Maeko11: there are a lot of things only Usagi would end up in. besides in one of the never been released on t.v. in America, during the first season before mercury arrives, she and Luna went into a hopping club where she was dressed looking kind of 'prostitutey', so dance area, yeah it's a Usagi thing. Lol! As for her moves, they'll all see it at some point later on.

Mzmiami: good plan indeed.

Mitsumeteiteyo: thanks!

Guest: I love reading about jealous Mamoru to, its why I enjoy writing him like that.

AimlesslyGera: glad you're enjoying it, not sure how you got the reference like that but hey its fun and joys.

xSapphirexRosesxFanx: a lot of things are his fault, but Usagi will discover she's no innocent to everything either.

regine.c: I wouldn't call writing stories a gift, I think it's just the creativity behind it and the strength to bring the characters to life the right way. That and reading fic's yourself (which I still do to this day), a LOT! I've read probably close to hundreds over the years, believe me, if you've got the idea and the right help if need be behind it nearly anyone can be a writer. However I will admit there are some people out there that just can't write. But that just means they need lots of work, shot I used to be that way, ten or so years ago.

bladerchickoo1: yeah I think he got kinda ripped off a bit during that season. Maybe if we saw more of his angush, how much it hurt to not be with her, it could have added more depth to his character and given the viewers another possible POV. Well more so than what was there. As for the beta reading, we'll look into it. Its kind hard to find one these days that can allow us to update once a week. Plus I'd like for it to be someone who can be familiar with the story. It's why we toss it back and forth about 4-5 times, to try and get everything. If you know of anyone that can beta and allow us to keep updating once a week PM me. I'm glad your enjoying our little fic here.

AlexaTorrez: will do.

Guest: thank you!

LoveInTheBattleField: here's your update.

ENJOY!

Sailor Moon R 'Roses' & Diamonds'

Ch.7

After a long afternoon of a grueling workout of dance steps, Usagi felt more than a little sweaty and very thirsty. Crown Fruits was only a few blocks away, so she headed over. She swaggered into the front doors, with a skip in her step. After her afternoon with Emmie, swapping horror stories about their ex's, bonding over her stumbling attempts at dancing that soon began to resemble something sexy by the end of the day, they had become fast friends, relating to one another so many levels.

Emmie seemed to have been just like her back when she was teenager. Having found her confidence in her passion for dance, the club was hers a venture to expand her market in a new country. She stated she had a whole chain though out the states. Finding such a women who knew who she was, what she wanted and went after it with the same fever as a man had inspired her. She seemed so strong inside and out.

Usagi cast Unazuki a curt wave and smile before slipping into a booth near the windows. School wasn't out yet, so she had time to down a glass of cold green tea before making a hasty retreat back home without hopefully being spotted.

"There's our little delinquent." Mina's voice floated to her full of mirth.

Never mind…

(I groaned. Not again with that name. You skip school one time and you're marked for life, in what society or world is that truly fair? I had good reason, it's not like I skipped school to rob or do drugs. I just simply wasn't even in the right mind frame to attempt to focus. I couldn't, not with the recent events. I needed an outlet for my frustrations, and while the dancing helped relieve some of it, I was still a bit frustrated.)

Casting the blonde approaching her in her own school fuku with the red ascot. A withering glare, before thumping her head against the table in defeat as her three other girlfriends breezed into the parlour behind her. Usagi cast her cute pink watch, with the moon and stars engraved upon the face, a rueful look, realizing that it was running a little slow again. Making a mental note to get it fixed or check in at some point as the girls slipped into the booth surrounding her.

As Unazuki returned with a tall glass of cold tea, Usagi wrapped her hands around it's cool surface, watching the beading of moisture along its contours. Refusing to meet her friends stern looks.

And here come the barrage of questions full of concern and disappointment at my leave today…

"Where have you been?" Mako scolded, tapping her fingers on the table top. While adjusting her dusty green school skirt.

"You had us all worried." Ami commented softly, staring at her with deep concern and a tinge of disapproval in her eyes.

Rei merely leaned back in her grey and black fuku, crossing her arms over her breast glaring at her. Her violet eyes gleaming, fury steaming under her quick breaths as she sought to keep her temper contained. Had she tried missing a day like that grandpa would have been furious with her, though she had a feeling that the blondes mother would make sure her punishment was severe enough.

Mina leaned forward, ducking her head to spy on her friend with a warm smile.

"What happened Usagi-chan?" She inquired, her voice heavy with nothing but concern.

"Remember Pearl Harbour…" they nodded, though wondering what THAT had to do with this was on their minds to, "Bigger…" she explained, "I had a major fight with Mamoru...I just couldn't stand being in school today. It wouldn't have done any good. I am just so sick of him...and his contrary 'don't care' attitude towards me." Usagi huffed, leaning back against the leather booth.

(If he didn't start talking soon about what was really bugging him I was seriously contemplating either A, letting him think Di and I were together, or B, hog tie him down to a chair and use truth serum on him. maybe then he'll talk! I only had three problems with that second one, problem one, tying Mamo – chan down, problem two, getting the serum, and problem three, that faint knowledge that MAYBE, just MAYBE he didn't really love me and Di was right.

But I didn't want that to be the truth. And that's why I was delaying that possible route. Well that and I don't think I could come up with guts to do it. Besides if I was going to get him back, then I had to do it without the girls help. That would require help, and lots of it from them. And that's even if they would help.)

It was then Mako raised her eyebrows, she was sitting across from Usagi and was the first to notice the hickey on her lower neck near the blue bib of her fuku. Mina caught the look, then dragged her gaze over to Usagi's neck as well finding the mark. Then she braced her chin in a raised hand, giving the now nervous Usagi a 'lovey, lovey' look. "Looks like our princess has found some spring time with her man recently." Mina commented breathlessly.

Usagi instantly clutched her bib, drawing it up her neck, though it was a muted effort. Thanks to Minako's comment it was far too late to attempt to deny it.

Gee thanks Minako…now everyone's going to look at me even more differently. I swear you're more blonde than you're supposed to be.

Casting her friends a wide eyed nervous, yet, shocked look. Realizing to late all her sweating today had taken the concealing makeup off her love mark.

(I had a feeling I should have tried to figure out how to set a reminder on that phone that Di gave me. Maybe then I could have avoided this and NOT deal with the looks everyone was sending me. Ami was bouncing her face back and forth between Makoto and Minako, blue eyes wide in surprise. Had I been in the crowd of my friends and not the receiver, I would have laughed at the comicalness of it all, but alas that is not to be.)

Mako was now scowling. "Are you and Mamoru on or off?" she herself at this point was tired of Mamoru's games with their innocent Usagi. If he didn't pick a decision and go with it, and leave their Usagi's heart to either love him or be alone, she was gonna make it for him. And give him a courtesy lightning bolt up his ass for good measure.

"Off...still...unfortunately." Usagi answered meekly. Still feeling defeated by his 'hot - cold careless' attitude when it came to her.

Mako merely nodded, cracking her knuckles under the table in frustration. The next time she ran into Chiba, they would have some words. She had had enough of him playing with her innocent bunnies sweet little heart. She could see how much she was breaking inside. Knew the feeling all too well and knew that their princess didn't deserve it. All she ever did was give it her all and what did he do, besides play ping pong with it?

Ami's eyes began to shimmer. "He's kissed you again then?" though her tone hoped that that was ALL he did. Not wanting to hear about other possible things that had happened. Her innocent, shy mind couldn't handle that their supposed more innocent bunny was less than they or she thought. It was one of the reasons why she had not pursued Umino for questioning further on about the parlour incident. She had a small feeling that their princesses public encounter with the upperclassman was the lesser of two evils here.

"It's my fault..." Usagi sighed. She had been playing with fire, toying with his lust. In the end she had gotten burned. Yet she felt this was the only course to take to get him to open up, to let her in on the true reason he broke up with her. If she could just get his control out of the picture he'd crumble and tell her the truth on why he was keeping her away. Usagi looked up and couldn't stand to be around her friends at the moment.

Their looks ranging from sympathy to retribution. She slipped out of the booth unable to handle it anymore.

"I need to think...I'll see you at school tomorrow ok." She made her way out of the Parlour, digging into her pocket to pull out a couple yen for her drink that she never touched. Laying it on the glass counter by the till, before slipping back out into the heat of the afternoon. The girls stared stunned for a moment, Rei seeing her drink just sitting there and feeling less upset with their other blonde and more worried for her.

First he breaks her heart, then Di comes in, makes him jealous, then he toys with her heart and pulls back again. If he didn't stop she was going to break completely down and she had a feeling with deep worry that a certain silver haired man that they all didn't trust nor like would slip in under her radar as well as theirs. Mamoru was only making it easier for this guy. She was all of a sudden as grateful as she was worried about the meeting that night.

She snuck a look over at their resident lightening expert. "I got a Chiba to find." Mako grumbled, leaving the booth as well.

"I am sure he will be at the Temple this evening for our 'special' meeting. You can yell at him then." Rei offered, a grim smile on her face. She hated seeing Usagi so sad, yet she knew with those to, it was give and take battle. But she also felt Usagi wasn't a victim, she had probably had her own part in their latest fight.

Mamoru wasn't a bad guy, he was just private. Something was going on with him, something very bad. Something that he did not want Usagi a part off, He loved her to much to put her into danger. But Usagi would keep pushing, she was never one to just give up when it was something she wanted. It made her as remarkable as it made her annoying as anything. But Usagi was usually right when it came to things she wanted…more or less.

She briefly wondered if she, with her own lonely back ground, could get Mamoru to open up to her one day? Only trouble with that was how the girls would view it. Her previous feelings for him may have changed and altered from romantic to friendship but it didn't mean that she was an innocent to attraction. However knowing that and how Usagi might see it, she passed the idea up before it could come to fruition.

Mako passed her a grim look, her green eyes flaming with fury. Then stormed out of the parlour, leaving Rei sighing, as she already knew what would be said, or at least be able to sum it up, as Mina contemplated silently and Ami sat stunned in the booth.

Mamoru sat in deep contemplation, at the back of the bus. In a pair of black dress pants and beige button up shirt. The long sleeves rolled up past his elbow since it was such a hot day. His black leather satchel on his lap, chin braced in a raise hand. Barely noticing when the bus crossed into Juban. His day was a trail in futility, he couldn't concentrate in his classes, was to wound up to work on re-writing his notes.

Without his laptop, he was left spending every minute re-writing the semester on paper, coping off friends during class. He had yet to catch up and it had been nearly two weeks. He still briefly wondered where the hell his laptop had disappeared off to. The parlour wasn't known for thefts so it had to be someone who wasn't a regular. Motoki though hadn't spotted anything and neither did anyone he'd asked.

Running into Usagi this morning and getting into that stupid fight was just the start of his infuriating day. He needed to talk to her, without losing his temper and saying something he didn't mean. It was just too easy to fall back on the way things used to be, when they were barely friends...hell when they were barely speaking.

He never wanted to say mean things, he hated hurting her. He wanted desperately to find a way to get her to understand, that he cared about her. But they just couldn't be together in the ways she wanted. At least not right now. But he was having just as difficult a time letting go...her advances towards him and her new 'friendship' with that infuriating man only fuelled the needed to talk to her to work this all out...but he had screwed that up this morning with his stupid 'I made plans' comment.

Maybe she would have showed, if he hadn't been such an ass and made it sound like he was seeing some else. Like he could even picture anyone but his sweet Usako with him on a date, let alone in his bed.

His dry words still had him wincing as to how it sounded. The bus slowed to a stop. Mamoru glanced around suddenly realizing he was at his stop. Scrambling off the bus, he made it to the sidewalk not noticing the seething brunette amazon leaning against a chain link fence near a store front, scowling dangerously at him. As he absently departed the bus, his white sneakers barely making contact with the cement. When two strong hands grabbed his lapels, swinging him mercilessly into the chain link fence.

"Nani!" Mamoru shouted in alarm as the world spun. His fighting instincts primed, by the assault. He dropped his leather bag, slipping his powerful arm in between the gripping ones and thrusting them off his collar with a growl, as he bounced off the chain link fence. Moving into a defensive stance with his legs braced apart and fists up. His eyes burning with threat of his own towards his attacker...who was…Makoto?

"What the hell! Kino!" Mamoru raged, his face red with embarrassment. As the departing crowds of fellow students left the bus passing him snickering glances at being over whelmed to easily by a girl obviously younger than himself.

Little did those arrogant young men know that Kino, Makoto was the Senshi of Thunder and could kick most anybody's ass pretty well. Mamoru though was wise enough to know not to entice the volatile temper of this dangerous young woman. Not wanting to chance her temper anymore than the youma did. He wasn't stupid. Quickly gathering his anger, he took in the fury burning in her emerald eyes. Which were normally, tranquil and gentle.

"I am getting really tired of seeing Usa-chan so very broken because of you! You do know her love isn't a ping pong ball right? That she does feel! That she does ache from loosing you from her heart!" Makoto took a deep breath, attempting to get herself under control.

"Gomen..." Mamoru apologized, feeling just as low about hurting the sweet girl who deserved none of the fowl treatment he placed upon her.

"You need to figure out what you want, and this 'on and off' game your playing with her heart needs to stop." Mako growled, as they walked down the sidewalk together.

"I know, but...it's complicated." Mamoru sighed, brushing a hand through his hair in frustration, remembering the dream for but all of a second, not wanting to explain to Makoto, fearing the results for Usagi's sake.

"It's Di..." Mako raised her eyebrows knowingly. She may not always have an opinion when the girls got into their little gossip circle. But she paid attention.

"He is no good...and he wants her, badly." Mamoru growled. His hate for the man not wavering in the slightest. The memory of the man being so 'friendly' with his Usako, his soul mate, still made his blood boil.

"Well as I see it, you have no claim to her anymore. You gave her up. So why do you even care?" Mako commented as they crossed over a cement bridge that spanned over a canal full of spring run - off.

Mamoru leaned tiredly against the railing, casting Mako bitter looks.

"I can't allow her to be with this Di, character. He's not right...He sets off to many alarms with me." Mamoru stated. His ire towards the man raised up at just the thought of him. He didn't trust the silver haired man that was for sure.

Mako crossed her arms over the railing paying him a meaningful look.

"Rei says the same thing, and Mina's got her guard up. Been trying to investigate him with Artemis and Luna. Hasn't dug anything up. It's almost like before Usagi met him and he gained access to her friendship he didn't exist." She groaned in frustration.

"Well, I think they have it right. We need to protect her from him at all costs." Mamoru declared a bit more boldly then he should have.

"I get the impression, that you might just be jealous of this guy honing in on your territory, even with all of your high and mighty claims of 'I don't love her anymore,' and 'we shouldn't let our pasts dictate our future' crap, and I say crap cause if we all felt that way none of us would be fighting the good fight either. It's all just a front for whatever it is you have going on in that brain of yours." Mako gave him a smug smile knowing she had him.

"No! I just think he's bad for her, she is free to date anyone...anyone but him." Mamoru had to nearly choke out those words. It hurt his heart so bad to say so he half wondered if he was having a small heart attack.

Mako laughed heartily, shaking her head ruefully. "I will never understand you Chiba..."

Mamoru smirked back her, their relationship smoothed out once more. His heart no longer beating as painfully as it once was.

"Are you coming to the meeting this evening? I feel it's mostly going to be a Di bashing session with a little plotting in between to smooth out the tension." Mako sighed, not sure if it would be a successful progressive evening or not.

"No, what I need to do. I have to do as a free agent. I don't want you guys involved." Mamoru stared at her sternly.

Makoto frowned, knowing this was a situation just like the race to find the rainbow crystals. He was going to have to do unsavory things, that the more just minded Senshi would not feel comfortable with. Even back then she knew he was an okay guy, he just had different but good priorities to work with. Sides, sometimes she wished she could do some of those unsavory things to the people or enemies she knew deserved it.

Makoto merely nodded, giving him as cold of a look. "I'm only saying this once so listen up, if she gets hurt again, even one more time, with whatever you are planning to do to get rid of this Di character, whomever he is, whatever scheme you have, I will personally, no holds back, shove a lighten bolt so far up your ass, you'll still be light up on Christmas! You understand?" She threatened darkly.

Mamoru kept his poker face, not taking the threat lightly, "I promise, I won't do or say anything to hurt her anymore." He promised taking his leave. "I'll figure out a way to keep her content at least until Di's gone. I really can't be trusted around her. That's why I've been avoiding her. Though lately she is making that increasingly difficult." Mamoru groaned, muttering to himself, memories of their recent run ins coming to mind.

Mako heard none of it past his promise, looking at his retreating back with a strange look.

As the evening fell, the muted colors of twilight bathing the tranquil neighborhood of Minato-ku, Usagi found herself on an old playground of her youth near her home. Sitting with a silent grace upon a yellow plastic swing.

Her elegant hands holding the chain, sweet face down cast with a thoughtful frown. Absently rocking back and forth, her mary janes, walking forward and back along the divit in the fine dirt. Lost once more in her tiresome thoughts over Mamoru.

(What am I doing wrong? I know he knows I love him. I know he still loves me despite his claim. Things seem to only look up when I make him loose a bit of control, but for a man who is ALWAYS in control how do I get his walls to be bulldozed over?!)

"Yen for your thoughts...love." Di's voice interceded her thoughts with a silky smooth tone.

Usagi jolted, getting really tired of everyone startling her lately. But she just couldn't stay focused long enough to care.

"What are you doing here?" She breathed, casting him a small smile. Finding him once again in a nice dark navy suit, with a pear white dress shirt and long black tie and dress shoes.

Does this guy ever dress down…? Business probably doesn't allow it…

"Well I thought we had made plans to hang out tonight? I tried calling you but you never answered your cell. You weren't at home, so I was about to give up when I saw you out here on the swings." Di commented, sitting down beside her on an adjoining swing. The swing was so low, his long legs nearly folded up to his nose.

Usagi giggled he looked ridiculous.

(Just the sight of him right now was making my mood better. Somehow Di just knows how to get me to feel better. Apparently even just by sitting down.)

"May I see your phone?" Di offered his hand, Usagi deftly dug into her satchel retrieving the dark blue cell. Handing it to Di, with an embarrassed blush. She really had no idea how to use it, and had yet to play around with the options on the phone, hence the inability to program her phone to alert her to cover her mark up again.

Di sighed, tapping on the screen. Bringing up one corny ring tone after another, wondering which one she liked. The stupid tones from a car horn to ducks quaking had her spirits lifted quickly. She was giggling happily again, as Di made snide even bitter comments at the stupid tones her phone had.

(The stupid comments he made had me laughing in no time. I don't think he knew that while he was nearly cursing at the stupid ring tones, it was one of the most hilarious things in the world to me. To be honest if it weren't for him in my life right now I don't know how well I'd be fairing with my 'Mamo – chan mission'. I'd probably have just acted all begging and little girl around him till he snapped at me.

At least with Di's help I was starting to see things from a different perspective and maturing in the process. Plus he made me feel better. He was a great friend and I was great full to have him with me during this time in my life.)

They hung out and talked for hours, as the moon began to rise. The street lights once more lighting their way back to her home, just up the block.

"So you skipped school today?" Di chuckled, never seeing her as the type to disobey societies rules. She seemed to much like a goody, goody, straight line kind of girl.

"Yeah, well I had a much better day not being locked up in the halls of torture." Usagi stated, giving him a grim smile as her two story home came into view.

"But I will be paying for it now." She sighed, her shoulders drooping forward.

"What do you mean?" Di questioned. Usagi lifted her eyebrows, in surprise. How can he not understand that she will be punished for not showing up at school today?

(Has he never had to worry about being punished before? The family that raised him must not have, had to worry too much, cause I know from what I've seen he's a good man with a good heart. They along with that wise man he told me about must have been proud. And now he's a business man to boot. It gives me a small tinge of hope that I can make that happen as well. Or at least finish high school.)

"Well the principal by now has called my mom, and told her about my being absent today. So she's had hours to boil over my coming punishment." Usagi started, turning to Di feeling very thankful for his presence he had cheered her up once again. "Thanks for everything. Right now I don't think I'd know what to do if I didn't have you as my friend." She smiled warmly, wrapping her arms around his middle in a quick embrace.

Di embraced her back tightly, crossing his arms down her slender back till his fingers just brushed the base of her bum. Usagi could feel his fingers, tickling her lower then she would have liked. With a sigh, before he could get further, she pulled away, giving him a casual wave leaving him on the sidewalk out front of the main gate to the yard. Heading down the shadowed lane towards her front door.

Di remained out front, watching her approach her house as if a prisoner going to the gallows. Disappointed he couldn't keep her out longer. He watched as she sadly, clasped the handle to her front door finding it locked.

Just as I thought...

Usagi sighed turning around to slump on the cement porch out front of her house. Finding Di walking towards her confusion clear on his face, as he sat down beside her.

"They locked you out?" He questioned, placing a comforting hand around her shoulders. Wanting to draw her in for another embrace, but she held firm not leaning into him as he had wished she would.

"Typical, punishment." Usagi sighed, curling her fingers over her chin, bracing her elbows on her knees. She caught her mother peeking out of the living room curtain, with disproving eyes towards her. Then odd curiosity was narrowed towards the strange young man with silver hair sitting beside her.

"I don't understand?" Di sighed, casting her an uncertain look. He grew up without parents so never had to deal with being punished. He did as he pleased, still did. He punished Saphir from time to time, as he punished all his subjects who failed him. Part of him upset at the fact that her parents had locked her out. They didn't know if she had eaten all day or not. He was starting to get visibly upset when she spoke.

"Well, a few months ago, sure being locked out of the house, worried my mother was going to cast me out would have freaked me out big time, but now I know better. No matter how bad I screw up, or how poor my decisions might be, she will eventually forgive me and let me back into the house. I just have to sit out here and be patient." Usagi clasped her hands around a knee, leaning back giving Di a bitter smile. "My family will always love me...no matter what. I think its part of the parental job description."

Di blinked back, trying to process this parental love and endless forgiveness.

"Usagi..." Ikuko's soft voice called from the now open door.

Usagi jumped to the feet, while Di ambled up slowly. Turning to greet her with a warm smile.

"Come in now sweetie. I want to speak with you." Ikuko moved aside, offering Usagi an avenue to enter the warm light of the entry way.

Usagi paid Di an apologetic smile, "Thank you for tonight again. You made it better." As she passed him, ducking in behind her mother in the door.

"Tsukino, Ikuko." Ikuko offered her hand to Di, smiling politely.

"Di..." He never offered her a last name, his eyes gleaming almost hypnotically towards the middle aged woman. She was a gentle soul, with long dark hair and a sweet face similar to her daughters. Wearing a simple light blue dress with a white apron in front. That looked slightly damp, from finishing the supper dishes no doubt.

"As a new friend of my daughters, I hope you can join us for supper tomorrow night. We eat at Five promptly. I like to get to know my children's friends." Ikuko offered her voice warm and inviting but still with a hint of authority to it.

Usagi rolled her eyes behind her mother, Di chuckled noticing the frustrated look on his loves face. He was starting to understand to some degree, loving parents wishing to make sure she was around the right sort of people. What a perfect way to poison them towards Mamoru. The cogs in his brain already setting it in motion.

"I shall be there promptly, thank you for the kind invitation. Have a good evening." Di gave her a slight respectful bow. Taking his leave, as he turned his back to the door to walk away.

Ikuko closed it softly, rounding on her daughter instantly. Friendly manner now gone, only to be replaced with motherly stern.

"Alright young lady...what made you think skipping school today was a good idea. Your grades are disgraceful as is, you need as much class time as you can get. You father and I can't afford to send you to cram school, so you need to be more responsible about your education. I am very disappointed in you today!" Ikuko nearly hissed at her daughter, becoming so very frustrated with her lately.

(I didn't feel like arguing with her or disagreeing, if anything she was right. It was a bad thing to ditch school, but it was either that or go through a horrid day of loving yet nagging friends and teachers that waited till the students to screw up so they had someone in their detention halls, I swear they did, so I made my choice. One that I won't make again. At least not for a long while to come.)

"I'm sorry. Momma. I promise I will do better." Usagi bowed her head, not liking the sad look on her mother's face. She never truly liked to disappoint her family, knew they had high hopes for their only daughter.

"Why did you skip...anyway. You have been so down lately...I'm worried." Ikuko, grasped her shoulder seeking her to look at her.

Usagi sighed heavily. "Don't worry Momma, It's not a big deal, just teenage stuff. I will not skip school again. The after effects aren't worth it." Usagi offered her a vague answer, staring off towards the floor still unwilling to look at her. Seeing her disappointment and worry would make her resolve crumble and she would be crying in her arms for sure. Her mother's concern always made her loose her calm.

"Ok...then. At least your home before Curfew, you're not at total loss yet." Ikuko laughed lightly, retreating back to the kitchen.

At least I dodged THAT bullet.

Usagi sighed, slipping off her shoes and dashing upstairs to change out of her fuku and into some casual clothes.

In time, she changed into her soft blue sundress, the tied at the back with a big bow. A white sleeveless tank top with hood underneath. Slipping on her golden crescent necklace, as she pondered her refection in the mirror at her dresser.

"Oh...Mamoru have you really found someone else to be with?" She whined at the sad, almost defeated look she was casting, tears threatening. She looked sharply away from the mirror in her room. There was mingled fear that her reflection would confirm what her heart wasn't ready to believe, if it ever would be ready. With a groan, she rolled her eyes not wanting to dwell, she had homework to do. Dragging it out and setting herself up at her low table, she absently tapped her pencil against the hard surface her mind unable to focus.

Her head fell to the hard surface of the table in defeat as she dwelled on Mamoru anyway.

(I can't even study he invades my thoughts so much. He can probably do whatever he wants to without problem…or does he struggle with it just as much as I do? As much as I hate for him to suffer I truly hope he understands how pain filled I feel.)

With a frustrated moan, she rose from the table to get some snacks from the kitchen. She had skipped both lunch and supper today and she was famished.

Leaving the confines of her room, she heard soft cries of frustration coming from the attic above her. Curious she went to the staircase that led up Chibi-Usa's room. Hearing more clearly how the little girl sounded near tears. Then it struck her, she had promised to help the little runt with her project today and totally blew her off. Smacking her forehead with a hand, Usagi trudged up to the attic to face the little girls wrath.

Finding her hunched over her little desk, in the light green pj's with the white ruffle collar. The desk cluttered with glue, cut up pictures and colored paper. Sniffling pathetically, rubbing absently at her eyes while she tried valiantly to focus what lay before her.

"Chibi-Usa..." Usagi inquired quietly, as she entered the girls small attic room.

"Go away!" The pink haired girl screamed back, not even bothering to turn back around.

"Look, I'm sorry I wasn't here to help. But I'm here now. So what can I do?"

Usagi attempted to smooth things over, by offering her aid as maturely as she could. But it was hard not get into an argument, and verbally lash out at the little pink haired girl's venomous attitude towards her.

"I don't need you! I don't want you around at all!" Chibi-Usa jumped off her chair, glaring up at her with fury. Pushing past her, tears threatening to flow as she stampeded down the stairs.

Usagi groaned and rolled her eyes, that girl was so hard to deal with. She entered into her room, curious as to what she was up to. Finding a large white Bristol board tapped to a wall nearby. One title in black ink Kanji read 'My Family Tree'. Below was a couple pictures of Ikuko and Kenji, with no title underneath.

Moving to the clutter at her desk, she found a smaller Bristol board, filled with strange violently drawn images. Of black crystals, explosions. Several bodies littered here and there, it was a dark and grim picture. That alarmed Usagi a great deal. The title above read "My real Family".

"Oh...man." Usagi breathed casting the now empty stair well a sympathetic look. Something really bad had happened to this little girl, she really was just lost and lonely here. Usagi scrambled after the little girl, feeling even more horrible about casting her aside so much lately. She made it to the landing to the stair leading downstairs. When she over heard the little girl trying to hold it all together, talking to Mamoru on the phone.

"But Mamo-chan...I really need help." Her voice wavered, as she took a shuttering breath.

"I know, but she is so irresponsible...and she really doesn't even like me." She whined back.

(If only she knew how hurtful her words were right back at me. I wish she just knew how hard it was to communicate to a little pink haired girl, whose defense mechanism was to be a rude brat, bent on getting her way. I almost, ALMOST wish she'd clam up, but that would be worse. No I knew if we were going to help her out or if I was going to help her out I'd have to bite the proverbial bullet. May times over…)

"Pleeeeeeeeease, Mamo-chan. I don't want her to help me. I'd rather do it all by myself if all I'm left with is her!" She relented, then sighed saying goodbye and hanging up the phone with a curt click. She nearly smiled at the young girl.

(I doubt she'd ever get upset enough to slam the phone when it came to Mamo – chan. He could do no wrong in her book…other than not help her out. But I'm sure that he was to busy…not wanting to think on what he might be busy with I cut off that train of thought.)

Usagi stood at the top of the stairs, looking sadly at Chibi-Usa. The little girl trudged up the steps, glaring bitterly at her.

"Mamoru says, he can't help because he's not my family. I have to have this done by Friday. Can I count on you this time?" She stood before her, her dark brown eyes shining with tears of hurt and mistrust.

"Let's go finish that project o.k. 'Onneesan, Usagi' is all yours for the rest of the night. Promise." Usagi smiled, letting the girls cruel words slide, as she often did these days. Accepting that she had been rather irresponsible and undependable to her recently. She got on her every last nerve, and was a rude pain in the ass most of the time. But still she couldn't doubt they had deep connection, she truly cared for this little brat.

Usagi remained cool, calm and collected while she finished the project with the little pink haired spore. Enduring her snide comments, and demanding attitude with maturity and grace…and a LOT of teeth grinding. In the end spending time with her wasn't all bad. She did have a bit of fun. It was all worth it in the end, receiving a beaming smile of gratitude from her. As she held up her colorful family tree, accented with glitter and photo's of everyone within the Tsukino's family household.

She didn't appreciate the photo Chibi choose for her, but had to concede it was appropriate. It was picture of herself stuffing her face at a family picnic earlier this spring. She did like to eat, and it was a stipulation to the project. The images had depicted the family member in a pose that suited them best.

"Ok, If we are all done now. I need to get at my own homework." Usagi sighed, glancing at the little girls clock that now read ten o'clock.

Chibi-Usa noticed the time as well, setting down her Bristol board against the wooden railing that divided the stair from her room. Rushing over to her and embracing her around the waist, Usagi was shocked at first by the sudden affection. Then giggled happily wrapping her slender arms around her pink head. Returning her affections. Chib-Usa, quickly pulled away before the moment got to mushy. Then the moment ended, and Usagi took her leave.

"Usagi-chan?" Chibi-Usa's voice filtered down to her as she descended the small stairwell.

"Yes?" Usagi called back up.

"Thanks again...I...uhmm. Goodnight." She called down, her voice stumbling into uncertainty when it came to revealing her inner most feelings towards the one person she idolized most, even if she did treat her poorly the most.

"No problem, squirt." Usagi chuckled, leaving the stairs for the lower hall.

Homework took till close to midnight and still she hadn't managed to get anything to eat. Feeling mildly out of it from the lack of food she wondered what Luna might want to eat to. Then a sudden chill shocked her body...where was Luna? She was usually home by now? Rushing out to her balcony, she called out into the night in fright. "LUNA!"

Waiting in the silence for a few minutes, casting her gaze out to her yard, to the empty dark street. Not hearing the tell tale yowl of response from her cat. She had been going over to Artemis's a-lot lately. But she was always home before now. If she was going to stay over at Mina's then she would have gotten a call. With her stomach twisting in dread, she leaped off her balcony with ease.

Landing smoothly in a crouch on her stone fence out front of her yard, then leaped to the sidewalk. Racing away toward Juban, her twin golden tails whipping behind her. The orange light of the lamps flowing over her as she disappeared into the dark of night. All the while she would call out her companions name into to the lonely silence, the pale moon casting it's soft light upon the suburban streets.

Usagi never noticed the dark sedan parked just across the street, to focused on her fears over her cat. The sedan followed her slowly, as she ran down the streets of Minato-Ku calling for Luna.

"Well, well. Where is our young queen off to at this hour." Rubeus commented with a dry chuckle, guiding the car down the street. Casting Diamond in the back seat knowing looks. He had been tired of carting his prince around like a Chauffeur but as long as it was ordered, he did it without question. Besides the way he saw it once their prince took her as his queen then he wouldn't have to care anymore. He might even get rewarded for his faith full servitude on this elongated assignment to.

"I truly don't care, but this is an opportunity I can't pass up." Diamond spoke, his words measured. As the thought out his next plan to bend Usagi to his will.

Slowly he had been planting his seeds within her family, drawing them under his web of total control. She had yet to fully be under his spell, no matter how hard he had tried a couple of times, it seemed some part of her was unconsciously fighting his control. If she felt in his debt then perhaps that last fragment of will power that distrusted him, would fade away and then she would be his.

Diamond fingered a white samurai mask, that lay on his knee. His plan was happening ahead of schedule, he had planned to take her for a walk tomorrow night and set it into motion then.

"You know what to do." Diamond stared at Rubeus through the rear view mirror. His blue eyes stern and cold, promising his subject pain if he failed in this mission.

Rubeus swallowed his anxiety, furrowing his brow in understanding. Pulling the car to a stop next to the curb. Diamond left the car without further word, jogging after his little golden obsession, as Rubeus pulled away, proceeding further up the street to hide the car and get ready for the little blonde so Diamond's plan could go into effect. "I hope this works." He replied into the silence of the night.

Darkness was soon swallowing Usagi as she dashed onto the winding paths of Juban park. She had canvassed the streets all around her neighborhood without finding a hair of her lost kitty anywhere. Which only left the park, Luna sometimes used the park path's as a short cut from the district Minako lived in to Minato.

The light of the nearly full moon over head cast soft white shadows over the grassy hills that flanked the path. Silent sentries of spruce and birch trees stood along her route. The night had turned cool, and Usagi now wished she had grabbed her pink hoody before franticly dashing away from the house. Her gut was on fire with worry over her precious Luna. What could have happened to her? Usagi wrapped her arms nervously around her shoulders, shivering from the chill of the night and her fear.

"Luna...!" Usagi called out into the night, her voice starting to break from calling out repeatedly for the last hour or so. A desperation in her voice now, as there had been no sign of Luna so far, her worry getting the better of her. Panic filled images of her little kitty hurt or worse filling her mind, causing her worry to fester in her belly like an acid.

Mamoru sat dejectedly on their bench, beside the small water fountain. Wearing a pair of black jogging pants and a white t-shirt with its sleeves rolled up and a beige towel wrapped around his neck, tucking into the shirts collar. Leaning his elbows on his knees, he stared at the ground in bitter defeat. She occupied his every thought, his every breath.

They were supposed to meet tonight...yet that would never happen thanks to his stupidity and pride. He promised himself from now on he wasn't going to jump to the bait, she laid before him to get him to lost his cool. Be it verbally or physically, he had to stay strong keep it platonic. He hoped the dreams would be okay with him pursuing her as a close friend...he didn't know if he could handle not being in her life, or not having her in his life.

Her scream shattered the night, bolting him down the path a speeds greater than a mere human could accomplish. His white shirt nearly glowed in the moonlight, his arms pumping, legs stretching to cover the distance. His mind reeling as their link caused a sharp pain to shoot behind his eyes.

"Usako!" He cried out to her, as she screamed out once more. Why in the hell was she in the park after dark!

Usagi ran blind through the well manicured grass of the park, casting terrified looks over her shoulder. Finding the strange demon still in pursuit, his bone white mask with the devils's grin gleaming in the moonlight. He had been hiding behind a set of bushes along the path. As she was walked past he had jumped up, cackling at her as she bolted away screaming. Wearing all black, which faded into the night. Only his white demon mask visible, bouncing and glowing a bright white in the near darkness of the park.

Now she had no idea where she was, as grove of trees were looming ahead. Her face was flushed with the heat of pure fear and adrenaline. Her vision of her surroundings bouncing around franticly in her blurry sight, as she ran wildly across the grass.

(You'd think with my time as Sailor Moon I'd be less afraid of things that go bump in the night, especially when you bump back, but when it's something NOT senshi related the last thing on your mind is revealing yourself and transforming in front of a strange crazed demon. I had to get into a more populated area. If I could just find the track again! According to Ami's logic, the more populated the areas, the avenues there are for escape and for loosing you enemy, only problem was that logic was mostly for 'human' enemies!)

Cursing herself for forgetting her broach on her dresser. So worried over Luna she didn't bother, she just acted. She was going to get mugged or raped...maybe killed. Stupid, stupid, stupid! She could have taken him easily, protected herself as Sailor Moon. Her guardian powers giving her added strength and speed. But as just simple, little Usagi she didn't stand a chance against a grown man.

The demon man kept laughing in that unrestrained slightly maniacal sort of way. Making her blood freeze like ice in her veins. Choking back sobs of utter terror, Usagi faded into the shadows of the trees. She was short, her legs couldn't cover the same amount as the taller man in pursuit could and did. It didn't take long for him to catch up. His thundering boots echoing close behind her as she entered the trees.

She belted out another earth shattering scream, as his large hand grabbed her shoulder twisting her around to face him. As he slammed her harshly into a tree. Usagi's head ricocheted off the hard trunk, white spots blinding her vision for a moment. Gasping and heaving she could not catch her breath, as her heart slammed against her ribcage seeking to escape this horror on its own. But unable to break free, so resigned itself to a panic pounding as the last of her oxygen left her. Hyperventilating herself in her terror stricken state.

Diamond trailed after Rubeus, and his frightened rabbit. Cursing that he didn't wear sneakers tonight. She was fast, incredibly fast. More so than he thought. Moving with a speed and agility through the park as if she ran for extended periods of time every day. He could barely keep up with his goddess!

Rubeus glared out from the eyes holes of the mask enjoying the raw terror he had been inflicting on the young woman. Finding it more of a high than anything else, as he slammed her into the tree, her wide blue eyes wild with utter horror he couldn't help but chuckle with satisfaction at his actions. Then she went limp in his grasp unable to fight any longer and merely fainted into his arms.

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me..." Rubeus muttered bitterly. As he held the limp golden blonde against his chest in revulsion. Her arms draped over his arms, legs buckled under her looking like a deflated balloon.

Then the world exploded into a haze of white, as something strong and heavy struck the back of his head. Rubeus lurched forward, as a foot cracked against the back of his head. Thinking it was Diamond, he turned around to shout back at him, to explain that she was unconscious he didn't need to fight him any longer. Sucking in a cold breath, when he found a dark haired young man with fire in his blue eyes. His left foot coming down from the high kick he had gotten in the head. Resuming a horse stance, with his arms lifted up in defense.

"Oh great!" Rubeus growled, dropping Usagi to the dry underbrush with a wet smack. Stepping over her prone body, cracking his neck with an eager grin.

Mamoru grinned arrogantly, moving like lightening with a snap kick with his right leg. His sneaker connected with the masked man's face, thrusting his head back fiercely by the recoil. Rubeus grunted, feeling blood oozing from his nose.

Then he began his own attack, with this worthy opponent. Moving with fluid strikes, with his fists and feet in a submission kata. Mamoru ducked and weaved through his planned out attack. Countering with arm blocks, as he backed away leading the man out of the grove, away from Usagi.

Diamond stood at the crest of the hill just out front of the grove of trees, seeing Rubeus in combat with that cursed Chiba. Rubeus was a fool to allow that excuse of a man to lead him out of the trees. Now with the open ground around them. The dark haired man would be free to use his more powerful attacks. Without getting caught up in the trees.

Diamond bowed his head knowing what was going to happen as soon as the fool left the protection of the trees.

Mamoru leaped high into the air with a perfect round house with his right leg. Connecting with Rubeus' jaw sending him flying to the side. Shattering the mask, as he bounced on the hard ground out cold. Mamoru never looked back, as Rubeus groaned rolling onto his back. Fighting to get up but the nausea, and coming concussion got the better of him. Diamond cursed his useless servant, vowing vengeance upon Mamoru very soon. His chance to be the hero botched by that annoying, arrogant son of a bitch.

He left Rubeus to his own devices, to find his way back to the ship on his own. To upset and frustrated at this botched plan to care how or when that fool would return. Either way he would face his wrath.

Mamoru moved quickly back to her side, rolling her over onto her back. He cradled her dear head in his hands, laying it down upon his lap as he settled against a nearby tree, waiting for her to wake up. Lightly brushing her hair away from her face, as she slept. Adoring her even more, as he listened to the soft sounds she made in her sleep. She was so beautiful, so serene like an angel come to earth. The pain he felt in his heart knowing he couldn't have her in his life how he wanted, breaking him in every way.

With a tired sigh he kept brushing her hair with his fingers, caressing her bangs along her forehead. His soul was now able to open up before her, now that she was in quite repose and unable to hear. Knowing his deep felt words would remain anonymous, for now.

"Usako...I am so, so very sorry for all the hurt and doubt I have put you through." His strong fingers wove into her golden tail, carrying the tail up to brush her satin hair just under his nose as he appreciated it's soft lavender scent, imagining more, a moment of her with him in every way he could think of. His heart felt confession a soothing palm to his broken heart. "I don't want this...I truly can't live without you. My days are grey without the light of your heart."

Taking a shuttering breath, as he gazed down mournfully upon her sleeping form, "I need you Usako...I can't breathe...I can't..." With a groan he allowed the golden tail to slip from his grasp, feeling so very lost in his pain.

"I love you...so much…Please stay with me." He breathed, bending low placing a tender kiss to her forehead. His heart feeling calmer than it had from his confession. Able to breathe a bit better even if he wished she could hear it. The words she had been working so hard to hear from him ever since the break up, but in the end, where meant for her unconscious state of mind instead, for the time being at least.

He remained just holding her, his arm draped over her flank as she rested her head in his lap, just the feel of her alone put his head to a calming phase. Sleeping slightly curled up on her side, breathing deeply her passions a flame once more in her dreams. Mamoru's eyes brows raised in growing disbelief as she began to moan plaintively in her dreams. Her voice echoing with a lust filled passion, as if a lover was taking her towards release.

Her hips began to adjust back and forth just slightly, as if she was receiving the thrusts of her dream lover. Mamoru moaned in growing lust, his member becoming stiff as he watched her sensual dance with in her dream. Wanting nothing more than to see it for himself, but better yet, show her the reality of it.

"Oh...Kami. Usako...what kind of dream are you having?" Mamoru nearly panted, becoming overcome by the sight of her writhing before him. So tempted was he that he had to bite his lip to prevent from acting on the impulse of waking her up and showing her that reality was so much better than the dream. At the sound of her voice calling out his former name, he nearly cracked, instead he bite his lip harder, nearly drawing blood in the process.

As the moon rose high into the sky, ascending to the late hours of night. Usagi sighed in release as her dream ended. The first thing she was aware of, as the haze of deep sleep faded. Was the soft scent of coffee, mixed with the slight aroma of cologne. A familiar cologne, she had basked in for hours in the arms of her true love.

"Mamo-chan..." She breathed, slowly rising from his lap. His hand petting down her hair one final time, his eyes once warm with deep feelings of love. Clouded with hidden despair, as she sat up on his knees. Searching his face for the vague remains of the love she had first caught a glimpse off.

Usagi blushed intensely hoping she hadn't mumbled anything embarrassing in her sleep, the dream had been so romantic and intense, yet she yearned for it to be real with Mamoru. He gave nothing away though, staring stoically at her.

"Are you ok?" He asked, rising to his feet. Offering her a hand up.

Usagi took it, with a nervous smile.

"Yes..." She sighed uncertainly. Glancing around the dark trees, anxiously.

"I took care of him." Mamoru commented darkly. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder and guiding her out of the grove, nowhere near the place her attacker had fallen. Not wanting to add more discomfort to her still fragile state of mind, down to the path. Knowing she would need some more comfort, he held her close pressing his strength into her. He would offer as much as he could without taking it to far.

Usagi leaned into his embrace, giving a sigh of comfort. Curling her small hands into his shirt as he escorted her out of the park.

"Why are you in the park after dark...Usako." Mamoru sighed, holding her close, basking in the feel of her in his arms.

"Luna didn't come home last night. I'm worried, that she may be hurt..." Usagi answered her voice trembling.

"Well, lets get you home. Hopefully, she will be back by now." Mamoru offered, passing her a strong confident smile.

Usagi absorbed his kindness and assurances, holding them close to her heart of hearts, needing to feel his love for her in any small way, to keep her fighting spirit up.

They walked home in companionable silence, Usagi enjoying the warmth he provided against the chill she felt. The walk ended up being way to short for both of them. The night sky above them was cold and dark, the faint light of stars faded behind a mask of clouds. The Moon was in hiding, as if shamed by the false persona her lover displayed. Mamoru slowly withdrew his arms from around her small shoulder. Blinking away stray tears of regret, as he covered his pain with stone once more.

"Sleep well, Usako." He wanted to say more, wanted to speak of how he wished she would stop her subtle seductions. How he wanted to just be friends and stop hurting her. None of those words left his lips, he just couldn't voice them. Casting her aside was hard enough as it was, having to endure her close was driving him insane. Trying to act as just a friend, he knew now would only kill him. He could never be just friends with his soul mate.

"Mamo-chan..." She clutched to him, desperate to keeping near. Drawing her face into the comfort of his cotton shirt. Then darted her lips up quickly upon his cheek before he could attempt to pull away or act cold once more. "Thank you...for always being around when I need you the most."

"Usako...we both have school tomorrow. I need to get some sleep, and so do you." Mamoru groaning in longing then sighed, shielding his true feeling away down deep. Just as he caught sight of Luna's small dark form padding high above on the railing of Usagi's balcony. "Tsukino, Usagi!" She cried. "Were have you been!"

Usagi bolted from his arms, stunned and slightly alarmed to hear her cat giving her hell for being out late.

(Seriously you're going to yell at me for being out when I've been out looking for your fat feline butt? Cats got a lot of nerve for a cat. Makes me wonder how bad she'd be if she were human, less easy to avoid that's for certain, though easier to spot, since in cat form she can duck into small spaces. Yeah cats still better than human form…if she has one.)

"I could ask you same thing...Luna. I've been out looking all over for you. You scared the crap out of me!" Usagi called up, when she turned back Mamoru had retreated up the street. Disappearing into the night like a shadow.

With a moan of unsatisfied love, and regretting bolting from his arms when all she wanted was to be in them, she moved into the yard. Climbing her tree and crawling into her room as silent as a whisper. Being Sailor Moon, had her up and out of the house at all hours. So being able to sneak in and out of her home had been honed into an art form.

Mamoru look a deep breath, his fingers tracing his cheek were her lips had rested. His whole being humming with longing for her. This was too hard...his mind, heart, soul and body ached to have her back. To tell her everything. To show her his love, to make her his repeatedly so no one would question it again. So that Di character wouldn't have a doubt in his mind as to who Usagi loved and whom she belonged with. If only he could stop destroying her own heart in the process it would be so much easier. "If only I could tell you…the truth…"