Kon'wa! AN's are short...I just want to thank my pre-reader, Anon! Also that the standard disclaimer still applies. Forest Walker Ch. 4 by: Lazuli Usagi limped up to Mamoru, fury in her eyes and her stance. "Mamoru...if that *is* your real name...I want to know what is going on! Who are you really? What is up with the forest? And where am I? Where did you take me? I thought you were nice...did you slip me some sort of drug to make me see and believe the things you told me?" Mamoru took a calming breath and ran a hand through his hair. "First off, Mamoru *is* my real name. It was the name I was born with. You've probably found out by now that my name is the same as the family I told you about yesterday, and judging by the way you stormed into the forest, you know of the legends now. I am that Mamoru, Usagi. I didn't do anything to you. I would never want to do anything to you." Usagi stared up at him, stunned, and then wobbled on her feet. She would have fallen if it had not been for Mamoru catching her, and placing her back on the bed. "Stay in bed, Usagi. You're actually very sick, and I don't wonder, the way you battled through the forest, determined to see me, and getting more and more soaked from the rain." His voice grew softer, but held a note of teasing. "Did you miss me that much?" He asked, and her eyes grew wide in shock, and to her amazement, she blushed, and tried to cover it up by asking another question. "Where am I, Mamoru? Is this your house? How is it whole again, when I saw *trees* growing out of the windows and roof? And sunlight? All this sunlight? There was too much overgrowth for this much light to come through the windows!" He sat down on the edge of the bed, frowning. "It is whole because I will it to be whole. The house is like it was before the house overgrown and forgotten in the woods." Usagi mouth parted in a silent "Oh." She understood more now. She remembered the pain in his voice when he had told her of the death of the Kishuku family. It was his family. She recalled the legend that Aiaka had told her. How he guarded his home... "Mamoru, why did you let me in your home if you are guarding it?" She asked softly. Even though many years had passed by since it had happened, his self-chosen sentence must still remind him, day after day what had happened. Mamoru smiled at her. "You are one of the few people who actually seem to belong her, Usagi. You came back to the forest, not scared of me or it, not runningw when you saw all that you saw before had changed, but went foward. You're brave, Usagi, and I admire that. You don't see many brave people when you're a ghost." Usagi looked up at him. He *was* a ghost. She found it amazing how it didn't bother her. Perhaps it was because she learned about him before he shown himself to be a ghost. What a great laugh he had, or how he cared for people. Her heart went out to him. How lonely he must have been! She threw her arms around him, trying to give what comfort she knew to give. She only thought of his sorrow, never thinking to fear him. His arms closed around her, and for the first time in decaded, Mamoru cried. After awhile, the tears stopped, and Usagi had more time to acess the situation while Mamoru gave her tea for her headache. "Mamoru, why don't you act like a ghost? Most stories I've heard don't involve ghosts acting like they are alive, feeding poor, helpless girls feverfew tea. I never would have thought you were a ghost, Mamoru. Why is it that I can feel you and see you?" Mamoru got a serious look on his face, and he wasn't sure how Usagi would take the news. It was a bit complicated to explain. "Well, right now...I'm not exactly a ghost...We are in between right now...meaning that we are not exactly in your time...the present time, but we are not totally in the plane of the past, either, unless I chose to go there. I can touch the past, that's how you are getting my lovely remedies for your sickness." He said, smiling, as she watched Usagi try to drink the tea. "I hope you don't mind me taking you here, Usagi. It was the only way...you were there last time, too. When you were first in the forest with me." Usagi nodded. It made perfect sense. That's why everything was so different. She blinked sleepily at him, the effect of the strong, and foul-tasting tea taking a hold of her. She snuggled down in the covers, Mamoru covering her up, tucking the blankets tightly around her. With a gentle kiss on her forehead, and ignoring her stunned look, he gathered up the tray of tea and walked slowly out of the room. Mamoru leaned aganist the doorway of his old bedroom, trying to piece together what was happening. He let his mind drift back to when he found Usagi laying on the ground outside his home. Mamoru opened his eyes slowly. How did it come to caring for her like this? It was an impossible situation. He wasn't exactly her type. She was alive...he was rather lacking in that department. No matter how well she took to this place, she belonged at her school. He clenched his fists. It wasn't fair. When Usagi awoke the second time, she found she felt alot better and moved to get out of bed, then looked down and *realized* what she was wearing. It seemed to be an antique nightgown, and she shivered. Had Mamoru gotten this from his time as well? She crept silently out the door, and was met by Mamoru, who met her with wild eyes. "Usagi! Get back in the room! Please!" He lifted her up and carried her back in, much to her anger. He put a gentle finger to her lips before she could voice her displeasure. "It's not safe, Usagi. I would have to be with you if you wanted to go out of the room. Or else you would end up in one of two places. My past, very confused,or your present, cold and in the middle of some very uncomfortable surrondings. I don't want either of that to happen, Usagi." Usagi was amazed at his tone of voice, and the way his hands gripped hers. She knew, by looking in his eyes, that he *cared* about her. Truly cared about her. Her eyes filled with tears, and she could only nod at his words. He stroked her hair gently, then smiled and stood up. "I have your clothes all dried, Usagi. If you are ready to go..." His voice trailed off and Usagi could hear the pleading in his voice, as if he was asking her *not* to go, to stay here with him. Usagi wished she could. She put one hand on his cheek, and looked into his eyes, trying to tell him with a touch and a look that she understood. "I should go now, Mamoru. Thank you for taking such good care of me." He nodded, and handed her her clothes, smiling sadly as he walked out of the room to let her change. Usagi heard a gentle knocking on the door, and she opened it to let Mamoru know that she was ready. Her eyes matched his in sadness, though. He gently took her hand and led her out the door, to a horse waiting. Usagi blinked. Where had *that* come from? Mamoru was about to take her on the horse. when she shook her head. "Can we just walk, Mamoru?" She asked. again trying to tell him that she just wanted to spend as much time with him as was possible. He nodded, and they walked silently through the woods together. There is the end of Chapter Four, minna! Please all feedback is welcomed! All flames will be used to cook the french toast.