~*~**~***~****~*****~******~*******~******~*****~****~***~**~*~ About 1 AM, Mamoru’s phone rang. He eased out from under Usagi and walked to the kitchen. *Ring* *Ring* "All right! I’m coming!" he growled angrily and picked up the phone. "Hello?" he answered groggily. "Oh, Mamoru...this is Shingo.." Shingo’s voice was filled with fear and sadness... " Dad was in wreck and he’s in the emergency room...could you drive Usagi over? Please?" Shingo asked worriedly. "Of course Shingo! I’ll be right there!" Mamoru said and hastily hung up the phone. He ran in his room and grabbed his keys and his jacket. "Mamo-chan? What’s wrong? Was that Shi-chan?" she asked. Mamoru immediately wrapped Usagi in his arms. "Yes Usako, it was....your dad was in a car accident and is in the hospital..." he said seeing the tears well up in the little blonde’s eyes. She tried to squeak out a word, but all that came out was sobs. Mamoru just handed her her now dry dress and said " Just put your dress on Usa, and we’ll go see him..." she nodded and walked in the bathroom and when she came out they left for the hospital. ~*~**~***~****~*****~******~*******~******~*****~****~***~**~*~ Usagi walked into the hospital room and gripped Mamoru’s hand harder as she held back the tears. Mamoru gave her an assuring squeeze. She was so scared, was it her fault her dad was like this? If she hadn’t fought with him, he wouldn’t be hooked up to all these machines, would he? She walked over to a chair beside the bed and sat down. She slowly picked up his hand. "Oh daddy...I’m sorry..it’s all my fault you are like this...if I hadn’t..." she whispered as the tears escaped her eyes and she laid her head on the bed. "Don’t leave me daddy....you have to stay...you have to walk me down the aisle....you have to forgive me....please??" she whispered and felt a hand on her shoulder. "Oh Mamo-chan....if I hadn’t of gotten in a fight with him, this wouldn’t have ever happened!" she cried. "Shh Usa, all we can do now is hope and wait..." he whispered as he sat in a hospital chair and patted his lap. She nodded and sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I’m sorry I dragged you hear Mamo-chan, I know this is hard for you..." she whispered hoarsely. "No, Usa, I want to be here because I know I am of some comfort to you. Now just close your eyes and sleep..." he said, gingerly running his fingers through her hair. She nodded and was asleep before her head even landed on Mamoru’s chest. Mamoru laughed slightly and then looked at the form in the bed. “I’m sorry sir...but I can’t give up Usa...she’s all I have... I know you don’t approve of me, but I always just wanted to find someone to love me for me...and Usako did that. She showed me something I have never known before... and when I see her family, I know where she recieves all that compassion. Please, sir, don’t take her away from me. It would be like cutting the life line of a dying man. She is my life, my soul. Please get better...she needs you as much as I need her.” He said softly and a closed his eyes, falling asleep with Usagi. Ikuko and Shingo then walked in and took the two other chairs in the room. Ikuko sighed at the two young lovers, remembering herself and Kenji at that age, and wished her husband could see them like she did. Shingo, however, thought it was gross, but was glad Mamoru loved his sister so much and knew he would take good care of her. ~*~**~***~****~*****~******~*******~******~*****~****~***~**~*~ Kenji was struggling to live. He had to tell Usagi that he wanted them to have his blessing. He was about to turn around and go back to the apartment, when he was hit dead-on by a pick-up truck. It ended in a three car wreck because the speeding car behind him couldn’t stop in time. His eyes would not open, they were clenched shut and he did not have the strength to open them, but hearing a voice, he stopped to listen. Who was that? Chiba-san? He listened and felt horrible as he heard Mamoru confess how he really felt about Usagi. Usagi, she loved this man and he had no right to stand in the way of that. Thinking of his little girl made him try once more. This time, he succeeded and saw a sight that amazed him beyond his years. He saw his little girl asleep by the man she loved and he sighed. * How foolish I’ve been!* he thought. * Not to see that Usagi is so happy!* Just then, Mamoru awoke to find Kenji looking at them warmly. He smiled back and nudged Usagi. "Usa...wake up..." he whispered to her. She blinked several times before she noticed Mamoru motioning to the bed. She looked up and ran over to her father’s side. "Oh Daddy! I’m so sorry!" she cried and clutched his hand. "Shh, pumpkin...I want you to know that I’m going away soon....." he whispered. "But daddy, you can’t leave me!" she begged. "It’s not up to me, Pumpkin, but this is...I want to tell you something about that fiancé of yours!" he said sternly. Usagi’s eyes watered, fearing her father would die hating Mamoru. "I want you two to have my blessing..." he said warmly. She smiled at him and gently hugged his neck. "Thank-you daddy...thank- you!" Usagi then awoke her mother and brother, and let them say there good byes to her father. She knew he was going to a better place now and was glad he had forgiven her. Before taking his last breath, Kenji Tsukino said, "Take care of her son...I would like you to remember me as your father....goodbye my family.." and he closed his eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep. ~*~**~***~****~*****~******~*******~******~*****~****~***~**~*~ It was one year after his death, and Ikuko was still never quite the same. She was always quiet and never really paid much attention to the outside world. Shingo grew up quickly that year, and honorably became the man of the house. Usagi still lived with her mom and brother in Japan and Mamoru was arriving back home FOR GOOD that next week. What was Usagi to do? Since her mother had lost her job, Usagi has gotten one to support her mother. But what about her job? Mamoru would never approve? How was she going to tell Mamoru? ~*~**~***~****~*****~******~*******~******~*****~****~***~**~*~ Mamoru arrived at the airport gate, and could not see Usagi any where. He then spotted a familiar face and walked over to her. "Tenoh Haruka ?!? Long time no see, ne?!" "Ah, Mamoru-san! There you are! Usagi-chan sent me to get you....it seems she has to work late tonight..." "Oh...hey Haruka-san? Where does she work anyway?" "I haven’t the slightest, she has kind of been avoiding me and Michi-chan whenever she sees us..." "I know the feeling...when I call her, she is always gone or out and never returns my calls! It’s like she’s afraid to talk to me!" "Well, you’ll have to ask her then! I’ll drive you to your place...Let’s go!" ~*~**~***~****~*****~******~*******~******~*****~****~***~**~*~ Later that night... "Well fine Haruka! If you feel that way then get out!" Michiru yells angrily at the blond. "Fine Michiru! I will!" and with that Haruka stormed out of the apartment. Haruka got herself drunk and made her way to the local ‘club’. She sat down inside and ordered a beer. She lazily drank it and turned around to see who happened to be ‘dancing’ on stage. When she did, she spit beer all over the floor. * Oh shit!* she thought * Usagi?* *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* *Ring* *Ring* Mamoru picked up the phone. "Moshi Moshi?" he answered. "Hey Mamoru-san! It’s Haruka!" "Oh Haruka-san! To what do I owe the pleasure of this call? It’s not about Usa is it? She isn’t in trouble is she?" Mamoru asked nervously. "No she’s fine, but it is about her...I know why she is avoiding you..." "Why? She isn’t cheating on me...is she?" Mamoru yelled. "No, I know where her job is..." "Well come on Haruka! SPIT IT OUT!" Mamoru yelled. "Oh I can’t tell you, you’ll have to see for yourself....meet me at McDonalds in 15 minutes and I’ll take you..." *~*~*17 minutes later in Haruka’s car*~*~* "Okay Haru-chan! Where is she? What job could be so bad that she is avoiding me?" "Trust me Mamoru-san! I am ashamed I ever went there in the first place! And if you tell Michi-chan, I’ll hurt you!" "Okay I won’t! Now where is she?" "Right here.." Haruka said and pointed to to the flashing neon lights only meters away from where the had just gotten out of the car. They read ‘Night Stars’. Mamoru gasped. Everyone in town knew this was a strip club. "Haruka-san!!! You got to be kidding!!! My Usa works here?!?!?" he screamed. Just then, a familiar wail could be heard heard, along with the sound of high-heels clicking against the pavement. "Follow her! I’ll be right behind you in the car! Go On!!!" she yelled as Mamoru ran down the street. "Usako wait!!!!" he cried, but she didn’t stop....but knowing Usagi, she tripped (especially because she was in high-heels!) Mamoru ran up to her and embraced her tightly in his arms. "Are you okay baby? Huh?" he whispered into her ear and kissed her forehead. "Are you?" "Yes, Mamoru..." he flinched, she hadn’t called him Mamoru since they started dating. "Now I got to get home, it’s late!" she said getting up and started limping away. "Oh no you don’t! You have some explaining to do!!" He said firmly, pinning her arms to her side and making her face him. "Chiba Mamoru!! I do not have to explain myself to you or anyone else!!!" "Oh yes you do!" a voice said behind her. "Haruka!?! I don’t have to explain to you either!" "Yes, Usagi, you do! I am your protector and I am sure I speak for Mamoru and all the girls when I say this, You owe us all an explanation!!" Usagi just started sobbing. She collapsed into Mamoru’s arms and soaked his shirt. "I’m so sorry!!!" she wailed. "Shh, Usa, not here, we are going to my place..." He said as he led her to Haruka’s car. Usagi cried all the way to McDonalds and was so weak that Mamoru had to carry her to his car. "Haruka-san, get ALL the girl’s together, even the inners and Setsuna, and meet me at my place, okay?" "Whatever you say Mamoru, we’ll be there in two or three hours!” she said as she got into her car and drove off. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Mamoru carried a now sleeping Usagi to his apartment. He laid her on his couch and knelt beside her. Her eyes fluttered open as he cupped her face in his hands. "Oh baby...what made you take that job? Was it me? Was it the girls? Huh?" "Oh Mamo-chan! It wasn’t you or the girls....it was me and my stupid self..." "Usako, baby? What happened? What are you talking about?" "I needed the money and the job paid well..." “But WHY did you need the money?" "Well , mama got cancer, Mamo-chan! She is going to die without an a operation and the money daddy left us won’t cover it! I thought it was the only way!!!" she wailed and burst into tears. She was mad at herself for taking the job, but more so for lying to Mamoru. She knew she should tell Mamoru about her mother’s REAL illness, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it because it involved HER too. "It wasn’t the only way! What about me? I ‘d give away my whole trust fund for you!" He told her and wrapped his arms gently around her. "No Mamo-chan! I don’t want your money!" "Yes Usa! I want to marry you and spend my life with you! The money is yours whenever you need it!! I want you to have it! I want t your mother to have it because she is the mother I never had and I want her to get well just as bad!" He said looking into Usagi’s eyes. "Please take it Usa!" he begged. She smiled at him and nodded. "Thank you Mamo-chan! I’m sorry...Thank-you...thank-you!" she said. "No thank-you, Usa, for giving me the chance..." he said and hugged her, kissing the top of her head. " Why don’t you go lay on the bed and rest?" He asked suggestively. She nodded and stood up, but fell down quickly in pain. "OWWWWWW!!!!!" she yelled. "Usako? What is it?" "My ankle! I must have hurt it when I fell!" she whimpered. "Here, let me carry you to the bed and I’ll get some ice..." he said and picked Usagi up carefully. Usagi wrapped her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes. "Thank-you Mamo-chan..." she said as he slowly laid her on the bed. "I love you.." she whispered. "I love you too Usako, baby.." he replied back huskily and closed the gap between there faces. She indulged in the moment, but broke away. "Mamo-chan...I’ve been thinking...we need to set a wedding date..." she whispered. "I was waiting until you said something, how about September 14?" he asked. Usagi’s eyes grew wider. "You remembered!" she giggled with joy! "Of course! That’s the day we were going to get married in the Silver Millennium, what do you say?" "I say....of course! Now...where were we?" she giggled and pulled Mamoru closer to her. ~*~**~***~****~*****~******~*******~******~*****~****~***~**~*~ Well That's part B of my revision of Ch ONe. See ya Sailor Peace