Chapter 2- Love and Hate: The Swinging Pendulum Lady Aisheteru: I don't have much to say for the AN, just a few notes of interest. First thing; Minako's character is based on my best friend growing up. Now SHE was boy-crazy! Oh, the stories I could tell...And the second thing; is this story progressing too fast? I was originally going to have Usagi hate Mamoru for a few chapters and he would wear her down. Third thing; I think I'll try to include a romantic song that fits the theme of each chapter. In this case, it's I Don't Want to Miss A Thing, by Aerosmith. Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon. Suing me is a BAD idea. I am a college student, therefore I am broke. ~*~*~* I Don't Want to Miss A Thing Aerosmith I could stay awake just to hear you breathing, Watch you smile while you are sleeping, While you are far away and dreaming, I could spend my life in this sweet surrender, I could stay lost in this moment forever, Where a moment spent with you is a moment I treasure, (Chorus) I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep, Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing, Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do, I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing Lying close to you feeling your heart beating, And I wondering what you are dreaming, Wondering if it's me you are seeing, Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together, I just want to stay with you in this moment forever and forever, forever I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep, Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing, Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do, I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing And I don't want to miss one smile, I don't want to miss one kiss, I just want to be with you right here with you, Just like this, I just want to hold you close, I feel your heart so close to mine And just stay here in this moment, For all of the rest of time I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep, Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing, Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do, I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing ~*~*~* Mamoru woke up at 4:30 am, but he didn't feel tired at all. Instead, he felt invigorated and full of energy. He usually got up two hours later and brewed himself a strong cup of coffee, but he didn't need it this morning. He was suffering from severe Usagi withdrawal. He had fallen asleep envisioning his odangoed angel asleep in his arms. Even though it had only been hours since he had taken her out, his body ached from the lack of her warmth, the touch of her hand, the fruity tang of her lips. Mamoru had never felt that way about anyone before. Even though many interested women looked his way, none had actually managed to capture his gaze. Not like her. A brilliant idea came to Mamoru. He knew a way to see Usagi and surprise her at the same time. At 4:45, Mamoru's parked his sportscar in front of Usagi's dorm building. He noted that the door was locked. 'A mere technicality,' thought Mamoru, grinning. Then he got another brilliant idea. Something he hadn't done in years; ascending heights. He located the fire escape, which wrapped around the left side of the building. He jumped to the bottom step and ran up the stairs. He gazed through window after window until he saw Usagi's. His breath caught in his throat, and it wasn't due to exertion, because he usually ran for an hour every morning, a pretty strenuous workout, and was an active gym member. 'She looks so cute when she's asleep,' he thought, seeing her curled up like a potato bug, hugging a stuffed bunny. Gingerly, as if not to disturb anyone, Mamoru tested the window. It was unlocked. He opened it and gracefully tiptoed over to Usagi's bed, careful not to wake her. Still, he was unable to resist placing a light kiss on her forehead. She mumbled something, stirred, but did not wake. Mamoru tucked a note and a single rose in her arms. He smiled, spun on his heel, silently exited and closed the window. He didn't know that he was being watched by Minako, who was a notoriously light sleeper. 'How romantic,' she thought happily. Even though she had no luck finding a boyfriend, she was pleased that she could help Usagi find love. 'He's quite a catch, too. Another successful match,' she thought. Minako had also found matches for each of the former senshi, except for Michiru and Hakura, who had found each other on their own. During her tenure as the Senshi of Love, she had set up Makoto with her best friend, Ken, Ami with the brilliant but shy Greg, and fiery Rei with the fun-loving, laid back Chad. 'It's nice to know I've still got the touch,' she thought as she drifted back to sleep. It was Saturday morning, and there was no WAY she was going to miss out on any more of her beauty sleep. ~*~*~* Usagi awoke at 10:00 to the blaring sound of Minako's exercise tape. She groaned and was about to pull her pillow over her head to muffle the sound, when he noticed that she was holding something besides Snuggles, her stuffed bunny she had owned since her childhood. She then saw the envelope with her name lovingly written on it and inhaled the scent of a deep red rose. Eagerly, she opened the note. Usagi, Sorry about the breaking and entering, but I couldn't wait to see you. Even though it's only been a few hours since we saw each other, I missed you. I hope this rose brightens your day, and I look forward to seeing your radiant smile Love, Mamoru Usagi sighed with pleasure. Truth be told, she didn't miss Mamoru nearly as much, because in a way he had never left. They waltzed together under the light of the moon in her sleep and he was never far from her waking thoughts. She took the rose and put it in a vase with the other 12, which were still in perfect condition, not a single petal having fallen. "Minako, look at this!" said Usagi excitedly. Minako pretended to look surprised and asked, "Who are they from?" "Mamoru." "You mean Mamoru the baka?" "He is not a baka!" Minako smiled knowingly and said, "Gomen, Usa-chan. I didn't know he meant that much to you." even though she did. "That's okay," said Usagi indulgently. "What's for breakfast?" Just then, the door buzzer went off, indicating that someone wanted to visit their dorm room. Minako rushed off to the intercom to answer it. "Hello?" asked Minako. "Hi. This is Mamoru. Is Usagi up?" Upon hearing his voice, Usagi ran to the intercom. "Hai!" she exclaimed. Mamoru laughed. "I'll take that as a yes. I was wondering...can we go somewhere together?" "Sure," said Usagi. "Give me 15 minutes to get ready." "OK," said Mamoru. Exactly 15 minutes later, Mamoru was waiting at the door. Usagi came out, wearing a pink cardigan over a light blue shirt and her favorite jeans. "Well, shall we?" she asked. Mamoru nodded. Every time he saw her, she managed to look even more beautiful than the last. Upon reaching the car, Mamoru tied a blindfold around Usagi's eyes, and Usagi squealed with delight. "So where are we going?" she said after Mamoru helped her get into the passenger seat. "You'll see." "I can't wait!" "Trust me, it'll be worth it," said Mamoru, grinning, and he mentally added, 'Even though it already is to me.' Usagi smiled and clapped her hands. Oh, the suspense was KILLING her! "Would you like some music?" "Hai!" Mamoru obediently popped in a jazz and classical mix CD that he had burned himself that morning for the occasion. Soulful and flirty tunes rang in the air. Even though this wasn't the music Usagi was used to, she had to admit that she liked it. “What’s this song called, Mamo-chan?” asked Usagi during a soulful saxophone ballad. Mamoru smiled.  If she had given him a nickname, he would have to respond in kind. “It’s called ‘Forever Love,’ by Kenny G, Usako.” ‘Usako,’ she thought. ‘My little rabbit.’ (AN: That’s the English translation.) “What’s it about?” asked Usagi. “It’s about two sweethearts who share a lifetime of love.  I think that the music tells the story of the two lovers better than words ever could.” “How’s that?” asked Usagi. “Listen, Usako.”  Mamoru turned up the car stereo and resumed driving down the road, deep in thought. Usagi listened to the song for awhile.  “I...don’t get it,” Usagi admitted sheepishly. Mamoru smiled.  “It’s not what he plays.  It’s the intensity and passion in each and every note, and the poetry in the spaces between them.” Usagi nodded her head slowly, as if turning Mamoru’s words over and over in her head.  As she listened to the song, she was beginning to understand. “It is the notes!  He put such tenderness and feeling into them.  Each pause is like a quiet reflection,” said Usagi. “Yeah...” mused Mamoru, pulling into a parking spot. “Are we here?” “Not yet.  Getting closer, though.” Mamoru said, taking Usagi’s hand and helping her out of the car. Usagi smiled, stepping gingerly, not sure of where she was headed. As if sensing her apprehension, Mamoru let go of her hand and slipped an arm around her waist.  “Don’t worry.  I won’t take you anywhere you don’t want to go.” Even though she had met Mamoru only yesterday, she instinctively knew that she could trust him.  Somehow, she felt deep in her soul that he would protect her.  She wasn’t sure how she knew.  It felt almost like...a memory. Mamoru had taken them to a secluded glade surrounded by lilac bushes, where patches of wildflowers dotted the grass.  A brick pathway led out of the glade. “We’re almost here,” said Mamoru, letting go of Usagi’s waist.  “Hold on.  I’ve got to get something.” Usagi giggled.  That man was full of surprises. Mamoru brought out a large object covered by a checkered blanket and set it down on the grass.  He came out immediately after carrying a small cooler.  He took the blanket off to reveal a large picnic basket and spread the blanket out next to where he had set it.  Then he walked back over to Usagi and untied her blindfold. “You can open your eyes now.” he whispered. “Mamo-chan, it’s beautiful!” exclaimed Usagi. “Almost as beautiful as you,” said Mamoru. “You....think I’m pretty?” Mamoru blinked.  She...didn’t know that she was beautiful?  He couldn’t believe it.  At least he didn’t, not until he saw her misty eyes.  He reached over and took her hand and gave it a squeeze.  “I know you are.  Outside and in” he said reassuringly. “That’s..the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me,” Usagi said smiling. “Well, shall we begin our lunch?” Usagi smiled.  She was never one to turn down free food. “Hai!  Let’s eat!” she exclaimed. Mamoru reached into the picnic basket and took out a tray of ham and cheese sandwiches.  “Well, it’s not exactly gourmet, but...” Usagi was oblivious to Mamoru as she dug into her sandwich. “Mmmmmm....” she said contentedly.  Mamoru smiled.  “I like a girl who enjoys her food,” joked Mamoru. Usagi paused in the middle of her third sandwich and sheepishly grinned. “Would you like something to drink?” “Sure,” said Usagi. Mamoru took out some sparkling grape juice and poured two glasses. Both of them were old enough to drink wine(AN: In Japan they would be, anyways), but Mamoru never acquired the taste for it. “Cheers,” Usagi said, smiling. “Cheers.” They drank the juice and Usagi laid down.  Mamoru laid down next to her and wrapped his arm around her.  They stayed like that for awhile, Mamoru’s free hand playing with her hair, Usagi snuggled up against his chest.  She had never felt that close to anyone, ever.  She fell asleep listening to the sound of Mamoru’s heart beating.  Soon, Mamoru heard Usagi’s gentle snoring.  He smiled and kissed her head, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her hair.  He didn’t care that she fell asleep on him, literally.  He didn’t care if she ate all the sandwiches except one(which she did).  Heck, he just liked being with her.  Period.  Soon, he fell asleep. “Ai..aisheteru, Mamo-chan...” she murmured in her sleep. When Usagi woke up, she was staring at a purple sky.  She quickly sat up.  “Mamoru!  Look at the sky!” she exclaimed. Mamoru sat up next to Usagi and she rested her head on his shoulder. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she said, staring off into the sunset. Mamoru stood up and held out his hand.  “Come with me.  I have to show you something,” he said.  Usagi accepted his hand, and he led her down the brick pathway.  Soon, they arrived on top of a hill overlooking the ocean. This time, Usagi was too moved to speak.  She leaned against Mamoru and watched the waves as the sun set over the horizon. “Look, Mamo-chan.  The stars are out tonight.” ‘And God reached down and put them in your eyes,’ thought Mamoru. “The moon is full tonight,” he said. “Let’s go down to the beach!” said Usagi. “OK,” said Mamoru, grinning.  He hoisted her up over his head and ran down to the beach.  “Mamoru?  Put me DOWN.  This isn’t funny!  MAMORU!” “Put you down?  Are you sure you want me to do that?” said Mamoru, still running. “HAI!  PUT ME DOWN, BAKAAAAA!” “Your wish is my command,” said Mamoru deviously.  He threw Usagi into the waves. “SHIMATTA!  OOOH!  I’M GOING TO GET YOU!” she yelled. “Only if you can catch me!” Mamoru said, laughing as he ran off. “Hah!  You’re ON!” Mamoru was fast, but so was Usagi.  She came up behind him and pushed him into the surf.  “HAH!  Gotcha!” she said.   She took off into the surf, Mamoru right behind her, both of them laughing.  Mamoru dunked Usagi under and she came up, gasping for breath.  “Oooh! Take THAT,” she said, splashing up at his face. “Gomen!  Gomen!   I surrender!” Mamoru exclaimed.  ‘Unconditionally.’ “Well, let’s get our towels and get dried off.  It’s getting late,” said Mamoru. “Towels?  You brought towels?” “I aim to please,” Mamoru said, bowing. Usagi giggled and followed Mamoru back to the glade where their stuff was.  “Here,” Mamoru said, holding out a sweatshirt and jeans that were his when he was younger.  “You’ll need some dry clothes.  After you get changed, I mean,” Mamoru said, blushing.  “But you’ll see me!” said Usagi.  “It’s not fair!  You get paid to get naked!” “I won’t see you.  Not if you go behind those bushes.  I won’t look.” said Mamoru, grinning. “Promise?” “Promise.  Here, you can tie the blindfold around my eyes and take it off when you come back.” “OK,” said Usagi.  She ducked behind the bushes and shucked off her wet clothes.  She put on Mamoru’s jeans, which somehow fit her perfectly, and picked up the sweatshirt.  Something told her to hold it up to the moonlight.  ‘Go on.  Do it,’ a dark voice in her head prompted. Usagi gasped as she read AZABU HIGH embroidered on the sweatshirt. She knew now why Mamoru seemed so familiar to her.  She had known him when she was a teenager.  Her fists clenched as she remembered how he had mercilessly teased her; her hairstyle, her clumsiness, her low grades... Tears welled up in her eyes as she stormed over to Mamoru.  She yanked the blindfold off of him, causing Mamoru to rub his painfully throbbing head.  “Ow, what did you do that for?” “YOU!” was all Usagi could sputter out, her body trembling with rage. “IT WAS YOU!” “Who?” asked Mamoru, obviously clueless. “IT WAS YOU!  I remember now.  You were that jackass from Azabu!  The one who yanked my hair and called me Meatball Head!  The one who never had a kind word to say!  The one who mocked my grades and made feel so stupid and worthless that you made me cry!” “Oh...my...God...” muttered Mamoru.  This was NOT happening.  He had fallen in love with Meatball Head?  The underachieving clutz who couldn’t be on time for anything if her life depended on it?  The one that haunted his dreams by night?  Now he was remembering.  He used to love to tease a certain odango atama.  He loved watching her face crinkle up when she got angry.  He loved seeing the fire in her eyes and hearing the thunder in her voice.  But he never had seen what happened when he left, after the crossfire of words and insults.  He had never known that he had made her cry.  Like she was doing now. “And to think that I trusted you!” Usagi said, tears flowing freely. Mamoru got up and started to wipe away her tears, but she slapped his hand away.  “Don’t you ever touch me again!” “I’m sorry,” said Mamoru. “That’s not good enough.  Take me home.” she said, marching over to the passenger side.  Mamoru began to open the door, but she pushed him away. “I can open it myself,” she said angrily. ‘Oh boy.  She’s steamed now.’ he thought.  It was a long, silent drive back to the dorm. “I’m sorry,” Mamoru said again as he pulled up in front of Usagi’s dorm building. “I’ll give your clothes back in class next week.” Usagi said, ignoring him.  She grabbed her wet clothes and stormed off to her dorm, where Minako was waiting. Upon seeing a bedraggled Usagi wearing Mamoru’s clothes and carrying a sopping wet bundle, and the stormy expression on her face, Minako prepared a cup of hot cocoa. “What went wrong, Usa-chan?” asked Minako, her voice laden with concern. “I don’t want to talk about it,” said Usagi grumpily.  She headed into her bedroom, put on her pajamas, brushed her teeth, and set into a sulk that lasted the whole night. ~*~*~ Meanwhile, Mamoru drove home to his lonely apartment, tears blurring his vision.  He felt as if a piece of himself was missing and he couldn’t get it back.  He was sorry for how he had treated Usagi in the past.  Oh, was he ever sorry.  And he would find a way to prove it to her, even if it took the rest of his life.