Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Broken Princess ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Beloved 
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.27.2002 | Pages: 10 | Words: 5.2K | Visits: 422 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.27.2002 | Pages: 10 | Words: 5.2K | Visits: 422 | Status: Completed
Here's Chapter 1. Let me know what you think!
I don't own Sailor Moon, and I never will. I should also note
that there are a couple of lines from Leah Andreone's songs
"Mother Tongue" and "You Make Me Remember"-I will note which
ones at the end of the chapters where they appear.
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~
Broken Princess
By Beloved
beloved914@hotmail.com
Rating PG-13
Chapter 1
The next morning, Usagi threw on her school uniform and
sleepily headed for school. She reallllly did not want to go to
school this morning. Because of that stupid dream, she lost
almost an hour of sleep! She excitedly checked her watch and
let out a dramatic gasp. "Ohhh nooooo! I'm gonna have detention
for sure!"
@~>~~~ @~>~~~ ^_^
Meanwhile....
Chiba Mamoru was briskly walking down the sidewalk praying that
nothing, or more accurately no one, would make him later than
he already was. He was defiantly not in the mood to see HER
today. He had slept horribly and now he was going to be late for
homeroom. He was never late! It was just unheard of. He had gone
all through high school thus far with no tardies or absences.
He was not planning to get any now, in his senior year! So what
did he do? Why, he rounded the corner and ran straight into the
girl he was praying not to see, of course!
"Oh my goodness! Sorry! Sorry! I wasn't paying attention, and,
and--"
"Geez, calm down Odango Atama! It's not like you don't run into
me everyday!"
Usagi glared up at her nemesis and anger wasn't beginning to
describe what she was feeling. "Do you always have to be such a
jerk?"
"Do you always have to be such a klutz?"
Usagi clenched her fists then spat out, "I don't have time for
this, ya know! I'm late!"
Mamoru was too becoming a little more than irritated, "Yeah, well
so am I...so MOVE!" He angrily plowed past her and Usagi stared at
his back as he walked away. "What an ass," she mumbled as she
brushed herself off. Then she resumed her dash for school.
```````````````````````
Usagi sat in her desk silently during Algebra class making
a futile attempt to stay awake. Sure, she didn't really care about
math, but sleeping during classes is a definite basis for detention.
Usagi certainly did not want to be stuck in detention again. 'Come
on, Usagi, just keep your eyes open a little longer,' she thought
to herself. She had lost interest in what was on the board ages
ago, and now she was absently looking around the room. 'Hmmm, how
is Ami-chan able to look so interested in this junk? I wonder if
she has some kind of brain disorder that makes her actually WANT
to be tortured like this. God, when is this class OVER. My eyes
feel so heavy...' That was the last thought she had before drifting
to sleep.
About fifteen minutes later Makoto noticed that Usagi was
passed out on her desk. She rose an eyebrow, 'How can Usagi-chan
sleep so deeply in a place like this?' Makoto found herself trying
to hold back a giggle when she noticed that her friend started to
twitch in her sleep. She looked at Usagi oddly, 'what the...' She
suddenly realized that, not only was Usagi twitching, she was
crying. 'I guess she's having a bad dream.' Then, out of the blue,
Usagi jumped from her seat and began to scream desperately. Miss
Haruna whipped around and stared at her student in shock, as did
everyone else in class.
"Usagi! That was completely uncalled for!" Haruna screamed at her.
Usagi, finally realizing where she was, began to fiercely wipe the
tears from her eyes. "Miss Haruna, I-I don't, I mean, I'm not sure..."
she stammered.
"Usagi, are you O.K.?" her teacher asked.
"I-I, um, I..." She just couldn't collect herself, and now the
embarrassment from the situation was beginning to set in.
Ami looked worriedly at her friend, "Usagi-chan?"
Miss Haruna cut in, "Usagi, why don't you go and see the school
nurse."
Usagi nodded and headed out the door. 'What in the world just happen?'
she thought to herself. She was completely humiliated. How could she
do something like that to herself? As she approached the office she
contemplated on what she should tell the nurse. 'What am I supposed
to say? That I freaked out for no apparent reason in the middle of
class?' She opted for, 'I threw up,' instead. That way maybe the
nurse would just send her home.
After a quick stop in the nurse's office, Usagi was immediately
excused from her remaining classes. The nurse had tried to contact
Usagi's mother, but could not get a hold of her. Usagi told the nurse
that she was okay to walk and that the fresh air would do her some
good. The nurse agreed and Usagi promptly left school.
On her way home she glanced at her watch and noticed that it was
already 2:30. School would be out in a half an hour, and she was
sure her friends would make a stop at the arcade--so that's where she
went. As she approached the glass doors leading into the arcade, she
stopped and studied her reflection. She gently lifted her bangs from
her forehead and looked at herself closely. It was like she was expecting
to see something there, but she didn't know what. She quickly dismissed
the strange thought and walked through the doors. Upon her entrance,
Motoki looked up from the counter and smiled warmly.
"Hey Usagi-chan! You sure are early today. What's up?" he asked.
"Oh, not much. I was just feeling a little under the weather, so
the school nurse let me go."
Motoki frowned, "Geez, that sure stinks. It's nothing serious, I
hope."
Usagi smiled at him, "No. Actually, I feel much better now. Do you
mind if I play a few games while I wait for Rei and the others?"
"Of course not. Knock yourself out."
Usagi walked over to the Sailor V game and deposited a quarter. Once
the game started, she was so engrossed in it that she didn't notice
a certain ebony haired high school student enter the arcade.
"Hey, Motoki!" Mamoru called.
"Hey! What's up Mamoru-kun?"
"Not much. I had a lousy day, though, all because a certain
odango-headed fifteen year old almost made me late for homeroom this
morning. I tell ya, I can't walk ten feet without her running into me,"
Mamoru huffed.
"You mean Usagi? Yeah, I have to admit that she is pretty clumsy. She's
been here for twenty minutes or so. She said she got sent home sick,"
Motoki informed him.
Mamoru glanced over at the girl screaming at the Sailor V game, then
turned back to his friend, "Then why isn't she HOME?"
Motoki chuckled as Mamoru got up to give Usagi her daily teasing.
"Hey, Odango-Atama! Heard you got sent home sick. What happened?
D'you hurl all over your class room or something?" Mamoru taunted.
Usagi looked up from her game and was about to bite back, when she
suddenly stood and faced Mamoru. She looked at him carefully for a
moment, and Mamoru looked back at Usagi like she had gone mad. 'What
on earth is she doing,' he thought, 'and why is she looking at me
like that? She starting to scare me.' Suddenly, Usagi lifted her
hand to Mamoru's face and gently stroked his left cheek. Mamoru's
eyes widened. He was totally confused. Then, slowly, Usagi brought
her fingers together, and she pinched his cheek--hard.
"Owww! Odango, what the hell are you doing?!" Mamoru yelped.
"Don't call me that stupid name, you big JERK!" she screamed, releasing
his face from her hand. "And for your information, NO, I did not
'hurl all over my class room!' "
Mamoru rubbed his cheek tenderly, "Then why did you get sent home?
Did you go nuts and start pinching people?!"
Usagi's face saddened, "No, you baka. I, well, I don't know exactly
what happened." Then she yelled defensively, "And I am not nuts!" not
completely believing herself. After all, she did scream bloody murder
in the middle of class. And just a few moments ago, when she was
touching Mamoru's face, she felt like she had touched him that way before.
Thank God she thought of that pinch to cover up her impulsive act!
'He deserved a good, hard pinch anyways,' she thought to herself with
a giggle. Usagi and Mamoru began to bicker once again when Rei,
Makoto, and Ami entered the arcade.
"Mako-chan, I thought you said Usagi wasn't feeling well?" Rei said
angrily.
"Well, she wasn't. The nurse even let her leave." Makoto informed
her.
"So she came here?! Oooooh! That Odango-Atama!" Rei screeched.
"Maybe she was suddenly feeling better," Ami said quietly as she
watched Usagi and Mamoru verbally attack one another on the other
side of the arcade.
As the three girls watched the scene in awe, a tall, sandy haired
boy entered the arcade behind them. He had never been there before,
but for some reason he felt drawn inside. He was casually looking
around to see what the three teenage girls in front of him were gawking
at, when he saw her. He couldn't believe it. He'd been searching for
her for over a year, and now here she was, right in front of him.
'Can it really be her!' he thought. 'It sure as hell looks like her...'
With that thought, he walked smoothly over to where the two teens
were arguing.
"Why don't you just go take a long walk off a short bridge, Mamoru,"
Usagi sniffed.
"Only if it will keep from seeing your Odango face everyday!" Mamoru
yelled back.
"Excuse me," the guy started, "but you must stupid to insult such a
beautiful young woman."
Mamoru's head whipped around and Usagi stared at the stranger in
shock. "Who are you?" they said simultaneously.
"I could ask you the same question," he said to Mamoru with a hint
of recognition in his eyes. 'Do I know him?' the stranger thought
as Mamoru stared at him angrily.
Mamoru straightened, "Do you have a problem, or something?"
"Well as a matter of fact I do. I have a problem with arrogant guys
who treat beautiful girls like yesterday's trash," he bit back. "Now,
Miss, can I treat you to a milkshake?" he said to Usagi.
"Uh, I, um, sure..." she stuttered.
"By the way, my name is Thanatos," he said sweetly to Usagi.
"I'm Usagi. Hmm, Thanatos. That sure a strange name."
He chuckled, "Yes, I suppose it is. Then why don't you just call
me Nate."
Mamoru watched with his jaw hanging open as the two sat in a booth
together and ordered their milkshakes. 'Who the hell was that guy!?' he questioned silently.
"Who the hell was that guy?!" Rei hollered as she came to stand beside
Mamoru.
"I have no idea," Mamoru answered dumbly. He didn't know who that guy
was with Usagi, but boy did Mamoru hate him.
While she sipped her milkshake, Usagi stared at Nate in wonder.
She had to admit that he sure was a handsome one. He had light sandy
hair that fell softly over his forehead and bright green eyes. He
looked to be about seventeen or so.
"So," Usagi started, "why did you stick up for me like that?"
"Well, it's like I said. No pretty girl deserves to be talked to like
that."
Usagi blushed, "Oh. Thank you."
"Who did that guy think he was, anyway?" Nate asked.
"Oh, that was just Mamoru. He's really not a bad guy, fighting is just
the way we communicate. It's always been that way," Usagi replied before
turning to glance at Mamoru. She nearly fell out of her seat when she
saw Mamoru staring in their direction heatedly. But he was not staring
angrily at her, like she would have expected. He was staring at Nate,
and he was scaring her. 'What the heck...' she thought nervously.
Mamoru looked thoroughly pissed. Usagi's eyes wondered from his face
to his sides, where his fists were clenched so tightly that his
knuckles were white. A look of confusion crossed her face and Usagi
turned her attention back to Nate.
"So, where do you go to school?" she asked him.
"I just enrolled in the twelfth grade at Juuban High School."
"No way! That's where I go, but I'm only in the ninth grade," she
informed him, thinking he would snub her once he found out she was
only fifteen.
He smiled widely, "Well then, maybe we could eat lunch together or
something."
"Uh, sure," Usagi said, surprised.
"Well, I should be going now," Nate said as he stood, "I don't think
I can take much more of that Mamoru's staring. I hope to see you in
school tomorrow." He gave her a wink and left the arcade.
'Darn that Mamoru for driving him away,' Usagi thought bitterly.
'I should give him a piece of my mind,' she added. But before she
even finished her thoughts, Mamoru was sitting across from her
looking rather peeved.
"What do you want, you big creep."
Mamoru's mouth fell open, "Me? If anyone is a creep it's that, that
Thanatos. What kind of a name is that anyway!"
"I thinks it's Greek or something," Usagi said absently. "What do
you care anyway, Mamoru?"
Mamoru stiffened. Why did he care? "Well, uh, uh...Well that guy
was obviously a jerk. I just don't want to see you get yourself into
trouble."
"I don't think he would do anything to hurt me! Plus, he's more of
a gentleman than you'll ever be!" Usagi scowled.
"I know how to be a gentlemen to those who deserve it! If you were
any bit of a lady, or even had the potential to be a lady, then I
might treat you like one!"
Usagi felt her eyes starting to tear up, "Well thank you for that
boost in self-esteem." Tears began to slide down her cheeks and she
swiftly turned and ran out the door leaving Mamoru with a huge foot
stuck in his mouth.
Usagi's dash soon slowed to a somber walk. The warm tears that
were trickling down her cheeks began to cease and dry. She came to
stand by a small lake that was about a quarter mile from the arcade.
As she stared out over its glittering surface, she listened to the
shallowness of her breath and closed her eyes. She wasn't sure why
she felt so upset. She and Mamoru fought everyday and she always
brushed it off. Maybe the fact that she seemed to be going crazy
had something to do with it. It was not so much that she felt insane, but...different.
She wasn't herself.
Usagi looked down at her shaking hands and clenched her fists in
anger. 'What is wrong with me?' she thought. 'Maybe my being Sailor Moon
is finally getting to me.' She looked up and away from her fists and
began to focus on the rippling water before her. She soon felt another
tear slide down her face, and she quickly wiped it away. A light
wind blew and gently rustled her hair. She brushed the stray strands
out of her face and looked down at her reflection, and--
That's when she saw it. The thing she'd been expecting to see
all day had finally appeared. She gazed at the reflection in awe, as
if it were not her own. She slowly leaned down to touch her fingers
to the water. Perhaps she was just seeing things. Perhaps she had
wanted so badly to prove that she was still sane that her mind had
willed it there. Perhaps... However, as she was bending down she
realized that she had leaned over too far, and she was going to
fall into the lake. As she was about to hit the water, Usagi thought,
'This is just how I wanted to end my day,' but she never made an
attempt to save herself. Her fingers hit the water first and she
expected the rest of her body to follow, but it never did.
Mamoru had swiftly wrapped his hands around her waste and pulled
her away from the shallow lake.
"Geez, Usagi! Be more careful. You almost fell in!"
Usagi's brow furrowed in anger and she turned around to face him.
However, as she looked into his eyes her anger faded and she felt
her face soften. "What are you doing here?" she almost whispered.
Mamoru stared back at her with a sad look in his eyes. "I don't
know," he replied quietly.
"Oh," Usagi said as she turned around to face the water once again.
"Usagi... Listen, I-what I mean is...I'm sorry. Forgive me?"
Usagi let out a slight laugh and turned toward Mamoru. "You don't
have to apologize. I over reacted. Besides, it's not like I shouldn't
be used to your teasing."
"I never meant to hurt your feelings, though. It's not like I really
believe any of the things I say to you. You know that. Right?"
When she didn't respond, Mamoru became worried. "At least tell me
you forgive me."
Usagi looked deep into Mamoru's eyes, and she felt herself float
away. She brought her hand to Mamoru's cheek, letting gently rest on
his face. Mamoru stared at her sadly, and he placed his hand over
hers and held it gently. Her eyes began to water once again as she
spoke, "I could lose everything surrendering to you..." Suddenly
aware of what she had just said, Usagi pulled her hand back and
started blushing furiously. "I, I um, I'm sorry. I don't really know
where that came from."
Mamoru shook his head to clear it and stopped when he looked at the
girl in front of him. "Usagi you look--different. Are you feeling
alright?"
Usagi tried to wipe away the sweat that was forming on her forehead.
"Oh yeah. I'm fine," she replied as her vision began to blur. "I,
I just feel a little dizzy."
"Why don't I walk you home then--just in case you feel faint or
something."
Usagi nodded and let Mamoru walk her home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After Mamoru had dropped her off, Usagi walked unsteadily up
the stairs and into her bedroom. Once she had closed her bedroom
door, she collapsed to the floor. She tried to push herself up and
found she could not move. She tried to yell for help and found she
couldn't speak. Usagi just lay there helplessly praying that the
strange dizziness that had taken her over would disappear.
She began to experience a number of emotions. They were not
emotions that she was foreign to, but the intensity of the emotions
was unlike anything she had ever felt. It was almost frightening.
She felt fear, dread, sorrow, grief, anger, rage, agony, pain, guilt.
She felt despair.
In the midst of this flood of emotions, Usagi began to see
things--images. They were too hard to make out, though. Everything
was clouded over. Finally, she closed her eyes tightly, hoping that
the episode would end, and it did. It just stopped.
She pushed herself up off the floor and ran into the bathroom
where she began to vomit uncontrollably. When she stopped, Usagi
wiped off her mouth and turned to the sink to splash some water on
her face. She glanced up at her reflection in the bathroom mirror
and found she could not stop staring at herself; not because of how
she looked, but because of how she felt. She had never felt so much
self-loathing. It was her fault. What "it" was she did not know,
but "it" was her fault, and she began to sob.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ *^*^*^*^*^
Later that night, Usagi sat silently by her window staring
longingly at the moon. She shivered slightly as a cool breeze blew
in. She watched her curtains as they seemingly floated with the
wind. They appeared to dance around her. She felt warm as they
wrapped around her and she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.
She awoke several hours later, still sitting beside her window.
Usagi stood and started toward her bed, but just as she turned her
back she heard a voice from outside.
"Princess," it said, "hurry! They've found out about us!"
Usagi spun on her heal and ran to her window, but when she
looked to the ground below, she found it was deserted. She brushed
it off as being tired and went to bed. After Usagi had tucked herself
underneath her warm covers, she was soon fast asleep.
++++++++++++++++++++++
To her own surprise, Usagi had found herself waking at 7:30
the next morning. She took her time getting dressed, and then she
headed for school.
Because of her being so early, Usagi never ran into Mamoru,
and she had time to socialize before classes started. As she
walked the school grounds, Usagi saw Ami studying diligently under
a tree, but decided not to disturb her. As she continued to look
around, a hand tapped Usagi on the soldier, and she turned around
to see who it was.
"Nate! What's up?" she asked.
"Oh nothing," he responded, "I just saw you standing here and I
thought I'd say 'hi.'"
"Well, hi," Usagi giggled.
The first bell rung and Nate said, "Maybe I'll see you later.
Perhaps at lunch?"
"Sure."
With her response, both Usagi and Nate went to their classes.
Usagi cautiously strode into her classroom, weary about
yesterday's embarrassing experience. She quickly found her desk
and plopped down in it. Naru looked at her friend with wide eyes.
She didn't really expect Usagi to come to school today, not after
what had happened the day before.
"Usagi?" she whispered.
Usagi turned toward Naru cautiously. She knew what was coming.
"Yes, Naru?"
"Um, are you feeling better? I mean, what happened yesterday?"
"Oh, um, that...well, it turns out that I had a really high fever,
and I was a little delirious..." Usagi lied. She really did feel
bad for lying to her friend, but she really wasn't sure what
happened herself. Plus, maybe her explanation will help prove that
she was still sane.
"You had that high of a fever and you still came to school?!" Naru
said, astonished.
"Yeah, well, my fever broke shortly after I left school. I really
am feeling much better."
"Thank goodness. You had me really worried." Naru said.
Usagi smiled affectionately at her friend, "Thanks, Naru."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By lunchtime, the story of Usagi's high fever causing her
"episode" had been spread around her class and was accepted easily.
With that behind her, Usagi could enjoy the rest of her day.
She walked through the cafeteria and looked for Ami, Makoto,
and Naru, but before she had a chance to find them, someone
reached out and grabbed her hand. Usagi looked down at the table
she was standing next to and met Nate's gaze.
"Hey, Usagi. Want to sit with me?"
Usagi blushed lightly, "Sure." She sat down and began to inhale
her lunch. She heard Nate giggle and looked up. "What?" she
questioned.
"Nothing, Usagi. You are just very cute when you eat," he said,
causing Usagi to blush again.
Usagi decided to slow her eating pace so that she could have a
conversation with Nate. "So, Nate, how has your first day been
so far?"
"Rather good, actually. I've met a lot of nice people and I get
to eat lunch with the prettiest girl in school," he replied
smoothly.
"Me?! I'm not the prettiest girl in school!" she yelled,
embarrassed.
"Oh yeah?" Nate questioned, "then who is?"
Usagi looked around the cafeteria until she found who she was
looking for. "Her," Usagi pointed. "Akiko Yamazaki." She was
a fairly tall girl at 5'7" and she had long brown hair and
deep brown eyes.
"Really, you think so?" Nate asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"No reason. I met her this morning. She was a little too flirty
for my taste, and she wears entirely too much make-up. She really
isn't much of a natural beauty. Take away her make-up, and you
don't have much. You, Usagi, on the other hand, don't wear any
make-up and you still outshine her," Nate argued.
Usagi was speechless. She had never received such a compliment.
"Her comes Akiko now," Nate said.
"Hi, Nate," Akiko said sweetly. Then she glanced over at Usagi.
"Oh, hi Usapa."
"Usagi," she corrected.
Akiko glanced at over at Usagi again, "Whatever. Do you mind if
I sit at your table?" she said turning back to Nate.
"No, I don't mind," he responded and Akiko sat at the end of the
table. Nate turned to Usagi to continue their conversation. "So
anyway, I haven't seen that guy from the arcade. He looks to be in
my grade," Nate enquired about Mamoru.
"Oh, well, he doesn't go here. That baka goes to Azabu high school,"
Usagi informed him.
This caught Akiko's attention, "Did you say Azabu high? My prom date
goes there and he's totally hot," she boasted.
"Oh yeah," Nate said, "I forgot about the prom."
Akiko looked at him seductively, "If only you had transferred sooner,
then we could have gone together."
"That's okay, Akiko, I'm sure I'll find a date. Besides, I'm sure
you'll have a great time with your date."
"Definitely! Mamoru and I will have the best time!"
Usagi choked on her lunch. "CHIBA Mamoru?!" she asked excitedly.
Akiko looked at her wearily, "YOU know Mamoru?"
"Damn right I do," she responded angrily. "That baka! Why would you
want to go with HIM?!"
"Is he the same Mamoru from yesterday?" Nate asked.
"Yep, that's him!" Usagi hostilely replied.
Akiko was getting annoyed. "Wait a minute, how do you know Mamoru?"
she asked Usagi.
"Apparently they fight on a daily basis," Nate told Akiko. "Not only
that, but he also stares daggers at any other guy who attempts to
talk to Usagi," Nate said angrily, remember yesterday's incident.
Akiko tensed, but then suddenly relaxed. "Oh, so you two must be
related in some way," she said to Usagi.
"ME, related to MAMORU!? Like even!" Usagi laughed. "He just likes
to tick me off, and I'm sure I can expect more of his abuse at the
arcade later."
Akiko straightened. "He's going to be at the arcade? Well then I'll
probably meet him there after school. There are still some things
we need to discuss before prom. Besides, I'm sure he's itching to
see me," she said, more to Usagi than Nate.
Usagi felt a twinge of jealousy, but pushed the feeling aside.
"Usagi?" Nate asked as a thought occurred to him. "I know we haven't
known each other very long, but would you like to be MY prom date?"
Usagi's eyes widened, "ME?! Of course!"
Akiko rolled her eyes, "You're asking a freshman to the senior prom?"
Usagi sank back in her seat with embarrassment. Nate looked coolly at
Akiko. "Why not," he said, "she's a beautiful freshman, and I KNOW I'll
have a lot of fun with Usagi. More than with anyone else I can think of."
Insulted, Akiko stood and stomped away from the table leaving Usagi to
giggle at her defeat.
~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"
After school, Usagi met Nate and they went to the arcade together.
During the walk over, Nate slipped his hand into Usagi's and she
accepted it, blushing. As they neared the arcade, Usagi saw Akiko walk
in.
Inside, Mamoru sat in a booth drinking a Coke while he waited to
see if Usagi was okay. He knew she'd be here soon and he wanted to know
if she was all right after he had dropped her off last night, but a
slim hand snaking over top of his interrupted Mamoru's thoughts.
"Hi, Mamoru-kun," Akiko said flirtingly.
"Hey, Akiko-chan. How are you?" Mamoru asked the attractive girl.
"I'm great," she said as she slid next to him into the booth. "We're
still on for the prom, right?"
"Yeah, definitely. Hey, do you want something to drink?" he asked.
"Okay. I'll have a vanilla milkshake."
"I'll be right back," he said as he walked to the counter to place the
order. Motoki returned to Mamoru with the shake in a matter of seconds
and Mamoru turned to return to his booth-that is until the doors slid
open and a couple walked in. Mamoru couldn't believe it. There was
Usagi with that guy from yesterday, and his arm was around her waist.
Mamoru looked where Nate's hand rested on Usagi's hip possessively
and he dropped the milkshake he was holding. Usagi's head whipped up
as she heard the glass break on the floor. Akiko had also walked over
to see if Mamoru was all right.
"ODANGO!" he screamed angrily. "I can't believe you are with HIM again!"
"So what if I am!" she yelled back.
"Why is he touching you like that?" Mamoru ordered pointing to Nate's
hand on her hip.
"That's none of your business, Mamoru," Nate responded for Usagi.
"Besides, isn't obvious? I like Usagi and she seems to like me."
Mamoru was about to respond when Akiko snuggled up next to him. "Mamoru,
why do you waist your time talking to HER," Akiko asked referring to
Usagi.
Usagi's face turned red with anger, "EXCUSE ME?!" she screamed.
"You heard me!" Akiko said snobbishly.
"I've known that baka longer than you have, so if he's wasting his
time with anyone it's YOU!"
Mamoru stared at the two girls dumbfounded. They were arguing over
him. Sure, girls have fought over him before, but this was Odango.
She hated him, didn't she?
"Usagi! Calm down," Nate interjected. "Forget about them."
Akiko gave Nate an icy look and grabbed Mamoru's arm. "Come on, Mamoru.
We have to talk about the prom."
"So do we," Usagi said grabbing Nate's arm.
Mamoru looked at Usagi angrily. "You're going to the prom with him?"
"YES!" Usagi said as she pushed passed Mamoru.
"She's such a baby," Akiko muttered as Usagi and Nate walked away.
Usagi caught her comment and turned around and stuck her tongue out
at Akiko, giving her a raspberry.
Mamoru tried to hold in a giggle, but failed miserably and a laugh
escaped his lips-which was followed by Akiko's elbow jabbing him in
the ribs.
"Ow!" Mamoru cried as he continued to laugh. "Now look what you've
gotten me into, Odango!" he chuckled.
Usagi watched Mamoru laugh helplessly and she rolled her eyes as a
smile cracked her lips.
"Serves you right, Mamoru-BAKA," she said as Nate pulled her into
a booth.
Usagi slid into the booth and Nate slid in after her, blocking her
from Mamoru's vision. He threw Mamoru a cold look, and Mamoru stopped
laughing. Mamoru grabbed Akiko's hand and returned to his booth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The line "I could lose everything surrendering to you" is from the
song "Mother Tongue by Leah Andreone. Isn't it a great line?!
Stay tuned for Ch. 2!
I don't own Sailor Moon, and I never will. I should also note
that there are a couple of lines from Leah Andreone's songs
"Mother Tongue" and "You Make Me Remember"-I will note which
ones at the end of the chapters where they appear.
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~
Broken Princess
By Beloved
beloved914@hotmail.com
Rating PG-13
Chapter 1
The next morning, Usagi threw on her school uniform and
sleepily headed for school. She reallllly did not want to go to
school this morning. Because of that stupid dream, she lost
almost an hour of sleep! She excitedly checked her watch and
let out a dramatic gasp. "Ohhh nooooo! I'm gonna have detention
for sure!"
@~>~~~ @~>~~~ ^_^
Meanwhile....
Chiba Mamoru was briskly walking down the sidewalk praying that
nothing, or more accurately no one, would make him later than
he already was. He was defiantly not in the mood to see HER
today. He had slept horribly and now he was going to be late for
homeroom. He was never late! It was just unheard of. He had gone
all through high school thus far with no tardies or absences.
He was not planning to get any now, in his senior year! So what
did he do? Why, he rounded the corner and ran straight into the
girl he was praying not to see, of course!
"Oh my goodness! Sorry! Sorry! I wasn't paying attention, and,
and--"
"Geez, calm down Odango Atama! It's not like you don't run into
me everyday!"
Usagi glared up at her nemesis and anger wasn't beginning to
describe what she was feeling. "Do you always have to be such a
jerk?"
"Do you always have to be such a klutz?"
Usagi clenched her fists then spat out, "I don't have time for
this, ya know! I'm late!"
Mamoru was too becoming a little more than irritated, "Yeah, well
so am I...so MOVE!" He angrily plowed past her and Usagi stared at
his back as he walked away. "What an ass," she mumbled as she
brushed herself off. Then she resumed her dash for school.
```````````````````````
Usagi sat in her desk silently during Algebra class making
a futile attempt to stay awake. Sure, she didn't really care about
math, but sleeping during classes is a definite basis for detention.
Usagi certainly did not want to be stuck in detention again. 'Come
on, Usagi, just keep your eyes open a little longer,' she thought
to herself. She had lost interest in what was on the board ages
ago, and now she was absently looking around the room. 'Hmmm, how
is Ami-chan able to look so interested in this junk? I wonder if
she has some kind of brain disorder that makes her actually WANT
to be tortured like this. God, when is this class OVER. My eyes
feel so heavy...' That was the last thought she had before drifting
to sleep.
About fifteen minutes later Makoto noticed that Usagi was
passed out on her desk. She rose an eyebrow, 'How can Usagi-chan
sleep so deeply in a place like this?' Makoto found herself trying
to hold back a giggle when she noticed that her friend started to
twitch in her sleep. She looked at Usagi oddly, 'what the...' She
suddenly realized that, not only was Usagi twitching, she was
crying. 'I guess she's having a bad dream.' Then, out of the blue,
Usagi jumped from her seat and began to scream desperately. Miss
Haruna whipped around and stared at her student in shock, as did
everyone else in class.
"Usagi! That was completely uncalled for!" Haruna screamed at her.
Usagi, finally realizing where she was, began to fiercely wipe the
tears from her eyes. "Miss Haruna, I-I don't, I mean, I'm not sure..."
she stammered.
"Usagi, are you O.K.?" her teacher asked.
"I-I, um, I..." She just couldn't collect herself, and now the
embarrassment from the situation was beginning to set in.
Ami looked worriedly at her friend, "Usagi-chan?"
Miss Haruna cut in, "Usagi, why don't you go and see the school
nurse."
Usagi nodded and headed out the door. 'What in the world just happen?'
she thought to herself. She was completely humiliated. How could she
do something like that to herself? As she approached the office she
contemplated on what she should tell the nurse. 'What am I supposed
to say? That I freaked out for no apparent reason in the middle of
class?' She opted for, 'I threw up,' instead. That way maybe the
nurse would just send her home.
After a quick stop in the nurse's office, Usagi was immediately
excused from her remaining classes. The nurse had tried to contact
Usagi's mother, but could not get a hold of her. Usagi told the nurse
that she was okay to walk and that the fresh air would do her some
good. The nurse agreed and Usagi promptly left school.
On her way home she glanced at her watch and noticed that it was
already 2:30. School would be out in a half an hour, and she was
sure her friends would make a stop at the arcade--so that's where she
went. As she approached the glass doors leading into the arcade, she
stopped and studied her reflection. She gently lifted her bangs from
her forehead and looked at herself closely. It was like she was expecting
to see something there, but she didn't know what. She quickly dismissed
the strange thought and walked through the doors. Upon her entrance,
Motoki looked up from the counter and smiled warmly.
"Hey Usagi-chan! You sure are early today. What's up?" he asked.
"Oh, not much. I was just feeling a little under the weather, so
the school nurse let me go."
Motoki frowned, "Geez, that sure stinks. It's nothing serious, I
hope."
Usagi smiled at him, "No. Actually, I feel much better now. Do you
mind if I play a few games while I wait for Rei and the others?"
"Of course not. Knock yourself out."
Usagi walked over to the Sailor V game and deposited a quarter. Once
the game started, she was so engrossed in it that she didn't notice
a certain ebony haired high school student enter the arcade.
"Hey, Motoki!" Mamoru called.
"Hey! What's up Mamoru-kun?"
"Not much. I had a lousy day, though, all because a certain
odango-headed fifteen year old almost made me late for homeroom this
morning. I tell ya, I can't walk ten feet without her running into me,"
Mamoru huffed.
"You mean Usagi? Yeah, I have to admit that she is pretty clumsy. She's
been here for twenty minutes or so. She said she got sent home sick,"
Motoki informed him.
Mamoru glanced over at the girl screaming at the Sailor V game, then
turned back to his friend, "Then why isn't she HOME?"
Motoki chuckled as Mamoru got up to give Usagi her daily teasing.
"Hey, Odango-Atama! Heard you got sent home sick. What happened?
D'you hurl all over your class room or something?" Mamoru taunted.
Usagi looked up from her game and was about to bite back, when she
suddenly stood and faced Mamoru. She looked at him carefully for a
moment, and Mamoru looked back at Usagi like she had gone mad. 'What
on earth is she doing,' he thought, 'and why is she looking at me
like that? She starting to scare me.' Suddenly, Usagi lifted her
hand to Mamoru's face and gently stroked his left cheek. Mamoru's
eyes widened. He was totally confused. Then, slowly, Usagi brought
her fingers together, and she pinched his cheek--hard.
"Owww! Odango, what the hell are you doing?!" Mamoru yelped.
"Don't call me that stupid name, you big JERK!" she screamed, releasing
his face from her hand. "And for your information, NO, I did not
'hurl all over my class room!' "
Mamoru rubbed his cheek tenderly, "Then why did you get sent home?
Did you go nuts and start pinching people?!"
Usagi's face saddened, "No, you baka. I, well, I don't know exactly
what happened." Then she yelled defensively, "And I am not nuts!" not
completely believing herself. After all, she did scream bloody murder
in the middle of class. And just a few moments ago, when she was
touching Mamoru's face, she felt like she had touched him that way before.
Thank God she thought of that pinch to cover up her impulsive act!
'He deserved a good, hard pinch anyways,' she thought to herself with
a giggle. Usagi and Mamoru began to bicker once again when Rei,
Makoto, and Ami entered the arcade.
"Mako-chan, I thought you said Usagi wasn't feeling well?" Rei said
angrily.
"Well, she wasn't. The nurse even let her leave." Makoto informed
her.
"So she came here?! Oooooh! That Odango-Atama!" Rei screeched.
"Maybe she was suddenly feeling better," Ami said quietly as she
watched Usagi and Mamoru verbally attack one another on the other
side of the arcade.
As the three girls watched the scene in awe, a tall, sandy haired
boy entered the arcade behind them. He had never been there before,
but for some reason he felt drawn inside. He was casually looking
around to see what the three teenage girls in front of him were gawking
at, when he saw her. He couldn't believe it. He'd been searching for
her for over a year, and now here she was, right in front of him.
'Can it really be her!' he thought. 'It sure as hell looks like her...'
With that thought, he walked smoothly over to where the two teens
were arguing.
"Why don't you just go take a long walk off a short bridge, Mamoru,"
Usagi sniffed.
"Only if it will keep from seeing your Odango face everyday!" Mamoru
yelled back.
"Excuse me," the guy started, "but you must stupid to insult such a
beautiful young woman."
Mamoru's head whipped around and Usagi stared at the stranger in
shock. "Who are you?" they said simultaneously.
"I could ask you the same question," he said to Mamoru with a hint
of recognition in his eyes. 'Do I know him?' the stranger thought
as Mamoru stared at him angrily.
Mamoru straightened, "Do you have a problem, or something?"
"Well as a matter of fact I do. I have a problem with arrogant guys
who treat beautiful girls like yesterday's trash," he bit back. "Now,
Miss, can I treat you to a milkshake?" he said to Usagi.
"Uh, I, um, sure..." she stuttered.
"By the way, my name is Thanatos," he said sweetly to Usagi.
"I'm Usagi. Hmm, Thanatos. That sure a strange name."
He chuckled, "Yes, I suppose it is. Then why don't you just call
me Nate."
Mamoru watched with his jaw hanging open as the two sat in a booth
together and ordered their milkshakes. 'Who the hell was that guy!?' he questioned silently.
"Who the hell was that guy?!" Rei hollered as she came to stand beside
Mamoru.
"I have no idea," Mamoru answered dumbly. He didn't know who that guy
was with Usagi, but boy did Mamoru hate him.
While she sipped her milkshake, Usagi stared at Nate in wonder.
She had to admit that he sure was a handsome one. He had light sandy
hair that fell softly over his forehead and bright green eyes. He
looked to be about seventeen or so.
"So," Usagi started, "why did you stick up for me like that?"
"Well, it's like I said. No pretty girl deserves to be talked to like
that."
Usagi blushed, "Oh. Thank you."
"Who did that guy think he was, anyway?" Nate asked.
"Oh, that was just Mamoru. He's really not a bad guy, fighting is just
the way we communicate. It's always been that way," Usagi replied before
turning to glance at Mamoru. She nearly fell out of her seat when she
saw Mamoru staring in their direction heatedly. But he was not staring
angrily at her, like she would have expected. He was staring at Nate,
and he was scaring her. 'What the heck...' she thought nervously.
Mamoru looked thoroughly pissed. Usagi's eyes wondered from his face
to his sides, where his fists were clenched so tightly that his
knuckles were white. A look of confusion crossed her face and Usagi
turned her attention back to Nate.
"So, where do you go to school?" she asked him.
"I just enrolled in the twelfth grade at Juuban High School."
"No way! That's where I go, but I'm only in the ninth grade," she
informed him, thinking he would snub her once he found out she was
only fifteen.
He smiled widely, "Well then, maybe we could eat lunch together or
something."
"Uh, sure," Usagi said, surprised.
"Well, I should be going now," Nate said as he stood, "I don't think
I can take much more of that Mamoru's staring. I hope to see you in
school tomorrow." He gave her a wink and left the arcade.
'Darn that Mamoru for driving him away,' Usagi thought bitterly.
'I should give him a piece of my mind,' she added. But before she
even finished her thoughts, Mamoru was sitting across from her
looking rather peeved.
"What do you want, you big creep."
Mamoru's mouth fell open, "Me? If anyone is a creep it's that, that
Thanatos. What kind of a name is that anyway!"
"I thinks it's Greek or something," Usagi said absently. "What do
you care anyway, Mamoru?"
Mamoru stiffened. Why did he care? "Well, uh, uh...Well that guy
was obviously a jerk. I just don't want to see you get yourself into
trouble."
"I don't think he would do anything to hurt me! Plus, he's more of
a gentleman than you'll ever be!" Usagi scowled.
"I know how to be a gentlemen to those who deserve it! If you were
any bit of a lady, or even had the potential to be a lady, then I
might treat you like one!"
Usagi felt her eyes starting to tear up, "Well thank you for that
boost in self-esteem." Tears began to slide down her cheeks and she
swiftly turned and ran out the door leaving Mamoru with a huge foot
stuck in his mouth.
Usagi's dash soon slowed to a somber walk. The warm tears that
were trickling down her cheeks began to cease and dry. She came to
stand by a small lake that was about a quarter mile from the arcade.
As she stared out over its glittering surface, she listened to the
shallowness of her breath and closed her eyes. She wasn't sure why
she felt so upset. She and Mamoru fought everyday and she always
brushed it off. Maybe the fact that she seemed to be going crazy
had something to do with it. It was not so much that she felt insane, but...different.
She wasn't herself.
Usagi looked down at her shaking hands and clenched her fists in
anger. 'What is wrong with me?' she thought. 'Maybe my being Sailor Moon
is finally getting to me.' She looked up and away from her fists and
began to focus on the rippling water before her. She soon felt another
tear slide down her face, and she quickly wiped it away. A light
wind blew and gently rustled her hair. She brushed the stray strands
out of her face and looked down at her reflection, and--
That's when she saw it. The thing she'd been expecting to see
all day had finally appeared. She gazed at the reflection in awe, as
if it were not her own. She slowly leaned down to touch her fingers
to the water. Perhaps she was just seeing things. Perhaps she had
wanted so badly to prove that she was still sane that her mind had
willed it there. Perhaps... However, as she was bending down she
realized that she had leaned over too far, and she was going to
fall into the lake. As she was about to hit the water, Usagi thought,
'This is just how I wanted to end my day,' but she never made an
attempt to save herself. Her fingers hit the water first and she
expected the rest of her body to follow, but it never did.
Mamoru had swiftly wrapped his hands around her waste and pulled
her away from the shallow lake.
"Geez, Usagi! Be more careful. You almost fell in!"
Usagi's brow furrowed in anger and she turned around to face him.
However, as she looked into his eyes her anger faded and she felt
her face soften. "What are you doing here?" she almost whispered.
Mamoru stared back at her with a sad look in his eyes. "I don't
know," he replied quietly.
"Oh," Usagi said as she turned around to face the water once again.
"Usagi... Listen, I-what I mean is...I'm sorry. Forgive me?"
Usagi let out a slight laugh and turned toward Mamoru. "You don't
have to apologize. I over reacted. Besides, it's not like I shouldn't
be used to your teasing."
"I never meant to hurt your feelings, though. It's not like I really
believe any of the things I say to you. You know that. Right?"
When she didn't respond, Mamoru became worried. "At least tell me
you forgive me."
Usagi looked deep into Mamoru's eyes, and she felt herself float
away. She brought her hand to Mamoru's cheek, letting gently rest on
his face. Mamoru stared at her sadly, and he placed his hand over
hers and held it gently. Her eyes began to water once again as she
spoke, "I could lose everything surrendering to you..." Suddenly
aware of what she had just said, Usagi pulled her hand back and
started blushing furiously. "I, I um, I'm sorry. I don't really know
where that came from."
Mamoru shook his head to clear it and stopped when he looked at the
girl in front of him. "Usagi you look--different. Are you feeling
alright?"
Usagi tried to wipe away the sweat that was forming on her forehead.
"Oh yeah. I'm fine," she replied as her vision began to blur. "I,
I just feel a little dizzy."
"Why don't I walk you home then--just in case you feel faint or
something."
Usagi nodded and let Mamoru walk her home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After Mamoru had dropped her off, Usagi walked unsteadily up
the stairs and into her bedroom. Once she had closed her bedroom
door, she collapsed to the floor. She tried to push herself up and
found she could not move. She tried to yell for help and found she
couldn't speak. Usagi just lay there helplessly praying that the
strange dizziness that had taken her over would disappear.
She began to experience a number of emotions. They were not
emotions that she was foreign to, but the intensity of the emotions
was unlike anything she had ever felt. It was almost frightening.
She felt fear, dread, sorrow, grief, anger, rage, agony, pain, guilt.
She felt despair.
In the midst of this flood of emotions, Usagi began to see
things--images. They were too hard to make out, though. Everything
was clouded over. Finally, she closed her eyes tightly, hoping that
the episode would end, and it did. It just stopped.
She pushed herself up off the floor and ran into the bathroom
where she began to vomit uncontrollably. When she stopped, Usagi
wiped off her mouth and turned to the sink to splash some water on
her face. She glanced up at her reflection in the bathroom mirror
and found she could not stop staring at herself; not because of how
she looked, but because of how she felt. She had never felt so much
self-loathing. It was her fault. What "it" was she did not know,
but "it" was her fault, and she began to sob.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ *^*^*^*^*^
Later that night, Usagi sat silently by her window staring
longingly at the moon. She shivered slightly as a cool breeze blew
in. She watched her curtains as they seemingly floated with the
wind. They appeared to dance around her. She felt warm as they
wrapped around her and she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.
She awoke several hours later, still sitting beside her window.
Usagi stood and started toward her bed, but just as she turned her
back she heard a voice from outside.
"Princess," it said, "hurry! They've found out about us!"
Usagi spun on her heal and ran to her window, but when she
looked to the ground below, she found it was deserted. She brushed
it off as being tired and went to bed. After Usagi had tucked herself
underneath her warm covers, she was soon fast asleep.
++++++++++++++++++++++
To her own surprise, Usagi had found herself waking at 7:30
the next morning. She took her time getting dressed, and then she
headed for school.
Because of her being so early, Usagi never ran into Mamoru,
and she had time to socialize before classes started. As she
walked the school grounds, Usagi saw Ami studying diligently under
a tree, but decided not to disturb her. As she continued to look
around, a hand tapped Usagi on the soldier, and she turned around
to see who it was.
"Nate! What's up?" she asked.
"Oh nothing," he responded, "I just saw you standing here and I
thought I'd say 'hi.'"
"Well, hi," Usagi giggled.
The first bell rung and Nate said, "Maybe I'll see you later.
Perhaps at lunch?"
"Sure."
With her response, both Usagi and Nate went to their classes.
Usagi cautiously strode into her classroom, weary about
yesterday's embarrassing experience. She quickly found her desk
and plopped down in it. Naru looked at her friend with wide eyes.
She didn't really expect Usagi to come to school today, not after
what had happened the day before.
"Usagi?" she whispered.
Usagi turned toward Naru cautiously. She knew what was coming.
"Yes, Naru?"
"Um, are you feeling better? I mean, what happened yesterday?"
"Oh, um, that...well, it turns out that I had a really high fever,
and I was a little delirious..." Usagi lied. She really did feel
bad for lying to her friend, but she really wasn't sure what
happened herself. Plus, maybe her explanation will help prove that
she was still sane.
"You had that high of a fever and you still came to school?!" Naru
said, astonished.
"Yeah, well, my fever broke shortly after I left school. I really
am feeling much better."
"Thank goodness. You had me really worried." Naru said.
Usagi smiled affectionately at her friend, "Thanks, Naru."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By lunchtime, the story of Usagi's high fever causing her
"episode" had been spread around her class and was accepted easily.
With that behind her, Usagi could enjoy the rest of her day.
She walked through the cafeteria and looked for Ami, Makoto,
and Naru, but before she had a chance to find them, someone
reached out and grabbed her hand. Usagi looked down at the table
she was standing next to and met Nate's gaze.
"Hey, Usagi. Want to sit with me?"
Usagi blushed lightly, "Sure." She sat down and began to inhale
her lunch. She heard Nate giggle and looked up. "What?" she
questioned.
"Nothing, Usagi. You are just very cute when you eat," he said,
causing Usagi to blush again.
Usagi decided to slow her eating pace so that she could have a
conversation with Nate. "So, Nate, how has your first day been
so far?"
"Rather good, actually. I've met a lot of nice people and I get
to eat lunch with the prettiest girl in school," he replied
smoothly.
"Me?! I'm not the prettiest girl in school!" she yelled,
embarrassed.
"Oh yeah?" Nate questioned, "then who is?"
Usagi looked around the cafeteria until she found who she was
looking for. "Her," Usagi pointed. "Akiko Yamazaki." She was
a fairly tall girl at 5'7" and she had long brown hair and
deep brown eyes.
"Really, you think so?" Nate asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"No reason. I met her this morning. She was a little too flirty
for my taste, and she wears entirely too much make-up. She really
isn't much of a natural beauty. Take away her make-up, and you
don't have much. You, Usagi, on the other hand, don't wear any
make-up and you still outshine her," Nate argued.
Usagi was speechless. She had never received such a compliment.
"Her comes Akiko now," Nate said.
"Hi, Nate," Akiko said sweetly. Then she glanced over at Usagi.
"Oh, hi Usapa."
"Usagi," she corrected.
Akiko glanced at over at Usagi again, "Whatever. Do you mind if
I sit at your table?" she said turning back to Nate.
"No, I don't mind," he responded and Akiko sat at the end of the
table. Nate turned to Usagi to continue their conversation. "So
anyway, I haven't seen that guy from the arcade. He looks to be in
my grade," Nate enquired about Mamoru.
"Oh, well, he doesn't go here. That baka goes to Azabu high school,"
Usagi informed him.
This caught Akiko's attention, "Did you say Azabu high? My prom date
goes there and he's totally hot," she boasted.
"Oh yeah," Nate said, "I forgot about the prom."
Akiko looked at him seductively, "If only you had transferred sooner,
then we could have gone together."
"That's okay, Akiko, I'm sure I'll find a date. Besides, I'm sure
you'll have a great time with your date."
"Definitely! Mamoru and I will have the best time!"
Usagi choked on her lunch. "CHIBA Mamoru?!" she asked excitedly.
Akiko looked at her wearily, "YOU know Mamoru?"
"Damn right I do," she responded angrily. "That baka! Why would you
want to go with HIM?!"
"Is he the same Mamoru from yesterday?" Nate asked.
"Yep, that's him!" Usagi hostilely replied.
Akiko was getting annoyed. "Wait a minute, how do you know Mamoru?"
she asked Usagi.
"Apparently they fight on a daily basis," Nate told Akiko. "Not only
that, but he also stares daggers at any other guy who attempts to
talk to Usagi," Nate said angrily, remember yesterday's incident.
Akiko tensed, but then suddenly relaxed. "Oh, so you two must be
related in some way," she said to Usagi.
"ME, related to MAMORU!? Like even!" Usagi laughed. "He just likes
to tick me off, and I'm sure I can expect more of his abuse at the
arcade later."
Akiko straightened. "He's going to be at the arcade? Well then I'll
probably meet him there after school. There are still some things
we need to discuss before prom. Besides, I'm sure he's itching to
see me," she said, more to Usagi than Nate.
Usagi felt a twinge of jealousy, but pushed the feeling aside.
"Usagi?" Nate asked as a thought occurred to him. "I know we haven't
known each other very long, but would you like to be MY prom date?"
Usagi's eyes widened, "ME?! Of course!"
Akiko rolled her eyes, "You're asking a freshman to the senior prom?"
Usagi sank back in her seat with embarrassment. Nate looked coolly at
Akiko. "Why not," he said, "she's a beautiful freshman, and I KNOW I'll
have a lot of fun with Usagi. More than with anyone else I can think of."
Insulted, Akiko stood and stomped away from the table leaving Usagi to
giggle at her defeat.
~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"
After school, Usagi met Nate and they went to the arcade together.
During the walk over, Nate slipped his hand into Usagi's and she
accepted it, blushing. As they neared the arcade, Usagi saw Akiko walk
in.
Inside, Mamoru sat in a booth drinking a Coke while he waited to
see if Usagi was okay. He knew she'd be here soon and he wanted to know
if she was all right after he had dropped her off last night, but a
slim hand snaking over top of his interrupted Mamoru's thoughts.
"Hi, Mamoru-kun," Akiko said flirtingly.
"Hey, Akiko-chan. How are you?" Mamoru asked the attractive girl.
"I'm great," she said as she slid next to him into the booth. "We're
still on for the prom, right?"
"Yeah, definitely. Hey, do you want something to drink?" he asked.
"Okay. I'll have a vanilla milkshake."
"I'll be right back," he said as he walked to the counter to place the
order. Motoki returned to Mamoru with the shake in a matter of seconds
and Mamoru turned to return to his booth-that is until the doors slid
open and a couple walked in. Mamoru couldn't believe it. There was
Usagi with that guy from yesterday, and his arm was around her waist.
Mamoru looked where Nate's hand rested on Usagi's hip possessively
and he dropped the milkshake he was holding. Usagi's head whipped up
as she heard the glass break on the floor. Akiko had also walked over
to see if Mamoru was all right.
"ODANGO!" he screamed angrily. "I can't believe you are with HIM again!"
"So what if I am!" she yelled back.
"Why is he touching you like that?" Mamoru ordered pointing to Nate's
hand on her hip.
"That's none of your business, Mamoru," Nate responded for Usagi.
"Besides, isn't obvious? I like Usagi and she seems to like me."
Mamoru was about to respond when Akiko snuggled up next to him. "Mamoru,
why do you waist your time talking to HER," Akiko asked referring to
Usagi.
Usagi's face turned red with anger, "EXCUSE ME?!" she screamed.
"You heard me!" Akiko said snobbishly.
"I've known that baka longer than you have, so if he's wasting his
time with anyone it's YOU!"
Mamoru stared at the two girls dumbfounded. They were arguing over
him. Sure, girls have fought over him before, but this was Odango.
She hated him, didn't she?
"Usagi! Calm down," Nate interjected. "Forget about them."
Akiko gave Nate an icy look and grabbed Mamoru's arm. "Come on, Mamoru.
We have to talk about the prom."
"So do we," Usagi said grabbing Nate's arm.
Mamoru looked at Usagi angrily. "You're going to the prom with him?"
"YES!" Usagi said as she pushed passed Mamoru.
"She's such a baby," Akiko muttered as Usagi and Nate walked away.
Usagi caught her comment and turned around and stuck her tongue out
at Akiko, giving her a raspberry.
Mamoru tried to hold in a giggle, but failed miserably and a laugh
escaped his lips-which was followed by Akiko's elbow jabbing him in
the ribs.
"Ow!" Mamoru cried as he continued to laugh. "Now look what you've
gotten me into, Odango!" he chuckled.
Usagi watched Mamoru laugh helplessly and she rolled her eyes as a
smile cracked her lips.
"Serves you right, Mamoru-BAKA," she said as Nate pulled her into
a booth.
Usagi slid into the booth and Nate slid in after her, blocking her
from Mamoru's vision. He threw Mamoru a cold look, and Mamoru stopped
laughing. Mamoru grabbed Akiko's hand and returned to his booth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The line "I could lose everything surrendering to you" is from the
song "Mother Tongue by Leah Andreone. Isn't it a great line?!
Stay tuned for Ch. 2!