Title: Love Found in A Cavern
Rating: PG/PG-13
Author: Kiyoshi
Email: [email protected]
Normal Disclaimers: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon are Naoko Takeuchi,
Bandai, Kodansha, Toei Animation, etc.
A note from Author: Hello everybody!!! I can't tell you all how happy
I am that you have come to read my fanfic!! This is my first one that
I have ever completed, and I hope you enjoy it!!
Just before you continue, I'd just like to say thank-you to Redrose
and Patricia Dawson for inspiring me to write romance fanfics in the
first place. To my friend & editor, Redrose-- thank you soo much!
I can't express my gratitude to you for having such patience
with me, and for fixing up my work.
And most importantly, to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for giving
me the ability to write in the first place. Thank-you all SOOO much!!!
"A part of you has grown in me.
And so you see, it's you and me
together forever and never apart,
maybe in distance, but never in
heart."
~~Unknown.
"Dream by night, wish by day.
Love begins this way. Loving
starts when open hearts
touch and stay."
~~Unknown.
Japanese Translations Name Translations
Nani: What Tsukino Usagi: Serena Tsukino
Iie: No Odango Atama: Meatball Head
Arigatou: Thank you Chiba Mamoru: Darian Chiba
Gomen ne: I'm sorry
Aishiteru: I love you
Kammi-samma: God
Baka: Idiot/jerk
Hai: Yes
Onegai: Please
Love Found in a Cavern
Tsukino Usagi nervously pushed back a few strands of golden
hair away from her face; now masked with anxious worry.
Her heart pumped wildly with fear, and her breathing came in
quick, shaky breaths.
The "who-who" of an owl and the cry of a wild animal rang
through the forest, causing her to tremble and glance around
nervously.
Usagi desperately tried to recognize anything could be
familiar to her; nothing.
How could she have been so careless in wondering away from the
group?
She and her tenth grade school class had come up to the
mountains for a field trip.
It had been quite exciting until she had seen a young fawn and
followed it off through the woods.
Usagi had soon lost sight of the animal and her highschool
group.
Now she was lost. Terribly lost and very afraid.
She suddenly heard a twig snap behind her and with a gasp,
whirled around and backed up until she felt her shoulders hit
against the ruff bark of a tree.
"Who's there?" Usagi asked, her voice wobbling with fear.
"Odango Atama?"
Chiba Mamoru walked into the clearing. He was holding his black
coat casually over his shoulder and the top two buttons of his white,
button down shirt were opened. His raven black hair dangled rebelousily
over his colbat eyes.
Usagi didn't know whether to sigh in relief or what.
But, as usual, her defensive side sprang up and she asked him
hotly, "What are you doing here?"
Mamoru ignored her question. "What are *you* doing here?"
She did not reply.
"Lost, huh?"
Usagi stiffened and snapped, "I am not! I'm just...exploring."
He rolled his eyes and muttered, "Yeah right. So where is the
rest of your group then?"
Usagi looked down and murmured, "I - I don't know."
"You don't know where they are?!"
She shook her head miserably.
Mamoru let out a ragged sigh. "It figures. Well, we had better
start looking for some sort of shelter. It's getting dark and I have a
bad feeling that it is going to rain."
Usagi struggled to keep up with his long strides and asked,
"Don't you know where we are?"
"Nope."
Usagi stopped short and her heart lurched into her throat.
"You mean - we're lost?" She asked, feeling more like a
helpless five year old instead of the mature fifteen year old
she was supposed to be.
"As lost as can be." He replied, not turning around to wait
for her. "Now hurry up."
Mamoru mentally cursed himself. How had he gotten into this
mess in the first place? Oh yes, now he remembered. That was when
the CROSSROADS Highschool teacher had spoken to his Geography
Professor.
She had asked Mr. Shingo if his class could help chaperon
her "well-behaved" class for a field trip to the mountains. Something
about how the older college students could be good "role-models" for
the younger students.
And how had he gotten lost like this... of course. He had
seen Odango Atama wonder off through the woods following a young deer.
Mamoru went after Usagi, intent on bringing her back to the group.
He had heard her speak softly to the creature, reassuring it
how she wouldn't harm it.
He had marveled at the kindness in her voice, the soothing
whispers and the adoring look she gave the fawn.
Mamoru wished she would act that way to him. But no, whenever
she was near him, her sparkling blue eyes would turn cold and her
beautiful smile would turn into a frown; making it quite clear that she
did not want to be around him. But, he really couldn't blame her. All
Mamoru ever did to her was tease her... even though for the life of
him, he did not know why...
He sighed and growled, "Dumb girl."
"Wait up Mamoru!" Usagi cried out to him. "You're walking to
fast!"
He slowed down, but just little.
Usagi ran up to him, her blue eyes wide and darting around
nervously.
Mamoru couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She seemed so
scared... He wondered what it would feel like to hold her... to kiss
all her fears away...
He shook his head. 'Snap out of it Mamoru, you know how she
feels about you. Stop thinking like this!'
Mamoru scanned his surroundings, looking for any possible kind
of shelter.
The wind was starting to pick up as it howled through the
tress and whipped around his clothing.
Usagi shivered and wrapped her bare arms around herself.
'I'm not scared, I'm *not* scared...' she told herself
silently. "I'm not -'
"Look Mamoru!" She suddenly cried, pointing to a cave-like
opening up ahead.
Mamoru grinned. "Good work Odango Atama."
She glared up at him and crossed her arms over her chest
defiently. "I *told* you not to call me that! How much of a baka
can you possibly be?"
Mamoru winced inwardly but continued grinning at her. Ruffling
up her hair he said, "I'm not a baka, I just love teasing you."
Usagi smacked his hand away.
"Now come on, "Mamoru told her. "I don't feel like staying
out here all night. Do you?"
"Iie." She replied and they ran off to the cave.
Time seemed to crawl by ever so slowly as the two sat in
the shelter of the cold cavern.
Rain began to pour onto the ground, making the weather muggy
and quite detestable.
Usagi sat huddled against one of the walls, her arms wrapped
around her drawn up knees.
Mamoru stood by the mouth of the cave as he started off into
the distance.
An uncomfortable silence seemed to be settling between them and
Usagi asked, "How long do you think it will be until they find us?"
Mamoru shrugged his broad shoulders and replied, "I don't know.
It is getting pretty dark so I am sure they will head on home and look
for us again tomorrow morning."
Usagi swallowed nervously. "You mean, we're going to be stuck
here all night?"
He turned to look at her. "Is that so bad?"
She glanced down and shook her head. "No."
A few more hours passed by, and as the rain continued its
decent, their attitudes became rather testy.
"This is all *your* fault." Mamoru told Usagi in agitation.
"MY fault?" She asked in shock. "How is this all MY fault?"
"If you hadn't chased after that dumb animal, we'd back with
the others!"
Usagi huffed and yelled back at him, "Well if you hadn't
lost your way trying to find me, we wouldn't be stuck here in
the first place!"
Mamoru was tired and in not in a good mood. He glared at
her angrily and exclaimed, "Why did I ever bother trying to help a
stupid girl like you?!"
He turned around and scowled off into the woods.
Usagi stared at him speechlessly and hot tears pricked the
back of her eyes.
'I am stupid. And irresponsible and a klutzy...' She buried
her head in her arms as her shoulders began to shake with silent tears.
Usagi was cold, exhausted, and for some reason that last
remark hurt her terribly.
Maybe because of the insecurity she always felt around Mamoru,
or maybe because of that strange desire she had to make him think
fondly of her.
She wasn't sure why, but for some unknown reason, Usagi wanted
Mamoru's approval... was it his love perhaps?
Usagi just didn't know, didn't understand... but she *did*
know that all hopes of getting any sort of friendship from him now,
was history; he hated her.
Mamoru slowly turned around to face Usagi. He saw her shoulders
shaking and heard her cries.
It tore at his heart and all his anger disappeared away as
complete shame washed over him.
How could he have been so cruel? So heartless? He had never
meant to hurt her feelings, Mamoru never wanted to do that.
He just stood there for a few moments; wanting to hold her,
to apologize... but not knowing if he should. Would she push
him away?
He had to take that chance.
Slowly Mamoru walked over to Usagi and squatted down on the
cold floor beside her.
His arms wrapped around her shaking form and he gently pulled
against himself.
Usagi uttered a small gasp of surprise and stiffened.
"Shh...it's alright." He murmured softly, and rubbed a hand up
and down her back soothingly. "I'm sorry Usagi. I did not mean to hurt
your feelings, honest I didn't. You're not at all stupid. But I am, for
saying those things to you."
Usagi began to relax in his tender hold, and she found herself
liking it very much. She huddled up closer against his warm body and
buried her face in his chest.
He smelled of roses and spices and Usagi sighed. She felt so
safe and secure in his embrace... Usagi wished she could fall asleep in
his arms, but she knew she couldn't.
Reluctantly she pulled away, her cheeks stained pink with
embarrassment.
"Arigatou." Usagi whispered and backed away to sit near the
wall opposite from him.
Usagi glanced down at the stone floor and chewed her bottom
lip nervously. She missed his warmth and shivered slightly.
"So..." She began awkwardly.
Mamoru looked up at her and asked, "Hai?"
"Do you... live with your family? Or have you gotten a place
of your own?" Usagi asked.
She did not know that much about Chiba Mamoru. In fact,
she knew nothing of him at all. Except for a few run-in's on the
street and at the arcade center, Usagi hardly ever saw Mamoru.
But... somehow she had found herself falling in love with the
handsome, and withdrawn man. His quietness and seemingly loneliness
tugged at her heart. She wanted to get to know him more, to comfort
whatever seemed to be making him so... sad. What was his secret?
Why did he always act so distant? Sure he teased her and all,
but Mamoru seemed to have built a wall around himself, not allowing
anyone to penetrate through it.
'I want to help you Mamo-chan," Usagi thought wistfully.
'Please tell me what it is that makes you so lonely.'
Mamoru's gaze fell to his swade shoes at Usagi's question,
and he murmured, "I don't have a family. I was an only child and
my parents died when I was very young. I lived in a orphanage until
I was old enough to move out and get a job."
Usagi saw the pain flicker across his chiseled features and
the sorrow in his voice was unmistakable.
His response surprised her very much. Never had she ever
heard Mamoru speak of his past, nor had she ever heard him speak
with such sadness.
"I'm so sorry," Usagi said remorsefully. "Did you... ever
have any friends when you were in the orphanage?"
Another sign of pain flashed on face. "No."
"That's so sad. I don't know how I would ever be able to
live if I never had any friends to share my feelings with. You
must have been so lonely."
"I was." Mamoru whispered quietly.
He swallowed hard. Speaking of the past was something that
always pained him. So he made sure never to speak of it. He never
wanted to relive those awful memories of his childhood that left
him feeling so lost and empty inside. That was why he had shut
everyone out of his life, had never let anyone get close to him.
Mamoru was to afraid. Afraid that if he ever opened his heart to
anyone again, they would somehow let him down or leave him. He
could not bear that...
So why had he just spoken so intimately with Usagi? There
was something about her. Something that made him *want* to share
his feelings with her. She seemed to be able to comfort him even
though she probably didn't even know she was doing it.
'Usa..." He thought. 'I wish I could tell you how I feel
about you. I wish... You could love me the way I do you.'
"What about now?" Usagi asked him, her head cocked to the
side as she observed him. "Do you... have a girlfriend?"
Her face immediately flushed a rosey hue in embarrassment,
and she quickly glanced away.
Mamoru couldn't help but smile in amusement at her question.
'My, she sure is a curious little thing.' He thought.
"Iie," Mamoru replied with a chuckle. "No, I have not found
that 'special some one'."
'Actually I have. What would you say if I told you how much
I loved you, Usa? That you are the only one who fills me with such
joy that it scares me? That I think about you all day and all night?'
"What about you?" Mamoru prompted the adorable blond in front
of him.
Usagi blushed a darker shade of crimson and Mamoru realized
he was starting to like it when her cheeks got all rosey the way
they did when she was embarrassed. It made her look even more
beautiful, if that was possible.
"No, I have not either." Usagi replied. "I've had a few
crushes but --" she gave a forced laugh, "--who would ever fall
in love with me anyway? I'm not at all pretty, I fail all my tests,
I'm a complete klutz... Nah, there is no one out there who would
want an 'odango atama' like me."
Usagi's words shocked Mamoru and he could only stare at her.
That was how she felt about herself? How could a beautiful
and lively girl, so full of life and happiness, have such a low
self esteem? Had she no confidence in herself at all?
And to Mamoru's surprise, found himself murmuring ever so
faintly, "I would."
Usagi glanced up at him quickly.
'Had he just said...? Oh stop it Usagi.' She told herself
sternly. 'There is no way in the world that a sophisticated guy
like Mamoru could ever love anyone like you. It is complete
foolishness and wishful thinking. You're tired and what you thought
you heard was just your imagination.'
Usagi sighed. Yes, that was all it was, just wishful
thinking.
"Goodnight, Mamoru." She murmured tiredly and curled up on
the hard floor. Her eye lids fluttered shut as she surrendered her
body to sleep.
Usagi woke up sometime later during the night.
The rain had stopped its dance on the lush forest ground,
and the air was cool and crisp with a slight breeze whistling
through the cavern.
But Usagi was strangely not cold. Instead, she felt that
familiar warmth radiating into her body.
Her cerulean eyes widened as she saw Mamoru's strong arms
encircled around her waist, her form drawn close against him.
Usagi's heart began to quicken its pace. How had this
happened? Could this really mean... he actually had feelings for
her?
Slowly, she twisted around so she could rest her head in
the crook of his neck. Again, his scent drifted into her nostrils.
Her small hands rested on his muscular chest and he stirred
slightly.
His arms unconsciously tightened around her, and Usagi smiled
contentiously, not at all minding the closeness.
She slowly fell off to sleep, not caring what would happen
in the morning. Usagi just wanted to enjoy the moment with him
now. It would probably never happen again, her sleeping in the
safety of his arms, but that didn't matter. At least she would have
now, here, in a quiet cavern with the one man she loved more than
anything in the world. She would dream as always, but this time, it
would be of her Mamo-chan.
Birds chirped cheerful melodies as the forest creatures
came alive with the greeting of the golden sun.
Mamoru awoke to find Usagi nestled snugly against himself.
Her hot breath tickled at his bare skin and he gazed down at
her affectionallly.
He had not expected her to respond to his embrace in this
manner, not that he minded of course.
Mamoru had watched over Usagi protectively as he saw her
drift off to sleep.
He loved watching her as she slept. Such a peaceful
complexion settled over her angelic features and he loved hearing
the steady, soft sound of her breathing.
His entire being ached to lay with her, to hold her in
his arms once more and to feel her delicate body...
'No Mamoru!' He had ordered himself. 'You have no right
to touch her and hold her like that. She does not belong to you.
Imagine what she would do if she woke up during the middle of the
night to find herself in the arms of *you* no less.'
The thought of himself frightening his little Odango Atama
was not something Mamoru liked. He cared for her to deeply to do
that...
But when Usagi had started to shiver at the chilling
night air and of fear, Mamoru had felt compelled to comfort her.
A need, a longing, to be with her, his Usako. A strong urge to
be with her, to protect her... even though he knew it was not
his job to do so. It was something he had to do, although he did
not know why.
Mamoru had crawled over to Usagi and draped his coat over
her slim shoulders. She stilled and her face relaxed once again
to its peaceful nature.
Oh kami-samma, how his fingers itched to feel her milky
white skin. He could almost feel its softness...
Slowly, carefully, he reached down a hand to brush across
her cheek. Ah, just like velvet, so smooth...
Gently he traced down her slender neck, along her bare
arms... to rest at the curve of her waist.
Mamoru had lain down behind Usagi and drawn her delicate
form close to himself. He had marveled at how perfectly she
seemed to fit against him, like it was something always meant to
be, like two pieces in a puzzle finally joined together; completion.
Shaking his head to clear himself from his thoughts, Mamoru
reluctantly sat up and moved away from Usagi.
These feelings he felt for her, they were so new and yet
wonderfully strange. They scared him too, but it was not something
he wanted to go away.
The sleeping beauty stirred groggily and her eyes opened
slowly to look up at him.
Kami-samma, her eyes... never had Mamoru seen such lovely
eyes. Such a unique shade of blue, almost a kind of dusty gray.
His breath caught and he managed to say, "'Morning."
A smiled played at the corners of her lips and sitting up
she replied, "Good morning, Mamoru."
Her clothes were crumpled from sleeping and she reached
up to fix her mused odangos.
As Mamoru watched her, he suddenly had an urge to kiss
her perfectly rounded mouth.
He licked his lips unconsciously as his heart began to
pound furiously. What would it be like to taste her sweet lips...?
Slowly he inched nearer to her, his breathing quickening.
He placed his hands on either side behind her body and leaned
close to her.
Usagi swallowed hard. His face was so close to hers
that she could feel his warm breath dancing across her lips.
For an agonizingly *long* moment, Mamoru simply stared
into Usagi's eyes, as if boring to the depths of her soul.
Then, tenderly, he pressed his mouth against hers. A small
gasp escaped into his lips, and he felt her stiffen slightly.
Mamoru gently eased his lips over hers with soft butterfly
kisses.
He heard her moan softly and her body relax against his.
Her hands skimmed up his chest and clasped themselves around his
neck.
Mamoru drew her closer and kissed her more passionately, yet
slowly as not to scare her, not that she seemed to be flighted of
him anymore.
Mamoru gently teased his tongue along her upper lip, causing
her to gasp once more.
Never had Usagi ever been kissed like *this*. Nor at all for
that matter. She had always dreamed of being kissed like this though.
His boldness surprised her, but she found herself liking it
too. Slowly her lips parted beneath his, and his tongue slipped inside
to play with hers.
Usagi leaned against his hard frame, and Mamoru cradled her
conformably in his lap.
But soon, to both of their disappointments, the moment ended,
and Usagi found herself once again starring into Mamoru's midnight
blue eyes.
Mamoru ran a single finger over her slightly swollen lips,
gazing down into her sapphire orbs.
"Gomen ne," He whispered softly. "I should not have kissed
you, it wasn't right of me. It's just --"
Mamoru sighed not knowing her to tell Usagi his feelings
for her. He had always fantasized about this moment, holding her
in his arms like this and proclaiming his love for her. Then why
did it seem so impossible now?
Usagi looked up at him questionably. What could be wrong?
What was it? Could it be... that he did not care for her after all?
Tears pricked the back of her eyes. She wanted to run so
her could not see her cry, but she had to know first. Did he love
her... or not?
"Onegai," She urged quietly. "Please tell me, what is it?"
Mamoru stared deeply into her eyes. Were those tears...?
Had he caused them?
"Don't cry Usa," He told her gently. It felt so good to
finally be able to call her his pet name for her, so right.
"Don't cry. Tears... they don't suit you."
Mamoru reached up to wipe away a lone tear now streaking
down her cheek.
"I love you." The words sounded so foreign to Mamoru. He
could hardly remember the last time her had ever said them. But
they felt surprising good as he told them to Usagi. "I always have
and I always will. I wanted to tell you, I just didn't know how.
These feelings... they terrify me. But the thought of loosing you
to some one else terrifies me even more. I just couldn't bare it,
some one else touching you, kissing you, saying that they love
you... *I* want to be the only one doing those things. Aishiteru,
so much."
Usagi eyes shimmered with new tears of absolute joy. He
loved her!! It was true, so true! 'Oh Mamo-chan, how I have
always longed to hear you say those words. And now you have...'
"I have something I need to tell you too." She replied
gently, hardly unable to control the happiness the was bubbling
inside of her, nor the smile now spreading across her face.
"You do?" Mamoru asked hesitantly. Oh gosh, what if she
did not have the same feelings for him as well?
Usagi nodded.
"...nani?"
"I love you too, Mamo-chan. And it is you, and only you,
who I want to spend the rest of my life with. Aishiteru."
Mamoru's heart burst with a mixture of relief, love, and
complete joy. She loved him... the words never sounded any sweeter.
Gazing down upon her lovingly, he gently kissed her lips.
It was softer than before, but spoke of more love then any other
kiss could ever speak of.
Pulling away he murmured huskily, "I love you, Usako."
Usagi arched a golden brow in surprise. "'Usako'?"
"Hai," he replied. "That is my special name for you. Do
you... mind if I call you that? I've always wanted to."
Usagi shook her head and snuggled closer to him.
"Iie, not at all. I like it very much. Do you mind if I
call you 'Mamo-chan'? It's my pet name for you too."
"'Mamo-chan'." Mamoru repeated. "I rather like the sound
of that."
Usagi giggled and Mamoru shushed her by placing yet another
kiss upon her lips. One that spoke of their love, found once again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That's it!!! I finally completed it!!! My FIRST fanfic!!! I cannot
tell you how happy I am to finally have completed "Love Found in a
Cavern." I have been working on it forever. Gosh, I am sooo
happy!!!
Well, I would *really* like your opinions on this story. It would
mean sooo much to me!!! Please, please, please!!! Email me at...
[email protected] I luuuuuuv feedback!!!
Oh yeah, come see my site I made about Sailor Moon, called
"Crystal Dreams"... http://fade.to/CrystalDreams . Thank you soooo
much!!!!
Rating: PG/PG-13
Author: Kiyoshi
Email: [email protected]
Normal Disclaimers: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon are Naoko Takeuchi,
Bandai, Kodansha, Toei Animation, etc.
A note from Author: Hello everybody!!! I can't tell you all how happy
I am that you have come to read my fanfic!! This is my first one that
I have ever completed, and I hope you enjoy it!!
Just before you continue, I'd just like to say thank-you to Redrose
and Patricia Dawson for inspiring me to write romance fanfics in the
first place. To my friend & editor, Redrose-- thank you soo much!
I can't express my gratitude to you for having such patience
with me, and for fixing up my work.
And most importantly, to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for giving
me the ability to write in the first place. Thank-you all SOOO much!!!
"A part of you has grown in me.
And so you see, it's you and me
together forever and never apart,
maybe in distance, but never in
heart."
~~Unknown.
"Dream by night, wish by day.
Love begins this way. Loving
starts when open hearts
touch and stay."
~~Unknown.
Japanese Translations Name Translations
Nani: What Tsukino Usagi: Serena Tsukino
Iie: No Odango Atama: Meatball Head
Arigatou: Thank you Chiba Mamoru: Darian Chiba
Gomen ne: I'm sorry
Aishiteru: I love you
Kammi-samma: God
Baka: Idiot/jerk
Hai: Yes
Onegai: Please
Love Found in a Cavern
Tsukino Usagi nervously pushed back a few strands of golden
hair away from her face; now masked with anxious worry.
Her heart pumped wildly with fear, and her breathing came in
quick, shaky breaths.
The "who-who" of an owl and the cry of a wild animal rang
through the forest, causing her to tremble and glance around
nervously.
Usagi desperately tried to recognize anything could be
familiar to her; nothing.
How could she have been so careless in wondering away from the
group?
She and her tenth grade school class had come up to the
mountains for a field trip.
It had been quite exciting until she had seen a young fawn and
followed it off through the woods.
Usagi had soon lost sight of the animal and her highschool
group.
Now she was lost. Terribly lost and very afraid.
She suddenly heard a twig snap behind her and with a gasp,
whirled around and backed up until she felt her shoulders hit
against the ruff bark of a tree.
"Who's there?" Usagi asked, her voice wobbling with fear.
"Odango Atama?"
Chiba Mamoru walked into the clearing. He was holding his black
coat casually over his shoulder and the top two buttons of his white,
button down shirt were opened. His raven black hair dangled rebelousily
over his colbat eyes.
Usagi didn't know whether to sigh in relief or what.
But, as usual, her defensive side sprang up and she asked him
hotly, "What are you doing here?"
Mamoru ignored her question. "What are *you* doing here?"
She did not reply.
"Lost, huh?"
Usagi stiffened and snapped, "I am not! I'm just...exploring."
He rolled his eyes and muttered, "Yeah right. So where is the
rest of your group then?"
Usagi looked down and murmured, "I - I don't know."
"You don't know where they are?!"
She shook her head miserably.
Mamoru let out a ragged sigh. "It figures. Well, we had better
start looking for some sort of shelter. It's getting dark and I have a
bad feeling that it is going to rain."
Usagi struggled to keep up with his long strides and asked,
"Don't you know where we are?"
"Nope."
Usagi stopped short and her heart lurched into her throat.
"You mean - we're lost?" She asked, feeling more like a
helpless five year old instead of the mature fifteen year old
she was supposed to be.
"As lost as can be." He replied, not turning around to wait
for her. "Now hurry up."
Mamoru mentally cursed himself. How had he gotten into this
mess in the first place? Oh yes, now he remembered. That was when
the CROSSROADS Highschool teacher had spoken to his Geography
Professor.
She had asked Mr. Shingo if his class could help chaperon
her "well-behaved" class for a field trip to the mountains. Something
about how the older college students could be good "role-models" for
the younger students.
And how had he gotten lost like this... of course. He had
seen Odango Atama wonder off through the woods following a young deer.
Mamoru went after Usagi, intent on bringing her back to the group.
He had heard her speak softly to the creature, reassuring it
how she wouldn't harm it.
He had marveled at the kindness in her voice, the soothing
whispers and the adoring look she gave the fawn.
Mamoru wished she would act that way to him. But no, whenever
she was near him, her sparkling blue eyes would turn cold and her
beautiful smile would turn into a frown; making it quite clear that she
did not want to be around him. But, he really couldn't blame her. All
Mamoru ever did to her was tease her... even though for the life of
him, he did not know why...
He sighed and growled, "Dumb girl."
"Wait up Mamoru!" Usagi cried out to him. "You're walking to
fast!"
He slowed down, but just little.
Usagi ran up to him, her blue eyes wide and darting around
nervously.
Mamoru couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She seemed so
scared... He wondered what it would feel like to hold her... to kiss
all her fears away...
He shook his head. 'Snap out of it Mamoru, you know how she
feels about you. Stop thinking like this!'
Mamoru scanned his surroundings, looking for any possible kind
of shelter.
The wind was starting to pick up as it howled through the
tress and whipped around his clothing.
Usagi shivered and wrapped her bare arms around herself.
'I'm not scared, I'm *not* scared...' she told herself
silently. "I'm not -'
"Look Mamoru!" She suddenly cried, pointing to a cave-like
opening up ahead.
Mamoru grinned. "Good work Odango Atama."
She glared up at him and crossed her arms over her chest
defiently. "I *told* you not to call me that! How much of a baka
can you possibly be?"
Mamoru winced inwardly but continued grinning at her. Ruffling
up her hair he said, "I'm not a baka, I just love teasing you."
Usagi smacked his hand away.
"Now come on, "Mamoru told her. "I don't feel like staying
out here all night. Do you?"
"Iie." She replied and they ran off to the cave.
Time seemed to crawl by ever so slowly as the two sat in
the shelter of the cold cavern.
Rain began to pour onto the ground, making the weather muggy
and quite detestable.
Usagi sat huddled against one of the walls, her arms wrapped
around her drawn up knees.
Mamoru stood by the mouth of the cave as he started off into
the distance.
An uncomfortable silence seemed to be settling between them and
Usagi asked, "How long do you think it will be until they find us?"
Mamoru shrugged his broad shoulders and replied, "I don't know.
It is getting pretty dark so I am sure they will head on home and look
for us again tomorrow morning."
Usagi swallowed nervously. "You mean, we're going to be stuck
here all night?"
He turned to look at her. "Is that so bad?"
She glanced down and shook her head. "No."
A few more hours passed by, and as the rain continued its
decent, their attitudes became rather testy.
"This is all *your* fault." Mamoru told Usagi in agitation.
"MY fault?" She asked in shock. "How is this all MY fault?"
"If you hadn't chased after that dumb animal, we'd back with
the others!"
Usagi huffed and yelled back at him, "Well if you hadn't
lost your way trying to find me, we wouldn't be stuck here in
the first place!"
Mamoru was tired and in not in a good mood. He glared at
her angrily and exclaimed, "Why did I ever bother trying to help a
stupid girl like you?!"
He turned around and scowled off into the woods.
Usagi stared at him speechlessly and hot tears pricked the
back of her eyes.
'I am stupid. And irresponsible and a klutzy...' She buried
her head in her arms as her shoulders began to shake with silent tears.
Usagi was cold, exhausted, and for some reason that last
remark hurt her terribly.
Maybe because of the insecurity she always felt around Mamoru,
or maybe because of that strange desire she had to make him think
fondly of her.
She wasn't sure why, but for some unknown reason, Usagi wanted
Mamoru's approval... was it his love perhaps?
Usagi just didn't know, didn't understand... but she *did*
know that all hopes of getting any sort of friendship from him now,
was history; he hated her.
Mamoru slowly turned around to face Usagi. He saw her shoulders
shaking and heard her cries.
It tore at his heart and all his anger disappeared away as
complete shame washed over him.
How could he have been so cruel? So heartless? He had never
meant to hurt her feelings, Mamoru never wanted to do that.
He just stood there for a few moments; wanting to hold her,
to apologize... but not knowing if he should. Would she push
him away?
He had to take that chance.
Slowly Mamoru walked over to Usagi and squatted down on the
cold floor beside her.
His arms wrapped around her shaking form and he gently pulled
against himself.
Usagi uttered a small gasp of surprise and stiffened.
"Shh...it's alright." He murmured softly, and rubbed a hand up
and down her back soothingly. "I'm sorry Usagi. I did not mean to hurt
your feelings, honest I didn't. You're not at all stupid. But I am, for
saying those things to you."
Usagi began to relax in his tender hold, and she found herself
liking it very much. She huddled up closer against his warm body and
buried her face in his chest.
He smelled of roses and spices and Usagi sighed. She felt so
safe and secure in his embrace... Usagi wished she could fall asleep in
his arms, but she knew she couldn't.
Reluctantly she pulled away, her cheeks stained pink with
embarrassment.
"Arigatou." Usagi whispered and backed away to sit near the
wall opposite from him.
Usagi glanced down at the stone floor and chewed her bottom
lip nervously. She missed his warmth and shivered slightly.
"So..." She began awkwardly.
Mamoru looked up at her and asked, "Hai?"
"Do you... live with your family? Or have you gotten a place
of your own?" Usagi asked.
She did not know that much about Chiba Mamoru. In fact,
she knew nothing of him at all. Except for a few run-in's on the
street and at the arcade center, Usagi hardly ever saw Mamoru.
But... somehow she had found herself falling in love with the
handsome, and withdrawn man. His quietness and seemingly loneliness
tugged at her heart. She wanted to get to know him more, to comfort
whatever seemed to be making him so... sad. What was his secret?
Why did he always act so distant? Sure he teased her and all,
but Mamoru seemed to have built a wall around himself, not allowing
anyone to penetrate through it.
'I want to help you Mamo-chan," Usagi thought wistfully.
'Please tell me what it is that makes you so lonely.'
Mamoru's gaze fell to his swade shoes at Usagi's question,
and he murmured, "I don't have a family. I was an only child and
my parents died when I was very young. I lived in a orphanage until
I was old enough to move out and get a job."
Usagi saw the pain flicker across his chiseled features and
the sorrow in his voice was unmistakable.
His response surprised her very much. Never had she ever
heard Mamoru speak of his past, nor had she ever heard him speak
with such sadness.
"I'm so sorry," Usagi said remorsefully. "Did you... ever
have any friends when you were in the orphanage?"
Another sign of pain flashed on face. "No."
"That's so sad. I don't know how I would ever be able to
live if I never had any friends to share my feelings with. You
must have been so lonely."
"I was." Mamoru whispered quietly.
He swallowed hard. Speaking of the past was something that
always pained him. So he made sure never to speak of it. He never
wanted to relive those awful memories of his childhood that left
him feeling so lost and empty inside. That was why he had shut
everyone out of his life, had never let anyone get close to him.
Mamoru was to afraid. Afraid that if he ever opened his heart to
anyone again, they would somehow let him down or leave him. He
could not bear that...
So why had he just spoken so intimately with Usagi? There
was something about her. Something that made him *want* to share
his feelings with her. She seemed to be able to comfort him even
though she probably didn't even know she was doing it.
'Usa..." He thought. 'I wish I could tell you how I feel
about you. I wish... You could love me the way I do you.'
"What about now?" Usagi asked him, her head cocked to the
side as she observed him. "Do you... have a girlfriend?"
Her face immediately flushed a rosey hue in embarrassment,
and she quickly glanced away.
Mamoru couldn't help but smile in amusement at her question.
'My, she sure is a curious little thing.' He thought.
"Iie," Mamoru replied with a chuckle. "No, I have not found
that 'special some one'."
'Actually I have. What would you say if I told you how much
I loved you, Usa? That you are the only one who fills me with such
joy that it scares me? That I think about you all day and all night?'
"What about you?" Mamoru prompted the adorable blond in front
of him.
Usagi blushed a darker shade of crimson and Mamoru realized
he was starting to like it when her cheeks got all rosey the way
they did when she was embarrassed. It made her look even more
beautiful, if that was possible.
"No, I have not either." Usagi replied. "I've had a few
crushes but --" she gave a forced laugh, "--who would ever fall
in love with me anyway? I'm not at all pretty, I fail all my tests,
I'm a complete klutz... Nah, there is no one out there who would
want an 'odango atama' like me."
Usagi's words shocked Mamoru and he could only stare at her.
That was how she felt about herself? How could a beautiful
and lively girl, so full of life and happiness, have such a low
self esteem? Had she no confidence in herself at all?
And to Mamoru's surprise, found himself murmuring ever so
faintly, "I would."
Usagi glanced up at him quickly.
'Had he just said...? Oh stop it Usagi.' She told herself
sternly. 'There is no way in the world that a sophisticated guy
like Mamoru could ever love anyone like you. It is complete
foolishness and wishful thinking. You're tired and what you thought
you heard was just your imagination.'
Usagi sighed. Yes, that was all it was, just wishful
thinking.
"Goodnight, Mamoru." She murmured tiredly and curled up on
the hard floor. Her eye lids fluttered shut as she surrendered her
body to sleep.
Usagi woke up sometime later during the night.
The rain had stopped its dance on the lush forest ground,
and the air was cool and crisp with a slight breeze whistling
through the cavern.
But Usagi was strangely not cold. Instead, she felt that
familiar warmth radiating into her body.
Her cerulean eyes widened as she saw Mamoru's strong arms
encircled around her waist, her form drawn close against him.
Usagi's heart began to quicken its pace. How had this
happened? Could this really mean... he actually had feelings for
her?
Slowly, she twisted around so she could rest her head in
the crook of his neck. Again, his scent drifted into her nostrils.
Her small hands rested on his muscular chest and he stirred
slightly.
His arms unconsciously tightened around her, and Usagi smiled
contentiously, not at all minding the closeness.
She slowly fell off to sleep, not caring what would happen
in the morning. Usagi just wanted to enjoy the moment with him
now. It would probably never happen again, her sleeping in the
safety of his arms, but that didn't matter. At least she would have
now, here, in a quiet cavern with the one man she loved more than
anything in the world. She would dream as always, but this time, it
would be of her Mamo-chan.
Birds chirped cheerful melodies as the forest creatures
came alive with the greeting of the golden sun.
Mamoru awoke to find Usagi nestled snugly against himself.
Her hot breath tickled at his bare skin and he gazed down at
her affectionallly.
He had not expected her to respond to his embrace in this
manner, not that he minded of course.
Mamoru had watched over Usagi protectively as he saw her
drift off to sleep.
He loved watching her as she slept. Such a peaceful
complexion settled over her angelic features and he loved hearing
the steady, soft sound of her breathing.
His entire being ached to lay with her, to hold her in
his arms once more and to feel her delicate body...
'No Mamoru!' He had ordered himself. 'You have no right
to touch her and hold her like that. She does not belong to you.
Imagine what she would do if she woke up during the middle of the
night to find herself in the arms of *you* no less.'
The thought of himself frightening his little Odango Atama
was not something Mamoru liked. He cared for her to deeply to do
that...
But when Usagi had started to shiver at the chilling
night air and of fear, Mamoru had felt compelled to comfort her.
A need, a longing, to be with her, his Usako. A strong urge to
be with her, to protect her... even though he knew it was not
his job to do so. It was something he had to do, although he did
not know why.
Mamoru had crawled over to Usagi and draped his coat over
her slim shoulders. She stilled and her face relaxed once again
to its peaceful nature.
Oh kami-samma, how his fingers itched to feel her milky
white skin. He could almost feel its softness...
Slowly, carefully, he reached down a hand to brush across
her cheek. Ah, just like velvet, so smooth...
Gently he traced down her slender neck, along her bare
arms... to rest at the curve of her waist.
Mamoru had lain down behind Usagi and drawn her delicate
form close to himself. He had marveled at how perfectly she
seemed to fit against him, like it was something always meant to
be, like two pieces in a puzzle finally joined together; completion.
Shaking his head to clear himself from his thoughts, Mamoru
reluctantly sat up and moved away from Usagi.
These feelings he felt for her, they were so new and yet
wonderfully strange. They scared him too, but it was not something
he wanted to go away.
The sleeping beauty stirred groggily and her eyes opened
slowly to look up at him.
Kami-samma, her eyes... never had Mamoru seen such lovely
eyes. Such a unique shade of blue, almost a kind of dusty gray.
His breath caught and he managed to say, "'Morning."
A smiled played at the corners of her lips and sitting up
she replied, "Good morning, Mamoru."
Her clothes were crumpled from sleeping and she reached
up to fix her mused odangos.
As Mamoru watched her, he suddenly had an urge to kiss
her perfectly rounded mouth.
He licked his lips unconsciously as his heart began to
pound furiously. What would it be like to taste her sweet lips...?
Slowly he inched nearer to her, his breathing quickening.
He placed his hands on either side behind her body and leaned
close to her.
Usagi swallowed hard. His face was so close to hers
that she could feel his warm breath dancing across her lips.
For an agonizingly *long* moment, Mamoru simply stared
into Usagi's eyes, as if boring to the depths of her soul.
Then, tenderly, he pressed his mouth against hers. A small
gasp escaped into his lips, and he felt her stiffen slightly.
Mamoru gently eased his lips over hers with soft butterfly
kisses.
He heard her moan softly and her body relax against his.
Her hands skimmed up his chest and clasped themselves around his
neck.
Mamoru drew her closer and kissed her more passionately, yet
slowly as not to scare her, not that she seemed to be flighted of
him anymore.
Mamoru gently teased his tongue along her upper lip, causing
her to gasp once more.
Never had Usagi ever been kissed like *this*. Nor at all for
that matter. She had always dreamed of being kissed like this though.
His boldness surprised her, but she found herself liking it
too. Slowly her lips parted beneath his, and his tongue slipped inside
to play with hers.
Usagi leaned against his hard frame, and Mamoru cradled her
conformably in his lap.
But soon, to both of their disappointments, the moment ended,
and Usagi found herself once again starring into Mamoru's midnight
blue eyes.
Mamoru ran a single finger over her slightly swollen lips,
gazing down into her sapphire orbs.
"Gomen ne," He whispered softly. "I should not have kissed
you, it wasn't right of me. It's just --"
Mamoru sighed not knowing her to tell Usagi his feelings
for her. He had always fantasized about this moment, holding her
in his arms like this and proclaiming his love for her. Then why
did it seem so impossible now?
Usagi looked up at him questionably. What could be wrong?
What was it? Could it be... that he did not care for her after all?
Tears pricked the back of her eyes. She wanted to run so
her could not see her cry, but she had to know first. Did he love
her... or not?
"Onegai," She urged quietly. "Please tell me, what is it?"
Mamoru stared deeply into her eyes. Were those tears...?
Had he caused them?
"Don't cry Usa," He told her gently. It felt so good to
finally be able to call her his pet name for her, so right.
"Don't cry. Tears... they don't suit you."
Mamoru reached up to wipe away a lone tear now streaking
down her cheek.
"I love you." The words sounded so foreign to Mamoru. He
could hardly remember the last time her had ever said them. But
they felt surprising good as he told them to Usagi. "I always have
and I always will. I wanted to tell you, I just didn't know how.
These feelings... they terrify me. But the thought of loosing you
to some one else terrifies me even more. I just couldn't bare it,
some one else touching you, kissing you, saying that they love
you... *I* want to be the only one doing those things. Aishiteru,
so much."
Usagi eyes shimmered with new tears of absolute joy. He
loved her!! It was true, so true! 'Oh Mamo-chan, how I have
always longed to hear you say those words. And now you have...'
"I have something I need to tell you too." She replied
gently, hardly unable to control the happiness the was bubbling
inside of her, nor the smile now spreading across her face.
"You do?" Mamoru asked hesitantly. Oh gosh, what if she
did not have the same feelings for him as well?
Usagi nodded.
"...nani?"
"I love you too, Mamo-chan. And it is you, and only you,
who I want to spend the rest of my life with. Aishiteru."
Mamoru's heart burst with a mixture of relief, love, and
complete joy. She loved him... the words never sounded any sweeter.
Gazing down upon her lovingly, he gently kissed her lips.
It was softer than before, but spoke of more love then any other
kiss could ever speak of.
Pulling away he murmured huskily, "I love you, Usako."
Usagi arched a golden brow in surprise. "'Usako'?"
"Hai," he replied. "That is my special name for you. Do
you... mind if I call you that? I've always wanted to."
Usagi shook her head and snuggled closer to him.
"Iie, not at all. I like it very much. Do you mind if I
call you 'Mamo-chan'? It's my pet name for you too."
"'Mamo-chan'." Mamoru repeated. "I rather like the sound
of that."
Usagi giggled and Mamoru shushed her by placing yet another
kiss upon her lips. One that spoke of their love, found once again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That's it!!! I finally completed it!!! My FIRST fanfic!!! I cannot
tell you how happy I am to finally have completed "Love Found in a
Cavern." I have been working on it forever. Gosh, I am sooo
happy!!!
Well, I would *really* like your opinions on this story. It would
mean sooo much to me!!! Please, please, please!!! Email me at...
[email protected] I luuuuuuv feedback!!!
Oh yeah, come see my site I made about Sailor Moon, called
"Crystal Dreams"... http://fade.to/CrystalDreams . Thank you soooo
much!!!!