15. Lifeguard

"Come on you guys, hurry! I want to grab the best spot on the beach!" called Usagi, as she ran towards the shore kicking up sand in all directions.

"Baka, we'd be there much faster if you would help us carry some of this stuff," yelled back an irritated Rei. She was heaving a large beach umbrella with Ami, followed by Minako carrying magazines, sunscreen lotion and a large boombox. Makoto lingered behind, her arms laden with beach towels, a large picnic basket, and a beach bag.

"I'm the location seeker. It's my duty to go ahead and save us all a nice spot. You'll thank me later," Usagi shouted cheerfully, ignoring her groaning friends. As she approached the crashing waves, a low voice from behind startled her.

"Watch out for the water, Odango. I'd hate to have to go after you just because you accidentally fell in."

Her head whipped around, but saw no one in sight. Scanning the sand around her, she heard the voice call out again.

"Up here."

Looking up, she spotted a tanned body of the male species seated atop what appeared to be a lookout tower. Squinting from the sun, she made out the hazy outline of Mamoru sitting with one leg crossed over the other, his usual smirk in place on his face. She made an attempt to shoot him a glare, but only managed to look half as intimidating with her eyes still partially blinded.

"I hope you brought your water wings," he said, smiling coyly.

"I can swim, you jerk!" Usagi screeched.

Fanning himself from the heat, he replied cooly, "The doggy paddle does not count as swimming."

Lifting up a hand to shield her eyes, Usagi suddenly noticed his naked torso and athletic build. Her eyes instinctively roamed towards his muscular arms, toned chest, and finally rested on his abdomen where a sturdy six-pack gleamed in the sun. She couldn't help but gawk. With her mouth open. Never had she imagined that underneath the ghastly green jacket was that.

"Earth to Odango," shouted Mamoru, promptly snapping her out of her trance.

She looked up at his face - his gorgeous face - with that set jawline and those piercing blue eyes. Taking a deep breath, she pulled herself away with all the willpower she could muster.

20 minutes later

His eyes swept over to the area where she had been lounging with her friends the moment they joined her. The girl of his interest, however, was nowhere to be found. Frowning, he scanned the entire length of the beach from his vantage point, when suddenly a spot in the distance caught his eye. Upon recognition, his eyes widened in horror. He had found her - a dozen feet away from the shore, with her arms flailing and thrashing about in the water was Usagi.

He made his way down the tower with lightning speed and dashed towards her, his heart picking up pace from both physical exertion and worry. His mind flashed to images of a cold and lifeless Usagi, causing him to speed up even more. Crashing into the upsurge of waves, he swam towards her as if his own life depended on it.

As he closed in on her, the flailing stopped, and her body submerged into the depths of the water.

He dove down after her, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Securing his left arm around her waist, he kicked his way to the surface. With his right arm, he propelled them back to shore as fast as humanly possible.

Her eyes were shut, but her breathing was steady, allowing Mamoru to exhale in relief. Laying her down on the wet sand, he pressed his ear against her heart to hear a faint thumping. All the signs showed that she was fine, and yet her eyes remained closed.

Drawing in a deep breath, Mamoru proceeded to start the procedure for CPR. Using two fingers, he tilted up her chin, pinched her nose, and pressed his lips to hers. As he was about to release the breath into her lungs, he felt her stir lightly beneath him. Her lips parted swiftly, pressing back on his with slightly more force. Two slender arms came up and intertwined themselves around his neck, keeping him fixed to the spot. His mind barely had time to register what was happening, before his senses took over demanding that he kiss her back.

The scene was not left unnoticed, as four girls further up the beach watched on with shocked expressions at the two kissing passionately in the sand.

"I can't believe it worked," said Minako disbelievingly. "That girl deserves more credit than we give her for."

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