Mercury! Usaka's Heart-Pounding Date!

That night, Usaka had gone to bed once again… and once again… he dreamed…

There were voices singing all around, and he could feel himself floating. He opened his eyes and looked down at himself. His entire outfit was white and shining. There was a warm spot on his head. He traced it with his fingertips…a crescent moon shape…

The shadows came towards him. He scrunched up his body, arms and knees touching his chest, then felt a burning against his heart, he swung his limbs back out, and a bright light shattered the shadows and sent them away. He could feel a great power from this light that made him feel safe…warm…

Suddenly, he felt all the strength within him drain away, and he plunged into darkness.

He rose up from his bed, gasping and clutching his chest. "Oh… man…" He said, panting. "Usagi… Usagi-chan…"

What is it, Usaka-kun?… She asked sleepily.

"Did you… Did you see?"

She yawned. See what?

"That… that dream!… You… It was only me…" He settled down and wiped the sweat from his forehead and laid back down.

You should rest. You've got a long day tomorrow…

"Yeah… I get to meet that Sailor Mercury… Oh, man… You think she's single!"

Neh-ver gon-na HAP-pen! Usagi sang innocently.

"Kill joy…" Usaka said, turning on his side and closing his eyes. It wasn't long until he was once again fast asleep.

-

Morning arrived. Usaka was up bright and early to make sure he was at his very best.

He dressed himself in a faded blue t-shirt with a white button-down over it and a pair of khaki pants. He made sure his teeth were brushed (he had to go brush his teeth over the kitchen sink), and he sprayed his neck with some cologne that Haru had bought him last Christmas.

"How do I look?" He asked, slipping on a pair of oval-shaped sunglasses.

Like… You're dressed to impress? Usagi guessed from her side of the mirror.

"Thanks!" He said happily. "Well, I'm off!"

Hey… What about cram school?

"I'll go to the night class," He said, heading down the stairs. "I'm even wearing my boots today."

Once he reached his shoe locker, he removed a pair of brown boots and slipped them on his feet.

You really like Ami-chan, don't you…Usagi said.

"Oh, she's is FINE!" He cried, heading out the glass front doors.

Haru peeked around the corner, watching him. "Who's fine…?" She questioned, her eyebrow ticking slightly.

-

"All right… So, she should be waiting somewhere around here, right?" Usaka asked, walking down the path of the park she had specified.

That's what she said, Usagi said. Do you see her?

"No… but she wouldn't be Sailor Mercury right now, would she?" He sat down on a bench and folded his hands in his lap.

Well, of course not! She would be Ami-chan! Usagi said matter-of-factly.

He sighed, swung his arms over the back of the bench, and leaned his head back to look at the sky.

Suddenly, a face swept over his, glancing down at him. "Well, hello again!"

He rose his head up and turned around on the bench. "Hey! You're that lady who gave me money the other day!" He exclaimed. "I can't believe it!" He stood and walked around the back of the bench. "I didn't expect to be running into you again! What are you doing here!"

"Oh, I've come to meet up with an old friend of mine!" She said cheerfully.

"An old---" His smile faded, and his eyes widened.

"You certainly look dressed up," She said. "Are you going out on-"

"You're looking… for Usagi-chan?" He asked, silencing her.

"…How do you know Usagi-chan?…"

"I knew it! You're Ami!" He cried, pointing at her.

Ami seemed to not know what to say. "um… excuse me?… Yes, I am, but how did you know that?"

"Eh----" He froze and paled slightly. "Well… This is going to be really hard to explain…" He rubbed the back of his neck and flushed slightly. "See… um… well, that is… uh… I'm… eh… err… I mean…"

"Well? Spit it out," Ami said, crossing her arms.

"I'm… I'm Usagi."

"E-excuse me?"

"I'M USAGI!" He yelled. "Well, sort of… I mean… I'm me, I'm Usaka… but… Usagi lives inside of me! She's in my mind and soul and stuff!"

Ami stared at him, looking just about horrified.

"It's true! Ask me anything!"

"What does Usagi call her boyfriend?" Ami asked.

"Mamoru? Oh, she calls him Mamo-chan," He said, smiling.

"What are all the senshi's names and planets?"

He began, counting off on his hands, "Let's see, you're Mercury, Rei is Mars, Makoto is Jupiter, Minako is Venus, Haruka is Uranus, Michiru is Neptune, Setsuna is Pluto, Hotaru is Saturn, Chibi-Usa was Sailor Chibi Moon until she went back to her future home in Crystal Tokyo, Seiya was Sailor Star Fighter, Taiki was Sailor Star Maker, and Yaten was Sailor Star Healer." He huffed at the end of his sentence. "Oh yeah… and Mamoru is Tuxedo Kamen… Jeez, there sure are a lot of you…"

"What were the cats' names!" Ami was looking seriously disturbed at this point.

"Luna, Artemis, and Diana," He said. "Do you believe me yet? 'cause if you don't, I can just go into an alley or something and transform…"

"I don't believe this…"Ami said, placing her hand to her temple. "It's theoretically impossible…"

"Yeah, theo---the…. In theory, but it's true. Trust me, I didn't believe myself at first," He said, putting his hand on her shoulder. "Shall we walk together, Ami-chan?"

-

The two had begun their walk through the park in silence for about twenty minutes. Usaka figured that Ami was letting it all sink in.

"So, uh… Ami-chan…" He asked, blushing as he watched her next to him. She's so cute… Oh, man, she's soooo cute…

"Yes?" She looked up at him.

"Wh… what do you do for… a living?"

"I'm a doctor."

"Seriously!" He exclaimed. She's really smart too! Oh, wow!

"Yes… That's why I had to run off yesterday. I had a patient to help…What do you do, Usagi---- I mean Usaka?"

"I'm in cram school, remember?"

"Oh, that's right…" She watched a butterfly fly past.

"Hey, err-" He felt his cheeks burning even more heavily. "Do you… want to go get some… lunch?"

"Oh, that's a splendid idea!" She said, beaming at him.

Usaka fought back the urge to scream out a cheer. Oh, wow… We're going to eat lunch together… It's almost like… -like a--- date… His whole face was red now, and steam was slipping out of his ears.

"-and why we're there, you can explain to me more about you and Usagi-chan," Ami said.

"Yeah… yeah…" He nodded. "Let's go… Wait… where are we going?…"

-

Ami had decided on a soba-ya place to eat. The waitress led them to a traditional low table, and they both sat down on cushions.

There were glasses of tea on the table for them, as well as wooden chopsticks.

"Wow… this place is… err… traditional," He said, staring at Ami from across the table. She's so cute…

Hey! Quit ogling Ami like that! Usagi complained angrily.

"So, what would you like?" The waitress asked.

"Tsukimi Udon, please," Usaka said.

"Kitsune Udon," Ami said.

The waitress left. Usaka took a sip of his tea.

"So, tell me about all of this…"Ami said, folding her hands politely in her lap.

"Well… I don't know all that much myself, but… See, one night, not too long ago, I had this dream about a woman dying. Then, after hearing this creepy voice, I passed out, and that was when I met Usagi. She told me that we were connected, and when I woke up this monster called Shadia attacked me. She was after some sort of crystal, and I ran scared. Then, a voice entered my head. It was Usagi. She told me to say something, and when I did, I went on the inside, and she emerged as Sailor Moon. When all of it was over, she told me all about what had happened, and how she died. I decided that I'd do whatever I could to help her…"

"I see. So, Usagi-chan's ginzuishou is inside of you," Ami said.

"Yeah…" Usaka said. "Man, it's been so hard. I've been trying to find Mamoru so I could tell him about Usagi, but I always seem to just miss him. I've also been trying to find the time to talk to you guys about these enemies…"

"They are called Kuroyami," Ami said, pushing a stray hair behind her ear. "They go after people's beautiful spirits. These spirits can be obtained from just about any part of the body, as I'm sure you've noticed… but they're after one crystal in particular… What it is, I'm not sure, but Rei-chan told me that she saw a bright light in one of her visions, and it wasn't like the ginzuishou…"

"Yeah, but no matter what, any crystal will make them stronger," Usaka said.

"Here you are," The waitress said, setting down their Udon.

"Itadakimasu," They both said and lifted their bowls to their face, slurping on their noodles.

Usaka put his bowl down and took another drink of tea. "So, when do these enemies appear?"

"They appear at any time," Ami said, setting down her bowl as well and picking up her cup. "They attack anyone with beauty. It's hard to fight them on our own. I'm so glad that Sailor Moon has returned.

"Usagi-chan is truly a magnificent person," Usaka said, leaning on his hand and beaming at Ami. "-and so are you… Ami-chan."

Ami blushed slightly and smiled shyly. "Thank you…"

Quit coming on to Ami-chan like that! Usagi yelled. She's way too old for you!

"Eh-" He blushed, smiling embarrassedly. What gave me away!

Ami sipped at her tea, then smiled. "Perhaps tomorrow you should venture to Rei's temple. She could probably tell you more about the Kuroyami. I haven't visited her in awhile, since I've been so busy, but I'm sure she'll be happy to talk to you once she knows who you are."

"I'd actually planned on doing that today… That is… before I met you…" He smiled shyly and blushed again.

Haru peeked from her table, glaring at the two of them. "Who is she!" She whispered fiercely. "She looks all smart and pretty… What's Usaka-kun doing with a girl like that!" She gasped and hid herself when Usaka glanced over his shoulder.

"Did you feel like you were being watched just now?" He asked.

"No… Did you?" Ami asked.

"Eh-I'm probably just being paranoid." He turned back around.

Haru glanced around again. "He couldn't possibly… is he on a--- a date! No way! Surely he would've told me about her, right?…" She pouted slightly. "He never tells me anything anymore…" She gasped again. "Could he have been with her at the arcade!" The image of him and Ami together entered her mind, the two of them playing video games, eating, holding hands, leaning in for a--- "YEEK!" She shrieked, turning red. "No way!… That's…" She sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Of course… but… -but she's so much older than him!"

Ami sipped her tea.

"-and she's so… perfect…" She stared solemnly at the two of them. "Usaka deserves someone like her… but why couldn't he have just told me?… I knew I shouldn't have followed him…"

"Man, I really feel like I'm being watched…" Usaka said, setting down his bowl and turning around.

Haru hid again.

"Don't worry. Sometimes it feels like that when you're in a restaurant," Ami said, touching his shoulder.

"Look at her… touching his shoulder like she's his best friend…" Haru growled under her breath. "Humph. How dare she…?"

"If you say so, Ami-chan," Usaka said, continuing to eat.

"Ami-chan? Ami-chan!" Haru snarled. "When were they suddenly so close! Ooh, he's going to be so dead when he gets home. That's it. I'm out of here," She stood, slamming her hands down on the table. "GOCHISOSAMA!" She screamed, scaring a few of the waitresses and leaving in a fury.

"Goodness…" Ami said, a bit startled herself.

"That voice sounded familiar…" Usaka said, rubbing his chin. "-but I can't quite put my finger on it."

"Are you finished?" Ami asked politely as she sat down her empty bowl.

"Hai," He nodded then finished his tea.

"Then, we should-" Ami began when she was interrupted by the sound of shattering plates and bowls of food and the scream of a woman.

Ami and Usaka immediately stood and turned in the direction of the noise.

"Chosta!" The monster cried.

She was white as snow with the design of naruto on her cheeks. Her black hair was pulled back in a tight bun that was supported with chopsticks. She had fangs and red lips, and her eyes were thin and black. She dressed in a red, china-style dress with gold trim and slits up the sides, high heels, and jingling bracelets.

Her red nails extended outward and pinned one of the waitresses against the wall. The waitress screamed out again.

"Oh, no!" Ami cried.

"Another one!" Usaka growled.

The monster broke her nails off of her hand and lifted her palm, sending a blast into the waitress's stomach. She screamed again, and her beautiful spirit crystal appeared.

"Ami-chan!" Usaka cried, turning towards her.

Do it, Usaka! Usagi cried.

"Right!" He yelled. "Moon Eternal, MAKE UP!"

"Mercury Crystal Power, Make up!" Ami cried, holding her henshin wand in the air.

The two changed into their senshi fuku, then their accessories were added, and they completed their transformations.

Chosta was just about to swallow the crystal when suddenly.

"I don't think so!" Usagi cried. "I am Sailor Moon! The pretty soldier in a sailor suit, and in the name of the moon, I will punish you!"

"-and I am Sailor Mercury! I uphold truth and justice in the name of the planet Mercury!" Ami said.

Chosta growled and sent her nails in their direction. Usagi grabbed Ami's wrist and took off into the air, thus dodging the attack.

"You're going to have to do better than that!" Usagi yelled, landing on a nearby table. "Mind giving me a hand, Mercury?"

"Right," Ami nodded. "Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!" She sent her attack in the direction of the monster.

Chosta jumped out of the way, though her leg was hit rather badly. She snatched the crystal and swallowed it in a gulp. "RAAR!" She cried, her wound healing.

"Uh-oh," Usagi said. "It didn't work!"

"Shabon Spray!" Ami yelled, engulfing the area in mist. Usagi and she got back to back, glancing around. They both glanced around the area, waiting to hear the monster make noise.

Usagi's eyebrow's narrowed. "Mercury, use your visor."

"Right," She said, pressing her earring. A blue screen appeared over her eyes. "She's… coming this way… from your side… Get ready…"

"I see her shadow now," Usagi said, and the two spun around, so that Ami was now facing the enemy.

"Shine Aqua Illusion!" She cried, blasting her with her attack, and making her scream.

They spun once again, and Sailor Moon held out her tier. "Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss!" She yelled, blasting her. The monster jumped out of the way and glared at Sailor Moon as Mercury's fog disintegrated. "It didn't work!" Usagi cried, horrified.

Usagi-chan! Usaka cried.

Chosta removed the chopsticks from her hair, and another two magically appeared in their place. She tossed the chopsticks at Mercury, pinning her against the wall. Then, for added effect, she sent her nails against her too. Mercury barely managed to swerve her body out from being hit.

AMI-CHAN! Usaka exclaimed, distraught. Sailor Moon1 You have to try something else! ANYTHING!

A thought ran across Usagi's mind. "I remember now!" She exclaimed, holding out her tier again. "Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss!" She yelled, sending a blast at Chosta again.

Chosta tried to dodge once again, but it was to no avail. Usagi had hit her head on.

All right! Usaka cried gleefully.

"Way to go, Sailor Moon!" Ami cried in relief.

The monster became a shadow and disappeared, leaving only the beautiful crystal in her place.

"There we go," Usagi said, taking it back to the waitress. "Are you all right?" She asked.

"Yes…" The waitress said weakly. "Thanks to you…Who are you?…"

"I'm Sailor Moon," She said, standing and pulling Ami off of the wall. "Sailor Mercury, are you harmed?" She asked.

"I'm fine," Ami said, beaming at Usagi. "Good work… Sailor Moon."

You're the greatest, Usagi-chan… Usaka said, sighing in relief.

"Feel free to come eat her anytime, Sailor Moon!" The waitress cried. "It'll be on me! It… It's the least I can do!"

"Really! All right!" She exclaimed, grinning ear to ear.

"You too…" The waitress said, glancing at Sailor Mercury.

"Thank you very much," She said happily.

The two Sailor Senshi smiled at her. "If you're ever in danger again, don't worry. We'll be there," Usagi said. "Come on, Sailor Mercury. Let's get out of here, hm?"

"Yes, lets," Ami said, and the two left.

-

Usaka had returned to the outside, and Ami was now in her normal outfit again.

"Thank you for the wonderful time," Ami said, smiling at him.

"Pleasure was all mine, I assure you…" Usaka said, blushing. "Really… Hey… If you ever want to do this again-"

Ami placed her hand over his mouth gently. "You shouldn't speak like it's a date, dear."

"Eh--!" He blushed even more heavily. "Did I say it--- No, it wasn't--- That is, uh---"

"I'm too old for you, and anyways-" She held up her hand and showed him a ring on her finger.

"YAAH! You're married!" He cried, humiliated.

Told you so! Usagi taunted.

"Besides," Ami said, leaning up and kissing his forehead. "There's someone else out there waiting for you."

She's old enough to be your mom! Usagi wouldn't give up.

He sighed and smiled once again. "Still… You're really, really cute… Your husband's lucky… Well, I'd better go. I've got night classes to take at cram school, and I need to go err-- get my stuff."

"I'll see you sometime soon then," Ami said, beaming at him.

"HEY!" He cried suddenly. "You're really smart, right?"

"Um… Yes…?" She said, blinking.

"Could you tutor me in your spare time! PLEASE!"

"Well, I don't have much spare time… but… I'll look into it…" She said, smiling sheepishly. "Go on now."

"Yes, ma'am!" He said, running off down the street.

-

You knew Ami didn't think of you that way! I told you not to go there, but you went there! Usagi yelled.

"OKAY! I GET IT!" He cried, disturbing a few people that were walking past. "Jeez, is ANYONE else going to bug me about this!" He moaned, walking into his apartment.

"Hello… Usaka…"

He squeaked and looked up. "Ha-Haru-chan!" He cried, blue running over his nose. He really didn't like the look she was giving him.

"I SAW YOU!" She yelled. "Don't think I didn't see you with that older lady!"

"Eh--- You saw!" He exclaimed, blushing. "Err- I CAN EXPLAIN!"

"USAKA!"

"AHHHHHHHH! What's a guy got to do to be at peace with females around here!"

I figured that she was the one following us, Usagi said cheerfully and stuck her tongue out.

Usaka moaned miserably.

(A/N: Woo! Another long chapter! -and look! My page breaks showed up! WOO! Party on! I'm in an awesome mood, cuz I have a Sailor Moon star locket coming to me through eBay! YAYYYYY! Also, it's three days till my birthday! -and Usagi-chan's birthday is tomorrow! Party! -dances- Thanks for reviewin' everyone! -gives cookies-)