damonika2009: I personally like a jealous Mamo in bed. I thought it might add flavor to their blossoming romance. the powers will come back just give it a little bit more time.
adore: I'm glad you like it. I like writing a jealous Mamo cause in the anime he was more self-assured about his relationship with her. The only jealous moment you ever really saw was when he was faced with losing her to diamond. I want him to be sure of his relationship with her but to also be aware that she's a growing beauty that can turn heads. Also that since she has saved diamond I want him to know that Diamond's not going to be an easy one to get out of the picture. The anime made him easy…not me.
NeoPrincessRini: can't give to much away but chaos won't be here for long. as for Mamo I'm glad you like.
LoveInTheBattleField: thank you!
Bouowmx (Guest): I appreciate the constructive criticism. Since its just 'Shaydoe' and me writing it and not really betaing (unless she has a beta she's forgotten to tell me about, lol) if you'd like you can PM me to start betaing. Only warning is that we try and hit our Sunday deadlines for you wonderful fans. 90% if the time (excluding RL problems and injuries).
mavebelikova (Guest): This ch/ep will have to use your own judgment on that one.
Setsuna-Chan22: Amber will be making an appearance again but that won't be for a think another 2 ch/ep's. but I am glad your addicted to the stories!
silverfaerie91 (Guest): a jealous Mamo is an interesting Mamo.
witchoftheforest (Guest): Diamond's feelings won't ever go away. Kind of like the feelings that Seiya would end up having for her.
lunanekoanime (Guest): she'll be making her debut soon…you'll just have to give it some time.
moonbella09022 (Guest): I like writing him like that. Its puts a different spin on his personality plus a jealous Mamo can mean for pretty hot sex!
pandoraskiss (Guest): Not for anything so far. Not unless its needed for the story line.
thunderkitty902 (Guest): Working on it, so I hope you like this one.
yamifangirl09 (Guest): If it's necessary to the story she will but so far I haven't found a need for her yet.
mizzladyoflondon (Guest): YUP!
exeterchick (Guest): Thank ya!
herionnyannyan (Guest): She will just give it time.
mistressofbakura (Guest), dragonlady09 (Guest): here's your next update!
Wow 19 reviews, sweet! I do hope you all enjoy this one. There is some amount of jealousy in here so I hope it's up to par for ya!
Read and review!
Sailor Moon S "Rise of the Messiah" Ch. 12
The halls seemed strange, an aura of unwelcome tinged with an air of distrust floating around her. Usagi walked slowly down the second floor corridor, the morning sun pushing through the side windows. Illuminating the beige lino under her feet, the overly bright light sharpening the black flecks in the flooring. Making it resemble fake sand more than hard worn out linoleum. Warming one side of her, yet offering no comfort.
As she walked silently amid the calculating looks from passing students. She felt suddenly on trail, the scent of foul rumor thick among the whispering hordes of fellow students. Usagi kept her head down to the ground, meekly avoiding their calculating eyes.
She'd grown used to a certain level of ridicule from her previous days as a lazy, unfocused delinquent. Those days were long gone now, she picked up her grades and proven to the teacher's at least that she wasn't an air head with no future. The accusing comments she heard floating around her were like little knives stabbing into her sides. Jibes about cheating, about paying the staff off to give her higher marks. Everywhere there was talk that she was incapable of such great performance at her studies and it must be a fluke.
Before she would have had her two girlfriends walking beside her, a buffer against the cruelty of the students. But Makoto hadn't shown up for school yet and Ami was hiding somewhere with her books. Usagi had managed to get a hold of her mother. Having a short talk this morning, about how Ami was doing. Mrs. Mizuno, stated she had been on call for the last week and hadn't seen much of her daughter.
She suspected that she was busy with her studies and club activities as of late. That she would be at school today and she should try tracking her down in the library.
It had been a fruitless conversation, Ami's mother rarely knew what or where her daughter was these days. Both to busy going in their separate directions to pay any attention to the other.
Usagi avidly ignored the curious stares she was getting, heading up to the third floor to check out the library. She had been hoping to find Ami in her usual study room, with her nose buried in a book. Unfortunately the small alcove of a room was empty. The bookish librarian that always had her long black hair tied up in a severe bun, had no idea where the genius was either.
Leaving Usagi back to wandering the halls, aimlessly searching for her. Finally as she passed the office, she overheard Ami's concise voice logically debating with the staff inside. Curious she crept back to the open door and peeked inside. Finding her short bluenette friend standing before the front desk, diligently signing a stack of paperwork. The slightly over-weight, balding principal was standing just beside her, a huge grin of satisfaction on his round face.
"I am glad you reconsidered, Mizuno-san." he stated.
"So am I." She acknowledged him with a patient smile before focusing on her kanji.
"I just needed some time to realize were my priorities should be. My friends really were holding me back. I need to move on." She started.
Usagi's stomach twisted at her words. Swallowing hard as her throat had gone dry with dread.
"It's time I started focusing on my studies more seriously. I can't allow anyone to drag me down again." She tucked a stray lock of dark hair behind her ear before shuffling and handing the paperwork to the principal.
"Ami..." Usagi moaned, feeling tears well up in her eyes. Remembering all the times she had patiently tutored her over the past few months. Trying to help her prepare for the High school entrance exams. She never realized what a burden she had been at the beginning of the year for her dear friend. She had been doing well on her own now in her studies, Mamoru having taken over that responsibility.
"I have to admit your tutoring has helped the Tsukino, girl improve. Though she will be undergoing retesting, to prove she isn't cheating. It's a shame, but accusations have been put against her. She will have to prove her intelligence in the coming months." The principal commented, adjusting his white dress shirt into the waist line of the tan pants. That shifted off center yet again, a casualty of having an ample gut overflowing his belt. Then pulled his matching suit jacket back in place before guiding Ami out of the office.
"I will gather my things, and say my goodbyes. Sir." Ami nodded. "My transfer to Juuban High should be filed by weeks end then?" She inquired.
Usagi scrambled to get out of the doorway, tears threatening as she ducked behind the side, of a set of lockers. Ami was leaving...her heart felt shredded.
"Yes." The principal answered with grin of pride.
Usagi watched morosely as Ami walked down the hall towards the stairwell, clutching a book as always before her. Holding her nerves and trepidation in check she quickly scrambled to catch up to her.
"Hi, Ami - chan!" She announced herself brightly, falling into step with her.
"Hi, Usagi - chan." She nodded curtly to her. As they took to the institutional stairwell together. It echoed and groaned under their slight weight, showing the school's true age.
"How goes, haven't talked to you in a couple days." She started, her voice wavering just slightly on the edges. It made her clear her throat attempting to cleanse the desperation within her tone.
"Good, I have an opportunity come up, I'd like to talk to you about." Ami gave her small smile.
"Really?" Usagi faked ignorance. Ami seemed normal? But she was wondering 'what did she expect?' An honest to goodness Demon possession? That the girl would be floating in a dark fog, with glowing red eyes speaking in tongues and vomiting acid?
If her heart crystal was taken, she would be left human just like Rei and Mako. All her pure emotions now in the protection of her Senshi spirit. By all rights she should also be dead? But that hadn't happened to the other girls, supposedly now powered by Chaos. The whole situation left her confused and highly agitated. Not knowing what to expect or how to react.
"Well, for the last year. The principal has wanted me to start taking my schooling to the next level. He feels my talents are wasted here in middle school. That I can do far better if I skip up a couple grades and finish early so I can start my pre-med as quickly as possible." Ami just plunged ahead, wanting to get it all out before she lost her nerve. This was a big step, she would be leaving all her friends behind.
She wanted to admit that she was a bit scared about starting high school next week alone, without any support from Usagi or Makoto. But she kept her worries hidden under a cool resolve of control.
If academic's was her only talent, then she had to commit to it fully. She had given up thinking she was well rounded. Her studies were what defined her, not her friends and not her weak skills as a Senshi.
"Really...That's great Ami - chan!" Usagi continued her fake cheer, clapping the girl enthusiastically on the back. The nervousness and emotional pain went into the hit making her rock the girl forward a step and knocking the wind out of her.
Ami coughed and smiled gathering herself after the abrupt assault.
"Thanks, Usagi - chan. I'm glad you approve. I won't disappear. I promise. I will try to get over to crown so we can still play games and gossip." She promised, yet her faint smile spoke of how flimsy it was. "Plus there's always our Senshi battles and training so it's not like we won't see each other anymore." She stated happily, before waving and darting away tears forming in her warm blue eyes. "Listen I have to get to class, the bell is going to ring!" She waved and dashed away not wanting to break down into tears in front her hurt Odango friend.
Heading off down the main hall towards class five. Usagi watched the morning sun play upon her friends gentle face and soft complexion. Her dark hair fluttering as if tossed in the win, during her mad dash down the hall. A finality to her retreating figure. This would be the last time Usagi would see her in the halls. She was moving on. In a way Usagi was glad, but in an even greater way she was sad and slightly angry that Ami could be so selfish.
"I'll miss you..." Usagi sighed. She knew Ami would have no time to spend with her anymore, not with the advanced jump in homework levels she was taking along with the grade levels. She was curious now, Ami acted as if she didn't know Chaos had taken over her body. She still thought she was a Senshi. Or rather she didn't know she was no longer a senshi. Now Usagi was wondering if she had been saved. Perhaps by Neptune? Plagued by doubts and confusion she turned down a side hall to head to her own classroom.
Class one lay in the opposite direction, a universal reminder that they were going their separate ways. As Ami's life was now taking a different path, leaving her behind. Makoto was a no show all day with her classes. Usagi had peeked into her class room that was just down the same hall from Ami's. When on break or offering bathroom excuses just to repeatedly check into the busy classroom, never seeing her brunette pony tailed friend.
By days end, Usagi was struggling with it all again. But she had to get focused, she had a commitment to meet Diamond in Juuban park. Heading down from her school, she made her way deeper into Minato. Merging with the walking traffic, lost in her thoughts as the local restaurants and store fronts began to surround her. The fall air was crisp and her spring semester school uniform was starting to feel a bit flimsy.
She was debating on going back home just to dig out her heavier cotton version for the colder days looming ahead. Holding herself to keep circulation going in her bare arms, she heard the commotion before she saw it.
Rounding a corner between a family run bakery of rose colored brick. And a narrow alleyway that backed a set of low income apartments. She saw Makoto, dressed in a pair of work style, light tan overalls. That were faded and worn out, the knees frayed away to threads. The buttons undone, and long sleeves torn off. With a black tank top underneath that hugged her ample breasts in a very sassy way. She looked like a gang member, all angst and attitude. Her hair as usual was tied up in a long ponytail, yet her bobble tie was missing.
Replaced now by a black ribbon she had tied up in a bow, the tails trailing down with her long hair to her shoulder blades. She had two younger teen boys cornered against a chain link fence deep in the alley. They looked to be twins, with long black shaggy hair that hung low around their shoulders. They were dressed in a dark green suit jacket and plaid pants, a school uniform she didn't recognize. They had matching looks of fright, now paled and trembling before the enraged brunette. Hands up in a warding gesture, cowering and stuttering out an apology.
"You little bastards think you can still handle me!" She shouted, moving into an attack pose. She was cocking a fist ready to pummel the closest boy. They were pressed against the fence, eyes wild in fear. Both suffering from bloody noses, shirts untucked and jackets torn from their previous scuffles.
Usagi bolted down the narrow alley, instantly assaulted by the sour order of open garbage bins, and animal piss. Twitching her nose in disgust, she wondered why all alley's in the city had to smell so nasty! Side stepping the massive rusted out metal containers, she was back to a panicked sprint in no time. Watching in horror as her friends once controlled temper exploded upon the frightened young men. Makoto of course was unharmed more than a match for two young punks.
She had feinted with her raised fist, drawing the young man's focus. As her knee collided with his groin mercilessly. He cried out in pain, curling up at her feet. His face turning a sick sort of green, as he squeezed his eyes shut in agony. Then Makoto was on his twin like the clash of thunder, before a storm. She lunged for him, grasping him around the collar with a fist and lifting him up off his feet.
"Makoto - chan!" Usagi screamed, dashing up behind her and grasping her by the elbow. As she had her arm cocked to pummel the boy in the face.
"Please...calm down!" She pleaded, pulling on her arm to have her settle her rage.
"Itei!" The boy on the ground groaned, unable to uncurl from his fetal position.
Makoto's lips pulled back into a cocky grin at the helpless sight he made, his brother was just as cowardly. Shivering in her grip, staring wide eyed and terrified at her fist.
"Let go of my arm Usagi - chan. These guys deserve what's com'in to 'em." Makoto growled back in rage.
"Why...what did they do?" Usagi wailed, hauling back on her arm with all her senshi strength that she could summon while in human guise. It wasn't enough to even budge her powerful friends arm.
"They stole a bag of bean buns from the bakery back there." She stated calmly. "They have been doing it almost every day since school started. I'm friends with the owner. These losers have been taking part of her profits, she needs to make money to support herself and her kid. I promised to track these guys down for her. I finally caught the little thieves in the act today and now they are gonna pay!"
Usagi glanced around, her friend was being honorable if a bit over zealous. Finding a mangled, greasy brown bag of buns squished into a corner of the alley. The first victim in this street fight.
"Just return the bag, they've had enough." She commanded.
Makoto shot her a stony look from the corner of her eyes. Licking her front teeth loudly as she contemplated the order. Deep down her true self screamed for her to listen. To reclaim her calm and rise out of the white haze of revenge. Taking one breath after another she found her inner peace once more. Slowly lowering the boy to his feet.
"I don't want to see either of you loser's around this street ever again. My friend here just gave you a mercy ticket. This time, so use it wisely. Next time I will put both of you in the hospital!" She promised, her green eyes cold as steel. The fierceness in her stare putting a primal fear into the young man he would never forget.
The boy she released helped his brother up and quickly ducked under her arm. She swiftly cuffed him upside the back of the head as he limped away dragging his brother after him.
"Wow..." Usagi breathed, unable to formulate more of a comment. She had never seen Makoto so deadly before. This was what she must have been like before switching schools. When she was filled with bitterness and fury towards the world, she was left to fend for herself from a young age, after her parent's sudden death. Depending on only one person...herself. With no true friends and everyone scared of her, she had just wallowed in her angst unable to see anything or anyone, worth changing for.
Makoto ignored her shocked state, moving smoothly to retrieve the mauled bag of buns. Then the proceeded to leave the alley without comment. Usagi followed silently, as she passed the bakery. Glancing oddly from Makoto to the quaint shop wondering why she wasn't returning the stolen goods.
Makoto never slowed her stride, opening the bag and pulling out a flattened bun. Casting it aside in disgust only to dig for another.
"Makoto - chan...aren't you going to take them back?" Usagi scuttled up beside her, pointing back at the bakery door in confusion.
"Naw...the spoils of war." She commented, making a small cry of triumph at finding a half descent bun. Taking a big satisfied bite and chewing happily.
Usagi sighed and fell in stride beside her changed friend.
"Why weren't you at school today?" She asked meekly, a slight pout on her face.
"Had better things to do today. Perhaps I'll show up tomorrow." Makoto shrugged noncommittally.
Usagi's stomach growled in protest at the smell of the delicious spiced buns. Makoto paid no notice of her friends hunger, popping the last intact bun into her mouth. Usagi sighed again in remorse as the last of the food was consumed in front of her.
The old Makoto would have offered her a bun...though it wouldn't have been stolen either.
"So where are you off to, this isn't your usual way home?" Makoto commented sucking the last of the grease off her fingertips.
"I'm headed to the park to meet up with Mamo - chan." She responded, spinning her satchel in front of her. Unintentionally hiding her groin at the very thought of Diamond. His twisted idea of love, had left scars upon her she had yet to heal from. Leaving her feeling very protective of her body, every time he invaded her thoughts.
"Hmmn." Makoto licked her lips, a sly smile spreading on her face.
"Mamoru – san is quite the hunk, you two have been near inseparable for months." She raised her eyebrows in a silent innuendo of more lurid thoughts. "You two meeting for business or pleasure?" She laughed lightly.
"B...business...sheesh Makoto - chan!" She swatted her hentai friend in the shoulder making her laugh even harder.
"One day I'm gonna have a boyfriend like Mamoru – san and it's going to be all Pleasure..." She added dreamily.
Mamoru was...tense.
There was no other way to describe it, and only one person could make the typically cool and collected Chiba...tense.
His back ached with how stiffly he was standing in the late afternoon sun. Having left for the park straight from college, eager to beat that manipulative bastard to the combined destination for them all. He was still dressed in his beige suit and tie, looking more like some rouge librarian then a student. Hands shoved deeply into his light tan pants pockets. He waited impatiently on the park path for his girl.
His suit feeling hot and stuffy. Beads of sweat already rolling down between his shoulder blades as he looked like a man ready for the gallows with him face down cast and brooding over the coming frustrations. He could find nothing pleasant in the multi-hued trees of the park or the cold breeze that smelled faintly of roses and ozone from the traffic nearby.
The city's beauty held no interest to him, his thoughts tormenting him with how much he loathed this man. The fact that he was going to see his princess naked even for a moment leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. It sought to choke him with disgust. The man had assaulted her over and over, seeking to conquer her mind and body for his own pleasures. Yet here he stood waiting for the vile cretin to swoop in with all the answers to their problems.
It made his inside boil, his throat burning with an acid of pure hatred. That trapped sensation made him growl in insurmountable anger. And still she kept giving the platinum blonde chances...chances he didn't believe she should be giving him.
Now granted he was their only lead to figuring out if Usagi was tainted by Chaos but still the man in his opinion could NOT be trusted…at least not as far as he could throw him. Plus the man still had a hard on, still had a deep seeded love for HIS woman. He scrubbed a hand down his face in irritation. He wouldn't care so much if the man was in another country loving her, but this was to close for comfort.
Damn that pissed him off!
"Mamo-chan!" Her sweet voice called to him in a sing song, drawing him reluctantly out of his vengeful thoughts.
Finding Diamond walking up the path beside her, his eyes narrowed...a bit to close to her. The back of his hand seemed to brush against hers as moved side by side.
Dressed in a pair of baggy jeans and a white flannel shirt with light blue plaid designs. Looking like some sort of drifter now, the sharply dressed businessman cover long gone. A very amused, yet smug smile on his face as he regarded him.
"Chiba." He nodded.
"Diamond." Mamoru acknowledged curtly, clenching his jaw tight to avoid the sudden urge to call him a few choice names.
"I ran into Diamond - san at the entrance, so we walked in together." Usagi laughed awkwardly.
"That's surprising." Mamoru remarked sarcastically, sending Diamond a look of obvious distain over it. Diamond ignored him, knowing the man figured he was stalking the blonde already since his return. Perhaps lying in wait behind the bus shelter looking out for her. Which he was bang on right, but he wasn't going to admit to it!
Usagi took in the strained exchange of pure hatred, with a calming breath. Taking a few steps closer to Mamoru and gliding her hand into his. A subtle show of ownership to Diamond who seemed aloof to the whole display.
"Shall we find a nice secluded area for you to transform. My dear." He offered, she nodded mutely. As Diamond strode ahead of them without a care. Inside he felt his chest tighten at the sight of them holding hands, his whole body trembling with the need to best Mamoru. To show her he was the better prince...the better man to be with her. To show her that he would be best as the leader of the future with her, to be the man by her side.
But he held himself in check. He had to repent and make amends for all the damage he had done to her in the past. His redemption would come...but her love would always remain just a fantasy for him. It was a one sided love and he was still having a hard time accepting it.
Usagi's stomach was flipping with nerves. A sharp headache of anxiety like an ice pick, was pounding behind her eyes as she led the two passive aggressive rival's already bickering smartly back and forth, off the path and deeper into the shade of a corpse of rusty red and golden fall colored trees. She had been dreading this afternoon since last night, a nagging worry about how bad it was going to go. So far her theories were becoming true, Mamoru and Diamond did not disappoint her.
They were deep in the garden's near the elaborate Koi pond. Large cherry blossom trees guarded the edge of the secluded glade, with stout rose bushes and tall lilacs bordering their small natural alcove. The whispered voices of nearby crowds was the only disturbance to invade their hiding place within.
Mamoru took note of the thick concealment this glade offered. A secret garden hidden away from prying eyes. The perfect place for transforming, and perhaps more romantic escapades.
Mamoru swallowed, feeling himself becoming aroused by his erotic tangents concerning her. He felt images coming of him taking her here for a romantic hideaway before letting their passions get the best of them as he would take her bodily up against a tree or on the grass. His mind conjuring up her body with a few fallen leaves on it as he made sweet lover to her. His name springing from her lips in abandonment.
His libido was truly getting out of control...or he was just a young man very much in love. The taint of Chaos still a nagging concern blanketing all his thoughts. His control was a fragile thing, easily manipulated. He had to remain constantly vigilant. Clearing his throat he pulled his mind back on track. Watching his love settle her nerves and calm her heart, slowly closing her eyes as she stood before them.
It took her a few deep breaths to calm herself before resigning herself to the inevitable. Diamond and Mamoru were standing close by, eyes riveted to her slightest of movements. As she finally thrust her bronzed broach above her head resigned to the inevitable, she called down her powers.
"Moon Cosmic Power!" Her voice boomed over them with another worldly authority. She summoned her great, mysterious powers upon herself from the very depths of her crystal. It needed to be done, even though she loathed allowing Diamond to see her this way again. It was cruel in an almost sadistic way, as if offering him his favorite candy. When he knew that he could never claim it and for that alone she felt bad for him.
As her uniform dissolved in a blanket of light and sparkles, she felt her nudity more strongly than ever, as her whole body flushed. As she began to spin within her growing energy wave. Her arms floating up above her head to allow the coming transformation to fall comfortably upon her body's slender form. She was feeling both Mamoru's and Diamond's intense gaze upon her, far more intimately than ever before.
She suddenly felt like a specimen under a microscope, helpless and on display for their intense scrutiny. Despite knowing they were merely looking at her to help her out, she was immensely thankful when her lavender ribbon's exploded from her now silver tinted broach to cover her nakedness.
I can do this...I can do this...all most over...
"Enjoying the show?" Mamoru quipped, with a tinge of unrestrained anger. Standing beside Diamond with his arms crossed. Focused intently upon the man's face. Waiting for the man to show any hint of desire towards her. So far he had kept his features schooled, lacking in any kind of emotion. Just watching practically unblinkingly as his love's nude body was bathed in the light. Her lithe, supple body dancing within the shimmering waves of energy.
The ribbon's fell upon her glowing skin. This so far in all the transformations she'd had was by far the most appealing to his rising need of her. Her body dancing near erotically and bending backwards, raising a leg high in the air as her boots were adorning her feet. She bent downwards amid her spin, her eyes closed serenely, completely overtaken by the amount of power entering her body. Her deep lavender leotard covered her curves, along with her black bib forming around her slender neck.
Unconsciously caressing the pieces of her battle fuku as they formed. First her dark lavender boots came alive upon her feet, then the long matching gloves.
"Very much." Diamond shot back, an amused smile with a hint of suppressed desire tugging on the corner of his mouth. He cocked his head approvingly, as she bent low within her spin to touch her newly formed boots. Enjoying a bold look at her graceful bum, swathed only in her skin tight leotard. Her movements were so erotic, and much more mature then last time. He'd been unable to hold his tongue this time. Noticing out of the corner of his eye Mamoru was ready to punch his lights out, the raven haired man had his arm cocked and ready to let fly.
Diamond merely stepped a few feet ahead, moving out of range as if unintentionally. He was stroking his chin in thoughtful contemplation, noticing the change in color tone of her fuku, picking apart every nuance of her more somber toned transformation. The upside down crescent that adorned her silver tiara and lavender choker was the most obvious mark.
"Enjoy it while it lasts Diamond, because this is as close as you will ever get to her again. I promise you that." Mamoru growled, closing in on him from behind. A looming protector eager to lay waist to his slightly shorter stature.
Diamond shot him a glare of pure hatred. "I am getting the impression you still don't like me much?" He chuckled.
"That obvious huh?" Mamoru shot back.
"Aww, So I guess sharing her every other weekend is out of the question?" He chuckled, baiting his anger.
Mamoru was seething, his whole body coiling to strike.
"Relax, dear prince. I am not interested in bedding her any longer." He commented. Though his lie was completely see through, as his eyes roved over her body in long lazy approval. He was loving that her golden hair was now tinted a moonlight silver. Giving her features more elegance, accenting her flawless pale skin.
"So that bulge in your pants is just, what...?" Mamoru observed sardonically.
"My greater prowess." Diamond shot back with a beaming smile of pride. His teeth looking far more feral then human.
Mamoru chuckled smugly, "I showed her my greater prowess just last night. Quite often these days, anywhere, and everywhere. We just can't seem to get enough you know. And she loves every minute of it!"
"Bragging doesn't become you, Prince." Diamond growled back, but the admittance that she was sleeping with his most hated rival was like a dagger to the heart.
Mamoru clenched his jaw, his statement shaming him slightly. It was very uncouth of him to speak so bluntly about their love life. It should be private, between them and not promoted like a banner or a blimp. That would only embarrass Usagi, and make her feel like some kind of easy whore whom did it at his beck and call. It was the last thing he wanted to make her feel. He held his tongue once again, but Diamond made it so hard sometimes.
"You see anything useful or was this just a free strip tease for ya?" Mamoru threw back, crossing his arms as he stood beside him once more.
Diamond bit his tongue wanting to respond back with a witty yet stabbing remark but held his temper in check.
"Do not worry yourself. As lovely as her transformation was, I am looking at her only on a purely scientific level." He lied through his teeth. He knew that no matter what he would always desire her. Just as much as her prince did. It was only her redemption within him that prevented him from still making comments or admitting to enjoying the show. He liked this transformation better than the last. It was far more mature and seductive, showing how much she had grown up in the last few months.
His vibrating body was proof enough for him. "Picking apart all the pieces like a puzzle." He mussed, the tell-tale hum of Nemesis vibrating over his body from her completed energy wave.
He was quiet for a long time, while Mamoru scoffed. Making blunt choking sounds that he obviously knew better.
"Your concept of pure is what's in question." Mamoru commented, sending a silent jab at how much distrust he had for him.
Diamond sighed and rolled his eyes so tired of this pissing contest.
"Right..." Was all he said, not taking the bait.
"Let's get one thing straight, you're not welcome here, don't make yourself comfortable here in Tokyo. Don't try and get cozy with her again. Just give us your assessment and get the hell out of our lives!" Mamoru moved to stand in front of him blocking his view. As the last of the ribbons bonded to Usagi's body, forming her dark fuku in bursts of colored energy.
"I make you nervous, don't I?" Diamond grinned smugly, nodding arrogantly towards Mamoru's form. Enjoying how the taller man's pose shifted just slightly, always ready to attack him at a moment's notice.
"I possess a strength of character you do not. I could charm her away from you in a heartbeat if I truly wanted to." Though he doubted he would or could. He just needed to get partially truths out to seed a bit of doubt. To make him aware of how he saw things. He desperately wanted to put this arrogant, self-assured prince in his place. "With or without dark powers, she still feels a kinship with me that she could never have with you. Mind you I was her friend first, before I reached for more." He admitted with an honest clarity.
"You hated each other, you teased her, she retorted back, then one day you became lovers as if a light switch had been turned on when you reclaimed your memories. Were you ever even friends?" Diamond's light blue eyes were fierce, his voice ringing with truth. Determined to undermine Mamoru's pompous posturing once and for all. He was tired of being everyone's punching bag.
Mamoru couldn't speak, a roaring had begun in his ears at Diamonds words. Casting doubt in his mind over how solid his relationship with Usagi might be. Truly their relationship had moved far to quickly after Starlight Tower, paused only briefly until the defeat of the Makaiju. Plus it had been derailed by his nightmares for a few months, but since then, since the defeat of Doom Phantom it had been like they were making up for lost time.
He didn't remember any time in which they had been just friends. Jumping from acquaintances that had verbal battles to lovers in the span of two years. Their past lives the only tie that seemed to bind them.
"Because I talk to her, I've let her in. She knows my darkness as intimately as she understands my struggle towards the light. I don't keep her at arm's length, I don't hide my feelings away as if they are something to be ashamed of, or as if she was to fragile to handle how intense they really were. You're almost worse then I will ever be." Diamond finished with satisfaction. Mamoru's jaw clenched as did his fists in a need to punch the man, just to shut him up.
"You act all stoic and untouchable, as if nothing affects you. All smug and self-assured as if your shit don't stink. You're selfish, self-centered and arrogant. You need to be taken down a few pegs, Endymion and I believe I am just the man to do it!" Diamond snarled.
"She deserves better than you!" He finished venomously.
"Like you?!" Mamoru was in his face, his face twisted into such unbridled fury. Finger's curling into a white knuckled clench, then twitching open as if struggling not to rip the man's face off.
"Never..." Diamond admitted. "I am as unworthy of her as you are."
That comment bathed Mamoru in ice, never expecting it. Leaving his fury dwindling a bit and pulling away slightly. He blinked in shock over it.
"But I'm still striving for her. Never let your guard down, don't rest on your laurels, dear prince. I will never give up. Even if it takes the rest of my life I will prove to her that I can become the man she needs most." He admitted.
"You will never have her." Mamoru voice was low, a deadly whisper inches away from Diamond's nose now.
"You are perfectly right." Diamond smiled. "I will never have her, and neither will you. No one can lay claim to another, they are not possessions. Usa taught me that. I cherished everything she ever told me, every piece of advice, everything. She will give herself freely and without doubt this time. We'll have children and live out our lives in peace and happiness. And I will never let her go, again."
And that was pretty much were things went completely downhill.
Hearing the shortening of her name from Diamonds lips combined with all the things he said, it was to much for Mamoru to handle. "That's it!" Mamoru snapped. He exploded toward Diamond, who moved into a defensive stance. Have engaged in hand to hand with Mamoru before he knew what to expect.
"Arrogant prick!" Diamond dodged his first attempt to grab him. Ducking low and giving him a sucker punch to the gut.
Mamoru was livid and seeing red, so the pain never deterred him in the least.
"Pompous Ass!" Mamoru shouted back, swinging high. Clocking Diamond upside the head with a fist. It rocketed the silver haired man's face to the side viciously.
"Self-righteous piece of shit!" Diamond countered, kicking him back with a hiking boot to the upper stomach.
"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Mamoru breathed ruefully, rubbing his sore stomach for a moment. Before moving into an aggressive kata, blocking Diamonds fists with the backs of his arms. Moving under his guard and kicking him right in the solar plexus.
Diamond stumbled back retching and choking for breath. "I am the mother fucking Prince of Darkness..." He groaned, his voice sounding weak and struggling for breath, more than determined.
"The late...prince of darkness." Mamoru laughed, receiving an acidic glare from Diamond.
"I can still kick your ass!" He bellowed, losing the last of his rational thought. Falling back onto raw fury and vengeance.
"You have yet to beat me!" Mamoru crouched low, arms ready to meet his charge.
Diamond screamed for justice, for blood and ultimately for self-worth. He was a snarling, wild thing. Fists connecting with Mamoru's nose and jaw in a flurry of passion. His knee slamming into his gut taking Mamoru down to his knees.
Laughing with smug pride as the dark haired man fell to the grass, Diamond lost his focus, his pride getting the better of him yet again. Mamoru swiped his feet out from beneath him, landing him undignified on his ass. Then as before the Mamoru was straddling his chest, playing ping pong with his face. His head rocketing back and forth as the powerful strikes, broke his nose and smashed into his jaw like a powerhouse.
At that point, things hit rock bottom.
Diamond bucked Mamoru off, sending the man face first over his head. Then was sitting on his back, grinding his face into the grass.
"What are ya going to do now?! Huh?! What are you going to do?!" he taunted, like a bully in the school yard.
Mamoru's curses and brutal name calling was muffled by the dry grass invading his mouth. The dirt scraping his throat and drying out his mouth. Feeling like his cheeks were now stuffed with cotton balls.
That was at that point in which Dark Sailor Moon's voice rang out in disbelief and insurmountable irritation at the scene.
"What in the blue hell are you two doing?!" She roared.
Diamond twisted around, still sitting squaring on Mamoru's shoulder blades. His face flushed and bloody from fighting.
"Nothing..." He responded quietly like a child caught red handed with breaking the rules.
Mamoru raised his dirt and blood smeared face from the ground, as Diamond relaxed his grip upon his hair. He spit out dirt and grass for a moment before responding himself. "Bonding..." He answered, lamely.
"Bonding...?" Sailor Moon, stood in grim awe, hands braced on her hips glowering at them both with irritation.
An hour later, after she had created a ball of darkness for a beaten and bloody Diamond to look over, his white plaid shirt was splattered with blood and had a wad of tissue stuffed up one nostril of his red and now badly swollen nose. He was still finding time amid his observations to cast looks of dissatisfaction near sneers at a now chastised Mamoru who was sulking nearby on a rock formation.
Despite his near win he was looking like the unsuccessful participant in a bar brawl. Stuck licking his proverbial wounds and mending his pride in some out of the way corner. His tan suite was smeared with ugly grass stains, dress shirt torn and half untucked from his waist.
Also having to endure Moon's frequent glares of displeasure that she was passing back and forth between the two.
She had thoroughly went up one side of the both them and down the other, stating they had no time for their petty bickering and school yard beat downs. They needed to work together and figure this all out before all was lost. Successfully putting the bickering girls that they were acting like, in their place. So very appalled they couldn't be adults around each other, even for a half an hour.
"Well?" She inquired, her voice slightly exasperated. Getting tired of the scrutiny. Diamond was really making her feel like something in a petri dish.
He let out a long sigh, scratching his left eyebrow as he organized his thoughts.
"My brother explained that Dark Energy is the mirror of Light Energy." He started, as Sailor Moon dispersed the ball into nothingness. Folding her palms together, then allowing her arms to drop to her sides.
"Yes, I gathered that much." She nodded.
"Ok, based on that your energy isn't that of Chaos itself." He smiled, giving her shoulder's a reassuring squeeze. She gave him a hopeful smile that soon faltered back into depression as he continued. "But of the Dark Side of the Moon."
"What the hell does that mean?!" Mamoru jumped off his rock, walking with a purpose back to Sailor Moon's side.
"Every power has a light and a dark side to it." Diamond continued. "Like the Senshi and the Ayakashi Sister's."
Sailor Moon crossed her arms urging Diamond to continue, beginning to understand for herself what happened.
"I got a look at your Crystal last night. It has been re polarized, much like a magnet. From channeling positive energy to that of negative. That is what the Phantom Crystal is, the crystal of the Dark Moon's Senshi."
It was like being struck by a sand bag in the gut. Moon gasped, even though she had mostly figured it out for herself in the last few minutes. Suddenly she couldn't breathe right. She had become the literal Senshi of Nemesis.
"So what was that obsidian shard?" She finally burst out, pressing her fingertips to the bridge of her nose as a massive headache was coming on.
"It was a seed of Chaos, left over from Ancient Times during the Silver Millennium. It must have been an abandoned weapon my people failed to use before Metallia destroyed us so long ago." Diamond shrugged.
"So Nemesis was around way back then?" Mamoru was alarmed and stunned at the same time.
"Yes, it was the sister moon to Queen Serenity's Kingdom. Hence our family name...Dark Moon." He answered sarcastically, as if Mamoru was a clueless child. "We were banished to the far corner of the galaxy because we did not go along with her ideal's for a peaceful future." Diamond sighed, catching Moon's look of caution. She would not put up with either of them stirring up each other again.
"So Nemesis is just floating out at the edge of our solar system right now, lying in wait." Mamoru groaned in dread.
"It's a dead planet until Wiseman is born. I wouldn't worry to much." Diamond reminded.
"Oh...right so we are going to have to deal with Doom Phantom again when he gets born in the future..." Mamoru was pinching his nose now too. His brain twisting along the knotted paths of understanding time and space.
"Stop...just stop. Speculating...it's making my brain hurt. We are totally off topic now. I'll deal with all that in the future. For now I need to deal with the crisis at hand." Moon sighed heavily, pacing back and forth between the two men now.
"So, when Chaos attempted to take over your body. The Silver Crystal cast it out, in broken fragments. The surge of power needed to cast Chaos out of your body forced the crystal to change frequencies so to speak. Channeling a long abandoned power that lay dormant within the planet Nemesis itself." Diamond began again.
"So my friends and Mamoru ended up absorbing Chaos." Moon nodded.
"Yes, they are weaker then you and perfect hiding places for such a wild negative power." Diamond brushed a hand through his hair, Moon's pacing was making him nervous.
"Ok...So my friends don't seem any different now. A bit off, their less appealing traits becoming more predominate. Just like me..." Her voice softened as she fell pensive.
"Well, purity can be both light and dark as well." Diamond shrugged.
Which stopped Moon from pacing giving Mamoru a chance to grab her by the shoulders as he caught sight of her legs beginning to tremble. She was so worked up she was near collapse. He held her stiff back firmly against his chest, subtly supporting her weakening frame.
"When their pure heart crystal of light was taken, chaos would have cultivated a pure heart crystal of their darkness to replace it. A human cannot live without their heart...their inner drive to live." Diamond admitted.
"So they are now driven by their dark emotions...correct." Moon inquired, blinking in amazement. Wondering how she should view Chaos, was it an evil force or just another more powerful version of darkness. Was darkness evil or just the polar opposite of light? Her more negative emotions were becoming stronger because she was drawing on dark energy.
"Correct, The Senshi of light cannot exist in a negative soul. So they fled with the purity crystals." Diamond gave her a grim smile.
"So are they evil? Are my powers now evil?" Moon blurted out.
"Evil is in the eye of the beholder, Moon." Diamond looked sad, pulling his dried out blood stained tissue from his nose. Stuffing it away in pocket of his jeans. His words leaving much unsaid about how she had viewed him, who by all right would be seen as evil. But not to her, she had seen goodness and redemption in him.
He left their side, feeling he had placed enough truth on her shoulders already. "I'll see you soon, Moon." he waved to her curtly, turning on his heel and striding away out of the glade. It left her swallowing and blinking in amazement at his words. Mamoru as well was having second thoughts about what true evil was. Perhaps his views might be to much of a moral absolute and he would need to re-think on them a bit. Perhaps there was far more shades of grey when it came to the concept of evil.
(I decided to take Luna's advice and try to sweet talk papa. Dressing as maturely as I could with the clothes I had over at Mamoru's, I decided to meet my papa in Ropongii in a pair of tight hipster jeans and a white form fitted dress shirt that had a black mock vest sewn over top. Taking Saturday to hang out with him for the whole day. We went to a movie, something adventurous yet still sweet. I thought the 'none romantic aspects' made everything come together and prevented any reminders from occurring.
Afterwards we went for a simple picnic. The park was packed, an odd warm spell falling upon the city. The air was crisp, with the musky smell of dried leaves, smog and humanity. The scent of the city, as I liked to call it.
"This is sweet papa." I saw a daughter playing Frisbee with her own father, dressed in a pair jean overalls and a pink t-shirt. Her father in jeans and a black polo. They were the very picture of us several years younger.
Her father dark haired and potbellied while his daughter was full of life and light. She had long light blonde hair that trailed down her back like a cape. "Remember when I was that young and carefree?" I reminisced.
He gave me an odd look, lounging on the red plaid blanket. In a pair of loose jeans and a beige dress shirt. His outfit just screaming middle aged casual. "It wasn't that long ago." He reminded curtly, as if I'd only been six nearly yesterday.
I smiled ruefully and gave a giggle, "Papa that was at least six years ago. Sometimes it amazes me how time can seem to fly by."
He looked at the father daughter playing on the lawn in front of them, "To fast…thank kami you haven't grown up completely yet." He responded stubbornly.
I cocked a brow at him, "Papa I humbly beg to differ."
He looked to me in surprise.
"I have grown up a great deal since my childish youth and that's not me anymore." I point to the little girl now leaping into the father's arms. He cherished her in his life that was easy enough to see from our view.)
Makes me remember of how Mamo – chan was so happy with Chibi Usa around. A proud father to be and he didn't even know it yet.
(I made sure my thoughts were cut off so I wouldn't get sucked in a conversation with Mamoru through our link, while out with my papa. "Maybe by the time you hit your late twenties you and whomever you're with could provide your mother and me with grandkids." He pushed his black rimmed glasses up his nose, while I bit the inside of my mouth to protest the extra years he still tried to push in near outrage.
"Papa, what if I wanted to have kids when I turned say 18?" I proposed as a hypothetical question. Raising my eyebrows in quiet defiance.
He looked upset at me. "No. To young. You don't even know who you'll be at 18 let alone if the person your with, will be the person you want to be with.")
Spoken like a man who is a complex logical thinker.
("Most people don't I will agree with you there, but, I feel like my calling is to teach young kids. Maybe a grade school teacher." I added with an encouraging smile. Granted this would be the dream job that I had been thinking of off and on for the past two years. I knew what I would become but it doesn't hurt to moon light as a part time grade school teacher, just to for a little while be someone else that's not packed with ruling the world…right?
"It's that childlike innocence that makes you and that Mamoru – san so wrong for one another." He advised, now sitting up straighter on the blanket trying to look more authoritarian. I bit my lip harder to avoid getting upset by it, the coppery taste of blood accosting my tongue as I fought at not showing my anger visibly. I was trying to avoid an argument with him, not let his cold views start one up.
"No what you need is a strong, capable man, once you've passed high school….and college. You can wait on kids for a while." He finished.
My smile was fading fast as I could feel him trying to dictate my life. Trying to talk to him I gather my voice together.
"Papa, I understand that you feel that I'm not ready for a lot of things, and a couple of years ago I'd have agreed, but, people change and time and different experiences have changed me." I looked to him, searching for any sign he might understand me.
"Usagi…you'll always be my little bunny. My little girl." he answered with a tired sigh. It dawned on me then and made my heart break just a little bit, "You're not ever going to see me as anything but a child are you?" I acknowledged bitterly.
He looked to her, perplexed. "Usagi…"
I stopped him.
"I'm not a child any more. I haven't been for a while. I will always be your daughter, but, you need to accept that I'm growing up. Just like she will one day, too." I pointed to the man and his daughter. Papa turned his head, "I should go." I remark, rising to my feet. This ended on a bad note, "Oh and papa…" I glanced down to him, my face impassive.
Forcing him to look up at me, "Mamo – chan and I will never end. We are…" I looked about to think of perfect word to describe us, "Eternal." Then strode away, leaving him staring perplexed, if regretful at my back.
I had made it only several meters down the path, when the shouts of nearby people alerted me to a daimon in the vicinity. I looked about frantic to find the source of the screams. Seeing only barren park benches and endless rows of trees and bushes. Dashing off the path and over a hill I found the monster going after a couple. "Pure heart of pure love!" it shouted, as always a mutated creature of purple skin and burning red eyes.
It looked like a twisted version of garden equipment. With pruning blades for hands, wearing the most gaudy leather outfit I had ever seen. With a flaming mow hawk down her cue ball shaped head that defied gravity and good taste. I wanted so badly to run and fight the monster but my papa was out here and he needed to get to safety pronto.
Retracing my steps I found my father gathering up the picnic. He looked thoughtful if perhaps slightly depressed, as he was folding up the blanket.
"Papa!" I screamed, sprinting up the flat lawn back up to him.
His face lifted, expression brightening as I approached.
"Usagi-chan?" His smile soon fell. Seeing how stricken and out of breath I was.
"You need to get out of here." I rushed him, tossing the blanket half folded into the empty basket. Handing him the wicker picnic basket and turning him around and pushing him ahead of myself. Forcing him into a fast walking pace up the pathway.
"Usagi...what is going on?!" He shouted back in frustration.
"Uhm..." I started as a crowds of screaming people rounded the bend behind us. Quickly surrounded us and pulling my father out of my grasp.
"I'll catch up to you Papa!" I shouted, allowing the mob of panic stricken strangers to swallow me up.
"Usagi!" I heard him scream in fright, but he would be safe in the escaping horde. I needed to get back and defeat that Daimon before it got any more pure hearts.
By the time I rounded the bend far ahead down the path. The couple was cornered by an old oak tree as the daimon smiled evilly.)
Mamo – chan! Daimon, park, NOW!
(I'm a block away! He had wanted to be close by in case things with papa didn't go so well he could take me back to his place. Strangely enough Luna had been a no show, but I guessed she might just be staying under cover in case I needed her. She was good at laying low and not hindering me, during battles or whatever else I was dealing with. Like a little black phantom I could always count on if things got desperate.
Right now, I had to stall for him to get here. "Tsukino, Usagi!" My back went rigid as I heard my father bellow my name in such a formal way. It was a sure sign I was in big trouble. He had fought through the crowds and raced after me. All his fatherly instinct screaming that he couldn't allow his baby girl to get caught up in the mayhem.)
Finding her jogging in the very direction of this trouble had him raging. He quickly caught sight of the Daimon and the pale victim under attack. His whole being freezing in place, eyes going wide as saucer's.
"Usagi, get behind me right now. We gotta get out of here quietly." he commanded, slowly beckoning her over.
(Grimacing, I looked back. To find the pure heart crystal being pulled out of the man pinned against the oak tree. His partner looking near collapse just out of reach, bleeding from an ugly gash along her side. Leaning against a nearby tree, sweating and delirious. I couldn't let it happen, the man was near death and the woman was about to follow him. I had to do something to stop this...but I couldn't transform.
Which truly hadn't stopped me before when my powers had eluded me.
Darting away I heard my papa's shouts to stay out of it, but I couldn't. It was my duty and I couldn't abandon it.
"Leave that couple alone!" I shouted. Hands clenched I saw the daimon turn towards me, "Nuisance!" it yelled abandoning its prey, before aiming to slam me into a tree. Its metal pincher's gleaming in the afternoon sun. Deadly red eyes intent on gutting me where I stood as it thundered like a bull down the grass. It was the sting of a steel tipped rose that stopped it, "Nani?" it questioned, "To attempt harm on such a pretty maiden you must be punished!"
It threw a half dozen steel shards at Tux as he jumped from his position on a nearby branch. I hit the deck, as the shrapnel exploded into the tree behind me. Tux landed smoothly in front of the monster, ergo in front of me. "Protect the couple it was after them!" I whisper from behind, gathering my feet again. He whispers back, "I will NOT abandon you."
His voice was fierce with determination to protect me, and I saluted him for that but in this case, I didn't need saving. "Help them!" I stated louder. However unfortunate papa heard me to, "No! don't you dare abandon my daughter's safety!" He shouted. I was his baby girl, which trumped strangers in his view. However it did NOT help! I shot a hard look to my papa still standing on the path, only to find the daimon's next lethal target was him.
"Get out of the way!" Mamoru saw the daimon coming for him, "Nani?" he spoke, fear in his voice. I felt so guilty now. He was only being a brave and courageous father, wanting to protect his only daughter from harm, but I wasn't the weak one here. He was...
"The pure hearted love of protecting ones daughter." The daimon roared. That was strange, "Since when do daimon's switch targets?" I mused out loud. It was the clear new target that had my next words charged, "If you don't save him I will!" a threat Tux knew I'd follow through on if he didn't. Abandoning me, he beat the daimon to the punch and saved my papa from the metal missiles of death.
Spinning his cane at a blurring pace, he deflected the metal shards into the nearby trees, embedding them there, taking chunks of bark off. A fine dust of wood and debris now clouded the area. The trees groaned as if in actual pain, shuttering at the assault.
Smiling, I heard the sounds of the two new senshi as they beat the daimon down with their powers. Turning from admiring my Tux, I found Uranus and Neptune in combat with the Daimon.
It was left horribly weakened and near death, laying prone on the grass.
"No talisman either." Uranus stated, crouching before the dying man in the trees.
Finding that the daimon had somehow in its short time succeeded in pulling the pure heart crystal out, Uranus put it back into the man. The daimon slunk away when everyone's attention was on the crystal. Then the Senshi made their escape having found out what they wanted. It left Tux and I to scour the underbrush for any sign of the egg it normally came from. Coming up empty handed and frustrated.
Diamond had sent me on a mission to find one and now Tux was on board with it as well. After a few minutes it seemed things were back to normal, papa was still shaky from the encounter but otherwise he was okay.
Tux bid her goodbye, feeling his stay was over. He would power down and return to her side in a few moments. Usagi gave him a quick kiss in the concealment of the trees, before returning to her father's side on the pathway.
"Your mother and I would like for you to come home." He stated softly.
"But I will not be home until things have cooled down and you can see reason concerning Mamo – chan." I looked to him with hope in my eyes. He looked like he was battling with himself.
"Usagi…I…" it was with great shock that a loud grumbling sound took my complete attention. I shot my eyes up in time to see the daimon stagger out of the bushes nearby. The daimon was still alive, beaten, nearly broken but alive, "Kami!" I stated in shock only to find it aiming itself at me, thundering across the lawn. Before I could react, Papa stepped in front of me only to be batted away ruthlessly against a tree. "Papa!" I screamed.)
She feared for him more so than anything. He managed to get himself back up a little more shaken, only to see her standing her ground before him. Sweet blue eyes hardened, fearless, posed as a protective shield with her arms out stretched at her sides. Ready to fight for his life if necessary. It stunned him on a new level he hadn't yet known was there. She wasn't a child anymore, the look in her eyes spoke of a fire not to be tamed or broken.
It still didn't mean he felt she was ready to date yet. Before he could yell out for her he saw a familiar man in jeans and a black t-shirt, tackling her away from the daimon. Using his own body as a human shield, as a senshi in an orange fuku dashed onto the scene, her golden love me chain snapping in her hand, wiping around the monster's neck in a strangle hold.
Flipping herself over it, her long blonde hair streamed behind her like a wild-river. She yanked hard and thanks to the previous attacks, destroyed it. Kenji turned to find the man he recognized as Mamoru holding his Usagi close, in a very loving and protective manner. His body angled above her like a shield to protect her. Had any harm come he would have taken the absolute brunt of the hit. It angered and softened him all at once.
This man clearly cared for her far more than what he wanted to see before and everything about it drove him up the wall with both approval and hatred. He found the man noble now. He risked his life to save hers while others he knew would cower and run from the monster like scared little kids. However he also detested that it was no longer his place to protect her, this man was doing that now.
Then like a smack to the face it hit him. He, her father, the man who had been protecting her since birth, could no longer take on that role to protect her. It stung. Or was it that she no longer needed his protection? He didn't like the idea either way. He then saw the way the orange senshi was looking at them, "You two make a cutie couple." Usagi and Mamoru smiled in thanks, "I can already see the red strings of destiny cloaking the both of you in its eternal powers of love and happiness." The couple yet again smiled at the compliment.
"Plus I can just imagine the cutie kiddies you'll have one day." With that the orange senshi was off while a blush settled over both of her friends faces.
Unbeknownst to Kenji. Venus, Usagi and Mamoru spotted him recovering and used the moment to add to it. Venus loved to be all knowing in the match making department. So it gave her a chance to pretend and dote on them as a couple, even if it was just for show.
"Well, take care. I've got to go lead the medic's down here to tend to the wounded." Venus gave then a smart wave before dashing off.
They could all here the ambulance's siren howling in the distance, paying the mortally wounded woman now in the arms of her lover nearby, a pained look. Hoping Venus and the paramedics arrived swiftly.
"Usako you okay, I saw that thing coming after you." Mamoru stated, cupping her face in his hands. Confirming with his eyes that she was whole and unharmed. Part of him wanted to check her bodily but knew her father would definitely find it a negative.
He had been in route when the attacks happened. The Daimon wasn't acting normal, switching targets and disappearing as it did. He had thought it was defeated. He was cursing his over confidence now, at taking off to change. It had just retreated for a moment. Then to see Kenji try and defend his beloved, while as sweet and noble as it was for a father to do so, he knew wasn't his job anymore. As far as Mamoru was concerned, it was a noble but futile gesture when it came to a daimon.
Even when he had protected her little brother during En and Al's stay here he still managed to tap into his prince self even just a little and protect him from harm. Something within him even without his memories back then made him want to protect her family as if they were his own. He ignored the thought back then but once he had his memories in place he figured it out. Even if for only short period of time before the cardian took over that is.
However, Usagi's father could seriously have gotten hurt. At the same time, and he kept these thoughts to himself, as selfish as it sounded he'd rather it be him that be harmed, than his beloved Usagi. So in truth he was in a catch 22 motion. Grateful for the attempt to protect his family but in need for the man to know that he was in her life now and would protect her with his life when needed at all times.
"Usagi-chan...are unhurt?" Kenji groaned from behind her.
"I'm fine. Papa?" She questioned, glancing away from Mamoru. Watching sympathetic as her father slowly stood up. He felt like hell, she could see it in how sluggishly he moved and the painful grimace on his face.
Getting thrown into a tree had severely bit him in the ass, but it was worth it to protect his only little girl. He'd give his life in a heartbeat to protect either child or his wife. As was a prerogative instilled into him at the moment of conception and for his wife at the moment he knew she was the one for him.
"Great. Usagi I think you should come home. I'm sure Rei – san has a lot of choirs to do that don't involve you hanging around bothering the poor girl." he commented gruffly, not accepting his daughter's previous answer. To used to being in charge and in control, he wanted his daughter home and that was that. He felt her little tantrum of running away was over. It stung Usagi, who kept her peace.
She knew deep down he was hurting mentally and physically so she let it slide. Mamoru did not approve. Angered that her father could not give leeway with him was one thing something he would have to deal with for some time to come. But to take out his bruised fatherly ego upon his daughter because she was maturing into a woman that he couldn't handle seeing and just wanted some semblance of control back wasn't boding well.
Not to mention assuming she was in the way of others as if she were a nuisance angered Mamoru greatly. If anything Kenji would have him at his tipping point. He briefly wondered how Ikuko was expecting grandkids if her husband kept acting the way he did. She seemed happy and determined while Kenji seemed stubborn and willfully against it. Then again Kenji was against them even dating, he wondered how the man would react if ever caught a metaphorical glimpse of his private life with her. Probably a heart attack.
"Usako's been helping Rei – chan out around the temple so why always so quick to judge negatively?" He defended.
Granted Usagi hadn't been at the temple. Rei was still avoiding her, but the Miko was on her list, so to speak. She would catch up to her before tomorrow to make sure she was as oddly off as two other friends, inhabited by Chaos. Walking that's knifes edge between normal and on Makoto's case psycho vigilante.
Seeing the smarting daggers coming for Mamoru, Usagi intervened, "Papa, you get home to take care of your wounds, I need to finish helping Rei – chan at the temple. I'll see you soon." her tone and demeanor to strong for him to deny.
She ended it there leaving her father to question yet again if his actions and words were accurate or if his daughter really had grown up on him. She allowed Mamoru to guide her away down the path, as she lost herself once more to tortured thoughts.
"Where did it go?" he asked himself. He watched the couple walk away, the support Mamoru showed her, making sure she wasn't alone in a physical or emotional sense. He was feeling for the first time that his daughter really was growing up. Missing the times when she was a small child that ran to him for comfort. Now she ran to another and as much as a part of him felt happy another raged that he wasn't ready to let her go just yet. The joys of being a father.