Disclaimer : I don't own Sailormoon. You think I'd be
writing a fanfic if I did? Heh -_-;

A.N. Mmm the story is getting gnarlier o_O

Thanks for all the reviews!!!

In case you forgot or skipped part 7:

Mamoru wasn't sure if what he was doing was right,
but he just couldn't pretend he had no feelings for her.
He couldn't live a day without seeing her at least once.
And even if she didn't want presents from him, if he
pretended they were from Tetsu, then.... Then she would
believe him, wouldn't she?
"Thank you Mamoru san," she smiled politely. "Would you like
to stay for coffee?"
Mamoru heard that she no longer called him just "Mamoru".
His heart sank.
"No, it's all right," he smiled weakly. "Bye."
He turned and left, leaving a rather surprised Usagi standing by the door.

----

And To Change, Is It Good?

By Artemis

----

Part 8 - They Say Paris is the City of Love

Tetsu sat in his office, with Mamoru who was half asleep.
"What is wrong with you lately?" he frowned, noticing that Mamoru was actually
asleep.
Mamoru sat up from the desk and looked around sleepily.
"Shit, sorry Tetsu. I've just been sleeping late..." he muttered, rubbing his eyes.
"I really do think you need time off," Tetsu told him.
"It's okay, I'm fine."
"If you insist."
Tetsu was looking at some drafts of a building, which Mamoru had done.
"Did you and Usagi get along?" Tetsu asked him, out of the blue.
"Um.. What?" Mamoru replied, surprised. "Well, yeah. Why?"
"You kept asking if I loved her, when I talked to you on the phone. Why?"
"Um.. She cried a lot. And she missed you a lot," Mamoru told him the truth. "But
you're not really the emotional type you know."
"I know."
Mamoru wondered if Tetsu was realising how cold he was. He frowned. What would
make Tetsu think like that?
"So, do you love her Tetsu?" Mamoru murmured.
Tetsu looked up at him, then sighed.
"Does it make a difference?"
It did to Mamoru, but he couldn't say that.
"Not really, I guess..." was all he could say.
"I mean I don't mind her. She's nice and all. I don't know Mamoru."
"Well I can't help you there either."
"What's with you and that Sharla woman?"
"Nothing."
"Yeah, sure, you just kissed her in front of all of us," Tetsu laughed, showing a
warm expression for once, despite the fact it was a bad thing for Mamoru.
"She's just... I don't want anything to do with her."
"Why?"
"She's married but wants to get involved with me."
"So?"
Mamoru stared at Tetsu. Did he just hear right?
"What do you mean?" Mamoru frowned. "So, it's a big deal. I don't like her at all
and I am not letting her have an affair with me."
"Nice attitude," Tetsu shrugged.
"Why? Would you ever have one?" Mamoru asked cautiously.
"I think we're getting off topic," Tetsu ignored his question. "These drafts are okay
Mamoru, but you're obviously tired from working so much. Take this week off. And
if you don't, you're fired."
"Tetsu, don't change the subject."
"I don't think there's anything else we need to discuss."
"Tetsu!"
Mamoru watched Tetsu walk out of the office without another word.

Usagi lingered in front of the large grey building. She felt nervous, but also..... guilty.
Not exactly guilty, but it felt like she was doing something that would break Tetsu's
heart, not that it would. She watched as some people in suits walked in and out.
They glanced at her as they entered the building. She took a few steps every minute,
convincing herself that this was for her benefit and it was something she needed to
do. She had to change. She wouldn't stay by Tetsu's side forever. More people swept
past her in and out of the building.
"Oh, don't I know you?" she heard a familiar giggle.
Usagi turned and saw Sharla, with her green eyes sparkling.
"Um, hi... What are you doing here?" Usagi frowned, puzzled.
"I work here. What are YOU doing here?" Sharla smiled.
"Nothing..."
"Do you have some legal thing you need to settle? I can help you."
"Not exactly, uh it's okay. I think I'll come another time."
"If you don't want me to handle it, I can recommend my co-workers. Some of them
are very professional."
"I don't really need a lawyer..."
"Oh?"
"I just... I wanted to discuss uh.. rights."
"Rights?"
"Yes, my rights."
"Your rights? Well we can discuss them in my office if you'd like."
Usagi declined the offer, no matter how polite Sharla sounded. She just didn't want
to talk to Sharla about why she was here.
"Sorry, but I just feel uncomfortable," she murmured.
"That's all right, I get it all the time," Sharla laughed. "But seriously, do you want to
come in at least?"
Usagi nodded with a little embarrassment. Sharla beckoned her to come into the
building. Usagi followed quietly into the large, busy building. Lawyers bustled by her,
dressed immaculately in suits. Sharla opened a door on the far right and gestured for
her to walk in. Usagi walked in and sat down on a comfy red chair. Sharla sat down
behind her desk and leaned back in her own leather chair.
"So, what brings you here?" she smiled politely without any sense of threat to Usagi.
Usagi smiled shyly, then murmured. "I was just wondering what rights I'm entitled to
if I file for a divorce."
Sharla gave her an inquisitive frown, then leaned forward.
"Divorce huh? Well, that's a tough one. Do you have children? How long have you
been married?"
"Well, three years and four months. We have no children," Usagi told her.
Sharla nodded, then got out a sheet of clean paper and a pen. She scribbled a
little first, then wrote down a few notes.
"Do you really want to file for divorce? Or are you just asking for your rights at
this moment in time?" she asked a nervous Usagi.
"I um, I'm not sure. Am I allowed to file for divorce without discussing it with my
husband first?"
"Of course you can!" Sharla laughed. "Not a nice thing, but you are allowed to. If you
feel the need."
Usagi nodded and gave a light laugh.
"You should think it over though. No need to rush into these things," Sharla smiled. "Here,
have my card and if you want to talk to me about it, then go right ahead. Or if you want
somebody you don't know, then I can always ask one of my co-workers."
"Thank you very much Sharla," Usagi smiled gratefully. "I'm sorry about how rude I was
to you that time we met."
"No problem. I was being a little mean to you."
Usagi smiled, then walked out of the room and out of the building, feeling a small
weight lifted from her shoulders.

Mamoru sat in his car on the freeway, waiting for the traffic to start moving. Tetsu
had made him leave work and have a break for a week and a half. He really didn't want
to have time off work because otherwise he would only keep thinking about Usagi. His
mobile phone rang, interrupting his thoughts.
"Yeah?" he picked up.
"Mamoru, are you busy?" he heard Sharla's cheerful tone.
"Uh, yeah," he sighed. "What do you want?"
"Just thought maybe you'd like to come over later, or I can go over to your place."
"What for?" Mamoru replied, gritting his teeth.
"I just thought it would be fun," Sharla giggled.
"Is your husband away again?" Mamoru frowned.
"Yeah, he's away for a week."
"How ironic. I'm off work for a week."
"Oh really? That's nice then. I can go over to your place when I'm bored."
"If I let you."
"You always lose against me Mamoru. I have this innate power over you."
"Shut up. If this sort of thing is all you're going to say, can I hang up now?"
"Wait a second, I have something interesting to tell you about that princess girl."
"I don't want to hear any of your bullshit."
"Now, now Mamoru. No need to get nasty. I'm telling you the truth."
Sharla sounded slightly sincere, so Mamoru gave her a chance.
"Go on."
"I found her outside my work today. I invited her in after persuading her and she was
asking about...."
"About?"
"Well, I'll tell you later. Come over around four okay? I'll see you there!"
"Wait a second I'm not..."
But Sharla hung up on him. Mamoru turned off his phone and threw the phone at
the passenger seat in frustration. What the hell was Sharla thinking? He wasn't going
to follow her around like a lost puppy any more. But he did want to know about Usagi.
Why would she go to see a lawyer?

Usagi sat on the couch, hugging a cushion. She had been thinking all afternoon about
what Sharla had said. No need to rush. It was true. And Usagi hadn't even asked Tetsu
whether or not he still loved her. If, there was a remote chance that he still did, what
would she do? Did she, herself, even still love him? She wasn't sure any more. She kept
thinking that just because she was his 'wife' she was obligated to love him. She wasn't
sure of her own feelings. She sighed and closed her eyes, resting her head on the cushion.
After several minutes, she heard the front door opening. Usagi opened her eyes in alarm.
She glanced at the clock, which read five. Was Tetsu home early? She heard familiar
footsteps walking towards her. She looked up and saw Tetsu. He looked tired, yet somehow
easier to approach than usual.
"You're home early," Usagi smiled. "I haven't started with dinner yet."
"Mm," he just nodded.
He remained standing there, a few metres away from her. Usagi got up from the couch
to take his bag and coat. Tetsu let her take them. He stood there blankly, which worried
Usagi.
"Are you all right?" she asked him, touching his arm gently.
He looked down at her, seeing a puzzled frown on her face. Usagi smiled unsurely.
He opened his mouth to say something, but then stopped himself. Then he just walked
away up the stairs. Usagi wondered what he was going to say.

----
END OF PART 8
----

A.N. Interesting huh? ^^; Not really? Am I just killing you all with suspense? o_O
Well, never fear! It'll all end soon ^^ Thanks for all the reviews =D

Teaser:

Part 9 - The Truth Hurts

There, she saw Tetsu's suitcase which wasn't properly closed. She reached
over to close it, but curiosity made her open it instead. All she found was papers
and forms, which was what she expected to find. Just as she was about to close
it, she saw the corner of a stamped envelope tucked into a pocket. She took it out
and saw that it was posted from somewhere in Paris. Tetsu's address was written in
swirly cursive handwriting. Usagi turned the envelope over and all the addressee
had written was their name, which was unusual. If it had been a business letter than it would
have been sent with a proper return address. So this wasn't a business letter? And who
would Tetsu send a personal letter from Paris?