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Garden of Eden: Heartstrings

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Summary:
She was beautiful, in a haunting sort of way. And he couldn't seem to keep away from her despite his well known aversion towards the fairer of sexes because somehow, she made it okay to be curious. Though she was strangely tragic, there was a daring spirit inside that was reckless to the point where he might have called it suicidal. He knew it, because he could relate to that whimsical edge.

()()()

she doesn't belong here

Chapter 2
home on the other side

It had been two weeks since Usagi had arrived.

She hadn't worn her school uniform for the first three days she was there no matter how many times Minako attempted to coax her into one.Many eyes had grazed over her unique choice of clothing because of this until Setsuna had caught wind of her little rulebreaking habits. Once found out, the older woman had promptly shoved a uniform into the teen's hands that same day at lunch. Granted, it had taken the counsellor a while to find the teen, and she had been surprised when Usagi merely sighed and asked to be pointed into the direction of the change rooms as she hadn't quite been familiar with the whole school yet.

Shocked by the lack of resistance, Setsuna had speechlessly waited until Usagi came back out clad in the obsidian blouse with the school logo, grey plaid skirt and the trademark school tie. She had refused to wear the knee high socks though, stating that the socks were the most sickening sign that depicted a school girl image—and image she so happened to detest, thus bringing a bit of relief to Setsuna's conscience at the disappearance of her behaviour's oddity...not that she could get any weirder though.

Since then, Usagi had taken to aggravating Iwamori-sensei in the subtlest ways possible knowing that he was responsible for Setsuna's knowledge, by answering his questions with skillful sarcasm and wittisicm, unintentionally amusing the rest of the class or just not paying attention at all—a fact that amused Setsuna knowing that Usagi was purposely broadcasting it to her attention with the gossiping of her fellow classmates. Furthermore, she had become a spectacle of attention for those of the opposite sex who were attracted to her for her exotic, rare colouring and eccentric personality.

Though she appeared to be very social and someone that one could easily become drawn to, she was elusive and ever vague in conversations that drove you mad with curiosity. She had charm—but you could never get close enough to her. To be honest, she rarely spoke a word. Not since the first day she showed attitude, but she supposed it was due to the circumstances.

After all, Usagi had been less than pleased with moving. And really, Setsuna had never heard her talk so much in front of so many people—maybe Minako had been exaggerating when she reported to her.

In short though, she really was quite odd.

She rather reminded Setsuna of Mamoru.

Speaking of which, nothing had happened between the two dynamic teens yet.

That in itself was rather dumbfounding to the counsellor. She could've sworn there'd be some type of reaction between the two. Certainly, she had expected curiosity to be a playing motive but there was none save for some inquisitive glances.

She hadn't even seen Usagi engage Mamoru in any conversation—she had predicted that if either of them would approach each other, then it would have to be Usagi with her lack of respect for privacy when it came to the things she was interested in. Mamoru would never risk engaging Usagi into a conversation—rumors would fly like fireballs and what respect and awe Usagi would have won by then would diminish depending on how good her first impression was on on her grade—not to mention, there would be hell to pay from the more dedicated of Mamoru's fan club.

It was rather saddening, really.

Hino Rei was such a bright young woman, motivated beyond belief and persistent to the extreme. She was loyal to the end and smoothly articulate. She was engaging and a presence that kept things interesting. From what she could tell, Mamoru almost felt sympathetic that he didn't feel anything for her—she certainly had some admirable traits. But when it came to him, she was nothing but a nuisance. No matter how many times he gently refused her date offers, she would come back.

Ever tenacious, it was one of the reasons Mamoru hated her—err, strongly disliked—as he said to her in a moment of disregard where he had ranted to his heart's content. He had begun to lose his patient courtesy for the girl long ago, and now made it a point to be away from her as quickly as possible if avoiding her completely was out of the question. She could tell that he admitted to himself that he was a bit rude when curt but the priestess though spiritual and trained in the art of selfless giving, could be the complete polar opposite. Sometimes Mamoru found it maddening how hypocritical she could be. For really, the girl had no right interfering in his social, athletic or intellectual pursuits.

But she had. In fact, if Setsuna didn't know any better she would have to say that Usagi had gained an enemy in Hino Rei.

In one certain aspect, Rei had interfered in Mamoru's life yet again when it came to Usagi. Whereas Rei was persistent—if not delusional in believing Mamoru belonged to her—Usagi was content to lay back and rarely showed interest in anything from what he could tell. The blonde was aloof, she moved with weightless silence and disbelieving grace. It was disbelieving really, since she would sometimes slouch while walking and make it look feminine. She carried herself unassumingly, but there was an understated power in her presence. Come to think of it, Setsuna no longer witnessed Usagi's playful wit anymore. The blonde had apparently resolved to keep to herself.

The raven-haired girl constantly badgered the other—but made it look like she didn't—who could possibly be called the yin to her yang. It was rather fascinating to see them stand in front of each other and argue.

Or one-sidedly depending on whether or not Usagi was willing to humor Rei's frustrations. Hell, the priestess felt threatened by the platinum blonde. The caution and hostility exuded off her in miniscule tight waves whenever Setsuna happened upon her about to berate Usagi. Course, the students of Azabu were nothing if not subtle. So while the school hadn't made too much of an obvious change there was a certain difference in the way a certain number of students now acted.

She had seen enough and after the first week of Usagi's arrival the school had settled back into its usual routine. There was less fuss about the mysterious Tsukino Usagi as people grew used to her being around until it got to the point where she was just another pretty face with the exception of an interesting personality. But really, no one really bothered her anymore once they got to know her what little she allowed them to know.

Certainly her name was well known, for who could forget looks like hers in the network of Japan? However, now she was more of a person who you would admire from afar and only dream of befriending yet you would be satisfied knowing that she was someone worth being interested in at the least.

Setsuna sighed. It was easy to see why Rei would dislike her, when she was so used to being the one with attention. But then in came Usagi, with her lack of interest and dry humor—then suddenly the attention shifted without the blonde meaning to attract such attention to herself. Usagi stood out, unintentionally but stood out all the same.At least you knew she wasn't some bitchy queen bee in disguise despite the fact she rarely voiced her thoughts. But she made it count when she did.

--

He was skipping.

He almost couldn't believe he was doing something to be considered juvenile since he was supposed to be seen as 'responsible', 'hardworking' and 'serious'...but God, he hated perfection. He was weary of the sickening displays of love made towards him and found himself wondering why he could feel no flattery but just annoyance. Most guys wanted to be him, for nearly every girl had had a crush on him at least once at some point over the last four years in Azabu. Yet he hated the attention.

Plus, Hino Rei made it all the more possible to dislike the opposite sex.

Mamoru grimaced.

Setsuna herself was wavering on the thin line between people he found respectable and his bonafide shit list. The way she meddled in his affairs when she had no reason to worry infuriated him. He hated the weekly appointments all seniors were forced to participate in with their counsellors and found himself much more gruff lately due to Rei's suddenly much more pressing offers and pursuits. Ever since the new student had arrived, the other girl had regained and renewed the vigor she once had to gain his attentions.

She was suddenly more demanding of his time—which she had no right to. Every time she found him speaking to a female, be it a teacher or student over assignments or simply asking for the time she would act so sweet it made his teeth hurt, only to do a one-eighty with her temper and give him a pounding headache—which had been the case for nearly two weeks now.

Come to think of it, she kept mentioning Tsukino-san whenever she saw him. What would he know about Tsukino-san? How should he know anyway?

It was like all the girls and guys in school expected him to know about her, asking him about her and talking to him about her...

All he ever heard was how amazingly beautiful and different she was, but how interesting can one girl possibly be? Now that she had been there for a little while she rarely cracked as many flirty comments nor did she ever pay attention to him the way she had on her first day. He himself had gone about his own day without a thought of her and sometimes found himself startled when he would be reminded of her upon hearing the jealousy in the tones of the girls that followed him around whenever he would courteously allow Tsukino to go in before him for Iwamori-sensei's class since it was one of three classes they had together.

For God's sake, other than that one wink and those few glances, Tsukino-san and he never even talked despite the mutual and platonic interest they had had in each other.

Besides, she kept to herself more often than not with the exception of Minako being at her side nearly every time he passed her by—probably because they were cousins he deduced. She was different now from the blunt and rebellious nature she had shown on the first day—it was like she'd mellowed out and he couldn't help but notice since he never not noticed things. In the beginning during the few times he had allowed himself to indulge in the urge to glance at her he would catch her staring out the window or idly doodling in her books. Quite frankly, he'd heard enough about Usagi to the point that he really didn't quite care anymore.

Physically, she was quite the specimen and even he had to admit that he found her attractively bewitching the first time he saw her. But that spark she had possessed when he first met her was no longer there, and though he wondered what had happened to it he didn't think he could work up the effort to find out. After all, he wasn't that curious anyway. Besides, maybe she wasn't like that all the time anyway—it wasn't like people to stay in one mood all the time.

So just like that, the interest and foreign curiosity had worn off. Almost guiltily he had written her off with a decided finality.

But...

She knew she shouldn't be skipping class, but she figured Renji-sensei would understand. She was sure that by now Iwamori-sensei probably had created a reputation for her in the faculty lounge. What could it possibly hurt to add a little more to it. It was the last block of the day—she wouldn't be missed.

Besides, it had been a while since she'd been by herself like this. The teen smiled wistfully.

Usagi sighed as she pulled the tie from her hair, allowing it to trail down to the small of her back. She raised her head high watching the changing leaves of autumn sway through the cerulean sky. Curling a tress of silver behind her ear, Usagi reached over the railing of the school roof and plucked one from mid-air. It was a rich scarlet at the center and stem while towards the leaf's points it slowly transitioned into molten gold. She twirled the leaf in her fingers, distractedly tracing the velvety veins while noticing some parts eaten through from bugs and the natural process of the fall season.

They say autumn is the season for remembering.

What happens when you don't want to?

She felt so reflective lately...but really, she should be over it by now.

She closed her eyes and breathed the fresh air in, listening to a melody from memories in the past to ease her thoughts before gradually humming along. The lullaby was soothing, gentle—it made her feel light but heavy with drowsiness, a little empty like—something was being drained from her although not unpleasantly. It was a nice feeling, not being so full all the time. Sometimes the emotions got to be so overwhelming, it made her tired. Not for the first time it brought back bittersweet memories. She could smile because they had been good times, but to remember could be so painful...

She could remember how she would open her treasured locket, tracing the points of it's five star shape. She could remember sitting in her desk at her old house—or was it supposed to be called home?—and how she would look out her window, her head resting on her folded arms while it rained. The tinkling of the locket would soft, eerie almost at how nostalgic it felt and at every note, she felt a part of her become undone. She had never been able to decide whether it was a good thing or not. Even now...

Maybe it was true. Maybe she really had needed a change. She stopped humming.

Kyoto had been shady, with underground dealings and chalk full of temptations where she had been. Crazy assholes roamed the alleys and less than ideal actions took place on the sidewalk corners where everyone turned a blind eye to. The Juuban district was not what she had in mind when she asked for a bit of change. It was drastic, and it wasn't what she wanted.

Now, here she was. Attending one of the best high schools in the country with her cousin and little to no friends. It wasn't dangerous or gloomy like life in welfare Kyoto, instead people were...people were nice. Except for Rei, Usagi hadn't had any trouble with anyone. The people were relatively friendly and those who weren't didn't bother her since she was used to it, and there was always Minako to snap at them. It made Usagi feel uncomfortable and a little irritated. She could take care of herself.

The thing was she felt strange and out of place in this world of prestige in Tokyo. She almost mourned the lost of her social ability, but couldn't bring herself to care. There were some nice people at Azabu, but getting close took too much effort. Minako was always at her side anyway. Blood was thicker than water, right? She knew it wasn't really nice to be reluctant to be around her cousin but she guessed she felt awkward. It had been a long time since someone genuinely cared, and Minako was family—she was partly obliged to care about her. She was such a mother hen. It felt...weird.

Even though their mothers had been sisters, Usagi didn't really feel a kinship with Minako yet. She felt as though they were distant relatives that were trying to bridge the gap through a sea of awkwardness. Minako was constantly trying to cheer her up—even though she wasn't really sad, mind you—always inquiring about her comfort and saying her home was hers too.

Home.

The word was foreign. The concept was a bit out of reach for Usagi. She had never had a home to call her own. She'd lived in a rundown apartment building on her own for so long, never minding or paying attention to anyone's opinion of her. But at this place, you couldn't get away with things like not thinking about other people. It wasn't like she never gave a shit—or that she was starting to—but Usagi really wasn't selfish. She just never had any reason to impress anyone before. Now she sort of did. She didn't want to make Minako look bad. For all her pestering, Usagi really did appreciate the effort Minako put in for her comfort. The least she could do was be a little less wild.

Sigh. These really aren't the types of thoughts to dwell on...

There wasn't much she could do about it anymore, now that she was stuck here really.

"Am I that interesting, Chiba-san?"

Mamoru's hand fell from the door. "I wasn't expecting anyone else to be here. How'd you know it was me?"

Usagi tilted her head over her shoulder, her hair illuminated by the sun peeking through the draping clouds before turning away. She let the leaf go. It streaked across the faded blue of the sky. It was dazzling, swirling with the chilly wind.

She felt oddly warmed.

"Call it instinct."

"What are you doing here, Tsukino-san? Shouldn't you be in class?"

He was unsure of how he should act since they weren't friend and weren't quite at the mark of acquaintances but there was a sort of quiet acknowledgement between the two of them. They didn't hang out or speak but they heard good things about each other, and had a little common ground since they knew what it was like to be everybody else's obsession. Mamoru winced at how rough he sounded but was surprised when she gave into a melodic laugh instead. It was rich and womanly, not like the light and high chiming tone of some girls he knew. It wasn't very loud, but sounded pleasant to his ears. She had a nice laugh, he thought.

"Shouldn't you?" She spoke in a murmur. "Or did you forget we share the next period?"

So caught up in his ire, Mamoru had forgotten which class exactly, he had next. If he hadn't skipped, he would've known he had his next class with Renji-sensei, the literature teacher.

"Guess I did." His breath puffed out in a cloud of fog. They stayed where they were.

Him, by the door with his bag at his feet. Her, leaning over the rail, the sunlight shimmering off her unbound, long silver hair for once.

"Skipping?"

"Yeah. Needed some air."

"Hn. Same."

"Hino-san wouldn't leave me alone."

There was a look of surprise on his face at her admission.

"I'm sorry about her." He said slowly.

She snorted. "Don't be. She doesn't know how to stop anyway. Actually, I feel bad for you."

Usagi watched as he breathed out slightly in amusement before giving a wry, barely-there kind of smile. He had a dimple in his left cheek.

"Is that so?"

She nodded.

"...thanks. I think."

When neither made any movement to say anything else Mamoru paused before coming to stand at the rail next to her, figuring that it wouldn't really matter since this particular section of the school's roof wasn't very big. Usagi didn't protest and he put a fair amount of space between them to both their comfort. He supposed he could use the company anyway. They didn't talk after that but for reasons unknown there was an unspoken agreement that they wouldn't say a word of it to Renji-sensei. It was companionable. It was different.

It felt nice.

The sakura trees turned rosy against the sun and the leaves brushed them by.

So maybe he had lied when he said he didn't care anymore. Mamoru didn't know why he said it or even believed it.

There was something about her.

Time had passed by surprisingly quickly considering the two had merely stood in silence the whole time, watching the busy streets from their view and when the bell finally rang to signal the rest of the school's dismissal both teens merely turned and grabbed their bags. There were no friendly goodbyes, just Mamoru waiting for Usagi to finish tying her hair back up which caused her to have the same appearance she had before—she no longer looked quite as vulnerable or human as when he first stumbled upon her in coincidence. The effect was astounding. Instead, she looked untouchable.

Like him.

After that, he held the door open for Usagi to go through first as was custom and tThey walked down the stairs leading to the main floor of the school together, silently parting ways in different directions once the halls began streaming with people.

Usagi walked up to Minako who smiled warmly at her as they made their way down the sidewalk in the direction of...home, and Mamoru never looked back.

It would be a while before they talked again.