Note from the Author:
This story will take Mamoru and Usagi from childhood to adulthood, building a strong relationship for what they will face.
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It All Started with a Rose
Written by Princess Kayla
Inspired by Naoko Takeuchi's "Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon"
Chapter Three
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APRIL - YEAR 3
"A new school for both of you, isn't that exciting?" Mr. Tsukino asked as he escorted us to the front of Juuban Elementary. He grinned happily as he bent down to give his daughter a hug. "My big girl, you are going to have so much fun. Do you have Luna?"
I watched as Usagi spun around to reveal the head of a plush black cat sticking out of her backpack. "Right here!" she exclaimed. With eager determination, Usagi tugged the strap of her bag up on her shoulder a bit more, "I'm ready!"
"That's my girl," he lovingly kissed her forehead. He turned to me, "Mamoru, do you have everything you need?"
"Yes, sir," I replied and bowed my head in gratitude, "Thank you."
He nodded and pointed to several adults standing near the entrance, "Those are the teachers. See the signs they are holding? Usagi, you need to look for Year 1, and, Mamoru, you need to look for Year 3."
"I can help her find the right teacher," I offered, receiving a grateful smile.
"We can help each other!" Usagi surprised me as she happily grabbed my hand. "Let's go, Mamo!"
"Usagi, your mother will be here to get you both after school," he had to shout because Usagi had swiftly pulled me towards the teachers. "Take good care of each other!" I heard him say from a distance.
Usagi definitely had spunk as she pulled us ahead so we could read all of the signs. Quickly, I saw 'Year 1' and tugged on her hand. "Usagi, that's your teacher," I stated.
"But, where's yours?" she looked around.
Because of our difference in height, I easily looked over her and past some of the other children to see a woman holding 'Year 3.' "Mine's down there," I pointed.
Usagi frowned, "Way over there?"
Her sadness brought an ache inside my heart. I squeezed her hand, "I'm sure I will see you at lunch, okay?" Her frown lifted a bit. "We both have to go meet our teachers now."
"See you later, Mamo," she gave me an unexpected hug and then walked to her teacher. I waited for her to speak to the woman before going in the other direction.
As I approached my teacher, I glanced back at Usagi to see her teacher saying something that clearly made her laugh. It amazed me how much relief I felt as I watched Usagi become more comfortable.
"Young man, can I have you name?" I turned back to my own teacher.
"Chiba Mamoru," I answered.
She looked over the back of the sign and marked something with a pen. "Yes, there you are. Chiba Mamoru, Year 3, Class 2," the teacher tucked the sign to her chest, "Welcome to Juuban Elementary."
. . . . .
"So, how was your first day?" Mrs. Tsukino pushed the stroller as she escorted us back home.
"It was good," Usagi replied, "The best part was lunch!"
Her mom laughed, "Usagi, you always love lunch."
"It's even better because I get to eat with Mamo," Usagi explained.
"You both have lunch at the same time?" Mrs. Tsukino inquired.
I nodded, "Yes, ma'am. There is a very large courtyard where most of the classes can eat at one time."
"Well, isn't that fun!" she commented with a grin. "Tell me more."
That one request opened a door for Usagi to share every bit of her day. From the where she hangs her book bag to the color of her classroom's walls - every detail was so important to her. Honestly, as she shared her enthusiasm, those details ("her book bag on the hook of her desk"..."happy and sunny yellow walls") became just as important to me. "And, there is a big board on the wall that the teacher..."
"Welcome home!" Being so enthralled in Usagi's retelling of the day, I almost tripped when my dad shouted. He waved from his wheelchair, parked at our gate entrance.
Usagi hurried towards him, "Hi!"
"Hello!" he laughed, "You look like you had a good day."
"Yes!" Usagi nodded.
"I'm glad to hear that," he looked at me, "How about you, Mamoru?"
"It was good," I replied, receiving his warm smile.
"I can't wait to hear all about it," he motioned for me, "Let's thank the Tsukino's."
"Yes, thank you," I agreed.
"Our pleasure," Mrs. Tsukino smiled, "My husband will be by at the same time tomorrow morning."
"Wonderful," my dad said gratefully, "You are both so kind."
"I'll see you tomorrow, Usagi," I waved at her.
"Okay! Bye, bye, Mamo!" she waved back and took her mom's hand.
As the headed their way, my dad patted me on the back, "Okay, come on in and tell me all about your classes."
"Do you want me to push...?" I went behind his chair, but he stopped me.
"No, I'm okay," he said as he grabbed both wheels and began to push himself up the ramp to the house. "You better hurry, or I'm going to beat you!" I laughed and hurried in front of him.
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JUNE - YEAR 3
The next few months fell into a happy routine. My mom went back to work fulltime, while a home nurse came to check on my dad for a few hours a day. Thankfully, he was adapting well to his new life. He had a way of staying positive through trials, and I hoped to inherit that trait.
Each school day, I waited patiently as Usagi and Mr. Tsukino came to my house. Usagi was a refreshing start to my mornings and a sweet way to head back home. It was fun to hear her endless stories about adventures she had created with her imagination. She also shared silly jokes that really didn't make sense but made us laugh nonetheless. Quickly, I realized that I didn't need to be surprised when Usagi said or did something unexpected.
June 30th brought one of those surprises.
Usagi came towards me, skipping joyfully. "Hi, Mamo!" she waved enthusiastically. "Look! Look!" she pointed at her cat's ears headband, sitting on top of her golden hair. The ears were framed perfectly by her typical double buns. "What do you think?"
"I like them," I smiled.
"Now I look like Luna!" she spun around to show me her cat toy happily, "I got them for my birthday!"
Immediately, I frowned. I didn't know that it was her birthday; I didn't have anything for her. "Today's your birthday?" I asked.
"Yes," she replied and held up seven fingers, "I'm seven today!"
"Happy birthday," I forced a smile, secretly feeling awful for not having a gift.
"Thank you, Mamo!" she took my hand, "Let's go!" She led me onward towards school, not seeming to care that I hadn't prepared for her day. She wasn't selfish - simply carefree.
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It was such a nice sunny day, clearly perfect for Usagi's birthday. But, as I waited in the shade of the courtyard tree, our usual spot for lunch, I felt concern when I didn't see her already there like normal.
After several minutes went by, I left our spot to search for her. I walked back to the entrance to the classroom corridor when I heard Usagi's voice. I followed it around the nearby, secluded corner to see two older boys standing in front of her, one holding tightly to her Luna.
"Give her back now!" she demanded.
"Only babies carry around stuffed toys," one of them mocked, "What are you? A baby?" As he started twisting Luna in his hands, the other boy ripped Usagi's headband off her head and threw it on the ground.
"Don't touch her!" I yelled, pushing the boy back and standing firmly between Usagi and them. I don't think I had ever experienced rage before that moment, but seeing Usagi facing a threat sent my blood burning.
The boy smirked, "Oh, the baby has a protector now?" He laughed and twisted Luna even more.
"Give her the toy back now!" I went to grab for it, but the other boy pushed me hard. Before I could do anything, the sound of the stitches ripping apart filled my ears. My eyes widened as Luna fell to pieces on the ground.
"No!" Usagi rushed in front of me. However, instead of going to Luna, she went over to the boy and stomped on his foot with all the strength she could muster. The boy yelped in pain. Next, she kicked the other boy right in his shin sending him crying out in agony. "You both are horrible!" she screamed in rage. She jumped towards them, causing both of them to startle backward. "Don't ever come near me again!" In utter shock, they hurried away, both limping as they went.
Everything went quiet as I stared at Usagi's back; it was tense and her hands were balled into fists. For such a small girl, I would have never predicted her bravery.
Gradually, her shoulders slumped and her hands relaxed as she knelt to the ground and picked up the two pieces of her favorite toy - her friend. She stayed there silently.
I noticed her discarded headband, picked it up and dusted it off. Slowly, I walked around in front of her and knelt down. My breath caught as I took sight of her bloodshot eyes, tears threatening to fall. "Usagi..." I whispered, "I'm so sorry."
She cradled her friend to her chest, "Luna..."
Overwhelmed by her despair, the words just sprang from my mouth, "I'll help her, Usagi." Her eyes met mine, full of hope. Immediately, I regretted the words. I honestly had no idea of how to help, but I couldn't stifle the need to make her pain go away.
Gently, I put her headband back on her head and then reached out my hands to take Luna. Carefully, I took the cat plush and helped her as we stood up.
The school bell rang, and I realized that our lunchtime had slipped away from us. So, bellies empty, I took Usagi by the hand and led her back to her classroom.
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On the kitchen table, a sewing kit and the pieces of the stuffed animal waited. I had completed all of my schoolwork and the house chores so that nothing else needed to be done. When I heard the door open, I stood up from the table.
"Mamoru?" my mom came into the kitchen, clearly surprised to see me. "It's late. Shouldn't you be in bed?"
"Yes, but..." I started.
"What's wrong? Where's your father?" she looked around with concern.
"He's fine. He's asleep," I put her at ease, "I know it's late, and you're probably tired, but I need your help."
She sat her lunch box on the counter and took note of the objects on the table. "Is this for school?"
I shook my head, "No. I need to fix this, but I'm not good at sewing."
"Do we need to do this tonight?" she asked.
I nodded uneasily, "Yes. Tonight."
She lifted the torn stuffed animal and looked it over. She glanced at me and frowned, "This is Usagi's?"
"Yes. Some boys at school tore it apart. I have to fix it for her," I explained.
She gave me a sympathetic smile and sat down. She patted the seat next to her, "Okay, let's get started." With deep gratitude, I sat down with her.
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The next morning, I held a gift bag next to my side. When Usagi appeared in the distance, I didn't wait for her to reach me. I went to her and extended the bag to her.
"For me?" she asked with obvious surprise. I nodded 'yes' and eagerly waited as she lifted the stuffed animal out of the bag. After a night of stitching and a couple band-aids on my fingers, the cat plush was back together. "Luna!" she squealed with joy.
"The sewing isn't the best," I stated.
"She's perfect!" Usagi exclaimed.
Mr. Tsukino smiled down at me, "Did you fix her?"
"Yes, with my mom's help," I replied.
Usagi gazed up at me, and tears flowed down her cheeks. With a sudden rush, she wrapped her arms around me and squeezed me tightly. "Thank you so much, Mamo," she cried, "You are my best friend forever and ever!"
Uncontrollably, I smiled and hugged her back. 'I will do my best to make you happy, Usagi,' I thought to myself, 'Forever and ever.'
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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 -