Told ya I was going to write the next chapter as soon as possible. After I sent chapter 1 I just couldn?t stand up from the computer, so I started typing chapter 2 until I finished it. So here it is. Although I already told you, I?d like to warn you again that this story is kinda depressing and VERY exaggerated, so, if you?re not in the mood, I suggest you don?t read it. E-mail: dasha@mpsnet.com.mx Rating: PG By: Dafne Usual disclaimer applied. Rose?s tears Chapter 2 Chibi - Usa ran happily up the stairs. As soon as she reached Usagi?s room she opened the door and gasped at what she saw. An unconscious Usagi laid sprawled on the floor next to her window. As she neared the limp body she noticed that a blood covered stem rested by her side, several petals were scattered around her, and the carpet had red spots all over it. Chibi ? Usa found several tiny wounds on both of Usagi?s hands that were bleeding uncontrollably. The little girl could not move or talk, fear had possessed her whole being, she could only stare wide ? eyed at the scene displayed before her. After a few minutes she finally found her voice again and ran out the door. She could be heard throughout the entire house shouting at the top of her lungs "Auntie Ikuko!!!!" * * * * * I hate myself so much, how could I possibly hurt her? But I didn?t have a choice, now, did I? I?d never forgive myself if anything happened to her, and if I stay near her she will die, and that I cannot bear. Sure, it?s painful to be away from her, but at least she?s alive, I?m sure she?ll get over it and find someone else that truly deserves her love, seeing her happy makes me happy as well, although not as much as I would be with her by my side. However, even though I did this to protect her, sometimes I feel as if I had done the wrong thing. I?ve tried to keep myself busy to avoid thinking of her, but it?s to no avail. I can still remember that crucial day as if it had been yesterday... ***Flashback*** I was sprawled on the floor helping Chibi ? Usa with her homework when suddenly I heard the doorbell ringing. Tiredly I stood up and said "Finish that problem while I go and see who is it, ok?" the little pink-haired girl nodded and continued with her work. I smiled down at her and then added "I?ll be right back." I headed towards the door and when I opened it I found Usako standing right in front of me. *Oh God, please... not now* I thought. I was shocked, my mind was suddenly overflowed by emotions, and I didn?t know what to do. I felt my eyes fill up with tears and my whole body started to tremble. I quickly realized what I was doing and managed to repress my feelings placing a hard - looking face, I couldn?t allow her to know how I really felt. Fortunately she didn?t seem to notice my first reaction. She smiled shyly at me and said "Mamo-chan, I need to talk to you," then added uncertainly "may I come in?" I didn?t answer, I just opened the door a little bit wider and walked in my apartment again, leaning on a wall where the shadows hid my face strategically. She followed me and closed the door behind her. "What are you doing here?" I asked emotionlessly. *Oh Mamoru, you?re so stupid! You of all people should know why she came, you?ve torn her heart, you idiot!!!* my mind scolded me. "Mamo-chan, why did you break up with me?" she asked trying to hold back tears. Her usually loud, cheerful, and steady voice was now ragged, filled with pain, and barely above a whisper. Finally, the question I?d been dreading for the last 2 days. At first I couldn?t reply, but after a while I answered in such a cold way I even surprised myself "I don?t love you anymore, Usagi". I?ll never forget her reaction, her beautiful blue eyes shimmered with unshed tears and her lower lip trembled with emotion. At that moment all I wanted to do was take her in my arms and tell her that it wasn?t true, that she was my life, my one and only love. I wanted to spill out everything about the awful dreams I had been having, but somehow I managed to hold back. She smiled sadly and lowered her head and eyelashes. "Oh Mamo-chan," she pleaded softly "I promise I?ll change. I?ll start taking things more seriously, I won?t be a crybaby anymore, I..." I couldn?t let her go on, so I interrupted her in mid-sentence "Don?t you understand Usagi?, I don?t care about you anymore!" I yelled at her. She seemed to flinch under my hateful words, but quickly recovered her strength and replied calmly "You know what, Mamoru?" she asked. I winced quietly at the given name. "I don?t believe you" I was stunned by her answer, but she didn?t seem to notice the bewildered look on my face, so I just stood paralyzed and let her go on. "You must remember that you once were Prince Endymion and that I was Princess Serenity. Our love has lasted for centuries, it just can?t end like this. We are soul mates, we were destined for each other even before we were born". I just wished this conversation could come to an end, I was starting to lose all my willpower. *Oh Usako, why do you have to be so adorable?, you?re just making this more difficult for me* I thought. I pounded my fist angrily on the wall, startling myself once again, and said heartlessly "How many times do I have to tell you, Usagi? I don?t love you anymore!!! I don?t care if we were engaged a million years ago, I don?t want to be bounded to you just because of what happened in the past, that?s over now, we?re through!!!" That did it, the tears she had been holding back for so long were now flowing freely down her flushed cheeks. As I watched her, pain invaded my whole being, I couldn?t stand to see her crying, especially when I knew I had been the cause of her suffering. My very own words had pierced through my heart and apparently they had had the same stinging effect on her, only much more stronger. She looked up at me and my already bruised heart shattered to a million pieces. Instead of the joyful girl that had once hit me with a test paper, stood a depressed and devastated young woman with bloodshot eyes and a tear stained face. She looked around the room until her eyes fixed on a pair of small shoes. I could clearly see as her features filled up with anger and frustration "Chibi ? Usa is here, isn?t she?" she demanded. I just lowered my head. "It?s because of her, isn?t it? You prefer to be with her rather than with me, you love her, don?t you?!" Where did she get that idea from? How could she think something like that? I mean, Chibi Usa?s just a kid, besides, Usako is and will always be my only love. Sure, I loved Chibi-Usa, but not as she thought, she was like a little sister to me. "Don?t be silly, Usagi" was my only response. "Ok, I understand, Mamoru" she said in between sobs "I?m so sorry for wasting your time, I promise I won?t bother you anymore. Good ? bye, my love" she said this last words so softly I almost didn?t hear them. I watched painfully as she turned around and ran out the door crying heartbreakingly. As soon as she was gone I pounded my fist on the wall once again and cursed myself. Suddenly I realized someone was behind me. I turned around and faced Chibi ? Usa. She ran up to me and immediately broke down sobbing. She said that everything that had happened was all her fault, but I assured her that she had nothing to do with it. After she had calmed down we returned to my bedroom and finished her assignment. She left an our later. When I found myself alone I broke down sobbing, trying to get rid of all the distress that was tearing me apart. ***End of Flashback*** Since then, every single night I?ve cried my heart out until I give up to a restless slumber, just to wake up the next morning bathed in sweat because of the frightening nightmares that have been haunting me all these weeks. I?m now standing at my balcony admiring the peaceful night. Millions of stars are twinkling merrily, but no matter how much they try, they can never dim the moon?s silver brightness. As I stare at its beauty I cannot help but to think of its princess. Oh!, how I miss her warmth, her love, her carefree nature, her smile, her hugs, her kisses... Oh dear God, I miss her so much, I NEED her!!! Why are you doing this to me?, why are you doing this to Us? What have we done to deserve so much grief? Why is something always attempting to keep us apart? Suddenly all my thoughts fly away as I feel a sharp pain cut through my whole body. I can barely breath and I start to tremble uncontrollably. A few minutes later the agony starts to go away, but I feel as if half of my soul is leaving with it as well. A dreadful thought assaults my mind and I?m suddenly overwhelmed with fear. "Oh God, please tell me it?s not true, tell me I?m wrong, tell me she?s alright" I pray silently. Three days later... I jump in surprise as the phone starts ringing. Slowly I walk into my living room and pick up the receiver. "Hello?" "Ma- Mamoru?" asks a trembling voice. "Rei-chan? What is it?" I ask very concerned, her tone of voice tells me that something is pretty wrong, but suddenly I realize I really don?t want to hear what she has to say, I?m afraid I already know the answer... "Mamoru," she repeats in between sobs "you have to come immediately, U- Usagi...." her voice breaks down and, not being able to finish her sentence, she starts crying uncontrollably. I can?t think clearly, my mind is in a whirlwind. I can feel my legs faltering and a few seconds later I find myself on my knees. "Wha...what?s wrong with Usako?" I stammer. I hear her gasp in surprise. All the girls knew that since I broke up with Usako I had been treating her pretty badly, and I?d never called her that way for the last two weeks. Finally she finds her voice and says "Usagi is....." she stops. I know she?s deciding whether to tell me or not, so I wait for her response patiently. After a few minutes she takes in a deep breath and continues "Usagi... is dying" As soon as she finishes all my life crumbles. I had been feeling awful and my wounded heart seemed to hurt more and more as days went by, but at least I hoped my beloved would find happiness someday, but apparently that was never going to happen because she was going to die. "MY USAKO IS GOING TO DIE!!!!???" I cry out desperately. I can?t imagine a world without her, life would lose all its meaning. I wouldn?t be able to survive. *If she dies I?ll kill myself* I think determinedly. After I calm down I ask Rei where should I go, so she tells me that all of them are at Juuban Hospital. As soon as she gives me Usagi?s room number I hang up the phone. I quickly grab my jacket and I?m on my way. I drive as fast as I can with just one thought in mind *I?m coming Usako, just hold on a little bit longer. I?ll save you my love, I swear I will* AUTHOR?S NOTES: Well, how was it? Good? Bad? PLEASE!!! tell me what you think. I?ll try to write chapter 3 for next week, but as always I don?t promise anything. Oh!, I almost forgot, I would like to send a special greeting to my dear friends Hotaru and Space 13 (??), and I would also like to thank Andrea and Artemis for posting my work on this incredible site. Besos y abrazos para todos!!!