I just now noticed that this is my thirtieth story! Oh my gosh! I know that's nothing compared to some other writers but it means so much to me that I kept writing this long & I come back to my favorite fandom. I've been doing this since high school & now I'm a married mama! My how things have changed from 11 years ago!

Without further ado, here is chapter two! Hey that rhymes...

SM~SM~SM

Chapter 2: Midnight thoughts

Usagi sighed as she hugged her bunny pillow tightly to her chest. Looking out the window at the new moon, her true home as it glowed brightly in the chilly spring night, unaffected by the drizzling rain. Nights like this should be spent cuddling up to the one you love, reminiscing & talking about the future, but she had no one to do that with anymore.

After the final battle with Queen Beryl a few months ago, Usagi managed to revive her friends & get Mamoru back to Tokyo but when it came time to get the team back together, nothing could be done to bring back his memories. Luna said because he wasn't a sailor scout, she could not unlock his memories. Everything they shared, getting together in the present time & the memories of their past life are gone once again. Presumably forever!

For a while, Usagi tried to tell Mamoru about their relationship with stories, recreating how they met in Tokyo & even drew him pictures (as a last, desperate attempt at visual recognition) but even that didn't persuade him. Now this new snarky girl was moving in on him. It seems like Mamoru will date Anne Granger, a transfer student in Usagi's class.

Soon after the Cardians began appearing, Usagi thought for sure something would awaken Mamoru's subconscious, Tuxedo Mask, but he never came back. A new, mysterious figure manifested in his place! He called himself the Moonlight Knight. This guy had a deep, soothing voice, much like Tuxedo Mask but he wore a white, Arabian like outfit with a scimitar & threw white roses. Usagi has all of her past life memories & can't recall any such "knight" in her kingdom or her friends. Thinking about him made Usagi feel horrible. It doesn't matter if Mamoru can't remember their relationship, to her, it was still going on & thinking about another man is wrong! Besides, he couldn't love her the way her prince does...or did. Could he?

Letting out a small, pain tinged whine, Usagi turned on the radio next to the bed hoping to get an escape from her thoughts. She always listened to music before bed because quiet, dark rooms would scare her as a child. This was also around the time her mother opened the curtains at night to let the moonlight in. Seeing the bright moonbeams for the first time as a child brought great comfort to her, but she never could explain why...until she met Luna of course & found out who she really was.

I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you, that look in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
And I know it's true that visions are seldom what they seem
But if I know you, I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream

But if I know you, I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once
The way you did once upon a dream

The song was working its magic & soon the feeling of sleep was coming over her. Looking at the clock with heavy eyes, she noticed it was a quarter past midnight but it was fine. Today is Saturday anyway. Aside from meeting up with the girls when Ami is done with cram school, she had nothing major to do, so she could sleep in. Usagi pulled back the covers & laid down on the mattress & pillows face first, taking in the coolness of the turned down bed.

Just as she was about to nod out, she heard the fluttering sound of sheets? No...not sheets, a cape! She sprung up from the bed & almost yelled out but remembering the lateness of the hour, she covered her mouth, threw open the window & anxiously looked out side.

"Tuxedo Mask?!", she called out softly, hoping for an answer as she scanned the yard & empty sidewalk.

Looking up at a tree, she saw the man in a white cloaked outfit from previous encounters holding a white rose. He looked at her expectantly & the corners of his eyes narrowed slightly. She could tell he was smiling underneath his mask.

"You look lovely tonight, my princess", the Moonlight Knight said softly, his voice echoing.

Without a second thought, Usagi quietly downstairs, threw on her outside slippers & was under the tree in just over a minute. Looking up, Usagi peered through the branches to look at him, but he was gone.

Or so she thought. A warmth covered her head & back, it was a strange yet familiar feeling. Spinning around, she was chest to chest with the Moonlight Knight, sans the cape, which he used to shield her from the rain & chill of the wet evening.

"You shouldn't be outside now. I didn't mean to wake you. I sometimes...I like to watch you sleep in the moonlight", Moonlight Knight said as the tips of his cheeks reddened slightly.

"No it's fine! I mean...who are you? You know me...you know about me & now I see you know who I truly am but I don't know you. I was with Prince Endymion...Mamoru, who is my protector as Tuxedo Mask, but he's abandoned me", Usagi rambled, feeling a fresh wave of hurt wash over her, then she felt bad for dumping this all over Moonlight Knight. It wasn't his fault after all. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound ungrateful for your help. I'm just so confused", Usagi finished.

The Moonlight Knight nodded slowly as if he were expecting this response. "If I had but world enough & time, I would tell you your heart's desire, but at this time, I must remain silent. Know that my devotion to you is as true & real as this flower & so long as I am needed, I will be by your side", he told her as he pressed the white blooming rose into her left hand.

"But why haven't I seen you before?! Can you at least tell me that much?", Usagi asked, grabbing at his arm with her free hand & gasping at the feeling of warm flesh under the fabric. 'So he is real! He's disappeared so many times, I thought he was an illusion'.

Moonlight Knight gently took her hand off his arm & wove his fingers between hers. "There is much to be told, yes, but for now please just take comfort in my being here & let things be. I will answer your questions in due time."

Seeing that she was fighting a losing battle, Usagi slowly nodded & hung her head. She could tell he wasn't lying but it still hurt to be stuck in the same position that she was 10 minutes ago. Then she felt a hand under her chin & she was looking onto Moonlight Knight's deep piercing blue eyes. Her breath stopped as she felt him lean down & kiss her through his mask. Even with the thin barrier, she felt his warm, soft lips & the emotion behind them. Her eyes drifted shut at this comforting closeness & she couldn't help but notice she wasn't fighting. It wasn't Mamoru but she didn't want to stop kissing him.

Almost as quickly as it began, she felt Moonlight Knight pull away & his hand left hers. When Usagi opened her eyes, she was alone in her front yard under the tree. The rain was falling harder, almost taunting her saying she was alone again. It felt like a dream & she was just cruelly snapped awake. Turning around to go back inside, she felt something brush & tickle her ankles. Looking down at herself, she could see she was wrapped in a long white cloak that was getting weighed down by the rain.