For Sale

Author: ChibiJ

Rated: PG13

Rating :

Chapter 5

For Sale

Installment 5

Rated PG

By: Chibi J

Edited by: Lady Solo

All disclaimers apply.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Mamoru moved closer to Usagi slowly, careful not to frighten her. He was only an inch from her lips.

*Ding*

The sound of the elevator echoed throughout the penthouse. Quickly jumping apart from each other, Usagi and Mamoru settled into seats at the far ends of the couch.

"Usagi!" Minako's voice yelled out from the front room. "Are you ready to go to dinner?"

Usagi quickly looked to the clock on the wall while Mamoru checked his watch. Sure enough, it was five minutes until six. As the sound of Minako's footsteps began to approach the living room, Mamoru jumped to his feet.

"We will finish this conversation later," he quickly whispered before running out of the room.

Before Usagi even had a chance to react, Minako entered the room.

"Hey girl. Did you hear me?" Minako asked as she took a good look at her sister. "What's wrong?"

"What?" Usagi asked, worried that Minako somehow knew what almost happened.

"Your cheeks are all red," Minako replied as she reached forward to place a hand on her sister's forehead. "No fever. So what's wrong?"

Grasping for an excuse, any excuse, Usagi mumbled out the first though to come into her mind. "Oh, I fell asleep for a couple minutes. Your yelling startled me."

Minako simply nodded her head in understanding, although she didn't buy Usagi's story at all. If she had been startled so badly, then she would have shouted out or something. Her breathing was slightly accelerated though, so maybe something had scared her, but before Minako arrived.

"Well, let's go or we'll be late," Usagi said in an overly chirpy voice. She was laughing, yet Minako couldn't help but think that it was a little overdone.

~*~*~

"Good Evening Ladies!" Mamoru sounded out joyously as he entered the dining hall that evening. He had waited nearly fifteen minutes before moving to leave the penthouse. He needed time to collect himself and his thoughts and he couldn't do that in a room overflowing with females.

A general chuckle sounded from the room. No matter how often he greeted the females of the building, it always seemed to make them giddy. 'Perhaps that was why I do it,' he thought to himself. After all, so few did anything anymore to make females feel special. If it brightened their life just a little, he was happy to do it.

Making his way to his usual chair, Mamoru noticed that Usagi had chosen to sit with Minako and not with Rei. From the first day she had moved in, Usagi had always sat by Rei. Now, in light of the new development in their relationship, it seemed that Usagi couldn't sit near Mamoru.

Frustration ran rapid in Mamoru's mind. He had planned to drop subtle hints throughout dinner of his affections towards Usagi. Yet now she wouldn't be able to hear and understand his feelings.

Mucking it up to one lost hour, Mamoru put his plans on hold until after the meal.

Yet again another spoiled plot. In further escape of the compassions of Mamoru, Usagi had chosen to visit her mother and brother after dinner. In his mind, he hoped that she was just visiting, since she hadn't talked to her mother or brother since she confessed to her mother what happened at the jail. But his heart was stressed. Perhaps her affections were not equal to his and she was avoiding him.

But time, as it always does, has a way of catching up with a person. Eventually Usagi did have to come home. When she did, Mamoru was up and waiting.

"Usagi." He spoke her name softly in an attempt not to frighten her.

Turning her attention to the voice that she somehow knew would be up and waiting, Usagi let out a slight gasp of surprise. Mamoru was sitting at the kitchen table. In front of him sat a single burning candle, the only light on in the dark room. The way the light of the flames flickered off of his features both scared her and excited her. He was handsome beyond all description, yet something in his eyes sent shivers up her spine.

"Usagi, we need to talk," he said as he stood from his seat. He walked toward Usagi, who was standing as stiff as a board, and took her hand in his. His touch caused her to immediately melt. He walked her to the seat he had been in and sat her down. Pushing her lightly towards the table, he took the seat next to her. Again he took her hand into his own and began to stroke it gently.

"Please let me explain my earlier words." Mamoru waited for her nod of acknowledgement before continuing. "I fear that I scared you before. My words and actions often betray my true meaning."

"Wait, please," Usagi said quickly, putting a finger to his lips to silence him. "When I first saw Minako again and I asked her how she got here she said that you came to our home looking for me. Something about a vision?"

A slight blush rose on Mamoru's cheeks. He opened and closed his mouth several times, willing the words to rise from his throat, never succeeding.

Taking his expression as confusion and shock mixed, Usagi gave a sigh and looked away. "I knew that it sounded silly. Just Minako being Minako again I suppose."

"No," Mamoru whispered. Usagi turned quickly towards Mamoru to find him staring at her. "No, it wasn't just a typical Minako blunder, although I have gotten quite used to those. No, this time she heard right."

"But I'm confused. You had a vision about me and came to find me?" she asked, hoping to get the entire situation cleared up.

"Well, actually, I saw you first. You were walking through the grocery store and I couldn't keep my eyes off of you. But I noticed that you were a lot younger than me and knew that you had to be close to thirteen and would be heading to the camps."

A sigh came from both Mamoru and Usagi. The camps could be torturous places and were just as much for breaking down females as it was for training them. Often females were beaten, some would go insane, others would try to escape only to end up caught and killed.

"But you cast some sort of spell over me and I couldn't get you out of my head. I started dreaming of you every night for over a month." Mamoru's cheeks were turning a darker shade of red than previous, causing Usagi to blush at what the nature of the dreams might have been. "But one night the dream was different. Much different."

~*~Dream~*~

A loud rapping came across the front door. All that lived in the house knew what the knock signaled and gathered together in one last large hug. The pounding at the door came again and the family separated. Lifting her head bravely, a girl with long blonde hair opened the door.

"I have come for the female child Tsukino Usagi." A man in an all black uniform with a patch on the sleeve read off a clipboard.

The blonde that had answered the door nodded her head. "I am Tsukino Usagi," she replied in a confident voice, although her hands were shaking terribly.

"You are to come with me," the uniformed man replied. He then turned and walked up the small sidewalk to a van parked on the street. A label on the side of the van read "Female Services" and had windows only on the front half.

Turning one last time towards her family, Usagi gave her best to smile. "I love you. Minako take care of Momma and Shingo." Minako, a blonde only an inch shorter than Usagi, nodded her head. "Goodbye."

With her final goodbye, she turned from the house and walked up and into the van. Refusing to look back, Usagi lowered her head and stared at her hands. Clasping her fingers together, she sent a silent prayer to the heavens. 'Please help me to be strong. Please help me to be safe. Please help me to keep others safe.'

~*~End Dream~*~

"I could do nothing but stand by and watch it all happen," Mamoru said as he used a tissue to wipe Usagi's eyes. "Yet in all my sorrow, I had learned your name. I found your family and hoped to all that was holy that it hadn't happened yet. But I was too late.

"It had taken me a month to track down your home and family. It was too long. The night I dreamed it was the night you were taken. I brought your family into my safe house. I felt horrible that I had not made it in time and vowed that I would find you again."

A small smile spread on Usagi's face. He had done so much for her. She could have been trapped forever in the home of some retched male that abused her. But he came for her. He saved her. He had found her and brought her safely back to her family. Yet, she was still curious.

"How did you find me?" she asked. A deep chuckle resonated through the room. Usagi looked at him strangely. "What?"

"Please don't take offense when I say this." Mamoru paused and watched her nod her head in agreement. "I'm male."

He stopped there. Usagi looked at him, waiting for a more informative answer. Nothing else came. "That's it?"

"Well, it wasn't difficult to find you when I have a grade-A computer hacker here in this very building. She used the information that Minako and your mother provided us, date of birth, identification number, and blood type, we tracked you down quite easily."

Usagi nodded her head impressed. She should have known that it would be something illegal. After all, most of the things that went on in the building were illegal in some way. After all, it's not exactly impressive to the male dominance groups to know that females are being sheltered, educated, and empowered without them knowing.

"I will admit that I was off on my timing for getting you first when you were released." Mamoru admitted. "I had assumed that they would be auctioning in alphabetical order and that you would be towards the end of the list. Of course they just had to grab randomly and I just had to be stuck in traffic."

Usagi rolled her eyes. It was like listening to someone make up a lame excuse to their boss for being a few minutes late.

"I tracked you to your first owner, but you were already gone. The second was easy, but you slipped out of there so effortlessly that I didn't get the chance to run in like a knight on a white horse."

"So I really should go and thank Gui for having no interest in me then," Usagi giggled.

"I've made several purchases from him and he had called me to let me know that he had some new 'stock' in. A quick description had me leaving the office as quick as possible. And from there you know the story." Mamoru grinned at Usagi. She smiled back; she was very grateful for all the trouble he had gone through just for her.

"So you waited all that time for me. You took a chance and waited that long just on the hopes of finding me," Usagi said as she shook her head in disbelief.

Mamoru scooted his chair as close to Usagi's as possible and wrapped his arms around her. She, in turn, returned the hug. "It wasn't so long ago. It's only been five years."

"Five years is a long time when you are in a camp," Usagi replied quietly. "But I decided that I would be strong. I would not give in. I would survive."

"I am grateful that you did survive," Mamoru assured her. "And we have plenty of time to make up for those five years."

Slightly pulling away from Usagi's hold, Mamoru bent his face down to hers and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

Quick and chaste, Mamoru released from the kiss. "I'm sorry."

A shot of fear crossed Usagi's features. "Please don't be sorry, I'm not."

"No," Mamoru silenced her pleading with a finger to her lips. "I'm sorry for losing those five years with you." And again he bent down to kiss her.

~*~*~

"And then he kissed me!" an overly happy Usagi recounted the night to her two best friends, Minako and Rei.

Both females let out an excited shriek for their friend before quickly covering their mouths. It would do them no good to be caught out in public acting such ways. Usagi had decided that she was tired of being cooped up all day in the building. Mamoru honored her request, but insisted that she at least be with two others.

"Oh Usa! That is so romantic!" Minako gushed. For most females the idea of romance had drained from their hearts and minds. Although no one had every really wanted to accept this fate that had come to the human females, only the brave dared to defy it.

"He promised that we would spend tonight catching up on the lost years." Usagi blushed as the words rushed from her mouth. She hoped that things wouldn't move too fast, but didn't want to voice her worries.

Sensing her thoughts, Rei placed a hand on Usagi's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm sure that he'll be a true gentleman. In fact, I'd put money on it that when the time comes, he'll be as nervous as you are."

Usagi's blush went up a notch while Minako started to giggle.

Yet the light and happy mood that the three females had been in shattered as they entered the downtown area. Something was going on and by the looks of joy on nearly every males' face, it wasn't something that the three were going to enjoy.

Placing a mask of nonchalance on their face, the three walked towards the town square just as the old clock that had stood at the center of town rang noon. When the chimes stopped a booming voice came through several speakers that had been placed around the "hanging stage."

"These two have been caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law," an old man with a bulging stomach, that all recognized as the mayor, echoed throughout the small square. "This female was caught under the care and protection of this male. She has been educated above and beyond the teachings allowed to females of her age. He kept her in his home and hid her from officers when they came to collect her for the camps."

The mayor paused for dramatic effect as the two "criminals" were brought out in front of the crowd. Young male children who stood towards the front threw rocks at the two as their hands were tied above their heads. A rope was placed around the female's neck.

Most females chose to look the other way. Some fled in terror of what was to come. Many times these executions had occurred and it was too much for many to bear witness to again. But Usagi, Minako, and Rei stood towards the back and watched. Not out of some twisted desire to watch the couple suffer, but in a matter of respect.

Few people dared defy the law. Mamoru was a brave soul and dared to keep up his hope that the world would once again return to normal. Yet everyday he challenged the government and risked his life and others. And though the danger was great, no one in his care would have their lives any other way.

"Under normal circumstances, this sort of betrayal would call for death to both," the mayor's voice again echoed through the park. "Yet today, I feel that there is a need for change."

With a nod of the mayor's head, two males with whips in their hands came onto the stage. The sound of the whips slapping against skin sounded in the air. Males cheered on as the young males counted out loud the number of times that the whips cracked. When finally the mayor's hand rose to cease the action, the whips had shot out over forty times.

Tears streamed down Usagi's face. Her strength was failing her, yet she refused to look away from the young child on the stage. It appeared that she was only fourteen or perhaps a small fifteen. The man was either her father or relative of some kind. The resemblance between the two was obvious.

Usagi began to whisper a small prayer just below her breath. After just a few words, both Rei and Minako joined her in prayer. A silence grew over the crowd as the mayor raised his hand above his head. Yet the three females in the back row continued their prayer of love and support.

The mayor sliced his hand through the air, landing by his side. With his hand went the young child's life. The trap door opened below her feet and the small angel fell. Her hands still tied above her, she couldn't even struggle. The male beside her wept openly and chanted her name over and over again until she ceased to move at all.

Satisfied that the female was indeed dead, the mayor ordered for the male to be released. "This is a reminder to all of you. No one disrespects the law in this city." With his final words, the mayor turned and walked off the stage. A large male reached up with a knife and cut the child's limp body down and laid her in front of the accused male. He curled her into his arms and cried brokenly. A silent vow crossed his lips before he set her down and stood. His eyes blankly scanned the crowd as it began to break away, the show over.

Spotting three females in the back that watched on with loving and sympathetic eyes, the broken male yelled out to the crowd. "Don't let them break you! Never let them break you!" His final words echoed as every person stopped to watch. Leaping at the nearby guard, he grabbed the knife that was used to cut down his daughter and sliced it quickly across his throat.

Blood seeped quickly from his body as he collapsed to the ground beside the young child. Using the last of his strength, he wrapped his arms around her as his body went limp.

"And may you find your happiness and joy in heaven together with the father almighty." The three finished the prayer that they had been whispering.

The crowd now departed and the cleaning crew up on the platform, Rei turned to Usagi and Minako. "Let's go home now please. I need to hug my brother."

The two sisters nodded their understanding as they made their way back to Chiba Estates.

~*~*~

News spread quickly through Chiba Estates about the "punishment" that the three females bore witness to. It was normal to hear of hangings in the town square, but to hear of such cruelness and torture was new. Fear escalated and several females locked themselves into their bedroom, refusing to come out.

Mamoru arrived home to be greeted by many panicking females. As normal amongst a panicking crowd, questions were being thrown out rapidly, begging for answers that Mamoru had no idea about.

Promising to get to the bottom of everything, he assured them that he would answer all of their questions at dinner. And thus a very concerned and confused Mamoru entered through the penthouse door.

Silence permeated the apartment. It was as if death had come and ceased all life in every room. Yet when he entered the living room, he was greeted by the sight of Rei, Usagi, and Minako huddled together in a hug, each leaning their head on the other's shoulder. Dried tears were streaked down each set of cheeks, though it appeared that the tears had dried up some time ago.

"What happened?" he asked hoarsely. Although he had yet to hear the news, he knew that it must be bad.

Hearing her brother's voice, Rei leaped up and ran to him, enveloping him in a tight hug.

"Rei, what happened?" Mamoru pleaded for some kind of information. But before he could get that, he felt two more pairs of arms wrap around him. Sneaking in from each side, Usagi and Minako joined in the hug. Deciding that it was best to just let them get out their emotions, Mamoru just stood quietly, waiting for the knowledge that he so anxiously awaited.

Taking a step back from her brother, Rei looked him up and down, as if inspecting him to assure herself that he was still whole. Feeling the fresh tears that were trailing down her face, Rei lifted a hand up to wipe them away before letting out a deep sigh. "Mamoru, it was horrible." She could barely finish her sentence before she broke down in tears and grabbed her brother into her arms again.

Usagi and Minako had pulled away from Mamoru when Rei first did, but stepped further back to allow Rei the time she needed with her brother. Minako moved to sit on the couch while Usagi walked into the kitchen to make some tea for everyone.

As Rei began to recount the events of the afternoon, Usagi thought of the poor girl that was hung in front of her father. They both stood tall and proud as the whips shot out against their skin. They did not cry out for mercy or beg for their lives. In his last moments, the father did not think of himself. His words were shouted out to all the females present, yet Usagi couldn't help but think that they were meant for her specifically. "Don't let them break you! Never let them break you!"

The teakettle began to whistle and Usagi mechanically removed it from the stove burner. But her mind wandered to the young child. She sunk to the kitchen floor as the image of the young female was replaced with the faces of her brother, of young Hotaru, the proud and defiant Setsuna. Tears began to run down her face uncontrolled. The images changed to her mother, to Minako, to Rei, and finally to Mamoru.

Her breath caught in her throat. Of anyone living in that building, Mamoru was in the most danger. Should he be caught not only would every female be punished, but he would be killed. Purchased females would be tortured, but not killed. Those in hiding in the sub-basements would be killed for their "crimes." But Mamoru would be made to suffer before his execution. And Usagi would be made to watch.

Mamoru walked Rei and Minako to the elevator and begged them to take a rest before dinner. Their bodies were worn down and he feared for their health. With a promise to see them soon, the elevator door closed.

With the two calmed slightly, he shifted his concern to the other female who was missing in the kitchen. Whatever he expected to see, it was not what he found laying on the kitchen floor.

Sobbing brokenly, Usagi was wrapped in a small ball lying on her side. Mamoru rushed to pick her up from the floor, but she fought against him weakly.

"Shh...it will be alright," he whispered to her over and over again until she began to calm down.

As if waking from a trance, Usagi looked up to see Mamoru holding her against his chest and rocking her gently back and forth. "Mamoru?" she whispered hoarsely.

"I'm here Usagi," he reassured her. She was shivering and her skin felt like ice, thought the apartment was quite warm.

"Mamoru, I'm scared," she admitted to him. Never had Usagi been scared. She worried occasionally, but she was never scared.

"I promise I will not let anything happen to you." He meant the words and he knew that he would never break that promise, even if it meant his death.

"Thank you," she whispered as she drifted into a light sleep on his arm. Her body felt completely exhausted and she knew that Mamoru would keep her safe.

Watching her eyes close and listening to her breathing even out, Mamoru knew that she had fallen asleep. Careful not to awake her, he gently lifted her and took her to her room and laid her upon her bed. He covered her with the blanket and moved to leave the room.

Yet a soft voice stopped his movement. "Please stay," she whispered. Mamoru looked to find that she hadn't moved at all, but still seemed to know that he was attempting to leave.

Allowing a light chuckle to escape his throat, he smiled down at Usagi. "I'll stay," he whispered back at her. At his gentle voice, her entire body seemed to thoroughly relax and sink into her bed.

Taking a seat in the rocking chair in the corner of the room, Mamoru watched his angel sleep. For she was indeed an angel sent from heaven to heal his broken life. With his parents' death and the changing of the world, Mamoru had begun to think that life was not worth living. Yet with his first look at the blonde before him, he knew that there was at least one thing worth living for. Her.

Rocking back and forth rhythmically, Mamoru dozed off, thinking of how he would comfort and reassure the females of the building. But more importantly, how he would comfort and reassure Usagi.

~*~*~

At exactly 5:45, Mamoru woke. It was as if it was a skill practiced and honed to perfection. Glancing towards Usagi, he found that she was awake and watching him.

"Good Evening." His voice stretched with a yawn as he stretched his arms to the ceiling.

"Hi," Usagi whispered quietly. She shyly looked away from him as she stood from the bed and stretched her muscles.

"How are you feeling?" Mamoru asked, still worried about her grievous state. He didn't get to talk to her as he had Rei and Minako.

"Better, I think," she started, but paused when she looked him fully in the face again. "I guess that I'm just worried about our fate."

Mamoru crossed the length of the room in two steps and lifted his hand to caress Usagi's cheek. "Our fate is not to be worried over. It is set before us and we will follow it just as all others follow the path before them."

"But what if I do not like where the path leads?" Usagi asked skeptically, her eyes dropping to stare at the floor.

Placing a finger under her chin, Mamoru brought Usagi's eyes to meet his own. "Then we will forge a new path together."

Leaning in slowly, Mamoru placed a gentle kiss on Usagi's lips. Parting before he felt the need to indulge more, Mamoru gave a sigh. "It's time to go to dinner."

Understanding Mamoru's anxiety at the greeting that he would receive upon entrance to the dining hall, Usagi grasped his hand in her own. "If anyone can bring them comfort, you can."

Mamoru nodded his head silently as the two made their way to the elevator. The ride to the sixth floor was silent, but only until the elevator doors opened. Mass chaos would be the best description to give, yet it seemed so much more.

Females were fighting over one another in order to get closer to Mamoru in an effort to voice their concern. Throughout the room, females stood in small huddles either speaking in low and comforting tones, or leaning on each other for support in their frail state.

With a loud booming voice, Mamoru spoke out across the crowd. "Be seated now for dinner and I will speak to you all. Please, be seated!"

And as always, the true and loyal females followed the order of their master. Still speaking amongst themselves of their fear, everyone found their seats. Mamoru found that Minako had chosen to sit by her sister and Rei. Setsuna had a slight tint of fear in her eyes, but kept her outer appearance strong and secure. Hotaru, despite hearing the rumors, looked no worse for wear. She was still young and her knowledge of males was limited to those who lived in the estate.

Mamoru stood at the head of the middle table, his normal seat, and looked out at all of the faces of the females staring back at him. His heart felt as if a hand had wrapped around it and was squeezing. The lives of all of these females rested in his hand. He had known it before, but in such a circumstance, the thought became painful and drew in more worry.

But as his eyes rested on Usagi's, he felt his strength return. She watched him with love in her eyes and nothing but. All fear had fled her and she sat confident and strong as a mighty tree, hundreds of years old.

"Ladies," he began, but paused as the lump in his throat needed a moment to pass. "Ladies, today you have heard of a tragedy that was witnessed in the town square. A father and daughter suffered the sting of whips before the young child was hung. The father, grief stricken and suffering, claimed his life with the guard's knife."

Speaking the words from his own mouth for the first time, Mamoru felt like breaking down and crying. The cruel punishment was unbearable to think about. To make a father watch his own daughter die for his love, for it was his love that made him defy the law, was truly heinous.

"Several of the females of the house were present and listened to the crimes as reported by the mayor. It is said that the father hid his daughter when it came time for her to go to the camps. It is unknown how the information was discovered, but I assure you that I will find out.

"Every precaution is taken in this building. Do not fear discovery of this household or any other that I run."

Usagi took a moment to stare at Mamoru. She thought to question her hearing, but knew that she heard correctly. Mamoru had more safe houses than just Chiba Estates. She saw him smile lightly at her as she absorbed the information. It was obvious by her look back that he would receive a talking to later that night.

"Now, ladies, I beseech you to calm yourselves. We have enough stress in this world without panicking over such things. Please, eat your dinners and make light of life. For that is all we can do in such circumstances."

Silence encompassed the room as Mamoru sat. Yet he followed his own words and began to talk to Hotaru about her day as he normally would. Soon after the whispers at the tables turned to normal speech, and it was as if it were any other night at the Chiba Estates dinner tables.

By the end of the meal, everything seemed right again and fear was washed from every face. Usagi smiled brightly as she talked with Rei and Minako. She would occasionally look towards Mamoru as he made a jest or commented on what they were talking about.

Dessert arrived on the tables as three unexpected guests made their way into the building. The secretary directed them to the elevator and informed them to the floor where her master could be found.

The strawberry ice cream was cold on Usagi's tongue, causing her to gasp out in surprise. Mamoru began to chuckle at her antics, but heard a louder, more fearful gasp from the back of the room.

Standing up, Mamoru could clearly see three males standing in the entranceway of the dining hall. "Good evening sirs. How may I help you?" he asked as he made his way towards the males.

As he moved towards them, he could more clearly make out their uniforms and recognized them as police officers.

"Chiba Mamoru?" one officer asked as Mamoru approached.

"Yes. I am he," Mamoru replied confidently.

"I'm sorry to disturb your meal sir, but we need you to come with us."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

*giggles* I know what happens next and you don't!!

*runs away*

LS: :gnasher: you...you...*shakes fist* BAHHHHHH! *busts out the chianti, fava beans, and narrows eyes in the direction of J*

hey B.B. not that you'll necessarily see this, but since i don't know who you are... i fixed it. *grins* thanks for noticing the mistakes. and yes, i think that it is quite possible to serve up a dry, sandy, "desolate" place for dinner! *giggles*