Thorny Roses

Chapter 5

Usagi hummed while she prepared enough tempura and dipping sauce to feed an army. She knew that the generals alone would be eating enough to provide for a third-world country. She had also bought some taiyaki for dessert.

Usagi set aside the pan of hot oil and turned off the stove. She threw off her apron and ran into the bathroom for a quick shower.

As the hot water washed over her, she couldn't help but smile at the idea of Mamoru coming to her apartment. True, they wouldn't be alone but it was enough to make her happy. She slipped out of the shower, running to her room in nothing but her towel. She pulled on a blue, full-sleeved, baby doll top and gray jeans. Her hair was already drying by the time she went into the dining room to set up the kotatsu. She placed a tiny bag full of konpeito on the table. It was a clear bag with a bunny print on it. Usagi had passed the candy store during her grocery trip. She had loved the candy as a child and knew Chibiusa would, too.

Usagi's doorbell rang and she jumped up to open the door. To her surprise, it was Minako and Kunzite.

"We met up and decided to come together," Minako answered Usagi's surprised look.

"More like she forced me to come get her," Kunzite teased. Minako stuck her tongue out at him.

"Oh, good. You guys are already here," Makoto said as she came up behind Minako and Kunzite. Behind her stood Ami with Zoicite and Nephrite.

"Wow, you guys came with a general, too?" Usagi asked, shocked.

Ami blushed. "Well, we met them on the way here so it would only be natural that we came together."

"Hmm…I smell tempura!" Nephrite bounded towards the dining room.

Makoto chased after him. "Hey, wait 'til the others get here!"

Kunzite turned to Minako. "Shall we go supervise and make sure they don't make a mess?"

"Let's call it a mission," Minako winked.

Zoicite and Ami blushed at each other before walking into the apartment together.

Usagi was just about to close the door when Rei showed up. Usagi was not only surprised to see her with Jadeite, but also with Chibiusa.

Usagi glanced at Chibiusa before staring at Rei. She knew what this meant but she wanted to hear it.

"Chiba isn't coming," Rei calmly said.

Usagi laughed to herself, though she didn't find the situation humorous.

"Then I guess he'll be out of the loop until someone else explains everything to him," Usagi smiled but the smile didn't reach her eyes. She took Chibiusa, immediately tuning into the little girl's stories about her day.

Jadeite and Rei shared a look as they stared after Usagi. They both knew very well that Usagi was hurt but Jadeite did not know why.

"Rei," he said, turning to her as the fire senshi closed the door. "What's up between Mamoru and Usagi?"

Rei's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You don't know?" Jadeite apprehensively shook his head.

Rei sighed, looking so downcast. "He broke up with her and broke her heart in the process—that's why she left Tokyo in the first place. She may say it was for training but it was really to get away from Mamoru."

Jadeite frowned, letting the information sink in. It explained so much…why Usagi was so different, so sad all the time…why he heard her crying everyday while he passed her during her bath…why she rarely smiled…

"But don't bring it up with the other generals until you're alone. Usagi doesn't need to be reminded of it," Rei warned. She narrowed her eyes at Jadeite. "And don't try to confront Mamoru about this—I have a feeling that he regrets his decision."

Jadeite smirked at her, loving how well she knew him. "I won't tell…in exchange for a kiss." Rei seethed.

"You tell and I'll barbecue your—"

"Rei, Jadeite! Get in here!" Usagi called. Usagi watched as Rei walked into the dining room and take her place on one of the down pillows. Jadeite followed behind her, slightly blanched. He sat beside Zoicite, who turned to him in concern.

"Are you okay?" He asked the pale general. Jadeite glanced at Rei, who had a cocked eyebrow and glare waiting for his eye. He gulped and nodded furiously.

Rei jerked her head slightly but still smirked. Usagi looked her suspiciously but the fire senshi only shrugged in response.

"Okay…so," Usagi began. "Why don't we start with questions seeing that I'm not sure where to begin?"

"First, where did you learn about our new transformations as well as yours?" Ami questioned.

"Well, that's a good start. During my time away, I figured out that I could connect to my other mother if I meditated hard enough. So, along with my physical training with the generals, I've been having spiritual training with my mother."

"Wow…" Chibiusa breathed.

The Sailor Senshi stared at their leader in awe but they did not interrupt.

"So, when she helped me to discover a new transformation, I began to wonder if you could have new transformations, as well. So, when the opportunity came—yesterday evening—I tested my theory…and I was right," Usagi smiled. "Next?"

"How did you find the generals?" Makoto asked. "Not that I'm complaining," she said, smiling at Nephrite.

"Well, my mother had shown up half a month after I left and she gave me the stones that Mamoru had kept after the battle with Beryl and Metalia all those months ago. All she told me was to do with them as I wished. I don't know how she got a hold of them, but here we are now," Usagi said, waving her arm at the generals.

The generals each smiled at her gratefully.

"Where did you get the money to buy this flat?" Minako demanded. "Cause I really hope it wasn't what I think it is."

"What do you mean?" Chibiusa asked Minako.

Usagi blushed. She would have to tell them at one point. "I got the money from pearl-diving."

"WHAT?" The generals and the senshi both screamed.

"Wait, you guys didn't know either?" Rei asked the generals.

"Well, she used to sneak out every morning and come back later in the day, then sneak out again later on in the day. We assumed that she was either meditating or training alone," Nephrite answered.

"Why didn't you ever tell us?" Kunzite asked.

"Well, I know that it's a risky job and not the best women do it, so I was afraid you would judge," Usagi sheepishly answered.

"Usagi-chan, we would never judge you. You're our leader, savior, and friend," Zoicite smiled. Usagi smiled back.

"Okay, so that's enough questions for today. Let's eat and then we'll talk about our new enemy," Minako said.

"Finally!" Nephrite grinned. Makoto would have smacked him up the head but she, along with the other senshi, were too busy digging into Usagi's cooking. Each of the girls had been craving Usagi's cooking, ever since they had had it the previous night.

Soon enough, the tempura was gone and the Shitennou and Senshi were both lounging around the living room. They had all moved there while Usagi cleaned up.

"Okay," Usagi began, turning to the girls. "Do you know anything about the new enemy?"

Minako cleared her throat, her face completely serious. "No; so far, the enemy has only been sending Yuma to do their dirty work."

"Also, the data I've collected shows that collecting energy is not their priority," Ami said, checking her tiny computer.

"From our fight last night, I can tell they're stronger than Beryl's minions," Makoto snorted, rubbing a sore shoulder. "No offense, to you guys," she said, talking to the generals.

"None taken," Kunzite answered. "Yes, the Yuma from last night seemed more intelligent than the ones Beryl used to send out. One of Beryl's Yuma wouldn't have thought to attack Chibiusa while we weren't watching," he said, pointing to the little pink-haired girl.

Usagi immediately blanched, pulling the young girl into her lap.

"Wait a second…" Ami interrupted. She began to type energetically into her computer. "I've noticed something about the frequency of the attacks: they almost always seem to occur when Chibiusa is around."

Everyone turned to look at the girl in Usagi's lap.

"Does that mean she's being targeted?" Rei questioned.

"Maybe. Do you know anything from your time that could help us, Chibiusa?" Ami asked.

Chibiusa didn't say anything.

Usagi smiled at her. "Chibiusa, you don't have to tell us everything—just something to help us find out who has been attacking us."

"Um, well…I'm not sure but someone had visited my parents to see if they could live with us. But Mommy and Daddy said no so these people attacked us…and Mommy got hurt…and..." Chibiusa began tearing up at the mention of her parents. Usagi held her close, soothing her.

"It's alright, Chibiusa, we're going to help your parents. Do you remember any names?"

"I remember my Daddy getting angry about someone named Prince Diamond…"

"It's the Black Moon Clan." Everyone in the room turned around to look at the two cats that had just come in through the window. The white cat that had spoken stepped forward.

"It's good to see you, Usagi," Artemis smiled.

"You, too," Usagi nodded, smiling suggestively at Luna and Artemis. "What have you two been up to?"

Luna huffed. "Well! We were out doing some research. Artemis is right: we had suspicions that the new enemy was the Black Moon Clan and Chibiusa just confirmed them."

"Well, you can tell us about this clan another time," Usagi said, checking the clock. It was nearly 11 o'clock and Chibiusa had to be in bed soon. "Chibiusa, why don't you stay here with me tonight?"

"Oh, can I?" The little girl excitedly grinned, her tears forgotten.

"Of course. I'll call my parents and let them know. We'll meet up again tomorrow—"

"Usagi, we have school tomorrow," Minako grinned.

"Oh…shit," Usagi cursed.

"Usagi! Language!" Rei chastised.

"Please! I've heard worse out of your mouth," Jadeite snorted.

"Why don't you come over here and say that?" Rei growled.

"Okay, okay! Enough! Get out of my apartment," Usagi laughed.

"We'll come by and pick you up," Makoto smiled.

"Thanks. I'll see you guys tomorrow," Usagi said, walking her guests to the door. She sighed as she closed the door behind her friends.

"Come on, Chibiusa! You can sleep in my bed!"

"Yay!"

"But remember to brush your teeth! You ate all of the konpeito in one go."

"I can't help it—it's so good!"

Usagi laughed. While Chibiusa ran into the bathroom, she went into her bedroom and changed. However, halfway through changing, her door was bombarded with knocks and her doorbell was assaulted.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming!" Usagi yelled. She had had no time to put on anything except for some shorts. She shrugged her arms into a sweatshirt, barely zipping it up.

She threw open the door, shocked to see Mamoru.

His hair looked windswept, as though he had been running. His shirt was buttoned incorrectly and part of it was un-tucked from his pants. He was panting heavily, leaning against the doorframe.

Mamoru blushed when he noticed her bra peeking out from her sweatshirt. Usagi looked down, blushing as well, and zipped up her sweatshirt.

"Is everything okay?" Usagi asked.

He nodded, the image of her unzipped sweatshirt burned into his mind. "Can I come in?"

Usagi nodded, apprehensive.

She led him to the dining room and left him there while she prepared some coffee for him and a hot chocolate for herself. Mamoru stared at her long legs, barely anything covered due to the extremely short, pajama shorts.

Usagi returned holding a mug of coffee and another of hot chocolate. After setting down his coffee in front of him and sitting down, Mamoru cleared his throat.

"I needed to see you," Mamoru said.

"Okay. Did you need to tell me something?" Usagi's brow furrowed.

"I do. But I really just wanted to be near you."

Usagi sighed. "Look, I know you don't love me anymore but can you please be a little more considerate when saying this kind of stuff?"

"But that's just it!" Mamoru yelled. He grabbed Usagi's hands, staring deep into her eyes. "I still love you!"

Usagi's eyes widened before they crinkled in pain. She pulled her hands away from him, staring at her hot chocolate.

"Please, don't say that."

"Don't you love me, too?"

"Of course, I do. But how do I know you won't just break my heart again—break me again?" Usagi cried. "I don't even know why you broke up with me in the first place!"

Mamoru winced. "I'm so sorry—I didn't mean to hurt you. I was trying to do the opposite!"

"What?"

"I kept on having these dreams where we were getting married, but then something happened and you got hurt! All I could see for months on end was your face crying helplessly. I didn't know what to do. A voice in my dream told me to stay away from you, so I listened to it."

Usagi sat agape.

A few minutes passed in silence. SLAP!

Mamoru fell back in surprise, cupping his cheek. Usagi had just slapped him!

Usagi's tears began falling rapidly. "You broke up with me because of a dream? You…you…I can't believe you!" She curled up, sobbing into her hands.

"Usagi…Usako…" He murmured as he pulled her into his embrace. This just made her cry even more.

"I can't believe that you couldn't trust me—trust us! We've survived so much in the past, yet after one stinking dream, you go ahead and break things off! You could've told me about this!" Usagi sobbed into his neck. "Do you know how many times I've thought, Why did he break up with me? What's wrong with me? Did you even consider how much pain this was going to put me through?"

"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…" Mamoru whispered, pain evident in his eyes. "I just didn't want to see you get hurt. I love you so much—I always have and I always will."

Usagi looked into his eyes before jumping on him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his lips to hers. Luckily, he fell back on pillow. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. There was no space between them and it seemed that neither needed any air. Usagi finally pulled away, nestling her face into his neck.

"I love you," she whispered. Mamoru closed his eyes and smiled. He hadn't felt so happy in a long time.

"But we can't be together."

Mamoru's eyes flew open in shock. He sat up, pulling her upright, as well. He was glad to see that her tears had dried, but there was now a determined look in her eyes.

"W-what?" he choked out.

"At least, we can't be together yet," Usagi smiled. "You're going to have to work for it, Mamoru Chiba. You are going to have to earn my love back as payment for the past six months."

"But—but—" Mamoru began.

"Nope—no buts! I've made up my mind. Now hurry up and leave so that I can go to bed. We both have school tomorrow."

Mamoru sighed. "Can I at least walk you to school tomorrow?"

"We'll see. The girls are going to take me so if you can beat them here, then maybe you have a chance," Usagi smiled teasingly.

Mamoru pouted as he walked towards the door. Usagi opened the door and Mamoru hesitantly crossed the threshold. He turned towards her, his midnight blue eyes shining brightly.

"Bye," he murmured, a smile on his lips.

Usagi smiled, leaning forward to kiss his lips gently. "Bye. And good luck, Mamo-chan."

He smiled, walking away with a dazed look on his face. Usagi giggled, closing the door.

"Was there someone here?" Chibiusa asked, poking her head around the corner.

"Yes. Just an old friend," Usagi smiled.