Golden Children Chapter 2: It was as if I had never woken By: Cahaya K. and Garnet Rating: Garnet: Hmmm... It’s PG, Aya-chan wrote it :p Aya-chan: It's a lie!!!!!! ======================== Disclaimer: No own, no money, no sue. Okay? ------------------------------------ The sunlight pouring in through the window woke him up. He stretched and yawned checking his clock with his still half-shut eyes. His jaw dropped to the floor and he fell out of bed. "I'm so dead! Sensei is going to kill me!!!" He shouted frantically, running around and frantically waving his arms while breaking all records of taking a shower, eating breakfast and getting dressed. Not even bothering to wait for the lift, he used the stairs. And if it were possible, he got down before the lift did. He rushed towards his school, glancing at his watch again. He was so wrapped up in his frantic rush, that he didn't see that he was on collision course with a man with dark hair. *SMACK* *THUD* *THUD* "Watch where you’re going Odango!" The other man cried. "Odango?" Taiyo groaned and stood up immediately, "Gomen!" He exclaimed picking up his now familiar panic voice and helping the other poor soul up. The dark haired stranger raised an eyebrow. Then a feeling of recognition passed between both men, and they broke into grins and a loud shout, "Mamoru!" "Taiyo!" They both gave each other pats in the back and a firm handshake. "When did you get to Tokyo?" Asked Mamoru. Taiyo just grinned like an idiot. "Oh? What?" "Taiyo - Space Cadet." "Oh, and that’s a bad thing?" "Answer my question." "Just yesterday. I'm going to Azabu for my class. I'm running late!" He exclaimed. "No way! I go there too!" Mamoru told, mirroring Taiyo’s grin. Taiyo looked at his watch. "Well, we’d better run for it if we want to make it to class!" He exclaimed. Mamoru checked his watch too, and nodded. "The professor is always late, so I usually just take my time." He explained. Taiyo groaned. "Just my luck!" He muttered, shaking his head. Mamoru laughed at Taiyo’s dark expression. "Never did change, did you, Taiyo?" He asked. Taiyo shook his head. "I wouldn't be myself if I did!" He told, grinning. So the two old friends began to walk to their campus. ========================== "DETENTION!" Shouted Miss Haruna. Usagi just stared at her through her blue eyes and shrugged, sitting down on her seat. Naru shot her friend a worried look. "Usagi-chan, are you all right?" She whispered. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Usagi asked, not even looking her way. Naru frowned and saw that Mako and Ami looked at Usagi worriedly before their eyes on her disappeared completely and they concentrated on Miss Haruna. Minako mouthed the words, "Didn’t sleep much last night. Didn’t finish her homework I think." to Naru, and she nodded in realization. "Chapter six, Usagi-chan." Minako said, as Usagi opened her book. Usagi looked at her, managed a small smile which disappeared quickly. Naru and Minako just sighed. ========================== As the two guys entered the room, most of the female eyes fly to them like a fly to honey. Mamoru was used to it, but Taiyo wasn't. The girls couldn't help but stare at the newcomer. He had blond hair that covered his eyes at times, clear blue eyes that you can get yourself lost into and a smile that made the whole group of girls swoon. Taiyo glanced at the room with a nervous smile. Mamoru chuckled at him. "Something you have to get used to." Explained Mamoru. Taiyo nodded and gulped. "They do this ALL the time?" He asked. Mamoru nodded. "I'm used to it, though. Be careful when you want to go around town. They could follow you ANYWHERE." He told him with a wink. Taiyo's eyes widened. "And you survive, how?" He asked. "I just tell them I have someone else... weeeell... I can’t really say that anymore." Taiyo watched as his old friend’s appearance fell into phases of guilt, sadness, and pain. Mamoru shook his head slightly, clearing whatever thoughts were in his mind, and nudged him to sit down. "The class doesn't take that long and they'd forget all about you by the time the Professor comes." Mamoru assured him. Somehow, things didn’t work out that way. Even when the professor walked into the room and started the class, most of the girls in the class was either staring or drooling at Taiyo. That or both of them. Taiyo groaned and glared at Mamoru. "Forget all about you he says... don’t worry when the professor comes in they’ll leave you alone, huh!?" He growled. Mamoru looked away, knowing too well he burst out laughing if he saw Taiyo's angry face. "Hey, you want to come over to my place to study or something?" Asked Mamoru, as class ended. Taiyo wanted to, but he had other things more important to do. "Sorry, I need to just get the feel of this city by myself." He apologized. Mamoru nodded. "I'll see you around then." He said, giving him a little wave. Taiyo sighed; Mamoru had been his best friend in the orphanage and he still was, to Taiyo at least. But he was a man with a mission. He needed to find the missing link in his life. ======================== Usagi looked at her surrounding and let out a sigh. So many books... so many pages... so many little words that became blurred when you looked at them too long... She didn't know what was going on anymore or even how she ended up at the library. Minako had to go grocery shopping, so they had split up, promising to meet together later in the afternoon. She finally pulled herself together and walked out. Having the bright sunlight pouring on her face always made her smile. But there was always the first of everything, and she allowed herself to wince at the sunlight, shielding her eyes with her hand. She walked to the park, hoping that she could clear her head before she had to meet up with Minako again. Finally spotting a bench, she sat down. Her thoughts were filled with her memory of the last battle she had fought, and the scathing words of the Senshi. She gritted her teeth and closed her eyes, blocking it out. She didn't need them. Any of them. She could take care of herself, unlike what they thought. Yes, Tsukino Usagi could take care of herself. She can be smart if she wanted to, but just never tried for any of her tests. It was mainly because if she pushed herself to the peak of her abilities, when she failed, people would be disappointed. But if she failed them from the start, they wouldn't care. Maybe that was wrong, though. Maybe she did have the wrong outlook on life, the wrong attitude towards that. After all, everyone thought that she wasn’t capable of doing anything. She frowned and narrowed her eyes, letting out an angry puff of air. It was time for Tsukino Usagi to strike back. At everyone. The Senshi, Luna, her family, and Mamoru. She would show them what she was really made of; not all heart, sugar, and innocence. Look out world, the real Usagi was back with vengeance. ========================== The first reaction she got that morning, was the near heart attack from Miss Haruna. "Kami-sama!" She exclaimed. "Usagi?" She asked, as if she was unsure of her vision.. Usagi looked at her in the form of a glare. "Yes, Miss Haruna." She answered curtly. Miss Haruna nodded and steadied herself. But she was surprised by the coldness in Usagi's voice and the disappearance of the joyful glow in Usagi's blue eyes. Usagi looked straight ahead, ignoring the surprised looks she was receiving from basically everyone in the class. Though what really surprised everyone was when Miss Haruna started the class. "All right, I want you all to hand in the homework you did last night and then we'll start with today's test." Miss Haruna announced. She almost fell to the floor when Usagi looked directly at her and handed in her algebra homework. From behind Usagi, Minako cheered and patted herself on the back. "We’re both gonna do awesome on this test girlfriend!" Miss Haruna shook her head, trying to regain composure. "Um, thank you, Usagi." Before moving along. Usagi just stared straight ahead, aware of the stares she was getting from Ami and Mako. But what really frosted the cake was when Usagi was the first to finish the Chemistry test. She handed her test to Miss Haruna, who was utterly speechless and wondering where on Earth the other Usagi had disappeared to. Though when Miss Haruna scanned her answers through the Scantron machine that would check the bubble sheet test, she nearly received her second heart attack for the day. She scanned the paper through over and over again in disbelief, distracting the class with each little beep. And in a small, shocked, voice she said, "You got an A plus." Minako cheered again. "All right! I *knew* us studying for five hours would pay off!" The whole class gasped, forgetting the test they were supposed to be taking. Mako and Ami exchanged looks. "What happened to Usagi?" Mouthed Ami. Mako shrugged, just as shocked as she is. "Maybe the shock of not being the Princess really got to her." Whispered Mako. All Ami could do was nod. ================================= "This is so not fair!" "What’s not fair?" Usagi asked in between licks of her ice cream. "I got a "F" and you got an "A"!" Minako whined again, nearly crushing her ice cream cone in her hand in furry. "Mina-chan, it’s because you used pen on the test instead of #2 pencil, not because you got the answers wrong." Usagi finished off her cone and leaned back into the booth of Crown Cafe. Motoki gave her a slight wave from the counter, and Usagi grinned back zoning back into the conversation. "... let me retake the test! ARGH! That’s just so... so... ARGH!" Minako threw her hands up into the air in a helpless manner with exasperation, "Honestly why do I even try?" Minako let her head fall to the table with a loud *BAM* "Oh my gosh! Minako-chan, are you all right?!" Motoki called. Usagi nodded and waved him off, 'She’s... eh... going through some hard academic times..." Motoki nodded, "Ooooooooh..." He backed away. "You try so you know that *you* can succeed." Usagi pointed out, patting her friend’s hand. "This coming from the girl transmonrified herself in one freaking day!" Minako cried helplessly. "It’s transmogrified, dear." Usagi corrected, grinning slightly to herself. Minako blinked, "Oh... whatever...Wow... that guy is soooooooo dreamy...." Minako sighed instantly perking up, and glancing the newly arrived Taiyo over. Usagi looked up and blinked. Blue met blue. Both of their mouths dropped, "Taiyo-chan?" She squeaked. Minako looked over at her and then to him, raising an eyebrow. "Usa-chan!" Usagi grinned, happy that her old friend remembered her. She nearly fell out of the booth and ran over to him, "Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it’s you!" She stared into his eyes, and he stared right back. Minutes went by, and still both of them didn’t blink. Taiyo finally gave into temptation and blinked his eyes. "HA HA HA! I’ve won again! I’m the champ and you know it!" Usagi exclaimed. Taiyo punched her playfully in the shoulder, "Not fair! Even at four you were winning, and I was ten!" "Winning what?" Minako asked innocently. "Staring contests." Taiyo explained, grinning at Usagi again. Minako nodded, "Riiiiiiiiiiight.... so Usagi-chan, are you going to introduce us?" Minako nudged her friend. "Oh! I’m sorry! Taiyo, this is one of my best friends, Aino Minako. Minako... well... remember how I told you about being adopted, and living in an orphanage?" She trailed off. "Yes..." "Well before I left, I made a friend... Taiyo. He’s six years older than us... so you’re like twenty now?" She turned to face him. He sweatdropped, "You make me sound like an old man, Princess." "Only because you are." "Princess?!" Minako began frantically, pulling on Usagi’s short hair. "Ow, ow, ow! Minako that’s just a nickname, he doesn’t know... I swear!" Minako took a deep breath. "Know what?" Taiyo asked, raising a brow. "Nothing! Nothing! So how’s life? Wow, nostalgia trip..." Usagi asked, quickly changing the subject. Taiyo gave her a weird look, "Fine...so where’d the odangos go?" He took a handful of her hair in his hand. "I ate ‘em!" Taiyo pulled his hand away quickly and Minako began shrieking with laughter. "Are you serious?" He asked in a earnest voice. "You’d better believe it baby." ========================= "So you’re going at Azabu now?" Minako ran her index finger along the top of her coke glass. "Yeah, in fact I ran into an old friend today." Taiyo and Usagi both took a simultaneous drink of soda. Minako got a frustrated look on her face, "STOP IT!" "Stop what?" They both asked. "YOU’RE EVEN TALKING TOGETHER NOW!" Minako cried. Usagi and Taiyo exchanged quick glances. "Taiyo-chan, stop copying me." "Usa-chan, stop copying me." "ARGH! Stop it!" Minako buried her face in her hands, "If you do it again, I’m leaving!" "Okay, I’ll stop." They said together. Minako made a movement to get up, but Usagi grabbed her hand, "Don’t go Mina-chan, we’re sorry!" She gave Minako a pouty face. She sighed, slipping back in next to her. "So who’s your friend, maybe we know him...?" Minako asked as Usagi took another drink. "Chiba Mamoru, I doubt you know him though..." At the words ‘Chiba Mamoru’, Usagi sprayed coke everywhere, Minako’s jaw dropped, and Taiyo began to wipe himself down with his napkin. "I guess that means you know him." He said dully, pointing to Minako’s napkin and asking, "May I?" Minako nodded, "Go right ahead." Usagi's eyes instantly turned cold, something no one has ever seen before. Minako and Taiyo gave her worried glances, "Did I say something wrong...?" Usagi forced herself to smile. "Nothing, Taiyo-chan. Bad day today." Usagi lied. Minako was just about to open her mouth to protest at that, but Usagi gave her a glare that simply said, "Don't even think about it." Taiyo saw the glance, but didn't bother pursuing any further. Instead he smiled. "Well, I'd have to be the good part of this bad day, wouldn't I?" He teased. Usagi prayed thanks to Kami as she whacked Taiyo playfully on the arm. Just then, the chimes on the doors signaled the arrival of a new customer. "Hey Mamoru-san, do you want the usual?" "Thanks Motoki, that would be great." "Well... speak of the devil..." Minako began, nudging Usagi out of her shock. "Minako, I can’t see him right now...Or you'll have me choking him to death in front of Taiyo!" Hissed Usagi. "Uh er, Taiyo-chan I have to go. We’ll get together some other time..." Taiyo held her in place, "No you don’t. I wanna hear how you and Mamoru know each other." Minako and Usagi’s heads formed massive sweatdrops. "Uh... well... uh... Mamoru and I... er..." "T-t-today Usagi." Taiyo mimicked. "They don’t really like each other anymore." Minako explained, patting her friend’s back lightly. Usagi shot Minako a dirty look. "Don’t look at me like that, it’s true!" Mina gulped slightly at the look however, She thought. "Oh... okay well, HEY MAMORU! Over here!" Mamoru’s head turned at the sound of his name. When his eyes met Usagi’s, all he could do was gulp and took a deep breath as he walked over. "Hi Taiyo-san, Minako-chan... Usa-gi-chan..." He stumbled over her name, and nodded towards each of them. "Hel-lo Mam-or-u." Minako greeted harshly, pronouncing each syllable and shielding Usagi from his view. Taiyo scooted over, "Have a seat Mamoru, I’m waiting to hear how you and Usagi know each other." Mamoru sweatdropped, imitating Usagi and Minako’s previous expression. Usagi raised her eyebrow, "Yes Mamoru-SAN, why don’t you tell him how we know each other... hmmm?" "Uh... well... we go back a long way, don’t we Odango Atama?" Well, if he couldn’t show his love, he could always go back to where they started. "That we do Mamoru-baka. We go waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back." Oh, she could play this game to... Minako snickered involuntarily. "Oooooh... so my two best friends have mutual hate between them?" Taiyo looked almost depressed. "Usagi is your friend?" Mamoru blinked, glancing back and forth between the two. Taiyo nodded enthusiastically, and Usagi tried to drown herself in her coke. "Yep, ever since she was four..." "Really, what was she like back then, still a ditz?" "Usagi a ditz? Hardly! She would beat up all the boys that called her mean names and I caught her reading Romeo and Juliet! And it wasn’t even a stupid little picture book, it was the actual thing... I saw it with my own eyes!" Taiyo chatted away merrily. Usagi attempted to hide herself in her hands. Mamoru and Minako stared at Usagi, "Usagi... you read Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet when you were four?" "Three and a half, don’t make her feel stupid." Taiyo insisted. The three others began to sweatdrop rapidly. "Taiyo-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaan...." Usagi whined. Mamoru’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline at the name. "So how did you meet Usagi?" Mamoru asked, taking a sip of his coffee. "Why would you care Mamoru?" Minako inquired stiffly. Taiyo ignored Minako’s comment and pretended to sigh wistfully, "I saved Usagi from these older boys who were trying to steal her candy..." "By that he means that he begged them to leave me alone, and then screamed and turned tail when they looked at him." Usagi injected into the conversation. Minako and Mamoru stifled giggles. "U-SA-GI! Let me finish!" Taiyo cleared his throat, "So anyway, the boys ran away when they saw Usagi had a friend-" "The headmaster came." "I’m not going to tell the story if you keep doing that!" Taiyo snapped. Usagi held up her hands innocently, "Sorry, sorry... please continue, my savior." "Thank you, and when we got back to where we lived..." Taiyo was interrupted yet again. "Where did you live?" Mamoru questioned, taking another sip of his coffee. "Why actually, at the time, it was the Orpha-!" Usagi chucked her school bag, the nearest thing to her, and threw it at his face, hoping it would shut him up before he could finish the word. She would *not* have Mamoru pity her, and find out that she had lied to everyone. "Ahhhhh!" It hit Taiyo right in the face, and he slumped, forward, unconscious. "Holy-!... And I thought you were dangerous with shoes!" Mamoru pulled his friend up off of the table. Minako understood why Usagi had thrown the bag, and quickly decided to take matters into her own hands. "Uh... we have to go... tell Taiyo when he wakes up that... uh... one of the lamp fixtures fell on him... and we had to go do homework..." Minako practically ripped Usagi out of the booth. "Minako, just one problem... how could a lamp fixture have fallen on his face?" "I don’t know! You’re studying to be a doctor, you think of something!" She snapped. Usagi and Mamoru exchanged one last glance before Minako pulled Usagi out of the Cafe. His glance, of guilt....While hers, of ice. ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Email? Please? Cahaya-chan: lady_of_earth@hotmail.com Garnet-chan: chibi_chibi_acky@hotmail.com http://kiss.to/gyousei (woo 3310 words in this chapter! O.o 11 pages..)