Her head was bent but she still felt the feather-light brush of his fingers as he tucked an errant strand of hair back behind her ear.

"Don't fret, my love."

"I can hardly help it. They don't want me to see you anymore. They're threatening to tell Mother! Like you're some kind of dangerous deviant out for my heart and my kingdom."

"Well now... have you ever considered the fact that maybe I am some kind of dangerous deviant?" She knew he was only teasing her, trying to make her forget her worries, but something about the coy words mixed with his warm breath tickling her ear made the feisty retort die on her lips. Instead she shivered most deliciously. The sensation continued...

...morphing into a sandpaper tongue, not quite so pleasant, but still soothing. Familiar. Usagi blearily blinked her eyes open.

"Luna?"

"You fell asleep. The girls are back now," the small black cat still nuzzled within Usagi's arms said quietly into her ear. The girl sat up, stretching as she went, acutely aware of other presences gathered around her. In other circumstances that would have been something to marvel at; her progress such that she was even beginning to sense nearby body heat. But it was not the time. She sighed, glumly drawing her knees up under her chin - their silence speaking volumes.

"Something tells me it didn't go well... did it?"

Ami was the first to answer, and it was also with a sigh. "No."

Usagi closed her eyes, as if that would ward off the dread that was circling her at all sides. The very air felt charged with it. She knew... whatever happened, it hadn't been good. "And?" she whispered.

With obvious reluctance, they filled her in on the night's happenings.

Usagi didn't even bother to hide her extreme frustration.

"YOU ATTACKED HIM!?"

"Usagi, he attacked us-"

"BECAUSE YOU ATTACKED HIM!"

"I think you're missing what's actually important here!" Rei inserted angrily. "Tuxedo Kamen just told us - point blank - that he's our enemy. Do you understand that? We can't dance around it any longer just because he's 'handsome' and you get weak in the knees at his bad poetry! I don't think he ever intended to give us the Crystals... He wanted you, for reasons I shudder to even consider. It's a damn good thing we kept you far away from there!"

"We only mean to keep you safe," Ami gently reminded the seething blonde, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"From here on out, we have to treat Kamen as a threat," Makoto said darkly. Murmurs of assent rose up from Ami, Rei and even Luna, but Usagi couldn't bear to agree. She just hung her head miserably, still refusing to acknowledge that the man who'd saved her life so many times on the battlefield was now proclaiming himself their - her - enemy. Maybe she was being stupid... clinging so desperately to this blind faith. The connotation made the girl want to snort. But her heart was certain in its belief and she trusted her heart. No matter what anyone else said. Tuxedo Kamen had to have his reasons for needing those Crystals, and she still wondered if he might not have revealed them to her would she have been the one to show, and not Sailor Mars. The priestess did have a rather prickly personality after all. The kind that just invited confrontation.

"Let's talk no more on this," Ami announced briskly. "Mako-chan, didn't you make the almost birthday girl a cake?"

"That's right! A pre-birthday cake!" Makoto laughed, catching on to Ami's subtle nudge to move on from Tuxedo Kamen. Usagi was fully aware of what they were doing, and she plastered on a strained smile...

But even their attempts to cheer her up did little to actually bolster her mood. Not even their promises the following morning - her birthday eve - to spend some special time with her on the big day soon as they finished school and Usagi her lesson with Mamoru. When she came home, she immediately went for her dresser - not relaxing until she had the star locket in hand and its hauntingly nostalgic melody filled the room.

Her proof... unexplainable, but rock solid proof... that there had to be more to Tuxedo Kamen than met the eye.

Why else would he have been carrying around such a strange and beautiful object?

She wished she could know its story. It seemed important. Maybe he would've given them the Crystals for its return? Could that have been why he wanted to meet her?

She supposed she might never know, now.

Despite the tumultuous weekend, Mamoru was in fantastic spirits come Monday on June the 30th. As he marched up the front walk toward the Tsukino house, he reached his hand into his breast pocket on the casual white button-up he wore. When his fingers brushed the two tickets, he smiled. Excitement thrummed inside him. He couldn't wait to tell the birthday girl what they were doing today!

He hopped onto the stoop, about to knock, but someone beat him to it. The door opened, and Mamoru just about lost his jaw to the floor in shock when he saw her.

"H-Happy birthday, Usagi-san!"

The newly fifteen-year-old smiled bashfully, eyes on her feet. She looked... stunning. Her orange high-waisted short-shorts perfectly complemented the tight black tank that criss-crossed seductively across the open chest, just the merest tease of cleavage peeking through. Mamoru had never seen her dress like that before. It did funny things to his stomach, and he was immensely grateful neither Ikuko nor Kenji were here to play witness to his fish out of water act. It would've been embarassing, had he any brain cells left to process their disapproval.

"Thanks! I heard you coming up the steps. You're a little early!"

"Um..." he was still staring, hypnotized, at the unexpectedly sexy ensemble - just now noticing the added effect of combat boots on long, long legs.

God. Damn.

"Are you alright?" Usagi frowned, cocking her head in askance.

"Yeah... I just, uh..." Mamoru fumbled frantically for something to say, something that wouldn't bring Kenji lunging out into the foyer with a loaded shotgun. His eyes alighted upon a glint of gold on Usagi's neck. "The locket. You're wearing it again."

Usagi brought her hand up to graze the chain, as if remembering something important. Almost immediately, her brilliant cerulean eyes shadowed, like a stray storm cloud had drifted across their fathomless skies. "Oh... yes. It's... it helps me feel better, when I'm wearing it. I didn't have the greatest weekend."

Mamoru instantly sobered. He felt a strange pang at the revelation that it was his locket that brought Usagi peace when she was feeling down. How on earth was he supposed to get it back now? It made him feel torn in the worst way.

But today wasn't a day for angst. No, he wanted it to be special. She'd worked so hard, come so far... The locket could wait. He shook all trace of maudlin musings and went again for his pocket, donning a vivacious smile.

"You know... I didn't really either. Maybe this will make it better?"

He slipped the tickets into Usagi's hands and she rubbed the raised writing with curious fingers. He waited for what he had been teaching her to manifest itself, and it didn't take long for her brain to catch up with her appendages. He beamed even wider when the lively spark returned to her eyes.

"The carnival! You got us tickets to see the carnival that's in town?"

"You bet! I figured we deserved a break... and what better day than in celebration of your birthday?"

"Mamoru-san, that's so nice of you!" Usagi exploded, fairly bouncing on the balls of her feet. He knew she still hadn't had a chance to go out much, even with the freedom gained from having her cane, and it warmed his heart to see her joy at the prospect. It would be good for her to be around a large crowd too, in an environment that was hopefully less frightening than the middle of an oft-traveled intersection.

"So you want to go with me?"

"Would I ever!"

It was amazing the difference in her mood; even more amazing that it was Mamoru who had managed to break her out of her funk.

Usagi had started her fifteenth birthday less than eager to face the day. Between Tuxedo Kamen officially declaring himself the Senshi's enemy, and the fact that she didn't think she'd be able to truly make the most of her birthday being blind, Usagi had laid abed for far longer than was necessary that morning, mostly just moping and feeling bad for herself. When she did finally deign to rise, and dress herself, something had driven her towards the edgy. She didn't know why... it wasn't exactly like her to go outside the cute pastels and whimsical patterns. But today she just felt older. Broodier. It had earned her a few clucks from her mother and some barely intelligible sputtering from her father - something along the lines of "You are going out in that!?" - but Usagi stood her ground. She was not a child anymore. She was fifteen. She could dress however she wanted to dress!

She'd also decided to wear the star locket. There was the obvious reason in that it, strangely, calmed her anxieties like little else. Security blankets had nothing on this necklace, she wanted to chuckle. But then... it also felt a bit like she was making a statement. Her small way of showing Tuxedo Kamen support, even if he would never know that.

It definitely was not because Mamoru had once said it looked pretty on her or anything else of the ilk!

They arrived at the local carnival's gates after an amiable car ride over and Usagi was immediately assaulted by umpteen sounds and smells. It made her briefly dizzy in the best way. Children whooping, amusement rides whirring, shopkeepers hollering enticements, foods frying... so many foods. In one breath Usagi tasted everything from freshly spun cotton candy to mouthwatering yakitori sizzling on the grill.

"Okay?" Mamoru murmured, solicitously placing one hand on the small of her back.

"Wonderful," Usagi said, and she meant it. Anywhere else and this might have been overwhelming. But she loved carnivals and it was exciting to discover she could still experience them blind. Perhaps with more gratitude and attention to detail than she ever had before.

Mamoru kept a careful hand on her as he began to lead them through the aisles. They had decided to forgo the cane today, because there was too much activity; too many people running around and Usagi didn't want to accidentally trip anyone. He began describing to her the different booths they were passing, with an open invitation to pick any she wanted. His treat.

Of course the first few she chose ended up being food stalls. But after her stomach was sated at last, Usagi gazed up at him with a nervous anticipation painted across her face.

"Did you happen to see goldfish scooping anywhere? I have always loved that game."

"You know, I think there's one just up ahead!"

Usagi smiled brightly. He got her situated with her bowl and poi as she knelt next to the kiddie pool. But just as the teen was about to reach in, she froze.

"I- I'm not sure how to do this without my sight," Usagi swallowed, suddenly feeling very inadequate beside all these other people laughing, diving in, claiming their squiggling little prizes in the paper of their scooper. All with ease they didn't even realize. How could she have been so daft as to think she could play this game anymore? She couldn't even see the frigging fish!

Mamoru seemed to sense that this was an unexpectedly big moment for her. That she was dancing upon the precipice of a cliff dangerously resembling self-worth. She felt him crouch down close to her.

"Hey. You can! Of course you can! What have you been learning?"

"How to rely on my other senses?" Usagi answered hesitantly.

"That's right. So now we're going to tap into those."

And all of a sudden, Mamoru shifted, coming up behind Usagi. She felt a ripple of electricity race through her body as he reached around both sides of her, taking one of her hands in either of his, until he was in position to guide her bowl and poi. Usagi could hardly breath as she felt every inch of her back pressed up against every inch of his torso. A hyper-awareness that very nearly distracted her from the fact that they were about to play Kingyo-sukui.

This was weird... Nice weird.

"Listen... just listen," Mamoru whispered against her ear. Usagi resisted a shiver... strangely struck by a bolt of deja vu. Hadn't she had a dream like this recently? "Hear them splashing around? The slight hum of currents as they swim beneath your hand. Wait until it reaches a peak... then... attack!"

Usagi exclaimed in peals of laughter as Mamoru whipped her poi down and within seconds, there was a slimy goldfish wriggling inside her bowl.

"Wow! You're good at this!" she praised the man helping her. "I used to struggle to get even one!"

Mamoru shrugged and Usagi felt the motion against her back. "What can I say? This is my favorite game too."

She grinned - a warm rush creeping up inside her chest at the news of their shared love for Kingyo-sukui. Who'd have thought?

They were about to go again when a familiar voice interrupted their concentration.

"Usagi-chan!"

Usagi whipped her head up and nearly bonked Mamoru in the face. For his part, Mamoru jumped back from her like he had been scalded and Usagi tried not to let her surprise show; surprise that she oddly enough would rather he have stayed. What was that about? Mamoru leapt up onto his feet and like the gentleman Usagi was learning he was, also assisted Usagi up as well. She dropped the bowl and poi back into the pool, forgotten.

"Naru-chan! Hi!"

The girls exchanged a hug and Usagi introduced Mamoru. Of course, Naru had spent many months hearing about the 'infamous jerk' and Usagi cringed when her friend spoke to him in a rather stilted voice, the kind like she was trying her hardest to be polite. Sometime they'd have to sit down and discuss how much Mamoru had changed since starting these lessons with her. She supposed she hadn't done a great job of keeping Naru apprised lately. But what was more weird was Mamoru sounded just as awkward about the situation as the red-head. For the briefest moment she wondered if he knew her outside this interaction, then shook it off as crazy. Naru would have told her if she met Mamoru before.

"Umino's here too! Oh god - here he comes..."

"Um... what's he wearing?" Usagi heard Mamoru ask, and it sounded like he was struggling mightily with his composure. She cocked a brow.

Naru sighed, leaning into Usagi's ear, her voice going down a few notches as her nerdy boyfriend approached. "I accidentally let slip what happened. He's been insufferable since. Won't let me out of his sight. I found him staking out on my doorstep last night! And what's worse is he found a tuxedo and top hat and I think he's trying to either emulate or scare off Tuxedo Kamen, not sure which. Pretty sure it's really just jealousy, though!"

Usagi snorted loudly, but that was nothing on Mamoru's reaction. As soon as the gawky genius bounced into their midst and proudly announced himself as "Tuxedo Umino, at your service!", Mamoru devolved into hysterical, can't-breathe, tears-running-down-his-cheeks laughter that was not resolved until loooong after Naru and Umino made their departure.

Usagi just stared at him like he had three heads. But deep down...

She reveled at getting to experience this not often displayed side of the man.

They played a couple more rounds at the goldfish pool, Usagi getting better with each go at it. By the end she had accumulated quite a collection of fish, even a few of the trickier medaka, and without even tearing the paper poi scooper once. Mamoru was ecstatic. It showed how skilled she was becoming with using her ears as her eyes. The stall keeper had been watching and took a liking to her exuberant energy; he let them save a couple fish in a baggie to take home as prize. But Usagi surprised him by finding a child who was crying because he spent all his money and hadn't caught a single fish; she patted the weeping boy consolingly on the head and gently eased the bag into his hands.

It was perhaps the kindest moment Mamoru had ever witnessed, and it was then that he realized, with all the force of a commuter train slamming into him, that despite their fraught beginnings, despite her handicap and his status as her teacher, despite the pull between his civilian life and secret superhero life, despite the dream princess and Sailor Moon and aaaall the reasons he shouldn't...

He was falling in love with Tsukino Usagi.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Author's Note: OHHHHH MANNNNN. Did I really just...!? Hell yeah I did! And if that doesn't whet your appetite, next chapter is even bigger! Usagi and Mamoru find themselves in a rather dangerous situation... And the roller coaster keeps going up up up ;)

I have always been a fan of when Mamoru is the first to truly realize his feelings for Usagi. Our girl is a little slower on the uptake, she is not quite so introspective as Mamoru and for her everything is "in the moment". I think it'll be interesting seeing Mamoru coming from a place of already knowing, but afraid to act for fear the feelings are not reciprocated in quite the same way, while Usagi is still reeling with "Why do I like this?? I shouldn't like this... should I?" LOL ;)

I actually drew from TWO episodes here! The obvious is episode 32. You'll see more on that later ;) The slightly less obvious is episode 103. Cookies for those who noticed the similarities!

HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED! Part 2 will be out in the next week or two, hopefully! Thanks very much to tryntee13, moon romance, karseneau1, Ruk, Daire123, Moon Bunny, lisasailor, MyIndy13, James Birdsong, lolopptt, Guest, NikkiBC, and Asj Johnson for all your LOVELY reviews! Made my day!

Cheers,

AngelMoon Girl