A/N: I'm struggling to come up with a title for this one and I would love some suggestions! This story will progress around Mamoru tutoring Usagi for her upcoming English final. Along the way she will learn a lot about life, love, and relationships.

On another note, Usagi's voice has always alluded me. I can hear Mamoru's thoughts just fine. It's like he speaks to me. Maybe I just relate to him a lot better. We both have that kind of dark, broody, inner demons thing going on. So I'm challenging myself to get Usagi to talk to me, too. This story alternates between Usagi's and Mamoru's perspectives and, hopefully, the writing style will match the narrators for each of those sections.

Enjoy and review! And give me your title ideas!

Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon and all characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi.

Usagi

"Mango!"

"Correct!"

I opened my mouth for the next one.

"Strawberry cheescake."

"Correct!"

This was too easy. I had ordered every single flavor of ice cream at the Crown at least once, and I never forget something delicious.

The next flavor was rich and deep. I savoured the taste briefly before calling out, "Dark chocolate! Come on guys, give me something hard."

"She certainly has a unique skill set, doesnt she?"

I knew that arrogant, sarcastic voice anywhere. Regardless of the blindfold fitted snugly over my eyes. Frickin Mamoru frickin Chiba. Always has something to say about me. I stuck my tongue out in his general direction.

"Yeah, if only she put this much effort into studying, maybe she wouldn't be failing English."

"Shut up, Rei!" I snapped.

No doubt they were hudled together in the next booth, kanoodling and mocking me. It was bad enough that Rei had managed to snag a boyfriend before me, but did he have to be the most obnoxious guy in all of Tokyo!? I mean really, what did she even see in that guy? Aside from the fact that he's totally gorgeous, of course. And really muscular. And super smart. And drives a sexy sports car and a motorcycle. And is a cool, older college guy with his own apartment and... and is the world's biggest jerk!

"You guys are just jealous that I'm about to win free ice cream for a year!" I boasted, pointing my nose in the air.

"Jealous that you're gonna put on more weight? I don't think so," Rei retorted, Mamoru snickering beside her.

"SHUT UP, REI!"

Honestly, sometimes I wondered why we were even friends. If she wasn't the senshi of fire, I swear I would dump her butt so quick.

"Come on, Usa, don't let them bother you." That was Minako. A true friend. "You're so close! You just have one more!"

I opened my mouth for the final challenge and immediately felt my lips pucker. This one was sharp and bright with yummy, buttery crumbs throughout.

"Key lime pie," I stated confidently.

Mina shrieked and threw her arms around me. "You did it Usa!"

I removed my blindfold and found Minako, Makoto, and Ami all smiling and cheering for me. Actually, quite a few kids and teens had gathered to watch the challenge and were now watching me intently. I felt like queen of the arcade! Even Motoki seemed impressed as he strolled over to congratulate me.

"Way to go, Usagi-chan! No one has ever gotten all fifteen before."

He pulled out a rolled piece of fabric from his apron and, holding it up to his shoulders, let it fall open. It was an adorable pink t-shirt with a kawaii style ice cream sundae printed on the front. Bubbly font below the image read "eat ALL the ice cream" and the Crown Arcade logo hovered above it.

"Ahhh!" I squealed. "Motoki-san! I love it! Thank you!" I accepted my prize and immediately threw it on over my tank top, admiring my reflection in the arcade window.

"Congratulations, Usagi Tsukino, on being the first recipent of free ice cream for a year!"

The crowd all cheered, with the exception of two broody, dark haired party-poopers in the corner booth, rolling their eyes in unison.

"Careful, Odango-Atama," Mamoru said cooly. "You don't need all that praise and ice cream going to your head. Or your waist."

Rei burst into a fit of giggles. "Good one, Mamoru!"

I narrowed my eyes at them. "Don't you guys have somewhere to be? Like, anywhere else?" Not my greatest comeback, but they got the point.

"Come on babe," Rei said, tugging at his ugly green jacket, "let's go somewhere that isn't swarming with children."

I glared at the couple as they headed toward the door, the anger practically steaming from my head in little squiggly lines. You'd never know how ugly they could be just by looking at their beautiful faces. But I wasn't going to let them ruin my moment. I had just won free ice cream for an entire year! This was practically a dream come true. And probably going to be a nightmare for Motoki. I had a feeling that if he knew just how much ice cream I could eat, he never would have let me participate in the challenge in the first place.

For a moment I sat there in my glory, listening idly to Mina and Mako gossiping about some cute guy, dreaming of all the delicious sweets I could enjoy on my walks home from school. The school year was almost over and then it would be summer, which meant unlimited trips to the arcade any time I wanted and now ungogly amounts of ice cream, too! Cones, shakes, sundaes... Life just couldn't get any sweeter.

"Wait, Mamoru-san!" Ami's ever polite voice called me back to reality where, unfortunately, mega jerk was still lingering. Why hadn't they left yet? And what did Ami have to ask him that was so gosh darn important that she had to bring back Mr. Sourface to tarnish my sweet celebration?

Ami stood and met Mamoru halfway between the table and the door.

"I've been meaning to ask you. Would you be able to help Usagi study for her English final in a few weeks?" My fell open with a pop. "I've been trying to help her but she just isn't grasping the material. Maybe she would do better with a different tutor. I know you're fluent in English so you were the first person I thought of."

She could not be serious. No way in heck was I going to give Mamoru-baka more opportunities to make fun my grades. And no way could I spend more than five minutes with the guy before scratching out his stupid, perfect eyeballs. Like he would even help me, anyway. He probably had way more important things to do than help some stupid little girl with her homework.

"No way," Rei answered for him, clinging to his arm protectively. "Mamoru doesn't have time to waste on Usagi. Besides, she's beyond help."

Why was everyone talking about me like I wasn't even there!? I can study on my own, thank you very much! Sure, I would probably end up binging potato chips and reading manga, but something was sure to soak in, right?

I was just about to insert myself when Mamoru spoke up. "Sure."

I had to physically lift my jaw back into place this time. And I wasn't the only one. Rei's face wore a similar expression. Come on! Mamoru? Agreeing to help me? Mamoru Chiba!?

"Thank you so much, Mamoru-san," Ami said with a bow. "I really appreciate it. Tutoring Usagi was really beginning to cut into my own study time."

Et tu, Ami?

"No problem. The University semester has already ended, so I have the time." He shifted his deep blue gaze to me. "I'll see you here tomorrow after school, Odango." And with that, he turned and left the arcade, dragging a fuming Rei behind him.

"What the heck, Ami! Why would you do that? You know I can't stand that guy!" I pouted, feeling totally betrayed.

Ami rejoined us in the booth and gave me a stern look. "Usagi. Your English final is in two weeks. If you fail this exam, there is no way you're going to get into your first choice high school. You need help and obviously my way of teaching isn't helping you."

It was unlike Ami to speak so sharply to me, but I held my ground. Folding my arms over my chest, I grumbled, "Who cares about school anyway."

"She's right, Usa," Mako chimed in. "If you don't get into the right high school, you'll never get into a good University. And then you'll never get a decent job. How will you provide for yourself?" Mako, always the mom of the group.

"I don't need a job because I'm going to marry a super cute, totally rich, and amazingly awesome guy who will take care of me," I reasoned.

"And where are you going to meet a guy like that? The only guys at the schools you'll be attending will be total failures, like you."

Gee, thanks Mina."You guys are supposed to be my friends!" I whined. Why was everyone ganging up on me today?

"We are your friends, Usagi-chan. That's why we care so much." Ami offered me a sympathetic smile

"Fine!" I barked, throwing my hands in the air, exasperated. "But I'm not sharing my free ice cream with any of you!"

Mamoru

"I cannot believe you agreed to that."

Rei was fuming beside me as we walked the streets of Azabu-Juban, slowly making our way toward Hikawa Shrine. It was the first thing she had uttered since we left the arcade over ten minutes ago. Rather than hold my hand as she usually did, she kept her arms folded tightly against her chest. The lack of contact didn't bother me at all, nor did her silence. The days were becoming too hot for physical affection and I never felt pressure to fill a silence with useless conversation. What did irritate me, however, was that this date had turned into yet another argument centered around Rei's jealousy of other women. Usagi in particular. To be honest, it was tiring, and it was getting old.

"Isn't Usagi your friend? I would think you would want her to succeed."

"Of course I want her to succeed!" Rei growled. "I just don't want you spending all your free time with her!" After a moment, she stared down at her feet, the fire behind her words beginning to dim. "I thought we were going to be spending more time together now that your classes are over."

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "We will have plenty of time to spend together this summer."

Rei contemplated silently for a moment before speaking again. When she met my gaze, her amethyst eyes were full of uncertainty. "Why do you even want to do this, anyway?"

Why did I want to do this? Truthfully, I wasn't entirely sure. Maybe it was my good nature to help those less fortunate or maybe it was because I could never pass up an opportunity to harrass Odango-Atama. Something about her disgruntled demeanor gave me way more satisfaction than it should. It was sick, maybe, but it was wildly entertaining.

Rei had picked up on my borderline obsession with Usagi more than once and it was a deep seated point of insecurity for her, as well as a point of contention in our relationship. Eventually I settled on a half-truth, aiming to avoid any more arguing today.

"I couldn't say no to Ami-san. She has the potential to really do well for herself and I couldn't let Usagi's incompetence jeapordize that for her."

I studied her features, gaging her reaction. My response must have appeased her, because she let the issue drop.

"Just promise you'll still take me out on Friday?" Her voice was timid, a stark contrast from her usual confidence. An emotion I couldn't quite decipher danced across her fine features as her thick, ebony hair swirled around her in evening breeze. The sun had begun its descent, igniting the image of the graceful shrine maiden before me, enveloping her in a soft glow. The combined effect was stunning and I felt my composure soften toward her.

"Of course," I assured her. Wrapping my arms around her, I drew her to me, cradling her head to my chest. I stroked her hair comfortingly with one hand and planted a kiss on the top of her head. "Aren't you going to be at the Crown tomorrow with the girls anyway?"

She sighed. "Yeah, I guess so."

"So, you'll see me then." Gently, I tucked a hand beneath her chin and guided her to meet my lips. The kiss was brief, but tender, and I hoped it would help to settle her insecurities for the night. "You should get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

Rei was indisputably beautiful and we certainly had fun together. Her fiery personality was initially what attracted me to her. She was passionate--in more ways than one--and she accentuated my dark humor with her own. Whenever we went out, we often engaged in some sort of exciting activity, both of us preferring to keep our minds and bodies active. And then we would usually end the evening on a park bench or in the back seat of my car, our hands and mouths slaves to our attraction for each other. I was careful to never let things get too far, though. Yes, Rei was gorgeous and fun, but somewhere in the back of my mind I knew that this was a short term situation.

There was a void that resided deep inside of my person, a longing for something unknown, something more. It had been there as long as I could remember, a constant, sullen companion. I had tried countless times throughout the years to fill the void, or at least numb the yearning that accompanied it. Money, cars, women, alcohol. Years of frivilous spending and reckless behavior. But nothing had filled that constant emptiness. And after acknowledging the hurt I had caused others in the process, I resolved that it was my burden to bear and mine alone. I wouldn't take advantage of Rei, or anyone else, trying to numb my pain. We had been dating for three months now and I was beginning to feel the familiar signs that I was ready to move on to the next temporary satisfaction, as this one seemed to have failed like all the others

As I traveled the route back to my own apartment, I contemplated my situation, wondering if and when would be the right time to cut her loose. And how I could ever convince her that it had nothing to do with all the time I was about to be spending with a certain bun-headed blonde.

Usagi

They do not look like odangos.

I studied my reflection in the mirror. My hair, freshly washed and dried, was done up in the buns I had always worn since I was a little girl. I thought it was cute! My mom had always told me they were my bunny ears and I loved the way they matched my name.

Maybe they are a bit childish.

Rei and Mamoru certainly seemed to think so. If I had been blessed with Rei's stunning good looks, I would probably be confident enough to wear my hair down, too. I didn't have Rei's grace, or big boobs like Makoto, or toned legs like Minako, or Ami's super waist. I was pretty enough, I guess, but I could never compare to any of them. Not to mention that they were all smarter than me, too. It was no wonder that guys like Motoki or Mamoru never showed any real interest in me. I was just a plain, klutzy kid. Not that I wanted Mamoru to notice me. Just someone. Anyone.

Maybe I am putting on too much weight.

With a sigh, I switched off the light and climbed into the safety of my bed, snuggling deep under the covers. I was always safe in dream land...

Beep beep beep beep

The communicator. I groaned and kicked off the covers.

"Luna?" The black cat sprang onto my bed and filled me in while I transformed.

"It's Sailor Venus. There's a youma in her neighborhood by the library. She's holding it off for now. The other senshi should be there soon."

"Let's go."

Luna and I were the last to arrive on the scene. Unconscious civilians we're scattered in the parking lot, a large youma on one side and the senshi on the other. It looked as if the girls had landed a few solid hits, but the youma was still on its feet. I couldn't help but notice how ridiculous this particular youma looked, dressed like an evil librarian with an open booked balanced on its head.

"Stop right there!" I commanded from my perch in a nearby tree. "Books are the one place a young girl can inscape this harsh reality. You messed with people just trying to return those precious books before the library closed. I, for one, cannot forgive you!"

"Really, Sailor Moon?" Luna muttered beside me.

"Hey, this is, like, my one thing Luna," I snapped. I continued, unphased by her disappointed groan. "I am the pretty guardian who fights for love and for justice! I am Sailor Moon! And in the name of the moon, I'll punish you!"

"Alright, already! Just get down here and kick its butt!" Rei chastised.

"Okay okay, I'm coming! Geez!" I leapt down to join the other senshi and took my fighting stance.

The youma chortled. "Are you ready to check out?" In the blink of an eye, a thick stack of books appeared in its greusome hands and it began hurling them at me with lightning speed.

"Eeeeeek!" I squeeked and ran in the opposite direction, but not before one smacked me square ony behind. "Hey! That hurts!"

"Supreme Thunder!" Jupiter called forth her attack and blasted it at the youma, but it was ready for her. Removing the book from its head, it spun it in front of itself as a shield, blocking the attack and deflecting it back to the senshi. They were simultaneously knocked to their feet, leaving me the only one standing.

"Uh, guys...?" My eyes roamed frantically over their limp bodies before me.

With another chuckle, the youma then turned and hurled the book at me. I was unprepared. That book was going to hit me and I wasn't fast enough to avoid it. I squeezed my eyes as tight as I could, waiting for the impact. But it never came.

"How dare you!?" screamed the youma.

I opened my eyes, bewildered. A single red rose had sliced through the book, pinning it to the ground at my feet. I gasped and searched for my savior, finally spotting him atop a streetlight.

"Tuxedo Kamen!" I stared at him in wonder. He was the most handsome man in the world, I was sure of it. And he somehow managed to show up just in the nick of time, battle after battle, and save my butt. Literally. That had to mean something.

"Reading waters the beautiful dreams of a young girl, nourishing them until they bloom like a beautiful rose. Tampering with those dreams is unforgivable."

"Maybe you two really are meant for each other," Luna hissed at me, rolling her feline eyes. I ignored her, too enamored with the masked Adonis above me.

"Now, Sailor Moon," he called, and I nodded in agreement.

"Moon Tiara Action!" The youma was wasted and another day was saved, thanks to the pretty guardians! And the ever handsome Tuxedo Kamen, of course. He disappered like always as soon as the threat was gone. But apparently, the conflict wasn't over.

"You're such a ditz, Sailor Moon, even in a battle. If Tuxedo Kamen wasn't around to save your butt, you would be totally useless." I was used to Rei giving me a hard time, but Sailor Mars was usually supportive. I was really sick of the attitude she had been giving me today.

"You're just jealous because he always saves me and not you," I shot back, fists balled at my sides.

That struck a nerve. Her eyes narrowed and her voice was unexpectedly quiet when she answered. "You don't know what you're talking about, Sailor Moon." Then she turned on her red high heel and took off at full speed, leaving the rest of us totally confused.

"What was all that about?" Sailor Jupiter asked, leaning her arm on Sailor Mercury's shoulder.

"How should I know?" I threw my arms about as I talked. "She hasn't given me a break all day and I don't even know what I did!"

"I think you hit the nail on the head, Sailor Moon. She is jealous," Sailor Venus said, tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder.

"Of what!?" That was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard. Rei, jealous of me!? "You know she kind of has a thing for Tuxedo Kamen. But he never gives her or any of us the time of day. Only you." Venus smirked and shot me a wink.

"So what? She has a boyfriend!"

"Who also pays more attention to you than she would like," interjected Mercury. "And he's about to be spending even more time with you."

I looked to Makoto, my last hope of finding someone on my side.

"They're probably right, Sailor Moon. You should take it easy on her for a while. The situation is hard enough on her as it is."

And just like that, all of my friends had taken Rei's side. I sulked, betrayed for the second time that day. Maybe they had a point, though. Rei did seem to get overly annoyed at my mere existence any time Mamoru was around.

I groaned. "Fine, I'll try to play nice. But this isn't easy for me either, you know."

"Oh, we know." Sailor Venus shot me a knowing look.

"And just what is that supposed to mean?" I hollered.

She waved her hand dismissively. "Nothing, nothing. No need to be so scary."

"It's getting late," Sailor Mercury noted. "We should all head home and get as much sleep as we can. We're going to need it for our last couple weeks of school."

"You're right," I sighed, totally defeated.

We all split up and returned to our homes. When I finally crawled back under my plush, bunny comforter, I couldn't turn my brain off. What a totally bogus way to end the weekend. I kept thinking about what Mina had said about Rei being jealous of me. Was she completely out of her mind? Rei had everything. She was beautiful and smart, strong, graceful, funny. She was even a mysterious shrine maiden and the freaking senshi of fire, for crying out loud. Not to mention her totally sexy boyfriend. There was no logical reason that Rei would ever be jealous of me in a million years. Was there?