Exploring What Might

by Rakusa

It's R season with a twist, Usagi doesn't know she's the princess. What happens with Venus who knows everything, doesn't know enough? And isn't sharing what she does know. Will be updated! Promise!

10. Chapter 10

Exploring What Might

By Rakusa

Chapter Ten

{Part 1}

Usagi manged to elude Rei for a good month. She kept trying to talk to her, both as Moon and Usagi. Usagi couldn't understand her desire to talk to her as she was. However, what Usagi couldn't avoid were Makoto's questions. Like who was Mars and why was Usagi so against her? Mars had been at every major fight and event since she got her communicator. She obeyed Usagi's order and couldn't fault her on that.

Usagi had explained to Makoto that Mars was the third senshi they found, before Makoto had moved here, but they didn't give her the transformation stick. Eventually she managed to change on her own. Usagi then explained her reasoning, which even she was unable to fully comprehend herself. Makoto stopped pushing Usagi on the issue then, and there was a few days of guilty silence on Usagi's part and unsure what to think on Makoto's. Eventually Makoto smirked and made a joke, Usagi knew then, everything was all right. Makoto then followed Usagi's orders without a single complaint on her reasoning.

There were an increase of attacks and Usagi was glad to have the extra help. The last two rainbow crystals were now sitting in her subspace pocket. The targets surprised Usagi as all the other ones had too. They were all people somewhat close to her or her senshi, but not people they knew very well. The closest one to Usagi had been Yumi, and she hadn't managed to make it on time before some destruction of property and injury on her senshi as they held her off as they waited for Moon's arrival. Mars had her grandpa attacked, but other than those two, the closest had been a mild interest on Makoto's part towards the gamer and Motoki's girlfriend, who nobody knew at all really, still.

Usagi was planning on confronting Motoki on that. He was her onii-chan and she had only met Reika once or twice and she was never around and Motoki didn't talk about her all that often. Usagi wondered if it was a true relationship, or if it was something Motoki had but wasn't invested in truly. The last crystal carrier had been someone Mamoru had actually introduced her to. He had met her, Lenai, on campus and had somehow managed to get him to agree and go through with an art portrait and she had demanded he bring a girl with him. He asked Usagi. Usagi had looked at him skeptically and he'd said: 'Don't read into this at all, I'm only asking you because we know where we stand and it won't make it awkward.'

Usagi had responded with a raised eyebrow and shrugged before agreeing. The day they were coming to see her unveiling, she had been turned into a youma. Moon had a serious word with Jade about that. He'd held up his hands and swore he didn't know his brother was going after her. It had been a brother that Usagi hadn't met yet. Another one of them had been hanging out with them as well, but only occasionally. Makoto had blushed a few times when the other Ite looked at her and he would look away when he caught her looking. Usagi had wondered at the shy flirting between the two of them. She had expected that out of Ami, but Ami had jumped into her relationship with only slight hesitation because Moon hadn't given her the go on the Ite boys as they were still an unknown. After that, there was no stopping her friend from hanging out with her boyfriend. Luckily though, Ami wanted to bring him around all the time with her friends, and he'd agreed. It was strange how all the senshi seemed to pair off with the Ite boys. As far as Usagi could tell, it amazed them as much if not more than her.

In the meantime though, Usagi couldn't focus on the personal problems her friends were having or who did what. Though she did keep in touch with all of it, making sure nothing major was happening, she would always be there for her friends, but all of the ones her age, save for Rei, were having the same burden placed on them at the moment as she did. So they couldn't be up to much to cause issues.

The biggest and most important test for Usagi was just three days away. For the last month in between avoidance, senshi meetings, battles and homework due for class, luckily it was lightened for the last two weeks, as a kind break for the students, Usagi had been using every second to study for her exam. Mamoru save for the artist he dragged her to, which was actually a welcomed distraction, and interesting to learn about, was staying out of her way to let her focus.

In theory, on days where the interruptions were kept to an absolute minimum, which never happened, Usagi changed locations about every three hours to find a new place to study when the boredom set in. Every day she would study at the Crown for a couple of hours before moving on to a coffee shop, then get dragged to the library by Ami, where they would both sit in silence. After three hours of that, Usagi was willing to rip out her hair, then she would go home and study in the living room. Then she would eat dinner and then go study up in her room until she fell asleep on her books. Usagi highly doubted that any of it was actually filtering into her head.

Luna told her that she was mumbling facts in her sleep, so something must be working.

Or at least, Usagi really hoped so. She didn't know what else to do.

Today she'd have Motoki administer her a practice exam during her three hours there. She needed to be mobile as Rei had been more insistent and irritating than normal. Also, she needed to see how she stood before she sat for the real exam. Haruna-sensei had given out a practice exam to be taken outside of school. In school they were preparing in a different way. Ami had moaned that they weren't covering enough in class as Haruna-sensei broached a new topic every class period.

Usagi had rolled her eyes at her over-prepared friend. Anything Haruna could tell them or prep them on, Usagi had a belief that Ami knew it ten years previously. As it was, Ami was so smart that she could have graduated college even before she got to junior high.

Usagi was just excited that after this year, she only had two years left. Two years of incredibly difficult classes and preparation for college, but once she got there, she was in the clear. As long as she did well on this exam.

When Usagi got to the arcade that day, she was surprised to see Reika there, looking bored and impatient. But more than that, she was surprised to find the arcade a complete disarray. Motoki and Jade were both running around trying to fix the games that suddenly went hay-wire and even Motoki's real younger sister was in the back trying to fix the pop machine that also was leaking in one section and spraying in another.

"What happened?" Usagi asked in distress to Reika. Her poor arcade, and her poor Toki-onii-chan.

Reika just shrugged. "It was like this when I got here. I was told to sit here and I would get his complete attention when everything was back under control."

"You didn't think to help out? At least help with the clean up?" Usagi asked a bit tersely.

Reika had the brains to look at least a little guilty. A cup of coffee was placed next to Reika and Usagi looked up with surprise as a very masculine voice rolled over her body, causing delightful shivers and that throughly confused Usagi. "Motoki shooed her away. He tried to do the same for me. He didn't want us to ruin our nice clothes. But you might be able to hop back here." Mamoru gave her a smooth wink and Usagi was going to stutter at him in annoyance until then, and then she settled back down as she realized it was merely a joke, and not a return to previous barbs and banter.

Usagi gave him a sly smile in return as she slid under the divider. "I wonder if Motoki still has your shirt in back from the last time you needed a quick change of clothes."

They both were reminded of their last encounter before Usagi started to settle down into her studying pattern. It had started off innocently enough, they 'volunteered' to help in the back to clean the dishes. In truth, it was to repay Motoki for his kindness when money would have been like a slap in the face. It would never have gotten out of hand and they wouldn't have needed a change of clothes if Mamoru had kept his hands to himself.

Mamoru and Usagi were on two different ends of the conveyor. Mamoru would load the glasses and plates that would go through the machine, and Usagi would unload them. He had decided it would be faster if he just did the entire thing himself and Usagi could work on the pots, pans and other big items that didn't fit. However he didn't seem fit to tell her his idea.

Instead he had loaded the machine and then sent it through, it took a few minutes for it to be done, so he loaded the next tray and put it to the ready and then as Usagi was working on the previous one, waiting for it to cool down enough to unload, he had picked her up and moved her over to the sink, where the other dishes were waiting. She'd slipped and ended up, spraying herself with soapy water.

He had laughed at her, he was prepared to catch her if she would go towards the ground, but wasn't too worried about the hand that hit the water.

Usagi's eyes had flashed, she'd straightened up, and reaching behind her, she grabbed the spray water gun and twisted the knobs before she turned to him. He was drenched before he could even get his hands up to protect himself. He'd attacked her then with the water bubbling up with soap. The war was on at that point.

Usagi used the dirty water and Mamoru used the clean, but somehow by the time they were both done, the clean water had only managed to make the dirty expand and become patchy on their skin and clothing.

When it dried, it stuck to them, and it was as hard as cardboard. They didn't care though until then, because when they had ended, they only looked at each other, each, a drippy sloppy mess, and both looked like something the cat dragged in. They had collapsed to the ground and laughed, leaning into each other for support. Motoki had stormed in after all of this mess and glared at them with his hands on his hips in anger. Then it turned to confusion as they started helping each other clean up and probably their position near each other.

They were both given clothes to change into, after everything was picked up, cleaned better than it had been before, past perfection, who knew Motoki was so anal? Also after everything on them had dried and become increasingly uncomfortable. Motoki wasn't going to give them clothes, but he finally relented and let them change.

Usagi's shirt had been a tad too small, and she was constantly adjusting it underneath her coat as Mamoru walked her home. The pants were too big and had to be rolled in both directions. If Usagi's clothes had been ill-fitting, Mamoru's were worse. His pants were too small, but just slightly so it made it awkward to walk normally. But they were still better than the bone-hard dried ones he was wearing earlier. The shirt had been several sizes too small and he could barely breath. Once they were out of sight of Motoki, he'd torn the collar so he could get some oxygen. He contemplated taking the shirt off and just wearing his coat, but Usagi had convinced him not to, for all of three feet down the street.

Usagi had laughed the entire way, it outlined his muscles nicely, but the most ridiculous thing about it, was that it was powder pink and obviously a girl's shirt, as there was a cupcake on it. They swore Motoki did this to them on purpose to get back at them. He had even taken a picture of them without their knowledge and posted it on the bulletin board he kept for events and memories. They both had a moment to see it before it 'mysteriously' disappeared. Motoki never found out if it was Usagi or Mamoru who was the culprit of that little act of vandalism.

Mamoru's current eyes widened at that reference and he looked away quickly as the memory flickered through his head as well. He'd remembered when Motoki had come in, he'd looked to Usagi and saw her clearly, and had to control himself from acting on his feelings, because her shirt had been plastered to her chest, and it was barely leaving enough to the imagination. He'd helped her clean up, not wanting Motoki to see her like that, and wanting more time with her.

Usagi watched Mamoru turn away from her, and she swore she caught a hint of a blush, but she wasn't sure what it was about, not the picture?

He turned back to her with a smirk. "I'd like to see you try and find it." It was a somewhat nice shirt, he had just gotten back from an event on campus or something else he was involved with, Usagi wasn't sure but he'd hung out for a night snack and then the incident happened. Motoki had kept their clothes and washed them. Usagi had picked hers up the next week. Mamoru hadn't, he'd almost forgotten about the clothes, not the event, but the actual articles of clothing.

"Hmm." Usagi agreed and she disappeared for awhile, already knowing Motoki's location for Mamoru's clothes. It seemed to happen quite a lot that Mamoru or she would need a change of clothes, and it helped having on hand the clothes from the last time they did something to mess with his arcade, only difference was, he cleaned them.

She reappeared in his shirt, she tied the tails together around her waist and the pants she was wearing weren't that important to her, they had some holes at the knees and paint splatters and chemical spills and dirt from many falls already on them. What was a little fountain drink?

Mamoru's eyes had almost bugged out of his head at the sight of her, and he gulped back a lump in his throat. Usagi watched all this fascinated. He pulled himself away from the counter he had to lean against and nodded. "You might as well wear it, it's not like it is going to be worn to another formal event." It looked good on her.

Usagi set out to mopping up the disaster in the back before moving on, and trying to help with the oil leakages out front as they moved quickly from game to game. Reika just sat at the counter and sipped her drink and watched them.

Mamoru worked on serving the customers as best as he could. Usagi reckoned that it might have made more sense for her to deal with them, as she was more the people person of the two of them, and he was the more obsessed with cleanliness, but they'd both do what they could and if they needed help, they would be there for each other and pick up what they missed without a word or complaint.

When they finally finished, and the Crown looked like it would manage to stay standing up, and was polished sparkling clean, Usagi looked at the clock and moaned. She had been there for six hours, meaning both her arcade and cafe time to study were over and Ami would be looking to drag her to the library. She didn't even get her pretest done.

Motoki looked at Usagi and realized the same thing. "I'm so sorry Usa-chan. I'd say I'd do it now, but I can't, Reika's father expects us over for dinner, and I've still got to take a shower and get ready." He looked so apologetic, than Usagi just waved him away.

"It's all right Toki-chan. I'll be fine."

"What's this about? What was he supposed to help you with?"

"Just something small." Usagi responded when Mamoru asked, she wouldn't burden him.

Motoki's eyes brightened. "It's perfect Usa-chan, if he'll do it, of course. Mamoru would you proctor her test? It shouldn't take very long and you can study while you do it."

Usagi's widened in horror, Motoki did not just push her onto Mamoru? How could he just dump her on the man? She hadn't wanted him to bother himself, their relationship was too precious to push over the edge like this, and just the slightest wrong word out of her mouth would send it there. There was no way Mamoru would agree to this. She had to find a way to let him off the hook now before they got into an embarrassing situation.

"Yeah, let's go to my apartment, it'll be quiet there." Usagi's eyes widened in amazement. "Or is that too private for you to be with me?" He asked, suddenly aware of what he said.

"No, no, that's fine, but really Mamoru, you don't have to do this. Ami could do it."

"No, she's got to study too. I've got no problem with this, come on. Before it gets too dark." Mamoru gestured towards the back for Usagi to get changed.

"Yeah, I just have to make a quick phone call." Usagi ducked into the back again and called Ami's cellphone. They made plans for tomorrow to go longer, even though Usagi regretted agreeing, she hated the library, but she had to make it up for Ami, moral support and all that. Then Usagi went to change and as she came back out, Mamoru stood there alone in a deserted arcade and held her jacket out to help her into it. She put it on and thanked him for his help. His hands lingered a moment on her shoulders before releasing her.

"No problem." Mamoru agreed and together they left. They'd both locked up the arcade before, so it wasn't a bother. "Motoki-kun said he thanks you profusely, and he'll do something to make it up to you."

"Not us?" Usagi asked, looking up at Mamoru in concern. Mamoru had helped just as much, if not more.

"He thanked me himself, and promised me the same thing. But he's all ready done enough, I was just repaying him."

Usagi only shook her head at the guy in front of her and wrapped her arm around his, pulling him down the street. "Come on then, let's get this started!"

He laughed and pulled her to a stop. "You honestly don't think we should walk there, do you?" He looked around the street for a moment, then used the arm she had so carelessly wrapped in his to maneuver her closer and tug her down the opposite direction. "How do you even know where I live?"

"Well I obviously don't if we're going in the other direction." Usagi mumbled, and looked around as well, wondering exactly where they were going. She had been positive he lived where she had been heading, she'd seen him go that way after every argument and sometimes saw him go into a building in Azabu a few times.

"Yes, but I've got a surprise for you." He pulled her around another corner, and for once she wondered exactly how trustful Mamoru was... and then laughed at herself, the other girls' paranoia was rubbing off on her. She trusted Mamoru as much if not more than Kamen, despite how crazy that sounded. She knew barely anything about Kamen, but she didn't doubt him at all. And, Mamoru she knew barely more about him, but she knew enough, she knew all about what she saw of him, and how he reacted and how he treated others. Mamoru was trustful. But just the thought of Kamen, had her glancing around again. "What? Worried?" Mamoru questioned with a smile, and she knew it was crazy, the enemy couldn't possibly be after her, well, her as in Usagi, Moon was a different story.

The thought of her alter ego had her wondering about the crystals, if all were found, then where was the crystal? The princess's? And where was the princess? But Usagi refocused on Mamoru's question as soon as it left his lips, it had been rhetorical, but Usagi spoke anyways. "Hell no, as if you could be any type of danger to me."

Mamoru laughed and wrapped the arm he'd been leading her by, around his waist and wrapping his arm around her shoulders and turned her the opposite way. "Well, you should be very scared." He said in a low voice, but Usagi could hear the smile in it and she laughed again.

"As if. But seriously, where are you taking me?"

"Do be careful, when with people other than me or the girls. Especially don't talk to any females you don't know. They're the most dangerous." He winked at her, but she took his advice to heart, if there were any strange girls looking for me, I would be a little skeptical of their intents, as my senshi were now a full group, who else could be added? Luna said there were only four senshi, despite her dislike of one particular senshi.

"Ok." Usagi agreed lightly and looked up at him. "Will you tell me?"

"First promise me, to be weary of other girls who suddenly are friendly with you." Mamoru pulled her to a halt and looked down at her with a burning intensity.

Usagi felt a frown of confusion and curiosity want to pass across her face, but instead she forced her face to relax and looked up at him with the acknowledgement clear in her eyes. "I promise."

He relaxed and pulled her along another turn. They were in Azabu and they faced the building she always saw him at. "Here's my apartment." He waved.

"I thought you had a surprise for me. Why did we walk the long way around? We could have just gone the way I had wanted to earlier, and gotten here sooner."

Mamoru scoffed. "And waste a good walk?" He teased bringing her in. "I know I said why walk and everything, and I do have a surprise for you, but I'll show it to you next time."

"There'll be a next time that I come to your apartment?" Usagi rose a blond eyebrow in his direction as they passed the night-watchman and then went into an elevator.

Mamoru smiled, caught. "I figured if you agree, and tonight goes well, I'd help you for the rest of the week, getting you prepared."

Usagi hesitated, looking up into his blue eyes, and seeing that they were telling the truth. He had changed so much since she'd first met him, but Motoki swore the mean teasing she saw from him was something Motoki never saw before. This was a lot closer to the real Mamoru, but better than he knew, as Mamoru usually kept to himself more and seemed to have the world hanging on his shoulders. This Mamoru seemed lighter, more like a human being instead of a depressed soul.

He was also getting better every day. He was still quiet and kept to himself, but that was just a part of him and his thinking process, that wouldn't change, but some of his reactions might, and one would never know, he might surprise all of them yet.

"I would like that actually. I really do need some help with my studying. Everything has been on my own so far." Usagi finally responded and Mamoru nodded in response, pulling her into the elevator.

The elevator arrived on his floor after a long time in there and Usagi wasn't sure if the ride was ever going to end. It had been done in silence, and as they exited, Mamoru finally looked down at Usagi and smiled. "Welcome to my flat." He pulled her into one of the only doors and he turned on the light, leaving her in the doorway as he walked further in, leaving his keys on a table nearby.

She stood there flabbergasted. He turned and frowned. "What are you waiting for? Come on in. I'm not going to do anything. I won't bite."

It was Usagi's turn to frown. She felt so out of place there, in her dirty, messy jeans and somewhat nice shirt. He wasn't wearing much better but it was still nicer than her clothes. The entire building was posh, she knew that earlier but the inside of his 'flat' was phenomenal. "Are you sure your parents won't mind me being here, in these? I might stain something." The conversation Ami had with her mother about Usagi's presence in a station above her echoed back in her head as she looked on in wonder.

Mamoru chuckled. "It's fine. I live here on my own, so the only permission you need is mine, and I've already invited you in, despite knowing you." The teasing was back, all traces of the seriousness was gone, and Usagi felt relieved, he seemed too worried for her safety and she didn't need any protection from him, though it would be nice, to have something to safeguard her against Mamoru's charm, now that he wasn't being a jerk.

She wondered though if it had something to do with her being safely tucked in his apartment and he didn't have to worry as much. It just erased the lines of tension that she had been noticing since the fight. "Well, knowing you, I should have rejected the invitation." Usagi teased back and Mamoru nodded as she came in and switched out her shoes.

"Let's study in the kitchen." He said and she cast a regretful eye toward the sofas in the living room, they just looked so comfortable and welcoming. However, her foul mood disappeared as soon as she entered the kitchen. He had laid out a plate of sweets and the chairs were plush and yet still allowed for good studying. Usagi sank into one and reached for a roll. He smiled and turned away to get them both drinks. Once those were set out he patted her on the head. "Get your test out and prepare it for me, but no peaking. I'll be right back, I have to go get some of my own homework."

Usagi did as she was told and gapped when he came back with a thick calculus II book that he was studying from. "You really do that to yourself?"

A wry smile fluttered over his lips. "Yeah, it's not hard for me."

Usagi nodded dumbly and once he told her to begin, she started her test. She finished everything she could and when the time was up, she reluctantly gave over her work. He hadn't looked up once from studying until the buzzer went off, obviously he trusted her not to cheat. He looked over her work and she had to remove herself from the room, else she would be glaring daggers in his head for every mumble or mutter good or bad. So instead, she was wearing a path in the carpet in his living room. She was too tense to sit and relax.

He called her in and when she walked in, he was still looking at her pages thoughtfully. "It's not horrible." He started. "Just don't come to any quick conclusions when I hand it back, just remember to wait and let me explain."

She took it and her eyes followed her answers to the correct ones and she groaned. She wouldn't get into any high school at this rate. She hadn't even finished the entire thing, she didn't get farther than the first reading section and the first half of the math section. He didn't even bother looking at the rest of it. "I'm doomed." She dropped her head into the backs of her hands and lifted her head to do it again but another hand reached out and put it on her other two and squeezed.

"It's not the end of the world. I'm sure I can figure it out. Give me a second. You got stuck in the math, right? You spent more than the time you should. A lot more. We have to get you around that. Instead, why don't we try this again, I have my old exam, and you need to do the sections you're most comfortable with first. Then start working on the ones you are ok with then, then tackle the more difficult sections, that way, even if you don't finish them all, you'll at least have the important stuff out of the way."

Usagi nodded and waited for him to scrounge up his old exam, and when he came back out, he had two, his old practice one and the real one. "Let's work with the practice one first, ok?"

Usagi did as he suggested and this time when he got through it all, she completely failed, even worse than having no answers at all. "I'm never getting into high school at this rate. Maybe Motoki might find it in his heart to take me on as a dead-beat waitress, owing it to the fact we were once friends and I had a real family once."

"Don't be so melodramatic." Mamoru chuckled. "We'll figure this out." Then he asked her a question, and caught off guard, she answered. He nodded. "See, that was correct, and you knew it without stressing about it. I'm sure if we can make that happen, you will be better off."

"You mean, not worry so much about it?"

"Yeah, we'll have to probably take a couple of days to get you relaxed and learn to take an exam in this mind frame and able to call it on by yourself no matter where you are. Then we'll see where you are with my real exam and we'll work on whatever it is you don't know, instead of what you are blocking."

Usagi agreed and together they worked on breathing exercises. After a while, they worked on the problems again, and she gained a few more points. "I'm not sure what to tell you, Usagi-chan. Is there something bothering you?"

"Yes!" Usagi's eyes glared into his in a rare mood of anger. "This test is bothering me! I'm going to fail and it's been on my mind all year!"

He stared into her eyes as she glared until her eyes softened in regret, he was just thoughtful. "I think maybe we need to take a break." His eyes twinkled and hers widened in response, what was he planning? The next thing she knew she was out of her seat and thrown over his shoulder.

"Wha-what are you doing?!" She exclaimed and tried to hold herself up with her hands against his back so she could see, but eventually she tired, and he was heading into the living room. He dumped her on the couch and looked down at her.

"What do you want to do?" He asked but she was too busy laughing at what he'd just did. For as he let her down, a small fart echoed around the room. "What are you laughing about?" He asked leaning into her face and she laughed harder. "Really?" He attacked her with his fingers and was merciless as she protest the tickling.

He let up slowly and sank into the seat next to Usagi and rested an arm on the rest behind her. "That wasn't very nice." She finally managed and he only grinned down at her, not abashed at all. "Aren't you going to apologize?"

"Nope. Now what do you want to do? Do you want to watch a movie?"

Usagi bit her lip. "I don't think I have time for that." She was balancing precariously against the seat, not leaning back fully like she wanted to do, in case what he was doing wasn't meant that way.

Mamoru nodded slowly and then pulled out the test from his pocket. "Here, try again." She did, and she could have sworn he was playing with a lock of her hair but when she finished and he removed his arm so he could look over it, she felt the loss, even though she wasn't sure if he was. The grin that split his face made Usagi recoil at the action, it wasn't what she was expecting. "Very good Usagi!" He praised. "A near perfect score in the sections you like and you did pretty good in the harder ones too, we just need to work on that, we'll do so tomorrow, you ok with that?"

Usagi nodded before she remembered her promise to Ami and she explained.

"That's all right, I'll work with you before and I'll pick you up from the library with Ami."

"I don't want to leave her alone to catch a ride." Usagi protested slightly.

"She can come over too, while she should be at the library with you, I'll proctor both of your exams."

"I'll talk to her, but I'm sure she'll be fine with that." Usagi agreed and stood up to stretch. "I should probably be getting home, mom and dad will worry." Mamoru followed her actions and helped pick up her stuff. "Can I catch a bus on this street?" She knew it was stupid to ask, it was a very prominent building and street, of course they would pick them up there. What she was really wondering now, was when it stopped running here.

They were both walking to the door as they both slid into their outdoor shoes and Usagi glanced up at him, clearly wondering for an answer to her question. "Definitely not allowing you on a bus."

"That happened awhile ago and nobody else has been abducted." Usagi protested as he followed her into the hall.

"It doesn't matter." Mamoru shook his head. "I'm taking you home."

"But then you'll have to walk all the way back, and it's silly to do so." Usagi continued to argue and he wrapped an arm around her waist, silencing her.

"Don't worry about it." And she did, and allowed him to push the button for the ground floor. He pulled her out on the floor below the ground floor and lead her to a shiny black car.

"Wow." Usagi ran her hand lightly over the finish. "Look at those smooth lines, and those rims."

"You obviously know your cars." He sounded impressed.

Usagi did know her cars, especially the fine ones, and this one was especially impressive, it had to be one of the most expensive, flashy cars she knew. "I appreciate good art." She agreed.

"Thanks." There was pride evident in his voice. He unlocked her side and let her in, closing it as soon as her legs were safely inside. He slid into his seat and smiled at her. "Isn't this better than walking?"

"Definitely." Usagi agreed readily. "You don't drive it often, afraid of a scratch?"

"No, partly because its too showy and partly because I'd rather walk. I have it for moments like this."

"To impress a girl?"

"Are you?"

"Impressed? Yeah."

"No, I meant, are you a girl?" The twinkle was back in his eyes and Usagi settled for an amused glare. "Thanks though, even if you're not a girl to be impressed."

Usagi laughed and shook her head, turning to face out the window as they moved passed the busy streets full with cars and people. Luckily where both of them lived, it wasn't so nearly busy as Tokyo proper. They were moving faster through these streets than she was used to, not having to stop at every stop or the slow pace set by her feet. They were a few houses down from hers when she realized they stopped.

"Thank you for the ride." She said with a start. She reached for the handle, but he locked the door on her. She turned to look at him fully and he was concerned again.

"Are you sure I can't bring you to your door?" He questioned quietly.

"I'm sorry Mamoru-chan, but my dad will kill any boy who comes in walking distance of me." That elicited a smile from the dark headed man beside her and she had an answering one automatically.

"I'm glad to hear it." He unlocked their doors and watched her get out. "I'll meet up with you at the arcade tomorrow."

Usagi nodded speechlessly as he drove away after her slight click of the door. Both man and machine were something amazing.

The next day, Ami declined working with Mamoru, and decided to go to the library herself, she said Zoi had tested her, and she had all the answers right, but she wanted to make sure she wasn't missing anything so the test wouldn't surprise her with something not on the practice one.

Usagi had rolled her eyes at that, and wished Ami good luck. Secretly though, Usagi was glad that her time with Mamoru wasn't going to be invaded by another soul, even Ami. This was something that they only had, she didn't know anyone besides Motoki who had been over there, not even Rei, that she knew of.

Usagi was heading to the bar of the arcade, when someone wrapped a hand around her wrist and pulled her short, and behind a video game, in the process, hitting her hip against a corner of one. Usagi stared face to face with none other than Hino Rei. "What do you want?" She asked, breaking the silence.

Mamoru was behind her in an instant and she could feel him relax as he took in Rei's presence. Rei scowled at the intrusion. "Go away Mamoru-san, Usagi and I need to talk."

Mamoru followed her suggestion, but he didn't go far. Usagi could still see him out of the corner of her eye. He was pretending not to watch. Usagi shook her head at his antics, as if he was able to convince anyone otherwise.

Rei seemed to buy it though, or at least ignored her newly acquired shadow. "We need to talk, Usagi-chan." Usagi's back stiffened at the term of endearment, she and Rei were never on that footing together, and this was new territory.

"About what?"

"Over the last few weeks, I've missed you." Usagi raised an eyebrow at the start of the conversation, this couldn't be going there could it? She swore Jade and Rei-. "I realized I was a jerk to you, and I miss the offer of friendship you had offered and I had so rudely spit at. I'm sorry."

It was something so heartfelt, that Usagi was so taken aback from it, she was not expecting this from Rei. It was a true apology, to her, Usagi, and she could read the sincerity in her eyes, and voice. Usagi's shoulders deiced a little and relaxed, allowing Rei the motivation to go on.

"I've been trying to say this to you for the last month, but you've been avoiding me so skillfully, and when I have been able to get near, Motoki-san holds me back, saying you must study, and I must not interrupt, or there'd be consequences. I would be very honored if you would allow me to be friends with you."

Usagi hesitated, she would accept the apology, and the offer, but first she had to make sure... "And if I irritate you?"

"You don't irritate me. I worry for your wellbeing in being so friendly, so open, and I took it out on you the wrong way. I might still tease you, if you don't mind, but it won't be vicious barbs anymore. I think of you like a sister that I've never had. If I do get mad at you, I will always forgive you, and hope you will forgive me."

Usagi bit her lip. "I accept your friendship, but what if you found out I was hiding something big from you? Would you still accept it?"

"I would, I accept you completely. Even if you've kept the most important thing in the world from me, if you were doing it for a good reason, and I know you would, I would accept it." Rei smiled wryly at Usagi. "I don't care if you made out with Jade."

Usagi started and stared at Rei in shock. "Wha-?"

"You did make out with Jade!" Rei's voice was shocked to, and she sent a death glare at the blond guy across the arcade, before turning those burning eyes on Usagi. They slid over Usagi and then returned to her eyes, and the violet orbs softened and the glare disappeared both in her eyes and around her lips. "I accept that, it was before we even really knew each other."

Usagi was speechless in how well Rei handled that, she would be able to handle the next thing too... Usagi opened her mouth but Mamoru came back over to them as a group of girls came into the arcade, and one of them made a bee-line towards the two of them. "Come on, we have to go." Mamoru pulled her out of the arcade and away from Rei.

Rei waved goodbye with a cheery smile on her face, and Usagi lost the opportunity to find out if Rei knew about her secret identity, and if that was why she made amends or if she was telling the complete truth. Usagi followed dutifully after Mamoru, glad it was him being paranoid and not another man in a dark suit following her around. It meant he thought there was another 'Rabbit' somewhere out there to which he was bothering with his concern. Usagi could take care of herself, she didn't need someone watching for her enemies for her.

Chapter Ten

{Part 2}

The two of them worked on her exams for the next couple of days. She was now having to sit for the exam, with hundreds of her classmates in the gymnasium to ensure all would be present and in the same room, having the same experience. She didn't realized that she had so many people in her school, and her age, no less. Vaguely she thought that this would be the perfect opportunity for a youma attack, plenty of human energy for the taking in a confined area, and nobody would be allowed to leave, for anything less than said attack, maybe.

Usagi's heartbeat was frantic, it was pounding in her chest, she hadn't felt anything like this since the first time she faced down a youma on her own. She looked at the innocent paper in front of her, that she hadn't been able to look at yet, with the largest glare she could muster. Her pencil tapped a nervous tattoo on her desk. Her breathing was coming in shallow gasps, and she was focusing more on that than anything else, trying with all her might not to black out. She needed to do well on this test, she needed to do well on this test, she needed to do well on this test. It became her mantra. She needed to do well on this test. Everything rested on this test alone.

Her breathing hitched higher and it was starting to rasp and became painful to breath in and out. Her hands were getting sweaty and the pencil slipped out and clanked heavily against her desk. The proctor for the examination just glared at her, as all eyes swung to her, hundreds, thousands of beady eyes staring in her direction just because she'd dropped her pencil while the proctor was in the middle of his speech. What would happen when those thousands of eyes and more learned that she failed this test miserably? That she was never going to graduate middle school, never to get into high school or graduate, never get to college. That she wouldn't even be able to get a job selling herself on the street because she was too stupid to realize she was being taken advantage of, and being underpaid? She would become like the bum on the street, content to just get a hamburger to feed her stomach that hadn't had anything in the last month. She couldn't even go three hours now without needing food, how was she to survive a month? Everything rested on this test, including her stomach. Which was doing a good rendition of krump right about now. It flipped and spun and went down only to hop back up and do the splits.

Ami looked up at her in concern, the blue etching itself in her thoughts transformed and she was seeing a different pair of blue eyes. She smiled her thanks at her friend, though she didn't know exactly how she helped her. She reminded her of the man that if she failed him, too, she'd probably end up worse than the dumpster divers she thought she would become. Her heart would fail her the second she received her scores, she didn't want to live long enough to see the disappointment in those particular eyes. But memories of that man, reminded her of what he said just last night as they didn't work of the test, but instead resting for the day, allowing her enough sleep to tackle this test headfirst and clear minded.

If only he knew what was on her mind now- but he'd told her to breath deeply, in and out. The Proctor said they could open their exams now. Usagi's breath caught and her heart missed a beat as she slid her pencil through the paper tape holding it shut. Think of our good times, remember what you've learned here, remember you know all of this. Calm, concentrate, deep breaths. I Believe in you. Mamoru's words echoed through her mind just as she flipped the first page open. She briefly glanced through the instructions and readied herself in the way that he had taught her.

Breath in... breath out.. breath in.... breath out... She was good. Her breathing returned to normal and she instead cast her mind off to the good times that Mamoru and her had together over the last few days. Even when they were working on the test, she was having fun. She turned to the exam and flipped to where she knew she needed no help. She flew through it and then worked through her harder sections.

When a question caught her off guard and threatened to send her spinning back into her panic mode, a memory of Mamoru explaining that particular theory came back to her. The test still ended earlier than she would have liked it, but as she passed it forward, she felt almost relieved for it being over, that she was almost hopeful to get the results back.

They all filed out of the gymnasium and were let free for the rest of the day. They only got an hour out earlier than normal, but Usagi wasn't going to complain. She, Ami, and Makoto headed for the Crown, but as they passed another junior high school, closer to their destination, they heard screams.

They ducked through the security and transformed on their way in. Inside, they learned exactly why they had been left alone in their school, because this one had almost three times the population of theirs. All of the students were slumped over their exams, and looked as if they had been that way for a while. None of the girls had known that this attack had even started, too involved in their own exams, and without their communicators to avoid distractions. If it hadn't been from the scream that a teacher had made as she ensured that everything was all right when they hadn't come out, they would never have gotten here in time to take on the youma.

Jupiter jumped in and knocked the youma away from the teacher, allowing her to fall to the ground. Mercury was tapping at her computer trying to figure out whatever she needed to figure out. Moon was looking around, searching for the tell-tale signs of Birdy or Koan, whom she hadn't seen for awhile.

Mercury called out in surprise. "Shine Snow Illusion!" Moon only had a moment to duck as the attack came barreling at her, and over her head. Mercury had only said the words aloud to warn Moon. But as Moon looked up to see where the attack was heading, she saw Birdy standing with her hand held out to block the attack, it rolled away from her and back towards Moon. Moon screamed as her body was pelted by hail. Mercury tried to quickly call off the attack, but Birdy still had succeeded in attacking Moon.

Her pale hands came out and grabbed Moon by the shoulders as the others were distracted. "Where is the Rabbit, this is your last chance, answer me truthfully or suffer!"

Moon ground her jaw shut and took a chance, arching her foot to come out and hit the other woman. Instead it felt like fire was burning her back, but it was the coldest fire she had ever felt and it never ended, just a continuous stream. She spared a glance at the mirrored wall near her and saw Koan was the source behind her as Birdie held her tight, getting sick pleasure out of her pain.

"Again, I ask, where is the Rabbit?"

"Nobody knows what you are talking about." Moon grounded out through the pain. "So instead of just demanding it from us, I suggest you do some research or tell us what the Rabbit is!"

"The Rabbit-" Birdie started and laughed bitterly. "Is the source of our master's demands. Where is she?"

"Who is she?"

"We only know her as the rabbit, she's slippery, but we know she starts here." Koan stepped closer, the pain intensifying. "I told you I would get you back. You do know, that you die, right?" She hissed in Moon's ear.

Moon's turn to laugh. "Are these things you want but will never see happen?"

Moon never got a response, as Koan stopped her attack, a scream coming from the cat woman's lips as a rose embedded itself in her back, followed by a cane slamming into her neck, knocking her to the ground and sliding along it. He turned to Birdie with deadly intent but Birdie merely smiled and released Moon. The smiled that slipped over her lips deviously intended as if she knew or planned something greater than just this attack here.

Birdie disappeared where she stood and Moon slowly slid to her knees once her holder was gone, but the impact never jarred her knees. She was caught up in a warm, strong embrace and held close. She could feel the shudders racking her body, and she wasn't sure if they were hers or his. She must not have known how close she was to dying if he was reacting this way.

She struggled out of his hold though to attack the youma, Mercury breathlessly relying the information she'd found out. The youma went down instantly, but Jupiter seemed worn out after trying to keep it distracted and wanting to help out Moon more.

Kamen stood nearby, watching her every move with a weary eye, afraid of her falling. She braved it for him and turned to him with a smile before telling her senshi it was time for them to go. He let them leave, watching their path across the school buildings before they disappeared.

Moon knew they were far enough, and knew he wasn't following, there was no point. Their attraction was still there, but there was a new strain between them, that clearly stated that attraction could not be acted upon in any way, shape or form. Moon knew it was partly her conveying that message, but partly him too. Mostly him, actually, though he was caring for her more than ever. She was the one who had to ensure that nothing did happen.

Jupiter caught her when she transformed back to Usagi and she stumbled forward into Makoto's apartment. Makoto soon was the one holding her and Ami joined the group as well. "Are you all right, Usa-chan?" The two friends asked instantly and Usagi forced a nod, though she felt as if her back was aflame still.

Ami ignored her and lifted her shirt, and gasped. There was an ugly third degree burn that was black and white with its pussing and bright red along the edges. Ami placed her cold hands along the burn and Usagi whithered in pain at the touch. "Her attack was a burning cold." Usagi explained and Ami looked at Usagi in dismay.

"Makoto, go grab some towels and heated water." Makoto disappeared instantly and Ami came around to face Usagi directly. "You do realize that this is the fifth time you have been directly attacked? Nobody else has ever been this injured before. Not even when it was just the two of us."

Usagi rolled her eyes. "They've been getting progressively worse." Usagi argued and continued when it looked like Ami would say more. "I might just be the unlucky one, or they are purposely attacking me because I'm the leader." She wasn't going to mention the fact that Koan had just told her, repeating in someways what Birdie had told her as well, that she was going to die by their hands, it seemed they both had a personal vendetta against her and wanted to see that future through.

Ami shook her head, clearly not agreeing. "Usa-chan, this needs to stop. You need to start taking measures to keep you out of the way of attack. We need to bring Mars into the fold, as your bodyguard if nothing else."

Usagi almost snorted but caught herself. Ami watched all of this with interest, Usagi had been adamant about certain things, her for one had to earn her way in. Makoto had done it instantly, not pushing Usagi away first, but welcoming her instantly, and Rei, Rei had been the worst to Usagi, but Usagi allowed her to get away with it with a sincere apology. Usagi was bound to get herself killed with this way of acceptance, but without it, where would she, Ami, be? A lost senshi just like Mars, and Usagi would be dead. That thought jerked Ami out of her thoughts. Her Usa-chan, dead? Because Ami had never given her the time of day that she had in this version of their lives? Usagi had escaped some very narrow situations over the last few months, and they all owed it to one Tuxedo Kamen.

They might not trust the disappearing man, but he had kept their leader from dying when they were unable to protect or help her. These things needed to change though, and now. Ami would be insistent. They would not allow this to happen again. Usagi was too precious to loose. She'd talk to Makoto about being more annoying to the youma and the women. Take their attention away from Usagi to someone who could handle it easily. Ami would try as well, but Usagi needed her as the brain on top of her offensive and defensive attacks.

Ami used the warm cloth and blotted at the wounds on Usagi's back. Part of it had been her fault, she'd attack the Birdie woman as soon as her computer sensed her, and she hadn't known the woman could deflect her strongest attack she knew now. Instead she had hurt her leader, not able to pull away quickly enough.

Ami's attacks were mostly ice, not water, though she did use water too, but in a mist form. Ami liked the water, she loved swimming and doing laps in the pool, she felt most at home in that environment, but it seemed the enemy was just as equipped to deal with ice attacks, as ice seemed to be the main ingredient in the attack against Usagi tonight. There were still slight scars around Usagi's arms from the ice chain that had cut deeply into Usagi's flesh.

Makoto set about making a fire in her hearth and Usagi was falling asleep as Ami worked on her. The pain was either too much and caused her to be exhausted or the relief of her ministrations was so relaxing, either way, Ami was glad that Usagi was nodding off into slumber. She would have time to Makoto without worrying about Usagi's reaction.

"She needs a bodyguard." Makoto said without prompt once Usagi's eyes fluttered shut and didn't reopen, nor movement to suggest she was trying. A soft snort escaped Usagi as she fell deeper into sleep. Ami's head whipped around to Makoto, that's what she was going to say, and Makoto smiled cheekily. "I heard the two of you."

Ami shook her head. "So you know that I thought Mars would be a good choice?"

"Are we forgetting her shadow bodyguard?" Makoto asked slyly. "The one who manages to save her always?"

"He's not that good, and he might not make it sometime, but if we assign Mars to the job, she can watch Usagi both in real life and as a senshi, knowing instantly when her charge is in trouble."

"He knows, he just is a little late sometimes. He doesn't depend on Usagi's willingness to call him, he just shows up without our prompt."

"I don't trust him." Ami cut across. "He doesn't seem to need the same precautions the rest of us had, you had them- you just didn't waste her kindness." Ami explained. "Mars and I did. But Kamen seems to have too, but he doesn't push for her real identity, and doesn't need her acceptance or seem to ask for it either. He just is there and she's never mad about it, like she was about Mars."

"She accepts him whole-heartedly, and I will respect that decision." Makoto's voice firmed. "I might not like or trust him myself, but I won't interfere in that regard. She has made up her mind, and she has never been wrong."

Ami frowned, but let Makoto's point slide. "So we should ask him to keep closer to him?"

"No, he has the element of surprise still, somehow, and they never expect him when he does show. Which is surprising, because he always appears when she's in the most danger."

"They get caught up enjoying it too much." Luna's voice cut in through the room and she looked at the blond girl in dismay as she took in her appearance. "If you bring more attention to her by posting a bodyguard, they will just enjoy it more, being able to bypass whatever blocks you have put up. It will spark their desire to have what they can't even more." Luna explained and perched on the couch near Usagi's head. "By all means, protect her during the day. She might just be the leader, but at the moment, she is the one in the most danger, and the one who seems to be the center of the attacks in her other form. Luckily, they don't know her in this form."

Ami and Makoto nodded to the black cat's words, they were thinking along the same lines. Ami glanced over Luna though, and took in the sadness in those red eyes and wondered if there was more that Luna wasn't telling them. "Now that you're here..." Ami started cautiously.

"Yes, Ami-san?" Luna asked, turning that red gaze fully on her. "What is your question?"

"How do we form the silver crystal?"

"All the senshi need to be together." Luna informed them softly.

"I'm telling Mars tomorrow." Usagi mumbled in her sleep and all eyes transferred to her in surprise. "No, I'm not. I accept it, do you accept me, now that you know?"

Ami was concerned, she had never known that Usagi spoke in her sleep, she'd never seen it in any of the slumber parties, neither had Makoto. This must have really been weighing on Usagi's mind then if it was coming out now but it was vague and nobody would be able to put it all together. They'd just have to watch her.

"This is the first time I've seen her talk in her sleep." Luna agreed to Ami's assessment. "I don't think we need to worry ourselves over this. She won't tell our secrets."

Ami acknowledged the words as truth and continued silently as the other two talked about what they should do. Ami knew she would be watching Usagi in whatever classes they had together, though she would be watching to see if she was in pain, more than if danger would befall her.

Makoto and her both found out tonight that Usagi herself was in danger, they had discussed it in whispers as Moon lead them back to Makoto's apartment. They'd heard tonight the demand for the Rabbit, and both had figured it out instantly. Moon had known about this demand all along, and kept it from them, Luna was informed in what 'the Rabbit' meant, and what Usagi's name meant.

Usagi had to know that the sisters were after her, but hadn't figured out who she was yet. Why would she keep it hidden? Ami knew that she didn't want to worry the rest of them with this burden, and Ami knew that Usagi knew if Ami knew from the beginning, she would have gone around Usagi and introduced Rei to the clan that much sooner. She was there when Usagi found out and swore Luna to keep it to herself, and for Ami to ignore it.

Ami accepted Usagi's decision at the time, but now wondered if it was right. Ami turned to Makoto and decided, they would make a group decision, if Usagi didn't tell Rei soon. They understood that Usagi had been stressed by the up coming test and didn't want to get involved more in senshi business during that time, but now she would have no excuses. Ami looked directly at Luna before they both turned to Makoto.

"We know who Mars is, we've known since the beginning."

"Then why haven't you told me?" Makoto's voice became stiff. "Why was I the only one left out of the loop? Did Usagi think I would go up to her and blow her plan?"

"I think Usagi forgot that we knew the truth, she had us promise long ago not to interfere and she had promised Mars that she would not share her identity with us. She might have just forgotten that you didn't know, and now can't back out on that promise." Ami explained, hoping to take the anger Makoto was directing towards her, and keep it there, so as not to transfer it to their poor leader.

Makoto rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Who is she?"

"Hino Rei." Luna answered for Ami and Makoto's amazed green eyes widened as she sought out the cat. "Hino Rei is Sailor Mars." Luna repeated and Makoto's eyes didn't change size.

Slowly she found her breath. "No wonder." She shook her head. "I would have stripped Mars of her powers as soon as she spoke back to me once. Usagi is much too lenient. No wonder she didn't want to involve Rei into our business. I'm glad she kept that block in place, now Rei will have to treat her with more respect."

They all hoped that, hoped that Usagi wouldn't suffer blow after blow on her performance both as a senshi and as a human by the dark haired beauty. They all knew she suffered, but it didn't mean she should take it out on their friend, the one they knew so much better than Rei, and would always take her side over their fellow compatriot. Usagi was their leader, Rei was just their peer.