Sibling Rivalry Parts 4-6


Chapter 4

Wednesday - Author and Mamoru's POV:

He watched her from a distance, as he always did. Ever since he found out who she was, he wanted to know everything about her. There she was, his angel. He had yet to approach her. God only knows how many countless opportunities Motoki had given him to introduce himself to her. But, like a fool, he never did. To Mamoru she seemed even more unreachable than ever before. He didn't feel he was worthy enough for her. He came to the arcade everyday after-school and practice just to see her, hear her voice, be around her light. She always came in with one of more of her friends. He had gotten to "know" them somewhat. The first one was Makoto Kino, the tall Amazon you don't mess with. Everyone else seems to be afraid of her, but not Usako. Then there was Ami Mizuno, the shy, brainy girl of the group. She always has her head stuck in a book. Usa, on the other hand, always tries to get her to do other things. Its fun to watch Usa do that, she looks so cute. Next there's Minako Aino. At first I thought she was Usako, but at second glance, you know she's not. They look a lot alike. Motoki told me its because they're cousins. Usa's mom is Minako's dad's younger sister. Usako and Minako are very close and have very similar personalities. Lastly, there's Rei Hino, the fiery Shinto Priestess. She lives and works with her grandfather at the Hikawa Shrine. The first time I saw her, I didn't like her. She kept teasing my angel constantly. Although she does this, Rei is very protective of Usa and considers her a sister. You also have to admitt how cute Usa looks when she gets angry. Usa can't stay angry for long though. She is a very forgiving person that wants nothing more than to help people and make them happy. Can't complain there! She's not only helped me, but made me happy as well. Its like she's this drug that I'm addicted to. If I don't see her at least once everyday, I have a bad day. Even Seiya's torment has been easier to bear and less painful. During the weekends, I still get to stare at her pretty blue eyes and long, golden hair. Well, she isn't physically in front of me, but I picture her in my mind. Since I don't see her on weekends, Motoki was kind enough to give me some pictures of her. I'm thankful that he did. He also keeps telling me to do something . . . anything. I know that I should, but I just can't bring myself to do anything. I regret never doing anything . . .

Friday - Seiya's POV:

I just don't understand THIS! How can HE be so happy!? No matter what I say or do, he's always just so goddamn HAPPY!! I know he doesn't have a girlfriend, cause I would be the first to hear about it. I also know that he hasn't been laid, cause he doesn't believe in pre-marital sex! What could it be!? Everyday he comes home from practice and he's giddy and all. Its sickening. Maybe he's on drugs? No, he's too much of a goody-two shoes to do that . . . I can't stand it anymore! There's only one way to find out . . . I'm sure that Mamoru won't mind if I go in his room and look through his stuff while he's not home, right? . . .

Monday - Author and Mamoru's POV:

Mamoru parked his car near the Arcade. The day had turned out to be somewhat normal, as ordinary as it can get on a Monday. He hadn't seen his arcade angel for three days. He missed her on Friday due to traffic because of an accident. So, today he got out of practice a few minutes early, so he wouldn't miss her again. He walked into the arcade with five minutes to spare. He sat on the stool at the counter and noticed that Motoki wasn't there. 'He's probably in the back room,' Mamoru thought as he ran his hand through his silky, jet-black hair and nervously looked around. He saw Usa's friends sitting at their usual booth chatting away with Lizzy. Mamoru and Lizzy made eye contact. She looked at him gravely as she excused herself from the group and headed towards him. "Hey Liz! Where's your brother?" "Gomen Mamoru-kun. You don't know yet, do you?" "Know wh-" "Usa-chan! Seiya-kun! Over here!" Mamoru looked up and saw his "brother" with his angel. Seiya had his arm wrapped around her waist possessively. He was whispering something in her ear, making her blush in response. He led her to the booth and pulled a chair out for her before sitting down himself. Mamoru's jaw tightened as he clenched and unclenched his fists. His blood was boiling with jealousy, anger, and betrayal. He felt his heart break into a thousand pieces. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he would not cry, not in front of HIM. Mamoru felt a hand on his shouldar and momentarily looked away from THEM. Motoki looked at him with remorse and sorrow. "Gomen Mamoru. I went to your practice to warn you. You were gone by the time I got there. I don't know how they got together, but that Friday you weren't here, HE came in and spoke directly to her. There were so many people that I didn't get a chance to talk to her about it. It all happened so fast, and the next thing I knew, they were out the door. Mina said that they went out on a date on Saturday and HE took her to a movie on Sunday . . . Gomen . . . I'm so sorry." Mamoru couldn't deal with any more. He knew that he had to get out of there, if he didnt' then he knew that he would kill Seiya or even burst into the tears he was trying so hard to fight off. He pushed Motoki's hand away and stormed out of the arcade. Motoki tried to stop him to no avail. Once outside, Mamoru stopped. He was going to turn around and look at THEM, HER once more before leaving. He opted not to though. He was already in too much pain and the last thing he needed was for Seiya to see him cry. He walked away. If he had turned around, he would've seen the look of victory on Seiya's smug face.

Chapter 5

Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . Pain, anger, jealousy . . . pain . . .

Those were the only emotions Mamoru could feel as he struggled to hold back the tears that began clouding his vision. He was going to drive home, but stopped a little away. He couldn't go home like this. His youfu would not let it go without an explanation. Mamoru shut the engine off and did something he hadn't done in a long time . . . he cried . . . He broke out into uncontrollable sobs filled with anguish and despair as he bowed his head and gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands. He didn't know how to deal with this anymore. Usually, he'd turn to his angel. But with her not there, Mamoru felt himself being pulled into the abyss of darkness, never being able to return. 'Why couldn't she be with someone else!?? Anyone else! But HIM!' he thought between sobs. "WHY!?!?!?" he yelled to no one in particular, "Oh, Usako! Why did it have to be HIM?! You deserve so much better! He'll only break your heart, like he's done so many countless times before (AN: if you haven't figured it out yet, seiya is a player). Usako! What am I supposed to do now!?!" Mamoru stayed like that for an hour before finally composing himself and driving home . . .

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Mamoru walked to the house solemnly. The sun had already set and a few dark clouds loomed over the atmosphere, making the sky look darker than usual. Mamoru didn't mind since the dark setting matched his mood. As Mamoru shut the front door, it began raining. Slightly at first, then it started pouring, hard and fast. Mamoru stared at the rain. He didn't know why, but he felt as if he should go somewhere. He felt like he should be comforting someone, but didn't know why. He kept staring at the rain longingly for a few more minutes before shutting the door and walking to his room to change for dinner. Mamoru missed a figure watching him from the shadows with a concerned look on his face.

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Mamoru sluggishly came down the stairs and walked into the dining room where Hiroshi was already seated. He took his seat on the table as the two waited silently for Seiya to come. Hiroshi broke the silence, "Mamoru, I wanted to ta-" "Hey dad!" "Seiya?! Its about time!" "Sorry but I can't stay." "Why not?" "I'm taking MY girlfriend out." "But son, look at the weather! Its raining cats and dogs!" Seiya looked out the window and noticed the rain for the first time. "Master Seiya, a young woman is on the phone for you. I believe she said her name was Usagi," one of the maids said. "Oh, that's her. Excuse me. You can start without me." Hiroshi sighed and motioned to Mamoru to begin his dinner. Mamoru played with the food that was on his plate as a pained expression crossed his features. Hiroshi did not miss the pained look on his "son's" face. He wondered why Mamoru was like this today. He usually came home happier than usual. Hiroshi couldn't figure it out. Mamoru never gave him problems growing up. Mamoru was a quiet child, who never bothered anyone. He always did what he was told, he was and still is very obedient. Hiroshi tried his very hardest to make Mamoru's life easier for him. Although he treated both his sons as equals, Hiroshi tended to give Mamoru a little more attention. Losing one's parents at such a young age is so hard to deal with. Hiroshi had even sat Seiya down and told him to be extra-sensitive to Mamoru's needs. Hiroshi told Seiya how hard it would be for Mamoru to adjust and how they would have to do more for him. Hiroshi was about to say something about Mamoru about his recent mood swings, but was stopped by Seiya entering the room. Seiya sat down on the table and began eating his food with ease. Hiroshi looked from Seiya to Mamoru and back again. He couldn't take much more of this discord and animosity. He wished that his wife, Midori, were here. Midori would've made things right. But, she's not here, so its up to me. "Seiya?" "Yeah?" "What happened to your date?" "Oh, she didn't want to leave the house during such bad weather. Also, her little brother is sick, and since they're really close, she is staying with him." "You really like her, don't you? I mean, she's the first girl that you actually gave out your phone number to. She must be special." Seiya shrugged and continued eating. Mamoru whispered, "She is," before excusing himself from the table.

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An hour later, Hiroshi's Study . . .

Hiroshi sent one of the maids to get Mamoru. He was going to sit both children down, separately, and find out the truth and set things right, as Midori had done so many countless times before she died. A soft knock broke him out of his thoughts. He knew it was Mamoru because Seiya wouldn't have bothered to knock. "Come in." The door creaked open and a figure waited in the doorway. "Mamoru, its you." Mamoru nodded. "Well, why don't you come in. There are a few things that we need to discuss." Mamoru nodded and entered the room, shutting the door behind him . . .

Part 6

One week after Hiroshi spoke to Mamoru and Seiya . . .

Hiroshi/Author

The large mahogany desk was situated in the farthest corner of the room. The elaborate patterns engraved on the legs and base gave it an antique look, which matched the color of the walls and the paintings. A dim light emanated from the lamp situated on the desk. The light scarcely reached the shelves that lined the walls of the room. The shelves contained shelve upon shelve of books. The light did however reflect an outline of a lone figure that sat in a black leather couch. Hiroshi sat in his study. It was almost time for dinner and both Mamoru and Seiya were at home. He thought about the last two weeks and sighed in defeat. Nothing had changed. The situation between his sons was pretty much the same. 'No, its not,' he thought, 'its even worse than ever before.' Hiroshi couldn't figure out what brought out this renewal of animosity. He had sat both of them down and asked them what was wrong. Both of them denied that anything was wrong. Mamoru sat and listened the whole time. He only nodded a few times and when he spoke, he only gave one or two word responses. He was so distant that night. Hiroshi had never seen him like that. It was as if Mamoru had closed his heart off completely, feeling nothing, no emotions, nothing. Seiya wasn't too different. Rather than being distant, he was more evasive. He kept trying to change the subject or pretend he didn't hear the question. Hiroshi sighed. That idea went down the drain. Something was wrong with his sons, and neither would tell him what it was. It was really frustrating to say the least. Hiroshi was broken out of his thoughts by the familiar voice of the butler, "Sir?" Sigh. "Hai?" "Dinner is ready." "Arigato. I'll be there in a moment." Hiroshi sighed once again as the butler bowed respectfully and took his leave. Hiroshi got up and shut the light. He was about to close the door when an idea suddenly popped into his head. 'Well,' he thought, 'if my sons won't tell me what's wrong, perhaps someone else will.' Hiroshi smiled at the thought. He knew exactly what to do. This time he wasn't taking no for an answer . . .

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Dinner . . .

Author

Everyone sat in their seats and ate their food in silence. Everyone, that is, but Mamoru, who still played with his food. "Mamoru?" "Hai Youfu?" "What's bothering you?" "Nothing." "Then why won't you eat your food?" Mamoru shrugged in response. "You haven't eaten well in over two weeks." Mamoru shrugged again. Hiroshi looked at Seiya who had his head bowed. Seiya continued to eat as if nothing were wrong. "Mamoru, I'm very worried about you. I got a phone call from your coach today. He said that you haven't been the same, that you don't put everything you have into practice or any games." Mamoru didn't respond. He kept his head bowed and still toyed with the rice and vegetables on his plate. Upon hearing this piece of information, Seiya looked at Mamoru with an expression of something in his blue eyes. Hiroshi sighed. He didn't want to really do this, but he will not allow this to go on anymore. He had given them ample time and countless opportunities to talk to him. Now, he had had enough and it was time to put his foot down. He dropped his fork. It made a loud clattering sound with the plate. Mamoru and Seiya's heads shot straight up. They looked at their father with shock and confusion. Hiroshi looked at each one of his sons before speaking in an authoritative voice, "I've made a decision, and I don't want to hear any objections." Mamoru and Seiya continued to gape at their father. They didn't know what to say . . . never had they heard him speak in such a tone to either of them . . .

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After Dinner . . .

Mamoru/Seiya/Author

Mamoru walked into his bedroom and shut the door. Many things were running through his head . . . things he couldn't comprehend. He lied down on his Queen-sized bed. The room was dark. Mamoru hadn't bothered to turn on the lights. As always, Mamoru stared up at the white ceiling. He watched as the shadows cast by the trees outside played with the pallid whiteness of the wall. The shadows of the leaves swaying in the slight breeze reminded him of two lovers trying to reach out to each other. Something is coming in their way . . . it won't let her go . . . it is holding her back . . . 'Not something,' Mamoru thought bitterly, 'but someone.' Mamoru sighed and reached for a pillow with one hand. He placed it under his head and continued staring at the ceiling. He sighed and placed one of his arms under the pillow. The free hand reached up the bed and grasped the remote control. His long fingers traced the "soft," rubbery buttons slightly, searching for the one placed strategically on the upper right side. He pressed that button gently. A small red light on his stereo turned on. The sound of the cd's shuffling could be heard. Once it stopped, Mamoru moved his pointer finger a few rows down and to the left.

Fingering the button, he pressed it and the sound of cd's could be heard again, then the sound of the stereo scanning the cd, before playing the song,

I see what he's doing to you And it hurts me so I wish I could steal you away But you just won't go Something's holding you close to him something I can't see But come the say that you've had enough I pray you come running to me 'Cause if you were mine You'd know how good love could be And if you were mine I'd love you eternally If you were mine

Mamoru sighed. A small smile tugged at his lips. No matter how he felt, there was a song that seemed to describe his feelings . . .

Every time I see your face It lights up my day But I watch you passing me by And my sky turns gray Maybe someday you're gonna see I'm the one for you Till then I'll just have to wait For my dreams to come true

Mamoru thought about the events that had just transpired this evening. He couldn't believe his father's behavior tonight. His youfu had never spoken in such a tone, nor had he ever gotten upset like that. Mamoru was a little afraid. He never knew that his father could be like this. He always thought of him as this gentle, kind, caring person, not the person he was tonight. However, it wasn't his father's behavior that had stunned him, it was what he had decided on doing Friday night.

'Cause if you were mine You'd know how good love could be And if you were mine I'd love you eternally If you were mine

Mamoru chuckled slightly. The smile still stayed etched on his face as he recalled his "brother's" jaw dropping at Hiroshi's unexpected announcement. Mamoru himself was just as shocked. None of this made any sense. Their father's idea came out of nowhere. Mamoru thought that after the meeting with their father, Hiroshi would let the whole thing go. But, he obviously didn't. 'How could he not?' one side of his brain asked, 'We're his children, his family, we couldn't have expected him to let this go without an explanation,' it continued. Mamoru sighed, overcome with a feeling of butterflies in his stomach. He had just realized what the whole thing meant. It meant that finally they would come face to face . . .

My friends keep telling me to let it go But what I feel they'll never know I can't stop my heart beatin' for so strong for you But you're with him and not with me Baby it's as sad as it can be

Mamoru's hand dropped the remote control. It made a soft thud as it hit the mattress. His hand then flew up to his mouth. He barely breathed, "Oh Kami . . ."

But if you were mine You'd know how good love could be And if you were mine I'd love you eternally If you were mine

A sudden knock on the door broke him out of his thoughts. Thinking it was his youfu coming to check on him, he said, "It's open Youfu." Mamoru stayed lying on his bed as the door creaked open and then shut. In the darkness of the room, he saw the outline of a tall, lean figure, resting his shoulders on the frame of the closed door. That was not his youfu. "Its just you," Mamoru said coldly, turning his cobalt eyes away from the figure and toward the open window. He noticed that the black clouds were being moved to the left by the wind, revealing the luminous moon. It cast its light into the room, illuminating parts of the bed and nightstand. The figure was still shrouded in the shadows of the unlit room. After a few moments of silence, the figure said, "We have to talk." Mamoru didn't respond. He just kept staring at the sight the moon made, thinking of a certain someone. The figure walked across the room and stared from the window to Mamoru, and back again, "I don't get what you're looking at," he spat sarcastically. "If you would stop and admire the beauty of nature once in a while, you would appreciate everything more," Mamoru said in an annoyed voice. Seiya rolled his eyes before speaking, "Listen, dad's idea is not gonna work." "Why not?" "You know damn well why not! Baka! I'm not even gonna be here! I have to go on that stupid trip to Kobe and will be gone for at least two weeks! YOU know THAT!" "You're right, I do. You shouldn't be talking to me about it-" "I know! I already talked to dad and he wasn't listening. He didn't care that I wouldn't be there!" "Why should I care again?" "I KNOW you Mamoru." "And?" "I know what you'll do when I'm gone." Mamoru smiled, "The great Seiya, insecure! Are my ears deceiving me?" "Matte! I'm not going to let you get away with this! I only came here to warn you. If you try anything, I mean anything, you'll live to regret it!" Seiya responded, leaving the room and slamming the door behind him. "I already do."