Another revised story! I had a one-shot phase so my updating is taking longer than anticipated, due to about 20 one-shots. Anyways, enjoy it. Review it if you feel so inclined. I really like reviews.

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon; I just use the characters to further the enjoyment of all.

--

Usagi hated school with a passion. There were some things that people were really good at and others that they were miserable at. School was something she miserable at. She was failing all her courses and no matter how hard she tried she still couldn't seem to pull her grades up. She had never been doing so poorly in her entire life. She had tried getting help, but nothing worked and now she was in danger of not continuing on in school. If she fell behind she wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to catch up. A good school meant everything and she was never going to get into one with grades like she had right now.

She dropped her head onto the Crown Arcade counter with a loud thud.

"Motoki-chan, I just don't get it!" Usagi yelled, throwing her pencil down on her notebook. "I've tried everything that I can think of and I still don't know how to do this damn long division. I mean why do we need to learn to divide with Xs anyways? It's stupid." She went back to her work writing furiously and mumbling about the how unfair her life was and that she had to do something she was so obviously bad at. Motoki just chuckled and let her try and figure it out. He had tried more then once to help her and nothing had worked.

"Hey, Odango, what are you doing?" came a voice from behind Usagi.

"It's Usagi, you baka," she answered without even bothering to look up from her notebook. She knew Mamoru's teasing voice when she heard it. "And I'm doing my math homework. My impossibly hard pre-calculus to be exact."

"Usagi, pre-calc is easy. What are you working on?" he asked, genuine interest in his voice. He sat down and leaned over to look at the page that she was staring so intently at.

"What do you care," she snapped at him, "you're just going to laugh at my ineptitude at math and that's the only thing that I don't need right now, so go away."

Mamoru sighed and then reached over and grabbed the paper from under her nose.

"Mamoru-san! I need that!" She made a grab for the paper but Mamoru kept it easily out of her reach. He quickly scanned the document before putting it down on the table to explain it to her.

"Ondango, look see how you have 4x squared under the division sign?" he asked, pointing to the problem that she had been working do diligently on.

"Yeah, so, what about it?" She hated that he had gotten the paper from her and now she had to sit here and endure his lectures about school and grades and responsibility.

"Well you know how to multiply right?" he asked her, a hint of sarcasm clear in his voice.

"Yeah..."

"Well, what times two will give you four?"

"Two," she answered quickly. "Everyone knows that."

"Ok, now you know that you add your exponent's together right?"

"Exponent's?"

"The little numbers next to the X," he explained patiently.

"Oh yeah, when you multiply you add right? Which seems really confusing to me. Why don't you just multiply when it says multiply?"

"Concentrate, Odongo. So if you have X squared under the division sign, how many Xs do you have to add to this one on the outside to get a squared."

"One."

"Right. So add that to the two that you got before and you have two X."

"Which divides evenly! I get it!" A wide smiled graced her face and she started scribbling furiously at the paper. Now that she knew what she was doing it was a lot easier to apply the principle to all the other problems she had to do for her math home work. Every so often she would ask Mamoru a question and he would easily guide her through what she was missing but without telling her what the answer was. Mamoru just watched her in amusement. She was just so cute. He had been in love with the girl for years now but just couldn't bring himself to tell her. He loved these rare moments when they didn't fight, when he could almost pretend that she liked him.
Mamoru was jarred out of his thoughts by Motoki placing a coffee cup on the counter.

"What's this for? I don't have money for coffee today," Mamoru told his friend, pushing the tempting liquid back towards his friend. He could actually really use a cup today.

"It's on the house," Motoki told him returning the cup to his friend. Mamoru quirked an eyebrow at him and Motoki explained. "I have been trying for the past hour to try and explain that problem to Usagi and nothing sank in. You come in and she gets it in about five minutes. I think that feat deserves a free cup of coffee."

"Thanks, I could use some today; it's been a long day," Mamoru said with a smile.

"This whole tutoring thing could be your chance, Mamoru," Motoki suggested nonchalantly. Mamoru almost choke on his coffee.

"Excuse me?"

"Please, it's painfully obvious that you're in love with Usagi," he said, his voice low enough that Usagi wouldn't hear. "Tutor her. Invite her over to your place to study then sweep her off her feet."

"Man, can I keep anything a secret from you?" Mamoru asked, drinking another sip of his coffee, this time without choking on it.

"Nope, I'm your best friend. It's my job to be nosey… or deeply intuitive. I'm not completely sure which."

"Hey Mamoru?" Usagi cut in. Mamoru looked over at the girl beside him. Her eyes were the same breathtaking blue they always were. She was biting her lower lip like she did when she was nervous. It was so adorable it took all his self-control not to lean down and kiss her.

"Yes, Odango?"

"How are you at English?"

"My best subject," he told her honestly, sipping the last of the coffee in his hand and leaving on the table for Motoki to grab.

"Really? Well, umm, I was wondering. If, well it's not too much trouble..." Usagi couldn't figure out why she couldn't seem to form a complete sentence around the man but she was stuttering like a complete idiot.

"Would you like me to help you with your school work, Odango?" Mamoru asked her, releasing her from her misery of trying to form a sentence. Usagi's eyes lit up.

"Please? I know we can't stand each other but you're the only person who has successfully explained anything to me and my mom will kill me if I fail."

"Sure, Odango, I'll help. Meet me here tomorrow after school and we'll head over to my apartment. Bring everything that you need help in. We'll try and get through it."

"Thank you, Mamoru!" She flung herself into his arms and hugged him tightly. She pulled away beaming. "I'll see you tomorrow Mamoru!"

He just watched her go, stunned. She just hugged him. The girl of his dreams, who he constantly seemed to fight with, had just willingly hugged him. He could still smell her perfume on his jacket.

"Well, it's been a good day for you hasn't it?" Motoki teased him.

"You have no idea, Motoki. You have no idea."

--

Usagi couldn't believe what she had just done. She just hugged Mamoru. The same Mamoru that she'd had a crush on for the past two years, that Mamoru. And now she was going to his apartment, alone. She thought it better not to inform her parents of any of this. Let her grades go up and then break the news that she was alone with a boy in his house. It would be better that way. She'd play the 'I wanted to surprise you' card and 'didn't think that it would be that big of a deal since she was doing school work.' Yup, that was exactly what she was going to say. The fact that she was looking forward to working with him, couldn't wait to be alone in his apartment and was pretty sure she'd be thinking about just about everything except school work was completely beside the point.

She just had to figure out how she was going to handle the whole situation. Seeing Mamoru in the arcade and arguing with him was one thing. How could she possibly spend so much alone time with Mamoru without fighting and not tell him how she felt? It just wasn't possible. The best idea might be to just tell him how she's felt about him all this time, tell him that the fighting was just her way of covering up how she felt about him. It might be better that way. Everything would finally be out in the open.

She shook her head, trying to rid herself of the thought. No, the chances were high that he would just laugh at her, or use it against her in one of their fights or use it to embarrass her in front of numerous amounts of people. The possibilities for her misery were endless. No she couldn't give him that much power over her. Ever.

She sighed at the irony of her life. She'd deal with it the same way she dealt with everything else. She would suck it up and be strong. She fought Youmas on a regular basis, how hard could an afternoon at Mamoru's house be? Above all tomorrow, she couldn't tell him how she felt.

--

Hair? Check. Clothes? Check. Cologne? Check. Mamoru mentally reviewed each preparation in his mind. Food? He had fully stocked his fridge yesterday, after learning that Usagi was going to be coming into his house. Despite her petite figure he knew she could eat more in a sitting than most people at in three days. No, if Usagi was going to be here, one needed a full refrigerator. Oh, God, Usagi was going to be here, alone, with him. He was nervous as hell but couldn't help smiling. It was a good kind of nervous, the kind of nervousness you feel when something you've been looking forward to for weeks is finally here. Of course, he'd only been looking forward to it for the past 24 hours or so, but the principle was still the same.
He could barely contain his excitement. It was going to be interesting, that was for sure. On the other hand he was scared shitless. If he didn't make his move with Usagi today, he might not have another chance. They were going to have to spend a whole afternoon together not fighting, forced to so that she could get some school work done. Maybe, just maybe, he could convince her to look past his rude exterior and see that he really wasn't a bad guy. If he couldn't, well then they would just go back to the way they were before. He shook his head, trying to dispel the though. No, he couldn't let that happen. He couldn't keep up the constant fighting with her, not when he felt as he did.

He had fallen in love with Usagi a long time ago; how could he not? She was vivacious and beautiful, sweet and kind and the most loyal friend anyone could have. She was the most incredible girl he had ever met; he just never knew what to say to her. He would come to the arcade everyday ready to make amends, and everyday he dug his grave a little deeper. He just didn't stick his foot in his mouth, he managed to consume his entire leg.

But this time it was different. This time she wanted to be around him, she wanted his help. And damn it, this time he wasn't going to screw it up.
There was a knock at his door, announcing the arrival of Usagi. He stood up and straightened his cloths out took a deep breath. Walking toward the door, he thought of everything that could, or couldn't, happen today. He took another breath. He just had to remember to breathe.

--

Usagi stood outside Mamoru's door, fidgeting with her hair, clothes and almost everything else a person could fidget with. She forced herself to stop and stand calmly. Ok, this was it. Study date -er- session with Mamoru. No physical attraction at all, just two friends getting together to study. Maybe if she kept repeating it she would actually believe it, though somehow she didn't think that was the way that it worked. She raised her fist and knocked on the cool wood.

'Just breathe,' Usagi thought to herself. 'You just have to remember to breath.' When Mamoru opened the door, she quickly forgot to do that.

Mamoru had on a black t-shirt that was just tight enough to hint at the muscled chest underneath. His hands were half buried in the pockets of his baggy blue jeans. He leaned back on his heals, seemingly relaxed. She looked up at his face. Messy, slightly damp, black hair fell into his crystal blue eyes, giving him an incredibly sexy appearance. Yes, Usagi quickly forgot to breathe.

Mamoru was equally stunned. Usagi had obviously gone home to change before coming to his house. She stood in front of him in a short pastel pink skirt and a matching shirt with a white silhouette of a bunny head on the front. His eyes ran down her long legs all the way to her pink flip flops. Two pink ribbons were wrapped around her odangos. She was a vision in pink. Mamoru didn't realize that he was staring.

"Hey, Usagi," he greeted her when he finally managed to find his voice. He hoped that he didn't sound as nervous to her as he did to himself.

"You called me Usagi," she commented, a little surprised.

"So? That's your name isn't it?" he retorted then immediately regretted it. He was already doing exactly what he said that he wasn't going to.

"When I'm around you I'm not sure sometimes. One of these days you're actually going to convince me that my name is Odango Atama," She told him, the smallest trace of hurt evident in her voice. She had tried not to let him know the name actually bothered her and cursed herself for the comment she had just made.

Mamoru resisted the urge to cringe. He really didn't call her that to be mean. He just thought it was cute and fit her perfectly. He didn't realize just how much she really hated it.

"Sorry," he said to her sincerely. "I honestly didn't think it bothered you that much." She shrugged.

"Whatever. Let's just get this over with ok?" She hated being so cold to him. She could see that it was hurting him but she had to keep her distance. She had to get through this afternoon without telling him how she felt about him and if being mean was the only way for that to happen then that was what she was going to do. She was going to treat him as he had treated her almost all their lives.

"Yeah, sure come on in." He stood aside allowing her to enter. As she passed he caught a whiff of, vanilla and lilies. She smelled so amazing that he couldn't stop a small smile from tugging at his lips. He headed over to the coffee table she had plopped down in front and sat down on the floor next to her. "So what do you need the most help on?" he asked, clearing space on the table. Usagi pulled out an English book as big as his head.

"I will never understand the stupid language. Why do we have to learn it anyways?" she muttered as she put it on the table with a loud bang.

"Because most of the world speaks it," he told her, "that's why. Let's get started."

About an hour later they finally put the book away. Usagi still didn't fully understand it, but she at least understood enough to get her through her class this week. He'd help her more next time. She smiled softly at the idea of doing this more than once with Mamoru. She liked spending time like this with him when there was no fighting, no yelling, just him explaining everything to her and then waiting patiently until she understood. She hadn't expected him to be such a good teacher but it was as if he had suddenly gained all the patience in the world. She put her English book away and dug for her pre-cal book next but he put a hand on her wrist.

"Why don't we take a break?" Mamoru suggested, seeing that her eyes were already starting to glaze over a little. She was more dedicated than he had ever imagined and was impressed but she still couldn't hide the fact that she found no enjoyment in her schoolwork. Usagi just nodded at his suggestion. She couldn't seem to think about anything but the warm hand that was now resting on her wrist.

"Ummm... yeah that sounds, uh, great," she answered, clearing her throat a little. She quickly got up and headed into the kitchen. Mamoru followed her. She was already digging into his fridge by the time he entered the room. He shook his head, smiled and walked over to the cabinet to prepare some tea. When it was finished, he poured it into two cups and handed one to Usagi, who was currently eating her third Twinkie and had a meal's worth of food in front of her. Once again, Mamoru was glad that he had thought to go grocery shopping.

"You know, Mamoru, your apartment could use some sprucing up," Usagi said through a mouthful of food, her eyes wandering around his sparsely decorated apartment. Mamoru raised an eyebrow at her and smiled a little. Usagi had the good graces to blush before swallowing her food. "It's just that there's no color, no pictures. It's a little depressing, Mamoru.

"I never really thought about it or had the time. I'm not home that often," Mamoru said with a shrug.

"Where are you?"

"School, work, and if not there out somewhere with Motoki," he said taking a sip of tea.

"You never go visit your family?" she asked him, readjusting in her seat so that she was sitting cross-legged in her chair. She watched as a dark shadow filled Mamoru's eyes and Usagi could have kicked herself. He never talked about his family and it never occurred to her that there might be a reason.

"I don't have any family. They died when I was eight," he answered, his voice low and his smile gone.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mamoru, I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay, you didn't know," he interrupted. She looked at him a moment before her next words flew out of her mouth.

"That's why, isn't it?" she asked him softly.

"That's why what?"

"That why you're always so cold," she told him seriously. He looked up at her surprised. She looked down at her hands, fidgeting again before continuing. "You hardly ever laugh, you never cry. The only time I see any emotion is when you're talking with Motoki or fighting with me," she said, finally understanding after all this time. Mamoru shrugged, almost as if he were agreeing with her.

"After my parents, I stopped caring. Motoki is my best friend; it's easy around him. He's been in my life for a long time and knows everything that's happened."

"And me?" she continued.

"Wouldn't you show some reaction to the person you loved?" The minute the words came out of his mouth he realized what he said. He could've shot himself right there! How could he be so stupid as to let that slip? He had let his guard down and now this was his reward for it. This wasn't how he had wanted to tell her. God, the girl had been in his apartment for only a few hours and he already blurted out that he loved her. But she had gotten him to open up, something that even Motoki had trouble doing, and once she did that it had been hard not to let everything out. She just made it so easy. Now he had told her and possibly screwed everything up forever.

"What... did you say?" Usagi asked, sure that she hadn't heard him right. Mamoru sighed. No backing out of it now.

"I said... I love you, Usagi." He didn't look at her. He refused. He couldn't take the rejection he knew he would see in her eyes, her whole face.

Before he realized what was happening, soft lips were pressed against his, lips that tasted like vanilla and Twinkies. He placed his hands on either side of her neck, his fingers tangling slightly in her hair. He didn't know why she was kissing him, but he certainly wasn't going to argue. Slowly she pulled away, her breathing heavy. Before he could say a word she punched him in the stomach.

"What the hell was that for!" he yelled at her, holding his stomach. Damn if that girl didn't have a strong right fist.

"What took you so long, you thick headed baka!" she yelled back at him. Mamoru's head shot up in surprise.

"What is that supposed to mean?" The girl was confusing him more by the second. He had to know what she meant, if it really meant what he thought it did.

"I've been in love with you for two years, never having the courage to tell you how I feel because I thought you hated me and here you come right out and tell me you love me. It would have been a lot better to hear this little confession like, oh, I don't know, when you found out!"

"Sorry," he said, giving her a lopsided grin. She stopped mid-rant.

"You'd better be," she mumbled.

"How about I make it up to you?" he suggested coyly. A soft smile graced her lips.

"Well that depends? What were you planning to do?"

"You mean after I kiss you senseless? Or after the gifts that I plan to shower you with daily?" he answered standing up and pulling her to her feet. She slid into his embrace.

"Well that's a good start, I guess."

His rich laughter filled the room.

"I love you, Usako."

"I love you too, Mamo-chan. Now shut up and kiss me."

He smiled, then leaned down and complied with her wish. After all, how could he refuse?

--

Yay for revised stories! I was editing a different story and there was a you're when there should have been a your and I just about died. How embarrassing. Anyways, on to revise more stories!