Note from the Author:
It's very helpful to get reviews from you all, but when you submit one, please don't send a plot question like, "Will Usagi and Mamoru fall in love?" I will not respond to those questions because I do not want to give plot points away. So, if and when you do, please review with constructive criticism or words of encouragement. Thank you so much for reading my new story.
Since this is a fanfiction, I obviously have free reign on the direction to take with the characters. So, Mamoru's family situation is going to be different.
. . . . . . . . . .
It All Started with a Rose
Written by Princess Kayla
Inspired by Naoko Takeuchi's "Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon"
Chapter Two
. . . . . . . . . .
MARCH
The driver pulled down the door on the back of moving truck, letting it latch with a loud slam. The last of the boxes remained on the curb, ready to be carried into our new home.
"Thank you for your help," my mom signed the delivery slip and handed it back to the driver.
"Do you need any help with these?" the man gestured to the boxes.
She shook her head, "No, we can manage. Thank you."
"Okay. Have a nice day," he tilted his cap with a nod and returned to his truck.
After he drove away, my mom put her hands on her hips and gave a determined, "Alright, let's tackle this." Looking at her, I would have never guessed that she had been in a car accident. Besides getting winded a little bit, she was back to normal health. However, in my eyes, I still worried that she would collapse at any moment. The image of her lying there helpless in the hospital would not leave me.
"Mamoru, can you grab that one?" she pointed to one of the larger ones marked 'kitchen,' knowing that I was stronger than her to carry it.
"Yes," I replied and quickly went to work. I lifted the box, hiding that it truly was heavy, and walked up the ramp into the house. There were boxes everywhere - some unpacked, some still waiting. I maneuvered around them and the furniture, still waiting to be arranged, and went into our kitchen.
"Just set that one on the counter!" my mom hollered as she walked down the hall with another box. Our counters were lower than those in our old apartment, so I was able to set the box down easily.
"I'm going to get another one!" I shouted as I hurried out of the house back to the remaining stack. Leaning down, I searched through them for one that would probably be too heavy for my mom.
"Mamo?!" I jumped and turned to see a little girl running towards me. Not just any little girl - the same blonde headed one from the hospital hopped to a stop in front of me. "Hi, Mamo!" she yelled with a happy voice.
Standing up straight, I was so surprised that all I could manage was a simple, "Hello."
"Usagi, you have to wait for me," a woman, pushing a stroller, came up behind her. "I'm sorry," she said with a little embarrassment, "I hope my daughter didn't startle you."
I shook my head, "It's fine."
The outgoing, little girl reached up, brushed my hair off my forehead and touched the scar that remained from the accident. She met my eyes with seriousness, "You're all better now?" Not thinking to move away, I nodded. She grinned, "Good!"
"Usagi, leave the boy alone," the lady scolded.
She looked me over and then turned back to her daughter, "Do you know each other?"
"Kind of," I responded with a shrug, "We met at the hospital."
"The hospital?" She looked puzzled, but then had an 'ah-ha' expression. "Oh! Usagi, is the boy you met while I was having the baby?" she asked.
"Yep! This is Mamo!" she happily confirmed.
"Chiba Mamoru," I corrected gently, dipping my head respect.
"Nice to meet you, Chiba Mamoru. My name is Tsukino Ikuko, and this is Tsukino Usagi," she touched her daughter's head, lovingly.
"Call me 'Usagi,'" she grinned, "Okay, Mamo?"
"Usagi, be polite," Mrs. Tsukino disciplined.
"It's okay," I said. Even though I had never been called 'Mamo' before, this little girl - Usagi - didn't bother me by doing so. "I don't mind." Mrs. Tsukino gave me a look of gratitude.
"What are you doing, Mamo?" Usagi stepped over to the boxes. "What are these?"
"My family is moving in," I pointed to the house behind me, "This is our stuff."
"Welcome to the neighborhood," Mrs. Ikuko smiled, "We live a few houses down the street."
"Mamoru?" My mother called my name as she joined us outside. When she noticed the Tsukinos, she came to my side. "Hello," she bowed her head in greeting, "I'm Chiba Nozomi."
"Tsukino Ikuko," she returned the greeting, "Welcome to Azabu-Juuban."
"Thank you," my mom replied, "It's nice to meet you."
"My daughter seems to have met your son at the hospital back in January," Mrs. Tsukino explained, "I was giving birth to my son, Shingo, at the time." She joyfully, turned the stroller to reveal a cooing baby boy.
"He's adorable," my mother commented. She turned to me, "I didn't know you met someone at the hospital."
Before I could reply, Usagi jumped in, "Mamo is my friend."
My eyes widened at her statement. Truth be told, I didn't have many friends, especially now that we left our previous home, which in turn caused me to no longer attend my old school. So, to hear Usagi, who was pretty much a stranger to me, claim me as a friend left me astonished.
"Aren't you sweet," my mother commented to the very outgoing, young girl.
"Do you need help with your things?" Mrs. Tsukino asked as she gestured to the boxes, "We'd be more than happy to help."
My mother threw her hands up in a soft protest, "I couldn't possibly ask that of you. It's a beautiful day, and you are obviously on a walk with your children."
"It's really no bother at all. We are on our way back from seeing how long it takes to get to the elementary school from our house," she touched Usagi on the head again, "Usagi will be starting first grade this April at Juuban Municipal Elementary. It's nearby." She pushed the stroller past us, just inside our gate. "At least let us help you get these boxes inside," she insisted.
"Well, thank you," my mom was thankful.
"Hold on!" Usagi ordered as she hurried over to the stroller. For the first time, I noticed the black plush cat she was carrying. She put the toy in the bottom basket, "Luna can't help right now." She rushed back to me and eagerly extended her arms out to me, "I'm ready! Give me one!"
Seeing the determination on her face, I couldn't help but smile. I grabbed a lightweight box and handed it to her. Happily, she took it and raced towards the front door. "Just put it on the green chair," I shouted and let out an uncontrollable laugh.
At that moment, I caught sight of my mom looking at me with a peaceful and incredibly grateful smile. Unexpectedly, heat rose to my cheeks, and I quickly grabbed another box and walked past her into the house.
"Look!" Usagi exclaimed as I came inside. Her hand rested on the edge of the kitchen sink, "I can reach!"
I nodded, "Yes, you can." I set the box on the kitchen table.
"I love your house!" she spun around, her hair whisking around her face. I noted how her golden hair was pulled up into two buns, one on each side of her head, with pigtails hitting just past her chin. I had never seen anyone with that hairstyle before, which was totally suiting for this girl.
I smiled and glanced around, "I guess it's okay." For the first time, I felt pleased with my new home.
"Why is everything so short?" she questioned as she easily reached a light switch.
"That's because this house is made for people who use wheelchairs," my mom said as she set a few boxes down.
"Wheelchairs?" Usagi searched over my mom and then me.
"Mamoru's daddy uses a wheelchair," my mom explained, "He can't walk." Suddenly, I felt sad.
Usagi frowned, "Why?"
"Usagi!" Mrs. Tsukino reprimanded as she followed my mother, holding the baby in one arm and a box in the other. She leaned over and put the box on a nearby side table. "Usagi, do not be so nosey."
My mom held up a hand and smiled, "It's quite alright." She stepped over and bent down in front of Usagi, "We were all in a car accident, but Mamoru's daddy was hurt very badly."
Usagi was frowning deeply, and for some reason, I felt compelled to make her happier, "My dad is better now, but he can't walk, so this house is good for him." I mimicked her and touched the light switch, "Having things low like this help him; he can reach things while sitting in his chair. That's really neat, isn't it?" Gradually, Usagi smiled, and my heart felt lighter.
Standing up, my mom gave my shoulder a soft squeeze. "You must have met Mamoru while we were getting better in the hospital." She turned to Mrs. Tsukino. "We actually used to live in an apartment near the hospital, but husband needs a lot of help, so moving here was the best option."
"Well, we are just down the street, so we can help anyway you need," Mrs. Tsukino offered.
"That is very nice of you. Thank you," my mom responded, appreciatively. Abruptly, the baby began to cry, and my mom smiled, "But, right now, I think someone else needs you much more."
Mrs. Tsukino shushed her baby gently, and nodded sympathetically, "I think you're right. He's getting hungry." She extended her free hand to Usagi, "Come on now; let's get going."
Usagi took her hand, and they followed us as we escorted them out of the house. Mrs. Tsukino placed her baby in the stroller, even though he protested. "It's okay; it's okay," she whispered to him.
"I will come back soon, Mamo," Usagi said matter-of-factly.
"Nice to have met you," my mom said as they waved and headed down the sidewalk. Once they were gone, she bent down next to the door and picked up a box, "This is the last one, so let's start putting things away. Your dad will be here Friday." I nodded, anxious to have him home.
. . . . .
"Thank you, son." I pushed my dad's chair into the living room. We had moved him in earlier in the afternoon. He took everything in, "Both of you have done an amazing job at organizing the house. It already feels like home."
My mom smiled, "That's what we were hoping for." She brought my dad a glass of water. "Here you go. Do you need anything else?"
"Just some company," he grinned back, "Tell me everything that's been going on."
"Well, Mamoru has already made a new friend," my mom shared as she sat down on the couch.
"Really?" my dad asked.
I shrugged and sat down in a chair next to him. My mom continued to smile, "Her name is Tsukino Usagi, and she is very sweet. Don't you think, Mamoru?"
Uncontrollably, my face flushed. "I don't know. She's nice."
I noticed them exchange glances. "She a little younger than him, but I think they are going to be at the same school this year," she explained.
"That's good," my dad commented, "It will be nice to already know someone there. I know it's going to be hard starting at a new school, but I know you will..." As my dad reached out to touch my arm, he stiffened with a moan and dropped the glass of water to the ground.
"Dad," I jumped up, but had to contain myself from touching him. My mom had made it clear that we had to be very gentle with him, or we could add to his pain. 'Nerve damage' - she had called it. Along with not being able to walk, my dad was going to suffer from chronic pain for the rest of his life. Seeing him stiffen like this was an example of what to expect when he had a nerve attack.
Swiftly, my mom rushed to his side, a syringe in her hand. I hadn't even realized that she had run and gotten his medicine. She pulled up his sleeve, and quickly but carefully gave him the injection. "This will help, honey. Just give it a moment."
My dad began to breathe in a slow controlled rhythm, until his shoulders relaxed, and he let his arm fall upon his lap. "That's better," he whispered, "thank you." He looked at me sympathetically, "I'm sorry if I scared you."
I shook my head, "You didn't." Glancing down, I noticed the puddle of water. I picked up the glass, "I'll go get a towel." I dashed down the hall to the bathroom to grab a towel. As I was returning to the living room, my parents' voices caused me to stop.
"You have to go back to work soon, and I hate to say this," I could hear the sadness in my dad's voice, "but I am going to need help. If I am here alone with him, I don't know if he would be able to handle this. He is just so young."
I leaned back against the wall; I wondered if it was right for me to listen to this.
"I know," my mom added, "I have already been looking for a home nurse to come during the day while I'm at work and when I am on call." Disappointment filled her tone, "I am so sorry that I can't be here with you all the time."
"Darling, you know one of us has to work, and you love your job," my dad tried to reassure her, "You are the best pediatrician at the hospital, and you are needed there so much more than you are here."
"I will miss seeing you so much when we are on break; it won't feel right at all," I could hear my mom's voice catch - she was fighting her emotions.
"I know, darling. Don't worry. Everything is going to work out," my dad comforted.
They went silent. Lowering the towel to my side, I knew the puddle could wait.
. . . . .
Sunday morning had started out as a quiet one. My dad had done well trough the night. My mom was finishing their bedroom where they made special preparations for my dad, including a bed mimicking one used in the hospital. My dad, being a doctor as well, had good connections that were making his staying home possible.
As I was in my room putting away the last of my belongings, a knock came at the front door. "Mamoru, can you get the door?" my mom called from the back of the house.
"Yes!" I called back and went to answer the knocking. I opened the door to see a man holding three large bento boxes. "Hello, sir," I dipped my head, "How can I help you?"
"Hi!" Usagi surprised me as she jumped out from behind the man's legs.
"So, you're Chiba Mamoru?" I nodded in response to the man's question. He bowed his head, "I'm Usagi's father, Tsukino Kenji."
"Hello," I greeted.
"Yes, hello!" my mom appeared behind me. "I'm Chiba Nozomi, Mamoru's mother." She looked past him.
"My wife couldn't come by today," Mr. Tsukino inferred my mom's inquiry. "Our baby is keeping her awfully busy today."
Usagi rolled her eyes, "He's so noisy!"
My mom couldn't help but smile at Usagi's humorous comment. "Would you like to come in?" she stepped aside to allow entrance.
"We don't want to bother you," Mr. Tsukino said, "We just wanted to drop you off some meals. Moving is a lot of work."
"You're so kind," my mom thankfully took the bento boxes.
"My wife wrote our phone numbers down," he pointed to a sheet of paper taped to the top of the box, "If you need absolutely anything, tell us."
"Thank you." I turned as my father moved his wheelchair to the door. "Nozomi is right; you really are very kind." He extended his hand, "I'm Chiba Takeo."
Mr. Tsukino shook my dad's hand and repeated, "Nice to meet you, I am Tsukino Kenji."
My dad looked at Usagi and smiled, "And you must be the wonderful Usagi."
Her face turned a shade of pink, and she nodded, quietly saying, "Nice to meet you."
"You too," my dad returned her greeting.
"This is my dad," I added.
I could tell the connection was made as Usagi's grin replaced her blush. She stepped forward, "You look like Mamo!"
"Mamo?" my dad looked at me with interested curiosity. It was my turn to blush. I shrugged.
Mr. Tsukino covered a laugh as well and patted Usagi's head, "Let's get back to help your mom. I bet she needs a rest."
"Okay," Usagi took her dad's hand. "Bye, bye!" she waved at us.
"Goodbye; thank you again!" my mom said.
As they walked back to the gate, Mr. Tsukino stopped and turned back to us. "Is your son going to Juuban Municipal Elementary?"
"Yes, he will be in the third grade," my mom answered.
"I will be walking Usagi to school every morning. It's less than a mile away." He pointed down the street. "We would be more than happy if he wanted to walk with us."
"That would be wonderful, right, Mamoru?" my dad asked me.
I looked back at Usagi, her hands motioning for me to agree. And, so I did. "Yes. That would be good."
My response sparked an enthusiastic "Yay!" from the very excited Usagi. "I can't wait!" she exclaimed.
Honestly, I couldn't either.
. . . . . . . . . .
Final Note from the Author:
More to come; as soon as possible. Pardon any grammatical errors and please send me encouraging reviews. - With love, Kayla -