Love like this

Chapter 1 - Meeting

Usagi sighed as she lifted her luggage and walked towards her new home, she stared at the large mansion before her. It was huge to be exact.

Fame and money never meant much to her, but the size of this mansion and its unique structure was impressive.

She paused as she reached the gate, her hand stopping by the call button.

Nii-chan...

She wasn't familiar with that word..never really was. She would have to address him by that..her new guardian, she didn't know if it was appropriate because after all he was probably twice her age but to call him anything seems even more odd. Perhaps she could address him by his name.

She brushed her bangs away from her eyes. She wondered what type of person he would be. She heard he was a very successful business man which explains the large mansion and the elegant red sportscar pulled up on its driveway.

So when she thought of him, a typical middle-aged man popped up in her mind. She can almost see him in a grey business suit, carrying a briefcase. A short stocky man with a pot belly which accumulated from all the business dinners.

Why would such a man want to adopt her? He should be married and with many children. But from what she heard, he was still single.

Perhaps he was lonely...then again even if he was why her? She sighed again. Standing out here wouldn't get her anywhere and it certainly wouldn't help answer all her questions..

Usagi straightened her back and smoothed out the wrinkles in her cloth, then she pressed the call button.

A week ago

Usagi sat quietly. The man sitting in front of her was hitting his 60s. He had a kind face, he smiled politely at her.

"Tsukino-San...I understand you've been with Hitomi-San ever since you were a baby?"

"Hai.." Usagi answered softly.

The man in front her studied a few pieces of paper laid out before him. "It says here your parents passed away in a car accident not long after you were born..and that was why Hitomi-san took you in?"

Usagi nodded.

"You must have been close.."

"Hai..."

"It's too bad...Gomen.." The man smiled apologetically at her.

Usagi shook her head lightly. "emm en its ok.." Usagi paused before saying softly. "I"m happy she went with no pain.."

The man nodded looking down at more papers. Then he looked up at her and spoke. "Tsukino-San...what do you think of living with someone else?"

Usagi looked at the man in surprise. "Eh?"

The man smiled. "There is someone who would like to take you in Tsukino-San..you are only still 16, you cannot live on your own yet...after two years you may if you and your guardian both agree to it. However ofcourse this is your choice..if you'd rather live in the orphanage with other children..we could also have that arranged. "

Usagi hesitated. She had never thought of living with anyone else other then Hitomi..she had been like a grandmother for the past 15 years. She always thought she would be living with her until she was capable of living on her own.

The man spoke up again. "I understand its difficult to suddenly live with a complete stranger..but once you get to know them well enough..they will become family. Chiba-San is a very well off business man..he has done a lot of charity work for the orphanages..he's a good man Tsukino-San."

Usagi hesitated again before asking quietly. "Does he have a family?"

The man shook his head. "Not that I know of..he lives by himself."

Inwardly Usagi felt a pinch of fear, just her..and a man living together? Her expression must have betrayed her thoughts.

The man in front of her smiled lightly. "I know what you're worried about Tsukino-San but i can promise you..Chiba-San is a very decent man..we wouldn't have gave you this option if there was any doubt about it."

Usagi felt a color tint her cheeks. "H..Hai.."

"So what do you think? would you like more time to consider, its no rush."

Usagi looked down at her hands. The orphanage...she had never been good with making friends and dealing with a lot of people. Perhaps she should give it a try..in two years she would be able to live on her own anyways.

"I would like to give it a try". Usagi spoke softly.

The man in front her smiled. "Great..I'm sure Chiba-San would be happy to know."

As he was walking her to the door. She stopped, she wanted to know. "..Why..me?"

The man looked at her surprised. "Nani?"

She bowed her head lightly. "I mean why me...? He doesn't even know me.."

The man patted her on the shoulder gently. "Well Tsukino-San i'm not sure..you will have to ask Chiba-San when you see him.."

Usagi waited as the the call dialed through. Then she heard a click.

"Hai?" A voice rang out from the intercom. Usagi blinked at the intercom in surprise. She had imagined a raspier and..older sounding voice. But the voice that rang through was deep and smooth, it was the voice of a young man. Could it be someone that he worked with?

"Hello?" The voice from the intercom rang out again. Usagi realized she hasn't answered yet.

"H..Hai..Gomen..Is Chiba-San there?"

"May I ask who's speaking?" The voice asked.

"My name's Usagi Tsukino..." Usagi paused. What should she say? "I...I'm here to see Chiba-San..."

"Tsukino?" The voice in the intercom sounded surprised.

"H..Haii.." Usagi stammered.

"Ahh Gomen please wait a moment." The voice disappeared from the intercom.

A moment later the gate opened.

"Please come in Tsukino-San" The voice rang out again.

"Arigatou.." Usagi picked up her luggage and walked through the gate toward the main door of the mansion.

When she reached the door, she bent down to drop her luggage and knock. But before she had the chance, the door opened.

Usagi looked up through her bangs.

She stared at the man before her. The first thing she saw was stormy blue eyes..

She was so pulled in by his eyes she hadn't realized that she was staring.

She snapped out of her gaze when the man before her cleared his throat. She blinked and quickly straightened up brushing her bangs to the side. She felt her cheeks burning. How rude of her, to stare at someone like that.

"G..Gomen..I'm looking for Chiba-San".She mumbled.

The man in front of her stared at her for a second with unreadable eyes before smiling warmly and holding out his hand. "I'm Chiba Mamoru..Its nice to finally meet you Tsukino-San".

Usagi heart skipped a beat as she held out her hand numbly. Chiba Mamoru...this was her new guardian... She looked at the man before her. He was tall and slender. Dressed in simple gray slacks and a black turtle neck shirt. One hand was hidden in his pant pocket, the other felt warm and soft against hers. She had never been the one to turn heads and stare at good looking guys but she wasn't blind, she knew a good looking man when she saw one. But this man in front of her was gorgeous. He was everything she thought he wasn't. The short stocky business that she had imagined was immediately crushed by the image of the man before her.

"H..Haii..It's nice to meet you too Chiba-San" Usagi stammered.

The taller man smiled. "Mamoru is fine Tsukino-San. There's no need for formality."

Usagi head bobbed up and down. "Usa.." Usagi's voice cracked and she quickly cleared her throat. "Please just call me Usagi."

Mamoru nodded. "Then Usagi please let me help you with the luggage."

Usagi fumbled with her bag and handed it to the taller man not meeting his eyes. As she walked into the mansion, she looked around. It was clean and simple. There was not a lot of stuff but it was beautifully arranged non the less.

"It's beautiful here..."

Mamoru laughed softly. "I thought most girls would think its too simple and empty in here."

Usagi smiled and said in a light voice. "I always thought simple was good...Mamoru-San you have a beautiful home".

Mamoru's eyes met hers. Then he smiled and said softly. "I'm glad you like it..because this is your home too from now on."

Usagi lowered her head and turned around pretending to scan the room to hide her flushed faced.

Then a painting in the corner of the room caught her eyes.

She stared at the painting, mouth gaping. "Mamoru-San...this is..." She looked at the painting in disbelieve. This was her painting! Why was it hanging in here?

Mamoru walked up behind her. He set the luggage down and looked at the painting. "It's an amazing painting isn't it?"

Usagi turned to look at the man beside her. He didn't know...ofcourse he didn't she was the artist.

She had loved painting, Hitomi-San had been an artist herself and when she discovered Usagi's artistic talents, she had taught her many things. Hitomi had encouraged her to enter an art contest, the winner will get to paint for one of the most famous art galleries, and she had won. The painting in front of her had been the one she painted for the art gallery. It must have costed Mamoru a fortune to buy it from an art gallery. She had left the painting anonymous. She wanted people to see her painting but she didn't want fame nor money from it. It was simply something she enjoyed doing.

"Sometimes i feel like i can just sit here and stare at the painting...it's beautiful." Mamoru's voice broke off Usagi's thought. "What do you think this painting portrays Usagi-chan?"

Usagi looked at her painting, it was a painting of woman who stood beside a grand piano in the opening of an rose garden. Only the backside of the woman was visible, her head tilted towards the silver moon that hung high above her head, one of her hands reaching towards it.

Usagi spoke softly. "Longing... She longs and searches for something that seems so close but yet is very far away. Perhaps one day she will be able to reach out and touch the very the thing she's looking for. " Usagi turned to look at Mamoru.

Mamoru was staring at her, something flickered across his eyes. Before Usagi could determine what it was, it had disappeared.

He smiled gently. "I see.."

Mamoru bent over and picked up her bag. "Come on Usagi-chan..let me show you to your room."

Usagi followed Mamoru up the stairs.

"Here you go" Mamoru pushed open on of the doors in the long hallway. "Gomen..i really didn't know what you liked and i've never really lived with anyone..so please bare with it."

Usagi looked at the room. It was huge, with a bed that could fit atleast four people. The room was decorated like the rest of the mansion. Simple and plain. She drew in a breath.

"Mamoru-San...this is my room?"

."Hai...if you don't like it theres more rooms for you to choose, its just this one is the biggest, i thought it'd be better."

Usagi shook her head lightly. "iie...this is more then enough...please leaving it like this is fine. Arigatou."

Mamoru dropped her luggage in the room. "I left clean towels in the washroom, if you need anything i'll be in the room at the end of the hall."

Usagi nodded. Mamoru turned to leave the room but then he paused and looked at her over his shoulder. "I know it's going to take a while for you to get use to everything but please if you need..anything..don't hesitate i'll be there."

I'll be there...She barely knew the man but just three words had sent warmth up Usagi's spine.

"Arigatou..Mamoru-kun"

Usagi sank down into the bed as soon as Mamoru closed the door behind him.

She stared at the ceiling and sighed. She felt like she had just walked out of a tornado. Nothing...had turned out the way she expected today.

"Mamoru.." Usagi whispered. That was his name... he had been the shock hadn't he? He was nothing like she expected. He was definitely young enough to be her nii-chan...but somehow that title seemed even less pleasant then it had when she stood outside the mansion.

Usagi buried her face into the bed. She closed her eyes and sighed again loudly into the bed.

She did not believe in love at first sight and she definitely did not want to believe.. that ...she had fallen in love with her new guardian..at first sight.

To be continued...

Author's note:

So this is the new story i'm working on, i hope its not too bad. i hope you all like the first chapter. Please revieww and comment, badd orr goood i'll take them alll haha. This is my first Usagi and mamoru fic so i still have a lot of things to improve on but i hope its so far sooo good haha thank you for readingg