I've Finished Feb! Yeah!
Title: Kiss Me
Author: Raya
Theme: OTP (Optional: To You I Bestow by Mundy)
Genre: Romance
Version: Manga (Post StarS / Pre Crystal Tokyo)
Rating: PG-13
Couple: Usagi x Mamoru
Word Count: ~2,124
Disclaimer: My one true pairing (Usagi and Mamoru) sprang complete from the mind of Takeuchi Naoko, and they still belong to her. These little chocolate simulacrums, however are mine! *hugs the chocolate protectively to her chest*
Canon, spelling, grammar, and punctuation corrections are appreciated. So is constructive criticism and general comments. Please let me know if you see something that you like or that should be corrected. Thanks! - Raya
Kiss Me
“Usa…” Mamoru wrapped his long arms around his girlfriend and pulled her back firmly to his chest as he tenderly said her name.
“I… I will be all right, Mamo-chan,” she replied, forcing a smile even though she did not turn to face him. She knew that even if she was not crying her eyes were probably filled with the pain and fear that she felt. She could not help it. He had already been taken from her three times. There was no guarantee that it would not happen again. Even the glimpse of the future they had seen was no guarantee she had learned. And while she had learned to mask her face and control her expression, she had no control over her traitorous eyes.
“You have to go,” she continued, trying to inject strength and confidence into her voice. “This is your dream. You have to chase it.”
“You are my dream,” he said emphatically as his arms tightened. He laid his cheek between her odango and rubbed the crown of her head gently, his eyes closed. “You and ChibiUsa. You are my family. I have to do everything I can to make you safe and happy. Unfortunately, that means leaving you for a short time.”
“I know,” she whispered as she caressed the arms around her waist. “I do know.”
They stood that way for several minutes, Usagi staring out of his balcony window towards the city, Mamoru holding her tightly. And then, he lifted his head and turned her gently. “I will be home soon,” he murmured as he wiped the tears from her face. “Wait for me.”
“Kiss me,” she murmured back as she swayed into him. Gladly, he obliged. They kissed desperately, trying to reassure themselves that this time, it would be all right. They tugged at each other’s clothes, searching for skin and heartbeats and one more memory to hold them through the long, lonely nights that were fast approaching. They exhausted themselves memorizing each line, each gasp, moan, and giggle, until they finally collapsed into a deep sleep, entwined around each other on his bed. And even then, they held each other tightly, striving to become one.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ikuko backed hurriedly into the kitchen as Usagi barreled down the hall, racing for the ringing phone. Everyone had learned to get out of the blonde’s way whenever the telephone rang, especially at night.
“Hello?” Usagi asked breathlessly, hoping to hear the voice she desperately craved.
“Usako…”
“Mamo-chan,” she sighed as she turned, put her back to the wall and slid down to sit on the floor.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“Better,” she answered as she twisted the phone cord around her fingers. “I got a 70 on my history test, and I somehow managed to pass the biology one.”
“That’s great! How about that art project? Did you come up with anything for that yet?”
“Mmm!” A smile lit Usagi’s face. “I’m going to be doing body mechanics. You know, sketching people in different positions. Some of the guys from the manga club offered to be my models, and of course the girls agreed to help. Though, Rei-chan said all of her poses would have to be while she was working.” Usagi scrunched her nose prettily, and then smiled as Mamoru laughed. She pushed the phone closer to her ear, trying to get as close to the sound as she could. “How about you, Mamo-chan?” she asked when his last chuckle had faded away. “How are you doing?”
“It’s still a bit crazy over here,” he replied as he ran a hand through his hair. Absently, he reminded himself to get it cut soon. “The course schedule isn’t too bad, but the amount of homework is just as bad as they warned me it would be. I can do it, though.”
“Are you getting enough sleep?” Usagi asked as a frown crossed her face. “How about food? Are you eating properly?”
He chuckled, his eyes shining at the love and concern he heard in her voice. She already sounded like a loving wife, scolding and worrying over his health. “Yes, I am taking care of myself. Sandi is making sure of that.”
“San-di?” Usagi asked, confused.
“Mmm. She’s one of my classmates,” he replied. “She’s studying to be a diet and nutrition specialist, and she has decided that I will make a challenging practice patient. She has recruited several of the others in her nutrition class to help her take care of me, my roommate, and the other guys in the house.”
“I see…” Usagi said as she stared off into space in front of her. She took a deep breath and forced a cheerful, confident tone back into her voice. “That’s great! If they are cooking and cleaning for you, you have more time to study.”
“Yeah,” Mamoru replied, distracted for a moment by thoughts of seeing his blonde angel again. He blinked as his roommate poked his head in the room and waved frantically at him. Mamoru turned to look at the clock, and then jumped up. “I have to go, Usa. Take care of yourself!”
“You, too, Mamo-chan,” she replied, trying not to sound worried or disappointed. “I will talk to you tomorrow?”
“No, not tomorrow… I have a study session. But I will call you later, okay?”
“Sure, Mamo-chan. Call when you can,” she replied as she untangled her fingers from the phone cord. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” he said, pausing for just a moment in his scramble for his textbooks. “Later…”
“Later…” Usgai waited until she heard the click of the phone on the other end and the dead air before she slowly returned the handset to the receiver. “Sandi?” She shook her head suddenly, and pushed the doubts aside. Mamoru loved her. He would never betray her. Would he?
Several hours later, Mamoru stared down at his Physical Chemistry homework and thought of his fiancée so far away. He imagined her peaceful, sleeping face painted by the moonlight. She looked so beautiful. So innocent. So young.
As he remembered her casual reference to the boys in her manga club and her art project, he frowned. Did they think that she was interested in any of them? What if she was? After all, they were her age and had the same interests. Even worse, they were right there. He shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside. Usagi loved him. She had proved that time and again. She would never betray him. On purpose. He shook his head again and forced his attention back to his homework.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Slowly, the months dragged on. Short phone conversations were a poor replacement for Mamoru’s strong arms, but Usagi busied herself with her friends and with teasing her younger brother during the day and waited each night for his call. She breathed a silent sigh of relief when Mamoru announced gleefully that Sandi was finally engaged to his roommate, Tom. She bit her lip and held to her faith in him as other names were dropped casually in conversations. Nadine, Windy, Meiling, Beth, Shreya, Nancy… Always used without an honorific of any kind, and always mentioned in a friendly tone. She reminded herself again and again that that was the normal way of speaking in America, that it did not mean anything.
Slowly, the years dragged on. Short phone conversations were a poor replacement for Usagi’s heady kisses, but Mamoru buried himself in classes and homework. He took as many classes as he could handle, begrudging any time required to cook, clean, and sleep. He stared up at the moon whenever it was visible and prayed that she would wait for him just a little longer. As he listened to her talk about the cute boys that she and her friends saw in school and out shopping, he held tightly to the fact that she never talked about any one in particular for very long. He reminded himself again and again that she loved to daydream about cute men, it was just a part of her personality. It did not mean anything.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Usagi leaned on the broom that Rei had given her to use, closed her eyes, and inhaled a deep breath of the warm spring air. It always smelled better in Hikawa Shrine than anywhere else for some reason. Maybe it was because it was situated on a high hill. Or maybe it was because of the sweet smelling plants that had been planted around the shrine over the years. She took another deep breath, savoring the scent of the sakura blooming on the ancient tree in the middle of the courtyard, and then opened her eyes and looked towards the steps. Someone was coming.
Her heart leapt in her chest, pounding madly. She put a hand over it and wondered why she was so excited. “Silly,” she muttered to herself as she turned back to the sweeping. “It’s not him. He doesn’t know I am here. Besides, he doesn’t graduate for two more months yet. He won’t be home until June at the earliest.” She smiled brightly at the thought. Her Mamo-chan was finally coming home.
Her eyes stole to the top of the stairs again, and she saw a dark head come into view. Her heart leapt again, and she scolded herself some more as she forced herself to look back down at the petals on the path. After the person had a chance to regain their breath, she would look up and welcome them to the shrine. That was the proper thing to do as Rei had told her many times.
Suddenly, a long stemmed red rose in full bloom appeared in front of her. She froze, and then slowly looked up, her heart pounding madly. It couldn’t be. Someone was playing a joke on her. He had seven weeks until graduation. Her eyes traced over a strong hand with lean fingers, and then up a black leather sleeve. It was her imagination. It had to be. That or she had had too much sun. Even after he graduated, he would have to arrange to pack all of his things to be shipped back to Japan. He would not be home until summer. Her eyes continued moving across a wide chest clad in a black tee shirt, up a strong, tanned neck. Heat stroke. That was it. She should have listened to Ami’s advice and worn a hat today. It was warm and bright for mid-March. In a moment, she was going to faint at this stranger’s feet. Because there was no way it could be…
Her azure eyes skimmed past the strong jaw and high cheekbones and met eyes as blue as the oceans when viewed from space, and all thought ceased. “Mamo-chan…?” she whispered.
“I’m home,” he replied, his fears dissolving and his heart racing madly as he saw the radiant joy that filled her face. He barely moved the rose out of the way in time as she threw aside her broom and leapt into his arms.
“Mamo-chan!!”
“Usako…” He wrapped his arms around her, closed his eyes, and held on tight. Finally, he was where he was supposed to be again. He was home.
Slowly, he relaxed his hold and let her slide down until her feet touched the ground. He reluctantly loosened one arm and reached for her face to brush away her tears. “Is it really you?” she asked shakily as she pushed her face into his hand and reached up to trace his beloved face. “Are you really here?”
“I’m here, Usa, I’m here,” he murmured reassuringly.
“Kiss me!” she commanded as she lifted her face to his. “Kiss me so I know you’re real!” Gladly, he obliged.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Three months later, Mamoru danced her into a small grotto in the garden that they had rented for their wedding reception. Most of the guests had left a long time ago, but their closest friends were still there cleaning up and guarding them, ensuring that they had as much privacy as they wanted. Pulling her closer, he kissed her tenderly. “Are you about ready to go?” he asked as his bride snuggled into him. He nodded his head towards the east. “Look, the sun is coming up. We’ve danced the night away.”
Usagi smiled slowly as she looked towards the rising sun. A thin layer of fog was beginning to rise from the fountains and stream that filled the garden, giving it a surreal, fantasy look. It was a fitting sight for a dream come true. “Pretty… Yes,” she said finally as she nestled closer. “Let’s go home.” It was finally time to start living their dream.
Author: Raya
Theme: OTP (Optional: To You I Bestow by Mundy)
Genre: Romance
Version: Manga (Post StarS / Pre Crystal Tokyo)
Rating: PG-13
Couple: Usagi x Mamoru
Word Count: ~2,124
Disclaimer: My one true pairing (Usagi and Mamoru) sprang complete from the mind of Takeuchi Naoko, and they still belong to her. These little chocolate simulacrums, however are mine! *hugs the chocolate protectively to her chest*
Canon, spelling, grammar, and punctuation corrections are appreciated. So is constructive criticism and general comments. Please let me know if you see something that you like or that should be corrected. Thanks! - Raya
Kiss Me
“Usa…” Mamoru wrapped his long arms around his girlfriend and pulled her back firmly to his chest as he tenderly said her name.
“I… I will be all right, Mamo-chan,” she replied, forcing a smile even though she did not turn to face him. She knew that even if she was not crying her eyes were probably filled with the pain and fear that she felt. She could not help it. He had already been taken from her three times. There was no guarantee that it would not happen again. Even the glimpse of the future they had seen was no guarantee she had learned. And while she had learned to mask her face and control her expression, she had no control over her traitorous eyes.
“You have to go,” she continued, trying to inject strength and confidence into her voice. “This is your dream. You have to chase it.”
“You are my dream,” he said emphatically as his arms tightened. He laid his cheek between her odango and rubbed the crown of her head gently, his eyes closed. “You and ChibiUsa. You are my family. I have to do everything I can to make you safe and happy. Unfortunately, that means leaving you for a short time.”
“I know,” she whispered as she caressed the arms around her waist. “I do know.”
They stood that way for several minutes, Usagi staring out of his balcony window towards the city, Mamoru holding her tightly. And then, he lifted his head and turned her gently. “I will be home soon,” he murmured as he wiped the tears from her face. “Wait for me.”
“Kiss me,” she murmured back as she swayed into him. Gladly, he obliged. They kissed desperately, trying to reassure themselves that this time, it would be all right. They tugged at each other’s clothes, searching for skin and heartbeats and one more memory to hold them through the long, lonely nights that were fast approaching. They exhausted themselves memorizing each line, each gasp, moan, and giggle, until they finally collapsed into a deep sleep, entwined around each other on his bed. And even then, they held each other tightly, striving to become one.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ikuko backed hurriedly into the kitchen as Usagi barreled down the hall, racing for the ringing phone. Everyone had learned to get out of the blonde’s way whenever the telephone rang, especially at night.
“Hello?” Usagi asked breathlessly, hoping to hear the voice she desperately craved.
“Usako…”
“Mamo-chan,” she sighed as she turned, put her back to the wall and slid down to sit on the floor.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“Better,” she answered as she twisted the phone cord around her fingers. “I got a 70 on my history test, and I somehow managed to pass the biology one.”
“That’s great! How about that art project? Did you come up with anything for that yet?”
“Mmm!” A smile lit Usagi’s face. “I’m going to be doing body mechanics. You know, sketching people in different positions. Some of the guys from the manga club offered to be my models, and of course the girls agreed to help. Though, Rei-chan said all of her poses would have to be while she was working.” Usagi scrunched her nose prettily, and then smiled as Mamoru laughed. She pushed the phone closer to her ear, trying to get as close to the sound as she could. “How about you, Mamo-chan?” she asked when his last chuckle had faded away. “How are you doing?”
“It’s still a bit crazy over here,” he replied as he ran a hand through his hair. Absently, he reminded himself to get it cut soon. “The course schedule isn’t too bad, but the amount of homework is just as bad as they warned me it would be. I can do it, though.”
“Are you getting enough sleep?” Usagi asked as a frown crossed her face. “How about food? Are you eating properly?”
He chuckled, his eyes shining at the love and concern he heard in her voice. She already sounded like a loving wife, scolding and worrying over his health. “Yes, I am taking care of myself. Sandi is making sure of that.”
“San-di?” Usagi asked, confused.
“Mmm. She’s one of my classmates,” he replied. “She’s studying to be a diet and nutrition specialist, and she has decided that I will make a challenging practice patient. She has recruited several of the others in her nutrition class to help her take care of me, my roommate, and the other guys in the house.”
“I see…” Usagi said as she stared off into space in front of her. She took a deep breath and forced a cheerful, confident tone back into her voice. “That’s great! If they are cooking and cleaning for you, you have more time to study.”
“Yeah,” Mamoru replied, distracted for a moment by thoughts of seeing his blonde angel again. He blinked as his roommate poked his head in the room and waved frantically at him. Mamoru turned to look at the clock, and then jumped up. “I have to go, Usa. Take care of yourself!”
“You, too, Mamo-chan,” she replied, trying not to sound worried or disappointed. “I will talk to you tomorrow?”
“No, not tomorrow… I have a study session. But I will call you later, okay?”
“Sure, Mamo-chan. Call when you can,” she replied as she untangled her fingers from the phone cord. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” he said, pausing for just a moment in his scramble for his textbooks. “Later…”
“Later…” Usgai waited until she heard the click of the phone on the other end and the dead air before she slowly returned the handset to the receiver. “Sandi?” She shook her head suddenly, and pushed the doubts aside. Mamoru loved her. He would never betray her. Would he?
Several hours later, Mamoru stared down at his Physical Chemistry homework and thought of his fiancée so far away. He imagined her peaceful, sleeping face painted by the moonlight. She looked so beautiful. So innocent. So young.
As he remembered her casual reference to the boys in her manga club and her art project, he frowned. Did they think that she was interested in any of them? What if she was? After all, they were her age and had the same interests. Even worse, they were right there. He shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside. Usagi loved him. She had proved that time and again. She would never betray him. On purpose. He shook his head again and forced his attention back to his homework.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Slowly, the months dragged on. Short phone conversations were a poor replacement for Mamoru’s strong arms, but Usagi busied herself with her friends and with teasing her younger brother during the day and waited each night for his call. She breathed a silent sigh of relief when Mamoru announced gleefully that Sandi was finally engaged to his roommate, Tom. She bit her lip and held to her faith in him as other names were dropped casually in conversations. Nadine, Windy, Meiling, Beth, Shreya, Nancy… Always used without an honorific of any kind, and always mentioned in a friendly tone. She reminded herself again and again that that was the normal way of speaking in America, that it did not mean anything.
Slowly, the years dragged on. Short phone conversations were a poor replacement for Usagi’s heady kisses, but Mamoru buried himself in classes and homework. He took as many classes as he could handle, begrudging any time required to cook, clean, and sleep. He stared up at the moon whenever it was visible and prayed that she would wait for him just a little longer. As he listened to her talk about the cute boys that she and her friends saw in school and out shopping, he held tightly to the fact that she never talked about any one in particular for very long. He reminded himself again and again that she loved to daydream about cute men, it was just a part of her personality. It did not mean anything.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Usagi leaned on the broom that Rei had given her to use, closed her eyes, and inhaled a deep breath of the warm spring air. It always smelled better in Hikawa Shrine than anywhere else for some reason. Maybe it was because it was situated on a high hill. Or maybe it was because of the sweet smelling plants that had been planted around the shrine over the years. She took another deep breath, savoring the scent of the sakura blooming on the ancient tree in the middle of the courtyard, and then opened her eyes and looked towards the steps. Someone was coming.
Her heart leapt in her chest, pounding madly. She put a hand over it and wondered why she was so excited. “Silly,” she muttered to herself as she turned back to the sweeping. “It’s not him. He doesn’t know I am here. Besides, he doesn’t graduate for two more months yet. He won’t be home until June at the earliest.” She smiled brightly at the thought. Her Mamo-chan was finally coming home.
Her eyes stole to the top of the stairs again, and she saw a dark head come into view. Her heart leapt again, and she scolded herself some more as she forced herself to look back down at the petals on the path. After the person had a chance to regain their breath, she would look up and welcome them to the shrine. That was the proper thing to do as Rei had told her many times.
Suddenly, a long stemmed red rose in full bloom appeared in front of her. She froze, and then slowly looked up, her heart pounding madly. It couldn’t be. Someone was playing a joke on her. He had seven weeks until graduation. Her eyes traced over a strong hand with lean fingers, and then up a black leather sleeve. It was her imagination. It had to be. That or she had had too much sun. Even after he graduated, he would have to arrange to pack all of his things to be shipped back to Japan. He would not be home until summer. Her eyes continued moving across a wide chest clad in a black tee shirt, up a strong, tanned neck. Heat stroke. That was it. She should have listened to Ami’s advice and worn a hat today. It was warm and bright for mid-March. In a moment, she was going to faint at this stranger’s feet. Because there was no way it could be…
Her azure eyes skimmed past the strong jaw and high cheekbones and met eyes as blue as the oceans when viewed from space, and all thought ceased. “Mamo-chan…?” she whispered.
“I’m home,” he replied, his fears dissolving and his heart racing madly as he saw the radiant joy that filled her face. He barely moved the rose out of the way in time as she threw aside her broom and leapt into his arms.
“Mamo-chan!!”
“Usako…” He wrapped his arms around her, closed his eyes, and held on tight. Finally, he was where he was supposed to be again. He was home.
Slowly, he relaxed his hold and let her slide down until her feet touched the ground. He reluctantly loosened one arm and reached for her face to brush away her tears. “Is it really you?” she asked shakily as she pushed her face into his hand and reached up to trace his beloved face. “Are you really here?”
“I’m here, Usa, I’m here,” he murmured reassuringly.
“Kiss me!” she commanded as she lifted her face to his. “Kiss me so I know you’re real!” Gladly, he obliged.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Three months later, Mamoru danced her into a small grotto in the garden that they had rented for their wedding reception. Most of the guests had left a long time ago, but their closest friends were still there cleaning up and guarding them, ensuring that they had as much privacy as they wanted. Pulling her closer, he kissed her tenderly. “Are you about ready to go?” he asked as his bride snuggled into him. He nodded his head towards the east. “Look, the sun is coming up. We’ve danced the night away.”
Usagi smiled slowly as she looked towards the rising sun. A thin layer of fog was beginning to rise from the fountains and stream that filled the garden, giving it a surreal, fantasy look. It was a fitting sight for a dream come true. “Pretty… Yes,” she said finally as she nestled closer. “Let’s go home.” It was finally time to start living their dream.