Usagi smiled when he told her that he was trying to change himself, to be the person he wanted to be. And that was important. No one should live a life that someone else wanted. She squeezed her arms around him tighter as the day turned to night and the forest around them came to life with animal sounds. Usagi, just kept her vision on the night stars that shone above them.

"A shooting star!" She shouted suddenly. She hadn't seen one since she was little, and didn't know enough that you were supposed to wish on it. Her mother had teased her for that a few times during her childhood. "I wish Mamoru can be the King the Kingdom needs." 


Once they had arrived to the small lodge like inn, Usagi told him to wait by the horse while she went inside to get them a room. The less people who seen Mamoru, the better. Even though she doubted anyone this far out would recognize his face, she didn't want to take any chances.

Mamoru smiled when he felt Usagi’s arms wrap around him. He felt a warmness travel to his heart, a feeling he hadn’t felt since his mother was alive. He glanced up at the sky when he heard Usagi mention that there was a shooting star. He glanced up as he caught the tail of the shooting star. He didn’t believe in wishing on stars, but figured he would make a wish just for thrills.

I hope I can become a man of honor, to please my people and to please Usagi.



Mamoru got off his horse when they arrived at the inn. He helped Usagi off the horse. He nodded when she told him to wait for her. While he waited, he did something he hadn’t done in quite some time. He gazed up at the stars and breathed in the crisp air around him.

"Ok, I have the key." She smiled. "We can tie up your horse over there." she pointed to a rather large stable behind the building on a hill. It was guarded so no one would mess with the visitors steeds. 

"The room is on the second floor in the back. We can take the back stairs up to the room."

Usagi led the way to both locations. The back stairwell was outside, it was rusty stairs made of old metal and wood. It connected to the second floor. The hallway was outside, and the doors along side the wall against the building. She was walking up the steps when she slipped on the metal. She tumbled backwards into Mamoru.

Mamoru followed Usagi as he tied up his horse. He took off the horse’s saddle and gave his horse some food. After his horse was taken care of, Mamoru followed Usagi up to the room they would be staying in for the night.

He was ready to sleep, it had been an extremely long day and he was ready to lay down and sleep. He was climbing the steps at a steady pace when he suddenly saw Usagi stumbling toward him. He braced himself and caught her in his arms. He had one arm on her shoulder and the other around her waist to keep her steady.


“You okay there Usagi,” he asked, still holding her in his arms.

She thought she was going to fall, possibly to her death in these unsafe stairs. Usagi was lucky that mamoru was there to catch her. She felt his hand on her waist, and she locked eyes with him and blushed.

"I'm....fine, thank you." She pulled herself up and continued walking. She was emabrrised. When she put the key in the lock and opened the door,her face went even more red. There was only one bed.

She entered without saying anything  and dropped her bag on top of a small table in the corner. "This will have to do for tonight" she mentioned.

Mamoru shook off his nerves as Usagi stood back up and continued to walk up to their room. He had frozen in the moment. There was something about being so close to Usagi. Mamoru wasn’t sure what it was, but it made his heart rate increase.

When Usagi opened the door, Mamoru got a glimpse of the room and sensed Usagi’s nerves as she said it would do. “Yes it will do, I haven’t slept on a real bed in nearly three weeks.” He said as he set his belongings down.

“If you’ll excuse me, I am going to take a shower, something else I haven’t had the luxury of…hot water.” He said as he disappeared to take a shower.

Usagi watched as he entered the bathroom and closed the door. She used the opportunity to change into her night clothes. Usagi pulled out a long pink silk long sleeved night gown and put it on. It was meant for the cooler nivjrs of the approaching winter.  She undid her hair and brushed it down. 

When she laid down on the bed,a thought hit her. He planned on sleeping on the bed too. He said so right out he hadent had a bed in weeks to sleep on. She pulled the blanket over her face to hide her frustrated blush. She listened to the shower water, waiting for it to turn off.

The wind howled outside. Owls could be heard in the distance with wolves. This inn was in the dead mountains. Wilderness was what surrounded this location. Usagi feared these sounds.

Mamoru finished his shower and slipped into some flannel pants. He didn’t realize it until he came out of the bathroom that he forgot his shirt. He slipped out of the bathroom to grab his shirt. He glanced at Usagi who was buried under the covers. 

“Usagi, are you asleep already?” He called out. He waited for a response. While he prepared for bed, he dug through his bag and found his matching flannel shirt bundled up at the bottom of his bag. He pulled it out and gave it a quick shake, an attempt to get the wrinkles out. He put his shirt on and buttoned it up. He returned the towel back the bathroom after giving his raven locks a quick tussle. 

Mamoru cleaned up his area and turned out the bathroom light.

Usagi peeked over the blanket she heard the bathroom door open. She blushed and covered her head when she saw his shirtless body. 

"Ya I'm awake" she replied to him as he walked across the room. She figured he was getting a shirt. "Those wolves.. are scary to listen to" she adimitted. She slowly poked her head out of the blankets and looked at him in his pajamas.  She laughed.

"I never thought I'd catch a king in his jammies" she teased him. An owl hooted outside and she went quiet.

"Ill admit it might be hard for me to sleep tonight, for several reasons. One of them being the creepy sounds from the forest outside. I live by the forest too,but this is just creepy..."

Mamoru turned when he heard Usagi speak. “He wasn’t used to hearing wolves, so they didn’t bother him too much. He could understand her fear though, wolves were not exactly the most friendly animals.

When she teased about seeing him in his pajamas, he turned and said in a playful tone, “hey even kings sleep in pajamas.” He froze…..king. The word felt so weird coming from his lips. He turned off the light and made his way to the bed.

When Usagi mentioned not being able to sleep due to the noises outside, Mamoru got an idea. “Hey, we could always leave the light on in the bathroom, or I, uh….don’t laugh, but I can tell you a story. It always worked for me growing up…..” He said a blush coming to his face.

Was he seriously offering to read Usagi a bedtime story so she would not be so afraid?

Apparently he was.

“Don’t worry Usagi. I will protect you. I will make sure nothing comes in the room and that you are safe,” he said feeling confident, though if he were honest he would have just taken her in his arms and offered her his comfort that way.

She smiled when he offered to tell her a story. She rolled on her side, however it was dark, she couldn't see him.  She moved her leg, careful to not bump him. "I'm OK without the light" she said honestly. "But now I'm curious about this story" 

Usagi wondered if it was a story his mom told him,she wanted him to live those memories again. By him telling the story may not only help her but himself as well. 

She moved her arm to fix her hair so she wasn't laying on it when her hand brushed against his hand. 

"Sorry" she said quickly.usagi pulled her arms close to her torso, careful to not accidently bump him again. "I hope rumors don't spread about this" she giggled, trying to make light of the situation. Thats all they needed was for a spy to see them.

Mamoru thought a long moment before he remembered a story he could tell Usagi. He remembered it growing up, a story his mother told him about the Moon Maiden. “Alright I think I thought of the perfect story, or at least a good one,” he said nervously. He was glad she couldn’t see his face, because it was likely as bright red as a tomato.

Mamoru didn’t mind when Usagi’s hand brushed past his. He actually liked the way her hands felt against his own. 

Mamoru began the story, and as he told it, it was as if he had gone back in time and he was in bed trying to fall asleep. His mother’s soft voice, soothing his latest nightmare as she told him the same story he was telling Usagi. He missed his mother more than anything and wished he had her guidance in his time as he stepped up to become king.

Usagi laid comfortably in the blankets next to him as he told the story his mother had first told him so many years prior. The story was lovely, and Usagi could tell he was revisiting memories of his mother while telling it. She wanted to comfort him more than anything at that moment, but she didn't know how to. Yes they were right next to one another, but she didn't know how he would react.

"I'm sure your mother lovely telling you that story, and is happy you remembered it after so many years." Usagi said with a smile in her voice. 

Her eyes were watery, her heart ached for what he must have been feeling. She hoped her words gave him some comfort.

Mamoru had been lost in thought as he finished the story. He was pulled back to reality when he heard Usagi say she was a lovely story teller.

“Oh, she was. I remember looking forward to bed each night, just so I could hear her stories,” he said sounding like a young child. His mind was full of many memories of his mother reading stories to him.

“You would have loved her, everyone loved my mom. She was the kindest, gentlest woman I have ever known.” Mamoru was so lost in thought that he didn’t realize that he had pulled Usagi into a hug and was resting his cheek on her shoulder.

Usagi's heart stopped. She felt his warm embrace as he pulled her into a hug. The blankets tucked around them, in the dark. She was silent for a few moments, she didn't reply. Usagi felt his cheek test upon her shoulder. If it weren't for her long sleeved nightgown she would have been able to feel the warmth his cheek radiated. She lifted her hand and placed it over his hand, the hand that pulled her into the embrace.

"I love your mom. I never knew her, but I already love her." She said softly as she squeezed his hand.

An unknown animal howled outside the inn, and Usagi stiffened before giggling at herself.

Mamoru felt the warmth spread in his hand when Usagi put her hand on his. When he heard her say she loved his mom, he felt a small pang in his heart. He missed his mom everyday and wished that she could have been saved, but she was gone.

“She was the best person I could have ever known, she really helped me grow up to be who I am, well the person I believe she wanted me to be,” he said as he heard an animal howl outside. When he felt Usagi stiffen in his arms, he released her and turned over. 

“…sorry about that,” Mamoru said as his heavy eyelids began to slowly shut.

Usagi felt for Mamoru. She could tell that he missed his mom dearly. When he released her and apologized, she felt guilty. She wished he hadn't. This confused her. Why was the thinking like this? Her heart raced still, and she was aware of all his movements once he turned over. 

"It's alright." she said sincerely. 

Her own eyelids became heavy. She closed her eyes and began to dream. She began dreaming that she was in a forest, lost, and the animal she heard was chasing her. Mamoru was yelling for her. She tried to find him, but the more she searched, the more lost she became.

Mamoru quickly fell asleep. He entered his own dream world, but this world was not a happy one. Mamoru was not one to dream, but he found himself in what were the beginnings of a nightmare. 
He was riding back to the palace to clear his name and take his place as king, but people boycotted him and accused him of murder. They were charging at him with pitchforks and other makeshift weapons. The people were trying to push him back and prevent him from entering his home. Some people even attempted to attack him.

Mamoru began to turn in his sleep, when he turned over he found himself in another world, not exactly better than the one he had left. He was in the past. He was with his mom. She was very sick, it was near the end and she was in constant pain. Yet she tried to put on a smile for Mamoru. “Mama,” he called out in his dream, but also in the real world as he slept. He turned again as his mother entered a bout of pain.


Mamoru found himself entering and exiting worlds, each growing worse the more he turned. He began to mumble in his sleep as he thrust about no doubt, waking the person next to him.

Usagi ran towards Mamoru, but before he reached him, she was awakened from her dream. She sat up quickly when he heard a shout, unsure of the wording. She noticed Mamoru turning in his sleep, he seemed to be sleep talking, upset. She leaned over him and hugged him.

"It's ok." She said softly. She hoped this small gesture would wake him, or comfort him enough so he could settle. 

She had no doubts that he was having a nightmare. He had so much going on in his life at the moment.

"I'll be here for you." She whispered. She laid back down, with her arm over him, holding onto his own arm. Her head against his back.

Mamoru was just about to come into contact with someone’s sword when he jerked awake. He looked around as his breathing went from rapid to calm. He was in the room at the inn and all was well. He felt Usagi’s arms wrapped around him and her head pressed into his back. He heard her softly say she would be there for him. Right now he could use a friend, someone who would support him.

When he was with Usagi, he felt all of those things, but he also felt something more. He was drawn to her, which was why he felt really embarrassed that he could let his guard down so easy when he was with her.


Mamoru used his sleeve to wipe the sweat off of his forehead as he placed his hand on top of Usagi’s and softly said, “thank-you,” then drifted back to sleep.

Usagi was glad he had woken up. He needed to restart, so erase whatever he was dreaming about and to fall back into a much happier dream, hopefully. She smiled against his back as he thanked her and didn't shake off her hand. She was glad she could comfort him.

The next morning Usagi awoke before Mamoru. She went into the bathroom and showered. She dried her hair and decided to try something new. She put it up into one bun on the back of her head. Usagi felt elegant with the new style. She did her makeup and put her outfit for the day on. 

outfit:

Mamoru spent the rest of the night in a silent sleep. He woke up feeling quite refreshed. He noticed Usagi was gone, but heard the shower and smiled, glad she was with him still. He got up and got dressed. When Usagi came out of the shower, Mamoru noticed her hair was different, but he didn’t want to say anything not yet at least.

Mamoru smiled at Usagi, “Good morning,” he said as he rose to go wash his face. He was going to need to shave soon, but for now he didn’t care. Mamoru dressed and grabbed his things. He turned to Usagi and spoke with a smile. “Are you ready to head out?”

mamoru's outfit:

Usagi packed her nightgown and her previous day's clothes into her bag. "Just about." She replied to Mamoru's question. "We need to get food somewhere. So we don't cause a scene, I can go downstairs and get some bread and cheese for us and bring it back to the room?" She zipped the bag closed and put it against the wall next to the outside door.

She peeked outside the window, expecting to see sun, however the sun was nowhere to be seen. The sky was grey. "Snow Clouds?" She mumbled. It was too early in the season.

"Mamoru, we need to get to the castle by tonight. I have no idea what the weather has in store for us."

Mamoru agreed when Usagi offered to get some bread and cheese. It was best if he lay low for now, at least until he returned to the palace. When she returned, the two ate their food and packed their bags. 

Mamoru grew concerned when Usagi mentioned snow clouds. He walked over and stood behind her as he looked through the window. As he lifted the curtains his arm casually brushed hers. 

“You are right, we better head out, no telling what the weather holds.” Mamoru said as he added an extra layer of clothes. He wondered if Usagi would be warm enough and pulled out an extra cloak he had managed to pack. He held it out to her, “just in case it gets cold out there.” He said, when he really just wanted her to wear his clothes, so she could wear his clothes.

After they ate Mamoru led the way back down the stairs, reminding Usagi to take it slow, and with caution so she did not slip again.

Mamoru loaded up the horse and got on. He extended an arm to Usagi. Once she was on, the two rode off, continuing their journey back to the castle.

Usagi willingly took the cloak and wrapped it around her heavy dress and sweater she was already wearing. The weather was taking a turn for the worse, and so early in the season. Was this mother nature messing with them? A cold breeze lingered in the air.

She kept her bag under the cloak so it wouldn't get wet in case the clouds open up and released the snow that was building. Usaagi took his hand, and couldn't help but smile at him. When she was settled, she wrapped her arms around his waste. The journey was long, and she found herself burying her face against his back as the air turned colder. 

After about two hours, the worst thing happened. The clouds opened up, and snow flurries welcomed them on their journey.

Mamoru took off on his horse, Usagi holding on as he did. As they rode, he grew to enjoy her arms around her and her face pressed against his back. In some weird way it made him feel important. As they continued on their journey however, the weather took a turn for the worse. Snow flurries began to fall and the temperature began to drop further.


Mamoru wanted to continue on for as long as he could, but he wasn’t sure how much good it would do any of them. He spoke loudly so Usagi could hear him. “What do you want to do? Do you want to stop off at the next city until the weather settles down, or should we keep pressing forward?” He asked wanting to know what Usagi wanted, if she wanted to push forward, then that is what they would do.

Usagi was cold. Period. She knew that if they stopped there was a risk of the weather being worse the following morning. However, it would also be day time again and they would finish their journey befor ethe end of tomorrow. In fact, it would still be daylight when the would rach the castle.

Usagi remained silent for a few moments before replying, she yelled over the wind. "Can we stop?" She hugged his torso tigher as she spoke. Her face was cold, and she could only imagine how cold he was, at least she had him to cuddle againt. 

The wind blew horribly across, snow flying around. A blizzard? It was only natural, the Kingdom was located ontop a higher part of the continent, of course the weather would be worse the farther they went.

Mamoru was relieved when he heard Usagi say she wanted to stop. They rode on a bit further before they reached the next town. He couldn’t help but slightly blush when Usagi gripped him tighter. He pushed his thoughts aside as he focused looking for somewhere they could stop until the weather settled down.

Soon they came to a stop near a pub, if nothing else, the pub owner would know of a place they could go. Hopefully no one would recognize him, though if he kept his facial scruff growing, it may be harder to recognize him as the prince, er King.


He got off his horse and helped Usagi off. “Let’s see if they can help us find a place to stay, if nothing else we can get something to eat.” Mamoru said as he turned to face Usagi. He didn’t know it but his lips had begun to darken from the cold and his cheeks were flushed from the cool winds beating against his face.

Usagi didn't notice the change in Mamoru's health mainly because it was getting dark, and her eyes remained squinted from the cold. It would be hard to find a vacancy at this hour with the storm. Many travelers would have had the same idea as them given the drastic chance in weather, and this decreased their chances at finding somewhere to stay.

"Please, is there anything?" Usagi pleaded with the older gentleman behind the hotel's main desk. She had told Mamoru to wait with his horse on a hidden side road while she walked the town trying to find somewhere for them to stay. This was the last place in town, and she dreaded having to venture any 
further in the cold. 


"I don't have anything available, but I do have a one room and one bath cabin out back a bit that you can stay in. There isn't heat, so you need to make a fire. You can keep the horse in the barn here."


She relayed the message to Mamoru. The walk would be about twenty minutes from the town. The snow was up to her ankles. No doubt it would be at least a foot by day break. She tightened her clothes around her body to keep warm and hugged her bag.

Basic Idea:

Mamoru waited for Usagi. He hoped they would be able to stay somewhere. He began to fill chills in his arms and legs. He bundled his jacket up more as he waited. Soon enough Usagi came back and told hima bout the cabin.

Mamoru walked his horse to the barn and took care of the horse before he set off with Usagi towards the cabin. She had mentioned it being a twenty minute walk. Darkness was quickly approaching, so Mamoru lit a lantern to help guide them to this cabin.

Mamoru led the way, trudging through the snow. He had lose feeling in his toes some time from the coldness, but refused to say anything. He usually avoided storms like this, so he wasn’t used to the chilling wind lashing out at him as they walked.


Sometime later, the two arrived at the cabin. Mamoru held the door open for Usagi. He was happy to find wood set up for a fire. Luckily he knew enough and was able to start a fire to help warm up the small cabin.