She always wondered how it had felt like to fall in love... She sighed, as she tried to picture how he would look like, how his face was shaped - how deep his eyes were.... She closed her eyes, as she could see them now, the same deep exotic midnight blue that always haunted her mind whenever she drifted off into the dream world. "Mamoru...." ~~~ Tsuki akari miageru sora ni Anata wo ukabete... Me wo tojite Kimi no namae wo sasayaku yo Namida wa maru de suishou no sazanami Samishisa mune ni michite yuku Tatoe donna ni tooku ni Hanarete mo My love... Kokoro wa ima hitotsu ni kagayakeru You're just my love Soba ni ite mitsume aitai Negai wo kanaete... Ude no naka kimi wo dakishime Nemuritai Onaji yoru ni kanashimi wakachiai Ai wo shinjite itai kara Tatoe donna ni kizu tsuki Naita tte My love... Futari naraba egao ni nareru kara You're just my love Donna ni tooku ni Hanarete mo My love... Kokoro wa ima hitotsu ni kagayakeru Donna ni kizu tsuki Naita tte My love... Futari naraba egao ni nareru kara You're just my love Gazing at the sky bright with the moonlight All I see is your face I close my eyes And whisper your name quietly My tears are just like ripples of crystal The feeling of loneliness fills up my heart No matter how much distance there is Separating us, my love... Our spirits now shine brightly together as one You're just my love By your side, I want our gazes to meet Please grant my wish... With you in my arms, holding you closely I want to sleep Sharing at night the same sad feelings Because I want to believe in our love No matter how much pain that there is Or how much I cry, my love... When we're together, my face changes into a smile You're just my love Whatever distance there is Separating us, my love... Our spirits now shine brightly together as one Whatever pain that there is Or how much I cry, my love... When we're together, my face changes into a smile You're just my love ~~~ Just My Love Chapter 1 By Chi Chi and Eternal Angel Chibiusa9@aol.com, Usako9@hotmail.com http://cherryblossoms.cjb.net/ ~~~ Usagi looked longingly into the store as she glanced at the beautiful necklace. "Kirei..." she whispered,as she looked down at her test score. Yet again she had scored the lowest in the class, a 30%. 'How can I show this to Mama? She is going to lock me out of the house...' She looked down at the ground angry with herself. She did study for this test, only no mattered how hard she tried she would always be last. Angered at herself, she crumbled the paper in her hands and threw it behind her furious at herself for being so damn dumb. From behind her, a voice called out, "Ouch! Thanks a lot Odango Atama! Right in my face!" She turned behind her to face the person angrily. "ODANGO ATAMA? Nani??!!!! Don't call me that stupid!" She exclaimed to him as he un-crumbled the paper. Her blood ran cold as she stared at him. He wore dark glasses, covering his eyes. He began to read the paper that she threw. 'Iie... just what I need, some kawaii jerk knowing that I'm stupid.' "A 30??!! Who's calling who stupid Odango Atama?" He said with a chuckle as he looked her up and down. 'She's pretty cute...' he thought to himself as humiliation filled her face. "AHH! I HAD ENOUGH!" She grabbed the paper from his hands and turned around, leaving him behind there. He shook his head and looked into the jewelry store Osa*P and at the necklace that she was looking at. 'It would have looked beautiful on her...' He was surprised that he thought strongly about the mysterious girl that just exploded at him. ~~~ 'Odango atama?' she pondered, as she still thought about what he had said. A whole day had gone by but she was still unable to get him out of her mind. 'There is something about him...' she thought, as she wished she was able to look into his eyes. His sunglasses shielded them. She sighed, "No one like him would ever like a girl like me. I'm dumb and stupid... he's different..." "He's special..." She looked up at her ceiling again, as she closed her eyes, as her thoughts only consumed of him. 'I wish I knew his name...' She was annoyed at herself for falling for someone she didn't know, but it didn't matter, she had already fallen too hard. ~~~ Lately she had been deprived of sleep, finding it hard for her to wake up every morning and go to school. She had an even more difficult time concentrating in class, that her teacher had simply given up on her and left her alone to think about him. Her thoughts always mingled on him, as she wondered if she could fall in love this fast for a person that she didn't even know. She walked away from her school, her book bag barely touching the ground. She wondered where she could go right now. Her eyes laid upon a bright sign for her favorite arcade as she smiled and entered it, hoping to get her mind off of everything and *him*. "Hey Motoki," she said to the man on the other side of the counter. He waved to her, his eyes sparkling blue. "Hey Usa-chan. Long time no see!" He exclaimed, as she grinned, taking a seat on the stool, as she placed her head down, dead tired. A voice from behind her made her heart beat fast. "Well, lookie, if it isn't Odango Atama. Lazing around as I can see." Her heart raced, as she knew whose voice that belonged to. She turned around to see *him*. She beckoned for her heart to stop its pace, but it only seem to go faster. "I have a name you know. It's Tsukino Usagi. U-S-A-G-I." She told him, as he grinned. 'Tsukino Usagi... Rabbit of the Moon? It fits her... she really is like a rabbit or more like a bunny... Usako...' He thought, as he saw her glaring at him and spoke up. "Wow, odango atama actually knows how to spell her own name. Are there any other hidden talents that you would like to illustrate to me today?" She flashed him an angry look as she grabbed her bag and stormed away. "Mamoru-san, why do you have to be so hard on the girl, she's only 14. What are you? 19?" Motiko asked, as he shrugged, sitting on the seat she just had. On the ground, she left her handkerchief, her names embroidered on it with a little bunny on the side. 'Usako...' he thought, as he stuffed it in his pocket. Motoki placed a cup of black coffee in front of him to his friend. "Thanks..." he said, as he slowly drank it as his mind lingered on her. ~~~ Usagi swirled around her room, happy and content with the news that she had just found out. The baka that had been calling her odango atama was named Chiba Mamoru. Protector of earth. She sighed, giddy with joy. The name was soooo romantic. Protector... She giggled, as she flopped onto bed. Her kitty then looked at her, her dark eyes looking at her owner wondering if she had lost it. Usagi took the cat into her arms. And held her close to her. "Ohh Luna..." she said, as she smiled peacefully. The purple cat squirmed in her arms, but then relaxed as Usagi scratched her. She let out a soft purr as Usagi's eyes were still far off. "Mamo- chan..." She giggled again, getting giddy whenever she thought of him. ~~~ "AHHH!! Mom, why didn't you wake me up?!" Usagi squealed as she raced around trying to get dress and brush her teeth. "I did dear, and you said you were up." "And you believed me?" Ikuko sighed as she watched her daughter stuff the piece of toast in her mouth and dash out the door. "I'm going to be sooo late," she cried as she rounded the corner. "SLAM!" Usagi hit the wall and fell back. "I didn't know brick walls were soft," she said dazedly. "That's because they're not," a voice retorted. Usagi looked up to find herself gazing into the darkest blue eyes she had ever seen. "Ugh...not you again," Usagi complained, quickly trying to hide her flushed cheeks. "So nice to see you too Odango Atama," Mamoru replied sarcastically. "ARGHHH... you BAKA" she growled. "My name is Usagi!" He chuckled at the way she clenched her fists and how her face grew red. He could've sworn he saw smoke steaming out of her ears. Mamoru watched as Usagi lifted herself off the ground and brushed off her skirt. His eyes traveled down from her smooth hands to her long, curvy legs. He glanced back up and realized he got caught from the look of Usagi's shocked eyes. But for some reason, he couldn't turn away. Her crystal blue eyes were mesmerizing. Mamoru took a step forward and slowly reached out to touch her hair. 'It's so soft.' Usagi's eyes widened even more as Mamoru stroked her hair. She stepped forward to close the gap between them. "BRINNGGG!" "OH NO! I'M SOO LATE!" she squealed. Usagi stooped down to pick up her belongings and dashed off, leaving behind a bewildered Mamoru. 'What's wrong with you?! She's only a junior high school girl and you're letting her get to you,' his conscience reprimanded him. Mamoru shook his head as he continued on his way to class, still thinking about how Usagi's hair felt between his fingers. ~~~ She lagged from behind class, stopping to talk to Miss Haruna. Looking around to see if the close was clear, she took out a paper from her bag. "Miss Haruna, here's the extra credit work. I know it isn't much, but I was hoping it can pull up my grade." She said in a soft voice. The red haired teacher nodded, accepting the paper. "Now, what is this about?" She asked, looking at the blond, and smiling softly. "It's an essay about love at first sight... I hope that it's good enough to pull my grade up from the slam that its in." Haruna nodded, and shooed the girl away as she opened to page one, reading it quietly. Love At First Sight By Tsukino Usagi All my life, the thought of love at first sight always seemed wrong. There was never love at first sight - how could you fall in love with someone you didn't know at first sight? How could you know that you can spend the rest of your life (and if lucky), the rest of the eternity with that person? Love at first sight was just a fantasy, it never happened. It was just an attraction, an infatuation, but never - *never* love. But I was wrong. It must have been the day when I felt horrible and downright stupid when I saw him. Actually, I hit him. With that, I turned around to say I'm sorry, but then I felt it. The feeling that I had around him; it was a wonderful feeling. I felt as if I could die that moment and live in the after world a happy soul. Everything about him felt so right! I could already see the color of his eyes although they were covered with dark sunglasses. They were a deep midnight blue that could make one drown in them. The scent of roses clung around him, making me see the symbol of love, the rose, blooming. He seemed to run his hand through his silky hair, as he was dress in a tuxedo. Classy I might add in, but he was picture perfect. I could feel my voice get stuck in my throat, and he spoke up, after unscrambling the test paper. (You know what was on the test sheet Haruna-sensei, you were going to give me detention, but you had a date.) He then spoke up, his voice was deep and silky as I felt myself become lost by it. And his exact words followed, "Odango atama, are you incredibly lazy or just plain stupid." Yes, the feeling of disappointment and absolute heartbreak filled me, but there was this that spark that I felt. The spark that made me stay there and reply back and not just yank the test paper out of his hands and leave. Insults flew, as they do every time we cross paths, but there is a line, "There is a thin line between love and hate." And I, Tsukino Usagi am in love. I some times wish that I can just grab him, wrap my arms around him and just kiss the hell out of him. But how can I when I know all he feels for me is annoyance? That I'm just a time passer, a person who he can tease, bicker at, make fun of, and slap around? It really hurt sometimes, but all the pain, all the heartbreak disintegrates at the sight of his eyes. Heavenly eyes I must say. The cocky smile he has too, one he only gives me, one that tells me that I do have a special place in his heart - even though it is just a small section. All in all, no matter what he says, no matter what he does, I cannot help but be in love with him. He is someone unbelievable, an honorable person and gets great grades in school, unlike me sadly enough. I just wish that one day, when I look into his eyes, I would be able to see something other than the annoyance or mocking look he gives me. But until that day comes, I am content with what I have with him right now. Haruna re-read the essay, surprise with the girl's emotions and well written (Usa: well, I hope so!! That was the best I could do!) paper she had done. A love that was instant yet neglected, emotions wild yet calm. Haruna-sensei let out a sniffle. "It's so beautiful!! It reminds me about my old sempai and I!" With that, she began to plot out how to enter the essay into a contest that she had told the class about a week ago... but the only person who actually listened to her and was willing to do it was Umino (*sob* she thought, another essay about earthworms and their large part on the cycle of life) and Mizuno Ami who seemed to enjoy the topics of computer and technology. (Usa: As you can tell, Miss Haruna is a softie for romance and everything.) ~~~ Leaning against the wall, the dark haired girl waited for her friend. Looking at her watch, she could see that the time that they were to meet had passed. Just then a blond appeared, smiling happily, as the dark haired girl looked at her, "Usa-chan, why so happy? You conned your way out of getting Haruna-sensei to not give you detention." "As if Rei-chan, I just have to say, I'm very happy today. You see, don't tell anyone, but I did extra credit..." Rei looked at her, jaw gaped as Usagi frowned at her, "Nani? You aren't proud of me?" Rei shook her head. "No no, I'm just saying that I never thought..." "Baka Rei, I'm not *that* bad, anyhow, my grade is at stake and it depends on that sheet of paper." "Well I'm glad to see that you're finally getting your act together Odango. Come on, let's go, we were suppose to meet everyone at the arcade ten minutes ago," she said as she began dragging Usagi by the hand. ~~~ "Geez Rei-chan, you can let go now," Usagi huffed, trying to catch her breath. "Look, we're not the only ones late, Mina- chan isn't even here yet," she stated as the two girls walked into the noisy arcade. Usagi looked about, trying to see if a certain dark haired drop dead guy was around, but she hadn't search far before Rei caught her attention once more. "She's right there Usa. Oh wow, check out the hottie she's with," Rei said with an appreciative whistle, pointing out the blond. She searched the room, as her eyes catching the blond, who laughed playfully and flirtatiously - with Chiba Mamoru? Her heart banged with sharp pain as Mamoru had given her his 'to die for' smiles. 'He never smiled like that to me -' a tear softly made it's way down her cheek, as she wiped it before Rei could notice. Rei didn't, for she was still so involve with the couple that stood before her. Soon, Rei snapped back to the reality that they were in, as she pulled Usagi with her, "Come on Usagi-chan, Mako- chan saved us a table over there." She began to tug at her, as Usagi couldn't move, for her heart was shattered in her hands, as she stared at them plainly. "Usa..." She had snapped out of her daze, as she took in a deep breath. Her heart was in pieces, bleeding within her hands. With a ragged voice, she then said, "You go ahead Rei-chan, I forgot I had to do something for my mom." Her voice was barley chocked out from her throat, as she turned around and fled, as a river of tears trailed with her. Rei just watched her friend leave dumbstruck. 'Was it something I said?' ~~~ Mamoru took a sip from his lukewarm coffee. He had been waiting in the arcade for half an hour, hoping that he would catch a glimpse of his odango-atama. For the past few days, he couldn't seem to get her out of his mind. He ached to run his fingers through her thick, golden hair and gaze into her innocent, baby- blue eyes. A blonde-haired blue-eyed girl, who he thought, interrupted his daydream at first glance, was his Usako. But he noted that her hair was a darker shade of blonde and her eyes a more grayer blue. "Hi, my name's Aino Minako," she said in a cheerful voice as she took the seat next to him. 'Oh Kami,' he groaned, 'Not another one.' With his charming good looks, Mamoru attracted nearly half of the entire population of women in Jubban. *Chi Chi: Like durr...anyone who isn't attracted to him is brain dead!* "I noticed that you come here often," Minako said as she chewed on her lip with nervousness. 'Come on Minako, you can do it, just ask him, he won't bite.' 'But what if he laughs at you,' her voice of reason spat. Mamoru watched in amusement as she sat debating in her mind whether she should ask him or not. "Umm...you're good friends with Motoki right?" she asked in a rushed voice. Mamoru was taken aback. He was sure that she was going to ask him out. He felt the tension slowly disappear between the two. 'So, she likes MOTOKI?' "Yes, he's my best friend," he replied, quickly covering up any traces of surprise on his handsome features. "So, umm... can you tell me if he has a girlfriend?" Minako asked meekly. Mamoru's face broke out into a sly grin. 'So, someone that's gone on Motoki? won't he be pleased? She's quite a looker, but no one can compare to my Usako.' "As far as I know, Motoki isn't seeing anyone." "Phew," Minako sighed in relief. "I've been meaning to talk to Motoki, but every time I come he's busy with customers or he'll be talking to you or Usagi-chan." At the sound of her name on the blonde's lips, his heart lightened, "Hold on, you know Usagi?" He had asked in delight. The blonde stared at him, a smile playing on her lips. "Yeah! She's one of my best friends!" She had exclaimed, noting the way his eyes looked at the mention of her name. The look ? it was a look that a person in love would give to their lover? Nope, she wasn't mistaken; it WAS a look that belonged to a person in love. "You like her don't you?" Minako asked suspiciously with a mysterious gleam in her eye, which Mamoru didn't like. "Well no, I just met her and I was just wondering about her..." Minako gave him a look that said "You can't hide it from me." "Okay yes, I do like her," he admitted in defeat. "Ha! I knew it," Minako cried, laughing at Mamoru's defeated expression. "Just wait till Usa-chan finds out!" Mamoru's head perked up. "NO! You can't tell her you hear me...she'd think I was a psycho," he pleaded. His eyes met hers as Minako sighed. She felt strong vibes coming from the dark-haired man. If he really liked Usagi-chan, he would tell her on his own. "Okay," she nodded. "Thank you," he sighed, flashing her a grateful smile that literally made girls swoon at his feet. A commotion near the front of the arcade caught his attention, and he looked up to see a pair of blonde pigtails trail out of the arcade. "I wonder what that was about," Minako mused as she got up from her seat. "Well I'm suppose to be meeting my friends, so I'll see you around..." "Mamoru, Chiba Mamoru." "Nice meeting you Mamoru-kun and good luck," she said with a wink. ~~~ Email is wonderful! Please email us!!