" Mamoru recalled. The girls nodded. "Those words are not Usako's. She doesn't use words like beholden. That, is Ami, and all those other things, those are you. I don't know why you want us to break up, but it's not going to work."

"We only helped put her feelings into words."

"And you can't deny any of it either. You've treated her more like a sister than a girlfriend," the raven-haired priestess interjected.

"I-"

"Usagi-chan wants to be able to be a normal teenager for a little while. Can't you just let her have fun? Meet new people? I mean, you were in high school, you know how important this time is. She should get to make stupid mistakes like everyone else," Mina stated.

"Think of it as a short reprieve. You can focus on your studies for now," added Ami.

Mamoru shook his head. That would not do.

"If you keep pushing her, you'll lose her forever...not just her love, but friendship too."

"Look, we all know you two belong together, right girls?" Mina looked at the group. All nodded, except for the brunette. "We'll keep an eye on her, convince her to go back to you, but" she stressed, "you have to give her space. You cannot keep calling her." His cerulean eyes bounced from girl to girl, weighing his choices. She deserves a moment of normalness, she died for it, didn't she? "Two weeks," he bargained.

"Two months."

"Four we-"

"Five. Five and I can guarantee she'll come back."

"Alright...it's a deal."

~'"'"'"~

The girls had spoken to Mamoru over a week ago and Usagi finally felt like she could breath without fear she'd bump into him around the corner. She hadn't seen him since she left his car asking for time to think. It was both a relief and a sadness.

"I'm really sorry about this," Ami began, "but I couldn't think of any other way to identify the source."

The senshi sat in a circle around their princess. They had been working hard since Usagi had told them about her nightmares. Only once did the blonde allow someone to enter her dreamscape. Rei placed a hand on Usagi's forearm. The raven haired priestess would be the one to bridge the senshi to the visions that haunted their princess every night. The red senshi was despised to do it although, she hadn't shared her feelings with the others. Since she'd seen Usagi's nightmare the priestess had been unable to completely rid herself of the horror. It was unspeakable and the thought of having to relieve it made her feel sick. But Ami was at her last straw.

The blue haired genius had tried all types of tests. But none of it produced answers. She hadn't wanted to invade her princess' mind. It felt like an overstep, an assault on her friend's privacy. They couldn't be sure they would end up in the right place. For all she knew they could end up in some intimate and personal memory.

At first the blonde refused. She didn't want them to see their possible fate. Rei's expression when the two had come out of the nightmare was one she'd never forget. Not only that, but Ami had revealed that there was a possibility that they could end up in a memory rather than their intended destination. What would happen if they fell into a memory of her time with Mamoru or three days ago at that party…

"The mind is an unpredictable and unknown entity. But it might help if you make sure you concentrate on just the dream. If you don't think of anything else, perhaps we won't be able to access anywhere else."

Usagi sucked in her lips. Someone telling her not to think about something, only made her think of that thing.

Three days ago Genta had invited her to one of his band's gigs. It was for some guy's birthday party. When he asked, she was going to decline. But then he was so hot and how often was she able to go to a party? She usually turned down events, as Mamo didn't approve. But now…-and so she found herself agreeing.

It wasn't as wild as she'd thought it would be. The movies made it seem like people would have to swim through a crowd to get anywhere. It was rather tame. There were about fifty people, but the yard was large and the people spread out.

About fifteen minutes into the band's set the birthday "boy" greeted her. She'd met him briefly when they first arrived, Genta introduced her as well as a couple of other friends.

The host of the party just turned 19. With pretty green eyes and dark crimson hair, he was able to monopolize her attention and bring her to his bedroom.

His kisses were rough and sloppy. The way he groped her was also uncomfortable. She should have known the sex would be just as bad. It was fast and unsatisfying. She laid in his bed half naked. 'So there is such a thing as bad sex.'

"That was-"

"-fun," she interrupted. 'Not fun, actually', she thought.

"Yea," she heard him exhale a breath of relief. Sitting up she bent down to pick up her clothes and swiftly dressed. She didn't look back when she closed the door behind her.

"... do that?"

Usagi blinked several times. She hadn't been paying attention to anything Ami had instructed.

"Um…I…"

"All you have to do is be hyper focused," Makoto tried to reiterate, "that's all Ami means."

"Oh," the princess nodded. She was thankful that Makoto believed Usagi had simply misunderstood and not that she hadn't been paying attention.

"I'll...try."

Nothing was gained from the vision share. Although the reason for their lack of answers, Usagi believed, had more to do with the shock and horror they were bombarded with. The senshi had no idea what they would be seeing, none but Rei. When they woke from the terror the girls were crying. They had seen the end of the universe, the deaths of millions, their bloody ends, the black void that would swallow them unless Princess Serenity stayed away from Prince Endymion. None of the girls spoke that night, opting to lay down, their hands clasping each other and listening to each other breath.

~'"'"'"~

The next day Usagi found herself, begrudgingly, in the yakkyoku with Chibi-Usa. The child needed to pick something up, and Ikuko had ordered her daughter to take the little monster.

As soon as they entered, the blonde ran to the candy section. She squealed in delight, her mom gave her her allowance just yesterday.

"Baka!" Of course she knew the shrill voice, but she refused to acknowledge it. If that brat wanted her attention then she'd better walk that tiny butt out here. Again the girl called. And, once again, she was ignored.

Usagi heard Chibi-Usa stomp down toward her. She took loud heavy steps, wanting the older girl to hear her.

"Baka! I need to go to the medicines!"

"What my family needs is pest repellent," Usagi retorted.

"I'm gonna tell Mama-kuko if you don't take me!" The blonde let out a sigh of defeat and followed her to the pharmacy area.

As she watched the child, peer at the shelves slowly, Usagi leaned onto her side, arms across her chest.

After 15 minutes of browsing Chibi handed Usagi a bottle of sleeping vitamins.

Walking out of the yakkyoku, Usagi heard her name being called out.

"Usagi-san." Turning around, she spotted the older Shingo walking towards her. She smiled and waved enthusiastically.

"Shingo-kun! How are you?"

"I'm doing well, thank you. How are you?"

"Great!" she cheered.

"Who are you?" That's right, Usagi groaned. She had forgotten the little spawn.

"This is my cousin," she scowled at the word. "Chibi-Usa."

"Hello Chibi-Usa," the brunette bowed, "I'm Maeda Shingo."

"That's my cousin's name," the little girl replied. She tilted her head and looked up at the man. Even though he shared the same name as her Shingo, this man looked nothing like him.

"Yes, that's what Usagi-san told me when we first met. Although, I've never actually met another Shingo before."

"Shingo's the coolest!" Chibi-Usa bragged. Her face then twisted to one of disgust, "unlike Usagi-baka."

The young pharmacist's eyebrows furrowed at the comment. What a strange thing for a child to say.

"We were just going to get lunch, do you wanna join us?"

"I don't wan-"

Usagi leaned over and mumbled, "please don't leave me alone with her." Laughing, he agreed and walked with them to the ramen shop down the street.

It was toward the middle of their meal, after Chibi-Usa's fifth remark on Usagi's eating habits and physical appearance that their guest had had enough.

"That's very rude," Shingo scolded.

"What?" Chibi scowled and crossed her arms.

"That. is. Rude." Usagi watched curiously. He spoke with a tone her mother and father used when she herself was in trouble. "Get. out. Now. Usagi."

"You-you don't- you don't get to scold me! You're not my papa!"

Shingo went over and kneeled down, eyes level with Chibi-Usa.

"You are Japanese, ne?"

"Hai."

"It is my duty, all our duty to represent Japan with honor … We do not speak down to our elders. We are not selfish. We are not Americans. We respect those who have taken care of us. Your behavior is one that embarrasses not just you, but those around you. Look at the other people in the restaurant." The little girl's eyes scanned the room. "You see the disappointed looks on their faces? You have shamed your family behaving in this way. They now think that your family is neither respectful nor honorable. If they were, would such a child behave like this?"

Her tiny head lowered, her eyes downcast as his words cascaded over her. She loved the Tsukino's. Although she constantly bickered with Usagi, she still cared. But more than anything, she cherished Mama-Ikuko and Shingo-kun. The idea that anyone would look down on them, made her crestfallen.

"I don't want to shame my family," Chibi-Usa whispered.

Standing up and turning to Usagi, the pink-haired child bowed low. "Gomen-nasai." Chibi straightened herself, her eyes darted about the restaurant, a few older patrons nodded their head in approval.

The gloating that would usually follow, from Usagi, was lost. Instead of rejoicing in her "cousin's" reprimand, her azure eyes floated to Shingo. How had the pharmacist performed such a miracle? The man had Chibi-Usa's tiny hands in his. "You made your family proud," Shingo praised.

In the few times Chibi-Usa was admonished, the child either ran away, threw a tantrum, or blamed her behavior on Usagi. But as Shingo spoke to her, the little nodded her head, beaming.

For a reason Usagi could not explain, she was filled with an overwhelming sense of love and pride, prickling drops of water at the corners of her eyes.

Laying down on her plush comforter, Usagi reflected on the afternoon. After lunch, Shingo politely offered them a ride home. The honey eyed man complimented Chibi-Usa just as she was getting out of the car, causing the munchkin to blush.

~'"'"'"~

The following week Usagi found herself spending more and more time with Shingo. There was something comforting about him. And she needed comfort as each day brought about consecutive failures to understand her nightmares. At the same time, as the weeks went by; she left the temple feeling less and less dejected.

When the movie ended, Shingo turned the television off. He placed the remote back on the coffee table and leaned back. The blond, whose head pressed into the back of the couch, lulled her head to the side, allowing her a better look at the brunette.

Noticing the change of position, Shingo mimicked her movement; at the same time, they opened their mouths to speak. Voices coming out simultaneously, they halted and laughed awkwardly. Trying again, both spoke. Their words coming out in unison.

"No, you go ahead." They laughed again, and "No, you" and they laughed even louder, until Usagi realized that the sheen in his eyes did wonders to his eyes. A beautiful kaleidoscope of colors merrily staring back. But then she was licking her lips and her gaze dropped to his lips. She scooted her face closer to his, and then she was kissing him.

His lips were thinner than hers. Thin but plump. She moved her mouth slowly, before licking his bottom lip. He didn't open his mouth immediately. Instead, he continued chastely, like Mamoru's kisses when he'd still been her boyfriend. Her tongue came out once more, wetting both his top and bottom lip. Hesitantly his mouth parted and wet her lips. It was like…he was following her. It was so very different than Motoki, Mamoru, and that birthday boy. The men had taken the lead. This time it was her, and the control she had was absolutely arousing. She lifted her body from the couch, still kissing him, and straddled his lap. He groaned at the position change, moaned when she touched his jaw and neck.

His hands gripped her waist, but they stayed in place, squeezing. After a few minutes, he pulled away, his lips still brushing against hers.

"Can I…Can I touch you, please?" His voice trembled with desire. The request caused a smile and her hands went to the hem of her shirt and pulled it above her head, throwing it to the floor.

"Yes."

The deadline was coming up. Four days, and if the girls did not convince Usako, he resolved to forcibly reconcile. He'd marry her, impregnate her, guilt her, kidnap her, whatever needed to be done to keep her. She was his everything.

"Usako," the heat from his words against her ear sent a shiver down her spine. He nipped the cusp of her ear. "I've missed you so much."

The blonde pulled her lips in, attempting to hide her smile. She snuggled into his embrace. When she didn't reply, he pulled back.

"You missed me too, right?" Usagi grinned and placed her head on his chest, shaking her head. He could feel the reverberations of her giggle. "Hey," he scolded, mocking hurt.

"Nope, not at all." He tickled her.

"Okay! Okay!" she relented, gasping for air. "I missed you too, Mamo-chan."

His long fingers grazed her cheek, and then cupped her face with his palm.

"Please don't leave me again," he whispered. "I promise things will be different."

"And if I leave?"

"It'll be a case study in The Perversion of Virtue," Mamoru laughed jokingly.

"Mamo!" His princess stomped. "No boring text books!"

"Okay, no more talking boring text books-"

Abruptly, the dark haired man woke, his heart beating quickly. His mobile, a few inches away buzzed. Picking up his phone the screen lit up revealing four missed calls and a voicemail. All the calls had been from Motoki, but when he listened to the voicemail, it was not Motoki's voice that greeted him.

"Hey, this is Keys and Drinks, and I have your friend here, Motoki…he's had a few drinks and needs someone to pick him up-" The message continued with the address of the bar. Without looking at the time nor calling back, Mamoru grabbed his keys and drove to pick his friend up.

When he arrived the bartender informed him that another friend had come. Shrugging, the doctor-to-be decided he'd check on his friend.

Although Mamoru was glad Motoki was finally going out and socializing, Mamoru remembered when Motoki had been broken. His straw haired friend would call him asking if Reika would ever come back. It was awkward for Mamoru, he wasn't used to comforting people. That was Motoki's job. But Mamoru had tried. But he was pretty sure he'd failed at it.

Slipping the emergency key in Motoki's door, the raven haired man entered the apartment. He could hear talking; laughing. Mamoru's mood immediately perked. He knew that laugh.

"Drink more water!" Usagi commanded.

"Usagi-chan, I've drank so much water I think I'm gonna drown."

"Well if you hadn't gotten drunk-"

"How many times do I have to say! I wasn't drunk. I had two! Two shots of vodka and the bartender took away my keys! I was fine to drive."

"It's called Keys and Drinks Toki." Mamoru could feel the irritation dripping from her voice. "You drink, you give them your keys. Why do you think they take your keys?" Motoki responded, but Mamoru could only hear a deep mumble.

"That's stupid. It's to give it to your sober driver."

For a minute Mamoru considered walking in. But the promise he'd made the girls halted his steps. He'd given them his word, and they promised they'd change her mind. What if seeing him now caused her to change her mind? No…he shouldn't risk it. Turning his heel, he began to walk back to the front door.

"How're you enjoying being sexually active?" Motoki's asked; the question made the college man stop in his tracks. Taking several, silent steps backwards he hid near the threshold.

"It's been," she paused, "frustrating I suppose."

"Frustrating?" Motoki parroted back.

"Yea, it's like...you can't just jump someone when you're horny you know?"

"What are you talking about? You're a girl. You can jump anyone you want, no guy's gonna say no. If I were a girl, I'd be a total slut. I'd have sex all the time."

"Are you trying to tell me you're into guys?" he heard Usako tease. The two of them laughed, she let out a breath.

"Well, not every guy is good at it either," she added.

Not every guy is good at it? Has she had sex with…

"Well what do you expect, it's high school. You guys don't know what you're doing yet. It comes with time and lots of practice."

"I dunno...some older guys aren't as experienced either," she sighed. "Maybe my expectations are too high?" It was quiet for a moment.

"I always get off." Mamoru could imagine his friend shrugging. "I know it's not the same for girls though."

"No, and that's what makes it more frustrating!"

His heart squeezed in pain. So she has. He closed his eyes, trying to remind himself that he'd been her age too...that he'd been with others. But it didn't quell the anger and pain.

"It'll get better, promise." They were so quiet, so quiet that the raven haired man thought they'd fallen asleep. He was getting up to leave when Motoki spoke again, "I've been thinking about you…" he paused before continuing "and it's not that I regret it, not at all, but I feel...guilty. Like I took advantage of you."

Mamoru's eyebrows furrowed. Guilty?

"You did not take advantage of me." Quiet. "You didn't!" her tone was insistent. "You're the first person I… you're my first love, since I was eleven."

"Really?"

"Yea, I used to doodle in my notebook Mrs. Furuhata, Usagi loves Motoki, all those silly things. I could show you all my notebooks until the start of freshman year."

Freshman, that was when Mamoru had started dating her.

"I never knew"

"Well of course you didn't. You were with Reika! But yes, I was. So believe me when I say you should not feel guilty. There is no one else in the world I would have wanted my first time with. Not many girls can say that it was their first love they'd given their virginity to. It's always some lame prom or birthday thing, but they always say they 'thought' they loved them. But...I know I did."

Motoki responded, but Mamoru could no longer hear. He left the house, his stomach in knots. He made it a little way to his car when he had to duck into the alley and vomit.

So, um...how did you like it? Please read and review. Let me know what you think. I'm probably going to end this in two more chapters. Crossing my fingers that I'll finish it!