The black pet hopped through the cat flap, scampered up the stairs and barged into Usagi's room.
"Usagi! Wake up!" she ordered. That ditzy girl was going to be late again. If she didn't hop up now.
She shouldn't have stayed out with Artemis all night.
"You need to-" The talking cat blinked, and her paws came to a stop after taking one more step into the Princess's room. She stared at the scene before her, flabbergasted.
Usagi was already out of bed. Already up, and already dressed in her school uniform. And… not still asleep… or dreaming about Mamouru… or complaining.
"Usagi.." Luna spoke aloud, too impressed to say much else. She never got up this early. Ever.
The Blonde turned to her feline friend, cheerful delight crossing her face as she finished the last odango in her hair. "Luna!" She exclaimed, having not seen her the day and night before. "Did you have fun with Artemis?" A sly wink implied a deeper meaning behind her words.
Luna, being the cat that she was, blushed lightly. "Nevermind that!" She evaded the question deliberately, and instead focused on the bigger wonder. "What are you doing up so early?"
"Rei woke me up." Usagi answered, as if it was nothing. She stuck a plan, silver stud through her earring hole and fastened it. Then, she did the other one.
"Rei? Why is Rei here?"
"Didn't everyone tell you?" The Rabbit asked absentmindedly, then smiled knowingly. "Oh, yeah! That's right! You were out with Artemis all night enjoying the kissy-kissy!" She teased, puckering her lips with another playful wink.
"Usagi!" Luna snapped, "It's not like that!" She was starting to become irritated with her owner. Didn't she ever stop playing games? She sighed. "Now, could you please tell me what's going on?"
"I'm staying here with you and Usagi for a while because half of my house was demolished by an idiotic youma." Rei walked into the room elegantly, dressed in her own private school's grey uniform.
Luna's eyes widened. "And you got Usagi up? On time?!"
"Of course I did! She won't get up on her own. Her dad already went to work, and her mom's still asleep. Someone had to do it." Rei defended, "And, you weren't here." She grabbed her black schoolbag sitting beside Usagi's dresser.
A sweat-drop formed on Usagi's head as Rei bragged and she chuckled nervously, feeling somewhat responsible but knowing she couldn't do much about her morning habits.
Luna remained stunned, not quite knowing what to say. When she finally did open her mouth to say something again, the miko's words cut her off.
"Oh, no!" Rei had glanced at her wrist watch and her eyes grew in alarm at how many minutes had passed already. "Sorry, Luna! We have to get going!" She apologized. She grabbed Usagi's hand and pulled her along as she began marching out the door. "C'mon, Usagi!"
"Rei-chan!" The Blonde gasped in surprise, a slight pink colour splattering her cheeks upon her hand being grabbed so fiercely.
It wasn't long until they were downstairs. With a quick "We'll be off!", the door shut behind them, and they were on their way to yet another day in high school.
- x -
The two walked down the street. Both of them silent. Both of them still holding hands. Both of them too scared to break the tension, too content to let go. So, they walked hand in hand, the two of them. Neither saying anything or conveying any sense of discomfort.
But, both of them secretly going mad.
Why hasn't she let go already? Usagi wondered curiously, slipping a glance toward her firey friend who kept her intense gaze positioned ahead. Not that she wanted her to. There was a sense of security there, a sense of friendship. A sense of warmth, a sense of reassurance. A sense of… passion. Things that she didn't usually experience while holding anyone else's hand. Not even Mamo-chan's touch sent these sort of feelings… and he was, well… Mamo-chan.
Why does she keep holding my hand? Rei equally wondered, looking over at Usagi. Is she scared? Does she feel sick? She attempted to justify the unusual circumstance by coming up with excuses as to why Usagi hadn't reminded her that their hands were still joined together. It had been a good five minutes. But, then again, she wasn't necessarily trying to break contact either. Her eyes shifted back to focusing in front of her. The miko, although concerned about her compassionate friend's reasoning, enjoyed the energy that flowed between them. The sense of liveliness that Usagi usually projected was doubled and intensified, just by her touch.
They continued walking.
In silence.
But… after a moment, Rei couldn't stand not knowing anymore. She spoke up. "Usagi..?"
The Blonde, who had been watching a nearby squirrel, turned her head to look at Rei innocently. "What?"
Rei turned her head to face her. "Are you… feeling okay?" It seemed like a stupid question.
"'Feeling Okay'?" Usagi blinked, confused. "Yeah… I guess so." She replied naively. "Why?"
"I.." The ravenette looked away, embarrassed that she had ever asked. She searched for a quick lie. "I was just wondering." So, apparently, she was feeling fine. Why, then? It was obvious Usagi didn't like her like that. Or, at least, Rei didn't think she did.
The Rabbit had Mamouru, afterall.
"Oh." Usagi didn't get it. Not really. Did she look like she felt bad? Did she act it? Or… was Rei trying to hint at them holding hands and trying to tell her they should stop? She looked away. Usagi needed to stop. She needed to take her hand away, to not think about the emotions that surged through her when they touched one another. When they held hands, it was like kindling a flame – boosting those feelings even more. She had to stop. She had to stay devoted to Mamo-chan! Her plan was to ignore her feelings for Rei-chan… not try and test them one step further!
Though, to be honest, it was meanie Rei-chan's fault for grabbing her hand in the first place.
They turned a corner, and then there it was in magnificent architecture. Rei's T.A. Academy for Girls.
"Well, time to part ways," Rei said with a smile. Though, somehow, something in her amethysts seemed…anything but happy. She didn't want to admit it, but she really didn't want to leave Usagi's side. Her hand slipped away from the blonde's.
"Yeah." Usagi grinned back, but she felt sad. Like she was losing a part of her she had just gained. She tried to convince herself it was just because she had spent so much time with Rei in the last few days… and not because of her feelings for her. "I'll see you later at the shrine, okay?" She chimed. She would see her at home later, right?
"Bye Usagi! Don't be late!.." Rei warned, walking backward toward her school and waving bye to her friend. She reminded herself that she'd see her afterschool, that they both went to school everyday. There was nothing to be sad about.
The miko turned around and ran through the gate, onto school grounds, running neatly toward the doors, shouting one last mock-threat to Usagi before she was too far to be heard. "..Or, I won't forgive you!"
Usagi waved back with her arm high in the air and her voice just as loud and articulate. "Byeee Reeii-chaaan!"
Then, she was turning on her heel. Determined to push her feelings away. Determined to get to school without any distractions. Determined to be there on time.
She ran with all of her might, with all of her energy. She knew it wasn't that far. And, she was sure to make it!
But, then, she bumped into someone. A firm someone. With an "ouf!" she stumbled backward and landed on her bottom.
"Hey! Watch where you-" Her words crumpled when she looked up to meet their eyes… or, rather, his eyes. Sapphire met sapphire, and instantly, a broad smile covered Usagi's features.
Mamo-chan stood in front of her with a surprised expression plastered across his face. "Usako?"
"Mamo-chan!" Usagi exclaimed, jumping up and lunging her arms around his waist contently.
He hugged her back with a chuckle, gazing down at her with soft, loving eyes. "How is my Usako?" He asked sweetly.
"Wonderful, now that you're here!" She chirped, nuzzling her head into the fabric of his black shirt. That was true… at least, for the moment.
"I'm glad," He responded, relieved. Wait a minute… Then, he raised an eyebrow as something dawned on him. "Hey," he began in stern question, "Aren't you… supposed to be at school?" He grabbed her shoulders gently and held her at arms length so that they could talk to her normally.
She only sidestepped him and clung to his arm instead. "Yeah. Aren't you?" She cooed playfully.
"Yes, but aren't you going to be late?"
"Not if you walk me!"
"Usako…" He paused a moment, not sure how to evade the bold request. "I have school, too," He finally said, "College is even stricter. I can't just-"
Her smile faltered. She pouted. Her azure irises sparkled pleadingly. "Pleeaase?"
"Usako-"
"Pleeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaassseee?" She squeezed his arm. Her eyes began to tear up, and her pout deepened. She even whimpered and bashed her eyelashes.
She knew he couldn't resist the eyelashes.
There was a pause as he decided. Did he really want to risk being late to his own school? But, her face… he couldn't say no to the puppy-dog face. He sighed. "Alright," he agreed after a long moment. He would just have to take his chances. Oh, the things he done for love!
Usagi lit up. Her tears dried up. Her pout had turned into a gargantuan smile, and her eyes sparkled with admiration and glee. Her whimper transformed into an animated "Really?!"
"Of course!" Mamo-chan replied. "Anything for my Usako." He touched her nose playfully with his index finger and a charming grin.
A mischievous glint simmered in her eyes. "Anything?"
"Anything." He promised, taking her hand in his as they started walking down the street.
"Even a date?" She smirked.
"Even a date." He assured her.
"Today? After school?"
"Okay. Where?"
Usagi thought on this a moment, tapping her chin with her finger. 30 Thirties, that cool club she'd went to one time and met pianoist Yusuke Amade? Harajuku? No… her and Mamo went shopping too much on dates. As much as she loved looking at and buying things, they needed a real date. An awesome date. A date that would actually distract her, that they would actually enjoy.
They passed Crown Arcade.
Oh!
"What about Juuban Land?"
Mamouru blinked. "The amusement park?"
"Yeah! Why not?"
"Usagi… it's winter."
"So?"
He laughed at her. "It's too cold. The amusement parks are closed."
Usagi looked down, now disappointed. "Oh…"
"But, I know of a place we can go."
Usagi perked up immediately to see Mamouru with a sly smile across his face. She blushed as it hit her. "Are you sure?"
"More sure than ever."
She smiled, glad he had come up with a place but still slightly unsure. She ignored her uncertainty. It would be okay. It was always okay with Mamo-chan.
"Want me to come get you after school?" he asked.
"For our date?"
He nodded.
"Of course." she exclaimed. "That would be great!"
They stopped walking. He took her into his arms, leaned down, and kissed her.
When, he rose back up, they both grinned at each other. He gestured toward something, and she turned around to realize it was her school.
She looked back at him and kissed him on the cheek. "Bye Mamo-chan." She backed away, beginning to run toward her school entrance, only looking back over her shoulder to wave good-bye. "Thanks for walking me!"
He waved back. "Have a good day, Usako! I love you!"
She beamed her love back before she ran through the doors – not late! - loving every wonderful moment they had just spent together and now was especially thrilled about their scheduled date after school.
Yet, as she ran down the hallways and skidded into her classroom, something nagged at her. Something told her that their date was… wrong. That she was forgetting something. Or… someone. That there had been something else planned… someone else to see.
But, because she couldn't remember, she dismissed it, and idly continued her day through classes, teachers, classmates, and, of course, school. She sat through boring lectures and notes, and chatted with Naru-chan and Umino. She tried her best on school work and even learned a few things from Ami-chan. As always, Mako-chan brought lunch for everyone, and Mina-chan told her all about the juicy gossip and the hot guys that attended school, three or four of which she was targeting to be her 'boyfriend' - not that she was particularly interested in either, but Mina-chan was so fun to watch when she was really enjoying something!
In some ways, the day seemed like the same as any other. But, in others, it would soon become one of the best!
