Guest (1): I'm sorry your sad, though I will say that a lot of things get discussed in this coming chapter. That is within it to. As for the yes that will be coming up but in her perspective because of how mamoru's been treating her for several months and before that lacking in most of the departments to and on this evening out she's being treated to the first guy who is actually giving her a technical 'proper date' even though it didn't start out that way. So yeah she loves Mamoru but his lacking of for so much can make a person doubt where not only his priorities lie but what he really wants. So when the hit happened she received an eye opener to. as for Mamoru's one kiss yes it was just one but he was friends with Saori for a while and left with her the impression that he was available and liked her back. Usagi is naturally a friendly flirt so couple that with the several long months worth of what all has happened and throw in a cute guy that's actually a good guy that's interested in her and you have these results. As for the Usagi and Mamoru interaction there's going to be that coming up in this one, its actually extra long for it to. But Tyler will be still around for a minute.

Princesakarlita411: yes she's going to be standing her ground, definitely not going to make it easy, where's the fun in that? lol

DarkenedHrt101: and that scene isn't the only confrontation those two will have either. Lol

SerenityxEndymion: yeah once I had this scene done I knew I had to make it epic. However while I could also see Mamoru doing that for this one, he looses his cool. Simply put. With everything that's just happened on his end, dealing with Chibi Usa's situation then seeing that, yeah he snapped. He couldn't do much for the future brat so he attacked the next best thing, the guy that locked lips with his girl. The Naru thing gets explained in this coming chapter. And things will be happening with Usagi and Mamoru but in different areas. And you do the same.

kera69love: or will it…? 😉 watch and see what happens.

Rjzero00: In that chapter she was trying to avoid comparing but couldn't help it since he's all she's ever known. So yeah when Mamoru came out and did that she was definitely stunned. She's never seen him react like that. plus truthfully I don't recall ever seeing in the series, anime or manga where Mamoru actually reacted even in a similar manner. So for her to see him reacting like that shocked her. and while yes he is the other half of her soul there's no getting away with it, not truly. But that will be discussed later on, kind of in two parts. You know to be honest I ALMOST had her do that to Saori originally. Yet it didn't feel right. Her pain and anger I knew would be fully directed at the end towards him cause she's been dealing with it, his anger and pain hit him all within this 24 hour time frame with everything that happened. and yeah it would have been nice if he had showed some of that toughness beforehand. And yeah he did get saved a bit to by her.

Joanne Frances Tiano Cajilig: thanks, and that was an interesting metaphor. Mamoru got all he advice he needs to go forward but he will be getting a tip along the way. He needs to win her back without help to show that this is mostly himself.

mtillm21: thanks.

Kasumi Yawa: thank you, and yes I do agree on the break versus break up. for this it was a back and forth thing for a bit. However I do know that other people don't share the same respective feelings. And she allowed it at the moment the first time cause she was feeling that MAYBE then he initiated and the other two times it became more 'do I or don't i?' and its something that gets brought up in this next chapter. The length is still ongoing, and I MIGHT even hit 30 chapters, I don't know yet. The different angles are actually still hitting me as I go along.

InuKaglover4ev22: no he had his own right to act as he did cause yet he's right, she is still technically his girlfriend. I do believe that her reasoning for letting Tyler kiss was really based on several, and I mean several long months of back and forth crap with Mamoru then going on a break for several more months and him still not being proactive UNTIL that moment. That's a long time to go with uncertainty and loneliness and even anger to. though I did have her stay with her friends since she then had to explain to Tyler why it happened, genuine guilt for it happening since she was the reason why and lastly she wanted to convince him to keep it from his brother so her parents wouldn't find out. in a sense she's still trying to protect Mamoru cause she feels guilty. She feels guilty for both and that will also be discussed coming up. the Naru thing will be discussed to and so will the talking to Tyler thing, and yes she should have but she was trying to not think about her problems going on so she could show Tyler around town and not be subsumed by her own inner issues…like I said tried. As for the next to kisses yes but that also gets explained, as she was still stunned by the evening actions that took place. And yes Tyler is a bit older than her but not by a lot so yes he's obviously interested in her and she's in the midst of relationship issues but that to will be explained in this coming chapter.

Aiyoku: yup pretty much and thanks. And yeah Mamoru was being all sweet with telling her how he felt, but considering the number of times she's done the same and gotten treated by him on several occasions, to let Tyler kiss her twice more was more or less her trying to cope with the evening. It took on a seriously twisted turn for her and she was grappling with the events. She never expected any of that to happen. The kisses the punch none of it.

Jaguarsolaris: yeah it was instinctive for him on that one. He doesn't know who Mamoru is at this point and even w hen he found out WHO he was it didn't stop him from being protective of her. He's merely seeing an aggressive stance being taken and has now been hit out of nowhere, he did the right thing. Granted Mamoru had reasons but still. And yes groveling will happen.

AimlesslyGera: lol glad you enjoyed it.

Guest (2): true she's not thinking clearly. She was treated poorly and lacking in the department when she did have a boyfriend, and when she put them on a break to get it through to his skull he was immediately proactive therefore even though he still very much loves him when she gets treated right by a new guy ones defenses get a bit weaker and you let some stuff slip by. By that will get discussed in this chapter. As for letting a guy you just met going out kiss you, just as a point of reference here, the guy I'm currently with we kissed the first time we met, granted their completely and TOTALLY different situations so not comparing here but a small point of reference that for this case her letting him kiss her when she was being wooed and the guy that we all want her with is currently not doing anything, till now, its reasonable that she lowered her guard and let him in even if only briefly. Just my thoughts though.

Karseneau1: yup he'll definitely pull out the big guns now…so to speak.

SerenityDeath: thanks just wait till you see what's coming up.

Shay: thanks and while I don't necessary agree that its cheating considering how long their break has been lasting not to mention his lacking before-hand, she wasn't expecting the evening to turn out the way it did. She wasn't expecting the kiss. The night took such a shocking unexpected turn hat she's never dealt with before. Give her an enemy to fight and turn on a dime and she can switch modes but having another guy show affection towards her that she also likes and it throws her off. Though yes this moment did get inspired by 'friends' in this case I didn't see it as cheating considering the circumstances. Ross on friends did cheat considering those circumstances. That was less than hours after their fight, like literally hours later, this was nearly 5-6 months after the beginning of how things declined, and at least 3 months…ish after the 'we were on a break' thing where he didn't show that he was doing anything till later on, but that's just my thoughts.

No extra's: yup it finally happened, and you'll be seeing that effort again really soon. As for Tyler yeah he likes her so he was going to make sure she knew it. Lol

Oracle Sybil: she will go in depth with that with things soon enough. As for mamoru he's got work to do. Lots of it. I hope I didn't make him to unforgivable. She will make a choice in the end that's for sure.

Jovemako: oh she won't, not for a beat. And while he lost his cool he now knows better than to just act out considering she did stay with Tyler and didn't leave with him.

Phillynz: yeah pretty much, he's not thinking clearly with everything that's just happened to him in the last day or so, so between all of that then seeing that he snapped.

shadowQueenGalactica: yup she sure is.

Guest (3): yup he needed to show that he has emotions but he kind of got over loaded and exploded. And yes he has a LOT of work to do. The inner monologues she was doing was really more to show that she will always love him and be in love with him but that doesn't always mean that she will be a slave to that love. Its why she did what she did to keep them apart for him to see the errors cause she cant take it anymore. And the reason why she didn't go with Mamoru that evening, was in fact because of not only his actions that evening but also due to her not being a slave to her emotions for him, she knows they need to talk but he acted like a jealous possessive ass and she didn't let him get his way on it. She pushed and resisted instead of letting him get his way. One can still love someone but not accept their actions and still tell them no and resist them, she's doing that now. His actions weren't forgiven and that will be discussed going forward. As for Tyler, I didn't see the actions as creepy and pushy, but perhaps that's just me, but that to will be discussed.

NikkiBC: don't worry, I'm so behind in a few that their done and I still haven't finished them. Been just to busy. But for yourself try to keep up with your sleep, don't need to crash at work…or on the way to work. And I don't think there are ways to do that without more pain but I do understand the need to relieve pain in your head. And yes you will see them have more time together, very soon to. Macho man it is yup. Possibly, and yup. And yeah Tyler did make it known that he likes her, but I don't think he treated her like a piece of meat. He simply kissed her a few times. Plus they were in full view of her friends and on the sidewalk. Hopefully you'll like what you see next.

Momosapien: oh he will be and trust me that's starting up soon. Well a certain star fighter wont be showing up, sorry.

Bella: thanks, I do take other peoples concerns into consideration to explain where I'm going with the story better which is also why I've re-written this chapter a few times, I wanted to make sure I thoroughly explained things that may not have been as prevalent in previous chapters. But yes everyone gets into these stories and while I'm stunned by the reception I'm glad that I'm getting the feedback. Even if some of it does make my eyes widen. Lol

Guest (4): on that note I will disagree only because there's more to be seen and understood from her side of things. In the previous one she got stunned and thrown into a situation that I do believe a LOT of girls and guys would want to experience but NEVER believe they will so when they get it their completely thrown off track by it. plus I've actually known women to tell me how they find jealousy attractive as long as their committed to that person. And not naru and the rest aren't the bad guys, and Mamoru is no white knight in this, not for that, those were more or less stunts he pulled which will be addressed. Though I will guarantee that there will be NO PUPPY Usagi.

Selenity Hime 13: exactly. And yeah I don't know why they were eventually written out, besides the whole 'she's protecting them by not telling them' thing. And they will begin to talk but its going to be a long conversation to be had later on. The Chibi Usa thing will get discussed to, and she will have her own confrontation.

28 reviews very nice, and interesting responses on the topics. There will be a lot of what your asking about discussed in the coming chapter this evening, its one of the reasons why its SO long, there was a few tweaks to make and I will admit I struggled a tad bit with this one as there was a bit of ground to cover. I almost made it a two parter, but I decided to make it all in one for you guys as a treat to get as much as I could get answered, answered. Please read and review!

Breaking point ch.18

Mamoru POV

I got home about ten minutes ago and took a prolonged hot shower. I was debating between that and a cold one, but I felt like I needed the soothing heat. It's not like I was getting Usagi's anytime soon and the very thought made my fist curl up again in anger. The blood from my knuckles still ran down my fist though not as profusely as it had been when I first stepped in under the hot spray.

It wasn't from hitting that guy she was out with; I wouldn't bleed that easily from mere punching someone. It was from getting upset with myself and smashing it into my bathroom mirror. That happened once I got home. It was at that point I had a chance to think things over a bit more. It was then that I decided to step into the shower and wash off the day's events. Though nothing could wash the memories away. That would be forever imprinted in my head.

I realized I had never felt more upset at myself for how badly things had gotten until now. It should have never gotten this far to begin with. Never should have gone past that night when Usagi tried to talk to me the first time and if I'm being honest with myself, never should have BECOME an issue to begin with. I had initially, walked into my bathroom and splashed water on my face as I waited for the hot water in the shower to build up.

Once I looked up it was like I could see my own disappointment in myself and even a bit of my prince self-telling me I had to clean up the mess. I couldn't handle it. I punched out my reflection cause I had to admit that she was right. I had no real justification to punch him. As good as it felt it wasn't excusable. Not after everything I had done and hadn't done. I had been in the wrong for so long, yet I let my anger and jealousy override my judgement on the matter.

Granted he was kissing her but the more I thought on it, the more I had to accept the facts as they were. She had been out with another guy even if it was with friends and he made the move that I had always fear would be made on her. The reason why I avoided my classmate's knowing about her too much and not only did it happen it happened because I was foolish enough to push her away and let her think that she was unwanted.

I looked down at my hand and debated using my powers to fix it. Did I even deserve a quick fix with it? Realizing I might need to IF an enemy actually did show up, I put my hand over the other and used my powers to heal the broken skin and seeping blood. I'd get to the broken glass later. I shut off the faucet and walked out narrowly avoiding the glass in my path. Once with some drawstring pants on I walked over and grabbed a broom and dustpan from the kitchen closet to clean it up.

Instead of feeling sorry for myself on what had happened I was going to take action and make sure that guy wouldn't be getting anything else from her. I was going to win her back over if it was the last thing I did. I just had to make sure not to break his stupid face…even if I really wanted to. "Mark my words Usagi…I'll get you back…no I'll win you back. I need the other half of me. I need my friend, my confidant and my love back."

Usagi POV

That night after I went to bed I couldn't sleep. Not well anyways. The events replayed themselves over and over like a bad record that kept skipping over the same loop every time and it hurt my heart and head. I felt guilty now. I should have talked to Tyler about my relationship issues with Mamoru. Should have told him beforehand. He might NOT have kissed me, and this might NOT have happened. This was my fault and I couldn't deny it.

I should have explained things to him, even asked him his opinion maybe but I was trying NOT to compare, not to think of him and this is where that lead me. Plus thinking more on it Naru's jump in didn't help as much as I originally thought it had. After I had gotten to my room that night, I started to text the girls after I said goodnight initially to Tyler. Just asking the one question of break up versus on a break. Both Minako, Makoto and even Ami agreed that being on a break and broken up were two separate things.

I had let another friend's opinion dictate where Mamoru and I were, and I felt bad now. I know Naru meant well and was just being protective of me and I appreciated it, but I think this is one instance where she was wrong. I would talk to Naru at school tomorrow so we could chat. First thing was first though. I had to talk to Tyler. It was bothering me, and I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep till we spoke.

Hey you still up? I had asked. Yeah…had to sneak in with my bruise so my brother wouldn't ask questions. I think I might have to use my sister in law's make up to hide it for classes. I cringed at reading that. I texted back…still really sorry about that. Mamoru had no right to hit you, but I think its partially my fault that it happened. It took a minute for him to respond back with…I can't see how it was your fault… I cringed again and texted.

Mamoru and I were on a break, I hadn't ended the relationship. I never said, 'were done'. I said we needed a 'break'. He replied...okay…so I kept going with…And to be honest, the more I think about it, despite what Naru voiced I'm still not a 100% sure its accurate. This is the part that was going to be the hardest cause it would truly admit to my fault in this. I cringed further feeling so guilty towards both of them now.

Truth is Mamoru and I still need to talk and until we are 100% confirmed on being apart I still believe in my heart of hearts that we are together, even if were not physically together, were emotionally and mentally still in that loop, it's just complicated right now and I feel bad cause I feel like I lead you on in some manner. You were just so nice, sweet, making me feel wanted and yeah…I'm a bad person I'm so sorry. I started to cry feeling for him and Mamoru. Why didn't I say something earlier? I asked myself.

It was ten minutes later when Tyler responded. While I get that your still in a stressed-out state with him, it doesn't mean it was your fault that he punched me. That was his own fault. He has control over his own actions. But I do understand why he punched me. I would do if you were my girlfriend and I saw another guy kissing you. Of course. I wasn't expecting this response. It was starting to make my tears dry up a little bit.

But had I told you beforehand that he and I were in a complicated state but still together, you wouldn't have kissed me, and he wouldn't have punched you. I tried and admitted to my truest fault in it. He took a moment before texting back…can I be completely honest here? This both worried and confused me. Yes, please utmost honesty. I told him. It wouldn't have mattered to me if you had said something beforehand or not.

That stunned me as he continued with…The way I see it as long as there's no ring on your finger, your still by law single. If one is wearing an engagement ring, or even a promise ring I fully respect it. Point it I still would have kissed you. Do you regret kissing me? I was shocked by his words and knew he was pointing out a fact but it didn't make me feel any more right about it, the way I saw it was as long as you're were someone's boyfriend or girlfriend you DIDN'T get physical or emotional like that with another.

Granted Mamoru's and mine's relationship was currently in limbo, the technicality of not being engaged didn't matter to me. I still felt emotionally and mentally tied to him. I shouldn't, considering recent events of the last several months but I did. It also didn't mean that I regretted the kisses Tyler gave me either. Even if I had tried to dodge the last two, I hadn't tried hard enough and that alone made it worse.

It made me feel worse. Plus, I only felt guilt over accepting them and acknowledging that made me feel guiltier. However, his words were an actual accurate statement to make. It was by law and regardless of my personal feelings on it he was entitled to his opinion and I respected that, didn't mean I agreed with his stance on it. It also told me he was going to kiss me regardless of what I said.

I felt like I still had some fault since I let him kiss me. I texted back…while I understand your statement I don't necessarily agree with the logic. Yes that is by law but for me I feel that if you're in a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship that that should still be respected and I admit that I faltered even though he and I are on a break, but I faltered nonetheless. I do thank you for being honest with me though. I told him.

I had accepted it a few times to, but it wasn't out of love. It was out of several long months of pent up loneliness and sadness and there had been the prospect of something new. That doesn't tell me if you regretted kissing me. Tyler texted. I sighed…I don't. I admitted. It did make me feel the guilt though. I couldn't help feeling that way. I just hoped that by telling him what I had to say next would be the end of our friendship.

I texted…I do like you Tyler, you're a great guy, but I want to keep it as us being just friends for now. I need to deal with this thing between Mamoru and I. It's only fair to both of you. I don't want to lead you on when he and I are going though emotional drama. I felt like I was breaking up with him when we had only been out once. His response however pleasantly surprised me, like the majority of his responses tonight had.

Its fine, I get it. You need to clear the air with him. If all I get to be is a friend, then I will accept that. and Usagi I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable that evening with kissing you. You were just so sweet yourself, and kind and I was able to actually have a conversation with you about something we both enjoyed. You were intellectually stimulating to me and I rarely encounter that and I'm sorry if I pushed it too far. Now I felt bad for him cause now he felt he had done something wrong.

So, I texted him...Believe me there's not blame on you for this evening. It was mostly my fault and Mamoru's. You were an innocent in this. And you didn't push anything with me…and he truly hadn't. That's when he texted back…it was worth it. I couldn't help it. His words had me giving a small smile as he texted next…We can still hand out right? Promise no kissing unless you initiate. Lol

Yes, still friends. I responded as he texted again…And IF or when you two are officially broken up can I then take you out on a real date? I couldn't help but smile though a bit sadly at his words…I can't predict the future on he and I but what I can say is IF that happens, I would like to go out with you. He merely sent me a smiley face and only then was I able to get some sleep after that.

The next day at school I had to talk to Naru. Once we were at lunch, I managed to get ahold of her. "Can we talk?" I asked, "I would love to but I'm leaving early for a dental appointment, how about after school? We can hang out around 7 at your place or something." I nodded my acceptance of that as I saw her mother pull up to take her to the dentist. Once classes had ended, we left out and headed on over to Makoto's place.

Once we were all there, I couldn't help it I asked them about it. "So, I have a question for you guys, a guy one." This garnered everyone's attention mid biting of the delicious treats Makoto had made. "So…" I told them everything between Tyler's kisses to Mamoru's punch. The gapping mouths that followed had me torn, "I can't tell what your more shocked about. The kiss or the punch…or both." I said. Ami was the first to come back, "How do you feel about them both?" she asked.

I sighed, "I can't deny that I liked it, the kiss that is, because I did. He's the only other guy besides Mamoru to ever kiss me. Mamoru's actions admittedly threw me off, but I want to believe he's going to fight for me." I admit. The girls got silent for a moment on that, "And your feelings regarding Mamoru?" Makoto asked, I expressed, "I love him very much and I know deep down he loves me to."

"But…?" Minako asks. I sigh again, "Why did it have to take all of this for him to have THAT reaction? Why did it take seeing me with Tyler to get through to his thick skull?" The girls sighed now, "Sometimes guys are just dumb." Makoto broke the tension with her words as we giggled, "True very true." Minako agreed grabbing a chip to eat, "So he actually punched him?!" Minako asked.

I nodded, "Yeah…Tyler kissed me...then Mamoru came in and BAM!" I slammed my fist into my palm for emphasis, "He nailed Tyler hard enough to nearly knock him into the street. I suspect he might have used some of his tux strength." The girls were obviously taking this in as I had. "So, what's the question?" Ami asked, I looked to them. The girls that knew my love life better than anyone.

"I told Mamoru I would let him fight for me, but after Naru's words I wasn't sure which is why I talked to you guys a little bit last night." I had only really clarified what 'on a break' and 'break up' meant not all the details in between. Thing is I didn't want to be broken up but at the same time I wanted to be treated right. That wasn't too much to ask for. "Personally, Naru while I know she has a good heart, might have jumped the gun a bit cause yeah, there IS a difference." Minako expressed.

"It's not just her, I DID let Tyler kiss me…a few times." I admitted. None of the girls looked to stunned. "I was expecting shock after that I told them, "Considering how Mamoru's been acting and treating you the past several MONTHS a lot of girls would have been done and moved on, but you stuck it out. Fine you let Tyler kiss you. Usagi you've only ever been with ONE guy in BOTH lifetimes." Minako was right.

"I'm not trying to say that kissing Tyler was the best idea, but she has a point." Ami noted, I knew they both had points. True ones to. I had to get this off my chest though, "Thing is Tyler has made it known that he likes me to, we even talk about random stuff near daily and I explained things to him last night and he accepted all of it. He still wants to hang out." I tell them. Makoto gives me a smile, "He sounds nice." She says. "He is." I agreed.

"Usagi…" Makoto started as I looked to her, trying to eat but finding myself suddenly no longer hungry. "Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge advocate of you and Mamoru, I want you two to be happy together, I do…we all do." Ami and Minako both agreed, "But in the end, what we want is for you to be in a happy healthy relationship." I smiled. "Just talk to Mamoru first. Figure out things with him. Tell him everything you've told all of us." The girls nodded at her words as I nodded to. Feeling assured by her words as they were.

"Make that block head listen. Make sure he understands you as a person and as a girlfriend and only IF he makes it obvious that he's NOT going to listen, NOT going to change and be the man that you need especially considering all the changes you've made, THEN maybe giving this Tyler guy a chance is something worth checking out." I was stunned to be hearing this to be honest as I looked at them.

"Personally, I think we can all agree that we want you and Mamoru to power through." Again, I saw the smiles on the girls faces. "It's however what you want in the end and what's best for you. If Mamoru ISNT going to make you happy as he once did then…yeah." That's when Ami interceded with, "You need to be in a healthy happy relationship. You deserve it." I couldn't stop the rush of emotions. "When it comes to Tyler, I say explore the friendship your gaining with him." Ami added.

"While Mamoru shows you, he's fighting for you let yourself experience just getting to know this Tyler guy better. Nothing but a simple friendship There's nothing wrong with it." I was so shocked to be getting this reception. "Yeah but doesn't it make me sound like I'm cheating - " Minako cut me off. "Not even close. You're not dating Tyler, fine you kissed a few times, that was it and your just friends now." Minako looked to me for confirmation.

I nodded my agreement. I briefly discussed the conversation he and I had last night as they took it in. "Mamoru's the one who messed up. He's the one who needs to fight for you. Just because he's doing that doesn't mean you put your life on hold. You've already done that to many times to count. It's your turn to experience life and be friends with new people." I was glad I had their full support.

This was what I had needed from the start. Support and comfort. So yeah if Tyler and I got to know each other it wasn't a bad thing. We were just friends. So why does it still feel like I'm betraying Mamoru even after everything he's done? I asked myself. Because as the girls just said he's all you've known…I knew they were right. I guess in some way I felt like I needed their acceptance of it.

"By the way I wanted to talk about the pink haired fungus…" I tried to joke as the others gave halfhearted grunts themselves but in a light-hearted manner, "I've recently come to a conclusion regarding her and I feel I can ask you guys about this decision." I could see them all looking to me to back me up of whatever I decided to do with her. I just hoped they understood what and why I was making this suggestion.

"I've been thinking ever since we first started to communicate once more about her regarding different issues one thing always seems to come out on top. One of the main reasons that a lot of us were avoiding stepping on her toes about was because we know she has this immense level of power residing within her." They nodded their heads in agreement. "If we tick her off or upset her too much, she has a chance of losing control of her powers and at her age it has happened several times."

"She does have a habit of becoming an enemy beacon." Makoto muttered as she ate a cookie. I noticed my appetite returning as I grabbed one for nibbling to. "I was thinking about that and about how most everyone was taking her side to avoid her from exposing her powers." I explained, "She does have a habit of losing control when she's upset or frustrated and a child at her age who hasn't had proper training just yet has less control." Makoto pointed out to us as we all agreed.

I knew we had to admit to more than this though, "I know we've been training less and less since a major enemy hasn't appeared yet and we just got through with the dark moon clan, but that doesn't mean we should slack any more than we have. I propose two things. A possibly solution I came up with to help out was to, with everyone's help, put a binding bond on her powers and get her to into training with us, on a lower level not where we're at."

This gets the girls thinking, as they look to me, "Binding powers?" Ami asks, "What I mean is you know how tv remotes have that 'parental control' to block out the adult channels?" I see Makoto and the rest nod in understanding, "What I'm proposing is that since she's still so young, age wise and mentally and emotionally to, as evident by her actions." this gained agreeing nods from everyone.

"That we bind her most 'expressive' powers that can only be released when there's a significant source of danger that NEEDS to be destroyed through the usage of her powers. Like the spell would feel the energies need for such enemies that would need her added power to be released like with the Wiseman." I explained. This prompts Ami to ask, "Is she really all that powerful for that to be necessary?"

I look to her, "Remember the whole school incident with her?" Ami and the others nod, "I think that that was a tip of the iceberg of what she can do." Mamoru and I never got a chance to talk it over but I really do think that since our bloodlines were already so powerful that having them combined created a child that was perhaps too powerful to have her powers at such an early age without some type of lock on the control.

I didn't want them removed from her, I didn't want to deny her, her own destiny or her birthright I should say, but to at least give her a balance of what to work with, "I think that because she's from both the silver crystal blood line and the golden crystal blood line and from to very powerful royals in the future to boot her powers could possibly prove to be limitless in the future." this was something we hadn't broached before. We didn't give it time to be thought on what with the previous enemy and all.

However, it was needed. "I think her parents in the future have an idea of this and use their technology to aid in helping her use them properly, but we don't have that. Now I'm not sure if they forgot about that or figured we'd figure it out, but it needs to be addressed." They agreed, "She just doesn't know how to access or worse yet control all of them." Minako was the first to speak up.

"Very true, we assumed she knew how to use them to a degree, but I think she's winging it mostly herself. When she's super focused, she can control it for a little bit but otherwise she has big trouble in trying." We all nodded in agreement. "I think because she came from the future, we had this assumption about her, it's something were all guilty of, but it needs to be rectified." A collective of agreeing yeses could be heard.

"I know she's down here now to learn as a senshi but there haven't been any attacks and furthermore I truly think that if we bind the majority of them, not all of them mind you, but the majority, and have the spell or whatever, release them little by little the better she gets at controlling them we would have way fewer problems with her exposing herself to evil." Makoto near snorted.

"If only I had a dollar every time that happened." bad joke but still a true one. "Obviously she doesn't try to do this, but it has and definitely could happen again. If we do this, we wouldn't have to worry about toe stepping with her cause she can't literally blow up at that point. There's only so much damage control we can verbally and physically do." I told them, "It's a great idea." Makoto was the first to agree.

Then Ami popped in with, "It would definitely help a lot cause I'll be the first to admit I was afraid that if we didn't get her simmered down, she would blow a cosmic gasket and we'd have to worry about civilians seeing her." That's when Minako gave me a knowing look and said, "We have to include and convince Rei and Mamoru of the plan so that we can get Chibi Usa to the temple to make it happen." That was going to be the tough part.

It required me and Rei to finally talk. That was something that needed to happen beforehand, "One last thing though, I think it will work better if the spell, or whatever Rei calls it, only works when in this timeline." I tell them, "That way they won't have to worry about it interfering with whatever they use if anything they use in the future to do the same." Makoto chimes in, "Good thinking." I smile.

"We need to do what's right so that Chibi Usa doesn't inadvertently become a threat to herself or anyone else. This way we can teach her properly to work with her powers and harness them." I add, "Plus it may help out also with her attitude problem. Teaching her to refine them teaches also balance, a sense of duty, mental stamina and makes your mind stronger and sharper. She won't be so hinged on being a brat." Makoto expressed. Then Minako chimed in with, "As long as she doesn't become a stronger brat, I'm good with that."

We all lightheartedly agreed with that. Chibi Usa needed to learn if you're going to have power, you needed to be responsible with it. Her use of her power was getting to be abusive when they were there to be for help and aid in a 'help I'm in trouble' against an enemy type of situation, not to get into a bedroom where your future parents are at a party that your even supposed to be at, and it's NOT an emergency.

Or using them to make yourself appear sick and convince the entire family of it just to get me back under your thumb, no this ends. It cannot continue as it has been. I felt very firm on this and I felt it deep into my bones to. I felt my past-self agree to as she too had had her own dealings with training to use the crystal. We both have and it was now time for Chibi Usa to learn how to respect the power she held to her core.

"I'll go talk to Rei on the matter, but not until we talk." This time Minako asked, "You need me there?" they were all ready to be there for support of me. I smiled at it, "No this is something she and I have to do alone." I got up and prepared to leave out, "This conversation is a long time coming and we need to sort through a lot. Besides, Chibi Usa does deserve to have this done with a clean mind, no animosity." I slipped my shoes back on and said my bye's as I left out and towards the temple.

Minako POV

When I got the group text to get to get together, I knew I had to talk to the girls separate from Usagi. What I was about to order of them was pertinent and had to be followed. Usagi deserved this. I texted them to NOT tell her about the issue with Chibi Usa having a disappearing act. That what happened between her and Mamoru needed to happen naturally, organically and not feel guilted or forced on her.

They reluctantly agreed to hold off on telling her right away but that Usagi HAD to know the truth. That it was only fair to her. All throughout the time that we all hung out I was glad that they heeded my words…even if it was just temporary. It hadn't helped when Usagi brought up her 'date' with Tyler and her mixed feelings on the issue. I felt dread that one would crack…but neither did.

It gave me hope that things would go according to plan. So, when Usagi left I heard both girls give a sigh, "We'll do this binding process but we need to still keep this from her, at least until things change for the better." I tell them. it had been hard enough to convince them on holding off on telling her until the timing was better. I had my reasons for keeping Usagi out of the loop on this one and it was a very valid one.

I can tell they have some reservation's but they would have said something in front of her if they didn't fully agree with my request, "Listen were both on your side and her side on this but she does deserve to know the truth." Makoto commented, "Yes she will, in due time." I looked out the window to see her leaving off from the building below. She looked determined. Even from here I could see it in her face.

"However, the last thing that's needed is for Usagi to only get back with Mamoru for Chibi Usa's sake. It might even guarantee the brat's diminished future." I knew it would be a bad idea if that were to occur. "If they're going to get back together it has to be because they or rather SHE chooses to of her own free will and isn't pushed into a decision that wasn't hers." And that was IF she chooses to do it.

"I don't like lying to her though." Ami broached, "We just got her back as our friend. I feel wrongdoing this." I looked back at her as she grabbed her own things, "Where are you going?" I asked, "I think we should go to her place, wait for her and tell her the truth." Makoto seemed to feel the same even though she said, "Maybe there's a way to be subtle about it." as she to grabbed her own things.

I had to head this off. I jumped in front of both and stopped them from leaving, blocked the door from them, "Minako!" Makoto near questioned, "No we can't. Not yet. Just give it some more time. Both of you." They both looked to one another, "Just hear me out. If she finds out that Chibi Usa is going through this. That could actually do more harm than good." Ami looked at me with quizzical eyes.

"Explain?" she asked, her deductive skills coming out, "Think about it. Either one of us, including Mamoru or Rei, about Chibi Usa's dilemma, Usagi will then be altering the future regardless. I mean it's an assumption that she will WANT to help the brat that's treated her like crap." This got both of them to look at each other, knowing the truth of it, "Better yet it's an assumption that she WILL help at all. And say she does, then everyone will wonder if she did it out of love or obligation."

Ami sighed as did Makoto as they dropped their stuff back down, seemingly listening to my voice of reason here. I let out a relieved sigh to, "Okay point taken." Ami admitted, "So when do we tell her, because we will have to. She'll resent us if we don't." Makoto asked, "When the timing is right. At the very least we can let her make a decision without it feeling like she's pressured into something."

"It's her choice to make and IF she goes back to Mamoru which yes we all want her to, and not because of what we saw in the future, then it will be because we know deep in our hearts that they do love each other deeply and that Mamoru has proven himself worthy of her." I could feel part of my inner goddess sad that two of the most loving star-crossed lovers ever to exist were at odds at the moment and that she might care for another.

I wanted to use my powers to bind them stronger as even I felt the strings getting stronger lately, but this had to be mended without magical interference. This was up to Mamoru, though to hear that he actually sucker punched this Tyler guy gave me hope for them. "But…their rekindled love needs to be done out of their own actions. Not because she feels guilty over actions that no doubt that child will look to blame her for. Possibly even Rei."

I hoped Rei wouldn't spill the beans either. "And Chibi Usa has that power ball from Mamoru in her." I looked to Ami for confirmation as she nods, "Yes, for how long it will last depends. It's not a permanent solution." She explains. "That'll have to do till things get back on track." It may have sounded mean but at this point after everything that had happened…I breathed in deeply, "Once Usagi makes her choice…" if she chooses Mamoru. Before I could continue Makoto voiced out, "IF she does."

Both Ami and I looked to her, she looked strong for her next words. "We both know she'll always love Mamoru but we also know that unless he actually shows proof that things are changed and different, that she'll never have to worry about things shifting back and being treated as she was again, she WON'T choose him." it was the very thing that I had been thinking about to. I wasn't even sure she'd choose Tyler to be honest. It was way too early to tell on how things would go with him.

"In any case, we need make sure that we avoid meddling in this. In any part of it for the time being. That includes the brat's issue to." Both nodded their reluctance. Then Makoto said, "I just don't like lying to her." I sighed as Ami added on, "Me either but we will be telling her, it just won't be right now. Minako's right, she needs to make her decision free and clear, if she were to know the truth it might make it worse anyways."

Very true. It was up to Mamoru to fight and for her to accept. The Ami asks the one dread question I was thinking, "Do you think Rei will tell her? Or Mamoru?" I sighed. "Honestly because of the baggage that's behind both of them to her, I don't think that will come up. And if Mamoru knows what good for him, for them, he won't." I answer. "Perhaps someone who has a suggestive voice should tell him this." Ami says prompting both Makoto and I to glance in her direction.

"I think your right, looks like it's my turn now." I admit as I take out my own cell and call him, "Minako?" he asks, I smile, suddenly feeling a bit wicked in what I was going to say, "Just to give you the lay of the land, and mind you this is the only life line that's being extended to you sweetheart." There was no malice in my voice and yet I somehow just KNEW that he was in fear of my next words.

"You still want her back correct?" I asked. Smirk in place, not that he could see it, "Of course!" before he could rant about his love for her I said, "Then listen up cause I'm only saying this once. DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT…tell Usagi about the situation with Chibi Usa." I heard his intake of breath. I think he forgot about telling her. Oops. Perhaps I should have thought this through first?

Oh well… "Unless you want to forever question if the reason why she's with you is due to love or guilt that her future child may or may NOT exist then I suggest to keep a lid on that mouth or any other shape or form of communication. She needs to make the choice free and clear of influence. You're going to do this the RIGHT way in winning her back and Chibi Usa will NOT be your bargaining chip. She won't be your trump card."

He needed to know the consequences of this, and no I wasn't bluffing. Not as I turned around and saw Ami and Makoto. I put him on speaker so that he could hear this ending part, "If we find out anything differently, if we find out that she knows BEFORE WE tell her, then you better believe that you will have not only a rainstorm of ice and thunder but that I will personally see to it that love never strikes you in the heart again. Are we in any way unclear?"

I heard a massive gulp as he tells me, tells us really, "I wouldn't expect anything less." He accepted his fate. Good he was learning. I smiled, "Good cause in truth we want you two to be happy together but more than that we want HER to be happy. So, if you're truly intent on being with her till the end prove it. Not to US but to HER. And FYI, time is of the essence." I ended the call before he could respond.

"That actually sounded a bit diabolical." Makoto looked at me like I was a total badass. Ami looked at me with a smile on her face, "It was a tad poetic in a sense. You had him on the ropes from start to finish, I think that earned us a treat." She pulls up the Makoto's bag of goodies as we dive into some chocolate covers oreo's she made along with cake pops she made. "Dig in." she laughs as we all do and begin to eat.

Usagi POV

I arrived back home in time to greet Naru at the door. "How was the dentist?" I asked as I opened the door to let her in, we both stepped inside and sort of stood there, "Just a cleaning." She smiled, "That's good. Listen about what happened that night." I began, she nodded, "I know you were probably just trying to be a good friend and I appreciate that, but I think you may have missed the mark."

She looked a tad stunned, "How?" she asked, "After much debating it was clarified to me that 'on a break' is different than 'a break up' and I know you might have just been upset on my behalf and I appreciate that but…" she put up her hand, "I get it, I was wondering if I had over stepped my boundaries last night. I'm sorry, I was just upset and perhaps I got caught up in the moment. Sorry." She nodded as I hugged her.

"I'll just have to talk to Mamoru about it since our status is in a grey area again and he doesn't know." That's if I was able to get ahold of him. He seemed to text me off and on and I did need to converse with him, but I needed to do it in person. His jump in that evening really just had a mess for me to clean up. Yet so did Naru's words. "Usagi I really am sorry; I hope I didn't make things worse between you to." Now she looked worried as if what she said made a huge impact on us. "If anything, I think my letting Tyler kiss me did that." I admitted.

She just gave me a 'supportive gaze' before saying, "Mamoru loves you too much to let something like that get in the way of you to. I was just shocked he lost his cool and did that." She admitted, "Yeah, everyone is. Kinda feel now like I should do something to him for hurting Tyler." I told her. "Like punch him back?" Naru asked, "No, not that bad but something." Before we could talk about anything else the doorbell rang.

Naru looked at me as if asking if I had someone else coming over. I shook my head no. I was a little confused till I opened the door to find a dozen roses thrust into my face. Naru was off to the side of the door so I could open it and standing outside was Mamoru. With another bouquet of roses in his hands. I accepted the first set as he spoke with pride, "Made them myself. Born of my love for you."

I had to admit the shocking surprise gesture was nice but right now was just BAD TIMING especially as Naru poked her head outside, "Born of your love for her?" the question was skeptical at best as he was caught off guard a bit by seeing her red hair poking out from the side of the doorway. He covered with, "From the plants on my balcony. I grow roses every year." Nice cover…I thought to myself.

"Their beautiful and smell wonderful." I inhaled them as it took me back to when things were good between us. They smelled a bit like him to. Musk and earth, "While I hate to break this moment up…" Naru winced, "Mamoru it seems I owe you an apology." I looked to her stunned as did Mamoru, "Apparently 'on a break' and 'break up' are two separate things, I shouldn't have voiced the inaccurate information or voiced my opinion at all." Mamoru nodded and looked to me with more hope than before now.

He then gave Naru his attention, "As I do to you. Naru I'm sorry I pushed you and Umino out of the way. I was out of my mind with anger and jealousy and shouldn't have let it control my actions against innocents in the path." He actually sounded a bit like his price self in it. "Call it even?" Naru suggested, "Good enough for me." Mamoru agreed, "Usagi we'll hang out again later on I think you two need some time alone together." Naru left out the door bypassing Mamoru before I could say anything.

"How many of these did you make?" I asked him, as he brought another set out from behind his back as he now held two bouquets. "As many as you want." He replied. I couldn't stop the smile from entering my face as I turned to put one set in a nearby vase near the living room. I was thankful that he DIDN'T see it. While the roses were beautiful it didn't mean he had to know how seeing and smelling them affected me.

Especially considering how often I actually saw them. Which now reminded me that it had been a LONG while since I had seen them. I honestly couldn't remember the last time in this life he had given me roses either and I mean an ACTUAL bouquet like this one. "I will concede to the fact of loving roses from you." Then after he put another bouquet temporarily into the umbrella holder making me smile and roll my eyes at his antics, he pulled out from behind himself a box of my most beloved, favorite chocolates.

Dove chocolate with caramel in the center. My eyes lit up as wide as anything at seeing the delicious chocolates. I had to admit he knew me so damned well it was just a shame that he only used it when he was in hot water. With that in mind I wouldn't be easily swayed…despite the grin that I forced from my face. I reminded myself that he could made these pretty easily. He was the rose wielding crime fighter who could conjure them practically out of thin air.

"I know the gestures not going to get you back instantly, far from it, I would expect it to take time considering everything that we still need to talk about, but this is only the beginning of what I plan to do to show you that I will be the one left standing in the end." I looked at his face. I saw the determination in the dark blue depths. This wasn't the prince talking through him either, this was purely him.

It let that spark of hope flutter closer towards him. I resisted the urge to kiss him. I didn't want to appear so easy to sway over. Not after everything that had happened. "And you thought that dropping by unannounced…AGAIN was the best idea?" I asked him. He gulped, "I admit my actions last time weren't well thought out, but this is." I pursed my lips together before accepting that he at least admitted to his own errors…sort of from last time.

Then he said, "We do need to talk, about all of it. Chibi Usa, my faults, the girls and that guy…Usagi is there any way I can persuade you to come with me now to talk at my place? I'll make you dinner and we'll talk about everything." he was right, and I wanted to go over. I had wanted to that evening, but things were happening that I had to amend. Now I was beginning to wonder if that had been a mistake.

"Don't get me wrong we do need to talk but you have some severe timing issues. You can't just show up here unannounced and expect me to drop everything to come over to your place. If my parents were home…" I told him as I knew they hadn't been back yet from grocery shopping as dad's car was gone and mother wasn't home. Mamoru seemed to get that as he gripped the roses in his hands a bit. As if struggling.

"I know, bad ones to." he admitted, "Don't get me wrong the flowers are notable…even if you did conjure them…" I was still annoyed that he was only doing this now after the fact on issues but he was starting to seem like he was making an effort. It didn't mean however that I would be making this easy for him. Not by a long shot. "But you can't expect this to - " then he cut me off, "I know but, Usagi I want to work on us. I love you so much…I want to prove that to you and show you that your what matters to me."

His words sounded honest and true. I felt they were from his heart, but things weren't that simple. I hoped he understood that. "It's not going to be easy. I'm not that easy, not after everything." I told him. "I wouldn't expect it." He sounded like he understood, I was skeptical though. There was trust to be re-earned and regained for us to even begin to go back to being a true us again.

Trust that things had changed cause some roses and chocolates as nice as they were weren't going to melt my heart that easily. There was months of crap to go through and have in the back of my head. Sometimes it requires more than just love to make a relationship work. In this case it would take a lot of rebuilding to get us back there and there was a lot of work to do on his end, "I expect to work for you, and your worth everything I'll ever have to do." my heart softened a little bit for him.

It wasn't a lot that was for sure. My heart still felt frail from the last several times I entrusted him with it. he needed to know, understand and accept that actions, and lack thereof have consequences. The hurt from previous months wouldn't ease up that easily. There would be a lot of work to be done, plus there was proving that it wouldn't happen again. "Usagi you deserve better than what I was giving you." Isn't that the truth.

"I shouldn't have cancelled out the last few times we had to be together. I shouldn't have made you feel as I did with my classmates. I shouldn't have done a lot of things…" I could see he felt true and honest regret over his actions. Thing is acknowledging the mistakes made was only the beginning. Like the first step before you took action on the rest and made good on any promises made and showed that things had in fact changed.

In this case, there was still more to go. "But I'm willing to do whatever it takes to show you that you're not just a priority to me, but that your number one in my heart to." he said. They were pretty word's, and he sounded sincere, but I wouldn't let that be what sold this. A few flowers…or rather a few dozen flowers that he conjured up, and some chocolates weren't going to win me back with a snap of his fingers.

"You still have bad timing.' I reminded him, "And a long way to go before…" that's when I asked myself…before what? Before I accept that he's changed? Or 'let's be together'? Before I accept him back? Or before I realize that this is perhaps not going to work…that I'm conning myself because I want it to work cause he is all I've ever known. This is why I need to both talk to him and still be friends with Tyler.

So that I can make a decisive decision that is final and is what my heart wants. Not fumbling about and hoping that finding each other in two separate lifetimes wasn't a co-incidence. That while yes we are soulmates that it means we true do love each other and aren't just winging it because we remember our past lives. This brought a new clarity to me. I knew I love him, very much, and I believe he felt the same way.

Our link has expressed so many times over so I knew its validity but perhaps we needed to go back to basics once we talked. To see what we really needed after this. Perhaps a conversation wasn't all of what we needed. maybe there was something more. Fumbling over my own words and not wanting to say any of it just yet I managed to get out, "I will accept that we need to talk but I'm - " he cut me off…again.

"Let's go to my place then, its quieter and we'll be alone. You can tell me everything there." He urged me out the door. I barely managed to grab my housekeys as he tried to urge me on. I felt a bit agitated though. We did need to talk but the way that he was going about this seemed, a bit forced. Like he didn't know that his methods weren't helping as much as he thought they were, which then made me wonder since I've always been the one to fight for us does he even KNOW how to fight for us?

When NOT in battle that is. I rolled my eyes. He was going to have to figure it out and learn. As we exited the house, I had to lock up the door. My earlier worries came to light within me as I heard a dog barking near the direction of where Tyler lived. It reminded me, "Just to let you know about Tyler…" I had to get this out. He deserved to know but before I could say anything he remarked, "So that's his name." the words slowed down my own thinking as I saw the look on his face.

The anger was bubbling up again. The sadness was there with an acute amount of annoyance, "Yes, he's new to town." I began ready to tell him when he said, "And he's sticking his tongue down your throat?!" I could hear the anger and jealousy in his voice as he snapped at me. While I felt I deserved it a little his query wasn't accurate. Yes, Tyler kissed me but no he didn't stick his tongue down my throat. I had to get him to cool down, "His tongue WASN'T down my throat." It was just a kiss. No tongues were involved.

He still didn't seem happy but how could I blame him? With what he saw I'd be upset to and to be honest from the Saori thing I was still upset. It was very easy to still picture THAT kiss. I couldn't picture Tyler's kiss. "Fine he didn't use his tongue, he still kissed you and from your description you just met him to." I could hear the pain in his voice from it. The guilt came flooding back again, "Yeah I did…"

However, Saori popped up again. So, some anger followed it to, "And I own what I did. But it's not like you're not guilty either." He narrowed his eyes like he was trying to figure out what I meant, so in answered, "Saori." He almost looked away from me but stood his ground, "I fucked up on that." I wasn't expecting to hear him say that. "I fucked up when that whole thing happened. I didn't stop it right away, there were seconds that passed. Not long ones but there were." The admittance made it feel differently now.

Almost like it became more real. Like I knew what I saw. I felt the weight of the emotions of it. I had dealt with the anger, the slight jealousy and the fears that I myself had had. Yet he kept denying me how bad it really was. Kept trying to sweep it away. Now that he was accepting how wrong he handled it, it felt both good and worse all at the same time. I was glad he manned up and was admitting to fucking up, but it made it so much more real than before. It was like it hurt my heart almost all over again.

I gripped the flowers I had in my hands. Now that memory seemed a bit different. Like the time that I saw them in seemed longer than what I had initially thought it was. Was it longer than what I originally was thinking? So much had happened that night. Plus, there is that saying, 'touch a hot guy and it feels like it's been barely a minute, you want it to keep going to gain more time, touch a hot pan and, the pain feels like it's going on forever when you're trying to make it stop'. That's when I felt tears spring to my eyes.

I think it was some law of physics thing I read in one of Mamoru's books a while back. Now I understood it. I saw Mamoru look at me with the same pain that was reflecting in my eyes, "I regret not saying it sooner, but I messed up that WHOLE situation so badly. I didn't take your feelings into account at all and that wasn't right." My eyes started to shed the tears of hearing my feelings being acknowledged finally.

"I went out last night to find you. To tell you that I wanted to talk to you. To tell you how much I love you. That I miss you. Then I saw you with…him…" he didn't even say Tyler's name, even just saying 'him' was as if it was a vile taste in his mouth. "And I snapped." He admitted, I wanted to tell him that Tyler was just a friend, but again Mamoru talked over me, "I couldn't stop myself from reacting."

"And I don't regret a minute of it." I looked up at him with shock in my eyes as I backed up a few inches. Speechless when I had the opportunity to talk and tell him how things were. Words left me as he continued, "I don't regret hitting him. Not for what he did, even IF it was mutual for even a second, because you are everything to me and I'll be damned if I let him get away with that." His words became harsh in the end and yet so filled with emotion. I felt the tears in my eyes fall.

"And you can spin that any way you want to." He sounded so firm and decisive. It was like when he broke it off with me when the dreams happened, he was so firm and decisive then it broke my heart and now my heart was hurting in a whole new way, "And you know what I stand by my words and my decision to hit him that evening. I could have gone about it different yeah but I'm glad I did it cause your MY Usako." My throat felt dry now as I had been breathing through my mouth from the shock of his words.

Mouth was wide open in disbelief. "And I'm guessing from Naru's words earlier that we are just on a break and ARENT broken up." I nodded dumbly unable to process to many words right now at his bold confession. However now we were back in a limbo of sorts. I could feel through our link how that small bit of information made him feel a bit better and it eased my own heart to feel it. He reached upward and cupped my cheek.

It was the most physical contact we'd had in several long months. "I'll admit what I saw upset me greatly…" I looked at him with teary eyes as we stood there, on the front porch, his hand dropped from my cheek. Neither of us willing to move much as he spoke, "It wouldn't have happened though had I not let so many things happen." I still felt guilty though, "Mamo - " he cut me off though, "I won't let it deter me in what I want with you…"

He went to kiss me. My heart started to pound loudly in my ears. I wanted to kiss him back but there was too much still going on, too much to talk about to let him have this. To let us have this, it was too soon to let him think we were 'good' when we weren't there just yet and wouldn't be for a while to come. I held tears in my eyes for what I knew I had to do. I didn't want to stop it, but we weren't there yet.

He couldn't just kiss me and make this go away. It didn't work that way. He had to earn this back between us. So yes, I wanted his kiss but NOT like this. This was a cry for hope of what once was. We weren't there anymore. That's when we heard my father's care pull up with my mother in the passenger seat. My father called out, "Good Usagi, your home. We have a groc - " but mom cut him off.

"Go ahead and say goodbye to Mamoru – san dear, I need you for cooking tonight." I wasn't sure if I was upset or grateful for the interruption. On one hand I wanted to kiss him but on the other hand after what we had just talked about, I wasn't ready to do that, nor did I want to give him the idea that things were getting better. Plus, yes we needed to talk but we blew that chance for tonight by getting into it out here.

My parents made their way inside with handfuls of groceries a piece. "We'll set up a time this coming weekend. I'm determined to have this talk with you." Then he pulled out another set of roses. I already had the third bouquet in hand, and he was now holding another two. How he was getting away with doing this in my front yard of all places was anyone's guess really. Something still irked me though. "Mamoru, Tyler didn't deserve that punch."

That's when I felt it within him. He was happy that he punched him in the face. In fact, now that I could feel more of his feelings since the link seemed to be strengthening a bit, which was definitely a good sign even if it still wasn't where it could be at, I felt the glowing pride of having done that. I felt how happy it made him. I felt his feelings towards it. So, I did the next best thing.

After all that kiss wasn't totally on Tyler. I kicked him in the shin with my school shoes. I felt the bone hit hard as he nearly doubled over from the shocking pain of it as he looked up at me like 'what the hell?' as he hoped around for a moment. I resisted the urge to grin and laugh at his hopping around. "You think I don't feel how punching him made you feel? You enjoyed it. So, tit for tat." I saw the shock on his face as he heard my words right before he countered with, "Like you didn't."

I gulped at his words as he even had the audacity to look nearly smug about it his face telling me to deny it and he KNEW I couldn't. Fine, it had been true. A SMALL, TINY portion of me enjoyed seeing the man I love get jealous over me. To see him acting out and going all cave man, yes fine it was a, BIT of a turn on. Especially considering how emotionless he could be quite frequently. I couldn't help the rising tint to my cheeks. Didn't mean I liked it. I didn't want to admit to something that I wasn't ready for him to know about.

"Like you didn't enjoy that." His eyes even seemed to darken a bit. "Like you DIDN'T want to come back home with me instead of staying with them." My eyes widened in shock at his accurate deduction. His implication though, the tone he used…I gulped. I had wanted to, to, but I needed to talk with Tyler that night and give him a quick explanation and then a longer one after the fact. He knew it to.

"That's beside the point." I cleared my throat as he ignored the hit he just took and walked at full height up to me. I stood a bit froze as he grinned down at me, "And that point is?" he asked, I gulped as I was having a hard time thinking right now. It was when I could hear my mother preparing the food to be cooked from the kitchen that I pushed a set of the roses back at him, preventing him from getting closer to me. "That he didn't deserve it. Now I have to go put these in water." I told him yet I made no move to go inside.

It was only when I heard mother calling out, "Usagi time for dinner!" a small warning to finish up and get inside or else she'd cook my goose. He looked over my shoulder and said, "You should probably get going. I'll text you to set up for us to get together and talk. Hopefully this weekend." He left the front porch as I was now left with three dozen roses in my hands. So, the wooing has begun.