Title: A Kiss In The Dark
Author: Princess Destiny
Email: In Profile
Author's Homepage: destinysgateway DOT com
Rating: M 15+
Summary: 'One Hour Challenge' #1 and 657 Combined: Response Fanfic. Eleven years ago, Mamoru's father married Usagi's mother. It's now almost Usagi's sixteenth birthday and she has to juggle her secret life as Sailor Moon, on top of school and a job at Motoki's shop. Her life is turned even more upside down when she begins to suspect the masked hero she is falling in love with is actually her awful step-brother!
Genre: Romance/UST/Comedy/Adventure/Action/Angst
Couple: Usagi/Mamoru
Category: SMTK
Chapters: 14/?
Status: Unfinished
Year Completed: N/A
Size: 339 KB

Comments: Hi everyone! For those that aren't visiting my Profile or Site, you'll have been wondering what happened to me. Well, my computer died a month or so ago and I didn't have any way to write stories or come online. I finally have been able to buy a new computer. Things still have to be moved over, but I was dying to write a new Chapter for this Fanfic.

Things are really speading up in the plot now, as you'll see. Mamoru's thoughts also reveal a secret about his parents, which is an important point in the storyline. Oh, and you guys finally get some romance between Usagi and Mamoru! As soon as I can get the old hard drive contents to the new one, I'll be posting the remaining Chapters of 'Take Me On'.

Got a Sailor Moon Fanfic? Come on over to destinysgateway DOT com,
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A KISS IN THE DARK

By Princess Destiny

Chapter Fourteen

Three sets of eager eyes stared into the jewellery shop window.

"This is the 'thing'?" Motoki said, brows raised. He grinned after a moment. Knowing what he did about his best friend. Only, his best friend hadn't a clue that Motoki knew exactly what was going on under his nose. He also had strong suspicions about Makoto, Ami, Rei and Usagi's favourite pastime. "He'll love it."

"Are you sure?" The blonde heroine wrung her hands together, having last minute doubts. Was the gift something he would hate? No, he was Tuxedo Kamen, how could he not? But still, it was a corny present to give a guy who threw around deadly roses at aliens. This same person was also her jerk of a step-brother, who was currently really pissed at her.

"You said it was a perfect gift," Makoto pointed out, rolling her eyes. Usagi was making the funniest faces as she talked her into and out of getting the delicate crystal in the display case. Green eyes looked askance at her friend. 'A rose though? Isn't that sort of romantic? For a brother?'

Usagi glared at the brunette, then she turned to stare pleadingly at her boss. "Motoki? It's a good thing to give a grumpy brother; right?" She appealed to his softer side, which tended to cave under the batting eyelashes of any good looking female. Okay, not all girls, but ones he was fond of and didn't have any defences against.

Wow, wasn't she thinking mercenary thoughts today?!

"I'm getting it!" She said firmly, rushing around Makoto and into the store.

Her two friends watched in interest as the blonde gestured towards the window, talking a mile a minute, then made some hand signals, finished with a huge grin. The salesman put a hand over his eyes, then plastered a smile over his lips. But it was obvious that the poor guy was overworked, craving coffee, and perky Odango Atama was a little to much for him right then.

Makoto chewed on her lower lip thoughtfully. "I still say he's probably gay." She muttered under her breath.

Motoki choked, and gawped at her in disbelief. "Are we talking about Mamoru?" He demanded, leaning in close. He didn't know whether to he angry or shocked. His best friend certainly would have strangled her, not caring about witnesses! "He's as straight as they come."

"Oh?" The Senshi of Jupiter leant in close also, so their noses were almost squashed together. She narrowed her eyes on his startled ones. "So give, who does he like then? If you're so certain-"

"Sailor Moon!" The blonde man blurted out. He jerked back with a groan and mentally slapped himself. "I am not having this conversation with you Kino Makoto!" Motoki growled at her, feeling indignant on Mamoru's behalf.

"Sailor-no kidding?!" Makoto gaped at him for a moment, then cracked up. This meant that Mamoru had a crush on his own step-sister and had no idea she was under his nose all the time. Oh, wait, that wasn't a good thing. Although they weren't technically related, they had still been brought up as family. If Usagi found out about this, there would be hell to pay. The poor guy would have no rest day or night from the teasing.

"Ooooh, I have blackmail material." She smirked at Motoki evilly.

"Makoto!" The man said in astonishment.

"I got it!" Usagi sang out, almost dancing to their side. This was great! She could give this to Mamoru, and he would really love it, and then he would forgive her. Although...she didn't know in her heart of hearts, if she was going to so much effort for a brother, or for a crush. Knowing he was Tuxedo Kamen certainly made her choose this crystal rose, but she didn't like to think she had so little affection for him that she would go for his weakness for a certain red bloom.

"Gay?!" The word exploded out of Motoki's mouth, making everyone around them turn and stare. "Mamoru is not gay, Makoto! I'm sure of it." He went on insistently.

"Makoto!" The Senshi of the Moon growled, rounding on her friend. Makoto gave her a sheepish look. "You told Motoki about your stupid theory?"

The brunette held up her hands defensively and took a step back. Usagi was scary when she was angry! "It's okay, since Motoki said it wasn't true and even said who Mamoru likes." She paused and then went on tentatively. "It's a girl alright."

Usagi face felt like it had been frozen in ice. 'He likes someone? A girl?' Well, it was okay. Yeah, because she was his step-sister and she should be happy for him. But Mamoru had never shown a preference for anyone before now. Except her alter ego, which she was almost sure he was at least...mildly affection towards...

Who was she?!

...No, she didn't care! That tight feeling in her chest was from running out of the store, that was all.

"So, how are you going to give it to him?" Motoki asked curiously, eyes zeroing in on Usagi's red cheeks. Wow, she was really angry at Makoto for that comment about Mamoru. Or, was she thinking of something else now?

"I'm not!" Usagi said smugly. When her two friends stared at her, she shrugged. "I'm not stupid, I know Mamoru likes Sailor Moon."

Two mouths gaped at her in disbelief. She had figured that one out on her own? Usagi couldn't have possibly overheard their conversation of a minute ago.

"So-" The Senshi of the Moon shrugged, a bright look in her eyes. Her step-brother would love this one! "I'll ask her to give it to him for me."

"You-you know Sailor Moon?" The blonde man said incredulously. "When were you going to tell me?"

Makoto was making strangled noises in her throat, her green eyes glaring.

"I met her a while back." Usagi said shyly, hating to lie to him. "She's saved my life a few times. And Naru's." She told him truthfully. If it wasn't for her alter-ego, she would have been toast a long time ago. The Dark Kingdom seemed to have a lock on her position, no matter whether she was transformed or not. At least, it seemed that way, with them always attacking the places she was, or would find easily.

"Get me her autograph?" Motoki blurted out eagerly, taking a hold of Usagi's free hand. "I'm begging you!" He looked at her stubborn expression and glared. "I can always fire you! I'm your boss and what I say goes. Not to mention all the advance money I just gave you."

"Blackmailer." The blonde girl said balefully. "Okay, fine. But after she does this for me."

"Luna is so going to kill us, but I can't wait to see this for myself." The brunette murmured under her breath. She clapped her hands together, trying to remember where she put the binoculars earlier, after they were done spying on Mamoru.

Usagi shook her hand lose of Motoki's grip and she clutched the present in both hands. "Absolutely not!" She said adamantly, looking first one and then the other in the eyes.

Motoki and Makoto ignored her, huddling together in a conspirital manner. "I have binoculars." The Senshi of Jupiter muttered.

He grinned at her. "I'll bring the popcorn."

"There will be no voyeurs!" The small blonde girl howled at them in outrage.

Mamoru stared up at his ceiling, wondering why he was cursed with such a sister. She made his life hell sometimes, and he knew she would admit to liking it like that. "She was there. I'm sure I heard her." His blue eyes narrowed. And he was still furious at her! The brat had climbed up to a rooftop to spy on him, reopening her wound. If that wasn't irresponsible, he didn't know what was.

After leaving the Arcade, he had pretty much stormed home, a permanent scowl between his eyebrows. He had barely managed a civil word to their mother once he got home and figured it would be a good thing to closet himself in his room till dinner was ready.

It was a few hours later now, the sun going down on the horizon, and his step-sister was not home yet. What was she doing that time of the evening anyway? "I don't care!" He told himself for the hundredth time.

A strange noise came to his ears then and he tilted his head to the side in an effort to identify it. After a few seconds, his eyes swung towards the window in disbelief. Someone was there! On the second story of his house, with no tree to climb or anything. Were they on a ladder? "I don't know any girls this obsessed with me to try and climb my window," Mamoru said aloud. He reached for the beside lamp, because he was now laying on the bed in darkness.

As it switched on, he squinted towards the window. He saw a flash of white, then a gloved hand knocked on the window tentatively again. "Holy shit." The upperclassman breathed, making a quick identification of his intruder. There was no mistaking a Sailor Senshi, once you had been around the long enough to identify their fuku by sight.

'I'm not transformed!' He thought in panic. Mamoru was not Tuxedo Kamen right then, which made him very on edge. Not only was this Senshi seeing what he really looked like, but she had to know his real name. So, the Senshi had tracked him down finally. This could be a good, or a bad thing. They weren't exactly pals per se.

"Who is it?" He called out suspiciously, making his way with caution towards his closed window.

He couldn't quite make out which Senshi was paying him a visit. Sailor Mercury was a likely candidate, although he couldn't picture her clinging to the side of his house like a fly.

Sailor Mars would most likely he banging away, her temper frayed by then at his slow response. She was always trying to keep Sailor Moon away from his clutches, though that was rather difficult since he had to have his hands on her to come to the rescue.

The Senshi of Jupiter would have picked the lock by then, if he was any judge of character. It had been in the back of his mind for quite a while now that the girl had a shady past. She didn't' fight fair when battling the youma and Generals. Often, a handful of sand would be thrown in their eyes. If that wasn't the sign of a sneaky girl with a degree in 'playing dirty', he didn't know what was.

And Sailor Moon-well, good lord, why on earth would the blonde be outside his window? Unless her friends were below on the ground, he couldn't believe that she would be there alone. She had no real reason to come, but alright...she had a crush on him and he knew it. "She wouldn't." He exclaimed, hastily unlocking the window and shoving it upwards.

A startled shriek, and two pairs of flapping arms were his answer. Mamoru swore under his breath and grabbed one wrist, making sure the object of his desire didn't fall down and break her pretty little neck. He could just see the headlines now! "Sailor Moon, what on earth are you doing on my windowsill at this time of the night?" He demanded sternly, putting a hand to her waist and hauling her inside.

Sailor Moon gasped, and almost flopped onto his chest in relief. "Oh my god, that was so scary! I jump over buildings, but being trapped against the window like that was horrible." She wheezed at him, cheeks red. A moment later, she realised she was still in his arms and she jerked back with a curse.

"There's a reasonable explanation for you bashing on my window, right, Sailor Moon?" Mamoru asked ironically, crossing his arms. "You could have knocked on the door."

For a moment, she looked completely poleaxed. "I could have used the door!" She said in disbelief, covering her eyes with one hand. "It seemed like a good reason at the time."

"I was kidding, you know. Knocking on the door would have caused trouble." His voice was cutting as he tried to impress into her mind just what she was doing. Mamoru glared at her. "Alright Moon, what are you doing here? And just how do you know-" The dark-haired man broke off suddenly, wondering if she did know he was Tuxedo Kamen. She hadn't said she had come here to see her caped hero, after all.

"I umm-" A booted foot dug into the carpet rather sheepishly and she aimed an appealing look at his face. "This is sort of embarrassing." Sailor Moon muttered, a frustrated look in her eyes. She took a deep breath when he said nothing. "Here." A hand swiped neatly into her sub-space pocket and she withdrew a package wrapped in pink bunnies.

Oh no, she was there as a smitten fan of his! How the hell had Sailor Moon found out who he really was? He had been so careful to hide his true identity from the Senshi and the Dark Kingdom. He opened his mouth to blast her, but she beat him to it.

"From your sister, Usagi," The blonde heroine said brightly, shoving the present at him. She halted abruptly, and held out the package a little more gently, remembering that it was delicate crystal. Well, this was all very embarrassing. Why the hell had she thought about bringing this gift to her step-brother as Sailor Moon? Was it because she knew he was Tuxedo Kamen, and wanted to analyse his reactions to her?

Sure it was! Dumb question. But looking at his confused expression, she knew he was angry at her being there. Mamoru didn't have to know that she knew about him though. As long as they stuck to her story, they would be fine. "She's very sorry that you had a fight and wanted me to give this to you." She gave a huff of exasperation when he still stared at her and then present and then back again with an indefinable look in his blue eyes.

The jerk was annoyed and on edge, damn it. He had been sitting there in the dark thinking about things to do to her, hadn't he? Sailor Moon's own expression soured. "Take it!" She yelled, shoving it onto his crossed arms. She let go when he finally took the package.

"From Usagi?" He said blankly, her words finally sinking in. Here he had been lost in his thoughts about the Senshi knowing about him, and he hadn't been concentrating on why she was there right now. So, she this was a present from his sister? How the hell did she know Sailor Moon? He glared at her accusingly. "How do you know Odango Atama."

Sailor Moon glowered at him. She had brought a present for him, clinging to the window sill for several minutes, and it was even really from herself-and he was glaring at her?! "Well, aren't you the ungrateful jerk." She advised him scornfully, half turning away. "Usagi went out and got a gift for you, and even had me do it because she thought this would make it special. Why are you acting like this?"

Oh yeah, she knew his sister alright! There was no doubt from the 'jerk' comment. It annoyed the heck out of him that the girl he thought he knew well was staring at him so rudely. How had he not noticed this about her before? She usually was so sweet and shy. And airheaded. "How long have you known Usagi?" He demanded, sinking down on the bed. He hesitantly opened the present and caught his breath at what was inside. A crystal rose.

"Does it matter?" The heroine said crossly, kneeling down in front of him and putting her hands on her knees. "Do you like it, Mamoru?" She honestly couldn't help that her tone came out wistfully.

The dark-haired man looked up slowly, actually blinking back the moisture in his eyes. Usagi had bought this for him? Picked it out and payed for it? And here he hadn't thought his little sister even knew he had a fondness for roses. This was just, the most adorable thing she had ever done for him! "I love it." He managed through a tight throat.

"Good." Sailor Moon said in satisfaction and triumph. "She said that she had her eye on it for quite a while, but never had the perfect opportunity to give it to you." She sighed deeply. "Also, she'd mentioned that you were usually out of the country on your birthdays."

"Oh." Mamoru said with surprise. That was right. Dad and he had almost always been in the US or some other country on his birthdays. They spent the time with his mom and Usagi's birthdays, but not his. Was that coincidence or on purpose? Given that his mom and sister had been a separate family eleven years ago, and his dad was cheating on Ikuko, it could be a right supposition after all.

"Mamoru? Usagi? Dinner!" Ikuko's voice called out from below.

The upperclassman jumped guiltily, as if worried that his mother had guessed his awful thoughts.

Sailor Moon jumped to her feet quickly. "Oh dear, I didn't think about dinner." She said in bemusement, looking about his room as if for inspiration. Would Mamoru question where his sister was right then? And mom was bound to come looking for them both. Usagi had announced she was home in a hopelessly obvious way, before sneaking back out front door as Sailor Moon.

Blue eyes swung to the window as something else occurred to her. Her mouth gawked unbecomingly. Motoki and Makoto were watching this from somewhere! With binoculars! "I have to go now. I hope you really liked the gift-and don't forget to tell your sister personally." She hinted.

"Thank you." He murmured with a gentle smile. Mamoru placed the rose in the box on his nightstand and stood. She smiled back happily. "And I'll be asking you another time how you know her." He went on, eyes hard. That would be a little difficult if she didn't know he was Tuxedo Kamen. But he would manage it somehow. Even if he had to pretend that Tuxedo Kamen knew him and payed her a visit the same way she had him.

The blonde swallowed hard, wondering if he meant as Tuxedo Kamen or Mamoru. But she guessed that he wasn't entirely certain if she was Sailor Moon. Mamoru had seemed to forget his suspicions entirely the other night. Knowing him, he had talked himself out of it.

"Right," She said faintly. There was one more thing to make Mamoru's night. Since he was Tuxedo Kamen, he would really love this!

Sailor Moon leant forwards shyly, her lips aiming for his check. A kiss from the girl he liked would make his night, right? It worked in the movies anyway.

Mamoru saw her lips coming, and his heart leapt into his throat. She was going to give him a peck on the cheek. But this was most likely his only chance ever to have a kiss from her. And so, his body went into action before his brain could fully comprehend what he was doing.

At the very last second, he turned his head.

To Be Continued...

Write me if you liked! Comments are adored and much appreciated.

The next Chapter will be out in a couple of days, hopefully. Chapter Fifteen, and most of Chapter Sixteen is already written. If you have any suggestions for the plot, please do let me know. And as always, if you spot some discrepancy in the storyline, or some spelling mistakes, please contact me privately and I'll fix it. My contact details are in my Profile.

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Hugs,
Princess Destiny