MoonDragon: We all know that Usagi is immature at heart like a child, but I made her acting mature in the beginning talking to that girl latching onto Mamoru. She's really burning with jealousy on the inside but is hiding it. I figured she'd be more collected since it's been two years. I also tried to make Mamoru look at her no differently than the other girls he's met at first, cuz, you know, he doesn't remember her at all. KK, now that those announcements are done, please review!

Unspoken Memories

Chapter 8

Mamoru gazed upon this new girl who suddenly appeared. Truthfully, he was floored at how attractive she appeared, but he was worried her personality would be a mirror image of this random fan girl who latched onto him. That was the last thing he wanted and it would take quite awhile to get away from both of them. 'Why is it that the beautiful ones are always the crazy ones?' His eyes landed on hers and he felt a warm feeling surface inside him. She somehow had a different atmosphere than the others.

"Well, what do you want?!" the girl at his side, Kasumi, rudely inquired. The golden haired girl's smile twitched just slightly at her tone and Mamoru completely turned in his seat to face both of them. This would be interesting, if not violent. It might actually be for the best if they got into a catfight over him. Motoki would be able to toss them both out of here letting him have a peaceful afternoon. Or maybe he could just get Kasumi out of the arcade. Having this stranger here might not be so bad. 'Anyone would be better that Kasumi-san. Maybe I can use this other girl as an excuse to get her away from me…'

"You're hitting on my date," she explained in an innocent voice which tried to avoid an argument. Mamoru raised an eyebrow at that. He couldn't recall ever once seeing her in his life and suspected she was making it up to get close to him. If that was the case… he found himself not opposed to the idea of spending the day with her. In fact, that might work out for the best. She seemed nice enough, but he still didn't know if she was like the others. Well, it was either her or Kasumi, and the choice to pick was more than obvious.

"Oh yeah, that's right, I told her to meet me here," Mamoru voiced out, but it was useless.

The two of them seemed to be in their own little world at the moment. Kasumi glared at the poor girl so fiercely he wondered if she would combust into flames, but the golden haired girl didn't look away. She stared right back at her, but with less aggravation than the brunette was sending to her. He figured whatever he said would go unheard so he kept quiet.

For just a split second the girl tore her eyes away and gave him a gentle smile before returning to their stare-off. Her grin was so adorable he felt his cheeks blazing and avoided eye contact again. 'What am I doing? Blushing? It was just a smile, get a hold of yourself.'

Leaning backwards in his chair he tried to get Motoki's attention while theirs was focused on each other. From what he could tell, Kasumi was the type to start a fist-fight if she didn't get what she wanted. If his friend saw any violence he could throw her out with just his word.

The blond had a dumbfounded look as he stared at the golden haired teen. He was still holding a half-wet cup not even bothering to continue drying it and looked deep in thought. He noticed the smirk planted on his lips and got confused. Mamoru wondered what that expression could've meant and began to think his friend was attracted to her.'Why is he staring at her like that? He's already got Reika-san. Or did he break up with her and just hasn't told me yet? Is he thinking of asking her out?! He better not be!' Mamoru blinked wondering where this sudden surge of jealousy was coming from. He fought to stop his train of thought and tried to figure out where this possessiveness was coming from.

"Well excuse me. Mamoru-kun was here alone! He doesn't belong to you!" she challenged letting go of his arm. Mamoru absently rubbed where she had previously clutched in her death-grip. It felt numb and he concluded he lost all blood flowing into it.

"He was waiting for me," she explained. "Could you leave? I don't like how you're acting around him."

"Oh, and just how am I acting?!" Kasumi asked standing up towering over the teen. With her hand she swished her hair around the back of her shoulder and then crossed her arms. From her tone and attitude the new girl finally frowned dropping all forms of politeness. Finally she exploded and made an outburst.

"Like a slut! Now move!" Mamoru put his hand to his mouth trying to contain her laughter. From first appearance that line wasn't expected from her. She seemed innocent, but now she looked miffed that Kasumi would even imagine challenging her. He lightly smiled noticing how cute she appeared as her face reddened up and her eyes sparkled in fury.

"Oh, I know you didn't just call me a slut right now!" Kasumi had the gall to close the distance between them so they were a foot apart and shoved her on the shoulder as a warning. "You better just run on out of here, you little, prissy wannabe. You're too young for a man like Mamoru-kun. You're like, what, 14?"

"16," she growled out and Mamoru could tell she was trying to regain her composure but was failing. '16... that's a four year difference in our ages. Is that criminal? No, it shouldn't be.' He was beginning to think of asking her out. Even if she turned out like a ghastly women who only thought of herself, one date wouldn't kill him.

The mystery girl once again told her to leave him alone, but Kasumi spouted more insults and profanities in her face. Throwing her hands up in the air she shouted, "Well, you're a dummy head who's too stupid to realize he doesn't like you!"

Mamoru let out a hearty laugh and found he couldn't stop. 'Dummy head? I haven't heard someone being called that since elementary school!' His laughter went unnoticed as the two girls bantered back and forth. He wondered if they even realized they were fighting over him in the first place because now they were just resorting to name-calling. While Kasumi stayed with foul language the other one shouted more childish things like bubble-butt and booger-brain. Mamoru snickered watching the show. 'She sure is interesting to watch. It's hard to tell if she's mature or immature, though. Maybe she's a mix of both?'

"Someone ought to teach you a lesson," Kasumi threatened raising her hand which trembled in anger.

"Oh, like I'm scared of you," the golden haired woman teased sticking her tongue out and pulling down the lower lid of her right eye. "What are you going to do? Tear off your fake nails and throw them at me?"

By now Kasumi was absolutely glowering in anger. At first with her raised hand it appeared as if she were going to slap her, but now her fingers clenched into a fist ready to knock her out. Mamoru was quick to rise gripping her wrist roughly causing her to cry out. His body acted on its own before he even realized Kasumi was resorting to violence.

"Don't touch her," he threatened squeezing with more force. He was a man; he couldn't just stand aside if two people were fighting with their fists. Protectiveness overcame him and all of his concern was placed on this girl who he didn't even know. He didn't want anyone to harm her. Mamoru would never strike a girl, but he wasn't so sure he could control himself if she had landed the blow before he intervened.

"That's it. You, get out of my store!" Motoki stormed into the conversation from behind the counter. Kasumi looked appalled.

"You're throwing me out?! What did I do? She started it!"

"One, you're shouting swear words in a public place where children play. Two, you're insulting and trying to hurt Usagi-chan! Get out before I call the cops!" She huffed and spouted angrily to herself leaving the facility which was a great burden taken off of Mamoru.

"Thanks, Motoki-oniisan," Usagi said as she took the left seat to Mamoru, the one Kasumi wasn't occupied in earlier. She looked as if she were trying to avoid sitting in the same place a collage girl like her would sit. Motoki gave out one of his prize, dashing smiles setting down the cup he had now finished drying.

"What would you like today? It'll be on the house." He winked and Usagi got bright eyed smiling in excitement.

"Yay, thank you! I'll have a… strawberry milkshake."

"Coming up." He got to work on her order and Usagi turned her attention to Mamoru.

"It looked so uncomfortable for you, so I decided to cut in," she said grinning. At first Mamoru wondered what she meant by that and then realized she was getting Kasumi to leave. He found himself smiling as well happily finding out she wasn't some crazy fan girl coming to kidnap him or some other silly matter like that. 'My God, there's actually a gorgeous woman who's not insane in this city.'

"I appreciate it. My name is Chiba Mamoru, what's yours?" He already knew her name from when Motoki said it, but it was just something to use to get a conversation started. It was strange; he never took an interest in any of the other girls. In fact, he barely dated anyone. Everyone was too interested in his looks or the money he inherited from his parents. Just the feel of her presence seemed different than the rest, though. He couldn't figure out why he was so pulled to her. Maybe it was fate.

"Tsukino Usagi," she replied cheerfully. Mamoru suddenly felt an overwhelming amount of nervousness. He wasn't good at starting conversations. Mostly he just kept to himself or talked to Motoki, which he considered his only friend. 'What am I supposed to talk about? The weather? No, that's way to boring. I usually don't have to start talking first, Motoki always covers that. Hmm…'

He looked around the room stalling for time until an idea hit him. The clock hanging off the wall read 3:47 and then he remembered how Usagi said her age was 16. He figured she should be in high school right now; they weren't supposed to get out until 4:00.

"Shouldn't you be in school?" he questioned. The teen shrugged her shoulders.

"I skipped today," she said as if it weren't a big deal. Like she did it on a weekly basis and it was normal.

"Skipped?!"

"Yeah, I was really tired and slept through half of my classes, so I decided to take a free day."

"What are you, a delinquent?" Right after the words left his lips he bit the inside of his cheek. The way he said it was accusing and scolding all wrapped up into one tone. 'I'm too nervous to think about what I say before it comes out! Come on, Mamoru, she's just a girl and you're a suave, sophisticated man. Don't get tongue-tied like some middle schooler!'

"No!" the teen huffed puffing out her cheeks. "I just really needed a day to myself."

"That's what delinquents say," he teased smirking at the golden haired girl. "Next thing you know, you'll be dropping out of school saying it's not worth you time." 'Idiot! Stop patronizing her!'

"Oh, what would you know?! It's not going to kill anyone if one person skips a day."

"What if everyone started to do that? Then there would be no one left in the schools."

"That'd be fine; perfect even! We're better off without school. All it does is add stress to our lives," she grumbled crossing her arms on the table and resting her head on them. Mamoru chuckled.

"That's not true, but it sure is stressful. What do you hate most about it?"

"Math!" she instantly replied not even having to put some thought behind her answer. "It's so useless; I'm not even planning on working in something that involves numbers, so why should I bother learning it?"

"Really? Then what do you plan on being?"

"… I don't know yet…" she mumbled sitting upright again blushing in embarrassment. Mamoru chuckled again and Usagi giggled at her own indecisiveness.

"Last time we talked you told me you were on the brink of failing math," Motoki butted it handing her the order free of charge. Her face kept changing to happiness from receiving her treat and sadness at the truthfulness of his words. She slouched down again sipping the pink drink with her eyes half closed in disappointment. 'She's so expressive with body language… she's so cute.'

"It's not my fault; I don't understand what we're learning at all! My life has so much going on right now…" Her voice grew quiet, like whatever it was keeping her busy made her gloomy as well. "Whenever I get some time to study I'm so far behind in class that I can't learn anything!"

"Well, Usagi-chan, lots of teenage girls are busy, not just you. You've just got to change your schedule and give yourself more time for school," Motoki explained wiping the counter with a dishtowel removing the crumbs left behind from previous customers. She grumbled to herself saying they should just let you graduate without taking that subject.

"I could tutor you," Mamoru said without even really thinking about it. It was just an impulse he instantly thought about and spoke aloud. Usagi and Motoki stared at him not believing he had just offered. "I mean, I'm pretty good in that field. If you're having trouble I could help you, if you want…" He tried his best not to fumble with his words. It felt as if he was asking her out and it was obvious she would decline.

"That'd be awesome!" Usagi exploded in excitement and he let out a breath he wasn't aware he had been holding. He gave a small smile.

"Great! Are you free later today at… seven?" She nodded. "Then why don't you grab your books and meet me at the public library near here around that time? I'll wait at the entrance." He loved the way her eyes seemed to sparkle in happiness and joy. Not expecting her to do anything of the sort, she launched herself at him embracing Mamoru with all she had. He stumbled in his chair from the impact but managed to stay sitting.

"You're the best, Mamo-ch… Mamoru-kun!" she exclaimed hugging his frame to hers. It was unlike the vice-like grip that Kasumi had on him. This, despite the power behind it, had been gentle and warm making his heart skip a beat. His lowered his head hoping his bangs could hide the blush rising forth. Taking a side glance he could see Motoki smirking.

"You might have your hands full with this one, Mamoru. Her grades have been bad for years," the blond teased causing Usagi to give him a look.

"Is there anything else you're not doing well in?"

"Um… science… I can get by with the rest though." She retreated by ducking her head into her shoulders almost as if she were ashamed for doing poorly.

"I'll tutor you in that, too, th-" His words were cut off by a delicate beeping noise. Mamoru and Motoki looked around trying to find the source and found Usagi pulling out what seemed like a silver compactor from her pocket. She clucked her tongue and gave a worried look.

"Motoki-oniisan, could I use your back room?" she asked in a hurry. The blond nodded his head and she darted off behind the counter into a door that only employees were allowed to enter. She left her white purse behind in the care of the two men. When she was out of sight Motoki gave Mamoru a knowing smirk.

"What?"

"So, you finally got her attention," he said leaning on the counter. "It's been six months since you've had your eye on her, and after avoiding you for so long, she approached you." He laughed enjoying the irony as Mamoru gaze a quizzical look.

"Motoki, what are you talking about?" Ignoring his question, the worker continued.

"I was so surprised to see her chase off that Kasumi girl. Usagi-chan avoided you like you were out to kill her or something, but now she's so open and friendly in your presence. Did something happen between you two? Maybe she got jealous seeing you two together. Well! Whatever went on, it looks like you can finally stalk her without hiding anymore!" He chuckled loudly, but Mamoru just continued to look at him.

'What is he talking about? Six months? Stalking her? This is the first time I've ever seen her! I would've remembered someone like her, she sure does stand out… in a good way, though.' Motoki had always been a little on the strange side, but to make up unusual stories like that wasn't like him. Mamoru figured he must've been working too hard lately and must be confusing one of his other friend's girl problems with him.

"I remember how you'd come here every weekday knowing she'd be here, and just stare at her from afar. Listen though, I know you're a good guy, but if you break her heart I might have to murder you. Me and her have been friends for a long time, so don't ruin this. I know how serious you are about the teen, so just don't screw this up. Honestly, I think you'd make a great couple. You know what they say; opposites attract."

"You're acting like I proposed to her already." The college bound student with midnight tresses rolled his eyes. 'I've got to work my way up from tutoring to dating. I doubt she'll melt in my arms if I just come out and say it. It's got to be romantic.'

"You know, I figured you'd act more excited about this," Motoki said giving him a weird and suspicious look. "I mean, after six months she's finally speaking to you, and you're acting all laid-back like it doesn't matter much. What is it; now that you can finally get Usagi-chan you don't want her anymore?"

"I think you're confusing me with someone else, Motoki. This is the first time I've ever seen her."

"What?!" he exploded slamming his hands onto the counter. "Are you crazy?! You even told me how you two met; it was destiny! You said how she ran into you on her way to school and you saved her from falling. You told me you had never seen such a beautiful girl! I mean, just last week you were in here, in that same chair, watching her play that new Sailor Moon video game!"

Nothing he said could be recalled in Mamoru's mind.

"I seriously don't know what you're talking about," he replied scratching his head in thought. "Wait… yesterday I think I might've hit my head or something. I don't remember much, but I got knocked out, or something, and woke up in the park alone. I started to have a migraine…"

Motoki rubbed his chin. "Maybe you have amnesia… are you sure you don't remember anything about Usagi-chan? I mean, you were really hooked on the girl, to the point that made me think you were pursuing a stalking career. Even if you did hit your head I think you would've remembered her anyways. You couldn't have forgotten the last six months!"

Mamoru sighed rubbing his chest. Now he was starting to think Motoki might've been telling the truth. He had felt like he forgot something important yesterday evening except he had no idea what it could be. He winced as his fingers glided over the wound he had mysteriously received. It was almost healed, but several layers of skin were still missing and in need of repair. He couldn't recall what happened to cause that.

Usagi reappeared from the employees-only door jittery and distracted. In a rushed walk she grabbed her purse from the counter and gave a smile to assure them that nothing was wrong.

"What was that?" Motoki questioned referring to the beeping sound earlier. Usagi laughed nervously and waved her hand in dismissal.

"It was just my new cell phone. I'm only supposed to use it in emergencies, and my mom just said I have to get home right away. So, Mamoru-kun, seven tonight?" He nodded offering a suave smile. "Awesome. See you then, bye you two!" Before they could even say a word to her departure she was already on the move speed walking. Mamoru watched for a little bit before tearing his gaze away and began to talk to his blond friend looking forward to his next trip to the library.

Unnoticed by the two college students, Usagi collided into a pink haired girl right after leaving the vicinity and they both fell backwards onto the pavement.