Thank you all for the reviews on Part One. Here's the conclusion; enjoy! ;)

†.The Validity Of A Promise.†
Part Two.

As time progressed, Usagi and Duo began hanging out quite often. While Usagi felt very close to her friends, she could never shake the feeling that it was out of moral obligation to guard and protect her as their princess. With Duo, it was merely one friend talking and sharing with another. Days had stretched to weeks, and still no form of contact in any way from Mamoru. Having Duo there to talk to made her feel a lot better.

Duo felt surprisingly similar. He wasn't particularly 'close' to his fellow Gundam pilots, in the sense of amiable friendship. Having Usagi to talk to really relieved him and made him rather happy. But despite their close friendship that had gradually developed, neither of them had confessed their secrets. Duo did not let her know that he used to be a Gundam Pilot. Usagi did not let him know that she was Sailor Moon. It was not for a lack of trust, however. These were things, it seemed, that neither one of them wished to truly have to discuss, when so many other burdens laid upon them. Reveling in each other's company was more important.

"Ne, Duo-chan," Usagi began happily, tugging at the sleeve of his arm. "You promised we'd go shopping today, ne?"

Duo raised an eyebrow, a smile quirking upon his lips. "Did I, now? And why is it that I can't remember this promise?"

Usagi pouted as she gave him her best look of pleading. "You mean...you don't wanna go shopping with me?" she sniffed out dramatically.

Duo groaned as he rolled his eyes. "You're ridiculous," he muttered, though a sigh of defeat soon wavered out. "Where to?"

"Yay!" Usagi cried, pulling him along happily. In her haste, she accidently bumped into someone. "I'm sorry!" she apologized quickly, turning to face the person.

"Duo," the person said quietly, turning to her braided friend instead. It was then that Usagi noticed the boy she had bumped into was with three other males, all looking curiously at Duo.

Duo offered his easy-going smile. "Hey Hiiro! Wu-man, long time no see... Quatre, Trowa," he greeted He glanced at Usagi, who was still clutching his hand from pulling him along. "And this babe here is Usagi," he introduced rather cheekily.

Usagi smiled at the four males, her eyes lighting up as she recalled Duo's mentionings of them. "Duo talks about you guys quite a bit," she said lightly, surveying them all.

The boy with blonde hair and matching blue eyes smiled at her warmly. "My name is Quatre Rebarba Winner. It's nice to meet you," he introduced formally.

Usagi could have guessed right away from his kind personality that this was the friendly Quatre Duo had spoken of.

"Where did you two meet? And where were you headed?" Trowa asked quietly.

Duo told them briefly of the incident of their strange meeting. "And apparently I've promised to take her shopping," he muttered in a whine.

"What a strange way of forming a friendship," Quatre mused aloud, smiling softly at the two.

Usagi laughed quietly, nodding in agreement. "You guys are welcomed to join us," she offered happily.

The Chinese male looked at her with narrowed eyes. "We are busy and don't have time for such childish things as shopping, onna," he replied icily.

Usagi raised an eyebrow. "For such a lovely silk shirt and matching pants, you're one to talk, Wufei-san," she commented innocently.

Duo laughed richly, his eyes twinkling with a happiness that the others scarcely saw in him...or were able to relish in themselves. "I think Wufei secretly has a shopping fetish that he has to hide with all of his chauvinistic insults," he guessed jokingly, his smile broadening as Wufei's cheeks tinted pink.

"A girl who can get under Wufei's skin? She seems rather appealing. Trowa Barton," the boy with one eye masked by his strangely styled hair greeted.

Usagi offered him her usual cheery smile, while Wufei sputtered for a response. "Injustice," was all he managed to grumble out.

Usagi turned to Hiiro whom had scarcely spoken a word, startled by the complete lack of emotion in his eyes. Hiiro looked back at her with his indifferent gaze, cold and calculating. A gentle, saddened smile touched upon Usagi's lips, filled with an empathy and wise understanding that made Hiiro's eyes widen slightly.

Duo watched the silent exchange curiously, unconsciously tightening his grip on her hand. Usagi blinked several times as she turned her gaze back to Duo. "Shall we?" he said crisply.

Usagi nodded several times. "Hai... it was nice meeting you all," she said happily, proceeding away with her braided friend.

The four other males watched them walk away, curious expressions upon all of their faces.

x-x-x-

Several hours of indecisive choices and unpassable bargains passed by with surprising quickness. The two walked languidly together to the park, after dropping Usagi's many shopping bags off at her house.

"Your friends seem very nice," she said politely, gazing at the pink-tinted sky as the sun faded from view. "Maybe all of us can hang out sometime; Minako, Ami, Rei, and Mako-chan and Quatre, Trowa, Wufei, and Hiiro-san...and you and me of course..."

A quiet laugh parted from Duo's lips, silencing the over-enthused blonde as he gave her an amused smile. "I don't think that'll be happening, babe," he replied uncertainly.

"Well...stranger things have happened," Usagi pointed out matter-of-factly.

"True," he murmured.

Usagi sighed softly as she thought back to his friends. "Hiiro seems very lonely," she said a bit hesitantly, her eyes softening.

"Yeah," Duo muttered absently, his expression darkening somewhat. "He's really the loner-type...very anti-social with no friends and used to the mindset of only doing what he's told by those important enough to hold precedent over his actions and decisions. He's very lonely," he agreed quietly.

Usagi was silent for a moment, her gaze shifting to the pale moon that had began to peek into the sky. "People with the most friends can be the most lonely," she murmured.

Duo nodded wordlessly, his hands resting against the pockets of his pants. "That's true," he said solemnly.

Usagi continued, however. "But...at the same time, I guess they're never really alone because they have friends, ne? It may feel that way at times, but it's never really like that so long as you have people who care about you." The blonde girl paused for a moment, turning to gaze at Duo's contemplative expression. "I can see that you're so sweet and charming, Duo-chan...but it seems deep down you're not really happy. Your eyes reflect such a sorrow...that truly makes me sad."

Duo was very surprised from his best friend's bout of insight; the short time they had been together and already, she was peeling away his barriers and discovering the real him.

"You deserve very much to be happy," she continued softly, the smile shadowing upon her lips causing something within him to stir. "And...just know that you're not alone, Duo-kun. I care a lot about you, and so do your friends."

"Heh, they don't care about me," he muttered quietly, his pace slowing as they walked slowly out of the park and began back to her house. "It's an obligation of..." He trailed off, realizing he was saying too much. He didn't want to go into being a Gundam pilot and all it had entailed, so he merely shook his head, concluding his words.

Usagi was silent again for a moment before she offered him perhaps the sweetest most cherishable smile he had ever seen. "I still care about you," she said firmly, though her eyes twinkled with mirth, "so there; you're not really alone."

Duo realized they had reached the front of her house... and he also realized he was beginning to truly fall for something he could not have. He looked deeply at her warm, loving smile, the innocent blue eyes that shined with such compassion. He was falling in love with her.

For a brief moment, he returned the smile. "Thank you," he murmured with a surprising amount of gratitude. Placing his hand lightly against her neck, he pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, his lips brushing ever so lightly against the wan flesh. "Good night," he whispered, walking away.

Usagi silently watched as he left. She touched her cheeks softly as she watched, a blush rising to the tingling skin.

x-x-x-

Several more weeks passed, but Usagi still had not heard from Mamoru. "He shouldn't leave ya hanging, babe," Duo insisted angrily as they walked together along the street.

"It's okay," Usagi repeated in a soft tone. "He's very busy and can't be bothered with such trivial things."

Duo frowned at this comment. "You're anything but trivial," he said firmly. "I don't give a damn how busy he might be... he shouldn't put his girlfriend on the back burner."

Usagi rubbed her thumb against the smooth metal of the promise ring that rested upon her finger. "It's okay," she murmured again, her eyes lowering. "I'm just worried, I guess..."

A scream ripped soundly through the air, and Usagi's eyes widened. She ran quickly to the source of the distraught noise, her dreaded apprehension coming true before her eyes. A youma stood menacingly in the street, blasts of energy coming from its hands and striking random people. The crowd of people on the street quickly dispersed with screams of hysteria, though many were hit with the spheres of dark power.

The youma turned to Usagi and Duo, a wide grin spreading upon its crooked lips.

"Duo-kun, watch out!" Usagi cried.

Duo's eyes widened as a blast of the youma's energy came charging in his direction. He closed his eyes and braced himself in anticipation of the inevitable.

The pain wasn't so bad, he realized, in fact he barely felt anything; the scream that ripped from his lips scarce sounded like his own. Letting his eyes drift open, he realized with a sickening clarity his lack of pain was due to the beautiful blonde angel hunched over him. "Tenshi," he murmured softly, watching the tears slide silently down the female's cheeks. There really wasn't a more adequate way to describe her, as 'angel' was the only term that floated gently into his head. Her soft, billowy white wings were wrapped loosely around him, her golden locks of hair fanning gently upon her oddly clothed shoulders like a halo. He was rather quick to take note of the short, layered skirt that did well with showing her smooth, long legs...

His eyes slowly drifted back to her face, her beautiful features contorted with pain. "You saved me, tenshi," he whispered in realization, his heart swelling painfully.

The angel managed a small, weakend smile, staggering to rise fully to her feet. "Duo-chan wa baka," she said in a shaky voice, wincing as she rose to her full but still short stature.

It was only after the affectionate nickname and the playful insult that he realized the familiar voice, the strange style of her hair...

"Usagi!" he gasped out.

"Mars Flame Sniper!"

"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"

The two varying attacks struck the youma, weakening it significantly.

"Sailor Moon, now!" Venus cried.

Eternal Sailor Moon cast a grateful glance at her four senshi, nodding as she gathered the strength to finish it off.

"Starlight...Honeymoon...Therapy...Kiss!"

The youma screamed in pain, it's distorted body shimmering with the etheral energy as it transformed back into the human whose starseed had been taken.

"Thank goodness," Usagi breathed out, her transformation dropping. She began to sink to the ground from her over exertion of energy and pain, but Duo quickly caught her within his arms.

"Usagi," he whispered softly, his gaze pained. She had saved him. She had saved him. The phrase rang soundly in his mind, his heart clenching with the agonizing knowledge that he had inadvertently caused her pain.

He carefully slid his arm beneath her knees, cradling her body against his chest as he began to walk away.

"Matte! Where are you taking her?" Rei asked quickly. The others had reverted from their transformations, tending to the passed out human and those who had been hit with the blasts of energy.

"Don't worry," Minako said softly, being perhaps the most intuitive of them all and realizing with sadness what Duo was feeling for her fellow blonde friend.

They watched as Duo continued proceeding away without a word.

x-x-x-

Usagi stirred slightly as she began to awaken to the sound of shoes clicking softly against the pavement. She opened her eyes slowly, her blurry gaze slowly focusing on the concerned face of Duo. "Duo-kun," she mumbled happily, wincing just slightly as she shifted in his arms as he carried her. "Are you alright? I was so worried..."

Duo looked at her incredulously. "Am I okay?" he repeated with disbelief. Biting back his sarcastic remark, he merely nodded. "I'm fine," he muttered in a gentle tone.

Usagi yawned and gave him a sleepy smile. "I'm relieved," she whispered. A few moments of silence past, and she blushed a little awkwardly. "I'm able to walk now, ya know," she said in a teasing voice.

Duo smiled slightly, though he made no move to let her go. "Relax, babe," he insisted softly. "Just takin' ya back to your house." Usagi sighed a little, though she rested her head tiredly against his shoulder.

It was only when they reached the front door of her house that he set her down gently, his arms lingering upon her. "Thank you, Duo-kun," she began in a grateful tone, but his quiet voice interrupted her.

"Why did you do it?"

Usagi tilted her head slightly, casting him a confused glance. "Do what?" she asked curiously.

"Save me," he replied, keeping his gaze focused upon her.

Usagi offered him a small smile. "I care about you," she said simply. "You're very important to me and I wouldn't ever let anything happen to you."

A frown spread quickly upon his face, his expression growing troubled. "I don't deserve such a risk," he said angrily, his fists clenching. "You risked your life to save me... you could have died! Why... Why would you do that for someone like me?" he demanded.

Usagi looked at his trembling features with softened eyes. "I care about you," she repeated firmly, and she left it at that.

Duo's mind swam in confusing waves, trying desperately to cling to the sincerity of her words. He hardly realized the droplets of tears that escaped from his blurred vision until Usagi carefully reached her hand up and gently brushed them away from his cheeks with her fingertips. Duo caught her hand in his own as she began to pull away, looking carefully into her eyes, searching with a hidden desperation. "You really care about me?" he asked quietly in a somewhat restrained whisper.

Usagi nodded briefly, keeping her expression kind and warm. "Hai...very much."

A feeling of utter and complete content happiness enveloped him for a moment, and he couldn't quite help his actions. He lowered his head slowly, pressing a soft kiss upon her lips. Usagi's eyes widened as he kissed her, her heart all but freezing as his mouth worked slowly against her own. It was so sweet and loving, yet strangely sensual and unfamiliar to anything else she had ever experienced.

Duo pulled away very reluctantly, pressing the tips of his fingers softly against her parted lips. "G'nite," he murmured, willing himself to pull away from the comfort of her presence and leave.

Usagi's eyes were still widened in a strange reverie, watching with confused emotions as he left.

x-x-x-

A meeting ensued with the senshi the next day, discussing the youma attack. "It seems the attacks might be starting up again after all," Ami said sadly. "Peace is such a temporary thing..."

Makoto smiled a bit somberly. "Our work is never really done," she agreed, "but luckily we have Sailor Moon to help us out with finishing them off! Ne, Usagi-chan?"

Usagi blinked several times, turning her attention to Makoto. "I'm sorry, what?" she asked politely.

Rei glared at the blonde girl. "Baka Odango-Atama; never paying attention," she accused angrily.

Usagi lowered her head. "I'm sorry," she repeated quietly.

Rei looked a little guilty after her friend's reaction; usually, a playful argument would ensue, leading to a ten-minute, tongue-wagging war.

The meeting concluded with little determined. "Whatcha gonna be doing, Usagi-chan?" Minako asked happily.

"Gonna go to the park with Duo-kun," she replied a little absently, her gaze focused upon the floor as she thought.

Makoto raised an eyebrow. "We hardly ever see you anymore, Usagi-chan," she said hesitantly. "You've been spending an awful lot of time with Duo-san..."

Ami spoke up tentively. "I hope you are not using the male companionship as a way to substitute thoughts of Mamoru-san.."

Usagi's head snapped up, her glare startling Ami and the others. She stood abruptly, taking a deep breath as she left without another word.

x-x-x-

"You're quiet babe, what's wrong?" Duo asked gently, realizing for once he was doing almost all of the talking.

"Nothing," she replied in a mumble, her eyes focused upon the ground from their seated position on the park bench. Duo pursed his lips as he looked at her uncertainly. He breathed out a sigh, leaning back upon the bench, his hands clasped loosely behind his neck.

"Ya know, this is where we first met," he commented, a smile tugging upon his lips.

Usagi turned to him slowly, looking at his peaceful expression as he spoke. "I remember hearing your voice, you were crying so pitifully.. and you were so beautiful to me, even then." Duo paused in his reminiscing, a small laugh parting from his lips. "But..more than anything, you provided me with a friend when I truly needed one."

Usagi smiled a little; she had felt the same way about him. A frown quickly shadowed upon her face as her thoughts became troubled. "Duo-kun," she began hesitantly. "About yesterday..."

Duo raised an eyebrow as he listened.

"I..." Usagi licked her lips nervously, standing from her seat on the bench and beginning to pace. Duo stood as well, watching as his friend stumbled for the right words. "I...well...you see..." Clearing her throat, she blurted it all out as quickly as she could in one breath. "Well I just wanted to say that I really like you and I really do care for you a lot but only as a friend and I mean that as a best friend but nothing more than that because I have Mamo-chan and I love him." Usagi took a deep gasp of breath, releasing it as an exhausted sigh.

Duo chuckled quietly at the girl, shaking his head with a masking amusement. "Woah babe, calm down. I already know all of that, Usa. Nothing has changed between us. The kiss, I'm highly assuming you're referring to? It was a kiss of gratitude, but perhaps I got a little carried away. Didn't mean for ya to take it the wrong way," he assured her.

The smile returned to Usagi's lips, though something akin to disappointment stirred inside of her from his words. She quickly brushed it off, throwing her arms around his neck.

As she hugged him, Duo felt his heart clench with the painful sadness of rejection as he responded to the friendly embrace.

x-x-

They spent several more hours together in the park, merely conversing pleasantly. Usagi told him about being Sailor Moon since he knew her secret. She had been surprised he didn't ask her more about it right way, but he told her he respected her privacy and her own secrets. Usagi had playfully slapped his shoulder, telling him no secrets should be kept between best friends, though she appreciated his respectful nature.

It was then he told her about his being a Gundam Pilot. He explained to her how he met the other four pilots, as she explained how she had met the other four senshi. A light rain began to fall amidst their deeper conversing, but they scarcely noticed it until it turned into a heavy down pour.

"We should probably head out from here... I hate the rain," Usagi complained, cringing as the cold shower drenched them both.

"I kinda like it," Duo commented softly, leaned his head back and letting the rain patter fully against his face. "It's peaceful."

Usagi scrunched her nose, shaking her head in disagreement. "Not when it's accompanied with thunder and lightning," she said, shivering at the mere thought. "Let's goo," she sing-songed, beginning to skip away.

Duo grasped her wrist quickly, halting her movement. Usagi turned to face him, tilting her head curiously.

"I lied," he said quietly, and Usagi's expression became confused. "That kiss... It did mean something to me. You mean something to me."

Usagi felt panic rise in her chest, and another emotion she dreaded to try and place the name to. She shook her head furiously, her buns unwravelling in the rain and making her look even more beautiful in his opinion.

"I care about you, Usa," he continued. "I've been there for you, and I always will be."

"No," Usagi said quickly, trying to sort out what she herself was feeling at the same time trying to get the situation under control. "You can't do this...I can't do this," she mumbled.

"Why not?" he demanded, his eyes piercing her own in an intense gaze that made her heartbeat quicken.

"I have Mamoru," she said weakly, scarcely realizing the lack of the affectionate nickname to his name, hardly realizing anything but the compassionate emotions reflected in Duo's eyes as he demanded answers to questions she didn't have the ability to answer.

"Look around!" he yelled, a hint of hysteria creeping into his voice. "Mamoru's not here! He doesn't even have the decency to call you! I'm here, Usa. I'm here to care about you...to love you." With that, he leaned forward again as he had did the night before, kissing her fully and deeply upon the lips.

Usagi struggled against him, but he grasped her wrists tightly with his hands, forcing her to stay in the passionate kiss. She began to cry softly as she stood there, responding gently to the kiss as he held her against him, enjoying it and hating it all at the same awfully wonderful instant. She allowed herself to give in to the kiss, to give in to the comfort she so desperately longed for and needed.

His hands fell from her wrists, sliding up instead to gasp her soft cheek as she allowed the kiss to deepened.

Something else fell as well...

They continued to kiss, soaking wet as the rain wept soundly. Usagi's promise ring slipped wetly off of her finger, clanking inaudibly upon the ground amongst the pattering of the rain droplets that splashed and washed away the last traces of her tears.

Fin

x-x-x-x-x-x-

Aww.. that turned out so sweet and angsty ;D I hope ya guys liked it. Thanks again for reviewing the first part, and lemme know whatya thought of this second part ;) I'm sorta feeling a second wind for Master (or maybe even a new Draco/Usa story o.o) so I'll be sure to keep ya guys posted. Arigatou for all of your continued support, minna-sama! .:bows n' hugs for all:.