"Not here again?" Mamoru's hoarse voice echoed his questioning thoughts. He reminded himself again and again not to get mad at Usagi. It was his fault after all.

'My own stupid fault.' He sighed to let out his anxiety.

The fact of the matter was, however, that he was mad at Usagi. She would not give him the time of day to explain himself (though nobody could blame her), and she even stopped showing up to work which worried Mamoru even more. He could only imagine how pissed she was at him. Her not showing to work, something she loved to do despite her complaints of waking up early, meant that she really did not want to see him. Although, her sending back the sorry flowers he attempted to give her, shutting the door in his face twice, hanging up and not answering her phone altogether gave him the hint, as well.

A hand was placed on his tall shoulder. He looked up to see the producer of the movie's friendly eyes.

"Oh, Mamoru, get over yourself. I don't know what you did to her, but just don't give up on getting her forgiveness." With that, his bright yellow shoes and blue laces jogged away with him.

The frustrated Mamoru glanced at his wristwatch.

5:45 A.M.

Somehow he just felt a long day ahead of him.

A lighter shade of blue stared at the wall clock's two hands only moments later. '5:47.' Screw work and screw Mamoru. Usagi and the girls had a sleepover at Makoto's house for the sake of eating her wonderful food again. She yawned a bit, but then a frown scarred her face as she remembered the events that upset her three days before. She really wished Mamoru's words didn't affect her as much as they did. Her mind chuckled inside as she twisted an old saying 'sticks and stone may break my bones… but words can hurt me more…' She proceeded to wonder if it would have been any better had Mamoru whacked her across the face with a stick instead.

She blinked as a piece of popcorn landed right on her forehead.

"Usagiiiiiiii…come on and just forgive him already. You know he's going crazy over you being angry. He most likely didn't mean what he said." Minako's wining voice made Usagi's nose scrunch.

"Yeah, plus! This girls' sleepover isn't any fun if you keep frowning!" exclaimed Makoto as she tied up her silky brown hair.

Everyone's eyes widened and their mouths hung open in gasps. Makoto looked around, "What?"

"MAKO! WHERE IN THE WORLD DID YOU GET THAT! THAT!" Usagi jumped up with excited accusation, her finger pointing at her tall friend's neck.

"THAT HICKEY!" The other three girls finished for Usagi, making Makoto's slender hand to climb around her neck and her face to turn red. But, a smile crept across her lips and her eyes glimmered with added excitement.

"Usagi, remember I told you about meeting a sexy and romantic Libra?"

Everyone watched as Usagi's eyes widened in remembrance, "No way, Mako!"

The brunette only smiled and quietly admitted, "Nephrite."

A round of screams could be heard and the lady clutching her neck in glee began to tell her story to her once again wide awake friends. They listened to Makoto with impatience as she told them about her wild nights and romantic outings with their old co-worker who played as a villain in Sailor Moon's first season. 'A dashing villain at that' thought the brunette happily.

"He's been nothing but a perfect gentlemen-"

"HA! A perfect gentlemen still has testosterone. But we can obviously see that by your neck," winked Rei. Mako just stuck her tongue out and continued on with her story.

"Guys… Everything just feels so exciting, even if we're just watching TV together. And, it's most definitely not because we're all over each other. We can actually just relax and watch TV."

Mina faked a haughty laugh, "Well, if you asked me, I'd prefer getting me one of those," she pointed to the love bruise on Makoto's delicate neck, "from a hottie like that than some TV." Two pillows were thrown at her face and everyone started laughing, "Hey!"

"HAHAHAHA! PILLOW FIGHT!" yelled Usagi grabbing her weapon of choice. Yeah, that's right, they were adults. She loved her friends so much.

Mamoru watched as Usagi walked passed him. The buns in her hair were almost perfectly leveled and identical with each other. He quickly noted that meant she woke up early enough to actually work on her hair. Mamoru recalled many a times in which he made fun of Usagi during their college years because the dumplings on her head were lopsided or not completely spherical. She would always scream or mutter that she woke up late and couldn't care less about making her hair perfect when her brain was half asleep. His lip twitched at the memory. He would have chuckled if he did not feel the awkwardness of Usagi's obvious cold shoulder. She turned towards his direction, but his eyes were elsewhere.

"Heh…very obvious," muttered Mamoru. He tightly shut his eyes in deep thought for a moment and let out a deep breathe. Blue orbs peeked through slit eyelids and examined Usagi's busy movements. Giving out a small "Hmmmm…" while Mamoru rubbed his chin with his index finger in consideration, he nodded to himself a couple times and began to walk.

"Hurry up Usagi, we don't want to keep them waiting too long!"

"What? Chiba, let me go!" Mamoru tugged on her wrist as he swiftly dragged her away from the morning refreshment table. She struggled and attempted to bite his hand, but his grip only tightened at the resistance, "Chiba Mamoru, where the heck are we going!"

"The Crew asked us to get some oil in the utility closet," he simply replied as he pulled the resisting Usagi into said closet as the door closed.

"Turn on the light, idiot! I can't see a thing."

"Yeah, yeah," mumbled Mamoru as he slowly locked the door with a cough to block out the possible click that Usagi's delicate ears could have heard. Flicking on the light he pretended to scan the items on every shelf the small room held. The muscles on his face worked hard to suppress the grin he could not help but form. Just as he thought, he walked into the wrong closet.

Well, to be more precise, he walked into the right one.

"Hey…" Usagi looked around at all the shelves filled with everything but oil. She narrowed her eyes slightly and shoved Mamoru aside to reach for the door knob.

"Oh, no. Please…pleasepleasepleaseplease, don't do this to meeee…" she did not even bother to cover up her hopeful pleas to the heavens.

Mamoru's grin was released slightly and he coughed and managed a lame, "what's wrong?" The plotting man quickly looked down to hide his slight pleasure when the distressed woman turned around with an irritated expression he knew was directed towards him.

She poked hard at his chest making him look up instantly into her accusing eyes.

"You brought us into the wrong closet, Chiba! Not just any wrong closet, the closet that unlocks only on the outside! Dammit, we need a key to open this door on the inside!" Mamoru's blue eyes squinted slightly as he winced from Usagi's high screeches.

Once more she poked hard at his harder chest, her small index finger not at all phased by his wall for a torso.

With an edge of threat in her tone she huffed out, "I swear, Chiba if you did all this on purpose just to keep me in one spot to talk to you, I'm going to-" Mamoru grabbed her finger suddenly and placed his empty hand over the screaming, open mouth, immediately feeling words of protest spit out in warm muffles against his palm.

"You're right. I did it intentionally," he released his hand from contact with Usagi's soft lips. "But, we need to end this quarrel. It's affecting our work and that's a major problem."

Usagi looked down, "Is that all you wished to tell me? That it's affecting our work? THAT'S the major problem?" Her voice began to rise and she resisted the urge to give out a cynical cackle of sorts before she continued on, "No, Mamoru,you're the problem. After all the fights and arguments and stupid yelling that we've thrown back and forth at each other, you finally care now! You finally care enough to really…God, you finally agree to make amends…No, you're not even trying to say you're sorry right now. You said you brought me here just because it's affecting OUR work?" the little woman gave out a noise akin to a snort and pointedly stated, "Strictly translated, you mean it's affecting your work, Chiba."

The man in front of her stared at the top of Usagi's head, breathlessly. Her pigtails fell passed her shoulders, almost touching the ground. He was tempted to look away in case she would suddenly look up and her blue orbs would catch that of his own. He didn't want to see them after that little rant of hers. Or, rather, he didn't want the intensity of them to see his. He picked up the notes of her voice trembling, practically on the verge of cracking. Mamoru knew better that with that kind of tone control, the woman was on the verge of cracking.

Usagi's voice started low as she mimicked her words earlier on.

"After all the fights and arguments and stupid yelling that we've thrown back and forth at each other, Chiba…I finally care now." She looked up unblinking, eyes shining with a light that screamed 'REGRET!' to his conscience. He averted his eyes for a second, needing to look elsewhere but the shouting blue.

"I care now because it actually really hurt me and just me this time. Not my boyfriend, my friends, innocent bystanders, just me, Chiba…Just me. I thought you were being nice to me, not just doing yourself another favor. I…I'm an idiot. I really thought that you were actually trying to make amends. I thought about it long and hard, and I…" she hesitated here with a noticeable pause, "Chiba, I wanted to become friends after that night at the park, and I thought you felt that way, too. But, I guess you would never really see us as that, huh?"

The sad note that she ended with made Mamoru look down, ashamed. He unconsciously rubbed the back of his neck to loosen the tension in his body. The thought that she would actually truly allow him to be her friend touched him. Real friends were hard to come by and he knew how loyal, caring and sincere Usagi was with all the people she considered friends.

"Usagi…" the girl in front of him stood straight up and glared.

"You mean Tsukino."

"I mean Usagi," his voice stern, telling her to shut up and listen.

"I'm an idiot, I-" he was cut off once more.

"HA! Don't think I don't know that. Listen, I'm out of here, alright? Don't let me be in your precious way, taking up your oh-so-important time."

Usagi pushed hard against Mamoru's jacketed shoulder, shoving him against a cabinet. She wanted to blush at her confessions. She never wanted to really say those things to him at all, to anyone.

Mamoru watched on from as the girl mumbled something to herself and made the motion of turning the doorknob continuously. The outcome was the same, the door unopened, and after a few more turns and desperate tugs at the metal knob, Usagi banged her head against it twice.

"Please…" she begged. Mamoru assumed she was asking anyone in the outer world of the closet, or in the heavens to magically open the door for their freedom. He was mistaken as she quietly said his name and slowly turned around. "I'll forgive you if you let me out of this closet. I don't want to stay in here with you, I don't want to be in here at all and talk to you about this. I hate it when I feel insignificant, I really do." She was looking down, bangs shadowing over her eyes, but Mamoru could clearly see her shut them tighter as she leaned against the locked door behind her. It made a little pang as she made contact against its metal and she exhaled deeply.

"Chiba, I'm really sorry my grudge interfered with your work, regardless of how much of an ass you are. But, I did show up today…If we get out of here quickly and go to make up we can start on the scene in forty-five minutes or so! So…Chiba!" silver tresses freely slid through Mamoru's long fingers as he hugged Usagi to him so suddenly. That familiar feeling that he couldn't help but like flowed through his body. They stayed silent for more moments than Usagi's comfort level could give. She just stood there on her tiptoes held gently in his embrace.

A blush embarrassingly appeared on her pale cheeks.

The thought of pulling away occurred to her as she realized how well she knew his scent. It felt as though she could pick up the specific smell anywhere, with just the faintest of whiffs. She knew he had a loose hold on her to leave her the option of pulling away but she couldn't help but wonder if he liked the position they were in.

Did she like it…? She wondered to herself.

He pulled away at the same time she decided to push him away.

"I won't let you out of here just so you could forgive me, Usagi," Mamoru said after he cleared his throat a bit. Her neutral face gave him the impression to elaborate, "I want you to forgive me because I'm telling you I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Tsukino Usagi, for hurting you and making you cry. You're right, I'm an idiot, but I want you to forgive this stupid idiot on the only condition that you sincerely want to forgive him. I should've said yes to your question instead of my ass of a response that came out without me thinking. I'm sorry."

"Chiba, I…" she noticeably swallowed. She really wasn't sure. Forgive him? It seemed the right thing to do. He truly was sincere, but why did it seem like it still wasn't so simple?

She really felt trapped somehow. Chiba Mamoru apologizing to her, the aftereffects of his arms around her body made her swallow hard again. Moments passed and she felt his presence walk passed her and heard the distinct jingles of keys. With a click, more light flooded into the room, fresh air brushed against Usagi's bare skin and she turned around to find the door opened.

She looked at Mamoru's hands carefully taking the keys out of the door, a complicated task, but he wasn't rushing it. She just stood there, and that annoyed Mamoru. He wanted to shout at her to move, to say something, to even say 'no, I don't accept your apology' or even cough. Noise and movement would at least mean he didn't kill her with the tough decision of whether or not to forgive him.

'Is it that hard…?' Mamoru thought seriously, pretty sure he was feeling sadness swirl in his chest. He looked away from the petrified woman and turned towards the doorway, already stepping out. She didn't realize she was silent for almost ten minutes. If that wasn't a sign of his apology not being good enough, or whatnot, than Mamoru did not want to wait for a real one.

He walked out the door and giving a look over his shoulder at Usagi's dumbfounded expression, he simply said, "You're free."

She nodded at his turned head and watched him turn right, out of her sight.

The rest of the day, Usagi and Mamoru attended to their job, luckily, or unluckily not having to do any scenes with one another. However, while one was acting, the other was watching, examining, contemplating. It was a long day and both our hero and heroine felt tense around the other, although they never really were around the other since the closet so early in the morning.

Mamoru couldn't help but laugh a little as Usagi fell off the bed of the set acting as her room. She had just had a wonderful dream of Tuxedo Mask and it got a little carried away. She finished giving out that trademark wail of Sailor Moon and got up, rubbing her bum right when her communicator began to beep, most likely, signifying an upcoming battle. She was about to rush to the colorful watch lighting up on her desk when she tripped over the blankets tangled in between her feet and fell back on her bed.

"CUT!" the familiar yell gave way, and before Usagi could look up to the spot where Mamoru once stood, he was left.

That was the last scene of the day. Mamoru did not have to stay, but he always liked to see how every scene turned out. He chuckled a little, remembering the first time Usagi saw him watching her shoot a scene. She messed up immediately and fell flat on her face over a foot stool prop. She immediately began to curse the day Mamoru Chiba ever considered doing an acting career.

He sighed. That feeling he got once in awhile was swarming inside of him. A sensation he got sometimes when thinking about Usagi, especially when he knew he did something bad to her. More specifically, when he hurt her. It made him weary to think about Usagi when he felt he had no right to associate himself with her at all. And, that hurt. The thought that she didn't forgive him had hurt.

He scanned back the memory of her just standing there, the contents on the shelves of the closet, her background. Her plain white summer dress complimented the innocence that even to this day, still calmly radiates around her. She looked more trapped than lost, contemplating her decision on his apology. He closed his eyes, the feelings began to grow stronger and he needed to calm himself down.

She was trapped in a closet with him. He cornered her so suddenly with an apology after his sudden hug, which, of course, he gave her after he made her angry and feel as if she was insignificant in the world. He shook his head. She, surprisingly, has possibly been the most significant person in his life since he had met her. The bubbly child he befriended so long ago, the excited, clumsy and feisty college student, and the graceful but still hot-headed silver-haired woman he knew today. They're all still Tsukino Usagi and, he felt dumb as he suddenly realized that they're all a part of his most cherished memories.

He began to walk again, thoughtful of this newfound realization. She was also apart of some of his worst memories, but that didn't bother him, nor did it make him think negative about her. Hell, the only things he found negative about her were some of her habits that he wouldn't change for the world. He wanted her the way she was.

"Why am I even thinking about all of this?" Black hair shook as its owner tried to clear his head of such thoughts.

Again, as he continued walking, the thought of the women, standing in the closet with unfocused eyes, contemplating her decision invaded his thoughts. She gave off the impression of a trapped child and it worried him. So, he did the only thing he could think of to hopefully make her feel free. He opened the door of the closet. The means of which he got the keys were that he was really asked to get something the day before, but forgot about returning the keys.

"Chiba!" the man in question turned around.

"Yes, Tsukino?" he said calmly, forcefully testing out regarding her by her last name.

She quickly scrunched up her face and stuck out her tongue at the greeting. He smiled a little. She always made faces at things she disliked. But, she wanted him to call her by her last name before, what's wrong with it now?

"I'm sorry for just standing there…" began Usagi's voice.

"Don't be."

"Let me finish, jerk! Geez…"

"I'm sorry," apologized Mamoru quickly, rubbing his arm slightly after Usagi slugged it in her little bout of annoyance.

"I already know that, you said so before, but this is my apology and let me finish it."

She eyed him critically, liking the somewhat playful atmosphere that easily formed between the two. It encouraged her greatly.

"Go on, then," came out Mamoru's voice.

"Oh, well, I'm sorry." Usagi paused and slightly turned pink in the cheeks.

Mamoru just stared.

"That's it?"

"Um…yes."

"But, you said there was more."

"Well, there would've been if you didn't cut me off and make me forget!"

"It's not my fault you're forgetful, Meatball head." Usagi puffed up in anger at this and glared.

"Do you accept, or not, Mamoru Chiba?"

Mamoru chuckled a little, making Usagi tense unnoticeably, "Yes, Usagi Tsukino, I accept."

She brushed off the feeling that suddenly overwhelmed her and thought on his apology beforehand. She turned around and began to walk away. She wanted to tell him she was sorry for just leaving him hanging, for probably discouraging him and making him feel rejected. She was sorry for not thanking him for opening the door and for not finishing everything else she wanted to say in her apology. She just couldn't do it, though.

"Hey!" Mamoru grabbed onto Usagi's wrist and she looked over her shoulder at him, "What about my apology? If you don't accept...Please, at least tell me no."

She turned around fully, unconsciously aware of the warmth Mamoru's hand still had around the skin of her right wrist. She looked at him and nodded, no frown or smile on her face, but thoughtfulness somehow reflecting in her eyes.

"Was that a nod to no? Or, a nod to yes?"

"A nod to yes, sir."

"A nod to yes that yes, no you don't accept? Or, a nod to yes that yes, you do accept?"

Her blue eyes rolled in annoyance and she pulled her wrist away from Mamoru's hand. She began to walk away, stomping her feet.

"Yes, Mamoru, it's a yes, I accept your apology."

His hearty laugh, almost made her stop walking to turn around and watch. But, she continued on to her dressing room, wanting to wash off the gold dye on her hair as soon as possible.

"Wait." His voice was right behind her and she wondered why she didn't hear him following her on the short distance she traveled away from the dark-haired man.

She turned around and stared at his nicely-dressed chest. He was dressed as Tuxedo Mask, white gloves hanging out of his left pocket and his mask poking out from the chest pocket of the unbuttoned tuxedo jacket. They stood only feet apart. And, it made her feel awkward. It must look weird to others, if they noticed how many moments they had just staring openly at one another while only three feet away. At least, she thought it would be weird.

"Thank you, Usagi."

She looked up a bit more to get a better look at his expression.

"No problem."

i'd like to give a very big THANK YOU! To Small-lady 19!The determination you gave me to finally finish this chapter that has been months overdue (i'm terribly sorry guys) is mucho appreciated. Thanks so very much.

Sorry, everyone, for taking so long. I began on a hopefully, original story awhile back with my own plot and characters, that I've been working on constantly. I'm really proud of it, but I can't forget about my fic:) I hope you guys forgive me and I'm hoping that this chapter is even half-satisfying. I hope you liked how it turned out! It's not my best, but, still, it's the best I could do for now, and I was really anxious to update!

Erinn: She didn't think that her boyfriend set up everything really, but she was excited to know that he knew they were coming and kept it a secret for a big surprise. So, he was technically a part of the big shebang… If that makes sense?

Ok, guys, it's summer and I shall make it my goal to update sooner than usual! Haha, I love my readers and their reviews! So, keep 'em coming! Input is ALWAYS grand!

piss out and nadja trips out!