(Ok, I just suddenly realized how close to chapter 100 I was getting so in order to make this work, I'm cramming the rest of chapter/book/saga/whatever you want to call it five into this one last part. Don't worry; It's not going to be too much as I was already nearing the end of the chapter anyway so you're not missing anything. It's just going to go really fast, well, faster than normal anyway. As a result, this is going to be written somewhat differently than normal.)


~*~*~*


The next Monday, two days later, the first day of the camp for the Pack started. Everyone who was not a participant of the Pack hoped that this would be the turn around for the kids. It was the day that would prove to the world if they were able to hold any kind of compassion for people other than themselves.

~*~*~

Usagi had just gotten off the phone with Mr. Satan, confirming that everything was set, as Videl has advised her to do for Mr. Satan was known for being forgetful. She couldn't wait until she got to the camp so she could get started with helping the other kids. She hadn't realized how excited she was until the night before, when she found it unbelievably hard to fall asleep.

"Mom! Dad!" Usagi yelled as she stood up from her chair in the family room. She only had a few minutes before she would have to leave for Mr. Satan's to board the bus to the camp. She wanted to at least say goodbye to her parents since she wouldn't be able to see them for the next two weeks.

"Coming Usagi! You can't leave without saying goodbye to me!" Chi-Chi ran out of the hallway with a camera and handed it to her daughter. "Now don't forget to take lots of pictures while you're there so you can have visuals while you're telling us about your stay, ok?" Along with the camera she handed her daughter about six rolls of film and piled them into Usagi's hands.

"Mom," Usagi giggled. "I'm only going to be there for two weeks and I'm going to be helping out Mr. Satan and the other counselors. I'm not going to be able to take a bunch of pictures." She cringed when she saw her mother's face drop. "Well," She impishly grinned. "Maybe I can sneak in a few when Mamoru's being nice to the other kids. That way, he won't ever be able to deny that he was nice to them."

Goku grinned as he walked into the room with a plate filled with food. "Good luck."

Usagi looked up to her father with a smile. "Thanks, daddy, but I don't think we're going to need it." Without letting him get in a single word, she walked to him and gave him a giant bear hug and grabs a roll off his plate. "See ya in two weeks."

Chi-Chi pulled her daughter from her husband and hugged her. "Have a good time, dear."

"K!" Usagi pulled away from her mother and picked up her bags, walking out the door as she went with her parents close behind. "Bye mom! Bye daddy!" She jumped into the air and began flying towards Satan City, where she would meet her friends, as well as the Rat Pack.

~*~*~

~~Satan City~~

Mamoru and his cronies were already at the bus by the time Usagi had set out. Piccolo and Yamcha had made them get an early start since they didn't have the aid of being able to fly themselves there, but that was ok with the pack. It gave them time to devise a plan to make it through the next two weeks without losing their sanity.

"I can't believe you got us into this." Michiru scowled up at Haruka and Mamoru since, the way she saw it, they had caused this whole problem.

Haruka sneered down at what was supposed to be her best friend. "Come on, Michiru. You can't honestly think that. If it hadn't have been for Usagi's annoying habit of wanting everyone to think the way she does, the peace and loving way, you know very well that we wouldn't be in this stupid situation right now."

Not wanting to go into a real conflict with Haruka, Michiru decided to lay low with her thoughts about the situation. Especially since she didn't really mind going. She would rather enjoy herself. It was just why she was being forced to go that she was upset with. "Yeah whatever."

Mamoru glared down at Michiru with hateful eyes as he pulled Haruka away. "She's changing, Haruka. Why do you even put up with her anymore? We're the originals! We're supposed to hate that tailed twit. All three of us. It's been that way for years. Why is she trying to break up the gang now? Even the others have more hate for Odango than she does."

For some strange reason unknown to her, Haruka actually felt the need to defend her best friend instead of shunning her for her differences. "Just leave her alone, Mamoru." 'What's come over me? Why do I feel like I have to protect her?' "She's not bothering us right now."

"Fine. But let me tell you, if she crosses the line, I'm not holding back."

"I never said I wouldn't."

Mamoru grinned. "Good." With that, he walked over to the bus. He noticed that Mr. Satan was inside talking to the driver. "This is his fault too. If he didn't have that stupid charity we wouldn't have to go this stupid camp. This is the dumbest idea I've ever heard of in my life! It makes absolutely no sense to have US going to a camp with lots of little bratty disabled kids!"

"Just pretend to change you guys." Michiru looked up to her friends. She herself was even becoming annoyed with them. "If you want to get away from Usagi all you have to do is ignore her and don't be rude to her. Then Piccolo and Yamcha won't have anything to gripe about."

Mamoru snickered. "I can handle ignoring her, but not being rude to her? Now that's funny, Michiru. How can I? She leaves herself wide open."

"I'm serious here, Mamoru. It's the only way to stop being harassed with stupid stuff like this."

Just before Mamoru opened his mouth to protest again, he stopped to think about Michiru's words. "Hmm..." 'Maybe she's right.' He smirked. 'But I'll never let her know that. Wouldn't want to put ideas into her head.' "Don't try that stupid logic with me."

Michiru rolled her eyes. "Like logic would work with you."

"HI EVERYONE!" The Pack groaned as they looked up into the sky to see the first of their rivals arrive. It was Minako and Ami coming in at a fast pace looking very excited.

Minako landed next to Zodiac while Ami landed next to Michiru, who was looking more than a little bummed out. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing you need to know about."

Minako ignored the rest of the pack and bounced over to Michiru. "Come on. We're going to have so much fun at the camp. We're all going to get along and go nuts trying to figure out why we never started out as friends in the first place."

Mamoru snickered. "I think you need to let some more oxygen into your brain there, kid."

Minako frowned over in Mamoru's direction. "Well I don't care what you guys do. All I know is that I'm going to have total blast."

"You do that." Mamoru mockingly stated as he boarded the bus.

Minako shook her head in disgust. "That boy has some serious problems that he needs to sort out."

~*~*~

Before the busses had left to pick up the kids, who would be attending the camp, Usagi, her friends, and Mr. Satan devised a plan to keep the Rat Pack separated at all times, except when they would be sleeping. They didn't want them to be a constant bad influence on themselves. They would each be paired up, one of the Rat Pack with one of the girls.

Reluctantly, Usagi had elected to work with Mamoru since he seemed to have the most hate built towards her. She wanted to personally make sure that he didn't try anything. Hotaru took on Haruka by the influence of Usagi basically telling her to. The real reason why Usagi wanted Hotaru to have Haruka was because the two would be working together with leading nature hikes and camp field trips, supervised by Mr. Satan. Usagi wanted to be able to keep a close eye on the two that she thought would cause the most trouble. The Saiyan duo was also in charge of helping out with the kids in cabin one, there were five altogether.

Ami was the only other to have two of the Pack, with her patience and kindness it was a given. Also, the fact that one of her teammates wasn't on the side of evil anymore gave the decision a boost. With her, Zodiac and Michiru would handle swimming, arts and crafts. They were to look after cabin two.

Rei and Justin were to help out in cabin three. They would be working with the evening campfires, and helping with physical therapy during the day. Minako wanted that part, but Ami remembered the time she TRIED to put a band aide on her and had suggested otherwise.

Minako and Kenneth had horseback riding for the kids. They'd ride with them and make sure they didn't fall and hurt themselves. Minako gladly accepted this, as she had always loved riding horses when she visited her grandparents in the country. They had cabin four.

That left Makoto and Nathaniel in cabin five. They had cooking in the kitchen duty. They also had the grilling at the barbecues as well.

~*~*~

During the bus ride to the camp, after all the kids were picked up, things got pretty rowdy with the kids screaming and yelling to each other about how excited they were to finally get to meet others like themselves. All the buses were crowed and specially made for the accommodations that these kids would need, since almost all of them were in wheelchairs.

An annoyed Mamoru, who was forced to sit by Usagi glared around the bus at the 'brats'. "Isn't there a way to shut them up?"

Usagi didn't respond in any way. Actually, she hadn't really heard him for she was busy conversing with several of the campers already. That only caused Mamoru to become even more irritated. "Odango!" He yelled as he reached out and grabbed her hair.

"OWE!" Usagi turned around and slapped Mamoru in the face when he roughly pulled her hair. "What was that for?" The kids she had previously been talking to cowered away from the duo, not wanting to fall victim if Mamoru lashed out for any reason.

Mamoru smirked. It gave him pleasure to know that there were still ways to cause her pain. "Don't encourage these brats to be loud. It's rather annoying."

Usagi frowned. "Come on Mamoru. Don't be mean. They're just having fun. Maybe you should get to know some of them. They're actually really nice, and really fun to talk to."

Mamoru rolled his eyes. "I think I'll pass."

Little did Mamoru know, he was being observed by the only quiet child on the bus. A single child who felt as if she had no friends in the world, not even her parents. She had been to many camps like this throughout her entire life, being tossed from one to the other like she was just a rag doll with no feelings or emotions to be spared. And now, seeing his attitude towards kids like her made her feel no better inside, only worse.

It's been proved. Mamoru seems to have hit rock bottom. He is now capable of hurting others without saying a single word to them.

Near the front of the bus, Michiru sat by a teenage counselor, about her age, while Ami sat two seats in front of her with Zodiac. Haruka sat with Hotaru just one seat behind. She tried to sit as far away from the boy next to her as she could, but no matter how far she would move, he always seemed to want to move closer. For some reason, every time the boy moved closer to Michiru, Haruka felt herself become more and more angry. She felt as if a part of her was being violated.

The boy just looked down at Michiru with a perverse smile. "So, what's your name?" He asked, basically in her face.

Michiru pulled her face away, only showing him a frown just before pulling away. "Why do you need to know?"

The boy grinned. He could tell that hooking her would be hard to do, but decided that it was much more than worthwhile. "Because I want to know who you are. If we're going to be working together for the next two weeks, I want to get to know you."

Michiru knew that there were other reasons, but didn't want to get into any type of fight since there were children on the bus. "Michiru..." She mumbled under her breath.

The boy smiled. "Michiru...what a beautiful name for such a beautiful girl."

Haruka's eyes widened to there fullest at that point. Never in her life had she heard such rubbish come from such and insolent boy. "Hey, you leave her alone."

The teen turned around to Haruka with a frown, trying to stare the other *Boy* down.

"Don't be jealous. It's all good."

"Haruka, stop." As much as she didn't want to put up with the boy, Michiru didn't want to make anything big out of the situation, though she knew exactly where Haruka was coming from.

The teen smirked as he turned back around in his seat, only to cause Haruka to become even angrier. "I'm going to like getting to know you, Michiru."

On the left sat Minako with a big grin planted on her face, which baffled Haruka. She also noticed that she and Usagi were exchanging knowing glances. 'What the hell is wrong with them? Their going to get it good if they don't stop grinning at me.' "Stop it brats!"

~*~*~

Once at the camp, everyone was told to stay in their seats while the counselors unpacked all the baggage from the bus. It would have been done in mere seconds if the Pack had been told to do it, but the girls still had business to go over with the them. They still had to go over the partner situation and what not.

"Ok," Makoto stated with a clipboard in her hands as she jumped out of the bus. "I know you all have a few question you need answered. It's important that you listen to everything that we have to say so that you understand." There were more than a few snorts of annoyance at this. "Hey, if you don't like it, take it up with Piccolo and Yamcha, unless you want to make something out of it with me!"

Seeing that the Pack was about to take Makoto up on her 'offer' Minako stepped in. "Uh, why don't we try NOT to fight while we're here. The purpose of being here is to learn to get along. Plus we can't upset the kids."

Makoto sighed. "She's right. We need to stop this. Let's just continue and try to forget that this happened, ok?"

"Right." Rei stated as she grabbed the clipboard from Makoto. She didn't want to leave her in charge for the one fact that she had a tendency to get angry easily. "You will all be assigned a partner for the entire trip. You and your partner will run specific activities and help with individual cabins and their inhabitants."

As Rei continued to speak, the Pack moved to stand next to whom they wanted to be partnered with, totally missing the point. This time, it was Rei's turn to become on the side of being annoyed. "The purpose for this is training, to become compassionate and respectful of others. That means your partner will be one of us."

"WHAT?!" Mamoru was obviously more than just a little upset by that fact. "Look, it was bad enough that you decided that you had to butt into our business and MAKE us come here, but we are not, I repeat, ARE NOT going to hang out with you guys during the first two weeks of our summer vacation."

Usagi frowned. "Stop it. We're only doing what we think is right. And you are the ones that have forced this to begin with, with your attitude. We're not the only ones who think that this is the right thing to do."

Mamoru scowled down at Usagi. He was almost more than certain that he would have bad enough luck to be paired with Usagi. "Let me guess, your brain-dead father liked the idea. Why not? It makes sense, my own father agreed with it and they're friends."

Ami herself was even becoming upset with Mamoru. She was beginning to believe that there was no hope for him at all. "Come on. Just stop it already. No one likes your attitude. Your father obviously doesn't like your attitude otherwise he wouldn't have sent you here." For once in the history of Mamoru, he didn't have any type of witty retort to shoot back at her. He only stood silent. "While we're here, there is to be no fighting at all. That won't be too hard since you've been stripped of all your fighting anyway. Don't start petty arguments with the attendants of this camp either. We will be watching your actions closely and will report any bad behavior from you to your Sensei's."

Seeing them about to explode, Usagi knew that she had to add something to that. "Or are you not strong enough to control yourselves that you must hurt the physically challenged kids? So weak that you can't even pretend to be nice for two short weeks. Odd, I had thought you had a bit more will power then this."

Haruka grinned. She knew it wouldn't be THAT much of a challenge. All she would really have to do is ignore the little brats and be done with it. "Fine, who will we be with?"

Usagi backed away from the Pack so she wouldn't be in any direct paths of attacks from its angry members. "I'm with Mamoru. Haruka's with Hotaru. Ami's with Zodiac and Michiru. Minako is with Kenneth. Rei is with Justin, and Makoto is with Nathaniel."

Mamoru snorted with disgust. "I knew I was going to get the odango'd twerp."

"I want to switch to Ami's group with Zodiac. Do it now, Monkey."

Usagi frowned. "These are the assignments and there won't be any changes. Deal with it." Usagi noted that the other counselors were finished with pulling the bags out of each bus for the kids and turned around to the bus, totally ignoring any other rants that came arose from the Pack. "We're done Mr. Satan!"

"Ok kids!" Mr. Satan said as he turned to the kids in his bus. "Time to pile out and let the fun begin!"

At the end of that statement, to the best of their ability, the kids did just that. They piled out of the bus, by the lifts made for their wheelchairs, carried by a staff member, or struggling on their own to enjoy the next two weeks. Before they had even left for the camp, each child had been given their cabin assignments and were grouping together according to those assignments as directed by Mr. Satan, who had hurried to the top of a bus with a megaphone so he could speak to everyone.

The girls were an instant smash with their groups, with the members of the pack lagging behind in their social skills. None of them really wanted to get to know the kids at all. They just wanted to keep their sanity throughout the two weeks and then get right back home.

Mamoru took notice that all of the kids from his group were piled around Usagi, all but one, that is. There was one single girl, who looked to be about Usagi's age, sitting by herself, looking gloomier than he had ever seen Usagi, which was pretty bad. She didn't seem to want to have anything to do with Usagi or the other kids.

Knowing that Usagi was much too occupied with the other campers to even realize that there was a loner among the group, Mamoru walked over to her to try and help her with her belongings. The little girl said nothing as he began to pick up her bags. She just sat there, barely even noticing him.

Frowning at not being recognized, he kneeled in front of her and looked into her droopy blue eyes. "What's your name kid?" When the child failed to answer, he started to get mad and was about to reproach her when she finally looked up.

"What do you care? I'm just a brat that you won't see ever again."

Mamoru gasped at her harsh words. 'DAMN, she heard me on the bus?'

"This stupid trip is just a way for you to feel good about yourselves. It doesn't stop the pain. It doesn't help me walk or move my arms or even bath myself. It gives mom some time to herself, instead of ALWAYS taking care of me. My dad didn't want to and left because of me. Don't try to tell my you're any different."

Stunned at her response, for the first time in his life, Mamoru felt ashamed of himself. He was there for himself only. He was there only because he didn't want to get his training revoked for two years. He had to be there. He didn't go there of his own free will at all. This child didn't have a father, where he did. Even though there were many problems between the two, that didn't mean that he didn't love him. And he knew he wasn't alone because of it. He had a strong body and mind, and wasn't poor by any means. But this child, accusing him, had so little, and he was complaining of his life for what he saw as now stupid reasons.

"You're right, I am here for myself. I...I was forced to come because I was a bit of a jerk, though others would say more then a bit. A young girl I know forced me. Telling me that here I would meet the greatest heroes on Earth. Stronger then I'll ever be. I'm beginning to realize maybe she had a reason for letting me meet you. I can't promise anything, but I will promise to be your friend during this time, and even if we never meet again, that I'll remember you. What do you say, friends?"

The girl was a bit on the skeptical side. She had heard him on the bus and knew that he didn't think too highly of her kind. "What about what you said on the bus?"

Mamoru groaned. At that moment, he wished that he could have taken back everything that he had said on the bus. "I can't take back what I said on the bus, but I can say that I no longer mean it. You aren't brats, noisy maybe, but not brats. I probably should have listened to the girl beside me when she told me to get to know you guys, but stupid me, I didn't listen. But now I know one and I can honestly say I like her. So?" He extended a hand to hers.

That was all that needed to be said to warm the heart of the young girl. She had never been spoken to with kinder words and she didn't think that she ever would. "Ok." Using all her strength, she managed to shake his hand. "My name is Monoko."

Feeling proud as well as happy with himself, Mamoru grinned at her. It wasn't a mean grin, but for the first time in his memory, a gentle and loving grin. "The name's Mamoru. Nice to meet you Monoko."

Across the room, a stunned Usagi ponders. With her Saiyan hearing she had heard all he had said.

Grinning she thinks. 'It's a start.'

~*~*~

Over the next three days, many friendships were forged. Though, not only friendships between campers and counselors, there were also friendships between partners forming too, to a certain degree. None of the Pack would admit it, but they were starting to come to understand the girls a bit better after having to spend long days with long hours working side by side with them. The groups were actually getting along great.

The best group would have to be Ami, Zodiac, and Michiru. All loved the water and the arts and always had something interesting to add to conversations. Even when they weren't working, they always seemed to be able to go to each other and strike up a conversation, though Zodiac would never let his friends know that. Plus all were intelligent, though Ami and Zodiac were slightly higher then Michiru, she could keep pace with them.

Rei and Justin on the other hand were a handful. Satan was always pulling them apart, but the arguments were as much Rei's fault as Justin's so he wasn't blamed. Surprisingly though they made a great team. She with her cool and calm kindness. And he with his wicked sense of humor, that could make a hurt patient grin despite the pain.

Mamoru and Haruka basically just ignored the other two as much as possible. But they weren't obnoxious either, so they worked well together. It wasn't just the fact that they didn't want to ruin their chances of surviving, but it was also the fact that they actually didn't really WANT to be rude that much anymore, though there were times when they let out a crack out Usagi every now and then much to her dismay.

Minako and Kenneth hit it off well, both having a love for horses. Minako would never admit it, but he was her first crush.

Makoto and Nathaniel had arguments on how to prepare the meals, and the chefs were amused by the cooking contests. In fact they kept many of the recipes that they created with their little wars.

Yes, all seemed to be going perfectly well until the third night when two separate groups had some very strange occurrences with Usagi.

The campers had just been put into bed and Mamoru had just tucked in Monoko, something that he had secretly been doing since the first day. It made him feel like a parent when he did it. It also gave him a good feeling to know that he was actually doing something nice to someone for a change; someone who could use a helping hand. He had taken quite a liking to Monoko as she had with him as well.

As he was emerging from cabin one, he noticed Usagi standing in the middle of an open field where the horses stood during the day. She didn't seem to have anything on her mind but the stars as she looked up. 'What's she doing now? Being an idiot again, I suppose.' He looked up into the sky at the thousands of stars that sat in the sky as he approached his partner.

When he was little, he had always thought of the stars as earth's protectors; like they were there to watch of its inhabitants and make sure nothing from space got through. But as he got older, he started to think otherwise. He started to see stars as his jail; like they were keeping him from knowing some far away truth; something he knew that he needed to know about, but he could never quite put his finger on why.

"It really is rather beautiful up here, isn't it?" He asked Usagi.

Usagi brought her gaze down to the ground. 'Since when was he here?' She looked up to him, mocking herself for letting her guard down. "No, it's empty up there. Something's missing. It's always been empty."

"Why do you say that? Everyone likes looking at the stars. They're relaxing...except for me that is."

"I like the stars, but the sky is empty. It's weird, I don't know how to explain it."

Mamoru got up to leave, stopping with his back to Usagi. "I know that empty feeling."

With those last cryptic words, Usagi is more confused than ever. Not only was he being nice to her, but he also said that he knew what she was feeling, that he could empathize with her. Shaking it off, she decides to take a walk.

~*~*~

~~Shortly~~

Michiru and Haruka walked around the trails of the camp while they each watched the stars above. Each enjoyed their free time together, which they hadn't really had since the whole camp thing started, but they weren't too worried about it. It gave them time to sort their feelings.

Little did they know that the same teenage boy was following them on the bus from only three days before. "Hey! Michiru!" He called out to her. "Why don't you leave that loser and come with me. I'll show you a good time. We'll have dinner under the stars. You and me." Michiru said nothing

Haruka was sick and tired of this kid. He had been hitting on Michiru for three days and it was utterly sickening. Not only was she tired of the boy, but also she was tired of Michiru never saying anything about it. "Go ahead, Michiru. Go with you BOYFREIND! See if I give a damn!"

"What are you talking about Haruka, I'm not going out with him."

The boy smirked as he walked to Michiru and pulled her away from Haruka. "So nice of you to give her up." He hugged Michiru, who tried to struggle away from him. "Come now, I have a table already set up for us. Let's enjoy the evening and make something out of it."

Haruka growled as she ran off to the lake to get as far away from the duo as possible. 'Stupid Michiru! Who needs her anyway!'

"HARUKA!" Michiru screamed out for her over and over but she never came back.

"Come on baby. Let's go." The boy put his arm around Michiru's waist and proceeded to lead her out of the woods. Michiru did nothing but respond with tears as she allowed herself to be taken away to shocked to protest.

~*~*~

The snapping of a twig alerted to Usagi that she was not the only one at the lake anymore. "Who's there?" She annoyed asked. She hoped that it was not someone who would try to cause trouble. She was trying to make sense of her earlier conversation.

Totally ignoring her, Haruka walked to a log that is on the edge of the lake and sat down. She tried to collect her thoughts about what had just happened. She herself didn't even fully understand where that sudden rage had come from. The last thing that she had ever wanted to do was treat Michiru the way that she just had.

Usagi knew exactly what was going on. It was obvious. She had witnessed the beginnings of it on the bus. She and Minako were plotting their first matchmaking scheme ever. After long talks together, they had finally figured out what was wrong with the two.

"You love her." She said softly as she sat next to her.

"It's NONE of your business. Now run along and play."

"It is my business. We're supposed to watch you while we're on this trip, remember?"

"Just shut up, you know nothing." Turning her back to the girl, Haruka heard the next sentence as clear as day.

Usagi smiled softly to go along with her voice. "You're in love with her."

Fury erupted in her as she threw a series of punches at her. She didn't even care that it would mean her punishment. Usagi deflected the blows with ease as they rained down on her. "You love her and she loves you."

That just made her angrier, upset at the lies. "Liar, we're girls."

"And that's the problem, you haven't come to terms with that. You're very masculine and that makes you shunned by most, even you family I think. That's why you force Michiru to follow this path and stay on it yourself. It's the easy path, one where you're together and every thing is straightforward. But now it's different. Your feelings are growing and you're getting jealous and scared."

Haruka decided to stop the attacks. It obviously wasn't doing any good anyway. "Afraid of what? I fear nothing."

"Your afraid of losing her. You knew about her love for music and art, but you were afraid to loss her to that. So you pushed her away from it. Now there is someone interested in her and you are terrified that you'll lose her forever. Don't think I didn't notice what happened on the bus ride here. Don't think that I haven't noticed what's been going on while we've been here."

"You're wrong."

"No, I'm not. The girls and I have a gift, all of us. Rei can see the soul. Ami is the master of the mind. While Makoto is the master of the body. Hotaru is the innocence. Minako is the seer of the heart and it's working in romance. And I, I can touch them all and see their inner workings and how the go together. It's gifts we all have and are able to use. I can see you Haruka, I've finally figured you out. You are afraid of being weak, so you give into the anger and think you're strong because of it. Michiru also gave into her fears. She's afraid of being left out, that's why she does as you tell her, despite when you hit her. Or if she disagrees with it. She wants to be with you."

"You don't know what you're talking about. She doesn't love me, and I don't love her."

"Oh really. Then what if I told you that I saw the two of them kissing behind the shed earlier, wouldn't care would you?" Pain lashed through Haruka and that is all the answer Usagi needed. "By your face I can tell that you do care. Fortunately you haven't driven her away that far. After all, I only said 'what if'."

"It doesn't matter, she couldn't ever love me as I love her. I love the very things I've tried to make her give up. Her music, her art, her gentleness, her beauty. Why would she ever love me as I do her after the pain I've caused her?"

Smiling, Usagi stepped away; dropping the Ki aura she was radiating to block Haruka's senses. "What the..." She looked up to see a crying Michiru, staring back at her in wonder.

Shortly after she had arrived with the other counselor at the dinner table he had set up for the two of them, Michiru had come to her senses and realized that she had to stand up for herself that time. She picked him up by one hand and growled for him to NEVER touch her again.

The she chased after Haruka. She had to do it for herself, as well as Haruka. She was amazed at what she had heard when she came upon her and Usagi.

In tears she speaks from her heart to her for perhaps the first time. "I love YOU because," Shocking her into immobility, "of your strength. Roguish humor. The daredevil that refuses to be bound by conventional rules. The caring side you try so hard to hide. Your ability to make me laugh. And YOUR beauty."

Looking into her eyes, tears appeared in her own at the sincerity of her words. She held her gaze, as time seemed to be coming to a halt. In her mind, she felt as if she could hear a far away song playing that was meant only for her and Michiru to hear.

"There you see her, standing just a bit away. She don't got a lot to say, but there's something about her. And you don't know why, but your dying to try, you want to kiss the girl.

Yes you want her, floating above a blue lagoon. Perhaps she wants you too, there's only one way to ask her. Oh yes you don't know why, but your dying to try, go on and kiss the girl.

Sha la la la la la la la la, now don't be scared, we got the mood prepared, go on and kiss the girl.

Sha la la la la la la la la now don't be shy, go on and try, go on and kiss the girl.

Now's the moment, this is what you want to do. Take this time here and bring her to you.

Com'on and don't be scared, this is the moment to share, go on and kiss the girl.

Go on and Kiss the girl.

Kiss the girl"

Feeling she was floating in the stars, Haruka pulled Michiru forward and leaned down to place a soft lingering kiss on her velvet lips. Both closed their eyes in bliss at the joy of this moment.

Opening their eyes, they smiled at each other. Then they looked down, way down. They were floating in a Ki aura. Looking around the ground, they could see a transfixed Usagi and then looked back up into each other's eyes. "Did you hear a soft song when we were looking into each other's eyes?"

Blushing, Michiru nodded, burying her head into her chest as a crying Usagi tenderly lowered them to the ground. As they glared at her, they were about to respond to her like they normally would when she interrupted.

"That was beautiful. Truly amazing."

Haruka turned more serious as Usagi giggled.. "Look, Koneko..."

"What, did you just call me kitten?"

Sighing, she continued, "Sorry about that, but..."

"Hey I don't mind it, it's cute. A LOT better then MONKEY."

"Fine but we need to talk."

"K, Shoot."

"You can't tell anyone about this. It's just between us. If the guys find out, they'll never speak to us again."

Usagi frowned. "First, I can't keep big secrets like this from my friends, the bond won't let us. Second, I think you're wrong, they may be jerks, but they're not bigots. And third, you're too late."

Haruka frowned at the child before her. She was about to respond harshly when she felt Mamoru's Ki behind her. "Uh...oh." Both Michiru and Haruka turned around and looked on in horror as he swaggered over with a smirk on his face.

"Well that was interesting. There I was, right? I was looking up into the sky watching the stars when what did I see? Two of my most dearest friends KISSING. What a breathtaking sight it was at that. Would you like to know what I have to say about it? First I'm not a jerk. Second, it's not as if it were a surprise to the others or me. Third, truth is we had a bet on how long it would take you two. And thanks to 'Koneko' here I won it. Though truth is I thought I'd be another six months before you got up the courage to kiss her."

Shocked, they looked at his smiling face. They were also more than shocked at the smile. It's changed since they came there. But then so have they. "Well I'm off to collect my bets. You two have a good time tonight."

Haruka and Michiru turned back to Usagi with loving smiles on both of their faces. "Thank you." They both said at the same time.

"You're welcome, but leave ADULT TIME for later. You're not ready."

They both face fault at that one.

Usagi wonders exactly what shade of red that was.

~*~*~

The next morning, the new couple found themselves surrounded by the curious eyes of their friends. Not by just the pack and girl, some of who were annoyed at the loss of the bet, but the rest of the campers and staff. It was as if overnight they had become closer than ever, and they were much nicer and understanding of others.

Really, the only staff member who did not approve of the pair was the boy who had been trying to get Michiru to go out with him. He just scowled at Haruka, every so often looking down to Haruka with pure disgust. 'I can't believe I wanted to go out with THAT! I thought she was a girl, and they like each other. SICK.' He turned around and walked away when he saw a smirk come from Haruka.

Michiru look around the group huddled around. "What?"

Minako, who seemed to be the most willing to go where others were not, bounced to the couple. "So...?"

Haruka grinned. "What?"

"Aren't you going to tell us all about it? What true love first kiss like? Com'on we're dying here."

Michiru giggled as she wrapped her arm around Haruka's waste. She couldn't remember time when she had ever felt happier to be with her. "What's there to tell?"

Seeing only frustration on the child's face Haruka chuckled. "Maybe when you're older, kid." With that, she led Michiru away from the group.

Mamoru said nothing, though he wanted to congratulate the couple, it just wasn't his style. He knew that the couple would take his silence as a compliment so there really wasn't anything for him to really say. "I guess we should get back to business." He said as he looked down to the little girl at his side.

Usagi turned to Mamoru with a frown. She didn't know how he could be their best friend and not have anything to say. "Oh come on Mamoru. You can at least say that you're happy for them."

Mamoru grinned. He decided that it was a time to give her a run for her money. "Fine. I'm happy for them. I'm happy that they've finally realized the obvious, that they love each other. It's nice that they can have each other for all time. I just wish I could find someone I cared about." With that, he picked up Monoko and walked away, leaving Usagi behind, immobile with shock.

Monoko giggled as she watched Usagi fall to the ground over Mamoru's shoulder. "Is that the girl who forced you here, Mamoru?"

Mamoru nodded. "Yeah. She's a bit of an idiot, but pretty powerful. You don't want to cross her or else she'll torture you, like she is me, right now."

"She just fainted."

Mamoru grinned. 'Sounds like the little twit.' "I know. She doesn't expect me to be nice at all. She thinks I'm merciless."

"Well, are you?"

Mamoru sighed as he stopped and set Monoko down on the ground. He wanted to lie and tell her 'no', he wasn't in the least bit merciless. He didn't want to look bad in front of Monoko, but after staring into her bright blue eyes as they sparkled in the sunlight, he just couldn't bring himself to lie. She didn't deserve to be lied to. "I guess you could say that I am. I've done some pretty horrible things in the past. Especially to Usagi, that girl with the tail back there."

He had expected her to not like him after telling her that, as so many others before her had, but to his surprise, she didn't even flinch. Her smile only grew greater. "Well I don't think you are, big brother. Maybe you just needed time."

Mamoru didn't quite react the way that he had expected to at that. "What?" For some odd reason that was unknown to him, he quite liked the thought of being the close to the child.

Monoko nodded. "That's what you are now. You're the only person who has ever treated me so nice before. Sure my mom does, but I know she hates every dirty minute of taking care of me. When she's really annoyed with me, she likes to rub in the fact that my problems drove away my dad. I know she loves me, but my problems are just to hard for her to deal with by herself all the time. School is worse, I'm picked on every minute of the day. The teachers are always treating me like I'm a two year old. But you, no, you're different. You treat me like I'm a human, like I have feelings, like a sister."

Mamoru softly smiled down to the Monoko as he picked her up and put her on his back. "Well then, I guess I have me a new little sister." 'If the others saw me, they'd kill me. Or die of shock.'

Totally ignoring the itinerary for that day, Mamoru decided to take Monoko for a hike in the woods just for the fun of it. He didn't care how much trouble he would get in, he just wanted to do something nice for Monoko. After the hike, he planned to picnic with her. He wanted her to enjoy every minute at the camp since she would return to a broken home. "So tell me, Monoko, if you could do one thing while you were here, what would it be?"

Without a doubt of what her answer would be, Monoko promptly answered. "What I've always wanted to do is hang-glide, it'd be so much fun. I would give anything to do that, but I can't with my disabilities."

Thinking about that, he continued walking with the child who had mysteriously worked her way into his heart, something he didn't even think he had until he had met her. "Well...there is a way." 'I know I'm going to lose my privileges for another year, but what the heck. I only got one chance to do this and I'm not going to give it up.'

"Have you ever heard of Ki-Jitsu?"

Monoko shook her head. "No."

"Well, Ki-Jitsu is using your soul aura to fight and train. I'm a master of it, like all my friends and Usagi and hers as well. As to why that's important, look down."

Monoko did as she was told and looked down. "OH WOW!" She gasped as she leaned into him in fright.

Mamoru chuckled. It felt strange to have someone looking to him for protection and strangely enough, it felt good. "Don't worry I've got you. This is one of the uses of Ki power. Nothing will happen to you."

"I didn't know people could fly." Monoko moved forward on him, quickly overcoming her fear. She had faith that her 'older brother' wouldn't let her fall. "This is great. MORE!" She excitedly yelled out.

"You got it." Mamoru smiled as he began to up his power to go faster. With the extra speed, he started to do some spins and loop-de-loops for her, only causing her to laugh in excitement. "Having fun yet?"

"YES!"

Sensing an irate Usagi approaching, he hovered over the lake, and waited for her arrival. He knew what that was about. It was time for him to take his punishment.

Usagi was with Hotaru and Haruka when they had felt Mamoru's power level skyrocket far beyond normal. He had used his power, most likely to hurt one of the campers as he had so often threatened throughout their entire stay. "Can you guys stay with the other campers while I go?" The duo nodded. They didn't trust the air-headed counselor that was officially in charge of watching the kids.

Usagi flew out to the lake at her top speed. 'Boy is Piccolo going to be angry when he hears about this. He's probably already felt it and is getting ready to come here. Mamoru just doesn't learn! If I ever disobeyed my dad this bad, he'd kill me.'

She stopped in the middle of the lake, directly in front of Mamoru. She was surprised to see that he was holding Monoko on his back. 'Since when are they such close friends?' "Mam..."

"I know what you're going to say, Odango. I'll do it without complaint, just not here."

Monoko was too thrilled by flying to see the tension between Usagi and Mamoru. She joyfully looked to Usagi. "Isn't this great? I told him that I've always wanted to hang-glide and he took me flying. I didn't know you guys could fly. Are you all super heroes like my big brother?"

Usagi gasped. 'Big brother? Is he really THAT nice to her? I knew he could change.' "We aren't heroes yet, Monoko. More like heroes in training."

"Can you take the rest of us for flights? The kids would have a blast. You could make it a new activity."

Taking the initiative and definitely not caring about what Usagi had to say about the matter, Mamoru answered her question. "I don't see why we can't, but we'll have to ask Mr. Satan first to make sure it's all right with him that we take you guys flying without seatbelts." Monoko giggled.

"We have to ask Piccolo, too, Mamoru. Remember, no Ki for a year." With that being said and done, Usagi flew back down to the ground, where she would ask Mr. Satan. She planned on leaving the calling of Piccolo up to Mamoru himself.

Monoko blinked with curiosity. "She doesn't seem like that much of an idiot to me."

Mamoru grinned. "Believe me, she is, you just have to know her for a while before you realize it. But she has her moments."

~*~*~

The first thing that Mamoru did after unloading his very ecstatic passenger into her cabin for rest, he went to the main office to use the phone to call his father. He knew his father's temper as well as annoying stubbornness so his chances of getting a temporary release of his punishment was as good as getting his father to hug Vejita of his own freewill.

"What is it brat?"

Mamoru smirked even though his father couldn't see it. "Father, what would you have done if this wasn't me?"

"I don't have to worry about that. The only ones who have this number are you, your stupid friends, and the Sons all of which I answer with brat. So tell me, what's with the sudden use of Ki power after if told you not to? Do I need to revoke the use of power for another year?"

Mamoru cringed at the thought. "No. I was flying around one of the campers. You know, doing a favor. She wanted to hang-glide so I took her flying and was wondering if we could make a habit of it?" The only response he earned from his father was deep breathing. "Please. The others think it's a fabulous idea. The campers are nuts about flying. Would it be possible to let up on our punishments until we get out of camp?"

Piccolo sighed. Not of anger, but of relief. Relief that his son was finally learning. "hump. He took longer then even I did. "Fine."

"Great, Odango didn't think you'd let me but HA! I guess I proved her wrong."

'I guess not much has changed between the two.' "Do try to learn faster." Piccolo hung up the phone without another word.

Mamoru, too, hung up the phone. He wasn't at all upset that his father had hung up the way he had. It was a normal occurrence. "The other kids are going to be so excited. I can't wait to see their faces." As he turned around, he noticed Makoto walk into the room with a handful of mail. "Hey." He waved to he as he passed by. 'Why am I being so nice? I don't like it. Do I?'

Makoto just turned around and watched him walk out of the room. "Now that was strange. He actually acknowledged my presence."

~*~*~

That evening at the nightly campfire, conversation was far more freely given between the two groups. There were fewer hostilities towards each other. Though, Mamoru tended to keep his distance and instead, sat with Monoko and told her to story of the past.

"So when that Cell guy came back to earth two years ago Usagi's dad beat him?"

Mamoru nodded as he popped a roasted marshmallow into his mouth. "Yep. Well, it was more like his offspring but never the less, he was beaten by the hands of a great fighter."

"What was it like in the past?"

Mamoru tried to think back to his experiences in the past. They weren't exactly the best, but he had learned quite a bit. "Well, things were a lot different, as well as a lot more primitive. I mean, we're talking about nearly sixty years difference. Technology was sure lagging. I learned quite a bit about myself. Even learned that some queen's after Usagi."

"What?"

"Yeah. She sent Cell after her; no one knows who she is or why she tried to get Usagi's power. We never found her, nor have we heard from her since the Cell incident."

Monoko giggled. "Maybe her dad scared her away."

"We can only hope."

Monoko sighed as she leaned against a rock. "I sure wish that I could be like you, Mamoru."

"What? No you don't."

"Yes I do. I want to save lives, and fly by myself, and fight strong people. I want to live life to the fullest, live on the extreme. I want to be able to move easily. I'm tired of always having to be helped out. I want this stupid disability to go away."

Mamoru looked down to the child beside him. For the first time, he had to force himself not to want to cry. Her words spoke of her hardship, something that he had been stupid enough to think that he had, but in reality, he was living the good life. He was grateful to her in regards to the fact that she showed him how much he had and how stupid he had been in the past. She taught him how to care for others, how to let his emotions out, and all he had done for her was take her on a single flight. He knew that there had to be a way to repay her, and that one thing had been playing on his mind since day one. "I'll be right back, Monoko. I have to talk to my friends for a minute."

Monoko looked up to Mamoru as he stood up. "Ok."

Mamoru approached Hotaru with an open mind. He knew that he was subject to rejection after all that he had done to her, but knew that she was the only hope for Monoko.

"Hotaru, you're the big expert with Ki healing. Do you think we might be able to manipulate it somehow to our advantages? You know, so we can heal these kids."

The entire group went silent as some turned to Hotaru, and the others turned to Mamoru, but all had one common thought. 'Since when did he care so much?' The entire group goes silent at this question. Mr. Satan and Videl cursing themselves for not thinking of it themselves.

Hotaru's eyes went wide as she began to stammer her answer. "I... I don't know. I don't know how the disease works. Mommy never taught me anything more than healing physical wounds."

"I've been reading up on it. It attacks the muscles in the body, destroying them." Ami quickly added.

Hotaru sighed. That still wouldn't help. "The disease would still be there. We couldn't destroy it because we don't know how too. It's beyond us."

"But what if we train them to use their own Ki to strengthen and support their body systems? This would deaden the pain and strengthen their muscles, allowing them movement of their body." Ami beamed with pride at the idea.

Usagi thought for a moment. "Maybe me, Hotaru, and Ami can work out a program, but we don't have much time. We only have ten days left."

Mamoru smiled. 'YES! Now Monoko will get her wish.' "You three just work on this, we'll all take over your duties and behave. No fighting, or anything else to distract you."

Usagi smiled up at Mamoru. She couldn't believe how much he had changed since they had arrived. 'I knew this would work.' "Great. Mr. Satan?" She turned to the only one who could possibly stand in their way.

Mr. Satan happily nodded. "If anyone can do this its you three. Hotaru knows how to control this mysterious power, Ami will contribute with her knowledge of medicine as well as this disease, and Usagi will...uh...well Usagi is Usagi. What can I say? She has a habit of thinking of ways to help in ways no one else even considers. We'll cover everything, even if I have to do it myself."

Mamoru smiled as he walked back to Monoko and sat down. "Did you miss me?"

Monoko smiled. "No. I could never miss a fool like you."

"I'm hurt."

Monoko giggled. "I didn't mean to. You know I love you." If she could have, she would have thrown her arms around him in an instant and given him a giant hug.

~*~*~

Later that night, the new couple snuck out from their bunk to watch the stars, completely alone. They like being able to spend quiet time together without he gawking eyes and questions from their friends as well as curious campers.

"It's lovely, isn't it Haruka?"

Haruka, who was paying more attention to Michiru than the stars, nodded. "You said it." She put her arms around her when a cold breeze camp whirling by.

"How do you think our parents will react?"

Haruka shrugged. "I don't know and I don't really care."

"But don't you think they will be angry with us?"

"Do you love me?"

Michiru turned to Haruka in confusion. "What?"

"Do you love me?"

Michiru didn't even have to think about that. "Of course I love you but..."

"Shh..." Haruka put her finger over Michiru's mouth. "I love you too. We love each other and that's all that matters. What anyone else says doesn't. They don't know what we share nor will they ever." She put her hand around Michiru's cheek and moved in for a kiss, which was gladly accepted by the receiving party.

~*~*~

Two nights later, Ami, Usagi, and Hotaru approached Mamoru's gang with their research, which they had spent day and night working on. They didn't want to let down the other campers, who had been told that they were getting a surprise.

"Well?" Mamoru asked with worry. He wanted them to be successful more than anything. He wanted them to be successful for Monoko's sake.

Usagi frowned. "Well after all of our hard work, I'm sorry to say..." Usagi trailed off as Mamoru's face sunk.

"You didn't succeed?"

Usagi grinned, "We've come up with an idea that we think should work."

Too happy to be angry, Mamoru picked her up above his head and spun around, causing her to laugh. "THAT'S GREAT!"

Ami giggled. She had never seen the two get along so well. "Ok you two, enough with the flirting. Let's get down to business."

Mamoru blushed as he stopped and dropped Usagi as if she were a hot coal. "I could never flirt with Odango."

Usagi blushed just as much as he did. "He's too much of a freak for me to flirt with."

Minako giggled as she jabbed Usagi in the ribs. "I think you should go for him. He's just your type."

Usagi's eyes widened at the thought. "MINAKO!"

Ami laughed as he watched her two friends run off. "Ok, here's what we've come up with. Basically they'll be using their Ki to strengthen their muscles as we do, but at a constant low level, so they don't wear out, with Rei's meditation techniques to deaden the pain. Usagi and Hotaru will use their healing to strengthen their limbs now, and the training will finish the job.

Mamoru didn't even wait before he walked to Satan and tapped his shoulder to gain his attention. "The girls have found a way to heal them. We start tomorrow."

~*~*~

The next afternoon, the entire bunch of campers were called to the campfire sight where they would learn of their new surprise devised entirely for them.

Mamoru walked to the middle of the ring with a smile on his face. He couldn't wait to deliver the good news, which the girls had given him the honor of doing. "As you know, me and my friends have the ability to fly," Giggles and laughter arose from that. "This is with Ki power. Usagi, Ami, and Hotaru have been working on a technique to help you fight your disease with this. It won't take it away, but we feel it will give you a fighting chance and maybe even use of you limbs."

The campers looked on with excitement. They couldn't believe their ears. "Yes, it's true. And we would like to demonstrate how we will be doing this. So we're gonna need a volunteer."

Monoko squealed with joy. "ME. ME. I'LL DO IT MAMORU!"

Mamoru grinned. "Great." He walked to her and kneeled down. "Odango."

Usagi joined Mamoru at his side and smiled down at Monoko. "Ok, Monoko, let's get this started."

Monoko looked up at Usagi, and then up at Mamoru. "Can my big brother do it?" She innocently asked.

"Uh...I don't know if I can."

Monoko looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "Please?"

Seeing his dilemma, Usagi got an idea. "Mamoru, I can send the information to you through the link."

Mamoru looked confused. "Huh?"

"Just hold my hand and concentrate your power to me, during the transition, I'll send the information back to you of what I'm doing."

Monoko was the one now looking confused. "Is he going to do it?"

"We both are. We're going to use his special power." Joining hands over her, Usagi began to concentrate her healing power to Monoko with the help of Mamoru. His power was mysteriously warm and caring, not at all like his coldhearted attitude.

She raised her power level to try to open a link with him since they were connected and oddly enough, it seemed to work with more ease than she had expected, like it was always meant to be, though it was only temporary. Together, they began to glow gold as they sent their energy through Monoko's fragile body. She was shocked that he also possessed the healing power in him. Using the link she sent the information on using it to her stunned companion.

After Usagi finished up with successfully sending the information to Mamoru, the duo telepathically sent the information into Monoko's mind on how to use her Ki energy to work her muscles. Here Mamoru was the master having learned techniques from his father and past them on to her.

That being done, their auras faded away, leaving curious eyes staring at Monoko. It was so slow at first, that they wouldn't have notice it if they weren't looking so closely, but there it was, her hand moved. Slowly, in awe, she moved her hands then her legs. "I can move..."

Mamoru could have cried for her right there and then if it hadn't been for the large crowd around. "Congratulations Monoko."

"I DID IT! YOU DID IT!" Monoko burst up from the ground and threw herself upon Mamoru.

Mamoru was more than willing to hug back. For the first time, he didn't have to worry about hurting her. "This is only the beginning for you."

Michiru actually WAS crying at the spectacle. She hadn't seen anything more beautiful than that display of affection between the two. "I'm so happy we came."

Haruka put her arm around Michiru's shoulders. "So am I." She wasn't only talking about her own fortunes either. She was genuinely happy for Mamoru as well as little Monoko.

~*~*~

For the remainder of the camp, all with the knowledge of healing went on and continued to heal the rest of the campers. They healed and healed far into the lonely nights. They would have healed all day and all night if it had not been for Mr. Satan forcing them to stop for rest.

The other Ki-Jitsu masters also lent their strength and energy to the trio. Even so at the end of the day, they could barely move from the energy they had expended.

The first day was the worse, and they even collapsed when they were finally told to stop, or else. Haruka, near Usagi at the time, caught her and picked her up gently. Looking embarrassed, she sees Makoto and Rei with Mamoru supported between them and Hotaru in Justin's arms. With out a word they put them to bed. Just a grin shared.

~*~*~

On the last day of camp, the families arrived to pick up their children. They found themselves blocked from going to the cabins, where there were to pick up their children. They wanted to greet their kids and humor the excited youngsters. They had missed them.

"What's the meaning of this!?"

"We're here to pick up our children, yet you stop us!?"

"HEY! Do we need to get the authorities out here!?"

Mamoru, who had been sent to the front office by Mr. Satan to calm the crowd, stood atop the building away from the angry mob of parents. "Calm down folks. I know you want to see your loved ones..." 'Yeah right. These guys consider the kids to be a burden.' "But they have a surprise in store for you." He looked up just enough to see his own father, as well as Yamcha and the Son's. 'This should be interesting.' "Ok! They're ready, Odango!"

He looked behind the roof to Usagi, who picked up Monoko and brought her out in front of the main office. She carefully set her down so as not to hurt her. "Just stay calm and focus."

Her mother, Yuiki San, was more than outraged that they would treat her daughter so shabbily. "Somebody pick her up! She doesn't need to just be dropped there."

"Yuiki San, Monoko has the pleasure of being the first. Watch carefully." Mamoru nodded down to the anxious Monoko.

Staring at the joy of her life, though not only showing it, Monoko's mother wished yet again that her daughter could be cured of her disease. She smiled a smile filled with all her love. Monoko grinned back at her mother, shocking her into tears, for the embittered child she had dropped off here would have never done that.

Still smiling, with a look of concentration, she slowly focused her Ki as she was taught. She got to the point where she began to lift her hands to hand rests that had been placed there for her aide. After a short rest, she pushed herself all the way up too her feet, not ignoring the gasps around.

Yuiki San fell to her knees; sure that this had to be a dream, as her daughter slowly, and bit clumsily walked towards her and into her arms. "Monoko...you're..." She held onto her daughter and cried even harder as her only wish had finally been granted.

The rest of the parents stood in shock, and then looked to their own children, who had taken Monoko's success as their signal to move. All slowly went to their families, tears were in everyone's eyes. Even the Pack showed no shame that time.

Yuiki San looked into her daughter's eyes, which for the first time were full of life. "I'm sorry."

Monoko hugged her mother tightly, for the first time. "It's ok mom. I'm glad you sent me here. If you hadn't, I wouldn't have met Mamoru and I wouldn't be able to hug you." That statement only brought more tears to her mother's eyes.

Usagi took the liberty to go to her own parents, who were looking more proud than ever. "HI!" She didn't waste anytime running to them and giving them each a giant hug. "Did ya miss me?!"

"Of course, but it looks like you didn't spend too much time thinking about us while you were here. What did you guys do?" Goku asked with much curiosity.

Usagi giggled. "Well, Mamoru became attached to that kid, Monoko and wanted to find a way to make her get over her disease, so me, Hotaru, and Ami came up with a way for them to combat their disease and healed their muscles as much as we could."

Chi-Chi looked around the group of children and parents with tears in her eyes. "You mean Mamoru wanted this?"

Usagi nodded. "Yep. He's changed, a lot. Like all the other kids. Especially Haruka and Michiru." She smirked as she walked away from her parents to let them try to figure out what she meant by that. Chi-Chi looked at them and suddenly smiled. Goku looked and scratched his head, and shrugged.

Tears in Yuiki San's eyes, she went up to Mamoru and hugged him tightly, like totally embarrassing him. Monoko looked at him and simply says, "Thank you bro. I love you." Blushing, he heard the laughter of his friends, but for perhaps the first time doesn't respond in kind.

"I love you too, kid. I'll be sure to come over to hang out." Monoko smiled wider at the thought of that.

Well that was just about all Piccolo could take. He didn't know what the big idea was, but he knew that something was up. It just had to be. The Mamoru who had been forced to go to this camp would never have said something like that. He had to be putting on a show just to get off the hook. "Mamoru..."

Mamoru looked up from the excited child and gulped when he saw the angry face of his father. 'Oh great. What's he mad at me for now?' "Yes?" He gently pulled away from Monoko and her mother and approached his father, waiting for a verbal beating.

Piccolo only glared accusingly down at his son. "What's the deal?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You're being...nice. You don't do nice, remember?"

Mamoru looked a little hurt, and for the first time in years it showed on his face. "Father, you sent me here to change and learn how to care for other people. Well, Monoko pretty much taught me that, and now when I show change, you knock me down for it."

"You mean, you actually meant what you said to that child? You weren't just humoring her?" 'Oh shit. Have I been the problem? Yes, at least a good deal of it. There's still a lot I can learn from Goku.'

Mamoru nodded with more confidence than ever. "Of course I meant it. We're friends, I wanna keep in touch. You got a problem with that?"

Piccolo believed him, and for the first time since he had met Usagi, he looked down at him with pride. "Well, I guess the girls did some good after all. You have them to thank, you know. All of you do. Them and your own willingness and strength to grow." He said as he looked around the group.

Monoko could tell that the tension between father and son was gone and walked to Piccolo. "Mamoru is the best." She threw herself onto him, shocking him senseless.

Piccolo looked over to his blushing son and realized that it was for real. He had actually changed. 'Bravo, girls.' He looked around the area and let his eyes rest upon Haruka and Michiru, who looked at each other as if they would never let themselves part. 'What's gotten into them?...Wait a minute, it happened. About time too.'

Usagi walked back to the group and looked up at Piccolo with a smile. "They have passed the final class in the Brat pack training school. I really don't think we can teach them anything that you can't now that they found their center."

Looking down at Usagi with sudden understanding, Piccolo knew why she was so stuck on bringing them to the camp. It was so they could learn what was really important. "You guys did a wonderful job." 'After all I did to her when she was younger, I can't believe she's actually trying to help my...family...'

Mamoru still had one last thing that he wanted to do. He walked to Monoko and kneeled down in front of her. "A wise girl told me that here, I would meet he greatest heroes on earth. I laughed at her, but now I know that what she told me was no lie. But the truth in it's truest form. Thank you, Monoko, for teaching me its true meaning." The rest of his friends readily agreed with his words.

"Thank you for helping me too, Mamoru."

~*~*~

At the end of the day, everyone was exhausted and more than ready to go home. They had all pretty much said their good-byes and most of the campers had already gone home.

As Mamoru and the rest of the Pack said their last good-byes, Usagi made her way back to her parents, who couldn't have been more proud of her. "So...? Now we have to plan for the trip to Disney World!"

Chi-Chi lovingly put her hands on her daughter's shoulders while she giggled. "You just can't wait for that, can you?"

Usagi impishly smiled. "Nope. I want to see Piccolo in mouse ears."

"So do I." Goku added with excitement.

"Well...," Chi-Chi looked around the camp to see that almost everyone had already left. The other girls had left long ago since their parents had wanted them home early that day. Michiru and Haruka had taken off to enjoy some quiet time together. "I think we should be heading home. It's been a long day and Goku is going to go nuts if we don't get him some food soon."

"Aww...but mom. Can't we stay just a little longer?"

"Odango," For once, that term was not used by Mamoru to insult the recipient

Usagi looked up to her parents, who nodded their consent down to her. "I'll be back." She curiously walked over to Mamoru definitely not fearing him anymore. "Yes?"

"We may not see eye to eye on every thing, but I think you're right. It's pass time to put the past behind us."

Grinning, Usagi held out her hand. "Ok Zit." At his frown she answers, "Hey you make fun of my hair, I make fun of yours. Black hair, black Head, Zit." (AN: This idea was borrowed from and with the permission of Draegyn. Author of Angel Prophecies. A great fic.)

Annoyed, but seeing it as fair he gave a crooked grin. "We probably won't be friends for a long time, but we'll always be best of rivals."

Usagi impishly added, "And maybe once a month we can all spar"

Grinning, Mamoru nodded. "Of course. But you know, I'll always win.

Usagi giggled. "You keep dreaming that." The two shook on it. They may not have been the best of friends yet, buy at least they were no longer enemies. Usagi looked up into the sky and into the stars.

Mamoru also looked up. "Still feel that emptiness up there?"

Usagi nodded. "Yes, buy my family and friends make it bearable."

Turning around, he began to walk back, but again stopped. He turned around, fully, to address her. "Usagi, I'm sorry about those two fights."

Looking back at him, she just nodded, and he turned to walk off to go home with Piccolo. A slow smile appeared on her lips.

(Ok, that song was from the Little Mermaid...I think. Comet Moon thought it would be a good idea and I agreed. ^.^ It went. The kissing stuff was his idea too, me, being the anti-romance person here, never would have thought about it ^.^ Anyway...What did you think? Was it ok? See ya later. Ja )