| Chapter 3 - Change of Heart Lady Aisheteru: Well, you know what they say, what goes around comes around. Way bad karma. Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon. There. I said it. ~*~*~*~ If You're Gone matchbox twenty I think I've already lost you I think you're already gone. I think I'm finally scared now You think I'm weak - But I think you're wrong I think you're already leaving Feels like your hand is on the door I thought this place was an empire But now I'm relaxed - I can't be sure I think you're so mean - I think we should try I think I could need - this in my life I think I'm just scared - I think too much I know this is wrong it's a problem I'm dealing If you're gone - maybe it's time to come home There's an awful lot of breathing room But I can hardly move If you're gone - baby you need to come home Cuz there's a little bit of something me In everything in you I bet you're hard to get over I bet the room just won't shine I bet my hands I can stay here I bet you need - more than you mind I think you're so mean - I think we should try I think I could need - this in my life I think I'm just scared - that I know too much I can't relate and that's a problem I'm feeling If you're gone - maybe it's time to come home There's an awful lot of breathing room But I can hardly move If you're gone - baby you need to come home Cuz there's a little bit of something me In everything in you I think you're so mean - I think we should try I think I could need - this in my life I think I'm scared - do I talk too much I know it's wrong it's a problem I'm dealing If you're gone - maybe it's time to come home There's an awful lot of breathing room But I can hardly move If you're gone - baby you need to come home Cuz there's a little bit of something me In everything in you ~*~*~*~ "Usagi! It's time to get up!" "Just a few more z's..." "No! We're going to be late to Figure Drawing!" "I'm not going!" "But Usa-chan! You've got only got three absences, then Ms. Tuttle will fail you for sure!" "Then consider this the first!" "It's...because of Mamoru, isn't it?" said Minako, her arms crossed. Usagi sat up, her eyes red from crying for most of the night. “I...can't face him," she said, sniffing. "Come ON, Usagi! You can't avoid him forever," she said. "It's a big campus. Just watch me try!" Minako slapped her forehead. She was normally a caring and compassionate individual, but even she had her limits. She yanked the sheets off Usagi and dragged her out of bed. "Oooh! Damn it! You are GOING to class, whether you like it or not!" Intimidated by the unusually demanding tone in Minako's voice, Usagi got up and walked towards the shower, her shoulders slumped in defeat. 'Wow. Normally, Usagi would have given me an earache for sure,' thought Minako. She was going to get Usagi to talk, even if it took all day. 'It's not like her to keep her feelings all bottled up like that. Something must really be bothering her. And as her friend, I'm going to find out what that is.' ~*~*~*~ After looking at his watch, Mamoru saw that he had arrived at Okinawa U half an hour early. 'Good,' he thought. 'That gives me some time to prepare.' He took a large bag and headed inside. "Mamoru, you don't look so good. Are you okay?" asked Ms. Tuttle, her pancake face laden with concern. "Yeah, I'm okay," said Mamoru, and mentally added, 'For someone who's had their heart slammed into a blender and liquefied on frappe, I'm just dandy.' "Are you sure? I don't want my models feeling anything less than their best,"' said Ms. Tuttle. "Yeah, I just had a rough night, that's all," he said. He wasn't really lying; Mamoru had an awful night. He spent it tossing and turning in his bed, remembering every insult, every "Odango Atama," every argument he had ever had with Usagi. He was tormented by regret and remorse. The digits on his alarm clock had begun to bleed into a red blob when the alarm went off at 6:30, and he gave up trying to sleep. "OK, then. Well, class doesn't start for another 20 minutes. Why don't you take a break?" asked Ms. Tuttle. Mamoru smiled. "OK, see you in 20." Hardly anyone was on campus. Mamoru decided to take advantage of this opportunity. He darted towards the campus office and tested the door handle. He smiled. 'Unlocked.' He felt like some kind of creepy stalker lurking there, but he was a desperate man. He went over to the part where the student records are kept and he flipped through the book until he found what he was looking for. 'Tsukino Usagi. Locker located in building 12. Good. That's not far from here,' he thought. He took the bag to Usagi's locker and tested the lock. Mamoru frowned when he found the lock in perfect working order. But he was nothing if not persistent. He was an ace in his statistics class, and he quickly found the correct combination. He gently placed the bag inside Usagi's locker and began the walk back to class. ~*~*~*~ "OH MY GOD! WE'RE GOING TO BE LATE!" exclaimed a very rushed Usagi, followed closely by Minako. "I TOLD you to get out of bed, baka!" shouted Minako. Usagi was just about to flip Minako the bird when she ran straight into Mamoru. Usagi took something out of her bag and shoved it in Mamoru's hand. "Here's your clothes back," she said, never making eye contact. "Come on, Minako, we'd best be going," she said, walking off to her locker. Minako walked over to Mamoru and gave him a sympathetic look "Don't give up," whispered Minako. She hurried over to her own locker, and Mamoru walked away. Usagi opened her locker and gasped. It looked like a flower truck had crashed and dumped its contents into her locker. Sticking out of a bag in front of her was a dozen roses, some lilacs and carnations, a small stuffed bunny and a note. Usagi opened up the note. It said a mere two words, 'Forgive me?' Usagi promptly ripped up the note. Tears flowing freely down her face, she gathered up her art supplies and rushed off to class. 'Okay,' thought Mamoru, who was watching from a distance, 'That didn't work. On to plan B.' "Good morning class," sang Ms. Tuttle. "We shall resume drawing the male figure," she said. Mamoru walked in wearing the silk black robe. "Well, shall we begin?" Mamoru took off his robe. He stood there, cold and naked, his shoulders drooping and his eyes cast low. Even though he was very well built, he looked more like a sad little boy, not the self assured model who had posed for the class on Friday. Usagi saw the look on his face. 'He's heartbroken,' she thought. 'Good.' Her anger overrode her sadness as she drew Mamoru with bold, angry lines, her strokes thundering down the paper. Ms. Tuttle moved around the classroom, inspecting her student's work. She stopped when she saw Usagi's. "Excellent, Ms. Tsukino. Such raw anger and powerful lines!" she exclaimed. "It draws me in. Okay, class is over for the day. See you Friday! Ja ne!" she said, waving her hand. Mamoru put on his robe and walked slowly to his dressing room, his feet dragging as he went. "Come on, Minako," said Usagi, her voice shaky as she watched Mamoru go. "Let's get out of here." Minako nodded and they walked over to her car to drive across campus to their next class. She gasped when she saw her car. "What is it, Mina-chan?" asked Usagi, a little behind Minako. Minako just pointed to the car. Usagi also gasped when she saw it. A rose was pinned down by a windshield wiper, a small box under it. Usagi got into the car and opened the box. Inside was a gold chain necklace, a dainty diamond hanging down the middle. Usagi just sat and stared at the necklace in her hands, her eyes filling with tears. Minako pulled over. "Okay, Usagi. It's time you came clean. Spill." she said. Usagi looked over at Minako, her lip quivering. "It's Mamoru!" she wailed between sobs. "He's that same guy we knew in high school! The one who always made fun of me and made me feel about an inch tall!" Minako blinked. She knew he looked familiar. "I don't think it was him, Usa." "But it was! He made me feel so worthless!" "No, it wasn't. People change, Usagi. I mean, look at you. When I met you, you were an immature, whiny clutz. I never thought you'd make it as Sailor Moon. But you've proven me wrong. You've grown, matured and got stronger, both as a senshi and as a person. You refused to let anything keep you down." "Yeah," Usagi said, brightening up . "I'm betting Mamoru has changed as well. He's not the same person that he was. Neither are you. What's past is past. I know you still love him, Usagi. And I know that you have a heart the size of Japan. Somewhere in there must be a place for him." said Minako. "I'm still not sure, Minako. I need some time." Minako smiled. "OK. If you ever need to talk, you know I'm here for you." "I know," said Usagi. Minako pulled out and they finished the journey to math class. ~*~*~ Later, Usagi had convinced Minako to let her borrow the car. She needed to do some serious thinking. She pulled into a parking spot and walked over to the beach, where she would let the sound of the waves crashing would soothe her troubled mind. She pulled out Minako's old fire blanket, which she kept in the car for emergencies, and sat down on it, watching the ocean tide. She pulled out the diamond necklace that she had kept in her pocket and watched the rays of the setting sun pass through it. For what it was worth, she believed Minako. She remembered Mamoru's behavior when he was younger. He always had a nose in his book and kept to himself, the picture of restraint and isolation. Behind those cold blue eyes was a man who had constructed a high wall around his soul and would not allow anyone to break in. During the past few days, Usagi had seen an entirely different Mamoru. This Mamoru was easygoing, impetuous, fun loving, romantic and caring ...none of the things she had seen in Mamoru in the past. "Hey," said a deep voice, interrupting her thoughts. Usagi looked up to see a nervous looking Mamoru. "Can I sit here?" "Sure," said Usagi. They stared out into the ocean for awhile, watching the sun set. When the sun had completed its descent into the horizon and the sky was nothing but stars, Mamoru broke the silence. "I'm so sorry, Usako. I never meant to hurt you," he said. "Well, you sure did a good job of it," snapped Usagi. "I know. I was...afraid." "Of what?" "Of you. Of me." Usagi turned her face towards him, a puzzled expression on her face. "All my life, I had been alone. People looked, but they never touched. Until I met you. From the moment that test paper smacked me on the head, I knew that there was something special about you. Something I couldn't put my finger on. And I was afraid of it." He took a deep breath and continued, "Every time your eyes looked into mine, I knew that you could see it, deep inside of my soul. Even then, I knew it. I knew that if I let you get too close, you would break down the walls I had put up to protect myself. So I kept my distance, insulting you and pushing you away. I was afraid that you would see past the arrogant Azabu student facade and find out what a messed up and lonely person I really was inside. I never meant to hurt you, and I definitely didn't mean to make you cry," he said, wiping the tears from Usagi's face. "I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive..." Mamoru was unable to finish, as Usagi had pinned Mamoru to the ground, and began kissing his mouth. "I...take it...that....you...forgive me?" said Mamoru between kisses. "Hai!" said Usagi. "Aisheteru, Mamo-chan," she said, snuggling up to his chest. "Aisheteru, Usako," he said, inhaling the fragrance of her hair. He sat up and gathered her in his lap. He took the necklace from Usagi's hand and clasped it into her neck. "It's beautiful, Mamo-chan. Hey, look, there's a shooting star!" she said, pointing to a white blaze in the sky. "What did you wish for?" asked Usagi. "I already have everything I could possibly want," said Mamoru. "What about you?" Usagi smiled coyly. "I wished for this," she said, turning around so she was facing Mamoru. She leaned in, and he responded in kind, returning the earth-shattering kiss. The first of many. ~*~*~*~ Lady Aisheteru: I hope you enjoyed that. Stick around for the epilogue! |