You've Always Deserved My Love

Chapter Ten

Luna sat amazed after hearing Makato's story. The cat blinked several times, trying to figure out if the brunette was simply pulling her leg or was actually telling the truth.

Makato sat twiddling her fingers together, fidgeting on her couch. The cat, propped up on the coffee table in front of her, was watching her intently.

"You think I'm terrible, don't you, Luna?"

Luna sighed, scratching behind her ear. "I could never think ill of you, Makato. That being said… I'm very surprised."

Makato raked a hand through her curls. "You're not the only one. How was I to know I'd ever feel… like… that… toward Mamoru?"

"Well, it's not all that unpredictable, if you think about it. Mamoru has always been attracted to girls who hate him."

Makato strained a laugh. "Yes… well…"

"I'm just surprised he's already getting over her."

"Well, look at the way she did him."

"True. You'll be good for him… you'll both be good for each other." Luna jumped off the table. "It's late; do you mind if I stay here tonight?"

"No, of course not! I'd love to have you around. You're the only one I can talk to about this."

"Not telling the girls?"

"No; we decided it would be a bad idea right now."

Luna nodded. "I understand. I won't say a word. Goodnight, Mako-chan."

"'Night."

Makato went to her bedroom and plopped down on her full bed. She looked around the green space she called her haven. Her head was filled with so many thoughts, so many puzzles, and so many questions. Sighing, she got up and went to her closet, pulling out pajamas and changing. She crawled under the covers, sinking her head in her pillow. Closing her eyes, she tried to push everything out of her mind. She could think another time; it was late, and it had been a long day.

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Chibiusa looked around. Now this was going to be one fantastic party, if she didn't say so herself. The arcade was covered in red and white banners, streamers, and confetti. Many of the banners had "Happy Birthday Mamoru" written across them. Michiru's artistic handiwork had come in handy when it was time to decorate. She had painted all the banners, and they had turned out lovely. Two beautiful roses spiraled around the banner, while Mamoru's name was imprinted in the middle. The roses were so beautiful, Chibiusa was sure that they were alive. She had told Michiru so, who had blushed and commented that she had done her best.

It was quiet in the arcade, though, and it gave Chibiusa the heebie-jeebies, as Minako liked to call it. It was way too still for such a lively place, and she was already counting down the minutes before everyone would arrive. Motoki had been kind enough to close down the arcade for the occasion, and for that Chibiusa had been thankful. It paid off to have friends who were managers, she decided. Smiling, she hung up the final banner across the table where Mamoru's cake and other refreshments would sit.

Standing back, she looked appreciatively around the place and wanted to give herself a pat on the back. She had done a good job, of that she was sure.

A rap on the glass doors made her spin around. Makato waved, smiling and struggling to balance a very large cake in her hands. Chibiusa rushed to the doors, unlocked them, and slid them open. "Come in, come in! Here, let me help you with that! Gosh, Mako-chan, what a big cake!"

Makato laughed as they put the cake down on the table. "Well, there are going to be a lot of people here. I wanted to make it big enough for everyone to have plenty." She stood back and looked around at the arcade. "Wow! I guess I did a good job at picking out what color schemes to use on the cake! It matches!"

Chibiusa grinned. "Mamo-chan's roses."

She grinned back, looking at the pink haired girl. "Yeah."

It grew quiet for several awkward moments. Chibiusa looked at Makato, trying to figure out what she was thinking. In the last week, the girls and she had apologized many times to the girl for what they had done, and Makato had forgiven them, but she wasn't hanging around them much at all lately. In fact, she actually hadn't been around them except once, to finish up the details for Mamoru's party. Chibiusa found herself wanting to know where she'd been.

"So… what've you been up to lately, Mako-chan? The girls and I have missed you."

Makato blinked and looked at the girl. "Oh… well, I've just been busy. Classes and that stuff… you know." She cleared her throat and went over to the counter, sitting down on one of the stools.

Chibiusa turned to face her. Makato was staring down at her hands, fingering her manicured nails. Chibiusa scrutinized the nails. Makato never had her nails manicured before… she always said that it hindered her from cooking because she would be afraid to break a nail. Biting the inside of her cheek, Chibiusa looked the girl up and down. A white tank top, blue jean jacket, and green miniskirt made up her outfit, and her feet were wearing the green ribbon shoes that were now like her trademark. Her hair was curled, as usual, with small green butterfly clips holding it behind her ears. Chibiusa tilted her head.

"You look very pretty, Mako-chan."

Makato looked up and smiled, nearly beaming. "Thanks. I found this skirt the other day and had to have it."

Chibiusa tapped her foot agitatedly. Something was different! Way different! Makato liked shopping, but she rarely actually bought anything! More than anything, she used to like to laugh at Minako for buying so much!

"Is everything going okay, Mako-chan?"

Makato furrowed her brow. "Well, yeah, actually things are really great. Why?"

"You look different. Act different."

Makato blushed. Chibiusa narrowed her eyes.

"There's a guy!"

Makato jumped. "What?"

Chibiusa suddenly squealed, rushing up and grabbing the stool beside Makato. "Oooh, who is he? Do I know him? What's he look like? How long have you guys been together? Have you kissed yet? Is he a good kisser?"

Makato blinked multiple times. "Well, I… um, ah…"

The sliding glass doors were pushed open, and Motoki walked in, followed by Rei and Minako. "Hey, girls! Wow, what a cake, Mako-chan!" The friendly blonde called out, carrying a large wrapped present. He came up and smiled, kissing Makato's cheek. "You look fabulous, as always."

Makato grinned. "Thanks, Motoki-kun."

Chibiusa watched this exchange, whipping her head back and forth. "Motoki! Is it you?"

Motoki glanced at her confusedly. "Is it me what?"

Rei and Minako walked up, putting their presents with Motoki's. "What are you talking about, Chibiusa-chan?" Rei asked.

"Motoki and Makato are dating!"

"WHAT?!" Motoki and Makato yelled out.

Makato waved her hands around frantically. "No, no, no! Motoki-kun and I have always and will always be only friends!"

Chibiusa folded her arms in a huff while Motoki scratched his head. Minako gave Makato a funny look. "Wait, so you're dating someone and you haven't told us? Who is he?"

"I never said I was dating anyone!" Makato yelled. "Chibiusa is just saying things! She doesn't know what she's saying!"

Rei put a hand on the girl's arm. "Whoa, it's alright, Mako-chan. But you have been acting different lately. Plus we never see you. So where have you been?"

Makato blushed suddenly. She bit her lip and looked down at her lap. "Well, I've just been… busy."

"There's a guy somewhere in that, I know it." Chibiusa grumbled.

Makato sighed, giving up. "Fine, I give up. Yes, there is a guy." The girls squealed excitedly, while Motoki rolled his eyes. Makato rolled hers as well. "But you might as well give up on asking me anything while you're ahead, because I'm telling you a thing."

All three of the girls around her slumped, obviously dejected. Chibiusa slunk away to the back to retrieve her present to put in the stack, while Rei and Minako walked away, going to the jukebox and flipping through to find music that would fit the party. Motoki stayed beside Makato, claiming a stool. He watched the brunette for a moment before speaking.

"You know, Mako-chan… you're not the only person that I've noticed is acting odd as of late."

Makato gulped, raking her hand through her curls, a habit she had formed for when she was nervous. "O... Oh?"

"Yeah." He stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment, letting her squirm. "You see, a good friend of mine… Mamoru, you know… he's been acting very secretive, sort of like you are right now. Now he confessed to me that he is seeing someone, as, he can't keep secrets like that from me… I know him too well. But I've been racking my brain trying to figure out who would spark Chiba Mamoru's attention that well only three months after breaking off a huge relationship. But I think I may have figured it out. Do you want to hear my theory?" He turned and looked at Makato with a grin.

The girl tried to avoid eye contact with the teasing blonde, looking around the arcade. She didn't say a thing. The only thing that escaped her mouth was a high pitched squeak.

Motoki grinned. "Are you dating Mamoru, Mako-chan?"

Her eyes went wide as saucers, and she turned away, jumping off the stool and rushing out the door. The girls all looked up as she left, and then turned a questioning glance at Motoki, who only shrugged, a huge grin across his face.

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Makato pounded on Mamoru's door for the millionth time that week. Well, now what were they going to do? Motoki knew, and he would probably spill it to the others. She gulped and fidgeted, shaking as she waited for Mamoru to come to the door. He did in a moment, and looked down with a wide smile when he saw her standing there.

"Mako… wait, what's wrong?" His eyes grew dark as he ushered her inside, seeing her panicked gaze.

"Motoki knows!" She croaked, grasping onto his arms. "What are we going to do?"

Mamoru looked at her for a moment before his face broke out in a smile and he laughed. "It's alright, don't worry so much. He won't tell the girls, if that's what you're worrying about. I'm sorry I told him; I should have consulted you first. You forgive me?" He kissed her forehead lovingly, looking down at her with a puckered out lower lip.

She ignored him, blinking repeatedly. "Wait… so you told him it was me?"

"Yeah… why?"

"ARGH!" She broke away from him and turned into the apartment. "I'm going to KILL HIM!!!" She fell on the couch. "That baka, he tricked me!"

Mamoru leaned over the back of the couch and looked down at her. "Yeah, he's bad about that."

She shook her head, burying her face into the back of the couch. "I nearly panicked… rushed out of the arcade… probably scared the girls to death… and… and… oh, I'm going to kill him! Just you wait, I'll teach him a lesson…"

Mamoru laughed and reached down to cup her head in his hand. "You have fun with that, dearest… just please don't kill him TOO badly. We have a camping trip next weekend and I'd rather not take a cripple hiking."

She grinned up at him, covering his hand with hers. "Alright, I won't kill him."

"Good girl." He leaned down and kissed her lips gently. She smiled up at him. Sitting up, she turned and tried to straighten out her now wrinkled skirt. He came around and sat beside her on the couch, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and leaning down, placed small kisses on her neck. She let him, without even thinking about the time.

They had been together only a week, but they had been together every day in that week. He was at her apartment constantly, but more often than not, they would leave and sneak across town to his apartment, as… Luna was in Makato's apartment all the time now, and it unnerved t hem both to have the cat spying on them maliciously. Makato grinned. The first time Mamoru had kissed her in front of the cat, she was sure the poor thing was about to fall over dead in a heart attack. She found herself realizing more and more how much she and Mamoru had in common; she would have never thought it before, but now that they spent nearly every waking moment together laughing, cuddling (oh, quite a lot of that), talking, and kissing (which still made her blush sometimes at the thought that she was kissing Mamoru…), she realized he was really compatible with her. Hard to believe, but true. And she loved every minute of it. She couldn't understand why on earth Usagi would have even had the IDEA in her head to leave such a great man… but who was she to complain? If Usagi didn't want him, she damn well did!

"What are you thinking about?" Mamoru murmured, gazing at her glazed over eyes.

"Mmm… nothing, just wondering about stuff…" She turned her head and saw him gazing at her. She smiled at him, leaning up and pecking his cheek. She still wouldn't kiss him anywhere else… she always let him do the kissing. Sure, she was bold. She was fearless… in fighting. But this romance… it was a totally different story. She was a living wreck, to say the least. She preferred to let him kiss her first. That way, she didn't feel weird.

"What kinda stuff?" He nuzzled against her cheek, and for the first time, she looked up at the clock. Her eyes grew wide. It was four o'clock. Ami was supposed to be here in moments to drag Mamoru down to the arcade… it was the plan the other girls had come up with. Ami was to use the excuse of a book signing, and then would ask to stop at the arcade. Makato had nearly wanted to tell them she would do it, but… baking his cake looked weird enough to them at the time.

"OH, DAMN!" She yelled, jumping up suddenly. Mamoru looked up at her in surprise, confused and disoriented… had he not been kissing her just a moment before? Why was she… oh, damn, why was she already rushing toward the door?

He jumped up and dashed after her. "Makato!?"

She turned and gave him an air kiss. "I gotta go, I can't explain, I'll tell you later! Bye!" She turned and rushed down the hall. Suddenly she spotted the elevator doors open and Ami walk out. She squealed and pushed through the stairwell door. "The stairs it is!"

Ami, oblivious, walked up to Mamoru's door and saw him standing in the doorway, looking rather disheveled. "Hi, Mamoru-kun…. Is everything alright?"

Mamoru looked down at the blue haired girl. He blinked. "Uh… hi, Ami-chan."

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Makato dashed into the arcade and let out a sigh of relief when she entered. "Phew!"

"Mako-chan! Where did you go?" Chibiusa bounded up and looped her arm through hers. "Mamo-chan will be here any minute! Come on; let's hide behind the counter with Rei-chan and Mina-chan!" She dragged the girl along the room with her. Makato looked around as they went. The room was filled with tons of people, all ducked behind the booths and arcade games. She recognized several of Mamoru's friends that she had been recently introduced to. They waved to her, and she tentatively waved back. Oh, god. It was going to be a long day. How on earth was she to keep the girls from knowing?

As she passed behind the counter with Chibiusa, she shot Motoki a look that could kill. He grinned widely back at her, winking.

A few minutes later, someone yelled "Here they come!" and the glass doors slid open. Ami walked in, followed by Mamoru, who had been saying something to her when he stopped short and noticed the arcade. He blinked for a moment and looked at Ami in confusion, who only grinned. Everyone jumped out from their hiding spots, yelling "Happy Birthday, Mamoru!"

Well, everyone except Makato. She had stood with the rest of them, but couldn't say anything when she saw him because she couldn't help but stare. She loved that green jacket.

Looking around at all of his friends smiling at him, Mamoru broke out in a grin, his face turning slightly red. Makato couldn't help but think he looked absolutely adorable. Her eyes became glossy as she watched him.

What she didn't notice was that Chibiusa was watching her.

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Motoki and Mamoru stood laughing at one corner of the room, both eating cake; it sucked that she couldn't go near him. He had glanced at her knowingly several times, and had once even winked. She had blushed and rushed away. She had to be sure to stay away from him the whole time. If any of the girls noticed she was with him, they would definitely be suspicious.

So there she sat, eating some of her (fabulous, she had to say) cake and listening to Rei and Minako gossip about who so-and-so was seeing at the time. She sighed, trying to stay interested in their conversation. But with Mamoru standing just mere feet away, laughing with Motoki, she nearly wanted to rip her hair out. It was terribly frustrating.

Chibiusa had watched them both avidly throughout the entire day. She watched as Makato had only smiled whenever Mamoru looked at her, and how he had winked at her when he thought no one was looking. For a while, she had felt hurt that neither of them, especially Mamoru, had told her. But realizing that Mamoru had a right to privacy, she had forgiven him. Now, with Makato sitting miserably with the girls (who were downright boring her… if Ami wasn't talking with Urawa, she might have actually captured the poor thing's attention.) she broke away from the two cute boys she was talking to and went to the booth where the girls were sitting.

"Hey, guys, I'm gonna steal Mako-chan from you for a while." She grinned at her friends and grabbed Makato's arm, pulling her away from the group. The other two simply waved them off and went on with their deep conversation of how someone had cheated on someone else.

Makato gave the pink haired girl a funny look. "Is everything alright, Chibiusa-chan?"

"Go talk to him, be with him." Chibiusa smiled, nodding in Mamoru's direction.

Makato's eyes widened. "Wh…what…. do you mean?"

"Puh-lease." She laughed, rolling her eyes dramatically. "I know you're with Mamo-chan. So go be with him! You're ruining your fun time, and I'll bet he'd be very happy to have you beside him at HIS birthday party!"

Makato blinked. "How… how…"

"He brightens up when he looks at you. You actually SMILE when he looks at you. You've been miserable this whole party. So go make yourself… un-miserable!" Chibiusa giggled.

"But I can't! The girls…the girls…."

"I'll handle Rei and Minako, if that's what you're wondering about. Why you couldn't tell us I don't know. Didn't want to face the two gossip twins?"

Makato blushed, nodding.

Chibiusa grinned. "Yeah, that's what I figured. Come on." She grabbed the girl by the arm and dragged her over to where Motoki and Mamoru were standing. Smiling at Motoki, she turned to Mamoru. He raised an eyebrow at Makato, who shrugged helplessly. "Hi, Mamo-chan!" Chibiusa rang out, smiling brightly. "I just thought I'd bring you your girlfriend. She's been moping around having to put up with gossip the whole day. So cheer her up for me, won't you?" She turned to Makato and shoved the girl at Mamoru, who instantly grabbed her before she fell down. Turning around, Chibiusa practically skipped away to where she had left those two adorable boys she had been flirting with.

Makato glanced up at Mamoru. "I swear I didn't say a thing."

Mamoru grinned at her. "I didn't think you did. That girl is way too damn smart."

Motoki looked at Makato with his wide, evil grin. "Deciding to come out of the closet, my dear?" He tried, but couldn't stifle a laugh.

Up until this point, Mamoru's arm had been around Makato's shoulder, but she pulled away from him and walked up to Motoki, staring him squarely in the eye. Turning on an icy smile, she folded her arms over her chest and tapped her heeled foot. "You know… you'd better be glad that I promised Mamoru that I wouldn't absolutely KILL you. But I will inflict pain on you."

Mamoru stifled a laugh. "I'd run, Motoki."

Motoki cast a swift glance down at the angry Makato before depositing his cake plate in Mamoru's hands and rushing away. Makato, proud, turned back to Mamoru with a grin. "I'll let him off easy this time."

He laughed and put the plates down on a table before wrapping his arms around her waist. "This time?"

"Well, there's bound to be another time where I can beat the crap out of him."

"Oh, bound to be. I just hope I never have to become to object of your brunt strength again."

She furrowed her brow. "Again?"

"Yeah, don't you remember? You nearly pounded me to the ground once for telling you, one of many times that I did, that Motoki was unavailable."

"Oh yes. How crazy of me."

"Crazy? You were dead off in love with poor Motoki-kun. All of your girls were. I wonder if he ever found out."

"He found out about Usagi's crush, I know. She told him once and he let her down (very gently, as is his way, of course). She cried for two days on my shoulder."

"What a good friend." He smiled affectionately at her.

She rolled her eyes. "Like she cared. The next day she had found a movie star to be in love with. We've seen how fickle she is."

"Mmm." He gazed down at her lovingly. It gave her shivers up and down her spine. "You aren't fickle, are you, Mako?"

Makato blushed. His eyes were really starting to get to her; it was like he could see her soul. Then… if he could, she wondered if he knew how deep her affections ran? She tried to look away, but couldn't. "No… steady as a rock, I guess."

He smiled softly, and leaned down to kiss her.

It was at this moment that Rei and Minako chose to look up. Both of them nearly hit the roof as they yelled out simultaneously, "OH MY GOD!"

The entire room went quiet and all eyes glued to the pair kissing. Ami blinked several times, trying to figure out if she was hallucinating. She whipped out her Mercury computer and began to scan herself. Looking at the readings, she nearly fainted. It wasn't a dream!

Haruka whistled. Michiru smacked her.

Motoki grinned widely. Chibiusa giggled, and then turned back to her handsome new friends. Rei and Minako, however, just stood with their mouths gaping wide open.

Makato pulled away from Mamoru. It had only been a small peck on the lips. How could anyone have gone that crazy? As she pulled away, her two friends rushed up.

"What the hell is going on here? Is this a trick?" Rei thundered, poking Mamoru in the chest. Makato swatted her away.

"No, it's not a trick of any kind. Why would we do that?"

Rei silenced. She tapped her foot, confusion filling her. Minako, however, was far from shutting up. "OH, HOW CUTE! I can't believe this! Mamoru and Makato! What a pair! I never would have thought it! But you know, you guys are adorable together! So how long has this been going on?"

Chibiusa came up and grabbed both of the girls, pulling them away. "Come on now girls; let's leave them alone, shall we?"

"But, but, but!" Minako protested, but the girl was already dragging her across the room.

Makato looked up at Mamoru, who only shrugged and grinned.

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It was dark out when Mamoru and Makato finally left the arcade. They had sat down and explained things with the girls and Motoki. Surprisingly, they had all been supportive, and not a word of discouragement could be heard. So, as they walked quietly hand in hand down the sidewalk, they were truly peaceful. Makato looked over at Mamoru, who had one hand in his pocket and other in hers. She smiled and pulled his arm around her waist, being a little daring. He looked over at her and smiled, kissing the side of her head.

"You looked beautiful today." He said quietly, and she could feel his soft breath on her ear. She blushed, but didn't say anything. They walked quietly for quite some time until they reached his apartment building. For a moment, she was nervous. It was almost ten o'clock at night. Should she really go up with him?

He answered that question for her. "It's late. Let's get my car and I'll drive you home." She simply nodded and followed him to the car garage. She was afraid to say anything to the contrary… she didn't want to seem desperate or… anxious. He probably wasn't even thinking of things like that, she thought, blushing in the dark. It was too soon, too early in their relationship… wasn't it?

"Mako?"

She looked in his direction. He was standing on the passenger side of the car, beckoning for her to come over. She quickly went over and got in the car, waiting for him to get in on the driver's side. She decided, it was best to let things drop. There was no use thinking of things that weren't going to happen, she decided.

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Usagi stood at her father's grave again. She had stood there every day this week. She couldn't help herself. It was terrifying, that her young father of fifty was dead of a heart attack. Her mother was devastated. She had spent time trying to console the woman, but was no help, she knew. Even her mother knew how much she had changed, and it added to her despair. Usagi tried to convince the woman that she was the same young, loving girl, but she knew she wasn't fooling anyone. She even tried to fool herself into thinking she was the same, but of course, that didn't work. She knew she was cold. She knew she was hateful, but with so much anger, she couldn't help it. The world had deceived her, had cruelly tossed her out. How could she be loving in a world full of hate? It was better to be cruel… no one could hurt you that way.

Seiya was good to her, of course. He loved her, very much she knew, and she was fond of him. It made for a pleasant marriage. He was a good lover, kind and loving to her… he let her have her way with everything. She smiled mirthlessly. The child she carried was no doubt going to be miserable… she didn't know how to love a child. Nor did she really want a child. She and Seiya had decided that it was better for her to keep it, despite the life it would lead. She looked down at her stomach. Her stomach was starting to show more and more. Soon she'd have to start wearing those horrible maternity clothes Seiya had insisted on buying her. She sighed miserably.

She cast one last glance at her father's grave before turning and walking away, into the darkness of the deep black night that surrounded her. It was quiet and still, a deathly still night that screamed pain. She knew she would cry herself to sleep tonight, as she only did on nights like this. Ever since it had happened, she cried on deep moonless nights. Seiya would have to rock her to sleep, and more often times than not she would end up lashing out and pushing him away from her.

She decided not to go to bed tonight.

She continued down the quiet streets of Tokyo where she had spent her youth. It was nearly ten o'clock already, and no one was on the sidewalk. She walked past her old school, and a memory of herself with her friends nearly broke her… her… what? What broke she didn't know. She almost laughed out loud. After all, she had no heart anymore to be broken.

When it had happened, her entire world had changed in an instant. She had run. She remembered… it was on a night like this. Exactly like this. She had been at Rei's. She had stayed over too late, and when she left, it was dark. Very dark. With no moonlight to guide her, she had started to walk home. She hadn't noticed the shadow following her. And when the shadow, a huge, horrible monster of a shadow caught her, swallowed her, hurt her, over and over again, she didn't know what to do. She ran, on and on, until she didn't know where she was. She had fallen asleep somewhere, on some bench… and when she had woken up, a man was looking at her caringly. She had looked around and noticed she was in someone's apartment. She found it was Seiya. She had cried on his shoulder, told him what happened… he had rocked her to sleep, fed her, cared for her, left her only to go seek vengeance on the one who had hurt her.

But, after that day, she stopped crying. She hadn't spilled a tear for anything or anyone since, not even at her father's funeral. She was hard as stone now. She had pushed everyone away, and Seiya knew she didn't even love him… but he still loved her, and he still took care of her. But she had been ashamed. She had lied to Mamoru, the man she had loved so very much… told him that Seiya was her reason for leaving him. She had left her home then. Her home, her family, her friends, the man she had loved, everything, for the emptiness she now felt. She had never told another soul what had happened except Seiya. She had to stay with him… he was the only one she had left. She would never go back, would never face the shame. She had been cruel to Makato that day in the shoe store… it had hurt her as well, but Makato didn't know that. It had hurt her to be cruel to the girl who had once been one of her best friends. But to stay away… to keep away… she had to carry on the charade.

So it was a cursed child she carried… she hated it, hated it being inside of her. But Seiya wanted it, had talked her into keeping the child. He had tried to comfort her, telling her she would love the little child, no matter whose it was, when she finally held it in her arms.

She knew she couldn't love again, though. She was too scarred, too hurt, too angry at the world. The world was black. The world was dark. The world was hate.

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Makato sat quietly in the passenger seat of Mamoru's car. A comfortable silence filled the car, with her hand laced through his. She looked out the window at the passing, empty sidewalk. It was late… no one went out walking at night, hardly. They slowed down at a stoplight, and a lone figure of a blonde woman walking captured her attention. Makato's eyes glued to the woman.

The woman looked up from the sidewalk and their eyes met. Usagi looked at Makato and Makato back at her. The hard, cold blue eyes stared down into her green ones, and then Usagi's eyes cast a swift glance at Mamoru, who was oblivious, before turning down another street and walking away.

The light turned green and they went on. Mamoru looked at the girl in the seat next to him and frowned when he saw her eyes filling with tears. "Makato, what's wrong?"

Makato didn't reply. She had seen that look in Usagi's eyes, knew it well. She knew, when she had looked at Mamoru, what that look meant.

Usagi was still in love with Mamoru.

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End Chapter Ten