Alright... it's Memorial Day... so TECHNICALLY... I didn't flake for this month... right?... RIGHT? Another short one... but a great ending :) R&R! Thank you for all the reviews! I apologize for not being able to respond to all of them individually, and appreciate those who also have given 'Courtesan' (rated M) a read! I will try to update that one soon too.

Also, the editor is weird... or it got an update and my browser (I have a Macbook) isn't working well with it. So the dividers have changed from ~*~ to lines... I'm pretty sure you all would have been table to figure it out but yea... felt like I should say something, lol.

"So… tell us EVERYTHING!" Minako squealed as Usagi entered the temple.

Usagi smiled at the memory of the previous night, "Well… we had a wonderful evening, he was the perfect gentleman, and… he told me about his family."

Rei nodded as Usagi made eye contact—knowing the story herself; something Mamoru had also disclosed to Usagi.

"What about his family?" Ami asked before taking a sip of her tea.

"He doesn't have one," Usagi answered sadly and took her seat, "He was orphaned as a small child and he's been alone ever since."

The three girls gasped.

Rei attempted to change the subject, "Did you…"

Usagi and Rei shared a look.

"Iie."

Silence.

The answer made the unspoken question obvious. Usagi had expected a more… active response from her senshi. She shuffled in her seat, but continued eye contact.

"Good." The miko finally responded and placed a plate of cookies on the coffee table before taking her own seat.

Usagi rose an eyebrow, "Good? That's it? That's all from the Miss "Duty Above All Else" senshi?"

Rei smirked, "We're *your* court, Princess. It's our job to protect and support you and the decisions you make as a political figure. You don't have to justify anything to us."

"You mean… you didn't… she… oh kami," Motoki visible paled, "Can we forget the last ten seconds ever happened?"

Mamoru's expression turned stern, "Iie."

A million questions and thoughts flooded his mind.

When was she going to tell him?

Was she going to tell him?

What is she going to do when he tells her?... Did he have to tell her?

The meetings with the girls… the bruises, her broken arm a few years ago… the bad grades, sleeping in…. the hair…

Then…

"He stopped showing up. I never got to say goodbye… I fell apart. It was so humiliating and embarrassing… he just left."

Mamoru's eyes widened, "Baka, baka, baka, baka…" he repeated the word over and over, "Motoki, you can't tell Usako I'm Tuxedo Kamen."

Motoki made eye contact and gave Mamoru a confused look, "Nani? But… you have to tell her now…."

Mamoru groaned, "I'm why Usako was so depressed a few years ago, aren't I?"

Motoki gulped and nodded, "I wanted to say something. I was so mad at you because you just disappeared on the senshi once everything had been taken care of… and Usagi… she was heartbroken. And I knew you were too. I just didn't think that it would have worked if you two had known each other's identities."

"I don't want my alter ego to influence her decision to be with me," Mamoru breathed out, "Negatively or positively. I'll tell her… I just… don't tell her or the other senshi."

Motoki gulped at the thought of Makoto-or worse, Sailor Jupiter-discovering he had been keeping a secret from her; but as a best friend does, he nodded in agreement. No matter how difficult not saying anything to the girls would be, he had been doing it for years… and this was something Mamoru and Usagi would have to work out on their own.

"You WHAT?" Luna screamed, "Usagi, you know—"

"I know." Usagi cut her guardian off, "But I am the Princess and this is my call."

"But Usagi—" Artemis tried, citing Luna's frustration growing.

"I know, and I will pay for the consequences for breaking the treaty," Usagi continued to brush her hair, "I think we should start by trying to identify this long lost fiancé so I can speak with him and work something out… surely he wouldn't hold me to a contract that is so outdated with our society's culture. And if he does… I'll buy him off. I'm supposed to be Queen of the Earth right?"

Artemis and Luna shared a look and a moment of silence. It wasn't until after a few hairbrushes did Usagi notice the two weren't arguing with her. She knew better than to think that meant she was right.

"Don't tell me the whole Queen thing is part of it?"

Silence.

"Aw, shit." Usagi grumbled and threw the brush down.

"Usagi!"

The blonde scowled, "Luna, I can curse under these circumstances. I think it's justified." She took in a deep breath and plopped down onto the bed, "So, no arranged marriage, no Crystal Tokyo… I want to see Pluto this weekend."

"But—"

"I'm going to the Time Gate," Usagi's tone was firm as she clicked off her bedside lamp and rolled over to sleep.

The two cats sighed in the darkness, then jumped out the window for the evening.

Mamoru took his bike out for a ride through the city. The streetlight glow calming him, the clear sky, brisk air, and shining stars provided him with a calming he could never explain and vowed never to take for granted. The icing on the cake was a full clear, bright moon to guide him as he weaved through the streets of Tokyo. At night there was no one out and he could go anywhere without worrying about traffic.

Everything was starting to make sense… how five very different girls could be brought together, why they stayed together, and the feeling of déjà vu each time he met a new member of the group. Makoto was Jupiter, Minako was Venus, Rei was Mars, and Ami Mercury… it make complete sense once a person had the information. They would all disappear at the same time. And come to think of it, usually just a few minutes before his internal Sailor Moon beacon would go off. The two would definitely have to have a conversation sometime, but he wasn't sure when… was this why she was so timid about starting a relationship with him? Was she still in love with Tuxedo Kamen? Or did she fear her duties would get in the way of their relationship just as he had?

Mamoru began examining his own feelings. He knew he had fallen for Usagi before she found out she was Sailor Moon… was he over her alter ego? And what about the princess?... the one who hadn't bothered him in years? It was stupid to believe he could have such a strong connection with a dream, but he felt as though he loved her. At least Usagi and Sailor Moon were the same, so he was down to two women instead of three…

He groaned and revved the throttle, "Yea Chiba… that makes it ALL better."

"You cannot become Queen without marrying the Prince of Earth."

Sailor Moon blinked, "The Prince of Earth?" she looked over to Mercury, "What the crap?"

The blunette shrugged, "I didn't know there was a Prince of Earth."

"Well, there's never been a senshi of Earth…" Venus trailed off, "So… what was Earth's status in the Silver Millennium?"

Mercury shrugged again, and all eyes fell onto the guardian of time and space.

Pluto gave a small coy smile and waved her staff, causing a smoke screen to appear. Within a few moments, palace grounds were being shown. Tall oak trees, beautiful assortments of wildflowers, and animal life came into focus.

"During the Silver Millennium, Earth and the Moon were on… less than positive terms. The Earth accused the Moon of withholding trading rights, and the Moon declared the Earth was hoarding non-renewable, and extremely valuable, resources from the other planets. To settle the dispute the two heirs were agreed to wed."

"Okay…" Sailor Moon drawled, "So, how does that impact Crystal Tokyo?"

"Once the Ice Age has ended, the Moon's people will be reawakened… however, with no kingdom to return to because the Moon is now inhabitable, they will not be citizens of Earth."

"So… what does that mean?" Usagi questioned, "I'm still the Moon Princess... can't I rebuild the Moon Kingdom?"

Pluto hesitated, "You could…"

"But?" Mars asked.

"But the timeline would be severely disrupted. The Moon won't have the same amount of political pull because of its inability to support life. Using the crystal as a political tool would have negative consequences and could possibly start a war between the two kingdoms. And… I'm afraid Chibi-Usa…"

The girls remained silent. How they forget about the future Princess and that her life was at stake?

"Can you give us a vague time frame when this will happen?" Venus questioned, throwing Sailor Moon an empathetic expression.

Pluto sighed and closed her eyes, "Iie. I understand why you want to know Princess… but—"

"It's your duty Pluto." Usagi finished for her and gave a small smile in attempt to sooth the guardian, "I understand. I will make my decision based upon what I know. Thank you for the history lesson. Senshi, let's go home."

"Princess!"

Sailor Moon turned as her senshi continued to walk away from the time gate, preparing to teleport.

Pluto motioned for their leader to step closer. When the two were only a foot apart, Pluto closed the gap between them and lowered her head to Usagi's right ear.

"You will begin to have memories of your past life," Pluto whispered, "They will seem like vivid dreams and will come to you in your sleep. When the dreams begin to invade your reality, you will know the time of the ice age is near."

Once Pluto pulled away, Moon gave her a grateful smile and sprinted back to the girls.

"And I present to you, the class of 2010!"

Cheers erupted as the graduates tossed their caps into the air and the audience clapped once the long ceremony was finally over. The girls departed to their respective family members, and Usagi sprinted toward her parents and Mamoru.

"Congratulations sweetheart!" her mother cried, tears down her face, "I never thought I'd see this day!"

"Ikuko, isn't that a little over reacting?"

The woman swatted her husband, "Iie! You may be under-reacting!"

"C'mon you guys," Usagi half-whined, "I really picked up my grades! This shouldn't be a surprise."

"What are your plans for tonight Usagi?" Ikuko asked changing the subject.

"Well," Usagi looked at Mamoru who had remained quiet, "There's the party at the arcade and then—"

"I would like to take her to dinner this evening," Mamoru chimed in giving Usagi a broad smile, "What do you say Usako?"

At the nickname, Usagi saw her father's fist clench and release repetitively at his side through her peripheral vision, "Hai, Mamo-chan."

"You kids have fun!" Ikuko encouraged as she ushered Usagi's father away from the couple and out of the high school auditorium, "We'll see you tomorrow Usagi!"

"Tomorrow?"

Mamoru and Usagi were the last of the group to arrive to the arcade. Motoki was trying to convince Makoto to let the servers do their job and relax. Makoto was arguing about how having the graduation party as a soft opening was a horrible idea—they should have waited an extra week. Rei and Yuichiro were out on the dance floor with Minako and one of the senior graduates, and Ami and Urawa were talking to fellow classmates.

"We'll stay for a half hour? Then back to my place?" Mamoru whispered into her ear, sending shivers through her. She smiled up at him, nodded, and the two made their way to the buffet table hand-in-hand.

"Congratulations Usagi!" Makoto stopped mid-argument as the couple approached, "Can you believe we did it?"

At the arrival of their leader, the other senshi began to migrate toward the food.

"I know! Now onto Uni!" Minako cheered, her dancing partner had floated off somewhere, but she didn't seem very concerned.

"Did you get notice yet Usa?" Rei asked taking a drink of her punch and leaning back into Yuichiro's chest.

The blonde shook her head, "Iie," and sighed, "Maybe I'll qualify for mid-semester and can start in the spring."

"You're going to get accepted Usako," Mamoru handed her a plate with cake and strawberries on it, "Have some faith."

Usagi smiled at him. He always knew what to say and how to say it to make her feel better.

"So, what are your plans tonight?" Ami asked, taking a bite of her own cake, "Urawa and I were thinking about catching a movie. Did you want to come?"

Rei and Minako instantly chimed in with "hai," while Makoto looked regrettably at the kitchen doors.

Motoki shook his head at her, "We'll be fine to go to a movie Makoto. We're not opening for another week."

"But the kitchen—"

"As long as everything is soaking, we'll be fine for a few hours. We can come back and check on everything after the movie if you want."

Giving in, Makoto sighed and turned to Usagi, "What about you two?"

The couple shared a glance and Usagi blushed as Mamoru pulled her in closer, "We're going to go back to Mamoru's place. It's been a long day."

After changing into pajamas, the two settled in on the couch to watch a movie.

"It's nice that my parents finally know about me staying here... well... acknowledging that I'm staying here," Usagi yawned, "I'm pretty sure mom knew about this since the first time."

"Usako."

"Hai, Mamo-chan?" Usagi asked sleepily.

"There's something I wanted to talk to you about."

Usagi yawned and silently wondered why all of the talking always seemed to happen just when she was getting ready to fall asleep.

"Have I ever done anything that would make you uncomfortable?"

"Iie," Usagi yawned again, shaking her head and settling into his embrace.

"Would you tell me? I've never don't anything to make you not trust me right?"

"Mamo-chan, what is this all about?" Usagi questioned, sitting up right and looking into his eyes, "Of course I trust you. What are you worried about?" The blonde searched his eyes and blushed. Then, looking down at her hands, "Is this about sex?"

"Nani?" Mamoru chocked on his own spit, "What ever gave you that idea?"

"Well, you're 25 and I'm 18… and I've never… but I'm sure you have and I understand that men have certain…" Usagi gulped, "Needs."

He chuckled at her nervousness, "I'm glad you've brought this up." He matched her blush with his own and brought her back into his arms, "Uh… I mean, I think it's a good thing for us to talk about." Sensing his girlfriend tense, he kissed the top of her head, "I'm not expecting anything, and I'm not going to push you into anything you're not ready for."

Usagi sighed, "I know. And I know I'm not ready. But I just feel like… I don't know."

"Hai, you do." He kissed her again, "Go on."

She hesitated, "It's just… I don't want you to get frustrated with me and—"

He placed a finger over her mouth. "Men have more control over themselves than what they blabber about when they're boys."

Usagi smiled, "Are you betraying your own kind for the healthiness of our relationship?"

"I suppose I am."

"So," she snuggled deeper into his embrace, "What is it you wanted to talk about?"

"Aishiteru."

Told ya! :)