Usagi felt her body come back together on something soft. Less then a second ago
Rinko had transported her to Mamoru's apartment. It was mid afternoon, but the
apartment was covered in darkness because the blinds as been pulled shut. The apartment
looked gloomy and sad, and it made Usagi want to cry.
She stood up carefully, still trying getting used to her legs. The apartment was
larger then she remembered and all of his belongings were in different places. She walked
over to the window and opened it. When she looked down from the sixth floor apartment
window she knew why.
Over the course of the years Mamoru had moved from his old apartment and into
another one. Probably to get away from bad memories, for he had also tried and failed
against Rinko's power.
The city was alive and bustling in the afternoon sun. Shoppers rushed in and out of
stores and cabs picked up and dropped off so many. Children skipping school ran through
the streets. It had been so long since She hadn't seen so many people. It was like being
reborn.
The soft breeze skated across her face and she felt happy. Usagi moved through
the apartment opening all the blinds and windows. She walked out onto the
balcony and took a deep breath. From another apartment someone watching would see a
pale angel with golden hair done up in two pigtails, in a spaghetti strap dress that reached
all the way down to the floor to cover her bare feet. Usagi's grin brightened her very
surroundings and the renew energy she felt coursed through her veins. She felt it, and so
did Rinko.
The clock struck twelve and Usagi decided to go through some of Mamoru's
things, just so that she could see what he has been doing all these years. Her first stop was
his room. She fell back on his bed and held his pillow close to her face inhaling the sent. It
had been so long. She rolled over on her stomach and reached for a picture on his night
stand. It was an old picture that was taken of them in the park after she turned fifteen.
After all these years he had kept it close. She smiled warmly and got up, padding around
his room, touching everything and reading all his little notes. She even stoked his rose
plant that sat on his dresser.
"My Mamo-chan... I've missed you.." She whispered. Suddenly she herd the lock
on the door click. Usagi literally jumped out of her skin. She cast a wild glance at the
clock. It was already six o'clock. She had been traipsing around for hours and lost track
of time. Fear immediately struck her. What would she say? Will he remember her? Will he
even feel the same way? What if he had another girl?
With her emotions going crazy She ducked behind his door holding herself. She
had to think. 'Somehow,' she though 'this is not how I envisioned our reunion.'
**********
Mamoru Chiba stumbled in the door tripping over the bag of magazine that he had
left at the door that morning. He groaned and kicked the door closed. Today had been
pure hell. Ignoring the fact that he couldn't sleep at nights, his boss must have had a bad
morning and decided to take it out on Mamoru. Then his workload was doubled and he
lost his favorite hat.
He sighed. His ray of sunshine was gone out of his life, and many times he had
thought of just ending it all. The only thing that kept him alive is the fact that she may not
be dead. He tossed his brief case to the side of his hall and moved over to the couch and
fell face first into it. The evening sun beat down on his tired face. It was then that he
realized that someone had opened all of his windows. He quickly sat up looking around
his apartment. The balcony slide door was left wide open. He quietly moved over to the
balcony and looked out. Nothing. If someone had broken into his living space they must
have picked the lock. There was no broken glass or any excessive force used to open the
door, and his front door was locked.
He walked out and looked down at the bustling street. Six floors up. This person
had to be crazy. He moved back inside, closing the slide door and locking it. He slowly
moved to his room. Right now all he wanted to do was sleep off another bad day and
dream about her. His heart was in so much pain. Every time he breathed his chest
tightened and his mouth went dry. It was living without water.
Mamoru slowly moved the door open and looked around. His room was different.
Things were out of place. His picture of Usagi was at the foot of his bed. His notes and
work papers were in a disarranged pile on his writing stand. His lamp was on and his
potted rose plant was on the wrong side of his dresser. The sheets on the bed were
wrinkled and laid in and his pillow was on the floor. He pushed the door hard and it made
a thud against a human body. Mamoru went still and listened. Heavy breathing came from
behind the door. It was probably the robber. With extra care his fingers wrapped around
the door knob. Gripping it tightly he quickly closed the door behind him, trapping him and
the trespasser in his room.
"What are-" he started to yell, but stopped in mid breath. He inwardly cursed at
what he saw. He blinked rapidly and rubbed his eyes. Nothing in the world could have
prepared him for this. A fragile from cowering in the corner. Her sunshine hair coming
down past her knees mixing with the fabric of her long dress. Deep blue eyes reflecting her
emotions.
"Gomen nasi Mamo-chan I... I..."
"U..Usako..." he whispered and moved to her. He grabbed her shoulders and held
her tightening as if she would disappear. He wanted to feel her. He had to know if she
were real. She wrapped her arms around him pulling herself closer to him. Love and
longing filled his very soul as he squeezed her. He held her chin and ran a finger through
her soft hair. He lowered his lips to hers whispering her name.
Their lips together sealed a fate of undying love. Wild emotions collided as they
fulfilled a longing desire. Mamoru's arms would have enfolded her twenty times if they
could. He pressed her into the corner kissing her cheeks and the rest of her face. His hands
felt her cool skin and the size of her this waist. He moved down kissing her neck and
shoulder then returned to her lips. The sound of her rushed breath was music to his ears.
He pulled her closer in his arms and rested his chin on top on her head.
"Usako. My sweet Usako. Please don't be a dream."
"Mamo-chan. I'm not a dream. I'm really here, with you. Oh it's been too long my
love. Much too long."
"I've wanted to hold you in my arms Usako. You are the world to me. When you
were taken I-" he stopped when she pressed a finger to his lips.
"No, I don't want to talk about it. Not now. Later." she played with his ruffled
collar and tie. He held her tighter until she gently pulled away. His arms already ached for
her warmth and softness. She sat down on his bed and held up the picture of them in the
park. She smiled as he took a seat next to her, placing his arms around her shoulder, easing her to his side.
"It's the only picture I have of you," he said quietly.
"It's ok." she leaned over and placed the picture back on the nightstand.
"I still don't believe that you're here." he kissed her head.
"I am.. but only for a-" this time Mamoru had put his hands on her lips. He gently
eased her down on the sheets kissing the area between her eyes. Holding her head in place
and feeling her bare shoulder.
"Mamo-chan..."
"Hush my Usako. Right now I just want...." Their voices trailed off into the night.
***********
Thousands of miles away Rinko was feeling a surge of power. Her venture had
been a wise choice. Hopefully the other four would help her gain a bit more power, but
getting them to come would prove to be difficult. But with this new energy, with more on
the way Rinko knew that they would be no match. Rinko also knew that she would feel
sick afterwards.
