Chapter 3:

Usagi had been stomping around Juuban for the past half hour, thinking angrily, What gave him the right to begin this! And what the heck was I thinking! What sort a stupid idea was kissing him whenever he doesn't call me Usagi! Kami-sama, I must be insane. More insane to think that he's actually a good – /don't think that Usagi, you can only get hurt./What, by thinking he's a good kisser? No way! Besides, he started it. And with that, an Usagi-pout™ was given to the whole world, even though its intended target was about a kilometre away.

"Aaaaaargh!" Usagi raged, stalking towards the Arcade, muttering, "I need chocolate, chocolate can fix this.. yes, chocolate is the answer to all…"

A few minutes later, the blonde walked into the Crown Arcade, slightly more relaxed now that she had let off steam; however, she did still look slightly insane. Motoki was wise enough to wait until Usagi came to the counter to greet her, changing his usual "Good Morning" to a simple, "Morning, Usagi."

"Morning, Motoki. Might I be able to get a triple chocolate sundae?" Usagi asked politely, looking around as she waited for the usual reply, but she got none.

"Triple chocolate? Wow, Usagi, what did Mamoru do this time?" Usagi's head snapped around, staring at Motoki.

"What makes you think it was Mamoru-baka?"

"Oh, no reason, only that the only time you ever ask for a triple chocolate sundae is when he's annoyed you something terrible." Motoki's look was smug, he knew exactly what was going on, having heard their original fight 4 days ago, and the terms which had been set; however, Motoki wanted to know how Usagi was taking this.

Usagi sighed, she knew that it would get to this point with Motoki, "I'm sure you already know the basics," she said wearily, "But then I ran into him today, and I had the stupid idea to do the same to him but only whenever he doesn't call me Usagi."

Motoki smirked, "Interesting alternative, Usa; but that doesn't seem so bad, not in comparison with what he's putting you through."

Tired blue eyes looked up at the male blonde, "Yeah, but I didn't expect to like it.. Can I get that sundae now? I need some time to think…" He smiled, motioning for her to go and take her usual seat, "I'll bring it to you in a sec."

Motoki didn't interrupt when he brought her the sundae, simply placing it on the table in front of her, and watching for a moment as she unconsciously picked up the spoon, drew the ice cream closer, and began eating uncharacteristically slowly.

He decided it was time for his break, asking his little sister Unazuki to take over for a few minutes; the tall blonde made his way to the back room, and sat there, smiling and smirking at various thoughts. So, he had been right, they did like each other. Excellent, and I don't even think I have to do anything to get them together… Well, except try and force them together as much as possible until they come to their senses.

Mamoru was amazed at this turn of events; he had never dreamed things would get so out of hand. This had all started off as a way to shut her and her incessant screaming up, but the balance of power was shifting too fast for his liking.

His feelings were also changing: he had begun with affection for the short blonde, which had swiftly changed to frustration and annoyance; but now, who knew? Was that a twinge of a real feeling for her? no, not possible. Not possible. /But why, my dear boy, isn't it? Give me one perfectly sound reason. And don't give me any of that ridiculous 'she's too young' stuff, because we both know that neither of us believes it/. But Mamoru couldn't, he just couldn't.

Usagi had been picking at her sundae for the past five minutes when she finally realised what she was doing; yet, this made no difference, she just had no appetite anymore. She had come to one, completely unbelievable conclusion over the past few minutes; one that she was not even willing to admit properly to herself. I don't, I know I don't. But what if I do? There's no but, I don't. /Really/ There had been that voice, so similar to her own, but somehow older sounding, which had intruded into her thoughts for the first time in many months. /Because I think you do, and worse, I know you think you do too. So why do you keep denying? Give me one perfectly good reason why you can't. And I don't want any of this 'he's not my type' nonsense/. I-i-i- I can't.

She needed to get out of here, she needed to get away from everything reminding her of him, because it would only bring up these almost forbidden thoughts. Usagi sighed, and stood up, leaving the money she owed for the sundae with Unazuki. The blonde walked out of the Arcade and made her way along the main street, letting her feet take her wherever they wanted.

Mamoru wandered around Juuban aimlessly, also letting his feel lead the way; the voice in his head, well it made sense. It was odd, that voice; it sounded like a much older version of him, but it only appeared periodically and usually only when he was having a particularly bad fight with Usagi. It was his voice of reason, the one that reminded him not to go too far; but he had, or so he believed.

Mamoru's eyes gazed around, looking, but not really seeing, so it was no surprise when he ran into someone. He looked down, and almost groaned, he knew that head of blonde hair and odangos anywhere; Usagi.

She looked up, smiling softly, not really seeing him, "Sorry, sir. I didn't mean to, I just wasn't watching where I was going."

"That's alright, Usagi," the voice that came out of his mouth was calm, nice, "I wasn't looking either." It was as if that other voice in his head had taken over his mouth.

"Oh, alright, I'll keep going then Mamoru, sorry again," This was odd, why was she so quiet, so calm? This was not like her at all, no, this was how he saw Usagi when they weren't arguing, a facet of the blonde shown to others around her, but never him. Not until today.

"Alright, Odango, have fun." Mamoru swore internally at that slip of the tongue, it was sure to set her off.

But it didn't, she simply reached out, grabbed his arm, and leaned up, kissing him softly, "What did I tell you? It's Usagi." With that, she walked away, apparently not at all distressed by the proceedings.

Mamoru stood, resisting the urge to press a finger against his lips; it had been a very sweet kiss. Stolen Kisses, He couldn't help but think.

Rei was simmering, annoyed; this wasn't fair, she'd been interested in Mamoru first! Usagi always caught the attention of the cutest guys, and usually she had no idea. It would serve her right, if, one of these days, one of them actually did something about it.

She sighed, Well, he's obviously not for me then, I can tell he's fallen for her. It was unlike Rei to be so thoughtful of other people, but the signs to this had been building up for a while, Now, to get them together. Usagi has to be interested in him, otherwise it wouldn't matter to her so much that he was kissing her; I know it wouldn't bother most girls who weren't properly interested.

So, she must be protesting because she's afraid she'll have to admit it to herself and us. I need a plan.. Well I could throw myself at him, and get her so annoyed that she finally admits it and they get together. Ahh.. sounds like Hollywood, but its all I have right now…

I'll go talk to the girls, Ami, Mina and Mako are sure to be able to help…