LoveInTheBattleField: thanks. 😊

Princesakarlita411: oh very much and it's the first of many. She will get brought back up no worries and I came up with something new to throw in that I hope people will like. Maybe…😉

SerenityxEndymion: that was actually something I thought about recently that I had initially thought to do to begin with and now the opportunity may present itself. That will get explained later on. you'll find out. oh and as for the kiss being terrible for Saori I had to laugh at that prospect but no that was all due to the amount of liquor she had.

Joanne Frances Tiano Cajilig: yeah they'll be talking more as they go along. 😊

kera69love: yeah that will be an interesting conversation. Its why I'm trying to slip it in when things slow it down.

jovemako: yeah I thought it was, the second date will be more interesting to. I have noticed that among writers though, and its nice when its something you can easily picture her in but sometimes its nice to shake things up. I was honestly inspired by Rachels wardrobe from friends. She almost always wore some great pieces so I figured for Usagi as she matures she'd choose more of that style. The jealous waiter bit was a last minute add in.

CassieRaven: definitely did. Its all long time coming but it doesn't really end there and there's still a bit more to discuss. Not a lot but more definitely. And yes the conversation with Saori will be. and Tyler isn't giving up on the romance, he's the slowly trying to slip back in type.

Less is more: that maybe more my fault as I'm just trying to expand on emotions and how its effecting everyone, but perhaps it's not doing the intended job it was supposed to. the saori part will be interesting. In her minds eye regarding Saori and Tyler is that Saori has known Mamoru longer and therefore has had feelings for him longer, Tyler's the new guy in town who just went after what he was interesting in and is friends with her. as for her 'respecting' everything, in this sense she's trying to be understanding but I guess it can get to be a bit much after a bit.

InuKaglover4ev22: yeah I noticed that AFTER I posted so sorry and thanks. I did think of that but sometimes people do talk about that kind of thing in public to force themselves to remain civil about it and not make a scene, but for this they did get out how they felt about things and to do it in the restaurant was actually something I wanted them to do. to show each other that they were mature enough to handle such conversations while at a nice place. Well in Usagi's slight defense she didn't kiss Tyler he kissed her, much like Mamoru didn't kiss Saori, she kissed him. as for the cheek kiss as way of saying 'thanks', I know plenty of friends that do that so I thought that was common. Hell I know a set of friends that give each other pecks on the lips as a way of friendship and that's all they are to each other, nothing more. I guess different perspectives. The break has been for 3 months, the 4-5 months was her gauging when the last time I believe they tried to date. As for the sex part, it is for many relationships I've known a factor, not the main one, but one of many factors in a successful relationship like this. And yes Tyler was being sneaky to say that to Mamoru but he has a goal in mind now as Mamoru does. As for the waiter part, that was a last minute throw in to show Mamoru being a little jealous without having it become a scene. And your right about that last part, we know that but their learning that.

karseneau1: thanks and no problem.

phillynz: it happens. No problem though, I get it. I agree but there will be talks either way.

NikkiBC: yeah he really didn't play that out to well. And yes I do agree on the not always ending up together. I read a story once, years ago where Mamoru and usagi were a couple of sorts but were open to other relationship I think. Either way she was a famous song writer or something and she finds out in the end that he had slept with all of her friends so she leaves him in the end. I haven't read some much of the abusive ones to much, though I am reading one (just waiting for it to be updated) where their married and while they do hold love for each other and have a daughter Annabelle I think, when she lost their second child a son through miscarriage he ended up turning to shutting her out and later on started an affair with a co-worker. She has no idea but is about to find out and in that story he's proving to care more about her taking their daughter away from him if she were to find out since Ami works at the same hospital he's at with the co-working nurse. Plus he keeps excusing away his own behavior and not owning up to responsibilities even when Motoki talks to him about things. He starts to act jealous but passes it off as if putting her down in some form or criticizing her. if the writing weren't so good I'd have given up on it but I really want to see if there's any redemption chance in it.

Rjzero00: thanks and that wont be the only chapter, there will be a bit more to come still. Thank you, there's a reason for things in this story. And yes there will be a conversation. If it were to be a versus between him and seiya, he'd have to be upgraded by then cause I cant see the laser being beaten to easily by the bomber. Those issues will be addressed shortly.

Dainorapet: not a problem, I get it. its fine I have my manga safely tucked away for to long to so I don't remember everything either. And to break it down for the first one, and she is now seeing things that way as they communicate more which is really what she wanted from the start. It wasn't all about from her side of things but to listen so they both could listen to one another. As for the life experience for him, since he grew up in the orphanage and seemingly wasn't ever adopted I doubt it was rainbows and puppies either. So yes, defensive at points, anti-social definitely among other things in his youth. The other constants are all very true, its as if for the longest time he was not allowing himself to be happy unless it was something he could control then in drops Usagi showing him that something he didn't control and cant control is bringing him joy and yeah he makes the mistake within his actions. In this case though he denies that he makes the mistake and takes a while to own up to it. yes he did things cause it was what he knew but for her she's wondering now that you have other friends now why not go to them for help or guidance. As for previous females experiences, I believe he's had some but not a lot no. I never thought of it that way with the needing a professional for mental health before, interesting view point. And they will be talking more and as for her telling him about not regretting it, she was being honest with him so that he understood that even though she doesn't regret it she doesn't feel for Tyler as she feels for him. not like that not at all. She only doesn't regret it because she got to feel whether or not she'd feel that spark of being kissed by another and she didn't feel a spark. Its why I hinted at her liking Mamoru coming in as he did cause had the situation being different she would have gone home with Mamoru instead. Mamoru's reaction was of pure unadulterated anger and possessiveness over the fact that someone else had acted on what he had hoped wouldn't ever happened and now that it has he snapped. There will be more talking coming forward though, and thanks for the review. And don't worry about the spelling, no biggie.

14 reviews, nice, hopefully your enjoying this as I am, we are getting close to the end here, but we still have some chapters to go. let me know what you think of this one, please read and review!

breaking point ch.27

Mamoru POV

I strode into my place as I shucked off my shoes as I take a breather once I sit on my couch. As I reflect on the evening that happened, I knew by the end of it I had been successful in giving her a proper date. Well not just a proper date but showed her that I can be what she needs as she's always been what I needed. Need…funny thing was the date wasn't hard. We still have more to discuss but it was worth it to have the talks we did have.

Even if some of the discussed topics weren't preferential nor wanted to be discussed they were at least out in the open. I thought about the conversations we had over dinner and even after dinner as we took a small walk before we went back to her place to get her home on time. I wanted to be able to continue dating her and that wouldn't be possible if I kept her out past curfew on the first date no less.

I hadn't realized however how sleepy I was from all of it till I woke up the following morning still on the couch. Thankfully I didn't have early morning classes. It was one of the reasons why I choose last night for the date. Today was my technical day off from everything so I could have a day of rest and relaxation. I wasn't sure when I'd be able to get some sleep in as I thought I'd be up half the night going over everything to myself point by point.

That wasn't the case as I was so tired that I fell asleep on the couch. It wound up being that morning as I showered washing the grim and just knowing that I HADNT showered the night before bothered me. While the date had been nice it's not like Usagi slept over or anything so yeah I showered off the previous day. It was once I was in the shower that I really went into detail and went over everything that was in my head.

As I cleaned myself my thoughts went to her telling me about what happened that night she went out with Tyler BEFORE I entered the scene. It was at least more explanatory, definitely more that I knew before and I did appreciate her open honesty with me. It did explain several things that I hadn't been made aware of beforehand and had I NOT acted as I did perhaps, she would have gotten the chance to tell me sooner.

Thinking on it now had I just made my presence known she probably would have come home with me to talk. I just got so angry seeing the kiss that I reacted instead of thinking first. He was the first human to ever gain her affections. I couldn't count Ail or Diamond since both had other worldly powers. Unless you count Umino but he and Naru got together so I knew in my gut that I didn't have to worry about him.

Back to the topic at hand here. I still wasn't thrilled that it happened, not by a log shot, but knowing it wasn't initially something she did, though she did unintendedly provoke it by giving him the cheek kiss. I had seen her do that before to close friends, so she probably thought she was getting close to him in that regards and didn't think about it. It was him that took the advantage and decided to act as he did.

Not to mention the ONLY reason why he went out with her that evening was because it was actually something asked of her to do by HIS brother. That reason somehow made it…I don't know, better, I guess. I sighed. I did have to admit knowing more gave me a bit of insight that Usagi hadn't been at too much fault that evening. Of course, she'd take Tyler out for a night of fun with her friends.

She was seeing it as a harmless venture to help him acclimate to the city and surrounding areas to visit and hang out around. That's probably what his older brother was thinking to. Though I'd have preferred it if HE would have been the one to show him around which also made me wonder why it WASN'T him to do so since from the sound of things he's been in Japan longer than Tyler.

Unless he had ulterior motives involving Usagi. I hoped that wasn't the case, but she didn't elaborate on his brother too much, though why would she? She didn't know him like that, but I doubted since Tyler was already a little bit older than the older brother was most definitely older and therefore didn't, or rather hopefully didn't have any intentions toward Usagi and WASN'T using his brother to get to her.

I sighed and knew I was letting some paranoia crap get to me. I had to stop letting issues from my past take control of my present with her. I didn't have to worry about the older brother, only about how this Tyler was trying to fit into her life. Surely by now he knows we are working at our relationship. The fact that she ignored his text, in favor of time with me showed proof that she was working with me. So, knowing she took him out that evening I understood it now. It's just who she was.

Plus, to be honest, I even get how the kiss happened for her, just like I got why the one Saori gave me happened. Even I did have to come to terms with my culpability in that. The fact that she didn't regret said kiss, however, did hurt more than I had wanted to admit to when we were in the restaurant. I had even darted my eyes around quickly to see if anyone else was listening in on our conversation and had to realize that no one cared about our drama.

I had to stop thinking that everyone was watching us if we got to deep or even got physical towards each other. Once I forced myself to stop caring about what others thought of us, I was able to see how she felt about it. Seeing her reaction to telling me had been telling to. I could still see the guilt in her features. That at least did aid in how I was feeling. It told me how even though she said there was no regret she still felt regret.

I don't think she even realized it though. I mean how does one feel guilt without some form of regret over the act? I know I felt both when that kiss with Saori happened. I think Usagi did feel it but because of what resulted from it she believes she's not regretful of it. What I do feel however is that my jealousy was up that evening, yet I managed to contain it relatively well. It just didn't help when she told me that she didn't regret it.

Yeah, I know that she had to feel some form of it, but I also get why she'd say she didn't to. It took me an entire car ride back home to come to the full reaction to why I understood. She had never experienced attraction or feelings towards another, I didn't count the small short-lived crush on Motoki she had. She herself said that while he was cutie, she believes she was mistaking his kindness for flirtation and once my alter ego and I came onto the scene that there was this weird energy between us that she couldn't figure out.

I remember her telling me about this what feels like a year ago now. It wasn't a year ago, but I digress, she stated that when I came along, she tried her best to ignore me but that I kept popping up everywhere she went to. She had even suspected that I was following her around at different points and while I truly wasn't, I did have to admit that I had started to befriend Rei more closely to be closer to her.

We kept popping up near one another and it turns out that that weird electric energy between us was our souls trying to connect together long BEFORE our counterparts were known and BEFORE we knew of our past lives. It had been one of the reasons we fought so hard in the beginning. We didn't know how to handle our kinetic energy or attraction to each other. So, we treated each other like 'frienemies' before we became friends then just before we were about to let our attraction act everything happened.

So yeah I get it and while a selfish part of me wished she never would know the touch or kiss of another man, wanting her to only know me as a source of sexual awareness and awakening, or any feeling in that area really, I also knew that was something that was more of a fevered dream cause how could she not be curious? Before we met that is and especially after the neglect and emotional and mental chars of being an ass I put her through.

So yeah, I understood it on SOME level, but it didn't mean it didn't still hurt me. Cause yeah, I never stopped loving her and she clearly never stopped loving me. I had hoped that she wouldn't go out with another guy or rather I stupidly thought that she wouldn't realize how she could attract any man she wanted. That if she stayed this naïve young woman that guys wouldn't want that yet what guy didn't want that?

I messed up and I knew it. So yeah, her actions hurt me, but my actions had hurt her to. This was just a fresh wound for me than hers was. She had had several months to think and stew in the pools of anger and the rest of her feelings. I hadn't. Mine was new and felt to raw still. I had had what I thought was heartbreaks before, previous crushes I had had that either turned me down because I didn't have a family to stand behind or something else, but Usagi's was so much different than them.

I knew she loved me deeply. Not from our past life but just in this one. Growing up as I did, made it hard to trust someone else. Anyone else. To let myself think that happiness with another was possible…it was told to be a foolish notion. Yet she showed me it was possible. That she was there, then I messed up. Which brought me to another realization that I should have started this wooing process a WAY long time ago.

I should have worked earlier and more strongly to show her that I did trust her. That the old fall back notion wasn't going to be in place ever again. That she was my future and that I loved her beyond what words could truly express. She was my hurricane that I didn't want to be saved from ever. I regretted the mistakes I made so much now, and it was biting me in the ass cause now another had kissed her.

It took something stupid, something that should have happened for me to get the picture and only now, several months later were we dating as we SHOULD have been a while back. That to is something I regret. She tried to tell me so many times and I didn't listen. So when she told me her truths I will admit I wanted to be more upset. I almost let go of her hands as I felt her warm through her skin.

Yet I knew if I did I'd regret that to. I wanted to be there for her, for us. Even if I didn't like the news it didn't mean that it was bad news. It just meant that it gave me more insight on what happened. It's why I clung to her hands still. I didn't want to let go of the idea of us even in the smallest of ways. Plus in another sense at least it hadn't gotten further than that kiss. That might have destroyed us completely. Even as I thought of it now I knew Usagi wouldn't have done that, not just to me but to herself to.

She had more class than to jump into bed with someone else so fast. The mere thought that my brain put it there while it was a logical possibility, when it came to matters of the heart, I knew it was complete bull. That girl was shyer in the bedroom than any girl I'd ever met before. It was only after we had been in private behind closed doors that she had felt more at ease and comfortable enough to allow things to progress.

After that we started to become more adventurous, however, that was also when things went south and it wasn't the adventurous part that did it, it was all the other factors that did it. I knew our romance was different but I just KNEW that she wouldn't. The knowledge made me slap that inner part of me that even thought of the notion. I texted her instead after I got out of the shower and into clean clothes…had a really good time, let me know when you're available next, I'd love to take you out again.

I had to think of something new this time. I did the typical restaurant date and now I wanted to do something else that would be seen as 'I'm proud to be your boyfriend and I don't care who knows it'. cause I was. I was tired of caring about what others thought. It was one of the factors that was hindering and hurting our relationship so I wanted to do something that would prove to her that I didn't want anything to hurt it going forward.

The first thing I did was go online on my phone and look up anything I could find on 'second best date options' and saw a slew of places or events even that I could take her to. The options were so vast and many that I had to pull out a pen and pad, flip it open and started to write a lot of this out. It wasn't till I got to the third option that I realized that this was for people dating for the FIRST time.

This was more of a rekindled romance. Before I decided to scratch the list off I retyped in 'second best date options to rekindle a romance'. The results were more narrowed now which I was glad about, but they were also similar to the first and while it did help to narrow down what I wanted to do I was looking for something fresh. Plus, some of these events I couldn't work either way cause Usagi wasn't 18.

So that left several places eliminated due to age restriction. I had to pick a place in between, that was somewhat classy, and open to any age really so that we could both be interactive and have a good time. Plus I wanted to take her some place that had food so we could have dinner or lunch depending on when I could get her to have some free time. I realized I should have been doing this months ago but hey better late than never right?

Besides as I wrote down more options on the pad and wrote the locations and hours down I realized I was now getting a lot of creative ideas that we could do for dates. Realizing however that I couldn't just rely on online ideas I texted Motoki on his thoughts. First I made sure he was available so I first texted him…hey you busy? Cause for all I know he's busy as hell at the arcade right now.

His 'bored at the arcade right now, you should come on in, it's been a while' told me that this was perhaps better explained in person rather than through a ton of texts back and forth. I really didn't feel like typing up pages upon pages worth of what happened so it was better to see him in person. Getting my keys I left out and grabbed my motorcycle before leaving the building as I went over to talk to him.

Thankfully I had no classes today and he was working only a short shift so I hustled to get over there so I could fill him in and get the advice I'd need. It took me less than fifteen minutes to get there, park my bike and walk in. "Hey long time no see." Motoki indicated for me to follow him to one of the booths while he called for his little sister to man the counter for any customers, "So what's been going on?" he asked as we sat down.

He wasn't going to assume anything happened so I had to relay everything that I could tell him that happened AFTER we last spoke. After about another near fifteen minutes of giving him the rendered version of what had gone down he sat back in the booth and looked stunned, "Wow…" he began. "Yeah glad you came over for that cause…okay…" it felt good to get it all out to be honest and telling one of my best friends definitely helped.

Now I needed the advice, "So what do you think?" I asked. He looked at me then sat forward, "Well first let me get a few things straight cause that was a lot of information." I nodded for him to continue as he started to go through everything point by point to make sure he had everything, "So you tracked her phone to where she was at." I had to alter that to avoid saying 'I used my connection to her to locate her like a bunny-radar'.

I had a feel that wouldn't fly by too well and would only raise even more questions, "Punched the guy who kissed her…" I saw his baby sisters head perk up at hearing that like 'seriously?' before pretending to mind her own business, "Left out after she essentially yelled at you and left her with him, Naru and Umino…" I nodded again as he went over it simplified compared to my version of events.

"Then you two went back and forth over a bunch of bull, you pushed this Tyler guy seeing him once again with her as she was babysitting when he 'got on your nerves'…" Motoki used the air quotations to make his point, "And made it clear he wanted her, before you finally took her out on a first date after you had to CONVINCE her to do so when the several bouquet of roses didn't do the trick…" I nodded again though I had to gesture for him to keep his voice low. He was between rolling his eyes and trying to keep his voice down.

"Then you two talked about said kisses between her and this Tyler guy who you officially hate…" I nodded as I nearly muttered 'ass' under my breath regarding this Tyler guy, "And your kiss with Saori whom now avoids you at our college and is even transferring some of her courses to online ones just to continue it since she still feels embarrassed about that night and now you're looking to me for second date advice?" I pursed my lips.

"I didn't kiss Saori." I almost grumbled. Now it was Motoki to look at me pointedly, "Listen here…" he leaned in towards me, "Her lips were on yours, as fleeting as it was it still happened." I went to open my mouth to protest it when he cut me off and added on, "No! As much as you say you didn't kiss her back the act still happened." my mouth is still open so he keeps going on cutting me off from a lacking defense, "And it still happened regardless of how you want to make logic of it not having happened."

My shoulders slumped, "Besides your 'I didn't kiss her, she kissed me' is officially a broken record that I want to toss out and burn." He tells me, his own bit of frustration coming out. "The kiss happened, deal with it, accept it, own it, apologize for it and move on but enough with denying that it happened or that she came onto you. The whole who came onto whom doesn't matter at the end of the day. Not by now." Motoki tells me.

I had to accept that he had a point. That's partially what Usagi's point was. To accept it and acknowledge it. "Fine, but me telling you this was to give you an idea of how to help me move forward with ideas here. not to lambast me for past actions. I wrote these down as options, but I need your help on which ones to pick." I pulled out the pad I had slipped into my jacket pocket for him to see. He spun it around and looked over the options.

"I've done about half of these with Reika." He starts, "Half are worthwhile, some are so clichéd it borders on 'generic and safe'." I began to feel defeated. "The other half are good options to have as 'B's' but to still look for 'A' options. We're talking a second date to rekindle here, not 'been going out for three months and are ready to party', especially not at these clubs." He grabs a pencil from his apron and crosses out three places already.

"This place no, it's definitely not either of your styles. The lighting is so low you'll bounce into other people and the food is eh okay." I arched a brow at him as he continued on, "This place is more for 'been together for years' couple that is celebrating a two year anniversary so not yet and hold onto it if you REALLY want to spend some serious money." I couldn't help but open my mouth a tiny bit at that in slight shock.

"This one right here, the place does card and while it still allows anyone under 18 inside, the carding thing is embarrassing cause they pull you to the side in front of the rest of the line to do it and stamp your hand. Usagi would feel singled out. Plus it takes days for the stamp to wear off your hand even with washing. It might raise questions with her parents." I hadn't seen that on the website as I look over the list again myself.

"Oh and this one…" he points to another one on the list, "It's actually not what you might think it is." I look at him oddly, "What do you mean?" I ask curious, "They play bar games up in there and it can get a bit rowdy. Remember that stint we did over night when my father had to bail us out to AVOID it going on our records?" I nodded recalling that night. It was crazy as we had just found out we got passing test scores and celebrated.

We had been having fun right up until a few of the guys got into a fight at the bar and got everyone kicked out. Motoki and myself, were amongst them though we did nothing wrong other than trying to BREAK UP the fight. It hadn't mattered though, the bartender called the cops and EVERYONE got kicked out that had been involved. We nearly got put in jail overnight till Motoki called his dad.

He came in and straightened it all out for both of us. Thankfully since he was well known in the area they let us go as a one-time measure of good faith for him that it wouldn't happen again to either of us. He gave us one warning that night, do it again and spent the night in jail, no bail out ever again. We never went back there again or to any bar really since then. To scared straight and frankly too busy to do it again.

"What about it?" I asked. "The guy that runs that place runs this one to. You can count on the same crowds being there and causing a ruckus and with Usagi in there…" I sighed. While Motoki didn't know Usagi was capable of herself, the last thing I wanted to have happen on our date was for her to be objectified or grabbed on. She had learned somethings over the years from Makoto and myself so she could handle it, however it was a real mood killer when the night ended as that one did several years ago.

"Got it. So that only leaves a few options left." I tell him. He looks over the list again, "This was the best that you could find?" he asked, "It wrote it down in half an hour from a quick online search." I defended. He sighed, "You might get away with this but make sure it's at a respectable place. Nothing worse than drunken idiots thinking it's okay to act like an ass and to mess up other people's good time." I nodded seeing the choice for a bar there to, "I'm sure well be good there." I try to sound as confident as I feel about it.

"So how is Usagi doing with all of this?" he asks. I look away from the list I have and tell him, "She's different now." I confide. "She's still the same girl but she's, more grown up I guess." I realize as I start to tell him, "She's more confident in what she wants and isn't afraid to tell the truth." I admit as he nods, "Yeah…" is his only word as he probably recalls when I told him she didn't regret it.

"Well at least your back on the right path but don't take it lightly. This might be your last shot with her. If I were you I wouldn't blow it." I see that he's being signaled that his little break over here with me is over with, "Listen I have to get back to my shift but for now this seems like your best bet. If you find other options text them to me, I'll tell whether to go for it or to drop the idea." I get up to, "Okay will do." as I leave out I lookout side and into the light with hope in my chest…this has to work.

Usagi POV

I was so glad that the date went smoothly. I got in later, though not to late as dad muttered a 'goodnight' before making sure to firmly warn me to 'not cut it so close next time' as he went to sleep. Mom gave me a peck goodnight as they went to bed themselves. I looked down at my cell and sure enough it had just struck 11pm. Dad had a point BUT I was in right before it struck so I was in the clear.

As I made my way upstairs I realized gratefully that it prevented me from hearing snide comments from my little brother as he used to poke 'fake boyfriend' jokes or worse yet make sure the word boyfriend was heard within ear shot of dad. Though he stopped doing that when we would be on the road for family trips, especially when he brought it up when my star locket popped out of the pocket of my jacket.

It nearly caused a crash with us all in it. We knew dad didn't like the idea of me having a boyfriend but we didn't think he'd react that way so Shingo decided to stop joking like that in the car and even relented in other instances to since he was maturing a bit, so I was less worried about it these days. However, he didn't stop altogether, and dad never did take to well to the idea of me having a boyfriend and tended to chase guys away.

And I mean that literally. He chased Mamoru away from the house once when they first met when Chibi Usa came and used her Luna P to put a spell on my family. It was one of the fastest times, in his civilian form, that I saw him run. I think it may also be that he grew up a bit in that area to cause now he was just in his room listening to music while I knew Chibi Usa, who seemed to be changing her ways, was up-stairs asleep in her room.

I looked up towards where her room was at and contemplated it for another moment. She had been acting definitely differently lately. I think the binding spell worked nicely but I wanted to still have a talk with her with only Mamoru there with us. A family chat so to speak and while the other girls are family to me to, I needed this to be less, multiple voices and more small vocal setting. I needed her to listen but more so to understand and start to WANT to listen to what we were going to say to her.

It needed to be a united front between Mamoru and I, but first, we had to agree to talk to her in private perhaps at his place. I would text him momentarily on that and see what issues we could discuss. This didn't get cut and dry simply because the bound on her powers was on, she still needed to understand matters. So, while I was tempted to check in on her I declined as I did need to get to my room.

If I lingered in the hallway any longer parental intuition would make either of my parents slip out and tell me to go to bed. Funny how they can sense it in the hallways but NOT the bedroom window. The amount of times I slipped out that way to go to a battle in the wee hours of the am couldn't be calculated by this point. Too many to count, and by that, I mean it happened so often I LOST count.

So, I went into my room and shut the door as Luna sat curled up asleep on the bed. Knowing I needed to turn the light on to see better I flicked the switch on waking the cat up and saw her blurry eyes turn to me before they woke up. "Back from your date?" she asked, looking both torn and honestly curious and hopeful. "Yeah, had to get in by 11pm unless I wanted to be grounded for disobeying curfew." I told her as I started to get undressed and changed so I could shower for school tomorrow.

"How did it go?" she asked trying to seem nonchalant about it. I tell you the cat had no real poker face when it came to talking to someone she knew. I knew she cared about it, and so did I, just not in the same light as she did. "While I haven't gone over all of it just, yet I'd say it went fairly well." I give her, "There was no arguing, no jabs made, no ignoring…we genuinely had a good time and a good long talk." that perked her ears up as I went into the shower and shortly after running the water heard her come in.

"What was the long talk about?" she asked, "And didn't you already have one?" if she started to fire off questions I was going to give it to her good. "For starters we talked about the kisses shared between him and Saori and Tyler and me." I could only guess her facial reaction since I was turning the faucet for the water to turn to the right temperature. "You thought that was a good dinner conversation?" she asked stunned.

"For a couple on the mends, getting the issues out in the open is a good thing." I tell her then add on, "Sort of like couples therapy without the incredibly expensive counselor in the mix." Or describing us as a couple while were just dating. I feel for the temperature of the water in the tub, "And as for your other question…" I turn back to see her sitting by the door frame, probably hoping for some more details.

"Yes, we did but we needed to have more conversations about what's been going on." I turned more towards her so she could hopefully garner the seriousness of my words in this. "As I explained to him and now to you, it's not a one-time quick fix, this is going to go on for a little bit till the air is completely cleared up between us and when we're both able to agree that were a couple again and that there will be no repeats."

She nods in agreement on what I'm saying, "Like any other couple or dating bit that were doing we need to fix the issues first by addressing them and talking about them." I finish telling her, "That's very mature of you Usagi, a far cry from the girl you used to be. Yet you are still the same in so many ways. You really are growing up." she remarks as she looks at me with pride in her eyes.

I give her a small smile and undress the rest of the way hoping in and pulling the curtain over covering myself as I pull the nozzle to begin the spray and effectively, even if only temporarily ending the conversation. I knew she'd probably ask more questions like how it went in more detail or when the next one was but, for right now I needed to be in my own head space and getting the third degree of questions from her wasn't going to help.

The thirty minutes I spent under the hot spray did wonders for me and thankfully by the time I was out Luna had passed back out. I slipped into bed and decided on the next conversation we needed to have. Chibi Usa. She may be starting to act right, right now but we still needed to talk and I still wanted both of them to get the picture. It was when I woke up the next morning that I got ready and sprinted to class.

I knew I'd have to text Mamoru at some point. Hopefully he'd text me first and be able to actually go on that second date, wherever we were going. I didn't care where as long as we could talk about the next issue we had. I know I didn't do this really with the girls, and to some it may even seem like this should have been done a long time ago, but they didn't need it with me as I did with him.

Minako and I were already pretty okay, even Makoto and Ami accepted things as we became close once more, it was really Rei and I that needed two chats. Just to get things out and allow us to begin the bonding process over again. Things were similar with Mamoru on that level. He and I needed more time than that so when his text half way through the day came in on a date for this upcoming Saturday I nodded knowing nothing had been planned yet.

So when Ami and Makoto came up to me during lunch to hang out I actually started to wish that Rei with here with us but knew we had just started back on friendly terms again. I wasn't ready for an entire group hang out just yet and I think Minako could sense that during the group chat we had through text as she herself said she wouldn't be able to come over from her school. The girls let it go as we chatted for a bit.

It felt nice to chat about things besides senshi business and while I knew I wanted to talk about things between Mamoru and I, I wasn't sure how to start. "So how are things between you and Mamoru?" Makoto asked. I gave her a small smile and explained the first meeting we had since everything and the talk we had then. The girls were reasonably stunned and listening to everything as I explained to them what happened. "Why didn't you stay over?" Makoto asked as I ate some of the rice.

"Simple, she knows how she and Mamoru can be and was resisting temptation. Correct?" Ami answered then looked to me for confirmation. I nodded, "Yeah to be honest, I know I hold an attraction level to him that I can't seem to control at times. Everything that's happened in the last near six months may have made me upset at him among other feelings I have but my feelings never died out nor did my attraction towards him falter." I explain.

"I knew that sleeping over that night in his bed would be a bad idea. I wanted to, believe me but I didn't trust myself to not be tempted during the night. Plus, while I know he'd be respectful of me, it didn't feel right just yet to sleep over yet. Not with what we still have to converse about, and not while I still feel as strongly as I do. Perhaps when we've talked more we can make arrangements but till then I knew it wasn't time yet." I can see the shock on Makoto's face as she nods her head now.

"Makes sense. You want to be with him, you probably even crave it but sleeping over at that point might have given him false hope or give him the impression that things were better than they were and you guys weren't there yet. Plus, if I recall correctly you two were really, REALLY close before Chibi Usa came along." Makoto's wink was suggestive enough to make even Ami blush.

"Yes we were…and I'm not about to get that close again till I know in my heart that were ready for that." I confirm as Ami eats a little bit faster trying to get the blush from consuming her face as we giggled at her shyness on the subject. She eventually laughed to as I then told them about the date Mamoru and I had gone on. "How was it?" Ami asked this time. "Better I have to admit I was skeptical that he kept the date as promised and we did have another chat." I told them as we ate our lunches, "That's good though." Ami chimed in.

I nodded in agreement, "But…?" Makoto looked to me, "I don't want to give in and assume that things are going to keep being good after one decent date. Yes we talked and yes we got some things off our chest but no we still need to date. I still want to see what happens the next few times we go out." I tell them as they nod, "Makes sense." Ami quipped, "You want to make sure that he knows that these are how dates should be." I look to her.

"Talking, enjoying one another's time, communication." She explains as I mutely agree while eating some of my sandwich. "We did do a lot of talking." I agree as I take a bite, "What did you guys get to discuss this time?" Ami asked. I swallowed and said, "The kiss between he and Saori a bit but more so the kiss between Tyler and me." the girls both swallowed in slight shock, "Really?" now even Ami seemed more curious.

"Yeah it was good for us both to be honest. I think it actually made me feel a little lighter about it and for him, I think he was glad to get to know more details on what lead it to happen." I explained, "Wow…" Makoto muttered, "Yeah and after thinking about things last night after I got home I realized that had the events of that night with Tyler not had gone the way they did, after the kiss…" they nodded, "I would have gone home with Mamoru and we could have started these talks up even earlier." Ami sighed.

"I had a feeling about that." I looked to her, "Usagi while I do understand WHY Mamoru punched him I do agree that other actions could have been taken. I think he just reacted and he paid the prince for it so now he's working his way back towards you. This could be really good." She tells me as Makoto agrees, "Very true. This date you two had I think sparked things off between you once more…not that the spark was ever completely gone but…" Makoto tried to clarify her words as Ami pulled up her phone.

Before I could ask what she was doing we all heard Minako on speaker phone speak up, "I think what Makoto is trying to say is that while the spark never died out between you two the flame wasn't touching as much of the wax as before required to burn, therefore the flame was dwindling out and needed a new match to help it burn brighter so it could touch the wax again." we were all a little stumped by her example.

"That's one logically odd way of putting it…" Ami noted holding the phone. "Yeah that was oddly correct, though not at all what I was going to say." Makoto agreed. "In the end Usagi and Mamoru are working together and that's what counts. A common ground of two people who want to work together towards a common mutual goal."Minako's words had all of us accepting that as she then said, "Gotta go, lunch is over here." And ended the call.

"Minako sometimes has some weird examples for lovey situations." Makoto noted. "Tell me about it." Ami smiled as she put her phone away. Before I had the chance to ask her why her phone was out during our conversation the bells rang for us to as we gathered our belongings and headed back inside. That discussion prompted me to forget asking about Chibi Usa as I figured I could just talk to Mamoru about that since this was going to be a small discussion between her, he, and myself.

That's when he texted again, confirming that Saturday for me to wear comfortable clothes for where the date would be. Advising against dresses or skirts due to where we were going. This I admit had me intrigued. Where are we going? I asked via text as I walked to my next class. He replied back…it's a surprise but I'd just advise no dress or skirts, this dress code is a bit more laid back than the restaurant.ibi

While I was glad that he was giving me the heads up as I got into class and sat down I was curious on where he was taking me. Okay what time should I be ready? I asked. He took a moment to respond as the teacher came in making me hide the phone a bit. I'd say around 6 does that work? I can pick you up. He asked. I liked that he was being considerate now as I quickly typed in…6 works fine, see you then…I tell him as I put my phone away and refocus myself on the class in front of me.

Ami POV

I could barely get through the lunch we had just now. I felt so bad lying to Usagi about Chibi Usa's ongoing issue. I almost told her the truth right there at lunch but I had admittedly confessed to Minako what I was going to do via text as she told me to just give it a little bit more time that things she felt were shifting once more. 'Just another week', she pleaded to me as she sent a similar text to Makoto who read it while Usagi and I were talking.

It now at this point felt like lying to a close friend rather than protecting her. I love Usagi and the rest of the girls like sisters. However, Usagi was my first friend here and now I felt like I was betraying her somehow. It was Minako's next words that gave me the slightest conviction to give it another week as she had pleaded….please I understand how hard this is right now. Especially with her there with you but please understand that if we don't tell her in the right way it could set back our own friendships with her to.

Her words were vert true and telling. If we didn't present this well it could blow up in everyone's faces. Especially knowing that it's been weeks now that we've kept this from her. I was just thankful that lunch had ended as Usagi I could tell was going to question why I had been on my phone. I had covered up my conversation with Minako but giving her a VERY short rendered version of what Makoto was trying to say that way she could call and cover for all three of us as Usagi became focused on that.

It still didn't make me feel any better as I thought that we should tell her sooner rather than later but Minako's point that it had to be done right made sense. I knew in the end I along with Makoto just wanted to ease our own guilt in the matter as it felt like for both of us that we were deceiving Usagi who had befriended us when no one else would, but we had to admit to defeat when it was staring us in the face.

Right after that conversation Makoto, Usagi and I went through our classes but it was Makoto and I that talked on our own private chat on what we could say when we told her. I was already five chapters ahead of the class on the assignment and while I was still hearing everything the teacher was saying while still taking detailed notes just to be safe that he wasn't throwing in anything extra that wasn't in the books which he had already a few times, I was also worried about how things would go for our friendships with her.

We just got her back not to long ago. I couldn't go again without her in my life. Neither could Makoto. It wasn't just some senshi bond, it was that of pure true friendship. For both of us Usagi was the first to come to us. Even Luna herself thought that we might be from the negaverse at one point or another till proof of who we are were revealed to her. It was Usagi however that brought us closer together.

We were an unlikely group of friends. The technical misfits of social groups. Makoto was previously seen as to scary to be approached, then Usagi came along and showed the rest of school that she was just like anyone else. She showed that Rei was more than just a 'creepy priestess' at the temple, that Minako wasn't a snob from England as her classmates had assumed till Minako brought us all over to her school a few times just as Rei had us over at her own private school.

Both sets of students saw both girl's interactions with all of us and saw their own misconceptions and some had even started to chat and talk with all of us at one time or another. Then there was myself. I breathed at thinking about it. I had been seen as someone who studied so hard that she thought she was too good for anyone else when it couldn't have been further from the truth. I studied hard so I could make my dreams of becoming a doctor come true. I had a vision of what I wanted early on and Usagi helped me see that I shouldn't apologize for that.

I shouldn't feel bad for it but embrace it and still have some fun to NOT miss out on things in life. It's one of the reasons why I encouraged her to live hers out a little. For so long we've put aside the chance of normal happiness for the greater good and while we still do everything we can to protect the world from threats there's also no harm in experiencing life on a scale that's acceptable to girls our age.

Yet here after all that had been said and done we were collectively keeping something huge and important from her in an effort to protect her in the matter. It felt right and wrong all at the same time and it bothered me. it bother all of us I knew and while I knew somehow Mamoru would pull through on his end I still felt that as her closest friends we needed to tell her together as a group rather than Minako as a separate. I just hoped in the end she'd understand and not forsake us…we loved her to much.