Here is the conclusion and epilogue of Holding out for a hero. Feel free to let me know what you think..
Author's Notes – Okay here goes. I do not expect to hear any but…but...type comments. Everyone realizes that she had a long road to recovery, and this story could have gone on forever. I did not feel that would be something interesting enough to drag out. It naturally reached a point where I could leave them all looking towards the future, moving on, and that was an end-point, so that's my choice as the author. I really do hope you came away with something, from reading this. Whatever that may be is up to you…. I will end with the note that I truly enjoyed writing it, and stretching myself with painful subjects.
Standard disclaimer applies
Holding out for a hero
Chapter 7 – Painful Conversations
Usagi jumped in the shower, while Motoki cooked dinner. Mamoru and Reika sat at the table, teasing him. The phone ringing startled them. Mamoru picked it up.
"Hello?" He waited for someone to speak glancing idly at Motoki.
Finally, a weary voice came over the line. "I am trying to reach Chiba-san, this is Tsukino Kenji."
"This is Chiba-san, Usagi-san is in the shower right now. How are things going?" Mamoru waited for the older man to speak. He heard a raspy noise traveling through the phone line, but could not figure out what it was. "Hello, Tsukino-san?" He waited as the noise continued for a moment.
"Ikuko…Ikuko…is dead." Kenji spoke in a raw, tear-roughened whisper.
Suddenly Mamoru knew what he had been hearing, Usagi's father sobbing. "Tsukino-san, are you all right?"
Motoki and Reika both glanced at Mamoru with surprise, hearing the seriousness of his tone.
"No…yes…I don't know…" Kenji's words trailed off. "The hospital called, needing me there. I hurried only to find out that…that she took her own life." He broke down again, and Mamoru could hear his pain.
"Would you like me to tell Usagi-san?" Mamoru waited patiently for Kenji to bring himself back under control.
Kenji quieted for a moment as if in thought. "If you think that is best?" He did not have any answers.
Mamoru sighed. "I promise I will break it to her gently. Let me know as soon as some arrangements are in place. If you need anything call me." Kenji quietly agreed, and then hung up.
Mamoru sat staring at the phone in shock. Motoki and Reika eyed him curiously, waiting for him to speak.
"Usagi's mother took her own life today." He spoke the words in a quiet voice, not wanting Usagi to find out by accident. "I need to break the news to her. Tsukino-san was pretty upset." He hung the phone up, and glanced at Motoki. "Hey you guys want to go catch a movie later? I'm paying…"
Motoki's answering smile was all the confirmation he needed. Mamoru stared at the table lost in thought. How am I going to break the news to her?
Usagi came out of his bedroom with her hair still damp. She glanced at Mamoru, and could see something was bothering him. When he realized she was in the room he smiled, trying for the moment to forget that he was going to cause her more pain.
Motoki chose that moment to announce dinner. The group ate in silence, no one sure what to say. Usagi eyed the group, sensing something amiss, but could not guess what kept them all quiet.
Once they finished, Motoki and Reika escaped the gloom, with the excuse of catching a movie. Usagi watched as they rushed to get out of the apartment. Something is not right….
Mamoru began collecting the dirty dishes. "Hey if I wash will you dry?" He asked her, his mood subdued. Usagi glanced at him as she nodded. She walked over as he began filling the sink with water.
Mamoru handed her the dishtowel, and began washing. They worked in silence, Mamoru handing her a clean dish every few minutes. She glanced at him each time, not sure, where things went. He would point at the specific cupboard or drawer, and then return to whatever was in his hands.
When they were finished, Mamoru hung the dishtowel up, moved to the couch, and dropped onto it wearily.
Usagi watched him unsure of his strange mood. She approached the couch and sat carefully, peeking at him through her lashes. He appeared distracted and lost in his own thoughts. She watched him for a bit.
Mamoru sat deliberating, not paying any attention to Usagi. How am I supposed to tell her something like this? He thought of several ways to tell her, but none of them seemed suitable. He glanced over at the blonde-haired girl surprised to find her regarding him with confusion. Mamoru let out a frustrated sigh.
"Mamoru-san, have I done something wrong?" Usagi asked the question with hesitation, afraid of his answer. She dropped her gaze to her lap, waiting for his condemnation.
Mamoru's eyes widened at her question. He realized how his silence had misled her. He took a deep breath, and reached for her hand. Mamoru stroked it absentmindedly as he spoke. "Usagi-chan you have done nothing wrong." Startled blue eyes jumped to his, and he could see her uncertainty.
"Really?' Usagi waited not realizing she held her breath. When Mamoru nodded a soft whisper of relief slipped past her lips.
Mamoru finally found the courage to tell her. "Usa-chan, I have something really hard to tell you." He watched as her eyes widened at his words.
Usagi chewed nervously on her lip and then spoke. "Did you call my parents?"
He blinked in surprise, realizing she still did not know. Mamoru paused to gather his thoughts. "Yesterday evening, I confronted your father, with what I thought he had done."
Her eyes filled with fear. Oh no, now I am really in trouble…
Mamoru shook his head because he could see the worry. "You are not in trouble trust me, although your father was shocked by everything your mother had done."
Usagi stared at him in disbelief. What is he saying? The words flowed over her filling her with a profound sense of relief. He knows, many people will know…. "Is she…is she in a lot of trouble?" She dropped her gaze to her lap, and her fingers smoothed over the soft material.
Mamoru could sense the guilt attached to the question. He purposefully stuck a finger under her chin, and tipped it up so their eyes met.
Mamoru gave her a serious look. "Your mother is a very sick individual, and your father took her to get some psychological help today." He realized he was still stroking her hand, and squeezed it in reassurance.
She dropped her head staring once more at her lap. Usagi found the pattern on her kimono fascinating. She was scared to glance up at him, frightened of seeing revulsion on his face. He must wonder if I inherited her sickness. Maybe he thinks there is something wrong with me after all…. She felt a strange pain in the area of her heart.
Mamoru glanced at her curiously. What is going on in that head of hers? "Sweetheart, what is it?" He used the endearment without thinking about it.
"I'm not like her, but I know that is hard to believe." Usagi spoke in a harsh whisper as tears burned behind her eyes. Do not cry, do not cry…ah damn…. A tear slipped loose, and ran down her cheek, and more followed. Usagi used the sleeve of her kimono to swipe them away, praying he did not notice.
Mamoru sat shocked by her doubts. She still has a lot to learn…. "I know you are not like her." His simple statement startled her.
Usagi, upon hearing his words, glanced up to see the faith in his eyes. She stared trapped in the moment, unable to breathe or think straight. She found herself, amazed by his certainty.
Mamoru almost smiled at the astonishment on her face, until he remembered where this conversation was going. His face crumpled at the thought, gaining her attention.
Usagi squeezed his hand in silent question. What is it?
Mamoru dropped his gaze to the carpet. "There's more but I don't know how to tell you." His tone was hesitant and unsure. "Your father took your mother to the hospital today for help." He took a deep breath, and began. "He called earlier…and…and there was an accident." He glanced up, and could see her confusion. I do not want to do this….
"Usa-chan, there's no easy way to say this. Your mother…" He hesitated, hating to cause this kind of pain. "Your mother took her own life." He whispered the words, unable to look at the pain he caused her.
Mamoru finally found the courage to glance at Usagi. When he saw her pale face, and the guilt there, it tore at his heart. "This was not your fault…Do you understand me?"
He dropped her hand, and set his hands on her shoulders.
Usagi sat motionless as tears streamed down her face. The guilt was tearing her up inside.
He shook her almost roughly to emphasize his point as he continued. "Your mother was a very, messed up individual, and you are not responsible for her actions."
Mamoru without thinking drew her into his arms and began rocking her like a small child. "It's not your fault…You had nothing to do with it...She was very ill." He repeated the words continually, trying to convince her.
When her arms wrapped around him, and her sobs slipped out, he began to rub her back. He whispered nonsense trying to soothe some of her pain.
Usagi's tears finally slowed, and she drew back a bit to stare up at him.
Mamoru did not know what to say, and instead rested his forehead against hers. He let out a sigh and tried to find something to say. "We will get through this… Some how together we'll get through this…I promise."
Her eyes brightened with unshed tears at his words. She let out a shaky breath, because words were impossible at that moment.
Mamoru dropped a soft kiss on her forehead and then drew back. He leaned back, and pulled her into the crook of his arm. He flipped on the television idly as they both took time to recover from everything. His fingers entwined with her, and before long, they were both asleep.
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Motoki could hear no sound from within which he took as a good sign. He turned and grinned at Reika. "All's quiet so I think everything is okay." He opened the door, and glanced around. The sight that met his and Reika's eyes had them both smiling.
Mamoru sat with Usagi in the crook of his arm on the couch, and they were both snoring. Motoki smiled at Reika, and pulled a few blankets from the closet. He set the rest aside, and snapped one open to drape it over Mamoru and Usagi.
"It looks like it's the floor for us tonight." Motoki whispered to Reika who nodded….
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The funeral took place two days later at the grave. Usagi and Mamoru stood with a weary Kenji. They had decided it was better for Shingo not to attend. The priest said a prayer and that was an end to it.
They were standing in the gloomy wet weather when someone approached. Kenji glanced up, and recognition flashed over his features.
The Doctor walked hesitantly forward. He eyed the three people standing around the headstone. He eyed the small group in thought. The girl must be the daughter. When he got closer, he could see the fading bruises, and his eyes widened…Ah hell, she really was sick to do that to such a beautiful girl.
"Tsukino-san I spoke with your room-mate, and they told me you were here." He tried to smile even though the mood was bleak.
Kenji stared at the Doctor in surprise. Why is he here?
Kendo-sensei could sense Tsukino-san's curiosity so he began to explain. "I wanted to pay my respects to you in this horrible time." He took a deep breath before continuing. "Plus there is something you all need to see." The Doctor let a hand encompass the three people watching him.
"After you left the other night, when we were packing up your wife's things, we found this." The Doctor reached into his jacket, and pulled out an envelope. There was nothing written on the outside. He held it out for Kenji to grab with shaking fingers.
Usagi and Mamoru moved closer out of curiosity. Usagi watched as her dad opened the envelope, and pulled a piece of paper out. Kenji unfolded it, and smoothed it open.
His eyes took in the words.
Kenji, Usa, Shingo, I am sorry….
Usagi reached up, and pulled it from her father's grasp to read it. Mamoru eyed the hastily scrawled words from over Usagi's shoulder. Usagi handed it back to her father and stared at the Doctor. Why did he bring it to us?
Kenji was sharing Usagi's thoughts he glanced at the doctor with a painfully guarded expression.
Kendo stared at the three people waiting for answers that he did not have. He cleared his throat, before offering the only comfort he could. "I think with the electroshock therapy your wife had a moment of lucidity where her actions shamed her too much."
The Doctor glanced at the three surprised faces staring back at him. "I am truly sorry for your loss." With a last sympathetic glance, the doctor turned away, and strode towards his car.
Epilogue – Transformation
One year later…
Usagi stood staring at the grave of her mother. She could feel Mamoru's comforting warmth supporting her. Kenji stood next to her holding flowers. Shingo hung back a few feet behind them, standing with Motoki and Reika. It had been a long year since the horrible events had transformed all of their lives.
Usagi smiled at her father. It had taken him a couple of months to come to terms with everything. He smiled back, looking younger and happier than he had in awhile. He leaned down, and set the flowers on the plaque. With a happy sigh, he stood, saying a final good bye to that part of his life.
Usagi glanced over at Mamoru, and could see the love radiating from his eyes. The counseling she was attending was helping her to see that there really was nothing wrong with her. The therapist was helping Usagi come to terms with her mother's illness, and the fact that she was completely normal. Mamoru had helped with that, by suggesting counseling, and being supportive.
When Mamoru smiled back, her heart sped up. She watched as her father turned around, and held out a hand. She placed her hand in his, and the three of them walked back to where Motoki and Reika waited with Shingo.
She glanced at her adopted family, and thought about how lucky she was. Although I have lost some things, I have also gained so much.