Chapter 10

"I wept because I could not believe anymore and I love to believe. I can still love passionately without believing. That means I love humanly. I wept because from now on I will weep less. I wept because I have lost my pain and I am not yet accustomed to its absence."

― Anaïs Nin

The next three weeks were nothing but the same. School, then either work, which one of the girls hung out in the restaurant till close each time, or training, and then one of the girls would come and spend the night. Mamoru did not do night detail again after their late night...conversation the last time.

She never had a moment alone, which she didn't mind too much, seeing as when she was alone was when she felt the worst. But it also meant she haven't gotten any of her dreams since! She wasn't sure what was worse, being alone and feeling the ache in her heart or the ache she had being separated from her dream world for so long.

The enemy had not made a move either. As if they had showed their hand too soon and now how to come up with a plan B. Maybe the careful watch she was under helped. It seemed to her that the security detail she was under was only a hindrance to everyone involved but try getting anyone to listen to her was like trying to get the stars to listen.

She was clearing her last table for the night. Ami sat by the door, reading a textbook or two. The bell for the door rang and she turned to see none other than her generous tipper. She was standing behind the counter, whipping it down. The counter sat in the middle of the restaurant floor, beautiful mahogany wrapping around in a small semi-circle. A small opening at the side was the only way in or out unless you went through the kitchen. She stood on the inside of it, protected by the wide girth of its beauty.

He took a look around, pausing shortly on Ami, then walked up to the bar, to her, and sat down.

"Hello again. What can I get you?"

"Hello Usagi. Coffee black...to go please."

She left, catching the tentative eye of Ami as she went, and got him a cup of coffee to go. She also went and retrieved the Fifty he left her the last time he was there. She had refused to spend it out of common decency.

She returned with his coffee and planted the bill in front of him under the cup. He looked at her confused but then smiled.

"I thought I was supposed to pay you? Not the other way around."

"Look...even if you have money to spare...I'm not the one who needs it the most. Save your money and give it to real charity." She crossed her arms, hoping she came off confident.

"I'm sorry. I thought you deserved it, putting up with me well past closing. I had thought you would split it with your other co-workers."

"Oh," she hadn't thought of that, "Well what about the time before? You left a twenty for a 50 cent coffee."

"I see I'm making a lasting impression on you, good to know."

She didn't flinch, even under his scrutinizing stare, "I didn't have anything smaller and I was late for a very important meeting."

She began to waiver in her resolve. She had planned to tell the guy off and be done with him, but he was making some good points.

"Look, I didn't mean to offend you, so I apologize. But I really just like this place's coffee."

She felt guilty, having come at him the way she did, "If you like the coffee, you should try some of the food. It's really good too."

He glanced over his shoulder at Ami again then back at her, "Maybe next time."

He left without another word, leaving the fifty again. She took it, using her cash, and broke it up evenly to share with the cook, who was very happy to see it.

Ami lugged her textbooks as she walked with her to her car.

Struggling, Usagi took a few off her hands, lighten her load, "You do know there is only one week left of school?"

"I know! So little time and so much to do!"

She laughed, "Ami, you are planning on taking a break right?"

"We don't need to be taking any breaks till we get the enemy figured out."

Ami sure did know how to take the wind out the sails, "You mean no vacations? No beach?! No fun at all?!"

"Oh Usagi-chan. I'm sure we will find time for all of that. We just need to be careful."

"So who is on night duty tonight?"

"Umm..I think it's Minako tonight."

"Can't you guys just take a break?"

"Getting tired of us Usagi-chan?"

"I'm just tired of seeing you guys so tired! How are you guys going to protect me if you don't have the energy for it?"

Ami was silent for a moment, and she thought she had actually won for once. With the two of them loaded safely in the car, she took off towards home.

As Ami got out of the car, having turned her over to Minako's watch, she looked at her with deep sincerity, "We will protect you Usagi-chan. You are too precious to all of us to lose again," then she turned back to regular Ami, "see you tomorrow!"

She let her head hit the steering wheel, "Ug, training again? On a Saturday?"

Ami just laughed as she made her way home.

Waking up at 1:34 was really starting to piss her off. Minako snored over in the small bed, oblivious. It was like her mind was trying to tell her something, but what. She use to wake up at this time when her dreams were under attack. She learned it was part of the torcher, her parents having died at this time. But it had been months since they defeated that monster and the entire Negaverse.

The Negaverse. What was it that Esmeralda said to her? 'They messed up. The Negaverse made you stronger. That was not the deal', were the Negaverse and the Dark moon somehow connected? And how would Esmeralda know how strong she was or wasn't supposed to be? Zoicite had said that they killed her parents because of who she was as a Princess, and the man from the other night, the 'Prince', asked if she remembered him. Could the Dark Moon be a part of her past as well?

She wished her memories would return and tell her the rest of the story, but as she laid down again for the night, her mind stayed silent.

The Senshi still had not unlocked their new powers and it had been almost a month.

"Dang it Usagi, did you have to put them on lock down?" Makoto fussed.

"That was not up to me, that is the belly of the beast."

Ami chuckled, "You mean the nature of the beast."

"Either way, we HAVE to figure out how to access our powers!" Rei yelled out in frustration.

Minako looked to her, "How do you do Usagi-chan? How did you gain access?"

She thought about it for a moment, "Well, imminent death of everyone I love tends to do it."

Rei yelled to no one, venting her frustration.

"Okay okay, let's try something. First, you need to calm down."

Each of her Senshi listen to her and calmed their breathing and their minds.

"Now close your eyes," they complied, "Find the power I put inside you. Once you have it, give it a color. Give it a shape. Imagine it spreading through your body."

She watched as each of the Senshi started to glow, each showing the color they picked, and she was not surprised by their choices; Makoto, green; Minako, yellow; Rei, red; and Ami, blue.

The glow started in their bellies, slowly stretching till it covered their whole bodies. Then it disappeared. They opened their eyes, each more sure of themselves.

"Now, let's train!" She shouted.

With their powers realized, they gave her quite a run for her money. She was sore all over but it felt good to no longer worry about her Senshi. Now they would stand a chance without her. Not that ever planned on letting them fight without her, but you never know.

The girls chatted happily away about their new strength as they walked down the steps of the temple, leaving their training grounds in their dust. The sun was just setting, leaving the sky a beautiful mixture of pinks and oranges.

She wasn't listened to anything the girls were saying until Minako wrapped an arm around her neck, "Don't you think so Usagi-chan?"

"Huh?"

Makoto laughed, "Usagi-chan, have you listened to anything we've been saying?"

"Sorry."

"Minako was just saying we should take a vacation together, once school is out for summer." Rei filled her in.

She wasn't sure if she was up it, but then Ami added, "You were just talking about how you wanted to go to the beach. Last night remember? How about we go next weekend?"

If Ami was up for it, then she really couldn't say no, "Okay, yeah that sounds nice."

A nice relaxing weekend at the beach. No enemy, no school, no training, and hopefully, no thoughts of Mamoru.

The cafe was dead, and she was so bored. She almost wished she hadn't talked Makoto into taking a break on her detail that night. I mean, even if they did attack the cafe, she would be able to hold them off till they got there. She was pretty sure Makoto was somewhere close by, like, next door at the flower shop.

Finally the doorbell rang, but she wasn't happy for long. It was the generous tipper again. He came and cooly took a seat near the counter where she stood.

She didn't even ask this time, she just brought him a cup of coffee and was about to leave when he called out to her, "Any suggestions?"

"Excuse me?"
"Well last time I was here, you recommended I try the food. So what do you suggest I try?"

She thought for a minute, thinking about who was in the kitchen tonight and what they were the best at making, "Are you in the mood for anything?"

"Hmmm...something...sweet."

The way he said it made her stomach turn, as if her body was reacting to something he didn't say, "Okay, I'll bring you something."

She said anything to get away from him. She had the sudden need to be as far away from him as possible. Giving the order to the cook, she took a minute to settle herself. The guy was nice enough, generous, and very good looking but there was something about him that her insides scream at her about.

With his order ready, she steadied herself and made her way back out to his table. She placed the sweet rice with green tea infused sauce and strawberries before him and got back to the kitchen. She watched him from the back, his back to her, as he ate the dish without any signs of complaint. She didn't come back out till she was sure he was done.

When she made it to his table he was standing to leave, getting his money out, his imminent departer made her settle a little more.

"Thank you, that was good."

"I'm glad you liked it…."

"Gabriel. My name is Gabriel. So maybe you could suggest something else?"

"Sure, would you like it to go?"

"No, I meant, someplace else..for me to take you?"

He was asking her out on a date? "Oh..I'm sorry..but I.."

"Oh, I'm sorry, you have a boyfriend don't you?"

Her heart stung a bit, "Oh no it's not that…"
"Gorgeous girl like you, surprising your not already taken."

She blushed at his words, the unease rising again in her stomach at the same time, "Thank you."

"So, how about this Friday?"

"I can't."

"Saturday?"
"I'm sorry but I'm going out of town this weekend."

"Oh how nice! Where are you heading?"

She thought it was strange he asked but she could still be polite and illusive, "The beach, with some friends."

"Oh well since you gave me such a good recommendation let me give you one in return. Go to Sunayama beach. It is breathtaking this time of year and the summer crowd won't be there this time of year. Should be perfect."

She wasn't sure if she should be worried or not that he had just suggested the very beach they were going to, "Thanks."

She turned to walk away but he continued, "So how about when you get back? Please? I'd really like to see you sometime outside of these cafe lights? I can pick you up here if you like? What do you say?"

Her inner voice was screaming at her to run away, but that must just be the part of her that is still in love with Mamoru, "Okay. I'm off next Thursday."

"Great. I'll pick you up at 7."

He finally left, leaving her another big tip. This time she just gave the whole thing to the cook. Her insides were raging at her but she did her best to ignore them. She was never going to get over Mamoru if she never tried. This guy, Gabriel, would have to do for now.

The doorbell rang again, but this time it was Makoto. She came and sat with her, her feet aching from not getting enough rest.

Makoto set a plant on the table before her, "This is for you. It will bring you luck in love!"

She laughed, "Oh Makoto-chan, you know I will just kill it."

"It's an easy plant Usagi-chan, just put it in the sun and water it."

She looked it over, touching its thick leaves, "Well maybe it will come in handy. I just got asked out."

Makoto nearly fell out of her chair, "On a date?"

"Yes of course on a date."
"What did you say?"

"I said yes."
"But," Makoto leaned in as if someone was listening, "what about Mamoru?"

She folded her arms across her chest as if it would protect her heart from her thoughts on him, "Mamoru...Mamoru and I are no longer together. He doesn't love me anymore."

"Usagi-chan.."

She stood quickly, wanting to end the conversation, "I need to close up. I'll just be 30 minutes, then we can go."

With finals and end of the year cleaning around the school, the week flew by. Before she knew it, it was early Friday morning. The sun had not even risen yet, but the girls were leaving early.

She was packing her bag making sure to include a bathing suit or two. The water may or may not be warm enough this early in the year but they had been having some really warm weather lately. Plus Minako's Uncle's place had a heated pool. It came in handy having a friend who had the hook-up sometimes.

She carried her bag downstairs and set it by the door, ready to go on time. She started making some coffee when there was a knock at the door. The girls were actually early for once. Ami must have been in charge of their schedule.

She opened the door, not bothering to look, sure in who was there, "Come on in ladies, I'm just making some coffee for the road…"

"Usagi-chan!"

Chibi-usa jumped on her, surprising her so much, she almost dropped her, "Chibi-usa? What are you doing here?"

She fained hurt, "Is that anyway to talk to someone you haven't seen in a MONTH! I've missed you!"

"I've missed you too."

She hugged her tightly, enjoying the warm soft feel of her little body in her arms. But she almost dropped her again when Mamoru walked in behind her.

"Do you not look before opening the door?"

Starting in already.

"If it was anyone I needed to worry about, do you really think a door would stop them?"

He was silent, she had won this battle.

Chibi-usa was jumping up and down with excitement, "I can't wait to get to the beach!"

Taken aback, "Wait, what?"

"Makoto was kind enough to invite Chibi-usa to go to the beach with you guys."

Oh, was that all. Her heart slowed its pace, "Yeah! It will be so much more fun with you there Chibi-usa! We can look for shells, and build a sandcastle, and then I will teach you the secret Tsukino fish catching technique."

"Oh cool! Will you teach Mamoru too?"

She was thrown again, "Mamoru isn't coming."

Chibi-usa looked as though she might cry, "Of course he is, aren't you Mamo-chan?"

Clearly Chibi-usa had worked him over pretty good earlier, "Yes, I'm coming too. I can't leave you alone Chibi-usa."

A honk from outside signaled the girls arrival and Chibi-usa bounded out the door to greet them. Leaving the two of them alone.

The smell of coffee wafted through the air calling her back to her original plans of making a cup in her thermos. Anything to busy her mind and calm her racing heart.

Not taking the hint, Mamoru followed her into the kitchen, feeling the need to explain himself, "This wasn't my idea."

"I believe you."

"Chibi-usa wouldn't let it go till I agreed."

"I understand."

Her coffee made, she left him standing there, grabbed her bag, and headed out the door. She gave Makoto and evil glare and threw her bag into the back of her car. The skirt of her dress flipped up a bit in the cool breeze of morning, causing her to shiver. She pulled her jacket a little tighter around her. The girls were all in their summer attire, no longer able to wait till the weather was truly warm enough. Shorts, tank tops, and sun dresses with flip flops from now on.

Mamoru's car was parked behind hers and they all made their way to their respective seats until, "I wanna ride with the girls!" cried Chibi-usa.

"But there isn't enough room for all of us," mused Ami.

"That's okay," Makoto offered, "Minako and I will ride with Mamoru," she jabbed Minako in her ribs, "won't we."

Minako sputtered a bit, "Oh yeah..I..uh..want to catch a few more 'zzz's anyways."

The two of them jumped into Mamoru's car before anything else could be said, Makoto in the front right next to Mamoru with Minako in the back middle seat.

Rei stood next to her at the back of her car, "Those two are up to something," she looked at Chibi-usa who was wearing a mischievous grin, "you know anything about it?"

Chibi-usa quickly got it the car, hiding from Rei's questioning, "Come on Rei, let's just get to the beach. The salty air is calling my name," Usagi begged.

It took them four hours, but they finally arrived at Minako's family beach house. The place wasn't a mansion but it wasn't a trailer either. It was two stories high with a widow's walk on top. The stairs curved down around a huge tree. The house was up on stilts with a private board walk to the beach. It's bright blue shutters stood out against the white planks that made up the exterior of the house.

Makoto and Minako walked on either side of Mamoru, still talking quietly away.

"This too will pass. What will you do when it does and you are too late?" Minkoa asked him.

Seeing that she was watching, they all got silent and split away from one another as if nothing was going on.

They entered to a cozy living room with the kitchen opened up to it on the other side. Before them stood a huge sliding door that led to a large deck that was attached to the boardwalk. Minako continued to take everyone else on a tour, but she stayed behind unnoticed. She slid her bag off her shoulder and onto the couch. Taking one more look behind her to make sure she wasn't being followed, she silently slid open the door to the deck.

The salty air hit her nose, exciting her senses. The sun, now high in the sky, heated her quickly, forcing her to remove her jacket. Now she only had on her loose sundress, it's tiny straps slipping occasionally off her shoulder.

She stood and leaded against the railing, letting the sound of crashing waves relax her frazzled nerves. She stretched her arms up towards the sun and spoke to herself, "Yeah the beach was a good idea." She enjoyed her moment of solitude, having so few minutes alone these days. But it was short lived.

"Come on Usagi-chan."

A tiny hand grabbed hers and pulled her with surprising strength towards the ocean. A blur of pink and white, Chibi-usa had already changed into her suit. Her's sat hidden underneath her dress, not wanting to have to waste any time once she got here.

They were the first on the beach, the girls and Mamoru slowly making their way down the boardwalk behind them. She could just make them out in the distance, having also put on suits, she could make out their respective colors without seeing their faces. Ami in her blue one piece sat her chair in the sand, put up an umbrella, and pulled out her book, not wasting her time. Rei set her chair next to hers and sat in her red one piece that was made of criss cross straps across her stomach. Makoto, wearing a light green two piece, and Minako, wearing a neon orange and yellow two piece with gold hoops attaching the front of the two pieces together, laid out towels and began putting on lotion. Mamoru sat on a towel on the other side of Ami, watching the water. He wore a flimsy old t-shirt and dark blue shorts, dark shades hiding his eyes, looking cool and calm which bugged her to no end.

She was knee deep in the water with Chibi-usa, watching her swim and letting her splash her, when Makoto called out to them, "Chibi-usa, Usagi-chan, come put on some sunscreen!" Always the mother, Makoto.

Chibi-usa groaned but still followed orders. Usagi followed behind slowly, letting the sea pull her back and forth a few times before getting out.

Chibi-usa stood before Makoto who proceeded to apply sunscreen all over her little body.

Minako looked up at her from her spot on her towel, "Come on Usagi-chan, the sun is burning away. Get that dress off already."

She hesitated, but a quick glance told her Mamoru was not watching. She let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding and pulled her dress up over her head. Her bathing suit was nothing special, a light pink two piece with two tiny straps and a heart shaped neckline.

Minako and Makoto didn't miss the opportunity, "Woo Hoo, what a babe!" "Whoa hot hot!"

She swatted and shushed them blushing from head to toe, looking over again to see Mamoru's eye firmly planted on her now. His shades hid his eyes and the rest of his face was stoic, just what she should have expected from him.

Chibi-usa pulled on her again, "Come on Usagi-chan."

She quickly followed her back to the water, it's cool waves washing away her flustered skin. The two of them played and splashed around for a while, the rest looking up from their tasks every now and then.

She saw that one of the girls brought down sandcastle building toys...including a small bucket. She whispered her evil plan into Chibi-usa's ear who excitedly agreed to help. She stood at the water's edge while Chibi-usa retrieved the bucket. She then filled it with cold water from the bottom. Having to hush each other a few times, they finally got themselves together enough to approach to two sunbathing beauties unnoticed. She held the heavy bucket high above them and Rei and Ami took cover. She poured its contents right onto their unsuspecting backs.

The two jumped up, screeching and dancing around as if they had been set on fire. Their confusion only lasted a few seconds as their eyes landed on her and Chibi-usa.

"Chibi-usa...RUN!"

The two of them took off running serpentine as the two beauties now gave chase. Chibi-usa's laugh rang out like a bell. She picked her up, carrying her to keep her from falling behind.

"Usagi!" The two angry women called after her.

"That's what you get for CATCALLING!"

Minako yelled back at her, still close on her heels, "It was a complement!"

Chibi-usa called back to them this time, "Well you two looked hot, we were just cooling you down!"

"Good one Chibi-usa!" She applauded the girl.

They ran back into the sea, stopping Minako but not Makoto who jumped in after them. She released Chibi-use to the water just as Makoto tackled her. Fully drenched, Makoto felt her revenge had been served and released her.

Usagi turned back towards the beach, "Come on Minako, it won't bite!"

"I don't want to mess up my hair?"

"Who is going to see it?" She was right, they were the only ones around for what looked like a mile.

Makoto used her arm and sent water flying, spraying Minako right in the face. Now, she charged in after both of them.

"Ami, Rei help!"

The two looked up from their books with little interest. Minako splashed her, starting up a war.

She stepped out of the fray to give Ami and Rei her best begging face. The two relented, marking their place and putting their books down and slowly coming into the water. Now only Mamoru remained, sitting alone on his towel watching like a bodyguard. Maybe that's why Makoto made him come, extra protection.

Makoto grabbed up Ami and tossed her into the water. Even the Goddess of Water screamed as she flew into the cool water. Rei held up a warning hand to Makoto to keep her from tossing her. But Usagi snuck up behind her with the bucket full again and dumped it over her head.

"Oh Usagi-chan, you are so dead!"

She squealed, barely dodging Rei's grasp she as tried to get her revenge. They all took turns, splashing, tossing, and drenching each other. She didn't even notice Chibi-usa leave and get Mamoru. But there she was, dragging him into the water as well. He managed to get his shirt off before she pulled him deep into the water. Water droplets gleamed on his toned, tanned chest. She forced herself to tear her eyes away.

He tossed Chibi-usa up into the air and she fell happily into the water with a big splash, crashing over all of them.

"OH! Okay guys, time to team up. Us, against Chibi-usa and Mamoru."

Chibi-usa pouted, "Hey that's not fair! That's too many on one side!"

"You're right, " Makoto reasoned, "Usagi-chan go be on Chibi-usa and Mamoru's team" She was already shoving her over.

"Yeah," Minako added, "You two started this after all."

She was starting to notice a pattern. Chibi-usa stood/swam between them and she tried not to look over at him but she slipped a few times, catching his eyes on her at the same time. He picked up Chibi-usa again, using her like a bomb, tossing her so she landed right in front of the girls. Her splash spraying all of them at once.

As soon as Chibi-usa's head popped back up from under the water, she grabbed her up and ran along with Mamoru. The girls tried to splash them, but the two, while holding Chibi-usa between them, where too fast.

Mamoru took Chibi-usa out of her arms, readying her for battle once again. She splashed landed again, but this time the girls were ready for their attack, grabbing Chibi-usa up before she could get to her.

They held her up like ransom. She looked to Mamoru and shrugged, "No man left behind."

The dove in together, swimming quickly up to the girls. Rei held Chibi-usa captive behind enemy lines while Ami used her powers to bind them together.

"Hey, no powers!"

"Sorry Usagi-chan but we all need to practice whenever we can. Shouldn't have woken up our powers for us."

They stood back to back, unable to move no matter how much they struggled. They had them.

Surrounding them, Rei held Chibi-usa close by as a reminded of what they were risking.

Minako took over as their leader, "Do you two give up?"

She whispered to him, "Looks like they win."

She felt him nod behind her and the water released them. He turned, fast, grabbing her arms but looking her in the eyes, asking for her trust. She gave it to him.

He swung her out, lifting her body just inches above the water, then dipping her back down so that the speed of her body against the water caused a thick spray to eject out. He swung her around once before pulling her back up to a standing position next to him. Looking around, she found the girl coughing and dripping from their final attack.

"Okay, you guys win," Minako sputtered.

Mamoru leaned into her ear, still standing closely to her, "You should never give up so easily."

Her shocked face broke him out of whatever had come over him and he quickly headed back to shore. They all followed after him. Everyone went back to their original spots before the war, still catching their breaths. She sat in the sand with Chibi-usa working on a castle.

When the sun was squarely above them, Makoto left to go make lunch. The water receded into low tide, leaving a few puddles of water around and one large one.

"Come on Chibi-Usa."

The little pink haired one followed her, curious as to what adventure she would get her into next. The puddle sat a good foot from were Mamoru sat and it was fairly swallow but really wide. Looking in, she saw what she was looking for. It had a handful or two of medium sized fish.

"I'm going to teach you the secret Tsukino way to catch a fish."

She leaned over the water, careful not to disturb it, just like her father had taught her. She waited for the right moment, then she thrusted her hand under the water, pulling it up in an instant with a fish in her hand. Releasing it after a second back into the water

"WOW! Mamo-chan, Mamo-chan come here!"

The man looked over and slowly walked over to where they crouched, "Mamo-chan watch Usagi-chan!"

She did it again with ease, Chibi-usa bouncing with joy, "Teach me, teach me!"

She smiled, remembering how she had done the same when her father taught her, "First you have to hypnotize the fish," she leaned in close to Chibi-Usa's face, touching her nose to hers just like her father did to her, and started into her eyes wide with curiosity, "you must be very patient and still," Chibi-Usa didn't move a muscle, "then, once you have them, you strike!"

She grabbed Chibi-Usa's tiny tummy, tickling her. Once she settled again, she moved close to the water for her try. She stared intently at the water as still as a statue. Then she stuck the water and pulled up a fish on her first try.

"Great job Chibi-Usa!"

"Yeah, that was impressive Chibi-usa." Mamoru looked over at her, impressed.

"My dad taught me." She answered his silent question.

The fish slipped out of her hand and back into the water, "Mamo-chan, you try!"

He reached in and grabbed, coming up empty handed, "Aw, poor Mamo-chan. Usagi-chan, you need to teach him how!"

She hesitated, then turned and looked him in the eyes teaching him to "hypnotize" a fish, standing as far back as she could from him.

But Chibi-usa was not satisfied, "No Usagi-chan, you are not doing it right. Show him how to do it!"

She sighed. No way out of this it seems. She took steady steps to him while he stayed motionless. She approached him like bird, any missteps and he would fly away. He remained crouched next to the pool so she leaned over letting her face get inches from his. And she froze, staring deep into his eyes. His eyes wiggled, moving back and forth searching her eyes. She felt a small hand on the back of her head as Chibi-usa pushed hem closer still. Till her nose touched his just like she did with her. She silently cursed herself for being so cute with the little girl but who knew it would come back to bite her?

But now she had another problem. She couldn't move. She was frozen, being so close to him again for the first time in weeks. His closeness was a like a drug, she thought she was over it, but she was addicted. Even the smallest dose put her right back over the edge.

"Usagi?"

A new voice broke her out of it and she scrambled away from him. He was looking where the voice came from, behind her, and his face was a mixture of emotions. But she was pretty sure one of them was anger.

She turned around to find the body that the voice belonged to. It was Gabriel. How in the hell…

"I thought that was you!"

"Gabriel? What are you doing here?"

"Oh well, I found myself feeling a bit jealous of you, getting to go to the beach for the weekend so I called up a few friends and we all came here!"

"Wow, well that's nice."

"Yeah, and how nice that you took my suggestion?"

"What suggestion?" Mamoru's voice was low and gruff.

"To come to this beach of course."

Mamoru got up and stood next to her like an overprotective dog. She wanted to tell him to heal.

"Hello, I'm Gabriel." He put his hand to Mamoru, who took it without hesitation.

"I'm Mamoru." The look on Gabriel's face was clear, Mamoru was squeezing his hand pretty hard. She jabbed her elbow into his ribs, forcing him to let go.

But Gabriel quickly recovered, "Nice grip."

"Hi, I'm Minako." She jumped, not noticing when she had joined them.

Rei was with her as well, "And I'm Rei."

"Gabriel."

Wasting no time, Minako jumped right in, "So how do you know Usagi?"

"He is a frequent customer at the cafe."

She was trying to answer before him, hoping to keep him from telling them about their upcoming date. It seemed to work as he just nodded in agreement with her description. Not that it was a lie, more like an omission of the truth.

"So Usagi, what are you and your friends up to later tonight? My friends and I are having a party later. You should come. You should all come. We are just a few houses down the beach," he stepped up next to her, gently turning her and pointing out to show her something, "See there, the one with purple flags? That's it," he stepped back away from her again and Mamoru tugged on her arm, pulling her back to his side, "see, so close!"

She pulled her arm out of his grasp, a bit peeved at his behavior, "I'm sorry, but I'll have to talk it over with everyone else. I don't think they will be up for it."

"Well I hope you all do come," he turned to go and she felt herself relax a little, "But if not, we're still on for Thursday right Usagi."

He didn't wait for her answer, he just shouted it out to the crowd as he backed away down the beach, revealing her little secret.

Chibi-usa came out from her little hiding spot behind Mamoru, "What did he mean by that Usagi-chan?"

"Yeah what did he mean by that Usagi?" Mamoru was right behind her when he asked. She could feel the heat of his skin on the back of hers.

Minako and Rei also looked at her, waiting for some kind of explanation, but she didn't owe them anything, "I don't want to talk about it," she walked away without another word.