Not much to say again, except that I hope that you are enjoying this! The story is mine, the two main characters just happen to be creations of Naoko Takeuchi. Forest Walker Chapter Five by:Lazuli Usagi trudged along unhappily, not wanting to go back. She knew though, that everyone would be worried about her. Mamoru had told her that time would still pass in the same way in her time. That he couldn't change. It was getting close to night again, and Mamoru didn't want her to be wandering around the woods again at night. He didn't want to risk her getting sick again. In fact, the sooner she got inside a nice, warm building was the best. They didn't have that, though, so Mamoru took the pack that he *had* on the horse, and pulled out a sturdy looking tent. Usagi shook her head. Was there no end to his surprises? She wasn't going to complain, though. When they were finally in the tent, getting ready for the night, Usagi turned to him at the same time he turned to her. They both had the same expression of longing and pain on their faces. How was it possible to care for someone this much, when they came from two different types of living? Usagi who lived truly, and Mamoru who was living through a shadow of his past, and the present combined. Mamoru reached up to gently touch Usagi's face. He knew he shouldn't....but it was already too late to go back now. He knew that he cared deeply for Usagi..that he didn't want to go back on his feelings. "Usagi...I know it's stupid for me to be telling you this stuff now...but..." His voice trailed off and he seemed to lose courage, but Usagi's pleading eyes willed him to go on, as if she knew and hoped for what he was going to say. "I care about you a great deal, Usagi. It's hard to understand, and almost stupid to say...because... you're alive and I'm not...but I truly feel something for you, Usagi, in my heart." Usagi's eyes filled up with tears. She knew that it was impossible for then to be together, but she also knew her heart would not leave her alone for this one. She held his hand that rested on her cheek gently. "Mamoru, I feel the same way. I can't find an explantion for it, but perhaps it doesn't have to be logical. I'm just happy being with you now." Usagi came closer to him, and let him draw her into an embrace, not protesting when he held her tightly, and just enjoying the moment of pure emotion as she was held in his arms. They finally broke apart, and Mamoru stared into Usagi's eyes, seeing the same pain that he felt in his heart, but also a certain look of determination. "Mamoru...I'll come back! I promise. Would you accept me back here?" She asked. Mamoru nodded, his heart aching. "Always." He whispered hoarsely, and pulled her closer to his heart again, gently stroking her hair. She fell asleep that way, cradled gently in his arms. When the morning came, neither wanted to move, knowing that to do so would bring them closer to her school, and their eventual seperation. She knew that she had to leave him. It was the only way. She would come back. One day. They parted at the edge of the woods, and Mamoru warned her. "Once I leave you, you will be back in your own time, and run into a search party. They have been looking for you for about four days." He smiled and traced a hand down her cheek, where a tear had fallen. "Don't wait too long to come back to me, love." He whispered. With that, he walked back into the forest, leaving Usagi alone in the overgrown weeds. She noticed how the path seemed to flicker in and out for her, even though Mamoru was not beside her. She wondered if it was something of his planning, or if something wasn't quite right. She brushed it off though, and saw Aiaka up ahead, who actually looked worried...for her! She made her way through the forest, not noticing the look Aiaka gave her this time. For it was not awe...it was fear. Mamoru let the tears run down his face as he let Usagi go. He wanted her back! He *knew* she belonged here with him! He smiled at himself. How childish of him to presume so much. She had promised to come back, though. He waited for her, and he smiled at his self-imposed sentence. He had something to wait for, something that would make his state worthwhile. He frowned as a sudden thought came to mind. Usagi had stayed with him for so long...had food and drink from a past no longer there, stayed in a place that didn't really exist. He hoped that she would be okay...and not feel anything from it. He had no experience in it. He had never brought anyone there before. Usagi was put to bed instantly once they found out she had been in the woods during the large storm that had damaged some houses in the area. She was given total peace and quiet, to make sure that her recovery would be perfect. She sighed and rolled over in bed, staring at the walls. She had already been taken care of by Mamoru. She wanted to see him again. See his caring eyes focused on her while he forced that awful tea on her. She smiled to herself. She had promised him that she would come back to him, and she wouldn't break that promise. She doubted if her heart would permit her to stay away long. She went to reach for her book when a sudden wave of dizziness hit her and she clutched at the sides of the bed, blinking as she saw her hands fade in and out. What was happening?!! She closed her eyes and then opened them again. She still seemed to be paler than she should be. She went to reach for her book, but it didn't seem to be there. Nothing really seemed to be there. She found herself in the middle of a field, and her eyes widened, scared. Where was she? She saw a man coming towards her, and she panicked, and stumbled, and hit something with a loud *thump*. She was back in her room again, and on the floor. Rubbing her sore head, she knew that she had to see Mamoru very, very soon. That's the end of that chapter! Feedback, onegai!