Rating: PG

Season: first

Story type: Usa/Mamo romance

Story Line: Setsuna decides to go on a vacation, leaving the time gate to Haruka/Michiru. Haruka decides to go to the past and get Mamoru and Usagi together *her way*

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"So you're going for a vacation?" Michiru asked feeling a bit worried. Setsuna hardly left the time gate, even for emergencies, it seemed odd that she was going for a vacation.

"Hai," Setsuna replied, "the queen convinced me to go; she said that I worked too hard."

"The Queen can convince anything to anyone," Haruka said, cutting in on their conversation.

Setsuna laughed, "I know." She got serious, "I appreciate your help," she said as she held out her staff, "Good bye."

Haruka stared at the space where her friend had been. So, she thought, the little Odango Atama had convinced the workaholic-I won't ever leave the time portal for anything in the world-you can't make me change my mind- Setsuna to take a break? Who would have thought?

"Haruka," Michiru said coming behind her, "We're alone in the time portal."

Haruka smiled at her an idea dawning. "Yes, Michiru, we're alone in the time portal, time is ours to control," she said with a wicked grin.

Michiru looked speculative, she knew Haruka's smile said 'let's go, get drunk, and screw up everything.' "Tennoh Haruka, what devious plans are you making?" she demanded, her brows furrowing. "Setsuna would kill us if we messed up the time line," she said more seriously. She knew if Haruka ever got any ideas, they would be trouble.

"OH, come on, it's not like we're doing anything majorly wrong, we're just going to check a few things out about the Senshi before we knew them. Michiru, please?" Haruka asked.

Soft hazel eyes, a strand of dirty blond hair falling on them… NO WAY! Michiru, snap out of it, the Senshi of the seas commanded herself. "No Haruka, Pluto trusts us with this, and if we do something wrong, she'll burn us alive."

"Please," Haruka pleaded, putting on a pout.

Michiru laughed, "Haruka, you're acting like a five year old begging for some candy," she had honestly never seen Haruka beg for anything before, and frankly she was quite amused. "Haruka," she said softening, "do you promise not to change things?" she asked gravely.

"Yes, so are we going to go or what?"

Michiru shook her head, "I'm not going," she said, "I have to stay her to make sure no one else differs the time line, you can go alone."

Haruka rolled her eyes. There was no way she would get the self righteous Michiru to change her mind.
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Mamoru's POV

Cerulean eyes, soft luscious lips, slender white neck, my Odango Atama. She was in the arcade with her friends, looking excited and vivacious as usual.

"Staring at someone special again?"

"Huh?" I was startled, "Hey, Motoki-kun what's up?" I asked, ignoring his question. I was not going to let anyone know about my true feelings, not even my best friend.

"You know, Mamoru-kun," Motoki said smiling slyly, "you should tell her how you feel."

My expression did not change, I didn't wither or flinch. "Tell who about what?" I asked, my voice cool. I had learned to discipline my expression through the solitude years of my child hood in the orphanage. I knew I showed no expression.

Motoki rolled his eyes, "Never mind, Mamoru-kun, but not even you can hide your feelings for long."

I glared at him behind his back. He was right, I could not hide my feelings for long, and I had to do something soon. But what if she turns me down? What if she laughs at me and tells me to go to hell?

I almost growled audibly. What could I do?

A part of me wanted to tell her how much I loved her and how much I wanted her to love me, and yet another part of me told me that I couldn't. She would never love me; she would always hate me. A warm and caring person like her could never love someone as cold and dark as me.

But what if she already does? How could I know her true feelings?

Ask her?

No, that was out of the question.

An idea dawned in my head. What if I could get *her* to admit she loved me. That way I would have my pride. And I would know for sure, how she felt about me.

But the question was, *just how* would I be able to do that? So dense was I in my thoughts that I didn't notice five girls sitting beside me on the counter.

"HI, Mamoru-san!"

I turned to look at deep brown eyes, peering at my face. "Hi Rei," I said nodding my head. Why wouldn't Usagi look at me like that? Why did she always glare at me, putting her succulent lips to furrow?

I sighed, the one girl in the world I wanted and she didn't even *look* at me adequately. I smiled, a self-deflating smile; the gods must have cursed Chiba Mamoru, to never find love in his life.

"Are you ok?" Rei asked, her face showing concern.

I took one long look at Rei. Pale, creamy face, big brown eyes, and long black hair, tinted brown. She looked good, not as beautiful as Usagi, but good.

Another idea dawned through me.

Would Odango Atama finally notice me if I paid some attention to Rei? Would she get jealous? It was worth a try.

"I'm ok," I smiled at Rei, "thank you for being so concerned," I said loud, so that Usagi could hear.

Rei's face flushed, bringing color to her pale translucent face. "I was just…" the Miko's face flushed again.

"Since you're so concerned about me," I said, quieting her, "why don't I treat you to dinner and a movie." I put on my 'cool and sexy guy' smile. I know that sounds dumb, but what else can I call it?

"YES!" Rei said eagerly, jumping out from her seat, "I would love to go out with you, just tell me when and where."

I laughed, would Odango Atama do the same if I had asked her? I certainly hoped so. Speaking of Usagi, I stole a glance at her with the corners of my eyes to see how she was reacting.

Cerulean met azure.

She was staring at me, her mouth slightly open looking *very* kissable. I wanted to take her in my arms and kiss her and take *her* out instead.

Focus, Chiba, I took a deep breath of control. If I sought her to admit that she was attracted to me, I couldn't lose self-control.

"Um Mamoru-san?"

I snapped out of my daze. "What?" I asked, wondering if I had done the right thing.

"When are you going to pick me up?" Rei asked. If she had seen me stare at Usagi, she didn't show it.

"How about eight, here?" I said, desperately trying to stop myself from looking at Usagi again.

I couldn't, I gave a quick glance at her direction.

To my disappointment, she wasn't looking anywhere near me. She was engaged in a deep conversation with Motoki.

If Motoki knew how I felt about her, why was he sitting so close to her? Why was his face so close to hers? Their foreheads were practically touching. My fists clenched. Why wouldn't Usagi ever talk to ME like that?

"Mamoru-san…"

"Oh, I'm sorry Rei," I said shifting my attention back to her. If Odango wanted to play hard, it was fine with me. "Why don't we go for a walk in the park after that," I said smiling down at her.

"Sure, Mamoru-san," she said, her face shined.

"So, Rei," Mako said coming toward us, "You *finally* got him to notice you." She said grinning.

I smiled. Perfect.

If Usagi hadn't heard me ask Rei out, she definitely heard Mako. Motoki turned his head to look at me; he shook his head and turned right back to Usagi.

Rei followed my gaze to Usagi. She walked to her friend, "HI Usagi, guess who asked me out today?" she asked cheerily. I looked at Odango for a reaction.

Usagi rolled her eyes, "I know Rei," she said, as I desperately tried to hear jealousy in her voice. "I think practically the whole arcade heard baka ask you out," her manner was calm and collected. She looked like she could care less about the date.

"And you aren't jealous?" Rei asked; her voice had a slight edge.

Usagi didn't cringe, "jealous of you and baka, no," she said, "Jealous that you have a date, even if it is with an inconsiderate, egotistical, idiot, yes."

Inconsiderate, egotistical, idiot? Who me?

Usagi smiled, "from now on I have to worry about two extremely mean people in my life," she said, her smile never leaving. "So, if you'll excuse me, I have to go to Oni-san's house," she looked at Motoki and smiled, her eyes twinkling. "Bye."

Oni-san... he was all she cared about. Chiba Mamoru didn't matter at all matter at all.

She turned around to leave.

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Usagi's POV

I turned around, trying to hide the tears that had accumulated in my eyes. I had no idea what my problem was. The two *deserved* each other. Baka and Rei were perfect for each other. Both of them were cold and rude and mean, they fit perfectly.

And besides, when did I have any interest in Mamoru anyway. I had never paid him much attention before, so why was I so concerned about him and Rei? I shook my head. Nothing made sense to me.

I thanked god that Oni-san had asked me to go to his house to deliver some medicine for his sister; she was sick. That gave me an excuse to get out of there...

SMACK!

I fell on the impact of a bump. Baka, I scolded myself, now they're going to laugh at you again. Mamoru is going to put his arms around Rei and point and laugh at you, and she's probably going to do the same.

"I'm so sorry," I said, getting up, "I didn't mean to bump into you."

"You have to excuse her," Mamoru was laughing hard, "she can't walk two steps without falling." Rei joined him.

I bit my lip to keep my brimming tears from falling. Didn't they care at all about how I felt?

"That's a mean thing to say about someone so beautiful."

HUH! That wasn't what I had been expecting from a stranger. I looked up at the person I had bumped into. He was gorgeous, dirty blonde hair framed his sleek face. Hazel eyes that matched his school uniform. He looked at me, "That's ok, Odango, I know you didn't mean to," he said looking into my eyes.

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Aolia: that's all for the first chapter, tell me what you think

Demeter: I think it's stupid. Since when does Haruka act like that??

Aolia smiling brightly: You decided to write Michiru so i got to write Haruka :P (Ignore her. I think my idea is great. Usa/Mamo forever!)