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Usagi, Makenai!
Part 3
By Usa and Emiri
Disclaimers in Part 1
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I walked over to the Juuban Park bridge. I felt bad for not confiding in Ami-chan, but I've been like this for a while now and her, of all people, finally asked me if something was wrong. Why couldn't she come to my house sooner? Do I have to be dead for people to realize something was wrong? 

Sighing, I climbed onto the railing. I sat and stared at the water for a while. The water's lucky. It comes for a short visit, then flows wherever the current takes it. I'd like to be like that too. 

"Is this spot taken?" 

I turned my head. "Mamo-ru-san!" 

"Usa...What are you doing here?" 

"Nothing, really," I said, looking back at the lake. "Thinking..." 

"About what?" 

I barely noticed the tear fall down my cheek. "It's not important. Besides, why would care? Why would anyone care? I'm just a klutzy, crybaby, ne?" 

"You're more than that, you're--" Mamoru looked away, stopping. "Why do you think that? Is it because of 'us'?" 

"It's... everything." I look longingly at the water. It seems peaceful and I want to join it. 

"Usa, I still...you can tell me." 

I laugh. "You still what? Love me? Only if you did then I'd tell you. But if you did, I wouldn't have such horrible thoughts." 

"What kind of thoughts? Did you have a weird dream or something?" 

"Yeah... the past two nights. I know that's it going to come true. I can feel it." 

"Will you tell me what you saw?" 

The tears started coming again. I couldn't hold them back. "Okay, so I know the first part isn't coming true... We were getting married when all of the sudden, the ground began to shake and I was being pulled away from you. I heard a voice tell us that if we were together I would die." 

Mamoru exhaled sharply. "That's the same dream I had...why I broke up with you. I *do* still love you, Usako. I did it because I couldn't bear the thought of you being hurt." 

"N-nani?" I looked up at him and could tell he was telling the truth. "Mamo-chan..." 

As we leaned in for a kiss, we didn't notice some kids who were playing near us. Suddenly, I felt someone push into me and I was flying off the bridge... and into the water. 

"Usako!" 

I hit the water, which was cold, with a splash. I couldn't tell which way was up and I couldn't hold my breath much longer. Finally, I felt strong arms around my waist and realized that Mamo-chan was helping me to the surface. 

Eventually, I was on the ground again, this time sputtering and coughing up water. "Daijobou, Usako?" 

"H-hai..." I loooked at him, my bottom lip trembling. "Mamo-chan!" I cried, throwing my arms around him. 

"Usako. I'm glad that I have you back." 

"I've missed you so much," I whisper. The wind is picking up and I start to shiver. 

"Let's get you home, so you can get warm." Mamoru gasped as he noticed the red mark. "Usako, what did you do?" 

"Nani?" Oh, I had forgotten about that... "I klutzed out, as usual..." 

"Usako...that doesn't look accidental...please don't ever hurt yourself..." 

He helped me up and I decided to tell him everything. "Mamo-chan, there's some things that I want to talk to you about. Can we go to your apartment?" 

"Alright." 

*********** 

After we arrived at Mamo-chan's apartment and I got some dry clothes and a cup of hot chocolate, we sat together on the couch. I cleared my throat. "Ne, I'll understand if you decide to leave me after I tell you this. I know I'm a handful and annoying and hard to look after." 

"It can't be that bad." 

With a slight nod, I began. "It all started with Haruna-sensei talking about the Cherry Blossom Fesitval..." 

I finally came up to the point I was dreading. "Last night I felt so scared and alone... No one seems to care much about me. I haven't seen my friends in a long time and they haven't bothered to come see me. This cut..." I showed him again. "You were right, I did it. I was thinking about cutting a bit more to the left, but figured I'd give myself one more day, just to see if things would change... 

"Well, I ran into Ami-chan. She only now just asked me if I was doing all right. I ran off to the bridge and I was going to jump..." 

I kept my eyes averted from Mamo-chan's gaze. "Usako...you're not talentless...you're special. Maybe you can't share your talent with everyone, but you don't need to. I *know* you're special." 

I still couldn't bring myself to look at him. I don't think what he's saying is true. 

Mamoru lifted my chin with a finger. "Usako, you *are* special." 

And that made me smile. I could see so much love in his eyes. And truth... I hugged him tightly. "Arigatou, Mamo-chan!" 

Mamoru hugged back. "I"m glad I can make you feel better." 


^^^^END FLASHBACK^^^^

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^^^^PRESENT^^^^

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Cherry Blossom Talent Show!" 

I sighed backstage. No one had said a word to me all day. I think it was because they were all busy practicing or something. I still can't believe Mamo-chan convinced me to do this... 

I can hear it now: "Did you know Tsukino-san SANG! How sad can you get!" and "She sucks big time!" 

I smack myself. I really need to get my self-esteem up... 

Reality came crashing down when Haruna-sensei told me I was up next. That was fast! I'm suppose the be the last to go. I shrugged.

Finally, it was time and nervously stepped onto the stage. I saw my parents with Chibiusa and Shingo as well as Minako-chan and Rei-chan in the audience. I'm half surprised that Rei-chan didn't force her way onto the stage. 

I heard the music start and began to sing... 

There are somethings I can't see in this world 
No, it's just the wind blowing around me 
This dream I wanna wake up from right now 
Seems awfully real, making my skin crawl in fear 

Ah... what kind of evil things are happening? 
There wasn't a sign telling of danger ahead 
My mouths becoming dry and inside my heart I'm so cold 

What a scary fog is setting in 
All alone in the mists, ghosts are chasing me round and round 
What a scary dream this is becoming 
There's unexpected fright around each and every corner 
I wanna leave! I wanna leave this frightening dream behind 
Come on, dream! Disappear! Come on, dream! Just go away! 

Ahh... I need my beloved man now 
To take me far, far away from this horrible place 
Filled with anxieties dark clouds seem like they're coming to get me! 

What a scary night it's becoming 
Only I have no idea what's there 
What a scary dream its becoming 
Again my chest is pounding and pounding with fright 
I wanna leave, I wanna leave this big ominous dream behind! 
This dream will for sure, go away when the morning comes! 

When I finished, everyone cheered. I couldn't believe how well I did. I smiled and bowed, thanking everyone, then ran off stage. 

After much deliberation, Haruna announced. "The winner of this year's talent show is...Tsukino-san!" 

My eyes widened. I couldn't believe it! "Well, get your award, Usagi-chan!" Mako-chan said, shoving me onto the stage. 

I finally stepped up to Haruna-sensei and she handed me an award. 

"Congratulations!" she said, beaming. "You really deserved it." 

"I-I don't know what to say! I can't believe it!" 

"Way to go, Usagi-chan!" Ami cheered. 

This was truly wonderful, but I still felt like something wasn't right... I looked at Ami, then Makoto. I spotted Rei and Minako in the audience. They were smiling and clapping... for me! Everyone in the entire room was clapping for me! I never thought I'd ever feel this good about myself... but I do.