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Anomaly by AngelMoon Girl

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Anomaly

~Chapter 3~

Usagi twisted a loose lock of golden hair anxiously, listening to the booming voice of a pleasant young woman directing passengers on to their flights. She had come to hate the airport, with all its hustling and bustling. The atmosphere was too harried and impersonal for her taste, but overshadowing it all was the feeling of sorrow and dread she'd come to associate with planes. Ever since Mamoru's death at the hand of Galaxia, the mere thought of the airport sent Usagi's mind into a claustrophobic and worried frenzy. What she truly needed was Mamoru, holding her tethered; protected. The superheroine's hand tightened around the wayward strand of hair, breathing ragged as she sought out the distinct figure of her departing boyfriend.

A palm stopped to rest gently on Usagi's shoulder, and the seventeen-year-old shot Makoto a jittery but reassuring smile. The other girls probably assumed it was just a severe case of nerves, and Usagi didn't feel like expounding on her newfound fear. Not today. No, today was all about goodbyes. And speaking of which-

"Usako!"

"Mamo-chan!"

The Senshi held back as Usagi fielded the terminal with frightening speed to dive into Mamoru's suitcase-laden arms. They watched from afar as their blonde leader nuzzled her cheek against his green jacket before Minako interrupted the romantic moment with a devious grin and ten yen.

"I'm sensing some good vibes, girls. Who wants to place a few friendly bets?"

"Ugh, Minako-chan, you are unbelievable," Rei bemoaned, but in typical hypocrite fashion she pulled out a crisp bill and waved it in the Love Soldier's face. "This says he'll pop the question with a new ring."

"I told you, it's too soon. She's not even out of high school yet," Ami argued, although the pedantic was largely ignored by her wagering comrades. With a simple sigh the girl scooted ten inches to the left and pretended she had no clue who these loud, brawling adolescents currently flinging money around were. It was always best to feign innocence when the bets invariably got ugly. Besides, Usagi and Mamoru's exchange looked *much* more interesting.

oOo

Coaxing her countenance into a replica of joy, Usagi pulled back from Mamoru's arms and reached up on tiptoe to grace him with a quick kiss. Mamoru chuckled as he observed how determinedly his future wife was keeping up a smile this time around, proud at the fact that she had learned how to master her tears. He cradled the blonde's cheek and asked quietly,

"How's the soreness?"

"I can barely feel it," Usagi replied blithely, tightening her fingers around his warm hand as she continued to refer to the night before. "But the pain was certainly worth the prize."

Mamoru blushed behind a cheeky smirk. He let go of Usagi's face and his hand seemed to hesitate at the zipper on his suitcase. Usagi watched this strange display with interest before Mamoru coughed embarrassingly, instead reaching into his pocket. His appendage came back with a black box.

Usagi squealed. "You remembered!"

"What sort of a boyfriend would I be if I broke a promise like this?" Mamoru joked, flipping open the small, velvet container to reveal Usagi's old ring. With smooth ease he plucked up the band and slipped it back onto the flaxen's finger. Usagi released a content sigh, relishing in the sensation of wholeness that erupted somewhere in her chest. Gods, had she missed that ring.

"Every day we are apart will only serve to heighten my love, Usako. I swear I will make this separation as short and as easy as possible, for both of us."

"You'll write me? And call the minute you arrive?" Usagi pressed, fiddling with the ring as ambivalence entered her voice for the first time that afternoon. She batted her eyelashes at the ground, leaning closer to the ebony-headed man's body heat.

"The very second," Mamoru vowed.

"And just that once, all right? Just so I know you're safe. I don't want you wasting your precious college fund making international calls every other night," Usagi said, with the merest suggestion of playful admonishment in her tone. Mamoru laughed aloud at how crazy the words spewing from his girlfriend's mouth sounded; usually *he* was the one warning *her*!

"Right. After today, only letters. I don't care how busy I'll be; after last year, I'll make certain you receive at least one piece of correspondence a week."

Usagi exhaled in relief, feeling as though a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She straightened up, now smiling for real. "You'll blow Harvard away, I *know* it. I love you, Mamo-chan."

"And I love you, Usako."

Mamoru had just tugged Usagi into his embrace when the awful announcement echoed into the busy airport.

"Flight 283 for America is now boarding and will be taking off in fifteen minutes. That's Flight 283," the amiable repetition resounded.

Usagi made a strangled little noise into the fabric of Mamoru's jacket and he half thought she was going to cry, but that obstinate smile was still brightening her features when the blonde resurfaced. They kissed again, long and heartfelt. Mamoru looked uncertain when the pair finally severed, inching for his suitcase's zipper a second time.

"Usako, I-"

"No, no! There's not enough time; tell me on the phone! You're going to miss your flight if you dally any more than you already have!" Usagi exclaimed, shoving Mamoru exuberantly onward. He frowned, shrugged, then waved jocundly to the Inners before being escorted by the crowd toward his plane.

"Good luck with your studies!" Usagi called, and she heard Mamoru yell similar sentiments as the flood of travelers wound farther away. Usagi caught his eye just once before Mamoru disappeared into security, and in that instant they shared a lovingly optimistic smile that sent butterflies scattering in Usagi's stomach. 'Maybe, this time, everything will turn out okay...' And then he was gone, and the tenuous grip the girl had on composure- which had been fraying rapidly as Usagi watched Mamoru leave- shattered at last.

She turned, sobbing, only to find arms encircle her from all angles.

Wordlessly, the Senshi led Usagi out of the airport she so despised and out into blinding sunshine, her ring sending sparkling rainbows bouncing every which way.

It wasn't until much later, after hours of comforting the distraught blonde and sitting beside her waiting for Mamoru's phone call, that anyone realized the significance of Usagi's returned ring.

To Be Continued...

~o~o~o~

A/N: Bahaha! ANGST! Very, very soon we'll be introducing young Chibiusa to the story, and that's when the plot finally takes off... So stay tuned, and kindly review!

-AngelMoon Girl


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