Identity - Chapter 2 by TasukiNak (tasukinak@xoommail.com) Rated : PG-13 Website : **silver soul love** usagi & mamoru http://members.xoom.com/tasukinak/tasukinak.htm Standard disclaimers apply Finally, the second chapter! Well, I actually haven't had any comments on this story yet (send me some, please?) but I am having such a fun time writing it, and its surprisingly enough coming very easy for me, so that's the one that's being posted. I just finished writing this part (and half of chapter 3) last night, and, oh, I was having fun with my big fat thesaurus I got for Christmas!! ^_^ I love that thing! ^_^ I've had a lot of feedback for Pride Comes Before the Fall, which I am incredibly grateful for because that's personally my favourite story of all of mine. I am working on the next chapter, but I'm having a few conflicts as to how to continue. I know what I want to do, but *how* is the real question...oh, well, I'll figure it out one day. Anyways, hope you enjoy this part, feel free to email me, tasukinak@xoommail.com and I can guarantee a reply (though I can't say it'll be speedy). I love getting emails! This chapter is dedicated to Stratford and Woodstock, the happy couple. May their love be as strong and true as Usagi and Mamoru's. Okay, that was corny. They're in *high school*, bloody hell, they're not in *love*!! . . . At least I don't think so. Okay, well, I'm done. Oh, well, first a big fat hidy-hello to Jessa-chan!! Love ya!! ^_- * * * * It was almost dawn by the time Usagi got home from fighting the Dark Kingdom, the orange streaks just beginning to light up the dark sky. Before she left though, she of course had to fill the other Senshi in on just how badly Mamoru had treated her that day, and how much she hated him. She was *so* tired. She had been up almost until midnight studying for the midterm test she was supposed to take that day. But she didn't have time to think about that. She needed *sleep*! She got into her bed, snuggling deep beneath the covers, and was fast asleep within moments. * * * * Mamoru tossed and turned that night, thinking nervously about the three women he loved. And he was wracking his brain for reasons why, more earnestly than he ever had before, searching for a solution. The only sleep he had was filled with dreams of his Moon Princess. Each time he awoke sweating and panting for breath, thoughts of Sailor Moon, Usagi, and the princess filling his head, postively driving him mad. He wanted to scream in rage and frustration, turbulent emotions coursing through his veins. He didn't know what to do. He laid down again, gazing at the ribbons of sunrise peeking through the night at the horizon. He closed his eyes, willing himself to sleep, and, surprisingly enough, he did. And he dreamt . . . It began as it always had. "Endymion . . . the Ginzuishou . . . set us free . . . !" the sweet voice rang out to him, its tone pleading. "Endymion . . . " "Princess . . . Serenity . . . " Mamoru--though he didn't look like Mamoru, dressed in an armoured suit with a cape--surprised himself. Somehow he knew her name; it had come from his lips without him even being aware of it. Her face, bathed in moonlight, turned towards him, begging with her eyes. Her head turned again, and she slowly walked away, her white gown flowing behind her as rose petals flew across the crescent moon, hanging low in the midnight sky. He began to run after her, as he always did, but he know it was useless. She always disappeared before he could reach her. But this time was different. She didn't disappear. She turned around and began walking towards him. As they walked towards each other, she turned into Sailor Moon, and he into Tuxedo Kamen. He was shocked at this discovery, but once he realized the truth . . . it was so obvious! Of *course* Sailor Moon was the Moon Princess! It was so simple! Soon the couple stood face to face, barely two inches apart. Sailor Moon slowly lifted a hand to his face, carefully removing the mask from his eyes. In a fluid motion, they both changed again. Tuxedo Kamen felt himself change back into his civilian form, and saw Sailor Moon do the same. And, much to his complete shock, in place of the superheroine he knew stood the most beautiful, caring, wonderful girl he had ever known. Tsukino Usagi. Her eyes widened as she saw who he really was, and well she should have. She slowly slid her eyes closed, turning her face away from his. She walked away from him again, but this time Mamoru could not follow. It was as if he was frozen to the spot. But we did he need to follow her? He knew all he needed to--but, she was unhappy with the revelation. She *would* be, of course . . . She slowly disappeared from sight as the dream faded away. Mamoru drifted lazily in and out of conciousness. Slowly he lifted one eye open, but at the attack of the bright sun rays coming through his window, quickly shut them again. It was the first time in years that he hadn't woken from sleep with sweat dripping down his body, his slumber disturbed by one nightmare or another. That dream--Mamoru could not fully comprehend it. He knew what it meant-- the Moon Princess was Sailor Moon and Sailor Moon was Usagi--but it was still all too unreal for him. It held so much meaning that he couldn't take it in all at once. It meant that he wasn't in love with three different women after all; those three women were one and the same. Mamoru just laid in bed, sorting it all out in his head. He was surprised, though, at how calm he was. But, he supposed a part of him had always know the truth . . . he just hadn't realized it til now. Princess Serenity--but who was he to her? To Sailor Moon he was Tuxedo Kamen, and to Usagi he was Mamoru, but the Princess . . . ? <> As his thoughts voiced the name, memories came flooding back to him. Memories of the Silver Millenium, of the fight with Beryl, the demolition of the Moon Kingdom--and the love shared between two young people from different planets. The past Mamoru had been searching for all his life was suddenly found, and it overwhelmed him. He had finally discovered who he was. He had a destiny. To be with his princess again. Even as the thought made Mamoru overjoyed, his heart overflowing with warmth and love for the young odango atama, it also creased his brow with worry. Yesterday it seemed as if he had pushed her away for good. Of course, why wouldn't she hate him for all that he'd said and done to her? He wondered if she would ever forgive him. After all, just because they were lovers in their previous life didn't mean that they would be in the here and now. But it made so much *sense* for them to be together! She was Sailor Moon, he was Tuxedo Kamen--what could be more perfect? Of course, she probably wouldn't see it that way at first because she didn't know what he did. Mamoru continued countering his thoughts, thinking of a reply for every- thing that came to his mind, driving himself nearly insane doing it. * * * * Usagi awoke the next morning, though very reluctantly, Luna poking a paw into her back. "Usagi, wake up!" the cat commanded, talking into the girl's ear, continuing to nudge her. "Luna . . . I need more sleep . . . " she whined, her voice still drowsy. "Usagi! Remember that math test you have today? And remember how your mother said she'd ground you and take away your allowance if you failed?" Luna reminded her. Usagi bolted straight up in her bed at that comment, remembering her pledge of the day before. But she was still exhausted from lack of sleep and last night's battle, and even when she sat down at her table with her books in front of her, she couldn't concentrate on them. Luna had left the room to find breakfast and Usagi decided it was safe for a little nap before she hit the books. She had over half an hour before she had to go to school, anyways. Just as her head settled into her arms and she closed her eyes, she remembered the dream of that night . . . only she couldn't recall much of it. All Usagi could remember was that she, as Sailor Moon, was standing before Tuxedo Kamen, and she had reached up and pulled off his mask. But beyond that she couldn't remember, which bothered her to no end. Who was Tuxedo Kamen? His face was only a blur to her now, but she could recall being shocked and . . . somehow, part of her was appalled, but another part of her found the surprise to be a rather pleasant one. She desperately tried to reconjure the image of his face in her mind, but it was hopeless. This frustrated her so much, almost to a point where Usagi thought she would scream from the effort of her vain attempts, but Luna walked in again, so she quickly picked up her books and tried her best to look as if she had been studying. Usagi smiled sweetly at her cat, and Luna just lifted an eyebrow and curled up on the bed. Oh, how Usagi envied her. She looked at the algebra question before her and sighed deeply, her eyes practically closing themselves on her. She was never going to be ready for this test! All the studying she could do that morning would be hopeless; she didn't understand even half of the concepts and formulas. And Mamoru certainly hadn't help much the day before, either. Mamoru. At that name, a flood of anger welled up inside of Usagi. He was the cause of all her problems! If it wasn't for him, she'd have a wonderful life. If only she'd never met him! * * * * Mamoru walked slowly along the dry banks of the pond at the park, thinking, again, about his dream. He had practically thought about as much as he ever possibly could on the subject that day, but he was still undecided as to whether or not he should actually tell Usagi who he was and that he knew who she was. It would be a great relief to get knowledge like this off his back and share it with someone, for one thing, and he felt that Usagi had every right to know about it, for another. But on the other hand, it might be best for her to find out on her own time. And just how much would she hate him after he told her the truth? She'd be just as shocked as he had been, if not more, and she probably wouldn't exactly welcome the information either. But still, she deserved to know. So he finally decided that he *would* tell her--whether or not she'd end up both his identities--the first chance he had. * * * * Usagi dragged herself down the street, her pigtails following limply behind her. She had had an absolutely horrible day at school. For one thing, she had been late getting to class, as always (obviously, it was a routine that could never be broken), and she hadn't done well on her midterm test. In fact, she was sure she did absolutely horrible. She had just about fallen asleep halfway through, and the rest of the time her vision had been kind of blurred. And she couldn't help thinking about that Mamoru . . . ooh, she hated him with a passion! When she got the test back, which wouldn't be for a few days at least, her mom would be *soo* angry, and then take her allowance away, and ground her, and . . . it was *all* that stupid Mamoru's fault! Her life sucked, and she was convinced that it would indeed get even worse. Soon she was passing Crown's, and as her step slowed, she looked through the glass doors, about to enter. She might as well enjoy her last Sailor V game. But she stopped. She couldn't go in; Mamoru was there, sitting at a table. There was *no* way she was going to let him tease her or even speak to her; if he did she'd surely take his neck between her hands and squeeze with all her might. And that--well, she'd probably get arrested for doing something like that. It wouldn't be worth the risk. Just then Mamoru looked her way, and caught sight of her through the doors. He rose from his chair, throwing money on the table, and walked towards her. Usagi groaned to herself, sure he was going to mockingly ask her how she did on the test that day, and quickly turned to continue walking down the street. But before long she heard the door slide open, footsteps behind her, and her name being called in an all-too-familiar male voice. "Usagi! Wait!" But she didn't stop; she just kept right on walking, hoping with all her might that he would take the hint and simply go away. But, of course, being Mamoru, he didn't go away, and she felt a hand pull her arm, turning her around to face him. "Go away, Mamoru," she muttered before looking up at him. But then, as her eyes met his, she completely froze. His deep blue eyes seared into her soul for a moment, feeling as if her heart was left wide open for him to see. But as hard as she tried, she couldn't look away. His eyes . . . they captivated her. She couldn't believe how deep they were--and their expression! It was as if he was pleading with her, desperately asking for her understanding. And it was as if he was keeping a secret that he was dying to tell her--something he was hiding deep inside himself that he wanted her to know . . . Usagi quickly shook her head and looked away, clearing her mind of the impossible thoughts that really made her wonder how sane she really was. she convinced herself. "Usagi," Mamoru whispered, still staring at her. Involuntarily, she looked back up at him, and again met those enticing eyes of midnight. He gulped quietly, then continued, his voice a little more normal-sounding than before. "I wanted to ask for your forgiveness. I shouldn't have said those things to you, especially since they weren't even true; I had no right. Will you forgive me?" Usagi was surprised beyond words. *He* was the one apologizing to *her*?? Of course, he was the one who was supposed to, but she never actually thought that he *would*! She was so flabbergasted that all she could utter was a strangled "Yes" and give him a lopsided half-grin, all memories of her oaths to hate him forever slipping away in face of his irregular behaviour and beautiful eyes. he thought as he sighed with relief. He spoke again, deciding that it was the time to tell her. "I wanted to, um, talk to you about . . . something else, too, Usagi," he said haltingly, nervousness coming on as he mentioned the subject. How was she going to react? "Well, uh, Mamoru, I really have to get going . . . " Her voice trailed as she looked up to meet his eyes yet again. She was drowning, she knew it. And the funny thing was, she didn't even care. She unknowingly sighed quietly as his face came closer to hers, and she somehow didn't grasp the fact that he was going to kiss her. All earthly thought flew from her mind as his lips came passionately over hers, overwhelming, undecipherable feelings rushing over her body and through her soul like a tidal wave. Mamoru had no idea what he was thinking, let alone what he was doing. All he knew was that in front of him stood the most beautiful girl he had ever known; the girl he somehow loved more than life itself, and he couldn't resist the overpowering temptation of her soft pink lips as her face turned up to his, with those bright, bottomless, blue eyes that were windows to her very soul. So he kissed her, letting his self control buckle under the weight of his ardor as he took her fervently into his arms, his mind and soul clouded with delicious feelings of bliss and love. Usagi could barely think; she was dimly aware of his strong arms around her, pulling her closer to his body, but she could do nothing but respond to his ardent kisses. It was pure heaven, being enfolded in his embrace with his lips over hers, and she never wanted him to let her go. There could be no feeling in the world better than this. She knew she just had to be in lo-- "USAGI!!!!" to be continued . . . Heehee! Cliffhanger! Well, kinda. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. E me and tell me whatcha think!! ^_^ Sayonara! 5:01 PM 1/5/2000