888888888888888888888888

It seemed as if everywhere Mamoru went, Saori went too. Rumor was that she was enrolled at a more prestigious college but switched to Azubu because Mamoru chose to go there. If Usagi was comparing old self to Saori then she would have reason to worry that Mamoru only liked girls for their looks. Because Saori was be-u-ti-ful. Mamoru had called Usagi pretty the day of graduation so at first she thought she was on even playing ground with Matsuyama Saori, but now Usagi was starting to doubt herself.

She was trying to get some work done in the library and there Mamoru and Saori were together again. She was trying not to stare but she couldn't help it. When Saori leaned in close to Mamoru as a way to point something out in the book Usagi broke the pencil she was holding in half.

"Annoying isn't it." A brown haired man said who was sitting next to her getting her attention.

"Wha…." She said alarmed..

"Those two. You like him don't you?" He asked her but he didn't need to. He already knew just the way she looked at Chiba.

"I love him." She said without thinking. "And I dislike her."

"I love her and she is obsessed with that Chiba Mamoru. My name is Tanaka Kobayashi."

Usagi's worry of openly admitting to a stranger that she loved Mamoru vanished and a genuine smile graced her lips.

"Nice to meet you. I am Tsukino Usagi."

Kobayashi smiled back at her knowing he had found a kindred spirit in the blond.

Mamoru looked up to see Usagi talking with Tanaka Kobayashi and his eyes narrowed. Kobayashi didn't miss the look and he smiled even more at her, an idea coming to him.

"Say, Tsukino san, have you ever played tennis?" He asked her getting an inch closer.

"Tennis? Like with a ball and racket?" She asked thinking about all of the sports. Her face scrunching up.

He actually had to laugh at how cute she looked trying to figure out what tennis was. He nodded.

"Yes… well…" He lowered his voice. "Matsuyama Saori is an awesome tennis player and I asked her to join the tennis club but she won't join unless Chiba does. I think that if you join… he may also. It would be a good way to keep tabs on both of them."

Now she had to laugh getting shushed by the surrounded students.

"Sorry." She said embarrassed. "Mamoru will not join if I join. Plus, I do not need a reason to embarrass myself anymore around him."

Kobayashi frowned but then his eyes sparkled with a plan. "How about you tell him that you are going to join and if he does… you can too."

She bit her lip thinking another responsibly on top of everything else was stupid but getting to spend a designated hour with Mamoru every day maybe worth the cost to her health.

"Please, it may be the only chance I have to make Saori fall in love with me." He begged.

She groaned. She was such a sucker for love. "Fine."

His devious smile turned in to one of sincerity.

Her cell phone rang and she looked down. "I have to go."

Kobayashi said a tad too loud. "I hope I see you tomorrow at practice, Tsukino." The follow up smile sealed the deal and Mamoru saw it all.

888888888

Ami had been hurt this time. Badly as she tried to reason with Zoisite. When Jadeite and Nephrite joined them in the battle, Zoisite called Mercury a conniving bitch and threw an energy ball at her. She put up a shield but Usagi believed that his words hurt her and she couldn't hold it. When the shield broke Ami turned to try and get out of the way but she was not quick enough. The worry for her friend didn't give Usagi a chance to do her thing.

Of what she could remember of the past, Zoisite and Ami's relationship had been a gentle one. Not fiery like Rei and Jade's or combative like Makoto's and Nephs or even polar opposites like Minako and Kunzites. Their love had been sweet filled with mutual respect and avid admiration. They never fought because they were both logical and reasonable people.

This Zoisite's uncaring and inability to see reason was messing with Ami. It was not the first time they had battled him but it was the first to start mind games.

Her mother was distraught when they had brought Ami to her… burns marring her back and neck. She was healing of course faster than any human but her heart was not.

Usagi found herself just wandering the Azubu campus thinking about the toll that this was taking on her senshi. Even the outers could not believe that this war between the negaverse and themselves had been going on for almost a year and a half. Just like last time.

It was dark when she finally wondered back to the Chiba household.

"Tadima." She called pathetically slipping of her shoes.

"Usagi? You are late." Hina took one look at her and knew something was wrong.

"Are you okay?" She said worried.

"Oh yeah." She gave a weak smile. "If you don't mind I am going to go straight to bed."

"Sure sweetie. I will send dinner up."

"Thank you, Auntie. You are the best."

Usagi laid on her bed just looking at the ceiling.

"Two left… Zoisite and Kunzite…" She took in a breath. "And then Beryl and then… Metellia."

Her mother had died to save them all and Usagi worried she would have to do the same thing. The choice last time was to seal away the evil and give everyone a second chance. This time she would not seal the evil away. She would destroy it but at what cost?

Queen Selene had died. She did not have a second chance and it killed her father every day.

She flipped over on her stomach. She felt like she was missing some bigger piece of this whole puzzle. She had been avoiding her past visions and she needed to finally look them up on her own. She would head to the control room tomorrow.

888888888

Training today kicked her butt. Diamond had been brutal on all of them because none of them had powered up yet. She was tired but she had no broken bones and her healing had already begun.

"So you are you still doing this?" Mamoru was sitting on the balcony when she climbed up the tree.

"Good Morning Mamoru." She smiled indifferently at him. "I didn't know you got up this early."

"I try not too but this morning something woke me up." He had a dream.. a dream about her and destruction. A dream that was so real he woke up needing to make sure she was okay. When she was not in her bed he waited, praying that she would climb up that tree any moment now. He had been avoiding her and he could not do it any longer.

"Maybe you should try running. You are getting a bit pudgy." She teased him easily not letting her feelings show.

"You are one to talk, Odango. You eat like a pig." He shot back.

She looked down at herself in her tight work out gear. "No. I'm good."

She was right about that.

"So, you heard that Saori asked me to join the tennis club and you are too?" He asked her amused.

"So what if I am? It does not mean it's because of you." She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Of course it is." He told her arrogantly.

"So did you join because of your new girlfriend?" she shot back.

"So what if I did?" He told her back.

She swallowed and her body went stiff. "So, she really is your girlfriend. I thought they were rumors."

"I hate people in my business. But, no she is not my girlfriend." He admitted.

Usagi looked up hope in her eyes. "Well then I guess I will see you at practice." She winked at him and made her way back in to her room.

He shook his head at her. "Oh, odango." He said as she crawled back in to her window.

888888888888888888888888888

Mamoru actually waited for her to walk to school that day to which she practically skipped next to him merrily. The open wound in her chest closing the bond feeling bright, whole, and ore intense than before.

As soon as they reached the university Saori was right there.

"Mamoru San!" Saori walked toward him wrapping her talons around his arm.

"Good morning." He told her in his cold, unattached voice.

Usagi scowled but she saw her group of friends and hurried to them.

"Minna!" She cried excited to see them, her mood still brighter than it had been in days. Jadeite wrapped one arm around her since Rei was at the temple.

"Yo. Mamoru." Jadeite yelled at him, summoning him to come over.

Mamoru walked over Saori trailing behind him.

"Jadeite san." He greeted with a look of irritation on his face.

"So, Neph and I were thinking that we should all hang out sometime. Oh and of course Motoki." He started out.

"I know that our first meeting was a tad odd… me all over your girl and everything but I think we could become good friends." He explained.

"What girl?" Saori asked but everyone ignored her. Usagi was turning red.

"Sure." Mamoru agreed.

Jadeite thought it should have been awkward to ask Mamoru to hang out with them but it wasn't. It was like they had known each other for years. Plus, if Serenity was in love with him they would have to get to know him regardless of how he treated her. As far as he could tell Mamoru was a lost soul and he needed to be fixed.

8888888888888888888

Three days later Usagi was annoyed. She sucked at tennis. She could wield swords, fling knives, fight with any weapon and yet… She could not hit a damn ball with a racket. It made no sense. Why couldn't Mamoru have liked Frisbee? She was excellent at that.

"Thank the stars you are pretty because you have no skill in this sport." Kobayashi told her once at practice of which she was no longer allowed to actually practice. She just picked up balls. Saori was a demon with a racket and to show off her skill she aimed every ball with the intention to try and hit Usagi. Try because Usagi was fast Maybe Saori should come and help Diamond train them. It would be like dodging flying acid or whatever the youma came up with and in return she could destroy her like a youma.

Saori and Mamoru's un explained relationship just so happened to piss Kobayashi off so he challenged him to a doubles match and Mamoru chose Usagi to be his partner. The loser had to dress in woman's clothing for a whole day.

So here they were after school and Mamoru was getting irritated with Usagi for her not being able to hit the ball.

"Why did you have to choose me?" She whined. "You know I suck." He was hitting the balls so fast at her, she could see them but she never had to hit attacks back at her enemies. Dodge them, shield them, run away from them but never hit them back at them.

"Come on Odango." He came up behind her and grabbed the racket. He was so close to her Usagi could feel his breath on the back of her neck. Her heart beat quickened and she bit her lip.

"Okay, you have to hold it here… like this. Not all the way down here like you keep doing."

"un huh." She nodded as if she understood in which she didn't. She could not concentrate with him so close.

"And you are going to follow…"

His words cut off as the pain she knew was coming exploded in her head. She fell to the ground waiting for the vision holding her head in pain as she thought it was going to split in two.

"Serenity." She felt someone breathe in to her ear. His voice velvet and smooth. "What are you thinking about?"

Arms wrapped around her pulling her in to an embrace. She was flush against cold metal armor and goosebumps prickled on her skin.

"I cannot believe your parents agreed. I was so worried that they were going to say no but…"

"Hush love. No one could keep me away from you if they tried." And he kissed behind her ear driving her wild.

The vision faded and the pain subsided. Her heart beat fast as she was so confused.

"STOP DOING THAT, USAGI!" Mamoru roared at her as he helped her up. She slowly stood and started walking away.

'Had she been engaged on the moon?' She thought. Her father never mentioned anything about her being married... but she was sure… certain now that she had been in love. Deeply in love with someone on earth one thousand years ago.

'Had he been reincarnated as well… was this Endymion?'

She was pacing back and forth. Why was this hidden from her? Who would do this?

"Odango!" Mamoru yelled for the fifth time.

"Huh?" she snapped her head up. She was breathing as fast at the questions came flying in to her head. They stopped when she looked at Mamoru.

"I think we should go get you a MRI." He told her.

She laughed nervously. "Let's continue on. I can't have you walking around in woman's clothing in public." She smirked wanting to forget the fact that Mamoru may not be her soul mate and these painful visions were warnings that her soul was meant for someone else.

88888888888888888888888888888

Mamoru woke up from another nightmare. They were so fuzzy but he almost thought that Jade and Neph were there as well. Maybe it was because they hung out yesterday and he actually had fun. They did not bug him too much about Usagi but they mentioned their dislike of Saori. He liked Saori… but not the way he liked Usagi.

The thought of him having actual friends, aside from Motoki, was an interesting concept. His normal coldness did not even make an appearance as they hung out.

Jade called it 'shooting the shit.'

And Mamoru planned on 'shooting the shit' more often.

88888888888888888888888888888

Today was the day of their doubles match and Usagi showed up wearing sweat pants.

"Nice pant's? Mamoru questioned her. Gods he must think he so stupid right now, but she had no choice.

"I was cold," she lied. The truth was she was burned last night by some sort of youma goo. It burned her leg really badly. Right through her red boots and down to her foot. Rei and Micharu also had been burned by the acidic goo to which she thought there was some sort of poison in it because she should be healed by now. She should have stayed home but she could not let Mamoru down.

Kobaiyashi was determined to beat Mamoru and Saori had a death glare on Usagi. Mamoru looked passive.

"They are going to come after you, just do as we practiced." He told her and she nodded determined.

"Ready to dress up, Mamoru?" Kobaiyashi taunted bouncing the tennis ball a few times trying to intimidate them.

"Just start the match and shut up." Mamoru replied.

As predicted Saori aimed her first ball at Usagi… she could see it. Just like a throwing knife she thought but when she swung her racket she missed.

"It's okay, Usa. You will get the next one."

Saori served the next ball even faster and Usagi hit it but the bright green ball smacked in to the back fence.

She winced. "Gomen…"

Saori served again and Usagi kept hitting them out.

"She is hitting them!" Koyaiyahsi said to Saori.

"Yeah, but she's not good enough to get a ball in." Saori laughed nervously. Usagi was determined and when the ball came not directly at her but to the right of her she dodged for it hitting it in. She fell and tried to bounce back quickly her burned leg sent shooting pain threw her system. She let out a very un-ladylike curse.

Mamoru noticed that Usagi was hurt after he looked back to congratulate her.

"Okay! We are done. Usagi is hurt." Mamoru yelled at them jogging toward her.

"No no!" she waived her hands at him. "I can play, I am fine." She said getting on to her feet, well one foot.

"The match is over." He said picking her up in one swift movement. She would have swooned at him carrying her but all she could do was worry about the bet.

"You can't wear women's clothes. It would just be a catalyst back to your old ways." He pretended to almost drop her at her comment. She gave a freighted yelp. He laughed. "The bet wasn't that we would win… it was if you could hit one ball in… and you did great."

She smacked her head. He put her down on a nearby bench.

"What is wrong with your leg?" He asked her with concern. He went to pull her pant leg up but she stopped him.

"Sprained ankle from practice. No biggie." She laughed covering her leg with her hands.

"Let me look at it" he told her trying to pull the pant leg up again.

"No." She said sternly pushing his hand away. He gave her a look and grabbed her leg to keep her still and she put a hand over her mouth to make sure she didn't cry out.

He pulled up her pant leg and from her ankle to her knee she was wrapped in gauze, some pink fluid staining the white.

"Usa." He growled at her.

"So I over wrapped it… so what?" She asked but he grabbed her calf and tears pricked her eyes calling her out on her lie.

She pulled the pant leg down and went to stand but he picked her up again and headed away from the tennis courts. She could feel his anger…literally feel it. The wind started to blow and it seemed as if a storm was coming in.

"Mamo chan… I can walk." She told him seriously. Thunder boomed in the distance.

She realized that he planned on carrying her all the way home.

Wow.

So totally romantic.

"How is it that you are always hurt, Usagi?" He asked her stopping her fantasy.

"I am not always hurt." She sniffed.

"Broken ribs." He stated.

"Cramp" she told him.

"Attacked by a youma." He said.

"Uhhh attacked by a youma." She said sarcastically.

"Went in to an attack with a youma and somehow managed to hit a brick wall and not be knocked out." He raised an eyebrow at this question to see how she got out of this one.

"Well that's a new one? I was not aware of that detail. I don't remember much after that point. It could have been adrenaline." She countered.

"Disappear for three weeks… and for some reason some guy was so pissed about it he hit Neph?

She sighed. "Diamond likes me… a lot and well after Nephrite came back I was so happy I was… crying… and he thought that I left because Neph broke my heart." Oh that was a good one Usagi. She patted herself mentally on the back. He tightened his grip on her.

"Now your leg is…. What…. Sprained?"

"It's burned… I went and had a fire reading done and… well I am an idiot. I couldn't tell you that I got a tad too close and my clothes caught fire. You would have laughed at me." Even better Usagi.

He frowned but he knew… somehow he knew she was lying.

He kept walking, she cuddled in to him like a baby.

"Why did Jadeite and Nephrite pledge allegiance to you?" He asked her.

She stiffened.

"Usagi?" He prodded her.

"That I cannot tell you." She said with a tone of finality.

"Why?" He asked her.

"If I recall Mamoru, you do not care about what I do in my life?" She snapped at him.

He scowled. He would either have to admit that he did care or drop it. Why was it so hard for him to just tell her?

"USAGI!" Hina yelled seeing them running out of the house.

His mother was why.

88888888888888888888888888888888

Usagi had dodged a huge bullet last night. She would have to be more careful around Mamoru. She was walking to her joke of a tennis practice thinking about her vision. After Mamoru carried her home there was no way that she was meant for anyone else. She was in so over her head with everything she had to do she decided to put this on the back burner.

"Tsukino-san?" Usagi turned to see Saori walking toward her.

"Matsuyama san." Usagi acknowledged.

"I know that you like Mamoru-san." She said in a superior voice. Usagi bit her lip. Everyone knew she liked Mamoru.

"Well, I just wanted you to keep any confessions that you may want to give him zipped up tight because right now I am going to confess to Mamoru. So once we are boyfriend and girlfriend I am going to need you to stay away from him." She snapped. Usagi paled. Saori couldn't confess to Mamoru… Mamoru already admitted that he could easily like Saori.

Then she walked away leaving Usagi dazed.

She sat down on a bench dejected as she watched Saori walk over to Mamoru. Kobayashi sat next to her and hung his head between his legs.

"She's going to do it." He sniffed. "And it will be all over."

Usagi nodded her heart hurting.

"We can't let this happen." He cried throwing his racket against the wall of the equipment room and he wrapped his arms around Usagi. She hugged him back.

"We will get through this." She told him.

"What are you doing?" Usagi snapped her head up and looked at Mamoru. He looked expressionless but fire burned behind his eyes.

"It's not what it looks like.." She said quickly not understanding why she needed to defend herself.

Saori looked at her irate. Usagi didn't know if they were dating or not. Did Mamoru agree to be her girlfriend?

"Come on Kobaysahi. You wanted a real match the other day. Let's have one." Mamoru snapped.

"You're on, Chiba!" Kobayashi stood up ready to play, determination in his eyes.

Only moments in to the match Kobayashi had collided with the tennis court at least three times. His knee was bleeding but he was still up and Mamoru smirked as he served the next ball at him.

"See how well my Mamoru sempai plays?" Saori beamed.

"Your… your Mamoru?" Usagi stuttered out lifting a hand to her chest waiting for the pain.

"Well of course, plus it looked like you and Kobayashi are already and item."

"Oh, we are not…" She stated.

"Keep going Koba! Usagi is cheering you on." Saori yelled out to him.

Mamoru turned and glared at Usagi who was glaring at Saori. This bitch was going to be moon dust in moments.

Mamoru hit the ball as fast as he could and then Kobayashi was on the ground holding his nose. Blood protruding from it, dripping down his face and staining his white polo.

Usagi was up in second and by his side.

"Are you okay, Koba!" She helped him up. "Let's get you to the infirmary." She told him pulling some gauze from her subspace pocket and handing it to him.

Mamoru turned away from them.

"Saori san," He yelled at her, "are we still on for Saturday?"

Saori beamed. "Of course! We can do a movie and have lunch." She went over to him and wrapped her arm around his. He smiled at her.

Usagi couldn't take this much longer. The pull on her heart was getting more and more painful.

88888888888888888888888888

She didn't know why she agreed to this but here she was… fighting for love again as she sat disguised with Koba sitting right behind Mamoru and Saori.

All week long Mamoru had been bullying her at every chance he could. She was the one that was heartbroken and yet he just kept rubbing it in. Zoisite had also become a bully as well… ever since they started presenting him with facts. The battles became more intense, her heart was on fire, her friends getting hurt, the training sessions longer, tennis practice, senshi meetings, overnights in the control room… and she was about to snap.

Koba and her came in during the middle of the movie. Usagi was relieved to see that there was no hand holding... yet as she saw Saori's hand coming toward Mamoru's. Okay yeah, her powers should only be used for good… she knew this but she put up a shield between the two. Saori could not reach Mamoru's hand… or lay her head on his shoulder. Finally, confused and frustrated she gave up. Usagi held in a laugh and Koba looked at her as if she was crazy.

"That went so well!" Koba said smiling as they followed far behind them after the movie.

"I mean it seemed so platonic…." He trailed off as he watched Saori grab Mamoru's hand and he didn't push it away. Usagi gasped in pain clutching her chest as she turned to face the opposite direction.

"Usagi? Are you okay?" Koba asked her concerned. "Are you having a heart attack or something?"

"Go away" she hissed righting herself as she walked quickly down the sidewalk the opposite way but Mamoru has heard Usagi's name being called. He turned his head and watched as she quickly walked away from Koba who was calling after her.

Koba looked concerned as he watched the blond walk away quickly.

"Mamoru… why did you stop?" Saori asked confused.

Mamoru let go of her hand and went toward Usagi… like he had to get to her, but in her pain she was not watching where she was going and she bumped in to a bigger man who spilled coffee all over himself.

"Gomen!" Usagi yelped. "I am so sorry! I will pay for your dry cleaning." It snapped her out of burning sensation in her chest.

"No you will pay for the shirt." He told her but after taking in her appearance he shut up. "My oh my… you are beautiful…" He said stunned taking off his sunglasses to look at her. "How about I take you instead." He said suggestively.

Mamoru was going to lose it on this guy… Take Usagi. He would kill the man. The wind picked up around him as he walked faster.

"Excuse me?" Usagi questioned perturbed standing up straight.

"Yes, a goddess like thing like you." He licked his lips and grabbed her arm. She had enough the snap she felt was coming earlier came spiraling out of her. She grabbed the mans bicep with her free hand and flung him over her shoulder and on to the ground face up. Then she twisted his arm as she placed her foot to the man's throat.

Mamoru stopped, Koba and Saori looked on in disbelief.

"I do not think I heard you correctly. You were going to do what to me?" She said softly but deadly at the same time. The man whimpered. "Now listen here you sick bastard if you ever... ever lay a hand on another girl I will find you and I will hurt you so you do not feel anything from the waist down for the rest of your life. Do you understand me?" She asked him. He didn't answer. She twisted his arm harder and he yelled out. "I understand!"

"Apologize." She hissed. She had snapped big time

"I… I am sorry." The bigger man whimpered.

She let go of him. "Okay, then." She said pulling out some yen. She dropped it on him.

"This should be enough to cover the bill for that ugly shirt." She said sweetly.

People started to clap and she put her hand to her chest and walked away keeping her course.

"Damn it all to hell!" She said to herself when she felt his presence. She kept walking. Kuso… he had seen. Shouldn't he have been at lunch with his girlfriend or some shit? Anger was flowing off her in waves.

"So… you beat up men now too." He asked her keeping up with her pace.

"Self defense is not considered brutality." She said quickly. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be on a date?" she asked him cutting down an alley.

He followed. "You gave me a good excuse to leave Saori with Koba."

She stopped abruptly and turned to look at him. "You did what?" she asked him incredulously.

"What? Upset your date was canceled?" He asked her trying to look amused.

"Date? I've never been on a date in my life. Anyway, that was so nice of you Mamo-chan. Kobayashi san is probably thrilled!" she said jumping up. Her anger forgotten.

"Hey! What are you still doing with me?" She asked looking at him.

"This." He slipped his hand behind her back and pulled her to him. She let out a squeak of surprised but she looked up at him. He looked in to her eyes and caressed the side of her face. He slowly went in and kissed her gently… which lasted all about two seconds before he was addicted to her and then their kisses became more.

She was obsessed with him and she wished he would just give in to the fact that they belonged together. He kissed her again and again until her phone went off. He let out a low growl at the noise but Usagi didn't notice as she answered her phone turning away from Mamoru.

"WHAT?" Usagi answered annoyed with their interference.

"He wants to meet with us…. Have a conversation." Ami told her quickly. "Tonight."

"No way…how do you know this?" Usagi asked her eyes wide in disbelief.

A pause at the question.

"A message came up on my Mercury computer." She said quietly.

"Let's all meet at the temple in…" She looked at her watch… "An hour."

"Holy Selene Ami…" Usagi said in a breath her heart starting to beat quickly.

"Yeah… you may not almost die this time." Ami said a smile in her tone.

Usagi didn't have words… she didn't know how much more she could take on the death front.

"Okay… bad joke." Ami corrected.

"Hey at least you made one. Later Ames!" Usagi said hanging up on her.

She unfortunately had to ditch Mamorunso he wouldn't follow her or ask any questions.

Mamoru looked impatient as he looked at her.

"An hour, Odango?" He asked her annoyed.

She gave an apologetic look. "Actually sooner."

He frowned. He was always in control, never showed emotion and here he was pissed that the odango wanted to leave.

"What if I asked you not to?" He said not believing the words that have come out of his mouth.

Her jaw dropped and he smirked.

She got herself together. "I would still have to go…" she said softly.

He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Mamo chan… do you like me?" She asked him hopefully. He once again remained stoic, not answering her.

Now she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Maybe you should have stayed on your date and you should stop playing with me. You know that I am in love with you and this is becoming… too much on top of everything else." She waved her hand at him emphasizing her words.

"She is not my girlfriend." Mamoru told her.

"Really? Well, allow me to point out a few things. You are actually nice to her in public, do not mind being seen with her, which reminds me you spend a whole lot of time with her and here we are in an alley again."

"That is because Saori and I can actually have an intelligent conversation together." He shot back.

Her eyelids fluttered furiously as if he she not heard him correctly.

"So I am okay enough to kiss the daylights out of but I am too stupid for you to like me?" She yelled at him.

"Basically." He said not meaning it but her face went red with annoyance.

"Mamoru baka, you really are cruel." She growled. "That was the last time that I kiss you." And she took off down the back alley jumping to the roof before he could see her.

Mamoru ran his fingers through his hair. Why did he keep doing this? Why couldn't he just admit that he liked… possibly loved her? He punched the brick wall on the side of the building. His hand made an indenture and a crack ran up the side. He looked at his hand… perfect. Not a scratch.

What. The. Hell.

Every time he kissed Usagi something new happened to him. Rei must have been right… something did awaken in him and he needed to find out what it was.

8888888888888888888888888888888

She didn't die. No one was hurt… well badly. She looked over at Minako, a boot on her right leg as she used her crutches limping around campus. Usagi carried her books making sure Minako had everything she needed.

She giggled and so did Minako. This was just plain silly.

The plan the other night was for Minako to use the Luna pen to look like Sailor Moon. While a fake Moon negotiated with Zoisite, who was really having a hard time coming to grips with the lies, Sailor Moon used her power from behind him to cleanse him from the evil.

Yeah, it was totally sneaky but truthfully she was sick of almost dying. Nephrite and Jadeite had grabbed Zoisite who was weak. Moon and Venus feeling so proud about their rouse… but Kunzite did not happen to find their rouse amusing. He had appeared in a rage and while the rest of the team had been shielded, Kunzite decided that both of the Sailor Moon Senshi should be thrown through the glass and out of the thirtieth floor window that they were currently in on a new skyscraper construction. Venus had grabbed Moon when they first felt the blast taking the brunt of the force. She had wrapped Moon practically in a ball around her body, but neither of them had their whit's about them before they hit the wall of the building next door. The impact from the forceful blow caused the breakage in Minako's leg. Right before they hit the ground Moon had produced a shield bubble around them.

Usagi had made notes that when thrown out of windows to bubble shield before they hit a wall regardless of how happy they may have been prior.

Minako was almost healed due to their abilities so she was placed in a boot claiming shin splints. Now Zoisite was back and Ami was… Ami was perfect. Zoisite had pledged his allegiance to Usagi in a private setting to which she was most grateful. Things were going well. Until Mamoru told everyone he was moving out. His life was too comfortable and too sheltered. He should try her life sometime.

The baka.

He didn't tell anyone where he had moved to and this fact hurt Usagi. Sure she could find him through this unexplainable link but she did not want to find reasons to stalk him. She had enough on her plate. She had refused to share the information about the bond with anyone.

Mamoru also stopped showing up to tennis practices; however, he had found friends with the shitennou and Motoki. Usagi was aware that Mamoru was now hanging out with her male protectors and to keep things civil they always informed her of when they were with him.

Artemis had employed them all in addition to payment for protection just like any king would do. Just like he pays the senshi for protection. To top it all off he purchased them a modern, practically open spaced loft apartment space. Or more like the whole floor. The ceilings were at least fifteen feet high and large windows gave awesome views of Juubann where it was located. The walls were made of exposed reddish-brown brick aside from the walls constructed to make four bed rooms and bathrooms. Some of the steel beams were still exposed painted a dark gray. The ceiling also showed the beams and was painted white. Their living room was awesome. Wide space with two large modern couches and a few chairs plus a state of the art entertainment center. The kitchen was open spaced and modern with concrete counter tops on dark gray counter tops. Pendant lights hung down on the massive island that was constructed off a light wood color. Needless to say Artemis hired the best designers in town.

But the best part about the whole space was that the other half of the floor was used as their own personal training center. Artemis knew that they would join the senshi in training but he also knew that having Diamond be their trainer would not bode well. This was their man cave to put it in Layman's terms and they used it regularly.

The apartment was also a hangout for the senshi as well seeing that her best friend's husbands lived there. Imagine how awkward it was when Mamoru showed up during a few of their hang out nights. They exchanged hellos and just went with the flow of the atmosphere and that was all she had really seen him. He didn't seek her out and even though it hurt, physically hurt, she was glad he was not leading her on any longer.

Minako and Usagi had become somewhat of hellions again trying to avoid the new couples. Somewhat was becoming an understatement. Midnight drives, karaoke, misuse of the Luna pen would have them cracking up for days. They even met the emperor's son who was more than happy to take selfies with the famous senshi and Artemis and the others were not amused when the photo showed up in the paper the next day claiming that he would marry one of them.

They had been punished and they had to mop the floor while Artemis blared classical music through the training center, sitting in a lounge chair drinking a glass of wine.

They found every moment worth it. Watching as everyone moved on around them, one being the Senshi of Love and the other the defender of love and justice, made it that much harder in them. So they found ways to keep themselves entertained and busy so they would not have to face reality.

Minako was taking it hard and this was because Kunzite had not been seen since they freed Zoiscite's soul. Of course the break was nice since they had been working triple overtime for months now but it also kept them all on edge. Why? Because Kunzite should have gone out on a thunderous rampage by now. It was his MO. The longer things stayed quiet the longer the more Usagi knew that she could not keep putting off finding the meaning behind the visions.

Authors Note:

I have none! Send reviews! I am going out of the country tomorrow (11/2) for a week but I will try and update. I am bring my I pad and lap top to finish editing this and pushing them out.

Thanks for the great Reviews already. They honestly make my day.

ZS