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Chapter Thirteen
By Rakusa
{Part 1}
bakashoujiki- honest to fault
Kamen rounded on Moon with a growl, taking her arms into his hands and shaking her. "Why would you do such a thing?"
She had gotten off lucky, she would admit that, easily, especially in the face of his anger, he had known it too, too well. She swallowed back the retort she would have used if it was any other night, but tonight it was too soon, too fresh in both of their memories of the last battle. Both were too frazzled to argue like it was necessary, and Moon just didn't have the energy, instead she sagged and bowed her head. "What do you mean?" She wouldn't give in completely though, he would have to be clearer in his anger's direction, he could after all only be referring to her slip out.
His hold on her tightened and the rumbling noise in his chest was the start to another growl. "You know exactly what I mean, stop playing coy! Why would you come out here alone, to a battle without calling any of your senshi? ANY!"
She knew exactly why, she wasn't supposed to be a senshi, she wasn't supposed to exist. She had wanted to prove that she wasn't as useless as they would all think as soon as Venus told the other girls exactly what she had told Usagi. Venus hadn't been watching her anymore after that day, with them knowing who the other was, and Venus not being weary that Moon's purpose was to harm Venus' senshi, once abated, she had no reason to watch after Moon. Moon would no longer be in her way with the knowledge. Venus had no reason to believe Moon would do something so stupid either, as she had never before purposely kept her senshi out of the loop and risk danger to herself.
Oh yeah, Moon knew all of this, these were her true reasons, but Kamen would not appreciate it. Kamen might actually bite her head off for the thought. He was already prepared to do it, thinking she was out to kill herself and pulling this stunt would have proved it as allowing the enemy to finish their job.
So instead, Moon lied. Her bakashoujiki, her super imposed honesty above all else, which even shone through her eyes when she had deemed it necessary to lie, which in some cases did not help her, but in others, it caused trust where her actions alone wouldn't do. Today she had to throw I all to the side and lie with conviction. The only other time since her senshi had come about, save for Mars, had been the one battle where she had forgotten her communicator. That excuse would not work again. But now, she would stick as close to the truth as possible and hope for the best. She locked eyes and her brown ones did not waver as they sought his out behind his mask. "I could not call them at this time, they had other matters to attend to. They will, in fact, not be around for a few battles."
She had probably pushed it too far, as his shoulders tightened and his form grew rigid. "You will be fighting alone?"
His voice had a pained quality to it, it sounded as if it had been grated through a blender, it was almost so unrecognizable. Moon felt the hands fall away from her as he took a step back, before he came forward again and pulled her to him. "We will do it together." He whispered down into her ear and she had to admit, the concept sounded nice, except it wasn't what she was trying to prove. However she couldn't escape him, he was drawn to her somehow, always knowing where she was even without necessarily desiring him there. So she'd accept it, and she took it gladly, she wouldn't mind having Kamen patrol with her for a few nights a week. She would be ready, she would train, maybe have him help her do so, so when she did fight with her senshi again, she could prove herself?
Moon pushed away gently, from him and smiled at him before she jumped away and into the night. Moon knew she had escaped luckily today, the enemy girls hadn't shown themselves, probably nursing their wounds and sending their youma to do their bidding, thinking Moon too was trying to heal. So until they were healed, they wouldn't think she was around, and Moon's spirits picked up on that thought, she healed faster than they did?
Kamen by her side, like the old days, it would be nice, but Moon doubted it was necessary, she'd be kicked off the team soon or she'd be a part of it again, not taking three steps back and loosing all the skill and knowledge she gained. Moon paused a moment on the rooftop of one building and thought that through.
She was never meant to be a senshi. Moon's heart soared at the thought, she wasn't a failure! All the times Luna had grouched at her because she needed to be told the attack, had been because she wasn't supposed to be, and so, in the past, she had never existed to learn the attacks, and let it be instinctual, like the other girls'. Moon laughed at herself for a moment and nodded, it all was starting to make since, so she continued on home, turning back into Usagi and going to sleep.
The next day was Friday, while she was still tender, it was only a nasty looking bruise with a slight scratch in it, being a senshi the night before had helped immensely in her healing. Usagi headed to the arcade only to see Luna slipping out of it, and heading with a determined run down the opposite way. Usagi hadn't seen Luna for a long time, and Usagi paused in front of the sliding glass doorway, contemplating whether she should run after her guardian or continue what she was going to do.
The sight of another blond, one just the slightest bit taller and slender with a large red bow in the back of her orangish-blond hair wrapped her arm around Usagi's and pulled her inside. "Come on silly, what are you waiting for? Let me buy you an ice cream cone." The grip was strong, but Usagi didn't expect anything less from a senshi, and she pulled Usagi through the door.
Aino Minako was an odd character, Usagi decided sitting across from the other girl in a blue backed booth. Her dress shouted wealth, but her personality was almost as bright as Usagi's. That's not what confused Usagi though, it was the fact that Minako told her point-blank that she was never a senshi in the past, and she wasn't supposed to be one now. Then the next time they saw each other, Minako acted as if they were the best of friends, had always acted that way, actually. Just was trying to inform Usagi personally that she was an impostor. Usagi decided that maybe it was just trying to warn her and let her down easy before landing the blow on the other girls and not having Usagi be one of the unawares and let her deal with it first, maybe even help try to get the others to understand it as well.
Usagi felt she understood the other girl's position and the girl herself, that much better now. She was nervous what the others would think when it all came out and Usagi smiled at the girl and reached out a hand to lay on Minako's. She wasn't expecting to find it cold and fought to keep it from retracting in surprise, after a moment, Minako's hand warmed under hers and Usagi relaxed and left it there, to look into Minako's surprised blue eyes without falter. They were paler than hers... Usagi thought ideally before swallowing to find her voice, the smile still in place. It was a friendly, kind, and knowing smile. "They'll understand, don't worry, they'll be ecstatic."
"I feel... as if I haven't been quite fair to you." Minako replied after a moment, turning her hand underneath Usagi's to grip it tightly, and the urgency in her eyes blew Usagi away. "Don't ever fear your position with us, you are still very important to us, I will accept you and take you no matter what. You're safer with us than alone."
Usagi felt very touched, and she knew that her agreement with Kamen would be void from now on, but she couldn't help it, she'd still steal, a few nights alone with him, just 'patrolling', she was too addicted to him not to, despite everything, and that made her a monster to Mamoru, meaning she could never try with him or let him be led on to believe her anything towards him. Even if he had any desires towards her.
"I thank you for that, my senshi- sorry- your senshi, are a very important part of my life, and I would hate to be missing it." Usagi returned the squeeze Minako made on her hand and their blue eyes understood each other fully. Neither would be gone from the senshi and they would try to work it out.
"Our senshi." Minako said after a moment, she had turned to eat her salad, but it wasn't a healthy salad by any means, it was loaded with good stuff and Usagi looked at her for a clarification. "They're our senshi, not just mine, they're as much yours, you brought them together. They fight well, not the best they could do, but they trust each other and that is the most important part."
"You'll change their lack of fighting abilities, as you knew, I wasn't to be in charge, and had no real skill to impart onto them."
Minako nodded her agreement and her smile brightened with someone walked through the door. Usagi turned her head to see who it was, and her stomach dropped, why was Minako brightening when Mamoru walked through the door? Minako removed herself from the table with a small goodbye and walked over to the counter to sit in the only empty seat, to talk to Motoki?
Mamoru frowned at the blond girl's head, his eyes also taking in the orange tint to the blond hair that neither had noticed from their quick glance earlier and Mamoru turned his head to scan for someone else, or maybe just a seat. His eyes caught the empty booth across from her and he slid down into the seat Minako just occupied. "I guess this is my option. I thought for a moment you cut me off from my seat, but it was that other girl, the one you left with a while ago. How did that turn out?"
Usagi shrugged, she hadn't wanted to talk to him about it then, and now, she really didn't want to either. It wasn't really that important either way. Instead she sizzled him with a smile. "What do you say to sharing my ice cream?" She waved it in front of his nose, it had only been a vanilla cone, but he got the point as he looked at it.
"You really want to loose that?" Mamoru's dark blue eyes slid to the deepest center of her being and she had to pause for a moment with a silent gasp so she could catch her breath. She was leading him on, and she had to stop it now, but oh, how she wanted-
She viciously cut the thought off, she couldn't have what she wanted. It was all what was best for him. Usagi couldn't promise she'd be around for the end of the week, much less have a relationship with him, which this flirting might all be just in her head anyways, but she thought- She cut that thought down too, it was too much to think anything or hope or want anything.
So Usagi brought herself to her feet, to apologize to Mamoru for taking up his time, but he rose to his feet too, looking down at her with a shake of his head. "I know what I can do and can't do." His words were a whisper in her ear alone and she turned her head up to him. "Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself."
Usagi nodded, those words, even if he didn't know it, were a balm to her conscious, telling her that it was ok to play with this fire, because if she got too close, he would put it out himself. She smiled up at him and turned her body, getting ready to leave but he spoke again. "Monday, we will go visit some of those schools. Meet me here at ten."
It gave her some time to sleep in, but it was still earlier than she normally did during a holiday, and they were on the mid-semester break. The fact he still wanted to spend time with her, made her worry again, that he wanted something she couldn't give. She had toyed with the idea while she was with Jade, but it forced her to realize that any boy she was with, would have to be super understanding to see her run out in the middle of a date all the time. Then it also made her realize that the boy could be at risk as well, and so was her identity and that of her senshi. But, and she ruthlessly pushed away her conscious, if she could steal some moments with Kamen, knowing that her heart belonged with Mamoru, then why couldn't she snatch some precious moments of the two of them together as well? So she would take what he gave her, and want nothing more.
Usagi agreed with a short bob of the head and left, maybe she should track down Luna? However as she walked away from the arcade, she noticed a shadow at her elbow. A head of orange-blond strands and a big red bow was grinning at her as if she knew something Usagi didn't. She was going to ask the other senshi, but she only shook her head. "Come on, we have a meeting to get to."
---
That had to be the most eventful, and stressful meeting of Usagi's life.
Usagi recalled it all now. Luna, Luna with her dark back arched and a growl upon her face, ready to be released and Usagi had only picked the cat up and held her close, soothing the dark feline. There had to be something about female cats and male cats being in the room, especially a stranger cat. Usagi had been surprised at the presence of a white cat sitting patiently for her and the rest of the senshi at Rei's temple. He was lying down on the top of the stairs, almost half asleep as he waited.
Luna had been there too, but she was hissing and spitting, attempting to get at the white male who hadn't even bothered to raise his head to reply. Usagi had an instant likeness for the white cat, he must be calm one between the two, who would think more rationally during moments that stressed Luna out, who otherwise was very wise, and rational, too rational sometimes.
Rei was between the two cats with a strained look upon her face, wondering how she managed to have two cats near her when she was obviously a bird person. She was also having difficulty keeping the peace when she wanted to shoot through the roof herself, part of it sprung by her confusion on who the other cat was.
Usagi and Minako were the first senshi to arrive and Rei had jumped to her feet and raced down the stairs to Usagi's side. Usagi almost, for a moment, thought that Rei was going to hug her because she was so excited to see Usagi and have her take the burden from her. Instead the dark haired girl with the slightest hint of red in it and the enigmatic violet eyes tore her away from the girl on her arm and Usagi winced at the action, as she was forced behind Rei before she even knew what was happening.
Usagi sighed and rested her forehead against Rei's back in agitation. "Rei-chan, this is Aino Minako, otherwise known as the girl who saved me." Her voice held the point her words didn't manage to make on their own, because she couldn't out here.
"Minako-san." Minako greeted and flourished a hand in front of Rei for the other girl to shake. Rei looked at it vaguely irritated before she bowed in greeting, Usagi saw the flash of rebellion already in her latest senshi and she poked a finger into Rei's back. Rei grumbled and shook the other girl's hand.
"Pleasure." Rei's voice was stiff and didn't sound as if she was telling the truth. "Please, make your way up the steps, maybe you can talk some sense in those cats." Her head jerked towards the steps and the black strands fluttered for a moment before settling back around Rei's torso.
Minako took the brush off with ease and bounded up the steps gracefully, and Usagi's eyes narrowed, she could see the act, from this far, the girl was panting, but Rei didn't seem to notice, for she humped and turned towards Usagi. Clearly Rei was angry that her punishment towards the intruder was unjust, as Minako hadn't any issue with it at all.
Usagi rolled her eyes at her friend's antics and faced the other girl dead on, she wasn't frightened of Rei, not even her anger, well... not this kind of anger. When Usagi had been hurt a few nights ago, even if she hadn't noticed much, she'd noticed Rei's anger, and the viciousness they sent towards those who had hurt Usagi.
Usagi's eyes softened and her humor disappeared, she hadn't had a chance to thank Rei yet... Usagi opened her mouth to do so now, but Rei just waved her off. "Where did you drag that girl out of? Come on, Usagi, how do you know that's the senshi that saved you? What if its the enemy trying to get at you?"
"The enemy doesn't know I'm Sailor Moon." Usagi hissed back. "She did."
"Nobody can guess that, they have to know, I spent months with you until you finally told me, how would she have known unless you told her?" Rei's anger right now stemmed from her fear for Usagi's wellbeing and Usagi knew it so she shrugged to diffuse the situation.
"She knew. Maybe she'll explain all of it during the meeting. I'm betting that cat has something to do with it too."
Rei looked long and hard at Usagi before she sighed and let it go, Usagi knew that as a sign of trust, where others might have thought it was only waiting to argue some more later. While Rei might, it would only be after hearing everything else that the others could say, and Rei was really only concerned about Usagi, so Rei wrapped an arm though Usagi's and they headed up the stairs as others started filing in.
Minako managed to diffuse the situation between Luna and Artemis, at least until she announced herself as leader of the senshi. Makoto had shot to her feet and paced the room while Ami shouted her objection. "Usagi is our leader."
Usagi sank back into her seat to wait out their anger, they all eventually stopped arguing with Minako, who had followed Usagi's lead and didn't say anything, just waited for them to tire themselves out. It lasted a while as each built off the last's argument and declared them crazy for thinking that they'd stand for this. "She's the leader." Usagi finally stated and four sets of eyes swung towards her.
"She's the golden one. We thought it was the hair, but it's the costume, she's got the golden costume, she's the true leader of the senshi. Her hair reflects that as well." It sparked a new round of protests but Usagi merely raised a hand and got new silence. "I am still going to be in the team, and I will be second in command. However, Minako is the new leader and there might be some changes around here, and we will all have to learn to accept it."
The others looked like they were about to protest, but Rei nodded. "I will follow her leadership, if and only if it doesn't conflict with things you agree with Usa-chan."
"I will follow her too, unless you disagree with a decision." Makoto agreed but it was Ami who had the clever answer.
"I will follow you, Usa-chan, and whatever you think is right."
"I guess this means that I should stay with Minako now?" Luna asked with a hint of reservation and Minako shook her head.
"No, I think it's best you stay with my second." There was a bright smile on her face and then nodded towards Artemis. "He's the one you've been talking to at central."
"WHAT?" Luna turned to the white cat with a sputter. "You told me you wouldn't be around to explain until today, what is going on? You can't be command!" Only Minako seemed to know what they were talking about and Luna recognized all their blank stares for she laughed nervously. "Um... I didn't tell you I was talking to someone on the computers underneath the arcade? That's how we were communicating a lot of information to each other?"
All the girls shook their heads and Luna blushed beneath the black fur, but Usagi cut in to save her from further embarrassment. "It's ok, Luna, we understand you don't know everything and eventually you were going to tell us of this."
Luna nodded a bit too empathetically, but Usagi let it pass and turned instead to Minako. "So, what now?"
Minako shrugged. "We will have to train soon, we need to be ready for their next attack, but we also need to learn how to protect you at the same time as dealing with the youma attacks that try to separate us. They seem to desire your end."
Usagi bit her lip. "They do, don't they?"
"I would just take your place, but I think it's more important since they now know there's five of us, if we just become each other's bodyguard. In the battle, we will always be having each others backs and I can protect you better then."
"While I make sure you don't get hurt in the process?"
"Yes..." Minako hesitated but seeing Artemis' slight shake of head, she continued. "I will be the new leader, and it is important that neither of us gets hurt because they'll want to take us both out, you first, I think, because they won't know I'm really the leader for awhile."
Usagi nodded, she took that as a good idea and the others became relieved that Usagi was going to have a personal protector while they were otherwise engaged. "If that's everything?" Usagi asked her new leader, glad that the burden of this meeting had been taken off of her shoulders, not realizing she had just shown her true leadership potential by this meeting and not being pressured into it.
Usagi stood up and the other girls followed, but Usagi looked to Minako. "Shall we call it quits for the night?"
Minako agreed and followed Usagi outside, the others still weary, watched them from a distance. "Thank you."
"For what?" Usagi turned her head to look at the other girl. "I hadn't done anything."
"You took over the meeting and made it easier for me. So for that, I thank you."
"I thought you proved yourself well in there, the girls aren't always easy to keep in line, I know I'm sometimes the cause for that as well, Luna's always telling me to concentrate on the issues at hand."
Minako only shook her head at Usagi and Usagi was surprised when Minako threw her arms around Usagi in a quick hug before she and the white cat took off down the street. The last words that Minako said confused Usagi. "Stay safe." Minako had whispered and then she was gone. Usagi didn't know why she was being singled out by the new leader, was it because she wasn't as good as the other senshi, so she needed further reminder? Usagi let it be and went home for dinner.
Chapter Thirteen
{Part 2}
Kamen caught Moon around the waist with an arm and slid a leg under hers, to bring her to the ground, but she let her legs go only to grab him by the shoulders and turning their bodies so he landed with a grunt under her. She landed with a light thud, her body pushing into his as she looked down at him.
He reached up a hand slowly, and pushed away a black strand of hair. "Your eyes are so brown."
Moon looked down at Kamen, her brown eyes taking in his tender expression on his face and her head started to lower towards his, before she pushed off of him and tried to regain her breath, breathing deeply and bent over. He regained his feet and it was a little gruff when he said: "Good job, you're really improving." He turned to go back to patrolling, but Moon held out a hand.
He had been teaching her small stuff for over a week now and combined with the senshi practice, she really thought his words were true, but this now, had to end. She had gone too far, she had almost betrayed herself with that last action, and he seemed to know it too, if he wasn't encouraging it. He stopped at her action and turned back to her with a curious look. "My senshi will be back at the next battle. Their other engagements have ended and I'm joining up with them again."
Kamen nodded stiffly. "That means you will no longer need my assistance in these nightly rendezvous." Oh, but how much she'd enjoyed them. Kamen and her had talked, really talked, and gotten to know each other so well. She'd learned that he had feelings for his 'rabbit' who it turned out wasn't her. That was a relief, because she didn't need to watch out to see if Kamen was watching her. His 'rabbit' was strong and beautiful and the most gorgeous blue-green eyes he'd ever seen, and she had a good heart who was also rather smart. Usagi wasn't any of that, she had plain blue eyes that towards the pupil turned an acid green-blue color and she wasn't smart or strong. She could never be the rabbit this Kamen was so in love with.
Kamen had learned that she also had an interest in someone other than him, they'd admitted if it hadn't been for this other, then they'd be completely and fully in love with each other, but there was someone else, for the both of them.
That didn't stop them from having the most amazing conversations Moon had ever had. They were so similar in a lot of ways, yet they approached things so differently and saw the world differently. It made their working together stronger, and their differences only mattered in the way of showcasing their similarities. Moon was torn now, even knowing she loved Mamoru, this week had shown Moon that she had fallen even deeper for Kamen. She no longer was sure which way she would choose if either had an interest in her, but neither did, or couldn't, and so she knew then that it wouldn't matter.
Kamen was about to leave again, but he turned back to Moon, and pulled her to him, his head ducking so suddenly that Moon didn't realize what he was doing, his warm lips graced over hers, but it was only a heart-beat and then they were gone. His gloved hands still gripped the area of her arms that were bare and she could still feel their heat. "I will never have a chance to do that again, once your senshi return, and I can never do that again."
He let her go, but Moon threw her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to hers to return that kiss, so she could kiss him. This kiss was passionate and his put his hands on her waist and tugged her closer. She could feel the heat radiating from his entire body, warming hers and she melted against him. They were so close, so tightly together, and while she was enjoying it completely, and it felt so right, her body shouted it and so did her mind, but another part of her mind was telling her it was so wrong! She ignored that part for awhile longer until the kiss got a little deeper, his mouth molding over hers, his teeth taking her bottom lip into the warm confines of his mouth, she had to pull away. She didn't meet any resistance as he too, realized it had gone too far, they shouldn't have done any of it, and he pulled away at the same time she did.
They stayed far away from each other. They gave each other a crisp goodbye before taking off in different directions. She just might choose Kamen if she stayed.
It was their secret, one time only, giving into desires kiss and nobody would know about it. Nobody. It would stay between the two of them, to be remembered as Moon's most earth-shattering kiss, but something safely locked away in her memories only to be pulled out and examined when she was feeling down. She felt miserable now, and reevaluating that kiss wouldn't help, it was the cause of it, as it was the reason for her betrayal to someone she couldn't even have. She'd told Kamen just earlier tonight that he should go for his 'rabbit', that if he was anything like he was as Kamen in real life, she would have the hardest time to ignore or turn him down, it would be impossible.
Oh how those words laughed her in the face now!
Usagi, not Moon, slid into her bed and pulled the comforter over her head and moaned at her idiotic-ness. Kamen was never going to speak to her again- and rightly so, and Mamoru- oh Mamoru, when he found out! He wasn't going to find out! Why would he care anyways? Her conscious taunted her and she flipped around in her bed and buried her face in the pillow and groaned. It was much to intense tonight to go to sleep, and it was much to late to anything else. She reached blindly for her text book, she would at least try to do some homework and concentrate on it. As her hand finally found the book, she fell asleep, Luna heard a snore come from the lump on the bed when she came in and catching her laugh, she settled in at the end of the bed.
The next morning Usagi pulled herself out of bed, and muttered at herself for sleeping in such an awful position, she was really sore now. She showered quickly and dressed and raced out the door as she caught sight of the clock. She was going to face her worse fear, having to see Mamoru after her horrible behavior the night before.
Since Monday they had been going to different schools and today she was going to another with Mamoru. It didn't escape her notice that her life was on parallel bars with Moon's when it came to the boys in her life, and doing things with just them, trying to better herself.
Mamoru was looking down into his coffee when she got into the arcade, his back was arched over and it had lines of tension just running through it. She forgot her own troubles, Mamoru's discomfort mattered more to her than anything else.
She slipped her arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder. "Did someone hit on you today?" She asked with a teasing glint in her eyes, and Mamoru's head jerked towards hers, and his body relaxed.
"Yeah, something like that." He stood up and downed the rest of his coffee. He led her out the door, intending to be far away from the arcade today. "What did you do yesterday?" It had been a Sunday, so none of the schools would have been opened, but it was Usagi's turn to tense at the question.
"Not much, just hung out at home." She responded, and for most of the night it had been true.
But Mamoru noticed her tension and wrapped an arm around her waist and turned the words back at her. "What happened? Some guy hit on you?"
Usagi couldn't help but laugh and she shook her head. "No, not quite."
She had liked some of the high schools she had seen, she'd also been dragged to a few by her parents, but nothing shouted out at her. She still didn't know what she wanted to go into, and Mamoru was easier to go with than her parents. Kenji-papa had been so excited that Usagi would follow into his footsteps and Ikuko-mama had been a little weary but was proud of her daughter's high marks, and said Usagi could do whatever she wanted because she was able to. However going to the schools had been strained with them, Mamoru had just sat back and let Usagi ask the questions that she wanted, and asked some less obvious ones.
Usagi had been impressed at the questions, because they had shown real interest in Usagi's future and concern for Usagi herself, to see if she would be happy there. He hadn't made a comment on any of the schools afterwards. Today they'd be going to three though and Usagi hoped that she could find one she liked today, so as not to be a burden on him anymore, even though she really enjoyed their time together and wanted to drag it out.
Mamoru pulled Usagi through the doors to the first school. It wasn't too far from her home, it was a quick train ride, and knowing Usagi, it was also a quick run if she missed her train. It cut through a safe area and it was kind of pretty as well. Mamoru's face had an impressed look as he walked them in, but he quickly schooled his impression as he noticed her looking at him. He didn't want to influence her decision in any way, good or bad.
Usagi looked at him a moment longer before being shown through all of the rooms. This school was completely an arts school. The first few rooms they went to were for singers and actors, often they worked together, the next few were artists that worked with paint and large tactile. They too often worked with the last two groups but they also had their own things. Each room had been brightly painted and had been interesting to look at. They were shown the photography studio and Usagi was floored by the impressive equipment, the students who were working there had looked like artists as well, dried paint splotches on their cheeks as they bent over the lens and adjusted the focus.
Mamoru pulled her gently away from the photography studio and led her to follow the guide to the ceramics. "Each of our students are allowed to take a course in everything, they aren't limited to just their strongest talent. In fact they are strongly encouraged to engage in something that they aren't especially strong in, learn other mediums." The guide explained, his eyes lingering on Usagi's expression before moving to the man next to her, and nodded at Mamoru. Usagi watched the interaction with curiosity but let it pass, she didn't care to much about what those two were talking about above her.
She was too fascinated by everything going on in the rooms as they passed. There was after all a cooking facility and they were being guest lectured by different top chefs in the country and sometimes around the world, twice a week. The other days they were able to create their own dishes, given complete command over their elements.
There was something here for every type of uniquely creative person, from computers to design ads or music, to the hands on arts or just those who deeply appreciated them, or acting or singing, there was dancing lessons and there were even people who were weaving baskets.
Usagi couldn't be budged however when she walked into the room where dancers were warming up or starting their practice. They made elegant lines and moved with such grace. Usagi found herself moving to the smooth beat of the music, just a gentle sway of her hips, nobody would have seen it as it wasn't that noticeable, but she had the strangest feeling that Mamoru was trying to keep the smile off his face, and she wondered if he-
She shook her head and pulled Mamoru out of the room to follow the guide when she nodded at the man. The three of them kept going on, there was something for everyone, and Usagi thought maybe, maybe, she'd found her school. There was just one thing she knew her parents needed to let her go, and she turned to the man and pulled him aside, out of Mamoru's hearing or seeing and asked her questions. "Is there other studies here? Non-humanities or arts?"
"Yes, we have a few classes each semester that students are required to take to make sure they stay well-rounded but other than that, it's all up to you, and your discipline of choice for the semester."
Usagi nodded along, that would make her mother happy, it would at least relieve her at the very least. The next question was a little more difficult. "What's the price?"
"We have generous scholarships." He answered instead. "We even offer full rides."
He didn't answer her question and she frowned at him, doubting that she'd be able to get one of those scholarships, especially if he was being elusive on an actual price. She pushed again, trying to get a straight answer. "Yes, but if one didn't have a scholarships, how much would it cost to attend?"
He gave her a number whispered into her ear and she could only stare at him for a moment, before she nodded dumbly and turned to go back to Mamoru but the man caught her hand. "Wait!" She turned her head back to him. "Don't let this influence you too greatly, because I've seen your test scores, and seen your transcripts and the work you've done with your father. I know what you are capable of, and I can assure you, you will get some form of scholarship, if not a full ride."
Usagi was still dazed by the price and so she only nodded and turned to go back to Mamoru. One who didn't judge her on whether or not her family could afford a good high school. It was usually paid for by the state if it was one of the more middle-line, non-specialized, but this school was completely private and completely specialized. She'd be guaranteed into a great college paid fully for her, if she did well in this school now, but it all depended on a what-if.
Mamoru's frown while they walked to their next destination was nothing she could do about. He was wondering why her excitement of the school seemed to have fizzled instantly after talking with the guy in private. She assured him when he first saw her down-turned face that the man had nothing to do with her change of moods and she'd rather go on and see the rest of the schools. Mamoru agreed reluctantly and now they were at the gates to the next school.
It looked clean and expensive from the outside, and Usagi hesitated about going in. The other school had a great reputation and was excellent at what they do, but it was an art environment and it looked like it, more the modernistic view of it at least.
This school had gold looking gates. The building grew out of the ground like it had been a castle before it was turned into a school, and a well loved castle at that. There were those fir trees that grew and were shaped by experts guarding the long marble walkway up to the front door of the building. She was nudged from behind and it felt sacriligious to walk down this path, she felt like a pebble among mountains or rather the snag in silk. It was satin walking next to her. He didn't fit in either completely in this environment, but it was because he was too good for it, and wasn't because he couldn't fit in, but he'd rather not. He would have been the star pupil at this school, no matter what he did.
He was looking at the shrubbery with a look of distaste, the arrogant tilt to his head only made him look regal and completely in his element, despite that dislike of what he was seeing. His features screamed regality and Usagi wondered quite suddenly if he was the prince that the princess had died for all those years ago? Was he reincarnated into this perfect specimen of a man? Was it possible, that his one answer was hidden under all of their noses the entire time? He was off-putting at first, but it was only because people this day and age weren't used to the quiet elegance that was in the understated that he was so keen on being. And if he looked down upon others because of their silly qualities, it was only because it was in his blood, but once someone proved themselves of more than just a passing desire or a silly person who didn't know anything, he was the most loyal person someone could ever want. In royalty it would be a very desired trait, having a prince loyal to his deserving subjects...
While Usagi was weaving these fairy-tale ideas in her head, knowing that even as she thought it, it had to be completely wrong, because the prince and princess didn't exist, they couldn't, they would have been found by now if they had been reincarnated like the others. While she was thinking these vast and complicated thoughts, Mamoru's frown was growing, getting deeper and darker as he looked at the shadowy path and then his eyes sliced down to her.
She saw the deep concern he had in them for Usagi but she forced a bright smile on her face, and marched up the path, he shouldn't be angry just because she was feeling a little off, and she was feeling more off than she had thought, she realized as she swayed slightly at the entrance. She turned to go back to Mamoru, she actually didn't want to go in- but he was right by her side and she decided she was just being silly.
They were greeted instantly by a tall woman with blond hair, almost platinum in color and the the darkest brown eyes Usagi had ever seen, her eyes looked almost black. They were taking her in, and she felt like she was falling into their depths as she looked at Usagi. Mamoru put a hand on Usagi's shoulder and the frown was still there as he looked down at her. Her eyes met his and she felt like she was falling for an entirely different reason. She shook her head and it cleared, and she smiled up at the woman who was frowning at them. She must think we are so weird- Usagi thought vacantly, not saying anything to the greeter, who seemed more like a task mistress in her formal looking black dress with a high collar, and Usagi wondered if she didn't step right into European past with this school and woman. Even the settlers seemed a little more relaxed than this woman and she brightened the smile to take any edge of unease away. "We're here for a tour!"
The woman's frown didn't move and Usagi wondered if it was permanently there. As they crossed the threshold into the school, Usagi grasped for Mamoru's hand and he squeezed her gently when she found it and held tightly. Something was off at this school! Except, Usagi looked up at Mamoru through her eyelashes, trying to be subtle and not get noticed, he would think it odd if she suddenly ran out of this building for no reason. Then she would have to try to find another reason to come check this place out, so she might as well do it now, and not have Kamen breathing down her neck, wondering why, after their last meeting, she was here alone, checking it out.
Together they followed the woman. She showed them to all the different rooms, her voice droning as she showed them, everything was very stiff and formal, and for once Usagi was glad that she dressed so modestly compared to her friends. She would have felt completely out of place if she wore what they did, she doubted that she would even be allowed in to check it out otherwise. Mamoru had no issue, he always looked sleek but masculine. Today he was wearing pressed black pants and a loose but tucked light blue top, that did wonders to his dark eyes. Usagi's own blue-green eyes drifted down to their hands, he hadn't let her hand go once she had made contact, and she didn't want to pull away, but he probably didn't even realize she was still holding his hand or was wondering when she would grow up and not be scared of just a school. She tugged her hand gently, letting him know she was alright, but he only squeezed her hand in response lightly and pulled her along.
He wanted to hold her hand?
Usagi looked up at him incredulously and he only shrugged when he caught her look, but he still didn't let go. What was going on? Usagi wouldn't argue though, and enjoyed the feel of her hand within his, she felt like her's was so much rougher than his was though. She should really get on being girly and using lotion every day and perfume and make-up, but she didn't feel like it, but if he wanted it- maybe, not definitely.
She adjusted the knee length tiered white skirt over her red tights. Her style was a little more conservative, yes, but it was all fitted well, with an understated quirkiness and she even thought sometimes looking in the mirror that it at least looked good on her and made her slightly more pretty. Under her white and black hounds tooth mid thigh length jacket she had on a white buttoned blouse with a small amount of lace and ribbing in the front and a black sweater vest over it, ending just under her fifth button down on her white blouse.
These were her normal wear when she wasn't running somewhere that she'd get her clothes dirty or when she wasn't going to school. So basically, it was what she wore whenever she was going around town with family or a friend who was like her and didn't want to ruin their clothes. It was days when she could concentrate on walking and not running into people. She wore it today because Mamoru would be with her, and they were looking at schools. Her clothes always reflected her current style when they went to schools together. Mamoru had looked surprised at her the first time, but grew used to it after a few days together.
When she was in a hurry, she wore jeans and a long sweater or leggings and a thicker dress for the weather and her beat-around jacket.
So she managed to fit in well enough without being kicked out right away. Others would have come in with just jeans or a slightly less respectful outfit. She was pulled along by Mamoru as a reminder not to be so worried and so she stopped fidgeting with the skirt and looked at the stiff back of the woman ahead. She looked like she was in pain.
She was speaking again, but her head was looking at Mamoru and her gaze was less than impressed. "We don't usually have prospective students get escorted by their brothers."
"Well, it's a good thing that I'm not her brother." Mamoru's tone implied he caught the disdain in her speech.
Her eyes lit up at his words though and Usagi felt a squeeze around her hand, and wondered if Mamoru knew she needed comforting. "Well then, I would gladly have someone escort you off these premises. It's for the student and family only."
Mamoru's blue eyes narrowed until they became almost black, and he pulled Usagi behind him, but still very close to him, and then he spoke, his voice low and almost dangerous. "Yes, but a boyfriend is as close as we can be to husband and wife at this stage in our lives, so I would watch what you say, because my influence could cost you a student."
Usagi closed her eyes, knowing that anything could be read in them when asked a direct question, and the answer would be there, instantly. She wasn't sure if she was hiding from the woman's questioning gaze to see if this was accurate, or if she was hiding from the possibility of what Mamoru would learn from them if he saw her reaction to what he said. For he would have run away at the truth in her eyes, that not only it had surprised her, but also that she very much wished it was partially true.
The woman clicked her tongue and turned on her delicate heel, obviously taking Usagi's silence as confirmation. Usagi was glad and Mamoru pulled her into his side as they walked and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Sorry." He whispered down in Usagi's ear. "I didn't want the possibility of being kicked out."
"It's not a problem." Usagi shook her head. "I understood your reasonings, it doesn't matter if its true or not." Usagi winked at him, trying to remain on friendly terms and not jump him. Oh damn that Tuxedo Kamen! He had awakened a response in her that had not been present for any of her previous boyfriends, and now she was feeling it towards Mamoru more fiercely than normal, and wondering if she would still have that same chemistry with him after what she shared with Kamen.
Usagi didn't respond with wrapping her arm around his waist, she made sure to keep her arms firmly at her sides, clenching them with all her willpower not to do something that would fully embarrass her and ruin any of her chances of staying at least friends with him. She wouldn't do it, she wouldn't do it- it became her mantra.
She was vaguely impressed by all the state of the art facilities and the students work. She found all of it very classical and all very technically good as well as passionate like those from the renaissance were for their subjects. But something was missing in the translation, some piece was eluding her about the similarity she felt between these works and others, and something else, that was more familiar. She couldn't help but feel that there was still some other passion that was missing from all of these art works.
Something the man beside her allowed her to experience so clearly. See more clearly, enjoy more clearly. The woman was talking to her again and she turned her head to listen. "There is a woman who I would like you to meet, but it can only be you Tsukino-san, she wants to talk to you about what lights your artistic muse." The woman told her, and pulled Mamoru away so Usagi would have to go into the room alone.
Usagi glanced one time fretfully back at Mamoru before resolving to go in. The woman looked like she as Arab, or at least Muslim. All Usagi could see were the woman's piercing green-gold eyes behind her scarfs. Usagi sank into the chair across from her, their eyes locked and Usagi kept staring.
In her head, her voice was talking, no it wasn't her voice was it? It said: Come join us, Usagi. Usagi, this is where you belong. Come along Rabbit, it's the path you were always meant to follow, it's where you heart leads, its where your destiny goes. It's where the dark prince resides. Come along Usagi, join our school, join us-
Usagi felt rather weak, like something was not quite right with her, as if she was slowly loosing something that was rightly hers. She forced herself to her feet, shaking her head at the woman. "No, it's not what I want."
"You will, someday you will think differently." Usagi turned and stumbled towards the door, and the woman caught her. "We will see to it." Usagi opened her mouth to scream, but Mamoru had burst through the door and was holding her, staring daggers at the woman before he pulled Usagi out of the school and down the street.
"I-" Usagi started and shook her head. "That was kind of rude, what was going on? I should probably apologize to them, and see if I can finish my tour sometime-"
Her rambles were going to continue, she had only remembered sitting down across the table from the woman, and then Mamoru was with her again, and pulling her away from someone who could give her some type of direction, but Mamoru viciously cut off her rant. "I don't care where you go, but you are not going there. Promise me you'll stay away from there."
Usagi looked at him a moment, and she had never seen him look so angry, but she had a feeling that she had not seen all of it yet either. Usagi took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes. "I promise I will never go there again." She didn't know exactly where his anger stemmed from, but she was given the willies from that place.
So it would be easy to keep that promise, Moon however wasn't bound to the same restrictions. So Mamoru dragged her down the street and Usagi allowed him to do so, just happy to be spending more time with him, but she looked at him as if he was crazy when they were in front of another school.
He smiled bashfully, almost, but Usagi couldn't believe it so she brushed it off and allowed Mamoru to bring her inside. "I told you we would do three schools today." He whispered down to her, pulling her along to the correct room without seeming to need any assistance. Usagi shook her head, there was nothing this man couldn't do.
After the last school though, Usagi was sure that Mamoru would call it quits and bring her home, instead he was gladly showing her around, and chatting easily with the female guide. She was dressed professionally, but it still looked soft. She was smack dab in the middle of the almost hippie guide at the first school and the school master at the last one. It almost seemed as if Mamoru was going to be the new student with how much those two talked. Usagi could have been jealous at the lack of attention but she was just enjoying the fact that Mamoru seemed to be in such good spirits.
There was nothing lacking in this facility and it was all state of the art, but it didn't seem as intense as either of the earlier ones but still seemed condusive for creativity, or to just enjoy it. There were a lot of other classes in this building as well, more than just the humanities, there were sciences and law and economics, and everything there could possibly be.
"This school, dear, is open for anything you could possibly want." The woman's kind gaze rested on her as she explained it. "If you decide art is not for you, it's easy to move to another field without being set back."
Usagi smiled, but in the back of her mind, there was something... something wrong, not with the woman or with the school or even with Mamoru. Maybe it was lingering from the last school, but she knew what she thought was wrong was that this school was still out of her price range.
"There is a special full scholarship to art based students who show a need for it. It doesn't have to be a financial need necessarily, just a showing of what they are capable of."
Usagi's smile turned into a frown as she looked at the woman. "If you think my decision boils down to economics-"
"No, no, most of the students here are granted scholarships, otherwise there would have been no possibility of them being here, and since that is the case, many of them come back and donate their own scholarships when they become successful."
Usagi nodded along and despite that small bump, Usagi enjoyed the rest of her tour. Mamoru didn't hold her hand or touch her the entire time though, and she almost wished she could drag him back to the second school just to feel his hand warm around hers. But... she had to push these thoughts away, he was a mortal and it was dangerous for him. Besides, what had happened when she was inside that room?
Usagi and Mamoru walked back to the street she lived on, and stopped at their usual spot, where Mamoru could watch her go in, but her dad couldn't see him. She became impulsive and fought with her conscious and she threw her arms around him to hug for a moment. "Thank you." She whispered in his ear before she pulled away and then headed to her house.
---
The following day, Usagi employed the help of Venus and Mercury to check out the school. She sent them, feeling confused by her promise to Mamoru about reentering the school. Something about it had sapped her ability to think clearly and it bothered her that she couldn't remember what had happened during that short time she met with the woman with her face covered who would have helped her with what she wanted to do with her life.
Some how, between her and the woman who had greeted them, she had felt both tired and dizzy, dizzy with strange thoughts, thoughts she had never had before. She almost wanted to accept that school. But instead she stayed away, knowing it was not what she would choose otherwise.
The school Usagi would choose, she had no idea, the last school she went to had generous scholarships but at the same time, she knew they weren't as expensive as others, considering it was still almost a state run school. But something was puling her towards the first, but it was also pulling her towards the last one. She didn't understand, none of the other schools had even interested her and now she was deciding between the two of them that she had seen in one day. She would go back to each by herself and figure out what was exactly right for her.
She'd have to see what each would offer her. She however was worry more now about her senshi. Even though Minako was the leader, Usagi still saw her as one of her senshi. They hadn't contacted her yet, so that meant that nothing yet had happened. Meaning, she would have no need to worry yet, but she did anyways. She worried so much that she paced her bedroom, before looking out the window and seeing the tree swaying near her window. She looked back at Luna, lying asleep on her bed, knowing Usagi would wake her if there was a fight, but Usagi couldn't help it, she knew something was wrong, something-
Usagi didn't hesitate, she slid open the window and climbed out onto the ledge, closing the window the most of the way closed so the breeze wouldn't bother the cat too much. Then she jumped out to the tree branch not to far away, much closer it seemed today than it had when she was injured. She landed almost easily.
She transformed in the tree before she took off towards the school. She dropped down through the window on the third floor, a soft thud next to her had her spinning ready for an attack, but only saw Tuxedo Kamen. She looked at him with a frown.
"I wasn't following you." He responded gruffly and pushed her towards her friends, or at least where they both thought her friends would be.
It was actually awhile before Moon found her other senshi as they circled corridors similar to the ones that Usagi had just graced the day before.
When Moon found the other two, they were hiding behind a pillar, Mercury was typing in her computer and Moon slid up behind them. Kamen no doubt left her alone once he made sure that she was safe in the hands of other senshi. Even one he didn't know. It had been the worst feeling, knowing he was behind her and she couldn't just turn around and kiss him. Oh how wonderful that would have been! A man with dark hair and blue eyes slid into her vision and she frowned at the idea of breaking yet another promise, this one she'd made to him, but she'd broken so many she'd made for herself.
Venus filled her in softly, the place had vibes of evil, Mercury's computer detecting it, and so she was searching for the elusive youma or enemy that they no doubt planted for a reason. But the women were being evasive, and hadn't shown up yet.
Venus had smiled at her originally, knowing Moon's feelings about not being able to stay away, and accepting it instantly. Mercury had frowned however, angered that Moon would risk herself this early without needing to. Moon had rested a hand on her shoulder and bent over to whisper in her normally bluenette's ear. "It's better me than the new senshi being found out. We'll still have a surprise." Moon winked and Mercury relaxed.
It was still a long wait, the women never showed. Moon straightened and prepared to walk straight into the bad-vibe area but Venus grabbed her arm with a look of fear in her brown eyes. Moon looked back, her own brown eyes questioning, but Venus shook her head and tugged Moon back towards the safety of their inlet. It was a long time later, when the women walked out of a door. It was the women that Moon had followed around the school as Usagi but she knew now the bad vibes rumbling through her system were from these women, and they had felt very similar to the ones she had always had while dealing with them but today it was stronger.
It had gone from just a faint, undistinguished feeling to it being a conscious feeling when Birdie appeared, and now, it was there, hardly hidden underneath the surface. Telling her that there was something wrong, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She felt it stronger as Moon, but she also had a greater defense against it.
Moon looked to Venus and Venus shook her head, Moon was getting irritated of waiting, the should call in the other senshi and deal with this enemy right this moment. However Koan turned towards them and made her way over. "Oh senshi of the white moon, have you no idea what is waiting for you?" She called and sent a blast towards them.
When they half stumbled, half fell out Koan was surprised to see three of them. Her face fell into a frown and her head turned to the woman who was walking with her. "You!" Birdie hissed pointing at the two would be blonds, Mercury was trying to inch her way back behind the wall so she could get her work done in peace.
"Sisters, peace, another day." A third voice called out and they turned their heads to the woman in black, only her gold eyes shinning through. "We must end it here." The gold eyes sliced through them all, but still, her entire face and body were hidden.
Birdie and Koan disappeared and one gold eye winked at them before she too disappeared. "What was her name?" Venus asked, turning her head to Moon for information.
Moon shrugged. "I didn't know Koan's name for the longest time. This is the first time I've seen that woman."
Their talking and reprieve was short lived as a youma came crashing towards them, it's claws bare and taking swipes at all of them. Moon jumped back and sucked in her stomach, leading with her middle and saw to her side that Venus had done the same, but faster.
With awe, Moon watched Venus' speed and ability. She attacked reassured by a long time of fighting on her own and a knowledge that she didn't share with the rest, even Luna.
The fight lasted awhile with only three of them, but it wasn't too difficult, just the youma avoided most of the attacks, sending them wide and crashing into a wall or a post. The building was falling down around them, and one large part of the ceiling came crashing down onto the youma's leg, allowing for Moon to use her tiara, but before it was even off her forehead, Venus had lashed her chain out, cutting the youma in half.
"It works best when the object is mostly stationary." Venus whispered to Moon who had looked on amazed. "I can catch moving objects as well, it just takes more concentration."
Moon nodded dumbly then turned her head to look at the moving shadow. "Where were you?" Moon demanded and Kamen walked out of the rest of the shadows.
"You were doing just fine on your own, I was here to help if you needed it. You didn't need it."
Venus stepped between them. "Leave, stay away from Moon."
Mercury started forward but held back when both Moon and Venus held their hand up to still her movements. She needed to stay out of this, but Moon turned to Venus. "Thank you for that, but Kamen and I have an understanding."
Venus just glared at Kamen. "I know too much, if the two of you are together, you become a bigger target. I would prefer my senshi to still have her head."
Moon's eyes sliced straight to Venus, did she know- that Kamen messed with her head? That he touched a part of her not many got to? Or was she worried about Moon's literal head?
Kamen sighed. "You don't have to worry about me being too close to Moon, she's already made her preference known, which is the same as mine, by the way."
Venus grinned. "Good, just, don't forget to save her if need be."
Kamen nodded stiffly and then turned around and left. Venus turned to Moon and looked at her inquiring gaze, Moon's eyes clearly must have been surprise, because nothing that Venus had said made any sense to Moon. Venus and Minako were a lot alike, both serious and knowing but peppy as well, that knowing leading a teasing glint to all she said.
"What?" Venus asked innocently, but Moon didn't fall for it, but she just turned and huffed, looking at Mercury.
"Let's get going you two, Luna'll have my head if I'm not home before she wakes up. She'll be mad as it is for not telling her I was going, not that you two had called me."
Luna had made her opinion clear on where she stood on the Moon Senshi issue. She hated it and wanted Moon to give up her galavanting nights. Moon had denied her request and since Luna couldn't really do anything about it, had instead resulted in sulking whenever Moon had anything to do with Usagi's life. Moon knew this, and so tried to circumvent Luna's involvement as so not to worry Luna.
Moon and the other two headed home before Moon split off and returned to her room, and turning back into a pajama clad Usagi and slipping back into her bed for the night. "I know what you were up to." Luna mumbled and with a slight grimace Usagi scratched behind Luna's ears, soon she elicited a purr out of her feline and the cat settled in for further sleep. "I'm not happy about it." She said before falling off the cliff into sleep.
Usagi sighted. "But if I wasn't, I would no longer be me." Before she too, settled her head down into the most comfortable position and closing her eyes.