Disclaimer: I in no way own anything pertaining to Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi and Toei Animations, none of which I am a part of. Insert clever quick witted statement of wishing to own Sailor Moon Here.

Summary: Usagi knows of her life on the Moon, and she knows who each of her friends are reincarnations of. But no one else knows, and she isn't about to tell them.

Chapter Two:

"Usagi-chan," I swore I could hear my name being called, but that wasn't possible. People can't call your name while you're flying. "Usagi-chan," Damn it, there it is again. "Usagi-chan!" Uh oh, the apparition is getting mad, this is not good.

Next thing I knew, my flight over Juuban came crashing to a halt when I fell like deadweight into the park. Oh how very original. Why does everything happen in the park anyway? "Usagi-chan!" Crap. I swear, one of these days those things out there are gonna get it, if I can ever get my hands on them. Which, would be kinda hard, since I have no idea what those things are. I can't even see them. "Usagi-chan?" Great, now they're worrying about me. They should just get their story straight. Either you want to scare me or cuddle me, you can't have both!

I knew that face. Staring up from my position on the grass I could see the clouds shifting their weight around in the clear blue sky. They began thickening together, causing a blunt picture to form. I could see a jaw outline, the nose pointing off to the side, the hair was being formed-. I knew that hair. "BAKA!" I screeched at the despicable cloud. He always found some way to ruin my fun, didn't he?

"ODANGO ATAMA!" the cloud's voice was ringing in my ears. Funny, I couldn't see its' lips move. Maybe clouds don't need lips to make a sound; everything else was freaky, why not ominous puffs of white floating above my head, taunting me without batting a feathery eyelash. I now had a keen dislike to precipitation. "ODANGO?!"

My head snapped out of the hand it was resting in and swung down to hit the counter hard. 'Damn it, these daydreams are really getting dangerous,' I thought to myself, knowing it was all too true. "Itai," was the only sound my body allowed me to make, and it came out in more of a whimper than anything else. I heard that same boisterous laugh I heard this morning, and knew my life had just gone to hell. 'Baka,' I mentally spat out, the word like poison to my soul. You'd think that I'd have some level of tolerance for my true love, but true love had its limits and he was pushing mine.

I could feel his eyes on the back of my head and I knew I couldn't get away. Whatever I had done to fluster him that morning flew out the window the moment my drool hit the counter, which I suspect was back when I was twirling in the field. "Odango? Need a napkin?" I could hear the amusement ringing in his ears, knowing he'd won. There's just no way that someone could wiggle their way out of this one.

I adjusted my head just the tiniest so I could wipe the leftover saliva from the corner of my mouth before I sat up straight and spun around to face the enemy. And what a good looking enemy it was. His eyes were doused in the same amusement that lined his voice, and I could see the wheels spinning in his head as he tried to calculate my next move. I wish he knew because then I'd have something to go by. 'What do I do now?'

I did the only thing I could think of. I pulled out the pity card, nice and slow. Slowly letting my eyes roll to the back of my head, I fluttered my eyes shut while making sure to catch a glimpse at my target. Hook.

Standing on my feet I tried to regain balance only to sway back and forth in a weary attempt to gain control of my wobbling limbs. Making sure the knees buckled ever so lightly, I let a small moan of confusion exit my lips, adding to the whole package. Line.

Only one thing left to set the tone. I jerked my knees forward in an effort appear completely out of it and made another small whimper, this time one of helplessness and awaiting pain. I was never one to do things half assed, I must say. Tossing my head back and letting it sling over my shoulders I leaned my body forward sure to be caught by awaiting arms. Sinker.

Damn it. That ass decided to float.

I felt my nose hit ceramic and I was not pleased. The whimper I released this time was true, and it really did sound like I was in pain. I didn't dare get up, that would admit defeat. So I lay there, like a little fish on the shore, just waiting for someone to help us out of our troublesome positions and let us swim free again. Mamoru was going to pay for letting me fall, especially when he gets his memories back.

Princess or not, you do not let a girl take the fall, even if it was you who pushed her over the cliff, you dive in after her, damn it! He doesn't have to remember wearing armour to cushion the fall for a poor little lady like me! This. Meant. War.

Finally, I felt his strong hands swoop around my back to latch onto my stomach, pulling me up far enough to switch his hands around and pick me up bridal style. 'Well it's about time, you ass.' I was beginning to think that he really was an asshole, memories or not. If he's a mean person, then he'll pay for being nice to me back in the Silver Millennium. Well, no, not for being nice, but for lying about being nice! Oi, I was beginning to get a headache, and not just from my cranium banging against a hard surface for the second time in as many minutes.

My back hit cushion and I immediately felt better. I know I was supposed to be unconscious, but I could still hear everything they were saying. Correction, everything the boys were saying. My senshi were nowhere in sight, er, hearing range. I didn't even hear their voices trying to call me. It had been Motoki.

'Alright, where are they? They might not know I'm their princess, but I'm their friend and their leader, they couldn't have just left me on the stool to die, right? Well, Rei-chan's a different story. Mars never did have much patience for me.'

And that's when the heavens opened up. They began to call my name, chanting it as the lights got whiter and brighter. I could picture the smiling faces of all my friends and my Mamo-chan (mental note: remember cute nickname), welcoming me back into their lives. Oh this was pure bliss. This, oh my, I can't even think of the words to describe it. It was, it was.

It was freaking awesome.

And that's when it hit me. The pond dunked on top of me was none too refreshing. My eyes flew open only to see Mamoru's smirking face. Not a drop of pity or remorse on it. 'Well I'll be damned.' Held in his hand was a now empty bucket that I knew held the raggedy mop, water dripping from the lip. There didn't seem to be any gates leading to the after-after life around, so I realized I must have hit my head harder than I thought. If I wasn't going to heaven, I was about to break loose all hell.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? I banged my head twice back there and you never seemed to flinch! I could've gotten a concussion! Did you ever think of that? Ooh you make me so mad sometimes. You know I could have seriously hurt myself just now, and I know you know that, Mr. Med Student. God Endy, sometimes you just don't think!" I ended my rant, lungs heaving for air while my eyes were struck onto my target. The target that kept getting harder to hit.

He looked at me like I was his mother scolding him for feeding his vegetables to the dog or something. Eyes rolling in an attempt to make me feel stupid and dramatic. His eyes always were expressive and it seemed to do the trick. His eyes swung back in my direction, locking on. They squinted like he was trying real hard to count up to six on one hand and his head tilted to the side, studying my face all the while. He looked adorable.

"Who's Endy?"

He looked like a brat. His arms were folded over his chest and he was leaning forward slightly, making me feel weak and inferior. "Endy?" I gulped. Then I realized my mistake. 'For the love of Selene, Usagi, did you have to call the man by his name from the past life? What ever happened to Mamo-chan?' 'Endy, Endy … Endy Lord said, 'You shall repent for your sins.'"

Alright, weak material, I know. But what would you have done?

'Oh no. Ohhhh no.' I could see it coming a mile away, and was just waiting for the dam to break. I wasn't disappointed.

He doubled over like he had just gotten the wind knocked out of him, blocking his face from my sight, but I knew I wouldn't like it anyway. His legs wobbled on unstable feet, sending him crashing onto the floor as I had done just minutes before, but he was enjoying his trip. The laughter went from deep and sensual to high pitched wails, back and forth as he'd be left gasping for air.

I sat back down on the sofa, bringing my knees up to my chin and laying my head upon them, my arms wrapped around my legs to secure them in place. I could feel the tears that were welling up in my eyes, and I couldn't help it. Hopefully he wouldn't notice them since I was drenched in pine sol scented water anyway. It didn't feel any more comforting than if I had mascara stains running down my cheeks, I knew he'd find out. I couldn't stop them, it just hurt too much. This man was the man I was in love with. My mother had died to keep us together, entire kingdoms had fallen because of our love, and my friends will never get to see their families ever again, even when their memories are returned. The existence of the Silver Millennium fell at our feet and we let it crumble.

Why? So we could be reincarnated as two people who hate each other? Well, I don't hate him anymore, how could I? I had a crush on him when I was empty Usagi, and I had a thing for Tuxedo Kamen, but for them to be the same person and my lover from another life? I couldn't hold it in any longer.

My soft sighs of heartache became heaving, trembling sobs of anguish and guilt, taking over my system in a one sided fight. This is what everyone died for? A stupid nickname and hurtful games against one another? Hadn't Pluto seen this somehow? Why didn't she put a stop to this before Beryl ever happened? Why hadn't my mother given my Endymion his memories back? Why was I the only one who had all the answers and was the reason for all the questions? Why was nothing working out like they should have?

If I had bothered to look down at my soul mate, I would have seen a man in pain. He had just as much hurt and guilt in his eyes, but he hadn't the reasons why. He didn't know what set off my tears, but he knew he was involved somehow. Everyone knew I was a cry-baby. But that was over stupid things. I couldn't afford a milkshake, or someone had beaten my high score on the Sailor V game, not resting the lives of those all over the universe on my shoulders. The universe that came crashing down because I just had to break the rules and find my 'one true love'. Look where that one true love is now.

Crouched on the floor next to a pale that he used to throw water onto his lover, to cause her embarrassment, to get back at her for something she didn't understand. I hadn't started a fight between us since I regained my memories. But I couldn't just let it go, because if I did then that would give him more chances to make fun of me, coming to the conclusion that I was a wimpy little girl who couldn't handle an adult conversation nor whose mind could contain a single mature thought. I'd be seen as a waste of space with a bad hairstyle and I knew it. All I was trying to do was appear strong and confident, and maybe, just maybe get some of his respect for having a backbone. Instead, I got this. A lover who had become a fighter by choice.

I wanted to tell him of our past so bad, just to let him know how much I care about him. Maybe, he'll think I only love him because I loved him in a past life. Because I don't love this Mamoru, I can't. He is only half the man that he's supposed to be. A part of him is missing, and I can't fill the void, as hard as I may try I can't do it. He has to become whole again before we can be together. We can't be each others' other halves. And so I have no other option than to wait. And continue waiting is what I've done for the past months on end, and it's really getting hard to keep up the charade.

Sometimes I wonder if none of them will retrieve their memories, if I were the only one to remember, and I don't know if I could do it. My friends won't remember the times we had together, how strong our bond was. My guardians will continue to think of me as a failure because of my klutziness and lack of brains, even though I know it's not true. Even if they find out I'm their princess, they'll still see me as Usagi the Odango Atama who was a powerful person, in a past life, and is now a smaller version of that power. They won't remember that it takes time to harness my powers, and at fourteen I do not have full control, though I am extremely powerful.

But worst of all, is that my Mamo-chan, my Endy, my hero in a tuxedo, Tuxedo Kamen, will never be able to love me. It's impossible to love someone when you aren't even sure of whom you are, I know that. I cannot make this man love me if things don't change.

Then I felt a hand place itself on my shoulder ever so lightly, like the owner was afraid they'd break me if they held me too hard. Looking up, I saw the only person I wanted to see. My Mamo-chan. He stuck a box of tissues in front of my face causing me to jolt backwards to avoid getting poked in the eye.

"Gomen, Usagi-chan." He apologized to me in a soft voice that was just above a whisper. "I didn't think you'd get so upset," Okay, an apology is a good sign. I showed my gratitude my turning my lips upward in a weak smile, but I knew my eyes expressed my thankfulness and I saw his reflect the same emotion. 'He was worried that I wouldn't forgive him. Why would he think that? I always forgive people, it's my forte.'

"Arigato Mamoru-baka," I giggled, causing the baka to present itself as a term of endearment. From the frown on his face I could tell I hadn't gotten my message across. "Gomen. Mamoru-san," I greeted him, hoping that this time he'd realize I wasn't mad at him. It worked; I had turned that frown upside down. "I was just a little dazed from when I fainted, and that wasn't the most pleasant way to be greeted after such an event. My brain's still a little frazzled, I overreacted. Please accept my apologies, Mamoru-san." I pleaded with him in the most sincere tone possible.

His eyes widened in astonishment. 'Crap, smart talk.' I hurried to fix my mistake; it still was too early for any of them to know! "I-I mean, gomen Mamoru-baka. I'm such a space cadet," Bad cover, I know, and I bet the nervous laughter and doubt in my eyes at the end really made it seem convincing.

He relaxed his face and did another thing I didn't know he'd learned to do. He gave me a warm, heartfelt smile. There was a small touch of sympathy in his eyes, but I couldn't quite tell why. "Usagi-chan, why do you feel you have to lie to me?" Okay, this man was giving me the heeby jeebies. How did he know I was lying, I wasn't lying. I was pretending to be something I'm not, but I was before. Totally not a lie.

"What do you mean baka? I told you I was out of it, no lie there," I had hoped that my harsh tone of voice had convinced him of my statement. But the look of compassion and warmth never wavered from his face, and I knew I hadn't.

"You're pretending to be someone you're not, Odango," he said my nickname with a tone of sarcasm and question, and I knew he didn't think of me as Odango Atama anymore, "You shouldn't feel like you have to play dumb if you're not. And from the way you apologized back there, the fact that you apologized to me of all people proves it. Why are you lying Usagi-chan?"

He had me, and we both knew it. At least I finally had someone I could be my true self with. Minus that fact I'm a princess from the Moon, but that'll come out later. For now, I was content with some intellectual stimulation. I let out a sigh of exasperation and tried to put into words how I felt. "Fine, fine. You got me. Truth is, I'm not an airhead. I'm not a klutz and my stomach kills from drinking all those milkshakes. I haven't been a ditz in months, but I haven't had the heart, or courage, to tell anyone. I just went through a change a while back, and I grew up. Rather quickly, I might add. But I can't show my friends and family," I threw him a sideways glance to see how he was doing, and his face was the poster picture for content and understanding. Maybe I could learn to love this half man after all, "or my baka." At this we both laughed, breaking the tension the situation had created. "Everyone would be asking me questions, thinking I was delirious from a fever, or I was taken over by aliens, which isn't all that unlikely seeing what's been going around Juuban as of late." His face froze for a split second and I had to hold in a giggle at his protection of his alter ego, when I knew all along whom he was. "The fact of the matter is, nobody's ready to see me for who I truly am, and who am I to squash their dreams, ne? I'm still Usagi, don't ever doubt that, but I'm just a revamped version. New and improved." I paused and tilted my head to the side, "Well, not completely improved, I can still sleep through a train wreck and I don't plan on changing that anytime soon." I stated with a serious tone of voice and looked him straight in the eye. He gave out a little laugh, knowing I wasn't being a ditz, but I can be sarcastic and witty. 'Thank gods, I didn't know what I'd do if he thought I was faking all this.' "So, in summary, I guess you could say I'm like you, only miniature." At this statement he blushed a dark crimson, but I couldn't think of why.

He leaned back into the couch where he had taken a seat during the middle of my explanation, releasing a sigh of, a sigh of something I couldn't quite figure out. He turned to look into my eyes and they were full of amusement, but not in a taunting fashion that I had become accustomed to, he was impressed. "Well Usagi-chan, I must say. You managed to scare the crap outta me," he chuckled. At first I felt insulted, he was calling me stupid! But then I thought about it some more, and he was giving me a compliment. I was smarter than he thought possible and was accepting of the fact. "Only thing I don't understand is why you wouldn't tell people. Especially those close to you. After they'd toss a few jokes at you, they'd realize you were serious, that this is who you are. How could you think that they wouldn't accept the new you? Not that there was anything wrong with the old Usagi, don't get me wrong, but change doesn't always have to be a bad thing, ne?"

A gracious smile fought its way onto my lips, admiring this man more than anyone in the world. "I agree, change isn't a bad thing most of the time, unlike now. I have no problem with who I am; I accept my metamorphosis as much as I accepted my carefree dimwitted era. But I am not yet ready to explain to them how or why my change has been so drastic in such a short amount of time. I know they'll ask questions and won't stop until they get answers. I don't have all of the answers as of yet, and those I do know I am not ready to come forth with. My only choice is to wait until they themselves are ready. It isn't so bad, Mamoru-san. I've come to look forward to my time alone, gives me a chance to think things through. Solitude has become my sanctuary, the only place I can express my true self, and that will have to do for now. I get to read a lot, which is nice. Though I still have to catch up on my manga, wouldn't do the girls any good to know I was slacking off on what used to be my will to live. No, I'm just fine, as you can plainly see."

His smile shrunk back a little, conforming to the look of confusion on his face. 'Didn't I explain myself well enough?' "No Usagi-chan, you aren't doing fine. I know you weren't crying because I only threw water on you. Was it because of your secret? You can't keep it to yourself forever, you know. One of these days you'll have to tell them, whether they seem ready or not. As for solitude, it's no one's sanctuary. You need to have someone you can talk to about these things. And what's with the daydreams? They were never this bad, even I know that." His cause for concern warmed my heart. He was worried about me, he accepted that this is who I was and he was willing to help.

I could only tell him the truth; I couldn't hold it back from him any longer. "Hai, Mamoru-san. I was upset, and partially ashamed, because of my secret. It becomes so hard to carry after some time, and becomes a burden. It keeps getting harder to conceal, and I guess I just kind of lost it back there. As for the daydreams, I am aware that they've become more troublesome. It seems to have become a side effect, I guess you could say. They occur more often, are longer, more outlandish and it's harder than ever to drop out of them. I don't really understand why, but there must be a reason. It's terrible in school. I am smarter, I know that, but I don't really see the point in schooling. It won't have much use for me. Besides, if I were to shape up in my studies, then that would lead to suspicion, which is what I'm trying to avoid."

"Why do you feel like you don't need an education? Everyone needs an education, Usagi-chan, no matter how bright they may be," I knew he had a point, but I didn't appreciate the scolding tone of his message. I thought I had made it clear that I was not a child. At least, I did not think like a child.

'Since I'm your alter ego's love interest, Sailor Moon, who saves the world night after night, I think I can have a little slack in my studies here or there, ne? Perfect Usagi, just tell him your secret, the one that could destroy the universe, brilliant idea. Oh crap, I have to talk to Pluto! What if Mamoru knowing my half secret affects the time line somehow? Nice going, Odango.' "I can't really explain it to you, Mamoru-san. It ties into the whole ordeal, and I told you that I can't and won't answer questions that are asked. I would tell you if I had the choice, I truly, honestly would. But it isn't my decision to make, and you'll just have to trust me on that." Hopefully that'll tie him over.

He took in a deep breath and slowly released it before responding. "Okay, Usagi-chan. I won't make you tell me if you feel like you can't, but I am curious, you know that." I nodded my head, allowing him to continue. "I, oh god, this is going to sound really awkward, I know, but, did you want to hang out sometime, maybe?" His voice was full of hope and uncertainty, like he was nervous. My eyes widened and I turned away, hoping he wouldn't catch the flush that spread across my cheeks. "I-I, listen. I know we don't know that much about the other, but I do trust you and know you're a good person, and I'd like to get to know you better. We'd just be friends, no strings attached, deal?"

My head shot up when he uttered the words 'friends'. 'Friends? Is that all he wants from me? After I showed him who I really am, he still doesn't feel anything for me?' My heart dropped in my chest before hitting the ground, shattering into tiny pieces. But I couldn't let him know that. If he saw me as another girl with a silly crush on him then he may not want to be friends. If it was all I could get then I would gladly accept the offer. I plastered a fake smile on my face that didn't reach my eyes and nodded slowly, after which breaking eye contact. "Hai, Mamoru-san. I'd like that. I could use someone I can talk to, about, this."

In the corner of my eyes I could see him smiling. 'Well I'm glad he's happy.' Even my inner voice was getting to be grouchy and sarcastic. Oi. "Great. How about I meet you here tomorrow after school? We could go somewhere and talk, since I know you're dying to talk to someone," he nudged my arm with his elbow, the friendliest physical contact there was. This was going to be torture; I could smell it in the air. 'Wait, tomorrow, that's when the senshi meeting is! Great Usagi, finally get him to invite you out only to decline. Smart girl, you are!'

I started to rub the back of my neck and tried to think of the best way to say this, "Um, tomorrow, tomorrow isn't that great. I have this, thing, I have to do with the girls after school, and I swore I'd do it, so, I can't not, do, um, it." I replied sheepishly, switching from his eyes to a small woolly on the collar of his shirt. Once I settled back on his face I saw his disappointment and embarrassment. "No! I mean, uh, I really, really would like to go with you, but I can't back out of this, they're counting on me. Could we maybe do it, say, Wednesday afternoon? I don't think I made any plans with the girls that day," Inside I was begging for him to accept. I didn't want to lose my chance at a civil relationship with the man.

His face welcomed back the warm smile I desired so much and relief flooded my system. "That's fine, Usagi-chan. Wednesday it is. Did you, uh, still want me to call you Odango? Well, I know you don't want me to, but just so that it won't cause any suspicion, I guess. Though, us hanging out will be enough to give Hino-san a heart attack," he muttered the last part to himself. Rei had a crush on him, everybody knew that. Most of the female population in Juuban had a crush on him, which made me nauseous. He's never taken up on their offers, but that doesn't mean he never will. I was so caught up in my jealousy that I forgot he was asking if I wanted people to know about us or not. It took him shaking me by the shoulders a little and repeating the question for me to realize just how sad he looked when asking it. My heart broke all over again. I wasn't ashamed at all to be seen with him. How could he think such a thing? Normally he has people standing in line to be his friend, or more. There came that jealousy again. But before the green could completely cloud my vision I answered his question.

"Mamoru-san! I would never be ashamed to be seen with you. And don't try to act like that's not what you're asking cause I can see it in your eyes." I scolded him before he had a chance to deny my claim. "Everyone's always telling me to treat you nicely anyway, might as well give them what they ask for. And I know Motoki's been telling you the same thing. It's Motoki. The man would try to reason with Hitler. You can call me Odango if you want, up to you, it really doesn't make a difference to me, now that I know it isn't degrading." But before I could go any further he clamped my hand in his, resulting in me staring into those blue orbs swarming with guilt.

"Usagi-chan, Odango, hell, Usako for crying out loud, I never meant for you to feel like I was trying to degrade you. I was just teasing you, I didn't think you actually cared about it." His sputtered it out so fast that I almost didn't catch his calling me 'Usako', but I did. A little broom and dust bin popped into my mind and began to sweep up the shards of my broken heart and then brought it back up to its resting place, in perfect condition.

"Relax, it's okay. It was just annoying at first, but it hurt a little after I changed because I thought you were still seeing me as that cry-baby, even though that was what I was trying to do. It's okay, no harm done," I gave him a smile and rubbed my thumb along his hand to reassure him of my statement and was rewarded with his smile. "Like I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted," I joked, seeing him chuckle a little, "whatever you call me is fine." I paused to work up the courage for my next stunt. "Yes, even Usako." I stared into his eyes nonchalantly to see his reaction. They widened at first, then he began to smile sheepishly and a tinge of pink rose to his cheeks, making him look like the little boy who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "I don't see why we can't be friends and have to hide it. This way, it isn't just me who's suddenly crazy. Is that okay with you?" I was trying to hide my disappointment when I called us friends. I had never hated a word so much before in either of my lives. But if that's what I had to do, then I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I could see him studying me for a few brief seconds, a whole collection of emotions displaying themselves on his face only to be thrown off and replaced by a new one. I didn't have enough time to process any of them except for the last one. Determination.

He closed his eyes as he shook his head, causing my stomach to flutter. 'He doesn't want to be friends? This can go one of two ways, and please gods let it be the one I've been praying for.' He ceased all movement in his body and opened his eyes. "No." Before I could question his motives, before I could think up a response, he leaned in and a Rosette's song played in my head.

And then he kissed me.