pat_change

Change for the Better
Author: Patch
E-mail: patchkhan1@hotmail.com
Rating: PG

Hello everyone! This is an R season fic and I know I can
hear you all groaning, but hey! Don't turn away, it's still
good.... at least I hope it's good. Well, I wanted to get the
idea out so this is the result of that. Ummm, I don't have
much to say except that I hope you guys are also enjoying
the fic Bethany and I are sorta kinda co-writing. Please
send us mail cause we literally eat it up when we get
some up. Yup yup, we print it out, tear it up, add some
milk, and voila! Fic food. Okaaay, that was bad. I'll go
now. Enjoy reading!
Patch.

Insert Standard Disclaimer Here.

Her feet splashed in the rain puddles causing water
to slip into her boots and soak her skin. The rain pounded down
on her yet she kept on running, not stopping to catch her breath.
"I have to find her, I have to find her," Usagi kept
repeating to herself, "Oh Kami, please let me find her." She had
no idea where Chibi-Usa could have gone. She was supposed
to be waiting at her school for Usagi to pick her up but when
Usagi had arrived, the little girl was no where to be found.
She continued to run along the sidewalks of
downtown Tokyo, desperately hoping to see a head of pink
hair somewhere...anywhere. She turned her head as she ran to
look on the other side of the road and didn't see the person
walking towards her.
Two seconds later she had fallen onto the wet
sidewalk, her hood slipping off her head. She quickly got back
up to look at whom she had crashed into and was delighted to
see Mamoru standing there. Past events forgotten, she hugged
him quickly and stepped back looking into his face.
"Mamo-chan! I'm so glad to have found you! I need
your help, I-"
A crash of thunder interrupted her and she let out a
stifled scream of fear and instinctively grabbed onto Mamoru.
A bolt of lightning followed and she flinched, burying her face
into his coat. His arms came around her for just a second
before they took hold of her forearms and pulled her away.
"Usagi, no more of this. You know better than
that."
"Nani?" she asked, and then realization finally hit her of
their relationship and she looked down. "Gomen, I-I just
can't help it."
He gave a snort of laughter that caused her to look
up at him in surprise. "C'mon Usagi, a girl of your age
shouldn't be afraid of such a small thing as thunderstorms. It...
just isn't natural."
She gasped in hurt and shock. "What are you
trying to say? Are you calling me abnormal?"
"Take it any which way you want," he pushed past
her and began walking away.
Tears welled in her eyes and silent sobs clogged
her throat. But then she remembered why she had been so
glad to see him in the first place.
"Mamo... Mamoru-san!" she cried, turning
around. She saw him stiffen and then turn around. "Please
wait, I- I do need your help. I can't find Chibi-Usa, please
help me find her!"
He nodded curtly. "She should be around here,
she probably couldn't have gotten far. C'mon."
He began to walk quickly and she ran to keep
pace with him. The sound of thunder again resounded
through the air and she quickly grabbed the sleeve of his
jacket. He turned his head to look at her hand and then at
her face.
She quickly let go of it, shame running
through her veins. He was right, she thought, she was a
baby to still be afraid of thunderstorms. It was a
depressing thought.
They neared Chibi-Usa's school and it was
then that Usagi saw a small figure curled up in an
alleyway beside a building.
"Chibi-Usa!" the two yelled and ran to the
little girl. She was completely drenched and looked
completely miserable, her shoulders shaking as she
cried.
"Chibi-Usa!" Usagi again yelled and got on
her knees beside her and picked her up, hugging her
close. "You had me so scared. I was so worried about
you," Usagi sobbed, crying also.
Mamoru looked at the two, holding the big
umbrella over all three of them. His heart tightened at
the sight. Usagi would make a great mother, he thought.
How he craved to join them and feel included. But no,
he would remain ever the outsider, only hoping that
one day his dream would come true.
"Usagi, you have to take Chibi-Usa home,
she might fall sick out here."
Of course, Usagi thought, only an idiot like
herself would keep a wet child out in the cold instead
of rushing her to a warmer place. "Sou," she mumbled.
Chibi-Usa realized that Mamoru was there
and jumped out of Usagi's arms and clung to his legs,
looking up at his face. "Mamo-chan! You came to save
me! Can you take me home?"
"Of course, Chibi-Usa, c'mon, we'll get
you all warm and cozy in just a few minutes," he
picked her up and she squeezed his neck, smiling
brightly.
Usagi stood and watched them, feeling
more alone than she thought she could ever feel. Is
this...is this what it's like to 'be on the outside looking
in?' she thought. Is this what they meant?
They began walking and even though the
rain had lightened to a drizzle, thunder could still be
heard and to Usagi, any thunder was still frightening.
She wrapped her arms around herself and walked as
close to Mamoru as she could without looking
obvious.
"Hey, Usagi-baka, how come you're not
curled up in your bed, hiding under the blankets?
You're afraid of thunder, why are you out here?"
Chibi-Usa asked, looking at her from Mamoru's
shoulder.
"I was looking for you, Chibi-Usa," Usagi
replied quietly, "I may be afraid of thunder but I was
more afraid when I couldn't find you."
"Whatever, you were looking for an
excuse to see my Mamo-chan!"
Usagi didn't say anything to that and only
looked the other way, her arms tightening around her
waist.
When they reached Usagi's house Mamoru
put Chibi-Usa down and placed a kiss on her forehead.
He nodded towards Usagi and then turned around and
left, not looking back once.
Later, the family was at the dinner table
talking about various things as they ate.
"It's supposed to get worse tonight. Another
thunderstorm's coming in," Kenji, Usagi's father, said.
"Oh that's simply too bad!" Ikuko replied,
"I've had enough of this rain."
"Same here," Usagi mumbled, shoving food
around in her plate. "I hate thunder."
"Usagi, you must learn to face your fears
sometime. Thunder cannot hurt you and the same goes
for lightening, unless you're standing near a tree or
something of the sort," her father said, looking at her.
"But...it's just so frightening," Usagi
replied, "I-I can't help it, I hear it in the distance and I
become scared. It's not my fault!"
"No one's saying it's your fault, Usagi, but
your father's right. You can't go on like this forever."
"Oh Ma, you know Usagi's gonna be a
wuss till she's old when it comes to thunderstorms,"
Sammy interrupted.
"Sammy!"
"It's true!" he said defensively, "You'll see,
when she's old, she'll go hide under her rocking chair
when she sees lightening. No wonder her boyfriend
broke up with her."
A fork clattered to its plate and everyone
fell silent.
Usagi got up and walked away from the table.
"Usagi? Usagi, where are you going?" her
mother asked.
"Out. I'm going out."
"You shouldn't listen to what your brother
says, he's just-" but her father got no further for Usagi
had already left, slamming the door behind her.
She walked for a few blocks and then
began to run. She could already hear the rumbling of
thunder but she only flinched slightly. She knew
where she wanted to go. She knew *exactly* where
she had to go.
Face your fear...
No more hiding...
She ran until she reached the bench where
she and Mamoru would sit for hours on end. It was a
place of memories, beautiful and happy. But that
wasn't on her mind either.
"Moon Cosmic Power!"
In a minute she had transformed into
Sailor Moon and immediately she closed her eyes,
bringing out the crystal in front of her. She
concentrated having no idea if her plan would work,
but praying desperately that it would.
She began to feel a tingling feeling
spread from her hands to throughout her body and
could feel as her hair began to rise. A few moments
later, in a flash of light, Sailor Moon had
disappeared...without a trace.

Meanwhile, Mamoru was making some
coffee when all of a sudden a familiar pain struck
him. The mug slipped from his hand, crashing to the
floor, as he fell to one knee, clutching his head with
one hand.
But there was something wrong this time.
Something wasn't right. The pain held him for longer
than usual and as it receded a voice followed it. The
voice from his nightmares.
"Prince of Earth, save your love... Prince
of Earth... the powers bestowed upon you..."
The voice faded and he stood up slowly,
completely confused. Something had happened...
something had changed. And he hoped it was for the
better.

The moon was nowhere in site as the sky
had turned black from the storm clouds. Flashes of
lightening high up showed just how ominous and
dark those clouds were.
The water in front of her was restless.
Waves crashed onto the beach, the white froth
splashing her feet. The wind furiously whipped her
hair around her but she stood against it, walking
into the cold water.
She had detransformed, not wanting her
alter ego to give her any strength. If she was going
to do this, then she was going to do it as Tsukino
Usagi, not Sailor Moon. She took a few steps so
that the water was up to her knees. Was she insane?
To the world maybe, but she didn't care what
everyone else thought. This was her battle, to face
her fear.
A few steps further and the water had
now reached her thighs. The waves crashed
against her, but she didn't feel them. They were
strong but she would be stronger. Her mind had
gone blank except for one thought. She would not
be afraid anymore.
She saw the flash of lightening right
above her and knew what would come next. Her
mind screamed for her to run, to find cover,
anything, but she stood where she was. And then
the thunder hit. She thought the earth shook, it
had been so loud. The urge to cover her ears and
scream was overwhelming her but she closed her
eyes and raised her face instead.
And in that moment, the heavens
opened and she felt the rain beat upon her face,
mingling with the tears she had let fall unnoticed.
I will do this. I will do this. I must do
this.
All of a sudden, she heard her name
being yelled and her eyes snapped open and she
turned slightly to see...Tuxedo Kamen. Of course,
how could she have forgotten about their link?
She turned back and took another step
but before she could move any further, he had
grabbed her arm and whirled her around to face
him.
"What the hell are you doing out in the
Tokyo Bay?" he yelled, his piercing blue eyes
flashing with fear and anger. As if to answer him,
lightning streaked above them and the thunder that
followed caused him to bring her closer.
But she resisted, shooting her own
blue sparks of anger at him. "Leave me alone! I
want to do this! You were the one who said I
shouldn't be afraid of storms. *You* were the one
who said it wasn't natural!" She broke free of him
and stepped back, spreading her arms. "Well are
you happy now? I'm facing my fears, can't you
see that?"
"Usako! This is an insane way to face
your fear of thunderstorms! I'm taking you back."
He made a move to reach for her but she eluded
him.
"You won't! I don't want to go!"
Lightening flashed and the thunder
rumbled, as if in agreement.
He flinched again, scared to the
extreme. He looked at her with steely
determination. He had brought her to this...this
level and he would bring her back. She wouldn't
suffer anymore.
"Usako, we have to talk! But not here,
I'm taking you to my place!" he yelled over the
sound of the waves. He made another grab for
her and this time he was successful. She began
to struggle against him.
"No! Stop!" suddenly she stopped
and looked at him. "Why are you calling me
Usako?"
"Because....I still-"
But he never got to finish because at
that moment, a wave crashed against them
causing them both to lose their balance and go
under. The current underneath was strong and it
pulled them out further and down deep.
Mamoru's eyes popped open as he
held his breath and he could see Usagi struggling
in front of him, holding her breath also.
They both tried to kick their way to
the surface but the current held no mercy for
them, its full intentions to keep them there. He
saw her thrashing her head and arms and it was
like watching a losing battle and his heart
pounded fearfully at the thought of having it all
end like this. It couldn't end like this.... but he
saw her weakening, felt himself weakening...
The powers bestowed upon you...
Prince of Earth...
His eyes widened as he realized the
meaning of those words. Of course! It was all
so simple, but would it work? He had no time
to ponder the consequences...
So he let out the air he had held....
...and breathed.
He was breathing, inhaling and
exhaling, but he wasn't drowning. He was
breathing!
Quickly, he grabbed Usagi and held
her forearms, forcing her to look at him.
Her eyes widened as she saw him
smiling! But she couldn't think anymore after
that because his mouth was on hers then,
breathing air into her. Her legs stilled their
thrashing as she realized he was breathing...for
her.
She pulled her head away, afraid he
wouldn't have any oxygen. But he continued to
smile and it was then that she saw he was
inhaling...exhaling...through his nose...
underwater.
A million questions flew through
her mind and he nodded his head, showing her
that he understood her confusion. He brought
her to him once again and tilted his head,
settling his lips on hers once more. She clung
to him, refusing to believe what was happening.
It was impossible! But it wasn't...
She felt the current pushing them and
began to kick her legs once more, not forgetting
that they still had to get to the surface.
Finally, finally, the two felt the
current lessen in strength and he pulled away
slowly, looking at her. His eyes asked a question,
as if to say, are you ready, and she nodded her
head in response.
He pulled her to him one more time,
meeting her lips and giving her air once more
and then they separated, pushing their way up.
They broke through the surface,
Usagi gasping for air. Mamoru swam to her and
brought her against his chest.
"We have to get out of here," he said.
He looked around and felt despair wash through
him. He couldn't see the shore anywhere. How
far had they gone out?
"I-I think I can do it.."
He looked at her sharply. "How?"
"The same way I got here," she said
simply. "I transformed, brought the ginzuishou
out and focused my energy into it and then I was
here."
He looked down to see that she had
still had the broach attached to her and then
looked at her again. "Try it."
She held it with one hand and
yelled, "Moon Cosmic Power!" He pulled away
and watched in astonishment as she was raised
out of the water and transformed into Sailor
Moon. Her transformation complete, she stood
above the water, looking as though she were
standing on it.
She held out her hand to him and
smiled. "Mamo-chan...take my hand."
He did, lacing their fingers together
and stepped out of the water. It was like he was
climbing a staircase until he stood in front of
her.
The rain had again been brought
down to a drizzle and Usagi smiled up at
Mamoru. But before she could step away to
bring out the ginzuishou, he pulled her to him
suddenly.
"I want you to know, Usa..." he
began huskily, "Aishiteru. I have, always, and I
will, forever." He captured her lips with his
and kissed her slowly before letting her pull
away. "Gomen...for so much..."
"We'll talk," was all she said,
smiling slightly, before bringing out the
ginzuishou and closing her eyes. He held her
by the waist and soon a glow surrounded them
and before he even knew it, they were in his
living room.
He staggered back until he hit the
arm of his sofa and sat down on it.
"Kami...that was incredible."
She looked down shyly and then
looked back at him, "I guess you learn a few
things here and there when you've got a job as
a super hero."
He stood up, still dazed, and went
to the bathroom and returned with a few towels.
"Here," he said quietly, "You
should get yourself dry. I'll get you some
clothes."
"Arigato."
After Usagi came out of the bathroom,
she stood facing Mamoru, who was leaning
against the counter, in the living room. A moment
of silence passed between them when she yelped
suddenly. "I forgot! Mama must be so worried! I
left the house and they had no idea where I was
going. Can I use your phone?"
"Of course."
She dialed home and reassured her now
frantic mother that she was safe and spending the
night at Rei's who would be helping her with her
'problems.' After she hung up, she noticed Mamoru
staring at her.
She stared back at him, unsure of what
to do. Then, she walked towards him slowly and
when she was standing right next to him, she
placed a hand on his cheek, leaned up on her toes,
and kissed him softly.
He stood there, still leaning against the
counter, surprised at her move. But before he could
even hold her, she had pulled her lips away.
"Tell me what happened," she
whispered against his lips.
He smiled slightly and brought his had
up to run it's back along the left side of her face.
"I should be asking you that," he said. Sorrow
laced his voice as he spoke. "I'm sorry Usako. I'm
sorry for driving you to the point of...of..."
"Insanity?" she asked, smiling. "That's
what you want to say, ne? I understand, you know,
I must have looked completely crazy out there."
She moved away from him and sat on the sofa.
"Yes, to a point, you drove me out there. I wanted
to prove to you that I wasn't this... this wimp of a
girl."
He sat next to her, and brought her chin
up to look at him. "Usako, I never meant any of it.
I-"
"I know that now, I can see it in your
eyes, but at that time, I didn't. I also think I wanted
to prove to myself that I could be different, that I
wouldn't always be afraid of things like
thunderstorms."
"I think you definitely proved that point,"
Mamoru said wryly, holding her tighter against him.
"Kami, for a moment I thought I was going to lose
you...before saying everything I wanted to say...
before saying I loved you...even though it appeared
as though I didn't."
She gazed at him carefully. "What do
you mean by that Mamo-chan?"
He didn't know from where to begin.
"Usako...I would never hurt you but in this instant I...
had to. Someone or something would have killed
you if I didn't intervene and the only way I could do
so...was to hurt you. I had these nightmares, I saw
you die on our wedding day and a voice would tell
me that I was looking at the future unless I stayed
away. And I did...to save you. But even though we
were apart, not once did I stop loving you. Can ...
can you forgive me?"
She exhaled slowly and hugged him, a
tear slipping down her face. "I forgive you
Mamo-chan, but only this one time...I swear I'll
knock you out with my scepter and never speak to
you again if you ever hurt me so. I won't take it,
you hear me?" she asked, her voice hoarse.
He threaded his hand through her hair
and kissed the lone tear. "I hear you, love. I
promise it."
She raised her face to his and their lips
met... and stayed. It felt so good, she thought, to
know that his love would be solid, real. He
increased the pressure against her already swollen
lips and she let him, falling in love with him all
over again.
After a moment, they parted and she
rested her head in the crook of his neck. She
played idly with his shirt as he held her when a
thought came to her.
"What happened out there
Mamo-chan? How did we...survive?"
"I honest don't know," he answered,
"Before I transformed, a voice, the one from my
dreams, called out to me, calling me Prince of
Earth and it said something about powers
bestowed upon me. When we were struggling in
the bay I remembered those words and I guess, I
have some powers of some sort that I never knew
about."
"Do you think, that maybe, it was
something due to the fact that you do have a link
with the Earth?"
"Maybe. But whatever it was, I'm just
glad I was able to save the both of us."
"I can always rely on the Great Tuxedo
Kamen, can't I?" she asked playfully.
"Are you mocking me? Are you doubting
my abilities?"
"Maybe," she replied giggling.
"Well, madam, I won't stand for it," and
he got up suddenly, causing her to fall forward on
the cushions of the sofa.
"Mamo-chan!" she sat up and threw a
cushion at him. It hit him square in the back and he
staggered a bit before regaining balance. He turned,
an eyebrow raised.
"Usako?"
"You deserve it!" and she grabbed
another cushion and threw it at him.
He caught it this time and threw it back
at her, a cushion fight ensuing as a result. After a
while, they fell onto the sofa, laughing and exhausted.
He lay back and brought her against his side
(AN: they fit, trust me!).
"Usako... do you think that you've
conquered your fear of thunderstorms?"
She rested her head against his chest and
wrapped her arms around his waist. "I don't know,"
she drawled, "I guess we'll just have to wait and see
when the next storm comes around, ne?"
"I suppose so."
"But Mamo-chan, I think something
definitely happened out there tonight. I think it's a
change for the better. No, wait, I know it'll be
alright."
"I'm proud of you Usako," Mamoru
whispered, placing a kiss on her head.
"Aishiteru Mamo-chan."
And there they slept, each having their
first peaceful sleep in a very long time.

~*~*The End*~*~
Well, another one down, another one conquered!
Bwahahahaha! Hey does anyone want to know
how I went to look in an atlas for this fic? Yup
yup, I needed to find a body of water close to
Tokyo, cause well, I don't think the current in
that little lake at that park would be strong
enough to keep our heroes underwater. I needed
something mooore powerful. Well, that's it from
me. Write me at patchkhan1@hotmail.com
Bye bye!
Patch:-)(-: