Monday Continued...

The lunch bell that signified the end of lunch rang.

Usagi and Mamoru ended their embrace reluctantly. Usagi looked at Mamoru and smiled while Mamoru ran his hand down Usagi's forearm and intertwined his fingers with hers. Holding hands, they started back towards Usagi's group of friends.

Usagi's friends had been waiting with anticipation for the two to come back. They had all openly discussed their desire for Usagi to confess her feelings to him and for them to be reciprocated. "I think it would be so romantic if Usagi got together with Mamoru. They'd look so good together! Don't you think?" Rei was practically swooning over the idea of the two together. Ami smiled and nodded. "I think it'd be great for Usa to have someone other than us care for her and treat her the way she deserves to be treated." Minako chimed in, "Yeah, but he better treat her like a princess or else Mako-chan and I will teach him a lesson. Right, Mako-chan?" Makoto slammed her fist into her palm and winked. "Right."

"Eeeeeeee!" Rei squealed and pointed causing the other girls to stop talking and look in that direction. They saw Usagi and Mamoru walking back together. And they were holding hands! Each girl slapped on a retardedly huge grin and affectionately stared at the sight.

Usagi immediately saw their reactions and was both embarrassed and amused. Their reactions were, of course, completely expected. She didn't know how Mamoru would react, though, to their girly screams and goofy smiles. To Usagi's pleasant surprise, Mamoru simply chuckled in response to their squeals.

"I think we have their approval," he whispered to Usagi.

Usagi smiled broadly and replied, "Yes, I think so too."

When the got to the girls, Mamoru leaned over and kissed Usagi lightly on the cheek. "I'll see you when you're on your shift at the Crown after school. Ok Usako?" Usagi blushed at Mamoru's use of her new pet name for him in front of her friends. She shyly looked up into his eyes and with a bright blush forming on her cheeks, she responded. "H-hai, Mamo-chan."

When Mamoru left, all four girls surrounded Usagi. Minako eyed her playfully. "Usako, huh?" Usagi blushed into an even deeper red. "Am I the only one who heard Mamo-chan?" Rei squealed with excitement. "You guys are too cute! So what happened? Are you together? Are you dating? Is it official?" Makoto was about to burst if Usagi didn't confirm her suspicions.

Usagi smiled and nodded. "We're together." Each girl squealed excitedly in response to Usagi's verification and Usagi laughed at their giddiness. After they calmed down and got to their next class, Ami leaned over and asked, "Did you tell him about everything that happened with Koan?" Usagi sighed. "Not yet. I don't really even want to talk about her, but I know it needs to be done. I also need to figure out a way to pack up all of my things and move into Mako-chan's apartment unscathed." Ami agreed and pondered for a moment.

Makoto chimed in. "Maybe Mamoru can help you. We can all come along too. Since they know about your friendship with us, there's no reason not to. There is strength in numbers. I'm sure if we're all there, nothing bad will happen to you."

Usagi gasped at Makoto's revelation. "That's a fantastic idea Mako-chan! How about we all do it after my shift tonight? It ends at 8, but I don't have many things so it should go by quickly."

Rei leaned forward and added, "That sounds like a great plan! We'll use the utility truck that we have for the shrine to haul your mattress, dresser, desk, and nightstand. How quickly do you think you can pack?"

Usagi looked back at Rei and smiled. "You kidding? I've been packed for the last year and a half."

Minako's eyes got dreamy all of a sudden. "Maybe Mamoru can convince Motoki to help us move your things. Furniture is heavy, you know. We'll need some muscle to help lift it."

"Oh my gosh, Minako-chan, you're incorrigible!" Ami exclaimed while giggling.

Minako pointed at Usagi and whined. "Hey! If she's allowed to have man-candy, I can too!"

The girls giggled at Minako's adoration for Motoki and continued to plan Usagi's moving out process.

Crown Arcade 1:50pm

Usagi walked into work with the greatest outlook on life. Things were finally turning up for her. She greeted Motoki and Unazuki and continued to the back to fix her hair into her work bun and put on her uniform. When she walked out to start taking orders, Motoki pulled her aside. At first, she thought she had gotten into trouble for something, but then she saw the smile creep on Motoki's face along with a knowing look.

"So…you and Mamoru, huh?"

Usagi blushed at the fact that her boss was now her boyfriend's best friend. Geez, I didn't think about this predicament. Usagi scrunched up her face in uncertainty and responded. "Y-yyyesss?"

Motoki made her jump when he laughed happily and lightly hit her shoulder. "That's great! I'm glad Mamoru finally got the guts to ask you out. He's been freaking out about it for the last four days!"

Usagi's eyebrows raised. "You don't mind?"

"Mind? How could I mind? You're the first girl to catch Mamoru's attention in the entire time I've known him. That says a lot. And. That says a lot about you too. And since we're on that subject, I wanted to take the opportunity to apologize. I won't be calling you Odango Atama anymore and I'll start looking at you like a little sister. Much like the way Mamoru looks to my little sister. Mamoru's my best friend and anyone who is amazing enough to get his attention definitely deserves to be treated well. So what do you say? Friends?"

Usagi couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her boss was apologizing to her all because she and Mamoru were together. She thought that he was going to tell her to break up with him or even fire her. Usagi was overjoyed. "Friends!" Usagi put out her hand to shake Motoki's to finalize their truce.

Mamoru walked in about 20 minutes after Usagi's shift started.

"Mamo-chan." Usagi looked at him sweetly as he walked into the Arcade. "My lunch doesn't start until 5. You're not going to wait around that long, are you? I don't want to keep you."

Mamoru smiled. "What in the world would be more important than you?"

Usagi smiled and raised her eyebrows at him. "Football practice perhaps?"

Mamoru maintained an indifferent demeanor. "Oh, you mean that. Well, practice was cancelled today."

"Oh?" Usagi continued to listen to Mamoru as she gave a table their drinks. "And why was it cancelled?"

Mamoru sat in his regular booth and smiled up at her. "Cause the quarterback wanted to be with his new girlfriend."

Usagi couldn't help but smile. "I don't want you missing practice just because of me, though. You have that big game next week. Let me go get your coffee." Usagi walked towards the counter and returned a few minutes later with Mamoru's coffee on a tray. She placed it down in front of him and hugged the tray to her chest just like the last time. Mamoru smiled at the habit and started to drink his coffee. "I'm going to remain right here and wait until you're on your lunch break. I have my coffee and my homework. That's all I need." Usagi smiled at him and his stubbornness. At least it's stubbornness that has to do with being with me. Usagi had never had someone care for her so much before that they were willing to put aside whatever just to be with her; other than her four best friends, of course.

Usagi leaned against the table Mamoru sat at. "Ok. Well, I'm going to get back to work. Oh! While I'm thinking about it…" Mamoru looked at her with interest while drinking more of his coffee. "I'm moving in with Mako-chan." Usagi smiled while recalling her friend's generous offer. "After I get off work, Ami, Rei, Minako, and Makoto were going to help me pack up my stuff and take it to her apartment. Would you mind coming along to help? And possibly bringing Motoki? Minako is rather fond of him and Makoto made the point that there's strength in numbers." Usagi looked down and picked at her fingers. "They don't want anything else to happen to me, so they don't want me to go alone."

Mamoru touched the hand she was picking at and willed her to look at him. "And they're right. You shouldn't go alone. I'll definitely come and help. And I'll ask if Motoki would like to come as well. Should I tell him about Minako's interest?" Usagi's eyes widened. "I'm not sure Minako is ready for that, but you should ask her. I think she'd be willing to take advice from the best friend of her crush." Usagi smiled teasingly and walked away to a booth that was waiting to order.

It's incredible to me how she carries herself with such confidence. Especially after all that she's been through. I'm absolutely amazed that she hasn't let it break her or change her personality in any way. Mamoru smiled and watched her take orders. Her face continued to convey her emotions as she interacted with the customers. Usagi's animated face entertained Mamoru to no end. He could tell that she was exceedingly happy, which he knew was largely because of him, and that warmed his heart. I finally found my soul mate.

An hour passed and Mamoru was working on a history outline when Motoki came and sat across from him. Mamoru looked up and saw Motoki's dreamy expression. He had his head on his hand and was staring at Mamoru with complete bliss in his eyes. Mamoru looked at him funny. "What?"

"Tell me what it's like."

"What are you talking about?"

"Tell me what it's like to be in love. You look so happy and you're doing…" Motoki looked down. "History homework. It's definitely Usagi who has made you this happy, so tell me. What is it like?"

Mamoru smiled when he understood his friend's meaning. "Honestly," he said while smiling. "It's indescribable. And we haven't even gone out on our first date yet." Motoki smiled at Mamoru's happiness. "It could happen to you too, you know."

Motoki's eyes went wide and his smile dropped. "What? What do you mean?"

Mamoru put his pencil down and looked around cautiously. "One of Usagi's friends has a thing for you."

Motoki's jaw dropped. One of Usagi's friends? I have to admit. I noticed a long time ago that she had the most beautiful group of friends I had ever seen. They were always so happy, like Usagi and would brighten his mood on his worst days when they would come in and talk to her while she was on her break.

"Which one?!"

Mamoru chuckled. "Oh so you're ok with that idea, huh? There's only one issue, you can't date her unless you promise to actually see the relationship through honestly. No experimenting or going out with her just because she's beautiful. These are Usagi's friends and they're important to her, so they're important to me."

Motoki sat back into his seat and chewed on the inside of his cheek. Honestly he was sick of dating without feeling and wanted to commit to a relationship, but he wasn't sure how he'd convince Mamoru or the girl that liked him that fact. Maybe he could determine which one liked him by telling Mamoru about the girl who caught his attention the minute she walked in to see Usagi.

"How about this?" Motoki started to speak with his hands out demonstrably. Mamoru leaned forward to hear what he had to say.

"If I tell you which one of Usagi's friends I thought that I could make it work with and it turns out to be the same girl, you tell me. If not, then don't tell me. That way her secret isn't out and I don't feel obligated to date her when I'm not attracted to her."

Mamoru contemplated his proposition for a moment. His eyes caught Usagi walking towards them with a coffee pot in her hand. She obviously had the intention of coming over to refill his coffee so he smiled and said, "How about we ask Usagi if that's a good idea." Motoki blanched and looked up. Usagi walked over smiling brightly. "Ask me what?"

Mamoru gestured towards Motoki. "I was just telling Motoki about how one of your friends likes him and he suggested that if he told me who he found attractive out of your group of friends and she happened to be the same one who liked him, I should tell him. If not, then there's no reason to tell. Does that sound reasonable to you?"

Usagi listened as she filled up Mamoru's cup and nodded while he spoke. When he finished, she looked at him and Motoki. "Yeah that sounds sensible enough." She put her free hand on her hip and dropped it to the side. "So. Spill. Which one of my friends do you think is hot?" Motoki looked at her with burning cheeks and he choked out the girl that caught his eye. "Minako."

Usagi raised her eyebrows and nodded approvingly. "Is that so? Well I think you may have a date soon, my friend." She touched his shoulder lovingly before she walked away to tend to a spill in the back booth. Motoki looked at Mamoru astonished. "Does that mean?"

"Yup. Minako's the one who has the crush on you and she wanted to know if you would help us move Usagi into Makoto's apartment after she gets off of work tonight."

Motoki was ecstatic. "YES! Yeah, of course I'll help. I'll show off my muscular form by lifting all the heavy furniture." Motoki laughed and winked at Mamoru before he got up and walked back to the counter. Mamoru couldn't help but laugh at the sudden spring he had in his step. Is that how I look? Mamoru laughed and got back to his history outline.

5pm

Usagi's lunch break had never been such an event before. She sat at that largest booth the Crown had with her four friends, Mamoru, and Motoki. Unazuki wanted to join, but had customers to tend to. Everyone was discussing the plans of Usagi's move. "I've got my landlord informed that the move in is happening tonight," Makoto said as she munched on a fry.

"And I've got the truck. I'll follow you after you get off work and we'll load it up!" Rei added before she stole one of Makoto's fries. "Hey!" Makoto tried to snatch it back, but missed. "Too slow!" Rei giggled as she savored the fry.

"Wait, you're not suggesting that you're all going to stay until I get off of work…"

"YUP." Minako smiled and leaned against Motoki nonchalantly. "You're coming too, right, Motoki?" Motoki blushed slightly and replied, "As long as you're there." He looked into Minako's eyes and it was her turn to blush.

"OOOoooooOOOoooO!" Everyone at the table watching them had huge smiles on their faces. Usagi and Mamoru were the only ones that knew what was about to happen.

Motoki nervously looked down at the table and then looked back up to Minako. "So, Minako, what are you doing Friday night?" Minako's eyes widened. She looked at Motoki, then Usagi, then Mamoru, then back at Motoki. She let a smile grow on her face. "Why having dinner with you. 7?" Motoki smiled. "Sounds perfect."

Mamoru leaned against Usagi and whispered, "We're totally taking credit for that." Usagi nodded vigorously and laughed. "Definitely."

8pm

Motoki looked worried. "Are you sure you can handle closing up tonight, Una?"

Unazuki laughed at her overprotective brother. "Yes, Toki. I've done it many times before. Besides. It's only a Monday night. It's gonna be dead for the next hour. But I'll promise to be careful."

Motoki smiled at his sister. She was getting so grown up. He got into Mamoru's car with Minako. Usagi was going to lead the way with Makoto and Ami in the car with her. Rei was going to follow Usagi in the truck and Mamoru was going to follow Rei in his car.

All of them had knots in their stomach over what could happen. "There's going to be seven of us. How can anything bad happen with that many people there? We'll be fine." Makoto continued to reassure Usagi the entire ride to her step-mother's house while Usagi took deep, slow breaths to calm her nerves.

Usagi pressed the button to open the gate and pulled into the driveway. Rei backed up into the driveway so loading would be easier and Mamoru parked out in front in case they needed a quick getaway.

Usagi strengthened her resolve and started to lead the way into her step-mother's home.

She opened the front door and marched straight into her room without caring to look around her. Makoto scanned the area and shot an off guard Petz a warning glance. Petz turned around to get her mother and Koan while Ami, Rei, Mamoru and Motoki followed Usagi up into her room.

Usagi was right when she told Rei she was mostly packed. She only had a few clothes hanging up, most of which were copies of her school uniform. The biggest feat was going to be moving the furniture. Minako stripped the bed and put the sheets inside a trash bag while the boys grabbed the box spring and started heading downstairs.

Beryl had just turned the corner to face the stairs as the boys were coming down it with the box spring. "Just WHAT do you think you're doing?"

Mamoru looked at her with indifference. "We're moving Usako out of this hellhole."

Koan walked up to stand next to her mother. "Usako? Who the hell is Usako? Mamoru what are you doing? You're supposed to be with me!" She finished in a huff and crossed her arms. Makoto took Mamoru's end of the box spring and helped Motoki carry it out to the truck while Mamoru walked up to Koan. "Let me get this straight; I ignored your advances, I never called you, never talked to you at school except when we were ASSIGNED lab partners, I never even looked at you for too long and you think that I'm supposed to be attracted to you? Attracted to the conceited, vapid, unintelligently inane, VIOLENT, horrible person that you are all because of what? Your desire? NO. There are so many reasons why that girl up there is so much better than you, I feel that I'd be here for hours attempting to get them through your dense head. I will never be ok with how you treated Usagi. And let me make this last part clear. If you EVER come anywhere near her again, I will ensure that your 'future' as a model will be gone."

Mamoru started to walk back upstairs.

Koan's arms were crossed and her emotions flooded fighting back the urge to both cry and yell. "You can't do that. You don't know anyone in the modeling business who could keep me from it!"

Mamoru turned back at her with uncaring eyes. "You're right, I don't."

Koan humphed and raised her eyebrows as if to say "see? So you can't stop me."

Mamoru smirked menacingly. "But I'm pretty sure a symmetrical face is important." He leaned in towards to her. "Don't you think?"

Koan's jaw dropped and her eyes widened as she hid behind her mother to protect her face.

"You can't talk to my daughter like that in my own house."

Minako came down the stairs carrying a nightstand. "You're right, but you also can't beat the man's child who gave you the salary that pays for this house in it either."

Ami walked down behind her carrying the desk with Rei. "Which reminds me. Mamoru, could you take this end?" Ami switched hands with Mamoru and pulled a piece of paper out of her purse. "This is a summons to court for the 21st of this month. Usagi is suing you for her father's inheritance and is bringing to light the abuse that she experienced while in this household." Ami's eyes darkened. "And believe me. It's been well documented."

Ami walked back upstairs to continue helping.

After an hour or so, Rei's truck, Usagi's bed of her El Camino, and Mamoru's trunk were full of Usagi's things and they headed to Makoto's.

They brought in all of Usagi's things into Makoto's empty second bedroom and were sitting in her living room eating pizza by 11pm. Laying on the floor and dangling a piece of cheese over her mouth, Minako noted, "Man. School is going to suck tomorrow. I am not going to want to get up." Usagi tossed a piece of pepperoni towards Minako's face and it landed on her left eye and eyebrow. The girls giggled while the boys shook their heads and chuckled. "Don't stress. It won't be too bad. I, for one, am going to get the best sleep I've had in years." Usagi smiled and cuddled into Mamoru at the end of Makoto's couch.

Rei smiled at the sight and sighed contentedly. "I'm so proud of you Usa. You're finally out of there. And you're going to graduate this year! Everything is finally looking up!"

Mamoru looked at Rei quizzically and then down to Usagi. "You're graduating this year? How? I thought you were a sophomore." Usagi laughed and playfully grabbed his chin. "Oh Mamo-chan. Did you really think that I wasn't capable of taking on extra classes? I was already doing two senior student's homework. At least with my own, I'd get the credit."

Mamoru's eyes widened in understanding. "I knew it. I knew Koan couldn't be smart with reports and assignments, but not with tests and…" Usagi smiled. "Study sessions?" Mamoru looked down at her. "Yeah. What about those notes on the chemistry paper?" Usagi smiled and leaned back against the couch. She took a deep breath and sighed. "Mine." She peeled off another piece of pepperoni and placed it on her tongue. "Koan hasn't been doing her homework since she started high school." She smiled while she licked her fingers. "I wonder how she'll keep it all up without me there." Ami giggled. "Serves her right, but anyways, let's not talk about them anymore. How about we finish this pizza and get some shuteye."

Makoto stretched. "You guys can all crash here if you want. It's late and there's more than enough room." Makoto was right about that. Usagi had her bed which would fit two people, Makoto had her bed as well as a chaise in her bedroom. Her living room had a sectional couch and a recliner. They could all crash comfortably there if they needed or wanted to. Being the gentlemen that they are, Mamoru and Motoki respectfully declined. Motoki didn't trust himself with a sleeping Minako and Mamoru didn't want to risk anything with how new his relationship was with Usagi.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Usako." Mamoru kissed Usagi on the cheek before walking out the door.

Motoki touched foreheads with Minako. "Goodnight, Mina-chan." He kissed her cheek and touched her bottom lip with his fingers before following Mamoru downstairs.

Both Usagi and Minako stood there staring at the empty doorway with dazed expressions. Makoto shut the door, effectively taking them out of their trance, and Rei came up behind them and hit them both in the back of the head with a pillow. "Snap out of it!"

Before the girls knew it, they had started a pillow fight that went well after midnight. Usagi and Makoto didn't even make it to their beds that night. After Makoto discovered chocolate sauce and gummy bears in her cabinet, the girls stayed up talking about boys, their futures, and how happy they were all in each other's lives. They all passed out around 3am; sprawled across Makoto's living room. Ami and Rei took up one corner of the sectional laying at opposite ends with Ami's foot in Rei's face. Minako had been half on the couch and half off; her face laying on a pillow on the floor and her butt in the air while her legs clung to the sofa. Usagi and Makoto fell asleep fighting over the recliner; Makoto ended up cuddling with Usagi and drooling over her hair while simultaneously using it as a blanket.

Tuesday 7:50am

Ami scrambled to get her things together. "Wake up guys! We're late!"

Minako, Rei, Makoto, and Usagi all sat up. "WHAT?!"

"It's almost 8 o'clock! We have to go!"

The four girls scrambled to get decent. Minako started brushing her teeth and hopped around trying to get her left shoe on. Usagi exclaimed at the drool Makoto left in her hair. "Eugh! Mako-chan!" Makoto yelled from her bedroom as she put clean clothes on. "Sorry Usagi-chan!"

Rei stretched and put her shoes on while gargling mouthwash. Usagi ran to her new bedroom and started brushing out her hair. She pulled it up into the buns she was so fond of, threw on clean clothes, her shoes, and started gargling mouthwash like Rei. After she spit it out into the sink, she yelled, "Ok I'm ready."

The girls did a second glance over of the room and their backpacks before they rushed downstairs and into Usagi's car. "Thank goodness you have a car, Usagi-chan. Even if it is an El Camino." Rei said as she laughed at Minako pulling the short straw and having to sit in the bed of the car.

Usagi looked back at Rei. "Heyyyy. Don't hate on the car!" Usagi leaned her head out the window and looked back at Minako. "You ok Minako-chan?"

Minako tried to keep her hair in one place as she struggled against the wind and responded, "Yeah, but the sooner we get there, the better!

8:14am

All five girls rushed into their first class causing the rest of the students to look at them oddly. Minako pumped her fist when the bell rung right as she took her seat. "Yessss! Made it!"

After class, Usagi's teacher wanted to speak with her again to follow up on his report. He could tell that Usagi was in better spirits than yesterday, but the injuries were still visible. Usagi decided to tell her teacher everything since it had been solved. She began with her father's death four years ago and continued up to last night, but in a condensed version. After she finished she informed him that she was now safe and happy living with Makoto, his other student and after the summer she was going to be graduated and applying for college. Usagi's teacher smiled at her and was proud of her determination for a higher education. He released her to go to her next class and completed the follow up report, remarking that the issue had been resolved.

One issue that hadn't been resolved, though, was Mamoru being partners with Koan in Advanced Chemistry. He knew that he would not be able to tolerate her presence after what she did to Usagi and last night. Mamoru went to his teacher before school started, asked to speak to him privately and told him everything that had happened between him and Koan as well as what Koan did to her step-sister, his now girlfriend. Mamoru's teacher sympathized with his situation and gave him a new partner who had a similar assignment. He also changed the seating chart so Mamoru would be sitting across the room from Koan to avoid any disruptions.

Lunch

The girls gathered under their favorite tree and started to eat and share their bought lunches, since they woke up too late to bring any from home. They all got something different so they could each try a little of everything. So busy in their commotion, it was only Usagi who heard Mamoru exclaim, "Oi oi!" as he walked over to them.

Usagi looked up and nudged Rei with her elbow. "Ow! Fine you can have the last piece!" "No, Rei, look."

Rei looked up and laughed, getting the attention of Ami, Minako, and Makoto. Walking behind Mamoru was Motoki and three other guys from the football team; Chase, Stephen, and Michael. The girls quickly made room for the guys walking up to them and made their introductions. Mamoru sat next to Usagi and whispered into her ear, "I hope you don't mind, I brought some friends along." Usagi smiled as he kissed her cheek and stole a rice ball from her plate. Motoki threw a wad of grass at Mamoru's face. "When are we doing that double date, boy-o?" Mamoru crinkled his nose at the feeling of the grass hitting his face and looked over at Usagi. "I don't think I want our first date to be a group one, Motoki. Maybe next week after the game."

Author's Note: This chapter was written quickly and I glanced over it during the edit so let me know if there are any discrepancies.

Also, I was going to make the other guys from the football team Kunzite, Jadeite, Zoisite, and Nephrite, but I thought it would be a little conflicting since I already wrote Motoki and Minako as a couple. So I hope you can bear the three unknowns for a few chapters. :)

The next chapter is going to be Usagi and Mamoru's first date, so if you're ready for the fluff...here it comes! :)