Hiya, guys! Anyone remember me? Well, I'm back with chapter 4 of "New Beginnings"!! I just have to tell you that right now I'm home sick, but I got some inspiration and had to start writing..soo if it's a little weird, blame my medications! ^_^ I hope everyone enjoys this and please read the last authors notes because I have an important announcement! Arigatou! ********************* Japanese Key Arigatou: Thank you Gomen: Sorry Hai: Yes ogenkidesu ka? : How are you? genki desu: I'm fine! baka: Idiot, stupid chibi: small fubuki: snowstorm iie: No do Itashimashite: your welcome dozoyorashiku: nice to meet you minna: everyone ********************************** And here's a little recap, since I left it off at a crucial moment... ************************************** Yes, Usagi, I killed my parents." "Mamoru..no. It wasn't your fault." "I know. And it's not yours that your parents were drunks. It's not your fault that no one would listen. So let it go..." "I can't" That broke my heart..to here her say that she couldn't let go, but in some odd way, I too was going through the exact same thing. Only different. Okay, so that was a major oxymoron, but listen to me for a moment. Why don't you stop and compare me Usagi's...experiences! I certainly did and in those thiry-something seconds of silence, I realized something. I realized that I really, truly, deeply, loved Tsukino Usagi, grade 10. "Usagi.." "Hai?" She whispered and I could tell she was close to tears. "Let it go. You're going to have to and I promise.." I paused, taking a deep breath,"I promise that I'll be there with you, every step of the way. Because...well, we both have obviously been through a lot and we both are going to need some time to recover and I was thinking..why don't we do it together?" "But Mamoru..you've done so much for me..how could I" She paused to wipe the hot tears that had marked their course down her face, "How could I even ASK you..to..to DO that for me?" "What do you mean, Usagi?" My heart began beating wildly as she looked up from her lap, facing me with her open soul...I felt like she had opened up my heart and was looking in.. "Oh, come ON, Mamoru! You've saved my life and I'm pretty sure that your car crashing here wasn't an accident." I felt the color rising to my face and I couldn't believe what I heard her say next.. "Mamoru, the truth-the truth is that I've liked you since the first time my eyes met with yours. You may be wondering why I haven't told you or why I've been so, so mean to you and you have a good reason to wonder. But the truth is that I was scared..." "Scared of me, Usagi?" I whisper, slowly moving closer to take her hand.. "Scared of...rejection. I've had so much in my life and I wasn't sure if I-if I could take anymore, Y'know? I was, so, so frightened that you leave or not like me back or...or even DIE." "Let it all go, Usako.." I breathed. "So..I acted mean and I clamed up and didn't want to have anything to do with the real world anymore. I figured that if I was mean to everyone, no one would bother me, but, but I don't WANT to be like that! I really want to be a..a..good person, really I do." "Usako...I know. I was just like you. After my parents died, my whole WORLD was, was shattered and I never knew if I'd be able to trust again. Do you think we can learn...together?" "I'm ready to begin, if you are." "Of course I am." ***************************************************** Two days later... ***************************************************** "Ready?" "Ready!" "Set?" "You're going down, Chiba!" "Fat chance, bunnies can't hop that well!" People had lined the sidewalk outside of the Crown Gamecenter to see what they were sure, is the first world's race for people with crutches...Mamoru's ankle had been broken in his car accident, but being (or pretending) to be the "manly-man" he was for Usagi, he was ready to go two days later. But he couldn't refuse such a challenge... "C'mon, I get a handicap, my cast weighs more!" "Scared you'll lose, huh Buns?" "Aw, shuddap, Chiba! "C'mon people, are we gonna do this or not? "Shuddap, Motoki!" "Alright!! Geez! GO!!" *slip, shap, squeak....etc!* "And there off! Usagi in the lead, but OH NO! Here comes Mamoru, close on her tail! Nope it's Usagi! No, Mamoru! Usagi! Mamo-AAAGGHHH!!! And all the sudden, she slipped. I watched her squint up here eyes, awaiting the brutal reality of the concrete that she never met. Thinking of concrete..I though to myself: You know what Usagi is? She's just like a rose. Not just because roses have always been my favorite flower, but because she was a rose that had grown from the concrete and I was sure that she was going to be just as beautiful as one that was nurtured in a garden, I just knew she'd be okay. "Careful, Usako..." "Mamo-" "Usagi...?" "Hai?" "You know what this is a good time for?" "What?" "This is the perfect pose for a kiss!" We were now in each other's arms in the middle of the sidewalk and I could see that we were both going to win this race. "Nani?! But Mamo-" It started off innocent enough, but soon it blossomed into a full-fledged kiss. I could feel her lips on mine..they were so warm and inviting and I.. I LOVED her! I truly did! "Usako..?" "Hmmm??" She replied dreamily. "You know what?" "Hmmm?" "I love you." "I thought you'd never say it! I love you too, Mamo-chan." This is where we began to passionately kiss again, but I'll give you a little hint, it was definitely true love. ***************** Yes..that would be THE END!! You like it?? You EMAIL me!! You hate it? You EMAIL me! short-stuff@ix.netcom.com Hey guys, my annocenment! I'm looking for several pre-readers. Y'know, people who read it and tell me how they LIKE it! Not editing! I've got the great Moon Dragon for that! However, I don't need ordinary pre-readers! I'm a slacker, I admit it! or I'm just really bust, but I need someone who most likely will be able to get the story on Thursday or Friday afternoon, but have an opinion back to me no later than 5:30 Friday! Tough, I know! But email me if you're interested! I'm sorry this last part was so short, but I've had a tough time finishing this one! I'd like to thank everyone who's emailed me recently! Thanks sooooo much! I've been going through a tough time! Thanks Kell for being there for me and Jolene for being a cool online bud! Thank you Jasmyn for sending me that uplifting poem, you'll never know how much it meant! ^_^ Later!