Chapter 18

By Friday afternoon Mamoru was chomping at the bit to see Usagi. He hadn't seen her since Monday, and missed her, badly. She had already text him to confirm their date, and to ask what to wear. He know he confused her when he said to dress comfortably, and to bring socks, but that was fine with him. He was taking her bowling, and he hoped she enjoyed it. He was just coming out of his bedroom door when he heard knocking at his balcony door. He looked to see Luna sitting there. He went over to let her in.

"Hi Mamoru. I know you're getting ready to leave for your date with Usagi, but this will only take a moment." Luna said.

"OK." Mamoru responded.

"Would it be a problem for you to bring Usagi here, before you take her home tonight, so I can tell her everything, please? I know it's your date night, but I kind of want you to be with her when I talk to her. I know my story will probably effect her emotionally, and I would like you to be with her, for support. I know I'm asking a lot for tonight, but I know you have plans with ChibiUsa tomorrow, and I don't think it'a a story she should ever hear, you have your internship on Sunday, and I don't think it's right of me to put so much emotional upheaval on Usagi on a school night." Luna stated.

"Luna, you didn't need to explain. I'll bring her here to talk after we're done bowling. Do you want me to leave the door open for you?"

"Yes please, and thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Have fun on your date."

"Oh, and Luna. There is fresh tuna and water on the counter for you. Also, I think you need to bring Artemis with you tonight. I think he needs to hear what you have to say too."

"OK. Thank you Mamoru. For everything."

"Any time. See you in a few hours."

Mamoru headed off to Usagi's. He decided to drive because the bowling alley was almost thirty minutes away. He got more and more excited the closer he got to her house. He practically ran to her front door, and knocked, after taking a breath to calm himself. He knew he was acting ridiculous, but he missed her. Kenji was the one to answer the door.

"Hi Mamoru. Come in. Usagi will be down in a minute." Kenji said as he let Mamoru in.

"Hi Kenji. Thank you." Mamoru responded as he came in, and shook Kenji's hand.

"How are classes going?"

"They're going very well."

"How about your internship?"

"It's been a great experience. I'm working mostly with Dr. Mizuno. Her skills, and knowledge are very impressive. I'm hoping to be as good as she is one day."

"I'm sure you will be. You are very intelligent, and a hard worker. I am confident that you will go far."

"Thank you Kenji."

"Usagi said that it was your idea that she look into becoming an art teacher."

"Yes sir. She said she wanted to do something with children, and she is good with art, I thought it might be a good fit. Her personality is perfect for working with children too. I'm glad she is giving it a chance with the volunteer job."

"The volunteer job was definitely a good idea. At least she'll have a chance to see if it is a good fit for her, before going to college."

"Very true."

Moments later he heard someone skipping down the stairs. He looked up see his beautiful Usako coming towards him with a huge smile on her face. Tonight she was wearing a light blue peasant top with a white spaghetti string tank top underneath, and a pair of jeans with lace sewn like patches on it. She was carrying light brown boots in her hand. As always, she took his breath away. He heard Kenji chuckle from beside him.

"I look at Ikuko the same way." Kenji said quietly.

It had taken a long time for Kenji to warm up to him. The man was determined to keep boys away from his daughter. Any time Mamoru would come to see Usagi Kenji would shoot him death glares, and shoot about no boys. It took Kenji watching Mamoru work with Usagi on school work, and four tests with high marks for Kenji to accept Mamoru.

"Hi Usako. You look wonderful as always. Are you ready to go?" Mamoru said as he hugged her.

"Yes." She responded as she sat to put her shoes on.

At that moment he looked up, and saw ChibiUsa standing at the top of the stairs. She looked to have anger in her eyes. He started to worry they would have another scene like the previous week, when he took Usagi out. Instead, he watched as she sighed, and turned away.

Usagi stood up, grabbed his hand, and started to walk towards her door.

"Bye papa." She said.

"Bye you two. Remember curfew it at 11:00. Don't be late, and be careful." Kenji said.

Once Mamoru and Usagi were in the car, he turned, looked at her, smiled, and pulled her to him for a kiss. She placed her hand in his chest, and sighed happily as she returned the kiss. He placed his forehead against hers and stared into her beautiful blue eyes.

"I've missed you Usako." He said softly.

"I've missed you too." Usagi responded with a small smile.

With that, he pulled away from her, started the car, and headed to the bowling alley. They had never played before, but he hoped it was fun for her.

"So where are we going" Usagi asked after a few moments.

"It's a surprise. Tell me about your week." Mamoru answered.

Usagi chatted happily about all that had happened during the week. She also told him about one of Setsuna's coworkers playing a practical joke on her in the lab.

"Tell me about your week." Usagi asked.

"Well one thing that happened was I got to use my joke book yesterday." Mamoru answered.

"Really? Tell me all about it."

"Well this man, and his wife came in because he had collapsed from stomach pain. Turns out he needed his appendix removed. He was very nervous about the surgery, and trying to refuse. After about ten minutes of Dr. Mizun trying to calm him, she looked to me for help so I pulled the book out, found a good joke, and told it. For a moment the man looked at me like I was crazy until his wife started giggling. After he calmed down from laughing, I asked him why he was refusing the surgery. He explained that a friend of his had heart surgery, but passed away during the surgery. He was scared the same would happen to him. Dr. Mizuno let me explain to the man the difference in the surgeries, and why the same thing was not likely to happen. He stopped refusing after that, and Dr. Mizuno allowed me into the operating room to assist. I mostly just watched, but it was amazing. Afterwards Dr. Mizuno complimented me on how I handled the man, and even said she might have to get one of those books for herself. When I told her you got it for me, she laughed, and said that sounds like Usagi."

"Oh Mamo. That's so wonderful. I'm really glad you're able to work at the hospital, and learn about what you want to be doing."

"I am too. I really enjoy it."

It wasn't long before they reached the bowling alley. As soon as Usagi saw what they would be doing, she got so excited.

"Bowling! Oh my god! I've always wanted to try this. This is going to be so fun." Usagi said excitedly.

"I hoped you would say that." Mamoru said as he lead her into the building.

When they entered the smells were a bit strong. It smelled of chalk, rubber, a bit like feet, and fried food mixed in. They could hear music playing, people talking, and balls hitting pins. It was loud, but not to the point that they couldn't hear each other. They quickly made their way to the counter to get bowling shoes, balls, and get a lane for two games. They opted to get bumpers on their lane for the first game. The clerk explained how to play to Usagi, and then they headed to their lane. Once they had their bowling shoes on, and their names entered into the computer, Usagi picked up her pink ball, and threw it down the lane. It bounced once, and slowly made it down the alley, barely knocking over one pin. The guy in the lane next to them chuckled lightly.

"First time?" the older man, with a small pot belly, gray hair, and glasses asked.

"Yeah." Usagi said, a bit sadly.

"Don't worry. The first time I played, I left a dent in the alley because my ball hit so hard. Watch me, and then copy what I do ok?"

"Ok."

Mamoru and Usagi watched the man, and his three friends each take a turn before Usagi tried again. She wasn't perfect, and only knocked over two pins, but she got excited, and jumped up and down because she managed to hit those two pins. Neither one of them was very good, but they both had fun, any way. The men in the lane next to them, laughed at Usagi's antics, and celebrated when she knocked pins down, along with her. After they returned their shoes, and balls to the clerk, Mamoru lead Usagi to the café attached to the bowling alley.

"Mamo, we have to come again some time. This was so fun. Maybe we can get the girls to come too." Usagi said happily, as they sat down.

"Definitely." Mamoru agreed.

"Maybe Motoki can come too, so you're not the only guy."

"I'll definitely ask. By the way, can I ask something?"

"Of course."

"Um. That painting you did, that's hanging at your school. When you get it back, can I….ummm….can I have it to hang up in my apartment please? I really love it."

"Uh sure. I mean it's not that great, but if you want it, it's yours."

"Not that great? Usako, it's fantastic! You did an amazing job! Even your teacher seems to think so since she had it hung in a place of honor so everyone coming into your school could see it."

"I guess, but I. Well I see the mistakes I made as I worked on it."

"Well of course you do. We always see the process we go thru in our work, but that's part of what makes it our work. The mistakes are also part of what makes it beautiful. I'm guessing you also worked on it without a picture to copy right?"

"Well yeah. I drew it out, freehand before I painted it."

"That's what makes it so impressive. You created it yourself. You didn't copy it from someone else's work. That all came from your own mind. You should be proud of yourself for coming up with it."

"Thanks Mamo. That means a lot."

They spent the rest of their meal chatting, and enjoying each other's company. He loved how happy, and carefree she was. It saddened him a bit that she was going to end up emotional soon, with her talk with Luna, but he hoped the end result was a mended friendship, and a once again happy Usagi.

When he took her back to his apartment, she didn't ask questions, but he decided to give her a small heads up any way. Before he opened the door, he turned to Usagi, and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Usako, there is someone who would like to talk to you. Some of it might be hard to hear, but I think it's important, for both of you, ok?" Mamoru said.

"Umm…ok?" Usagi said, looking at him questioningly.

He let her in the apartment, after they took their shoes off, he lead her into the living room, where Luna and Artemis were sitting on his couch.

"LUNA!" Usagi squealed, and quickly scooped up the light black cat, and hugging her tightly.

"Hi Usagi." Luna said softly.