Thorny Roses

Chapter 29

The Black Moon Clan, Pluto, and Chibiusa walked through the door into 30th century Crystal Tokyo. The sun shone brightly on the grassy hills outside the city. Noises of the urban area could be heard from where the Black Moon Clan, Sailor Pluto, and Chibiusa had emerged. The door disappeared behind them.

Chibiusa squinted as she saw silhouettes in the distance. Her eyes widened, filling with tears as she ran towards her mother and father.

"Mommy! Daddy!" She collapsed into her mother's arms, sobbing.

"Chibiusa, we are so proud of you," King Endymion smiled, patting his daughter's head.

The Senshi and Shitennou surrounded them, smiling.

The Black Moon Clan approached hesitantly.

"You wished to see us?" Diamond spoke carefully. His head was bowed in apology, his eyes downcast.

"Crystal Tokyo welcomes you," Neo-Queen Serenity smiled.

"We ask you to bring back any other members of the Black Moon Clan so that we may heal them and they may live among us," King Endymion instructed.

The Black Moon Clan was surprised and filled with joy. They each bowed low.

"Thank you, thank you so much," Diamond murmured.

"Go quickly, so you may all return just as quickly," Neo-Queen Serenity advised.

They nodded, following Sailor Pluto through another door that would take them to the Black Moon Clan.

Neo-Queen Serenity scooped up Chibiusa, King Endymion putting his arms around the both of them.

"It feels so good to be together again," Neo-Queen Serenity smiled to her daughter and husband.

King Endymion kissed her, grinning against her lips.

"Let's go home," he spoke.

Chibiusa chatted with the Senshi and Shitennou from her mother's embrace, never once letting go of neither her mother nor her father's hand, as they made their way to the Crystal Palace.

…

Mamoru and Usagi stood outside her parents' house. Mamoru once again adjusted his tie. Usagi had laughed when he had appeared at her apartment dressed in a suit.

"What?" He whined, annoyed by her laughing at him.

"It's too formal! My parents will think you're too old for me," Usagi shook her head, smiling in adoration. "I appreciate the effort but why don't I help?"

She took his hand and he allowed himself to be pulled into her room. She took out a few shopping bags from her closet and handed them to him.

"Put these on," she winked. "I think they'll suit you a little more."

He sighed, smiling at her in appreciation. He had spent so many hours frantically rummaging through his closet for something appropriate to wear. He removed his clothing while Usagi began changing, as well. She pulled on a creamy white babydoll blouse with an empire waist. It was full sleeved but fitted, accentuating her curves. It ended just above her knees, a little too short for the winter season, in her opinion. She pulled on a pair of black knit tights to keep her warm.

Mamoru pulled out a white dress shirt and a navy sweater. He slipped on the dress shirt, putting on a silver tie before putting on the sweater. He left the collars of the dress shirt out and rolled up his sleeves, revealing his toned forearms. He slipped on a pair of khaki pants, a size smaller than what he usually wears, though they were not tight. They left enough room for comfort but highlighted his long, lean legs. Running a hand through his hair to style it, he smiled before putting on the ring Usagi had bought him. He turned around to see Usagi sitting on the bed, putting on a pair of simple black wedges.

His voice caught in his throat, choking him. She looked utterly beautiful to him, getting ready with him as though it were the most normal thing in the world. As he stared at her, he felt more at home than he had ever felt before.

"All ready!" Usagi jumped up, smiling at him. She cocked her head when she noticed him staring at her.

"What?" She looked down at what she was wearing. "Is it what I'm wearing? I bought it today, isn't it cute? I was really excited to wear—"

Mamoru crushed his lips on hers, holding her against him as though his life depended on it. She relaxed in his arms, letting him kiss her. He pulled away, only to burrow his face into her shoulder and squeeze her.

"I love you," he mumbled against the skin of her neck. "I love you so much."

"Mamoru," she sighed in content. "I love you, too."

Hand in hand, they walked from her apartment. Mamoru had put on a black trench coat, ending mid-thigh, to match his black dress shoes. Usagi had put on a red, flared pea coat and a gray beanie hat. They hailed a cab, snuggling in the chilliness of the outdoors as they arrived at the Tsukino household.

"Are you nervous?" Usagi whispered to him.

"A little," he admitted. She took his hand, squeezing it before she rang the doorbell.

A few moments passed in silence before the door swung open.

"Usagi!" Her mother, whom Usagi looked similar to, greeted them. "And you've brought a friend!"

They bowed slightly, Mamoru bowing lower than Usagi. "Mama, this is Chiba Mamoru. He goes to the university near mine. We're dating."

Mamoru blushed at Usagi's blunt introduction. "It's nice to meet you," he managed to speak.

"Oh! How nice! Come in, come in!" She ushered them into the warm house. She removed the apron from around her waist and smoothed out her dark blue curls before smiling warmly at them.

"Dear, Usagi's boyfriend is here!" She called into the living room.

"WHAT?!"

Usagi and Mamoru cringed at her father's voice.
"Boyfriend?" Shingo popped his head in from the kitchen. "Onee-chan, you got a boyfriend? Since when?"

"Only a few months now," Mamoru answered timidly.

"And you're only telling us now?" Mrs. Tsukino pouted.

"Well, to be honest, it's only been a few months if we don't count before I left," Usagi sheepishly confessed. "Including the time before my trip, it's been almost a year."

"A YEAR?!" Usagi's father stormed into the room. Normally a docile man, Usagi and Mamoru—especially Mamoru—were nervous.

Mamoru was silent as Mr. Tsukino scrutinized him. "How old are you?"

"T-twenty, sir," Mamoru stuttered.

"He's three year older than you!" Mr. Tsukino fumed at Usagi.

"Dad, I'll be eighteen in a few months," she rolled her eyes. He opened his mouth to counter her but she interrupted him. "And he's enrolled in the University that I plan to go to. He's a third year medical student, at the top of his class. He lives alone in an apartment thirty minutes from mine and—"

"Okay, okay, enough," Mr. Tsukino blushed in embarrassment. He would be daft to try and out this young man vying for his daughter's heart.

"Wait, you live alone?" Mrs. Tsukino frowned.

"Yes, my parents died when I was eight, in a car accident," Mamoru answered with a polite smile. "I've been living on my own since then."

Usagi grabbed his hand, comforting him with a smile. He smiled back in appreciation.

"Oh, you poor boy!" Mrs. Tsukino immediately grasped his shoulders. "Let me feed you! A mother's cooking is unlike any others and, since you've been a little deprived of such food, I will have to make up for it!"

She pushed him towards the kitchen, much to Shingo and Usagi's amusement and Mr. Tsukino's irritation. As she hung up her coat, she hugged her father, kissing his cheek.

"Go easy on him, Dad," she giggled.

"We'll see," he humphed. He walked stiffly into the dining room, Usagi and Shingo following behind. Mrs. Tsukino was scooping dish after dish onto Mamoru's plate, urging him to eat. Usagi sat beside him while Shingo sat across from her. Usagi's mother sat across from Mamoru, constantly serving him more food while Mr. Tsukino took the head of the table, between Mamoru and Mrs. Tsukino.

Usagi and Shingo helped themselves, eating silently and laughing as Mr. Tsukino fired random questions at Mamoru, who struggled to answer and eat at the same time.

"So, have you had any relationships before?"

"No, sir, I was rather shy before I met your daughter," Mamoru answered.

"You sound anti-social," Mr. Tsukino grunted.
"But I have friends at the university, sir."

"Female friends?"

"No, mostly male friends, sir."

"Mostly?"

"All of them!"

Usagi struggled to keep herself from laughing.

"And what are you studying again?"

"Medicine, sir, specifically neurology."

"I see…"

Dinner passed in this manner with Usagi's father constantly interrogating Mamoru. Every question and answer seemed to deepen Mr. Tsukino's disapproval and, though Usagi was mostly amused, a part of her was truly worried as to whether her father would accept him or not.

She had no worries about her mother, however—Mrs. Tsukino was not fazed by her husband's tense attitude, opting to talk sweetly to their guest and offer him more food.

Finally, after dessert, Mamoru and Usagi were sure that her father wanted nothing to do with him.

Mr. Tsukino sighed after a moment of silence.

"So, how well do you hold your sake?"

Mamoru perked up. If Mr. Tsukino was offering to drink with him, then that meant that he had accepted him.

"I'm sure I don't hold as well as you do, sir."

"Hmph. We'll see."

He personally retrieved two small glasses and a tall glass bottle of sake. He poured the first round and motioned for Mamoru to take his.

Mamoru tipped his head back, drinking the rice wine. To his surprise, it was rather sweet. He thought that Usagi's father would prefer something stronger.

As per custom, Mamoru poured the next round and every round after that. By the time the bottle was nearly empty, both Mamoru's and Mr. Tsukino's faces were red and their eyes were glassy.

"So," Mr. Tsukino cleared his throat. "How much…do you like my daughter?"

"I love her, sir," Mamoru answered slowly but with confidence.

"Love? Already?" Mr. Tsukino lifted his eyebrows. He tipped his head to the side. "Aren't you both still young for love? She's still a baby," he pointed drunkenly at Usagi.

"Daddy," Usagi pouted at her father.

"Yes, yes I love her," Mamoru peered into his glass. His nose was tipped with red and he wore a goofy smile. "I love her, and I know its love because I could spend the rest of my life gazing into those eyes. She makes me feel like my parents are with me."

Usagi's eyes filled with tears. She smiled at him, touched by his words.

"Huh," Usagi's father nodded his head thoughtfully. "Well, I suppose I'd be a fool if I didn't see how much you love her. Take care of her, she needs it."

Usagi huffed before she shook her head, smiling. "Mamoru should be getting home, Dad," she stood from the table.

Mr. Tsukino nodded. "Yes, I'll see you both next Sunday."

"Thank you very much, sir," Mamoru bowed, shaking Mr. Tsukino's hand.

Mrs. Tsukino and Shingo helped Mr. Tsukino to stand. "You two go on and head home," Mrs. Tsukino winked. "We'll be seeing you next week."

Shingo waved goodbye while Usagi and Mamoru let themselves out.

They hailed a cab, stopping at Usagi's apartment. They both got out, standing at the foot of the building. Usagi hugged him around the waist, breathing in his scent.

"I'm so proud of you," she murmured.

"Your parents are great," he answered with a smile. "It wasn't hard to see that they only want you to be happy."

"Come upstairs?" She looked up at him, pleading with a sweet smile.

He kissed her in response.

…

Mamoru and Usagi lay in bed, dressed in their pajamas. They had come into her apartment filled with passion and lust. However, as they neared Usagi's bedroom, they began to slow down. Instead of lust, they were filled with happiness, just by being in each other's presence.

Without a word spoken between them, they pulled apart.

They changed into their most comfortable clothes before Mamoru swooped Usagi into his arms. She giggled, clinging to his neck. He gently lay her on the bed before he laid beside her. He pulled the covers over them and hugged her close.

For the first time in their relationship, rather than have sex, they decided merely to hold one another in bed. Enveloped in each other's warmth, they had never felt happier.

"I love you," she whispered, sleep overcoming her.

"I love you, too," he kissed her forehead, pulling her closer.

They fell asleep, holding each other close.

…

"Merry Christmas!"

Usagi opened her parents' door, allowing Rei, Jadeite, Minako, and Kunzite to step inside.

"Merry Christmas to you guys, too!" Usagi smiled. She took their coats, hanging them in the closet by the door. "Thanks for coming!"

"Of course we would come! I mean, you know my grandfather during the holidays," Rei rolled her eyes. Her grandfather always took complete control over the temple during the holidays to attract as many females as possible to Rei's chagrin.

"And my parents decided to take a third honeymoon trip," Minako laughed.

"Still, I'm glad you guys could come," Usagi grinned.

Kunzite placed an arm over Minako's shoulders while Jadeite wrapped an arm around Rei's waist. They made their way into the living room where Ami and Zoicite sat on a couch holding hands. Nephrite sat on the floor with Makoto nestled in between his legs.

They were all listening intently to Mr. Tsukino's office story.

Shingo sat by the presents under the tree beside Mrs. Tsukino—who was making sure he wouldn't open them just yet—while Usagi went into the kitchen to prepare some coffee and hot chocolate. Just as she pulled a tray of cookies out of the over and set them on the table, a pair of hands covered her eyes.

"Merry Christmas," a voice murmured in her ear.

She smiled, turning around to face him. "Merry Christmas, Mamoru."

"I got you a gift," he handed her a box.

She eyed him suspiciously, smiling as she opened the box. Usagi's eyes widened in shock, her breath caught in her throat.

Nestled in the box was an intricate ring. The band was shaped like vines that formed a rose at the top. A diamond was placed in the center of rose, shining brightly.

"Mamoru…"

"I know we're not ready yet for marriage but think of it more as a promise ring."

"I love it," Usagi's eyes filled with tears. "Thank you."

Mamoru smiled and pulled the ring out of the box. He slipped the ring onto the ring finger of her right hand before kissing her.

"Hey you guys, where's the hot—IS THAT A WEDDING RING?" Minako yelled.

Immediately, everyone rushed into the kitchen to see what the commotion was about.

"Oh, it's so pretty!" Makoto gushed.

"Isn't it a little soon?" Zoicite whispered to Ami who only shrugged, giggling.

Rei was shaking her head. "You both are too much."

Jadeite pouted at Rei. "If they can do it, why can't we?"

"Wow, Mamoru-san, I knew you loved Usagi but I didn't know you guys planned on getting married so soon," Mrs. Tsukino gazed in awe. "I'll need to start knitting baby clothes…"

"Mom!"

"I just hope you're paying for the wedding," Mr. Tsukino shook his head. He was rather happy since he had come to like Mamoru so much.

"Oh, do we get to be bridesmaids?" Minako pleaded, stars in her eyes.

"Well, we're obviously the groomsmen, right?" Nephrite grinned at Mamoru.

"There's so much to plan…we'll have to start looking at venues…" Mrs. Tsukino muttered to herself.

Everyone began talking at once.

"Shouldn't we try to stop them?" Mamoru smiled at Usagi.

"Hmm…nah, I think they're okay. Maybe we should just get married," she grinned up at him.

"Usako, are you serious?" Mamoru gaped.

"Why don't you kiss me and find out?" Usagi winked.

And Mamoru did just that.

THE END

OMG! IT'S FINALLY DONE! I'm so happy and sad at the same time! This is so far my best story yet and I'm kind of sad that it's over. But, as this one is done, now I can start my other stories!

Please look forward to them and check out my page!

Love,

Pegasus'Horn