Konnichiwa, minna! Stuff at bottom! *~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~* Love Will Still Live On *~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~* Darien was awakened by someone knocking on the door. He rolled over to get up and ended up falling out of bed and onto the floor. "Ouch, damnit!" He ran a hand through his hair and stumbled out of his room to the front door. "Hi Darien. If you don't mind my saying so, you look like hell. Did you get any sleep?" Melody was standing at the door, concern on her face. "Not enough to keep me from looking like the thing from the Black Lagoon. Come on in, I'll make some coffee." Darien stood aside so Melody could enter. "I like your apartment, Darien," she said with a smile. "It's really nice." "Thanks," he called from the kitchen. "Serena and Setsuna decorated most of it. I usually stay out of their way when they do things like that." Melody chuckled and slowly walked around the room. A picture on the mantel caught her eye. She picked it up and studied it carefully. It was a picture of Serena and Darien on their wedding day. A soft smile crossed Melody's face. "Those two, when they start decorating, it's impossible to ... what are you looking at?" Darien had walked into the room, holding 2 coffee mugs. "Oh, um, nothing.. Just your wedding picture." She hastily sat it down and took her coffee from Darien, blushing. "Sorry.. I didn't mean to pry." "It's alright," Darien murmured. He sat down in his chair and Melody perched on the arm of the couch. "So.. um.. how are you doing?" Melody stammered. She felt really stupid, first getting caught looking at something that was personal, then asking an INCREDIBLY stupid question. "Well, as the Germans say, es geht." Darien smiled slightly. "Eh? I don't speak German." "Es geht means it goes. Not good, not bad. Kind of in the middle. I'm really sad that Serena is in the hospital.. but I know she'll be alright. She has a guardian angel, it seems.." "Hmm.. a guardian angel, you say.." Melody gazed out the window. "My grandma used to tell me stories about my animal guardian. She told me it was a deer, swift and cunning, like me. I didn't really believe her at the time, but I have come to over the years. It sure seems like something is guarding me, because I've been in countless accidents and escaped sometimes without a mark." "You're lucky," whispered Darien. "Serena gets in accidents and gets hurt, but she always seems to pull through." "I.." Melody closed her eyes. She almost felt guilty that she was fine and Serena was not. "Well, Darien, congratulations.. you've got me at a loss for words, and not many people have managed to do that." She opened her eyes and smiled wanly. Darien blushed slightly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to.. make you uncomfortable. So.. how have things been going for you?" Melody smiled, relieved at the change of subject. "Not bad. I managed to blow something else up while you were at the hospital with Serena, only this time it was the stove in my kitchen - I can't cook worth a damn." Darien laughed. "That sounds like something Serena would do! You know, you two ought to get together if Serena gets better." Melody's smile slid off her face. "If?" Darien's smile vanished as well. "Yeah. The doctors, they don't.. they don't.." His hands started to shake and he dropped his coffee mug, spilling coffee all over the rug. "Oh God.. Serena.." Melody stood up and walked over to him. She knelt down and awkwardly slipped an arm around his shoulders. "Hey.. Darien.. um.. don't cry.. I'm sure Serena will be alright.." Darien looked up at Melody. She tried to hide her surprise, but her green eyes widened a touch. The emotionless mask he usually wore was gone. For the first time ever, she saw into his eyes, into his soul. She understood the torment he was enduring. "I'll be fine," he whispered. He gently removed her arm from around his shoulders and stood up. "I'm .. going to take a shower. You can wait here if you like, or come back in awhile." She tried to smile and failed. "I'll.. just stay here." Darien nodded silently and left. Melody wandered over to the couch and sat down. Silence fell. All she heard was the water running in the bathroom. She was so tired.. Her eyes closed slowly and she fell asleep. *~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~* "Mommy! Mommy! Wait for me!" Shouted little Melody as she stumbled towards her mother. "MOMMY!!" Her cry was lost in the crowd. She stopped running and sniffled. "Are you lost, little girl?" Asked a big man with many tatoos as he knelt down beside her. "Why don't you come with me?" "..." Melody stared at the man. "... NO!! MOMMY!!!!!" She started screaming wildly. The man looked around quickly and clamped his hand over her mouth. She kicked at him in fury, trying to get free. Finally, she succeeded, and took off running. When she had gotten out of downtown, she slumped against a tree in a park and started to sob. "M..mommy..waaahh..!!" "Little girl.. what's the matter?" A soft voice spoke. Someone was kneeling by her side. "I .. got l..lost.. I can't find my mommy.." Melody looked up. The man sat down so they could be at eye level. He wore a purple tuxedo, a cape, and a mask. "Don't worry, I can help you find her." He reached out a gloved hand. Melody studied it suspiciously and looked into his face. She couldn't see his eyes due to the mask. "The last man who tried to help me was big and ugly and had drawings all over him! And he smelled.. are all grown up boys like that?" A look of confusion passed over her savior's face. "Um, I.. no, not all men are like that, sweetie. There are some who are, though, and they are the ones you have to be careful about." She stared up at him with clear green eyes. "Are you a bad man?" He blinked a few times and a small smile crossed his face. "I don't like to think of myself as bad, no. My name is Endymion, little one." ".. Mommy said I shouldn't tell my name to strangers.. but I guess you're not a stranger.. I'm Melody." "Melody, hmm? What's your last name?" "Reichstien. That's my mommy's maiden name. She said she hates my daddy so she uses her other name." "I see." Endymion smiled faintly. "Do you know your address?" Melody brightened. "Yeah! 666 Midnight Avenue." Endymion's face turned pale. The smile vanished. Suddenly, his eyes were visible through his mask. They held a horrified look. "666.. are you sure, Katchen?" "Yep! My mommy taught me all that stuff when I was little. I'm this many now!" Melody held up 5 fingers triumphantly. "Sweetheart.. Katchen.. that house.. burned down a few days ago. The woman inside died.." Melody blinked a few times. Her green eyes filled with tears. "My mommy.. is.. dead?" Endymion nodded sadly. "Yes, Katchen.. I will take you with me to my home, alright? I know my wife won't mind, and our daughter will just love you!" Melody forced a smile. "Kay. I'll come." *~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~* Melody awoke to the feeling of someone gently shaking her and calling her name. She opened her eyes to find herself staring straight into a pair of midnight blue ones, filled with concern. "Mel! Are you alright? I got out of the shower and heard you crying.. I wondered what happened. Did you have a nightmare?" "Y.. yeah.. I guess I did.." She sniffled and wiped her eyes, feeling like a sissy. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." Darien smiled gently. "Well.. glad to see you're alright. I'm gonna get dressed and then we can go out and take a walk or something." He stood up and walked to his bedroom, wearing a white bathrobe. Melody watched him as he left, green eyes quivering. *~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~* To be continued.. *~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~* Dah dah dah dah! New revelation here, peeps! I know, I know, this is another short part.. MY BAD!! The next one should be better. BTW, Katchen, I believe, means "Little cat" or "Small cat" in German. I could be wrong. Vielen dank (much thanks) goes out to Lianne, Razzz, Kaos, Sidnei, Rain Ayo, Jade, and Allie for your support and encouragement in this series. It means alot, people! =^.^= Tiga Shadow http://members.tripod.com/~PaladinStar Tiga2@hotmail.com--====================987654321_0==_ Content-Type: text/plain; name="light.txt" Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="light.txt" Konnichi wa, minna-chan! I got a GREAT idea for a story, so I decided to write it! I'm gonna keep this one short, sweet, and simple - a mindless romance between Mamoru and Usagi. And yes, I am well aware of the fact I didn't use the NA names ^_^ Enjoy! *~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~* The Light of a Shooting Star *~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~**~!~* Usagi paced nervously in her room. She was going on a date with Mamoru later, and she wasn't sure of what was going to happen. Of course, she had been on many dates with him before, but still.. "Usagi! You're going to wear a hole in the carpet if you don't stop pacing," said a voice from the dresser. "Gomen, Luna. I'm just nervous about my date with Mamoru!" Usagi sat down at her desk with a sigh. "Why nervous? You seemed so enthusiastic about it earlier, and now you're acting like it's the worst thing that could happen." "I don't know, Luna.. he's just been so distant lately.. not like the Mamo-chan I know. I wonder if he wants to.. dump me.." "Usagi-chan! Snap out of it. Mamoru is NOT going to dump you. You've been going out since you were in junior high, and look at you now, you're 19 and you've already graduated from Azabu College! You have NOTHING to worry about." "I don't know.." mumbled Usagi. She glanced at herself in the mirror. For fun, she had put her hair in the old style Mamoru had loved, despite the teasing he gave her for it. Twin odangos, done just like Queen Serenity's. In the past 5 or so years, Usagi had changed. She became more graceful and more studious, so much that she'd graduated college way early. The sound of the doorbell interrupted her thoughts. Usagi jumped up and raced to the mirror. "Luna! How do I look? Is my hair straight? Do you think Mamo-chan will like my dress???" Luna laughed gently. "Usagi-chan, you look perfect. Now go, don't keep him waiting!" "Hai, Luna.. see you later!" Usagi ran out of the room and stopped when she reached the stairs. She could hear Mamoru and her mother chatting. She drew in a deep breath, and forced herself to walk slowly down the stairs. Upon entering the foyer, she got a big smile from Mamoru. "Usako, you look great. Are you ready to go?" "Hai," said Usagi, forcing a smile. She turned to her mother. "I'll be back in a couple of hours." Her mother smiled and nodded. Usagi and Mamoru exited the house together and walked to his car. "I have a great evening planned for us," said Mamoru with a smile. "Dinner at your favorite resteraunt(sp?), and a moonlight walk on the beach." "It sounds like fun, Mamo-chan." Usagi slid in the passenger side of the car. Nervously, she fiddled with her bracelet. "Usako? Daijobu?" "Daijobu," she said softly. "I'm fine." "Are you sure?" He took his eyes off the road long enough to glance at her. She smiled. "Hai, I am sure. Let's get - erm, let's go eat." She looked back down at her lap, silently yelling at herself for almost saying "Let's get this over with." Dinner was wonderful, or so Usagi assumed. She didn't really taste it and remained quiet throughout the whole thing. It took too long for it to end, but when it finally did and they were on the beach, Usagi relaxed a bit. "It's a lovely evening, Mamo-chan. Thanks for dinner." "Of course, Usako.. Usako?" Mamoru stopped walking and looked at her, seeing he'd lost her attention. "Usako.. Hey, Odango Atama!!" Usagi's head flew up. "Don't call me that," she snapped, the old fire in her eyes. Her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh! Gomen, Mamo-chan! I, I guess that's just a normal reaction.. yeah, just a normal reaction.." Her voice trailed off and she looked away. Mamoru took her chin and turned her head towards him. He gazed into her eyes and whispered, "Usako. Please. Tell me what's on your mind.." She looked back at him. His blue eyes quivered, his face showed how concerned he was. "Mamo-chan.." He tilted his head slightly. Some of his black hair fell into his face, making him appear boyish, but very cute. "Yes?" She sighed. "This sounds really stupid, but.. I thought.. you were going to dump me.." A flash of pain shot through Mamoru's eyes, so she added quickly, "You've been so distant lately, I thought something might have changed your mind about me.." He took her in his arms. "Usako, is that what you.. I'm so sorry.. Nothing could EVER change my mind about you, do you understand? And.. well, as to why I've been distant lately.." He fished around in his pocket for a minute, got down on one knee, and took her hands. "Ever since the moment I saw you, I knew I wanted you for my wife someday.. You have given me a reason to carry on.. Tsukino Usagi, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?" Time seemed to stand still for Usagi. She looked down at Mamoru's face, his eyes shining with hope. "M.. Mamo-chan? Do you really.. I mean.." He stood up and stared deeply into her eyes. "I do mean it, Usako, with all my heart." "I.. Oh, Mamo-chan! A thousand times, YES!!" "Usako..!!" He picked her up and swung her around. She laughed in delight. When he put her down, he gently kissed her. "Mamo-chan, I love you so much.." Usagi looked up into his deep blue eyes. In them was the love that had lasted for more than 1000 years, the love that would go on for the next 1000 or more. "Usako.." He whispered. "You've made my life complete.. Arigato, Usako.. Arigato.." He bent over her and kissed her again, this time long and lingering. With one hand, he gently slipped her ring on her finger. The moon and the stars shone down on the two, wrapped in an embrace of eternal love. A bond that would never be broken. When they pulled apart, a new light illuminated them. The light of a shooting star. *~!~**~!~**~!~* The End *~!~**~!~**~!~* What do you think? Was it good? If so, I wanna hear about it!! Was it bad? ... The jerk that wrote it went that way, better catch her before she gets away!! *grin* Domo arigato, Razzz-sama, for helping me out in a diffucult situation and for being a really great friend =^.^= And thanks to my new friend, Sidnei, who has written a STELLAR story that you MUST MUST MUST read!! =^.^= Tiga Shadow http://members.tripod.com/~PaladinStar/index.html Tiga2@hotmail.com