Hey, minna-chan! Chapter three is done, with some new scenes added, including one that Kimmie-chan kept bugging me to do in the original. ^^;; Are you *happy*, Kimmie? ^_~ Write me and let me know what you think! Love, Aimee-chan @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." John 3:16-17 @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- The Coldest December By Aimee Chapter Three "Midnight, not a sound from the pavement. Has the moon lost her memory? She is smiling alone." ~"Memory" from Cats "Honestly, Usagi! What on earth were you thinking? We don't even know who Tuxedo Kamen is!" Luna scolded me upon our return to my bedroom. "But Luna...he seems harmless," I argued in Tuxedo Kamen's defense while I pulled on a pair of thick pajamas. "All he's ever done is help me." "Child, whatever you may believe, that man is not our ally," she continued, pacing back and forth on my bed, her mind snared in troubled thoughts. "If he were on our side, he would make his intentions known to us." I glanced up at my kitty with tears in my eyes. "You're being unfair, Luna." "I'm sorry, Usagi," she answered firmly, bringing her eyes to meet my wounded gaze. "But I am your guardian, and I intend to do my job well-- no matter what the cost is. Tuxedo Kamen is not trustworthy, and until he makes his intentions known, I forbid you to contact him. That is final." My face fell. "But..." I whispered as a lone tear slipped down my cheek. "Usagi..." she said warningly. I knew better than to argue with her when she got that look in her eyes, so I relented. Shaking off the threatening sting of tears, I crossed my arms over my chest and visibly pouted for a few moments. "I don't even understand why he's interested in me," I sulked. "He doesn't know that I'm Sailor Moon." Luna's eyes narrowed. "Really? Are you sure about that?" My breath stilled, and my eyes became very wide. I hadn't considered that possibility. Good grief, how stupid could I be? The man knew my name, where I lived, where I went to school, and who knows what else! "Do you see why I'm so concerned, Usagi?" Luna continued. "I'm just looking out for your safety." "H-hai..." I stuttered, suddenly chilled to the bone. "I'll stay away from him." She seemed satisfied with my answer, but I wasn't. Only half an hour ago, I had assured Tuxedo Kamen that I trusted him. What a fool I had been to put my faith with such little reserve in a complete stranger. Still, though I was doubting the masked man himself, his words of wisdom rang in my thoughts with startling clarity. 'No more lying,' he had told me. 'That is never the best option. It will only get you into trouble.' I had promised him that I would be honest from then on. God knows I had lied numerous times in the past few days--to my mother and to Mamoru. I felt miserable for doing so, but did I really have the guts to tell them the truth? I certainly did owe them both an apology... Resolutely, I leaned over and set my alarm clock back an extra twenty minutes so that I could have a little private time with my mother before school. With that, I reclined back in bed and closed my eyes. Luna curled up beside me. "There's one more thing I wanted to talk to you about, Usagi. What did Tuxedo Kamen mean about all that 'last night' and 'no going out alone' business? Have you met with him before?" I hesitated, and a lie formed on my tongue. A tear slipped down my cheek, and I opened my eyes to meet Luna's concerned, almost alarmed face. "Usagi...? What is it? What's the matter?" I sat up in bed, brining my knees against my chest, and leaned back on the headboard of my bed, trying to gather the strength to tell her the truth. "Promise me you won't tell anyone..." I whispered, my throat tightening up. She moved a little closer to me. "If that's what you would like, then I promise." I swallowed hard and tried to pull myself together enough to speak. "Last night...after the battle...I was on my way home..." A little sob escaped from my lips. "And there was this man...he grabbed me..." Luna gasped quietly as I buried my face in my hands in shame. "He was...he was gonna... but...but he didn't..." "Usagi...What *did* he do? Are you okay? Are you hurt?" "He hit me...here..." I touched my cheek lightly. "And...and I have a some bruises..." "Did he...touch you?" Luna whispered the latter part of the sentence, almost in denial. I nodded, and my tears increased as did my misery. "Oh, Usagi-chan..." she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I should have been there...this is my fault...I should have *been* there." "No, Luna...don't say things like that. You know it's not your fault." "How did you get away?" "He came...just like he always does..." "Who?" "Tuxedo Kamen..." She paused, taking in this information. "And all of those things he said earlier about you being alone...?" "He asked me not to go anywhere unaccompanied... so that I'd be safe." Again, she hesitated. "I don't understand him, Usagi. He would make such a valuable ally, but he insists on working by himself and never speaking with us. And furthermore, you're the only senshi he seems to take interest in. He hardly gives the rest of the girls a second glance. His interest in you frightens me, Usagi. I don't like it at all." I shuddered, almost feeling his intense, storm-filled eyes on me. "Why me? Why am I the special one?" "I don't know, but I want you to stay away from him," said Luna. My eyes closed, and a few more tears slipped from my lashes. "You're tired, Usagi," she continued, in a gentler tone. "And you've been through a lot. You need to rest. Don't think about Tuxedo Kamen anymore." I sighed, and wiped my damp cheeks with the sleeve of my pajamas. "All right." I leaned back, and Luna snuggled up close to me. Her warmth was comforting, and I felt a little safer with her near. Closing weary eyes, I tried to relax, but it was hours until I fell asleep. @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- I ran through the garden, laughing happily as my playmates and I played in the beautiful rose bushes of earth. I felt so young and free--like a child without a single care. My hair blew softly in the breeze, and I noted that the length of it barely reached my waist. It would be long soon, though-- just like Mother's beautiful silver hair. Blossoms of every color adorned the thick green bushes. Mother said that I shouldn't touch the roses, but I was far too curious to obey. After all, there weren't such beautiful flowers where I came from. Stealing away from my friends--no, from my guardians--I approached a large bush with the intent of taking one of the precious blossoms. There were so many--no one would miss a single flower. I reached out an anxious hand and gently touched the silky softness that was a rose's petal. I gasped in delight, marveling over the beauty of the flower before me. Looking around carefully to make sure that I had no unwanted onlookers, I grasped the stem of the rose so that I could pluck it from the bush. "Oh!" I cried, pulling my hand abruptly from the depths of the rosebush. Upon further inspection of my hand, I realized as tears sprung to my eyes that I was bleeding; two little dots of blood stained my fingertips accusingly. "Careful," said a voice behind me, "the thorns are sharp." I spun around to see a young man watching me with eyes like I'd never seen before... eyes like the sea before a storm. "Thorns?" I asked in confusion, glancing once more at my bloodstained fingertips. The man smiled, taking out a handkerchief. I allowed him to wrap it carefully around my hand, and I stared at him curiously all the while. He was quite handsome--ebony hair like silk fell over his eyes, and his skin was smooth and well taken care of--like the skin of royalty. After mending my wounds, the man leaned over to the rosebush and plucked a beautiful flower for me. I watched as he patiently removed something from the green stem. "Thorns," he said, showing them to me. "They protect the rose." I studied the peculiar objects in the palm of his hand with an unprincesslike finger in my mouth. "Why do roses need protecting?" He chuckled. "You're a curious little thing, aren't you?" He smiled warmly, and I watched as his eyes sparkle in amusement. A little knot of nervousness twisted in my stomach. Why did I feel so strange? "What's your name, child?" he asked in his gentle voice. "Serenity," I answered, curtsying exactly as my mother had taught me to. "Princess Serenity?" the man asked, realization touching his soft features. He handed me the rose, and I accepted the gift shyly. I nodded in response to his question, blushing slightly at his gaze. "And who are you, sir?" Another smile. "I'm..." @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- "Usagi, wake up this instant!" Damn cat. I kicked Luna off the bed in retaliation for ruining such a wonderful dream and glanced at my alarm clock ruefully. Morning already? I groaned loudly. Luna was furious, and she leaped on my bed in a sputtering rage. "See if I ever wake you up again!" she threatened. I threw a pillow at her and, of course, missed. "You say that every morning. Quit trying to get my hopes up." Ignoring her ranting, I stumbled sleepily into the bathroom for my morning shower. As I undressed, I recounted my dream and marveled at how real it had felt--like it was more of a memory than anything else. A memory? I chuckled, recalling how I'd introduced myself as a princess. "In your dreams, Usagi," I said out loud. "In your wildest dreams." Still, how familiar the strange man had seemed--I could have sworn that we had met before... @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- "I said I was sorry, Luna! Geez..." I hissed at the sulking ball of fur at the end of my bed as I pulled on my school uniform in a rush. I still hadn't talked to my mother, and I was quickly running out of time. Luna continued her quiet pouting but gave a halfhearted purr of forgiveness when I gave her a scratch behind the ear. "Thank you for waking me up, Luna. I'll see you later." I walked hesitantly down the hallway towards my parent's room chanting, "I can't believe I'm doing this...I can't believe I'm doing this..." But I had made a promise to Tuxedo Kamen to be honest, and even though my trust in him was in question, I was going to keep my word. "Mom?" I called quietly from the doorway to her bedroom. "Can we talk?" My mother smiled pleasantly at me from where she sat at her vanity. "Of course, sweetheart." She rose and gestured that I sit down in her place. "How about I brush your hair for you while you tell me what's on your mind? It's been a long time since I've done that, hasn't it?" I smiled and nodded nervously, dreading the next few moments of honesty. This wasn't going to be easy. I sat down slowly and glanced in the mirror at my mother. She was beautiful with her dark hair, and the few distinguished hints of gray perfectly framed her face. Her dark eyes looked like Grandmother's. I watched her with a smile as she pulled a few pins out of my hair, letting its full length fall to the floor. "Your hair seems to get longer everyday," she said. The sadness in her voice didn't escape me, and my eyes fell downcast. "You know what happened, don't you, Mom?" She ran the brush through my hair a few times before speaking with carefully chosen words. "I know that you don't get bruises like that from tripping, if that's what you mean." I swallowed hard, my gaze falling to my wrists. I pulled the sleeves down further, wishing the bruises would simply disappear. "I'm sorry I lied, Mom." Silently, she parted my hair and began to twist the strands into buns. Her hands were gentle, and the process didn't hurt one bit. She secured each bun with pins, and I glanced approvingly in the mirror. She always could do my hair better than me... "Do you have anything else you want to tell me, angel?" she asked, calmly hinting that I reveal the rest of my secret. My lower lip trembled, and my gaze dropped to the floor. "I was attacked by a man." Tears visibly sprung to her eyes, and she touched the bruise on my cheek softly--the perfect way only mothers know how to touch. "Help came before he..." I paused, not able to complete the statement. "Before I was hurt." "Oh Usagi..." Her arms were around me in an instant, and we cried together until there were no more tears to be shed. I don't know why I didn't tell her what happened in the first place. I should have known that she would be there with all the comfort I would ever need. She was the best mom I could have ever hoped for. Maybe Tuxedo Kamen was right...honesty wasn't so bad after all. @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- The entrance to the arcade was but ten feet from where I stood. I knew Mamoru was in there. He was always there this time of day. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I didn't know why I felt that I must come clean with *him,* of all people. My mother was one story, but he was my archenemy, for goodness sake! But my promise to Tuxedo Kamen still stood, and I refused to back out like a coward. Besides...Mamoru did look a little hurt by my words yesterday... The bells on the door jingled as I entered, signaling to those inside of my arrival, but few looked up. He was one of those who did not look up, but I knew that he felt my presence. There he sat, in his usual corner booth, book in hand. His distinguished profile was shadowed by dark bangs, and I could not see his eyes. Gathering what little inner strength I had, I walked toward him and sat in his booth. He didn't look up--not even when I cleared my throat. His face was hardened and his jaw set in stone. Angry. Yes, he was definitely angry. "K-Konnichiwa, Mamoru-san," I stuttered, trying to gather what little confidence I had. "How are you?" Silence. "That good, huh?" I laughed nervously, hoping to get a smile out of him. Still, he gave no response. "Look, Mamoru," I started slowly, not knowing where I got the courage to speak. "I'm sorry for what I said yesterday in the car. I...I don't hate you. You can be a pain sometimes, but that's not an excuse for saying all the stuff I did. I didn't mean it. It's just that you just touched on a...a difficult subject for me to talk about." His silence was starting to hurt. He obviously didn't want me around. Perhaps he was trying to repay some of the hurt I had dealt on him yesterday. Whatever the case was, I knew I couldn't take much more of the silent treatment. Taking a deep breath, I decided to cut to the chase. "I lied to you, Mamoru, but I guess you already knew that somehow. I was attacked by a man while I was on my way home the other night," I began in a detached voice, trying to make such a horrible incident in my life seem like it was nothing. I didn't want his pity. "He was rough with me, and that's why my wrists were bruised. Help came before I was seriously hurt." I paused here, waiting for him to say something...anything...but he didn't. He wouldn't even look up. God, did he even care? Tears sprung to my eyes as I searched his face. "I'm sorry that I lied, Mamoru-san," I said, my feelings a little more than hurt. "I hope you can forgive me." With that, I stood to leave, very close to tears. A warm hand gently grabbed my wrist before I could slip away, and I turned to face Mamoru once more. His dark blue eyes searched mine through his reading glasses, and I felt his hand gently caressing the bruised wrist he held captive, his thumb running over the tender skin. I immediately became very uncomfortable. Still, through the uncomfortableness of the moment, I began to get a little excited. My heart somehow made its way up to my throat, and I all but forgot how to breathe. I forgot how to do everything, in fact. I could only look into those eyes...those deep, blue eyes... I shouldn't be here with him. He was my archenemy...a conceited jerk with no feelings whatsoever... ...who just happened to be caressing my wrist very tantalizingly... "Goodbye, Mamoru-san," I whispered, gently pulling my wrist from his grasp. I left the arcade, thoroughly confused, and in complete denial of what had just happened. @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- I walked down the sidewalk in a daze. Why had Mamoru been acting so strangely? Each and every one of his actions were completely uncharacteristic of the cold, distant man I had grown accustomed to. The Mamoru I knew wouldn't explode over a few bruises, demanding to know how they had been inflicted. He would say something, of course--who wouldn't? But rather, he would analyze the situation and address the subject with me carefully, in an unattached manner. That was just the way he was. The Mamoru I knew would never stop me from leaving the arcade with injured feelings, caressing my bruised wrist as though he cared. He would roll his eyes and let me leave, tossing a cold, "Grow up, Odango..." over his shoulder. The Mamoru I knew would never look at me as though my well-being was important to him, the way he had done in the car yesterday. He didn't care about me--he never had before. Why should that change now? I stopped myself in mid-thought, inwardly cursing at myself for letting the miserable man get to me in such a way. Why should I care what he thought of me? All he had ever done was harass me and remind me of all of my faults. He hated me... Didn't he? I swallowed hard, reluctantly considering the anxiety in his eyes when we argued in his car over my bruises, hidden by the cold and demanding exterior. I thought of his concern when he offered me a ride when I was so exhausted. I considered the soft caresses he had just given my injuries in the arcade and of the intense gaze he offered as he did so. Was he perhaps trying to redeem himself in my eyes? If that was the case, I would certainly give him ample opportunity. After all, everyone deserved a second chance. Even Chiba Mamoru. My thoughts were interrupted by someone calling my name. I turned to see the senshi waving happily to me. Luna mewed from her place in Ami's arms. The girls' smiles and carefree eyes proved to me that Luna was capable of keeping her word; they obviously knew nothing of the attack. "Hey guys," I called, managing to trip (it was a graceful trip, mind you) on a sidewalk crack as I walked up to the group. "How have you been, Usagi?" Minako asked, though her mind was obviously on other things--namely, the guy in the leather jacket by the corner drugstore. "Yes, you haven't been around after school lately," added Ami as she tucked a lock of her short hair behind an ear. "Got a new boyfriend?" Makoto teased, winking at me. "Does he have a good-looking cousin who likes tall brunettes?" I laughed--something I hadn't done in far too many days. It felt good. "I'm doing all right," I assured my friends, joining them as they walked down the sidewalk. "I've just been kind of busy." "I'm glad we found you," Rei said, getting down to business as usual. "Luna has called a meeting." I nodded, signaling to my friends that I understood. There was definitely a lot to discuss with the senshi, mostly dealing with a certain mysterious man in black. "Let's go." @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- "You've been in contact with who?!" Rei shrieked. I complimented myself for remembering to put my fingers in my ears. "Usagi, we've been through this," Ami said in a calm, yet concerned voice. "He's not trustworthy," Minako agreed with a nod. "Even if he *is* a hottie..." "If he hurts you..." Makoto didn't finish her threat but rather began to growl and crack her knuckles ominously. "Usagi and I have already discussed this," Luna spoke up. "We've agreed that Tuxedo Kamen could prove to be dangerous and that Usagi should keep her distance from him." "He certainly seems interested in her," Ami said, thumbing through her Japanese Literature book thoughtfully. "First Sailor Moon and now Usagi herself. Do you think it's possible he knows Sailor Moon's identity?" Luna sighed. "That's what worries me." "I wish you guys would stop talking about me like I'm not here," I snapped irritably. Rei glanced up from the red and white robe she was mending. "Gomen, Usagi...we're just worried about you. We care a lot about you." I nodded and didn't respond, even when she leaned over and gave me an awkward hug. I knew deep down that Rei had been concerned with my happiness lately; she certainly must have had her reasons, what with the odd behavior I'd displayed when we talked the other day. She'd been especially considerate throughout the meeting. It wouldn't surprise me if she knew about the man who attacked me. It wasn't easy keeping secrets from a psychic. "Thanks, Rei," I whispered. "Guys," Rei said after a moment. "I don't think Tuxedo Kamen is out to hurt Usagi...or Sailor Moon." Shock was evident on all faces in the room. "But how do you know for certain?" Makoto asked. "It's just a feeling I've got," she answered quietly. "The Great Fire seems to be in accordance with what I'm sensing. And..." Her voice trailed off. "And?" I pressed. "Nothing," she said in a low voice, obviously reconsidering telling us something. I eyed her carefully. "You know, Rei," Ami began, glancing up from her notebook. "It seems like the Great Fire could reveal his identity to us...not to mention his motives." The fiery priestess remained quiet, and her silence was an obvious answer to the question. My mouth dropped open in shock. "Y-You know who he is?" I stammered, completely caught off guard. "Tell me! You have to!" Her fiery violet eyes met mine. "That's something you're going to have to figure out for yourself." I just about screamed in frustration. What *was* this? A conspiracy? That's the exact thing Tuxedo Kamen said last night! Dear readers, I may not be the brightest child in God's wonderful earth, but there is one thing I do know for certain: if I were psychic, I *certainly* wouldn't keep such juicy gossip from my friends. How dare she! "Please, Rei? It's important to me," I pleaded. She ignored me and instead turned to Luna and the other senshi. "He won't hurt her," she said, gathering her things, signaling to us that the meeting was over. "I promise." "Still," Luna persisted. "I don't think it's wise for her to be meeting with him." Minako, Makoto and Ami nodded in agreement, and Rei shrugged indifferently. "Suit yourself," she said simply, walking away to continue her chores. We watched her exit in silence, wondering what was on the priestess' mind. @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- "He'll be waiting for me, you know," I reminded my pet as I stared at the moon from my bedroom window. "I'm sorry, Usagi," Luna sighed. "It's better this way--you'll see." "Hai," I muttered unhappily, torn over my feelings for Tuxedo Kamen. Luna left the room as I continued to watch the beautiful crescent moon in the sky. How familiar it seemed at times--almost like...home. Home? I laughed. Where had that silly thought come from? Growing silent once more, I touched my fingertips to the window. The glass felt icy cold to my warm fingers. Truly, it was the strangest December I'd ever encountered--no snow, yet so very cold. Cold--like Mamoru. I focused my eyes and glanced close at the street below my window. "Mamoru?" I gasped out loud. I blinked twice, making sure my vision was behaving properly. He was standing on the street below, stopped, and staring directly at me. He was in a black turtleneck and slacks and wore a long, black overcoat which made him seem even taller and slimmer than he was. His stormy eyes were dark as he watched me. I gasped again and pulled the curtains over the window. What the *hell* was he doing? Spying on me? How dare he! He was certainly going to get an earful from me! Furiously, I stormed down the stairs and out of the house, pulling on a jacket as I walked. But once I reached the street, I realized that Mamoru was no longer there. I looked to the left and right but saw no one on the long, abandoned street. "But...he was just here...wasn't he?" I whispered, watching my breath freeze in the cold. "Mamoru!" I called, listening to my voice echo. "This isn't funny...come out so that I can yell at you!" The sound of the frigid wind was the only response, and I shivered. I heard a footstep behind me and whipped around, but no one was there. Shivering quickly turned into trembling as fear turned my blood cold. I gripped the senshi communicator in my pocket, ready to call for help should something-- anything--go wrong. I swallowed hard, sinking down into my jacket further. My eyes grew wide as I heard the footstep again...this time closer. My heart leapt to my throat, and my knees nearly buckled. I didn't need any further persuasion. I took off running as though all the fires of hell were hunting me down. It was a shame that I didn't see the lovely curve in front of my path. I tripped, of course, and fell unceremoniously on my face. "Waaaaaahhhhh!" I wailed, rubbing the nose that had hit the grassy ground. I heard the footstep again. My cries ceased immediately, and my heart rate quickened. My ears pricked up as I listened closely to the sounds of the night. I felt eyes upon me. I was definitely not alone. It was then that I heard the voice. "You're late." @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- Write me! sailor_moon89@hotmail.com Stay tuned for chapter four...coming soon! Join the Moonlit Eclipse mailing list! You'll hear about new chapters! http://www.geocities.com/moonlit_eclipse/ Ja ne! Aimee-chan