-Japanese word lesson: Senpai means upperclassman.-

September 21st, 1991 – Tsukino Residence

"Good morning, mother!" Usagi said cheerfully as she ran into the dining room and took her seat at the table. "What's for breakfast?"

"Usagi, its one o'clock in the afternoon." Ikuko Tsukino said to her daughter as she pointed to the clock on the wall.

Usagi stared at her mother blankly.

"Breakfast was served at nine o'clock this morning." Ikuko said after a couple of minutes of silence had passed.

"What do you mean?" Usagi asked.

"Oh, Usagi." Ikuko sighed. "What I mean is there's no breakfast for you."

Usagi's eyes glassed over and her lower lip trembled slightly as she whispered "You mean you didn't even save me any?"

"No. If you want to eat then you'd better drag your rear out of bed because we're not going to put our lives on hold for your laziness." Ikuko said firmly as she stamped down on the guilt she felt at the look on her dramatic daughter's face.

"It's not laziness, mother. You have no idea the pressure's I'm under with school and everything. You could've at least saved me something." Usagi cried out as the tears spilled over her lower lids and streaked down her cheeks.

"Of course I do. I was fourteen once too you know. Now dry your eyes and you can help me make lunch." Ikuko relented.

'Lunch' was the magic word and immediately Usagi was back to her normal cheerful self again.

Luna watched the scene from around the corner and shook her head in amazement. How on Earth she had managed to get saddled with this girl was beyond her. She was to train her to be a sailor soldier who'd be putting her life on the line for the world and she was getting emotional over food.

"What did I do to deserve this?" She asked herself as she turned and headed back upstairs to Usagi's room.

Slipping out through the window, she cautiously made her way down to the ground, and then took off racing down the sidewalk. She just had to find the other soldiers somehow and fast because if she didn't, she feared Earth was doomed.

--

Usagi walked in her room, shut the door, and leaned against it with a contented sigh. Lunch had never tasted so good before and her taste buds and stomach were very pleased with her. Then, remembering why she'd come in here, she pushed herself off the door and walked over to her closet. She was going to meet Motoki in two hours and she had to start getting ready. After an hour of trying on clothes her bedroom looked like a wind storm had swept through it. She'd finally decided on a white, pleated mini-skirt and a petal pink, fuzzy, long-sleeved sweater. She slipped on white socks and her tan one inch pumps to give her little more height. She decided to leave her throat bare of any jewelry but opted for five golden bangle bracelets and small golden hoop earrings. Looking at her reflection, she decided a different hairstyle was in order for today, so she pulled it free of the buns. After combing it out she parted it on the top-right side of her head and pulled that mass of hair back with a pink barrette. She was just applying her favorite strawberry lip gloss when Luna returned through the window.

"U-usagi?" Luna asked in surprise.

"If it wasn't, then you'd be in big trouble since cats aren't supposed to be able to talk." Usagi said, smiling at Luna through the reflection.

"Well, you look very nice today. What's the occasion?" The little cat asked as she settled back on her haunches on Usagi's bed.

"I have a date with Motoki-sama." Usagi declared proudly.

"A-a date?!" Luna stammered. "Usagi, we don't have time for this kind of fiddle faddle. The enemy is growing stronger every day and they want to take over the Earth."

"Hey even the gods take a break from work once in a while. I'm only fourteen so you can't just expect me to drop everything to fight for you." Usagi defended with a glare directed at the moon cat.

"I'm aware that you're a far cry from a god but I'm not expecting you to drop everything. Haven't I helped you with your homework?" Luna queried.

"Yes." Usagi grumbled.

"I just expect you to drop the things that aren't important to the mission or you growing up into a smart, respectable young lady." Luna said.

"Well for your information, dating is part of growing up into that lady. Besides, the enemy's got to have its days off too." Usagi said as she slipped the lip gloss in a small white purse with a long strap.

"How about dating your senpai? I understand that cat years are different from human but still, isn't he a bit old for you?" Luna pointed out.

"Oh! Not you too!" Usagi growled as she grabbed her purse and ran out of the room.

September 21, 1991 – Crown Game Center

"I'm just keeping Motoki-sama company while he waits for his date." Mamoru thought with a grimace. "No, not date. His friend…Odango Atama."

Motoki was leaning up against the wall with his arms crossed behind his head to pillow it. He wore a pair of faded blue jeans and pale yellow, button up, short-sleeved shirt with his brown, worn, leather belt and white tennis shoes. He looked like he was going to class rather than a date.

"It's not a date." Mamoru reminded himself.

"Well she's late." Mamoru said as he glanced at the clock that read 4:10.

"Nah, this isn't late for her." Motoki said with a grin.

They waited in silence for another ten minutes and every minute that went by, Mamoru felt like his stomach was twisting up just a little bit more.

"Sorry I'm late." Usagi exclaimed as she ran through the door and stopped to catch her breath. "Lu-…um, a friend dropped by for an unexpected visit and kept me."

Mamoru felt his chest tighten at the sight of Usagi and out of his peripheral he could see that Motoki appeared to share his sentiments. She looked good. Really good. She looked a couple of years older. Mamoru shook his head as he reminded himself that she was only fourteen.

"U-usagi-chan, you look really pretty." Motoki said after he managed to recover from the jaw on the floor astonishment.

"Thank you. You look very pretty too. Um…I mean nice." Usagi said as she blushed and stared at her shoes.

"Well you may look nice but you're still an Odango Atama." Mamoru teased when he was sure he could speak normally.

"Hey! What did I say about that?" Usagi said with a slightly raised voice and the glare of daggers directed at him.

Mamoru caught the punch she'd aimed for his arm in her retaliation and suddenly the Crown Game Center was gone to be replaced with the crystal lake he'd gotten a flash of from the previous week. The water reflected the full moon and glittered when the breeze danced on the surface. The moon beams themselves grew more in volume and light as something sparkled in the midst of them and began to take form out over the middle of the lake. Mamoru walked ankle-deep into the water and strained to see what was happening in the center. Suddenly the scene was gone and he was staring into Usagi's deep blue eyes that stared back at him in annoyance with a hint of confusion. Realizing he'd spaced out and was still holding her small fist in his hand he blushed in embarrassment and released her with a muttered apology.

"Are you okay?" Motoki asked him.

"Yeah, I um…suddenly had a wave of drowsiness hit me. I think I'm going to go home and take a nap." Mamoru answered.

"Okay, I'll see you in class tomorrow." Motoki said as he clapped his friend on the back as Mamoru headed out.

September 21, 1991 – Hanae's Exotic Bean

Usagi inhaled the nearly tangible aromas when she walked into the quaint shop and then catching herself, she moved forward so that Motoki could enter as well. He'd helped her into and out of his old green sports car and held the door for her. Usagi felt she could get used to this kind of pampering. A very attractive waiter with red spiked hair and forest green eyes escorted them to their table over by the stage and gave them their menus and ice water. Usagi thanked him and dove into the desserts section of her menu as Motoki ordered the special for himself and her. When prompted by, Kaemon, as the waiter had introduced himself as, Usagi ordered the dulce de leche cheese cake and Motoki ordered the tiramisu and handed over the coupons. When Kaemon left, Usagi snuggled back into the plush leather booth and smiled in contentment.

"So what do you think of this place?" Motoki asked her.

"I think if the food tastes even half as good as it smells, I might consider trading out the Crown Game Center for this place."

"I think I almost agree with you. I wonder what the pay is here." He commented as he observed the workers.

"Well you'd definitely fit in." She said shyly as she observed him.

"Thanks." Motoki said, turning back to her. "It is tempting but I think I'd start to miss racing you."

Usagi blushed and tucked her hands in her lap.

"So what friend dropped by?" He asked out of curiosity. "I mean if you don't mind. I don't want to pry."

"Um…well…my cat. She's very demanding about having my attention sometimes."

Motoki chuckled at that.

"Sounds like a high maintenance pet." He said.

"Tell me about it. Do you like animals?"

"Yeah but my landlord won't let me keep any at my apartment." He said. "Oh that was fast."

Usagi looked over to see Kaemon returning with a tray balanced precariously in one hand over his head and she gulped as he swept it down to their eye level when he reached their table. She could never ever do that without spilling anything to save her life.

"Two mugs of the special dark coffee, one tiramisu for the gentleman, and one dulce de leche for the lady." He said as he presented the food to them with flourish. "Enjoy."

Motoki lifted his mug and held it up, halfway across the table and said "A toast, to freedom."

Usagi grabbed hers and clinked it to his and said "Here, here."

She took a big gulp of it and Motoki nearly lost his at the screwed up expression on her face. She bravely gulped it down and then took a long swig of her ice water.

"HOT!" She whimpered as she waved her hand frantically at her mouth.

"You're not supposed to drink so much at once." Motoki said. "Is this your first time drinking coffee?"

"Yes." She answered, still fanning herself.

"Well how did it taste?"

"Taste? It's supposed to taste like something?" She asked as she picked the mug back up and stared at it suspiciously.

"Yeah, it's supposed to taste like…well…coffee. I guess it was too hot and too much for you to taste it."

Usagi cautiously took a tiny sip and the expression returned.

"It's too bitter." She said after she washed it down with another drink of water.

"Nah, I think it's just right. Though, plenty of people take theirs with cream and sugar." He said as he took another gulp and indicated to the small jug of cream and bowl of sugar cubes on the table.

Usagi grabbed the jug, carefully poured the cream in, and watched in amazement at the swirling variations of brown until it took on a light tan shade. Then she grabbed the tongs and dropped a sugar cube in the mug. After stirring thoroughly she tasted it again and Motoki could see it still didn't meet her expectations.

"I'm not going to use any sugar so feel free to take as much as you want." He said, trying to suppress a laugh at her expression.

Usagi picked up the bowl of sugar cubes and proceeded to dump the entire thing in the mug with a small splash. Motoki handed her a napkin to wipe up the droplets on the table and just shook his head in amazement.

"You are going to be wired for the next week." He said.

Usagi took another sip and sighed in contentment.

"Much better." She said. "The desserts aren't going to be bitter too are they?"

"No. Although mine does have coffee in it. You want to try a bite?"

She nodded in reply so he scooped up a spoonful, making sure he got all the layers, and held it out to her. Usagi happily accepted the treat while Motoki blushed because he'd meant for her to take the spoon. It was very obvious that the dessert received a ten from Usagi as she savored the flavor before turning to her own.

"Do you want to try my dull-say duh something?" She asked, already cutting him a piece.

"Dulce de leche." He corrected. "Sure."

Usagi held out the fork expectantly and he accepted her feeding him the bite so as not to make her feel uncomfortable.

"It's good." He said.

Usagi quickly agreed with him once she tried it for herself.

--

Luna had followed her charge to the shop, unbeknown to them, feeling that she should watch out for the gullible girl in case her date tried to take advantage of her. She shook her head and made a mental note to make herself scarce when the caffeine-sugar rush hit Usagi. Suddenly she got prickling sensation that had her back arching and her tail puffing out and she looked around for the source. Across the room in a corner sat a figure shrouded in darkness that seemed to be watching Motoki with interest. It stood up and walked into the kitchen while keeping in the shadows. Luna followed his lead and watched him enter a pantry and go through a door in the back. Luna cautiously padded down a dark stairway after him and peered around the corner. The room appeared to be a large concrete basement with a single light bulb in the center that was on. She caught her gasp before she could alert anyone to her presence as she stared in horror in the room. There were probably twenty or so people just piled up in one corner that could've been dead for all she knew. The figure stood by them talking to an amazingly beautiful woman with snow white hair.

"He's here and he brought a date. It may be Sailor Moon but she seems a bit too old though." He said to the woman.

"Even if it's not her we can still use him to lure her in. We women can be a very jealous type and if he's on a date with someone else she's sure to be nearby." She said with a sly grin.

"Then I think it's time for your performance, Shimotenma." He said and then gestured to the people. "Besides these are almost out of energy anyway."

"I think you're right, Jadeite. That coffee of yours really was ingenious." Shimotenma purred.

"How? Out of all the people in Tokyo? How can they know of her feelings toward that man?" Luna thought as she raced back up the stairs to warn Usagi.

--

Motoki and Usagi were just finishing up their dessert when the lights went out to be replaced by a red spot light on the stage that highlighted the beautiful Shimotenma. Another red spot light was directed at them as she looked back over her shoulder into Motoki's eyes, capturing his full attention in her sad expression.