Part 2

One of the best things about summer for Usagi was that her alarm clock also had the summer off,
which meant she could sleep in until whenever she felt like. Stretching lazily in her bed she realized that
something else was different today. There was no sound of her cranky guardian being knocked off the
bed by her morning stretching. With a small pang, she remembered that Luna was still with the Vet. She
would ask her mom to call Dr. Subaru and check up on Luna.

After a relatively quick morning routine of brushing her teeth, combing her hair and dressing, Usagi
ran down to the kitchen. It was a beautiful, sunny day and her mood seemed to match it. She could already
hear the usual sounds of her mother bustling as she neared the kitchen.

It was a Saturday and the whole family was in still at home. Her dad was buried in his newspaper as usual,
his breakfast half unfinished. Her mom was also buried, but in the cupboard, pulling out different plates and
pans and arranging them on the kitchen counter. Shingo was eating his breakfast with gusto.

After giving her parents a cheery good morning, Usagi went to get her favorite cereal out of the cupboard.
She reached for the familiar purple box and was surprised to find it lighter than she expected. Giving it a
suspicious shake, she heard the sandy rattling of a few leftover cereal crumbs.

Her cheery mood evaporated like rubbing alcohol. Nostrils flaring with rage, Usagi howled in agony at the top
of her lungs. Her father peered owlishly from behind his newspaper at her while her mother poked her head out
from the cupboard. Shingo ate on, ignoring her sudden cry.

"What is the matter honey," asked her mother.

"SOMEBODY ATE ALL OF MY FAVORITE CEREAL!" cried Usagi waving the empty box in rage. "AND
I KNOW OF ONLY ONE PERSON CAPABLE OF THIS TERRIBLE CRIME," Usagi continued yelling. She
turned her blazing gaze to Shingo who was at the moment enjoying his cereal with exaggerated joy.

Usagi gave a battle cry before leaping towards Shingo and grabbing for his bowl of cereal.

"Give it back you cereal hog!" she cried.

"No way you lazy slug. I got the cereal first so it's mine!" said Shingo, resolutely pulling back the bowl from her.

"But it's my favorite cereal and you ate all of it you little pimple!"

"I didn't sleep half the morning away to miss out on my breakfast the way you did dweeb so don't blame me!"

"It's mine and I'm taking it!" screamed Usagi, managing to grab a large spoonful and cramming it into her mouth.

"Mom! She's stealing my breakfast!" cried Shingo.

"Usagi! That is enough!" said Ikuko with her arms crossed in annoyance. She stood between her two fighting
children. "Give your brother back his cereal."

"But Mom!"

"No buts. You slept in so Shingo got the cereal first. If you really want that cereal, you can head to the nearby
store and get another box," Ikuko said firmly.

Shingo pulled down one eye and stuck his tongue at Usagi from behind their mother's back which only infuriated
Usagi further.

"Mom, Shingo is making faces at me!" cried Usagi, upset and hurt that her mother took her brother's side.

"Usagi, I don't have time for this. I have a lot of preparations to make for the dinner party your father and I are
having tonight, so be a big girl and go down to the store to get another box of cereal. You can also help me pick
up a few items," said Ikuko firmly.

Her mother handed her some money along with a list of things she needed to get. Usagi was ready to stomp out
of the house in anger, but was mollified when her mom gave her a comforting hug and some extra money to get a
little something extra for herself. She could not be upset with her mother for very long and returned the hug.

The store was just a short walk from the Tsukino house and Usagi found that she managed to find everything on
her mother's list quickly. Hugging the bag of groceries, she walked back to her house, anticipating a large bowl of
sweet, crunchy goodness to satisfy her cereal cravings.

The fruity smell from the cereal box poking out of the bag of groceries made Usagi's mouth water in anticipation.
Eyes closed in bliss; she inhaled deeply, savoring the sweet fruit smell.

With her senses lulled by thoughts of food, she wasn't aware of the person in front of her before she impacted
with them. With a thud, she walked into a firm chest. Wobbling for her balance, she clutched onto her bag of groceries
uselessly. Strong hands came up to grip her forearms, steadying her.

Usagi was already profusely making her apologies from the moment of impact, when the electric touch of those
hands silenced her. The purple box of cereal that had partially obstructed her vision toppled out from her grocery bag
and landed to the ground with a dull sound, giving her a close up and personal view of a clean, glaringly white button
down shirt. With resignation, her eyes looked upward to meet the amused grin from Mamoru's face.

"I'm beginning to think you might need glasses Odango," said Mamoru grinning in amusement. Usagi found her
grumpiness returning at the sound of his superior tone.

"I couldn't see because the cereal was blocking my sight. What's your excuse?" snapped Usagi in annoyance.

He blinked at her question and seemed at a loss. Usagi couldn't be sure but he seemed to flush a bit at her comment.

Clearing his throat, Mamoru stooped down and picked up the fallen box of cereal. "Passion Fruit Flakes?"
he smirked.

"And what about them?" challenged Usagi. "You never seen cereal before?" she inquired sarcastically.

Mamoru flipped to the side of the box with the nutrition information and scanned through it. "Geez Odango,
no wonder you're such a hyper space case all the time, this stuff has enough sugar to keep an army energetic.
Not to mention it's bad for your teeth," he said plopping the box back into her bag.

"Who asked you anyways," she said infuriated with his superior attitude. She was ready to hurl her bag of
groceries at him if provoked but he did not give her the chance.

"Later Odango Atama, I have to meet someone," said Mamoru walking pass her. Her angry retort died as
his words triggered the memory of the date that she had made with him as Meiko Akizuki. He was already heading
towards the arcade where they were supposed to meet and she was still holding her groceries.

Clutching her bag, she zoomed towards her house. Usagi charged into her kitchen, deposited the groceries onto
the counter and exited the house with the same speed she came in.

Ikuko barely blinked from her task of sorting the Tupperware. She was use to Usagi's frantic activities and her
habit of recklessly running about. The box of Passion Fruit Flakes spilling from the grocery bag reminded her that Usagi
had purposely gone shopping for it, but now it seemed she had already forgotten all about breakfast. Ikuko frowned at
the thought. Usagi missing breakfast, even when she was in a hurry was a bit unusual. What could that girl be up to?

Shoot, I'm going to be late, thought Usagi as she hurtled down the street, her pigtails streaming wildly behind her.
So what else is new, she thought to herself. But why am I in such a rush? I'm worried about being late for Mamoru-baka!
That distasteful thought had her screeching to a halt.

She saw that she was standing in front of a fast food restaurant. Usagi casually walked in and headed to the
women's washroom. The washroom was thankfully empty. Usagi made sure to lock the door before taking out the Luna Pen.
She looked at herself in the washroom mirror and held up the Disguise Pen.

"Disguise power. Turn me into a beautiful model," she commanded. She closed her eyes as the power of the Luna Pen
enveloped her and the familiar sensation shimmered through her body. She opened her eyes as the last vestiges of the
power faded.

Usagi blinked rapidly in surprise as she starred into the bathroom mirror. A beautiful young woman with bright eyes
and short bob blinked back at her. It took a moment for Usagi to realize that the Luna Pen had given her a different
look than the day before. She still looked beautiful, but the short hair style made her look sporty and active instead of
mature and elegant.

She groaned in frustration at her blunder. She forgot the exact words that she had used to transform the day before.
There was no way she could explain to Mamoru that she was still Meiko while looking like a different person.

The solution came to her before she could panic. "Disguise power, turn me into the model from yesterday but with
a new outfit!" She was careful to envision how she wanted to look like in her mind as the Luna Pen once again worked
its magic.

To Usagi's great satisfaction, the face of 'Meiko Akizuki' looked back at her in the mirror. She saw that her hair and
makeup was as it was yesterday, but that she was wearing a pretty cornflower blue summer dress. Giving herself a
triumphant victory pose, she quickly left the washroom.

Mamoru looked at his watch and then down the street. It was almost ten-thirty and she still hadn't arrived. He had been
waiting inside the arcade, but was now trying to see if he could spot her coming down the street.

For the hundredth time since he left the arcade yesterday, he felt the gnawing dread of this coerced date. He still didn't
understand why he even agreed to it. Sure she was beautiful, but it wasn't the first time that he had met a pretty girl.
Of course Motoki's not so subtle pushing was partly responsible for the current situation which left him waiting for a
date who was half an hour late.

His thoughts circled back to, why did he agree to this date? Why was he going on a date with a woman, admittedly
a very beautiful woman, when he was attracted to another woman? Well maybe Usagi wasn't quite a woman yet,
but already she was developing a woman's allure. He could not deny that seeing her each day, even if it was only
the few minutes it took for them to trade insults was one of those things he looked forward to. Just this morning,
he had been overjoyed to see her familiar golden Odangos above an over-stuffed grocery bag and had purposely let
her walk into him even though he could have easily avoided the crash.

I am really lame, Mamoru thought as he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. All that just to bicker with some girl.
As if he didn't have more important things to do, like deciphering the weird dreams he was always getting or finding the
nijizuishou and finding out who he really is. He should get his head examined for acting like such an idiot.

Deep in thoughts of self-disgust, Mamoru was not prepared to be tackled from behind. The force of a person running
at full speed knocked into him. He instinctively shifted his weight and braced himself to stop from falling face first. A
squeek of surprise came from the person who had slammed into him and Mamoru felt a flash of deja vu. There was
something familiar about this collision and he was sure he knew who had smacked into him. Recovering quickly, he spun
around, ready to give Usagi the usual dose of witty insults but the words died as he faced an out of breath, very flustered
Meiko Akizuki. A wave of disappointment swept through him but he but quashed it quickly before it could flood him completely.

"Akizuki san, are you okay?" he asked concerned. He held her shoulders to steady her as she teetered on her feet, still out
of breath from running. Usagi made a mental note to herself to quit her habit of running with her eyes closed. One of these
days she was going to run into a car or something dangerous like it.

She looked up to find a pair of intense blue eyes dangerously close and looking intently at her. She flushed at their proximity.
This was the first time she had been so close to him. She caught the faint smell of roses. The expression of concern was also
a first and she found it and his nearness slightly unsettling. Usually by this time he would have found some way to belittle her
when she crashed into him, she thought a little resentfully.

"Akizuki san?"

The sound of Mamoru's voice brought her back to reality. She remembered that at the moment she was not Usagi but Meiko
Akizuki. She had long realized that Mamoru was nice to everyone but her, but the reality of it still stung. She was more
determined than ever to teach him a lesson.

She leaned boldly into his arms. "Mamoru kun, I am so sorry! I feel so clumsy running into you. I was in such a hurry because
I was late that I didn't look where I was going. Please forgive me," she pleaded prettily. She even batted her eyelashes the
way she had seen Rei do when the scheming priestess had ambushed Mamoru after school earlier that year. The thought of
Rei struck a twinge of unease within Usagi. She could just imagine the yelling she would get from Rei if that bossy pyro knew
she was using the Luna pen to go on a date with Mamoru.

"You're worth the wait," said Mamoru, giving her a charming smiling. "Where would you like me to take you today?" he asked.

The loud sound of her stomach growling interrupted any response she was going to give. Usagi felt a blush creep from
her odangos to her toes. She had completely forgotten about breakfast and now the hunger pangs were back with a vengence.

Mamoru laughed and Usagi felt her blush deepened further. She could feel her act faltering and desperately wished that
the Luna Pen could give her the skills and not just the looks of a model. Instead of panting with desire for her, he was having
a good laugh at her expense. How was that any different from just being herself, Usagi thought with dismay.

"I see that our first stop will have to be at a restaurant. Let's go for brunch," said Mamoru offering her his arm gallantly.
She took his proffered arm almost hesitantly. She felt somewhat cheered by the promise of food and decided not to worry
until after she had eaten.

Mamoru felt the dread of the date lifting from him. For some inexplicable reason, he felt cheered by Meiko's presence. From
the corner of his eye, he saw Motoki watching them. His cheerful friend was giving him the thumbs up sign through the
arcade windows. Mamoru suppressed a groan at Motoki's antics.

Brunch was marvelous. It was a buffet brunch and that meant all she could eat. Mamoru was very courteous and brought
over a delicious selection of fruits, waffles, cheeses and breads. Usagi knew she was suppose to eat like a model, which meant
that she should just be nibbling, but the food was too tempting to hold back. She did, however, manage not to stuff her face
too much and actually enjoyed tasting a bit of everything that Mamoru put on her plate.

After brunch, Mamoru suggested taking her on a tour of the city. They strolled along the street and did a bit of window
shopping. The street they were walking down was lined with mostly small clothing boutiques. There was a small bookstore
between a salon and an upscale fur boutique and Usagi couldn't resist stepping in to check to see if the next issue of
Inu Yasha was out yet.

The midday sun shone brightly and Usagi could see her and Mamoru's reflections clearly. She was struck by how beautiful
Mamoru looked as he pointed to a small electronic dog in the window and explained how popular the little dog was with
the students at his university. Something fluttered in Usagi's chest as Mamoru looked at her and smiled. She smiled back
in response, feeling a bit lost in his blue gaze. The other people on the street nearby noticed the attractive pair lost in each
other's gazes and smiled at the obvious attraction between the couple.

"Are you interested in architecture?" inquired Mamoru, breaking the spell of the moment.

"Sure...," breathed Usagi, realieved and yet disappointed that the moment was over.

"If we cut through the next street we will be in the Yamato neighbourhood. That area has some of the oldest houses in
Tokyo dating back almost two centuries," explained Mamoru and he led her down the direction he had indicated.

The quiet residential street was quite different from the earlier main street. This area featured many houses built in the
early Meji period. Many of the houses had high fences or barricades built in the same style, hiding the private gardens
and the house from the street. Mamoru explained that many of these houses belonged to old families, wealthy and influential
who guarded their heritage quite zealously.

He pointed to a particularly large estate that was heavily fortified with tall wooded fences and explained that this house
belongs to a minister and it was said to have one of the most beautiful private gardens in Tokyo. Mamoru expressed his
hope in being able to see the gardens one day.

"Then why not today," asked Usagi.

"It's a private home and not opened to the public," explained Mamoru.

"Come on," said Usagi, grabbing his arm and tugging him towards the house. "I'm sure nobody will mind if we just take
a peak around."

"Meiko, I'm sure the front entrance is barricaded," said Mamoru as he let himself be lead closer to the house.

"I see a part of the fence that is lower than the rest, see there along the right side," said Usagi, leading him around the
corner to the left. "I'm sure we can just climb right over," she said, an impish gleam lighting her eye.

"We could get into serious trouble for trespassing," said Mamoru, giving her an answering grin. He normally would not
do something so reckless, but her mischievousness was infectious.

"We'll just have to make sure we're not caught then," giggled Usagi.

They both peered left and right to make sure that no one was watching them. Luckily a thick maple tree with its heavy
green leaves hid them somewhat from the street. Mamoru give Usagi a quick boost over the fence and hoisted himself
up after. On top of the fence, they saw a little shed there they could climb down from. Usagi cautiously climbed down and
felt Mamoru land softly beside her.

The soft sound of trickling water greeted them and they found that a beautiful stream bubbled and wound through a traditional garden.
Several species of neatly trimmed bonsai graced the garden along with many other ferns and plants that Usagi could not identify.

Mamoru took a deep breath and soaked in the peaceful atmosphere of the garden. The sheer size and serene beauty of it
humbled him and his usual turbulent thoughts seemed far away and insignificant. He looked over at his companion. Meiko
was following the pebbled path that led to a mini gazebo and he started to follow her.

Usagi found the garden quite enchanting. Further down towards the back of the large mansion, Usagi could see a rock
garden also meticulously tended. Fairy tale images were evoked in her mind by the beauty of her surroundings. The little
gazebo that they stood under felt magical with its little marble bench that seemed made to fit two people. Usagi peered
over the side of the gazebo and found a small bubbling stream flowing underneath. Large goldfish lazily swam in the stream.
Mamoru threw a few small leaves into the water at the fish and they both laughed as the fishes snapped and dove for the
leaves thinking it was food.

Usagi was just throwing more leaves at the fish with Mamoru teasing her throwing abilities when they heard a voice.

"Is someone there," said a male voice. Footsteps indicated that the voice was coming in their direction.

"Hurry," whispered Mamoru as he grabbed Usagi's hand and they ran towards the shed that they had climbed down
from to enter the garden.

"Stop right there, show yourself," said the voice and running steps could be heard following them.

Mamoru quickly boosted Usagi up the shed and then pulled himself up. They both lowered themselves to the ground
back on the other side of the fence and without looking back they both ran.

They didn't stop running until they were once again back on a non residential street. Both of them were gasping and
out of breath. Mamoru closed his eyes and leaned his forehead into his arm that he brace against the telephone booth
as he tried to steady his breathing and his thumping heart The adrenaline was still pumping through him from their near c
apture by the man at the house, most likely the gardener. "That..." he gasped, "was close."

Usagi was trying just as hard to still her own breathing as she leaned against the adjacent side of the phone booth from
Mamoru. "Yeah," breathed Usagi, "but it was fun. Aren't you glad you got to see the garden?"

Mamoru laughed. "I guess I can say now that I've seen the most exclusive garden in Tokyo. "Let me grab us a drink,"
said Mamoru, already heading towards the row of vending machines stationed across the street.

"Get me an orange juice please," requested Usagi, wiping the film of sweat that was across her forehead with her arm.

As she raised her arm across her forehead again, Usagi felt a tingle float through her body. The familiar tingle of when
she released her transformation surged through her and Usagi gasped in surprise and panic. She quickly ran behind a
large sidewalk sign for a nearby store where she would be hidden from the view of the people on the street. The feeling
of her detransformation flowed through fully and Usagi blinked as the pretty sandals that she had been wearing as Meiko
glowed white and then faded back to her chaffed and worn runners. She touched her hair to feel the familiar odangos
had returned. She had reverted back into herself.

She pulled out the Luna pen and waved it, but the power sputtered from the pen. It seemed that there was a limit to how
long she could stay disguised by the Luna pen before the power would fade. At least it that was what Usagi hoped, because
she wouldn't know how to explain it to Luna that she had broken the Lunda Pen while playing a prank on Mamoru.
The colour of the jewel on top of the pen seemed dimmer than usual, as if it was low on batteries and needed a recharge.

Usagi looked at the large digital clock on the front of one of the stores which said 3:15 pm. It looked like the transformations only had about a 5 hour limit. "Cheap thing," muttered Usagi as she put the pen away. Walking from behind the sign, she
saw Mamoru looking both ways before he crossed the street, holding the two cans of juice that he had gotten from the vending machine.

"Aw shoot," said Usagi to herself. Without her disguise as Meiko, this date was definitely over. But she still didn't have
her revenge yet so operation revenge would have to be postponed till tomorrow.

Mamoru crossed back to find a tired looking Usagi waiting for him and he quickly looked scanned the area but did not
see Meiko. Before he could even say anything Usagi walked up to him.

"That girl that you were with said she had an emergency and had to go home, but she told me to tell you that she'll see
you again tomorrow at the arcade at 1:00 in the afternoon and then she promptly ran down the street and out of his sight.

Mamoru stood there holding the two cans of juice, bewildered at the sudden entrance and then exit of Usagi.