You've Always Deserved My Love

Chapter Eight

Makato gulped, watching as the blonde's eyes became round as wide. She took in a swift breath, wishing this moment of scrutiny would end.

"Makato." She said, her eyes returning to the previous icy state they had been in.

Makato nodded. "Usagi."

Usagi's companion had been standing on the back of the chair Usagi was sitting in, leaning against it in a bored manner. Now he turned and looked at what was going on, only to have Makato glare him down.

"Hello, Seiya."

His eyes became shocked. "Makato. I.. I didn't recognize you."

"Yes… well, I suppose Usagi isn't the only one who changed her hair." Makato gave Usagi a daunting smile, anger toward the blonde returning.

Usagi returned the favor. "Well, now that formalities are out of the way, I suppose that we should go, Seiya… we have so much to do today."

Makato crossed her arms. "Why are you here? To torture us?"

Usagi scoffed. "As if. My father just died, if you must know. I had to get some boots to wear to his funeral, as I left mine at home by mistake. I didn't want to have to run into any of you. But now that we have, send my love to the other girls. I'm sure they love Rei as their new leader." The blonde stood, grabbing the box with the boots she had just tried on. "I'll just take these boots, honey." She smiled to Seiya.

He nodded, and they went to the front desk to pay for them. Makato jumped up and followed them, still wearing the green shoes she had been trying on. She leaned against the counter, turning and looking at Usagi full in the face as Usagi tried to avoid her eyes by watching Seiya fumble with his wallet.

"Rei isn't out leader, Usagi."

Usagi cast a glance back at her. "Oh? She isn't? Well, I never thought you would opt for the position."

"No, it's not me. It's Chibiusa-chan. She's home. She's come to take care of us all… especially Mamoru-kun."

A pang of hurt entered Usagi's eyes for a split second before turning icy again. "It's surprising that she still exists."

"You heartless bitch."

Usagi smiled cruelly. "Yes. Well, we all must be one at some times, mustn't we?"

"You're not even our Usagi anymore."

Usagi laughed. "Whatever gave you that idea, Makato-san? No, I'm not your Usagi anymore. I've grown up; I've forgotten you all."

Makato felt a pang of hurt in her chest. She looked down at the shoes on her feet, digging the toes into the plush carpet. "We haven't forgotten you." She whispered.

"Well, you should. I'm not coming back, if that's what you keep trying to get at." She held her hand to Makato's face. "See this ring? I'm married, Makato-san. My name is Kou Usagi. So go tell your friends about that piece of gossip, okay? And be SURE to tell that sorry cad of a man you're calling Mamoru-kun." She smiled cruelly again. "Whatever happened? The last time I remember things, you hated Chiba. Always did. Having a change of heart now that he's all alone?"

Makato gritted her teeth. "I should have been friends with him then instead of with you. He's a good man. He loved you, did everything for you, and lived for you. You nearly killed him when you left."

Usagi looked Makato squarely in the eye, shaking Makato down to her bones. "Good."

Usagi took the bag with shoes from Seiya, and together they turned and walked out of the store.

Makato stood motionless for several minutes, silently willing tears not to fall down her face as they pooled into her eyes. How could that woman, that cold woman, be the fun, loving, and caring Usagi they had all known and loved so well? She sniffed and wiped her eyes, walking back to where she had left her things.

A sales clerk came up to her. "I heard what happened between you and that girl." She was the girl that had behind the counter when they were talking.

Makato turned around and looked at the girl, a red-headed short girl with caring eyes. She smiled absently, her eyes filling with tears again. "She used to be my best friend."

The girl, whose name tag read "Sakura", sat down in front of Makato in the same chair Usagi had occupied. "She sounds like a total bitch, in my opinion." The girl leaned down and started to pick up all the littered boxes Usagi had left behind. "And she was a rude customer."

Makato giggled slightly. "Won't your boss be mad at you for talking to me like this?"

Sakura gave Makato a grin. "No, because I AM the boss." She noticed Makato's feet. "Oh, you like our ribbon collection? My favorites are the red ones, but the green are very pretty, too." She looked at Makato with a comforting smile as she stood up. "Tell you what. You've had a bad day, and I want to help you make it better. I'll give you those shoes for half off."

Makato's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yep!"

"Oh wow! Thank you so much!" She stared down adoringly at the shoes. "They fit so perfectly."

Sakura smiled. "And they look fabulous. I hope you enjoy them."

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End Chapter Eight

(Sorry this one's so short. I just didn't want to go into anything else in this chapter. I want to save it. Lol)