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The Way
By Sailor Jes

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Phase One

Hi, minna.

Here is the much awaited Part 2 of my fic....this is when it starts getting good. Although this story is based a lot on the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery, this is the point in the plot where most of the situations have been thought up by me. All of you Rei fans will be happy to know that she enters into the story in this Phase. Yeah! I have a few other fics in planning but not a lot of time to write them in. Hopefully, I can get them out to you.

Anyways, if you read fanfics and don't know that Sailor Moon doesn't belong to any of us authors by now, you need to get your head examined. My fic belongs to me...e-mail me if you want to use it!

Love you all,

Jessi

P.S. Things marked with a * have an Author's Note that can be found at the end of the fic!!

P.P.S. As you notice below, there are now two epigraphs to my fanfic. Keep them both in mind!

- - -

"War is like love, it always finds a way."
-Bertolt Brecht

Someday
My friend:

We will
know Love -
Of its existence.

In time
Existing within it:
Becoming part of it.

You and I.

- Jonivan

- - -

"So, besides than fate versus free will, what other themes are there in 'Romeo and Juliet?'" asked Usagi.

Silence.

"Mamo-chan?"

"Huh?"

"Have you heard a word I said?"

Mamoru shot straight up and began flipping pages wildly in his book. "Uhh.. we were discussing...the, uh, imagery of..."

Usagi slammed her textbook shut and sighed. "We're never going to get this done, if you don't pay attention, Mamo-chan! Geez, it's not like this is heavy stuff! 'Romeo and Juliet' is one of Shakespeare's less complex plays!"

Mamoru ran his fingers through his hair and cast Usagi a contemptuous look. "You say that because you like all this 'thee, thou' stuff."

"No, I say it because it's true."

Mamoru shook his head. Then, Usagi's stern look softened with sympathy.

"Come on," she sighed. "Let's try this again. Romeo is saying what in the first scene?"

Rubbing his temples, Mamoru racked his brain for a response. About a minute later, he believed he had it.

"He's saying that...love and violence...are..."

"Yes?" encouraged Usagi.

"Are..."

"You almost got it."

"Make no sense whatsoever!! I hate Shakespeare and don't know what I'm talking about!"

Usagi groaned loudly and threw her pencil at Mamoru. "What am I gonna do with you?" she asked. "He's saying love and violence are intertwined. Love brings pain and sorrow. It can be just as miserable as hate!"

In frustration, Mamoru fell back onto the soft, green carpeting of his living room floor. "I hate this," he mumbled.

"Oh, I absolutely love it!"

"What's there to love?"

"Everything! Shakespeare was a true genius. The situations he uses, the characters he creates, the words that seem to flow off of the paper and swirl around in my head. It's so romantic."

"Romantic?!? How can a bloody feud, three murders, and a double suicide be romantic?"

Usagi frowned. "Well, when you put it that way, of course it's not gonna seem romantic! I don't know...I guess the whole idea of destiny, of love at first sight, of a Romeo waiting out there for all of us starry-eyes Juliets." She sighed dreamily.

Sitting up, Mamoru raised an eyebrow doubtfully. "Love at first sight? Please. Don't tell me you're one of *those* girls?"

"*Those* girls! What's that supposed to mean?" protested Usagi.

"Usa, you're too intelligent to believe in that kind of stuff," Mamoru scolded.

Usagi looked at him disapprovingly. "Hey, don't shun what I believe just because you think it's silly. I know that there's true love out there for everybody."

He shrugged. "Oh, I'm not arguing that there's not true love, I'm just saying that you won't find it from one glance."

"So how do *you* think true loves comes about?" asked Usagi, folding her arms over her chest.

"I think it grows on you. Love at first sight is like a kid with a new toy. It's great the first couple of days but then slowly, that toy will become old, used, forgotten. People don't find their true loves, they make them. It's the shaggy, worn stuffed animal that you just can't get to sleep without."

A faint smile formed onto Usagi's lips. "You know, Mamo-chan, that actually makes sense. Maybe some lucky girl still has a chance for love yet!"

Mamoru laughed and threw a small sofa pillow at his friend. "Love is such a cliché. I prefer to use the term 'mutual adoration.'"

"And if the person doesn't love you back?" challenged Usagi.

"Then, it's only a matter of time before she comes to her senses," Mamoru joked.

"You're a jerk!" Usagi exclaimed, slamming the pillow back at him.

"I prefer the term 'chauvinist,' thank you."

Folding her arms over her chest, Usagi replied: "'What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.'"

"Juliet. Act 2, scene 3, line...43!" Mamoru answered triumphantly.

Usagi clapped. "Yes! See, you know this stuff! Thanks to me..."

Mamoru threw another cushion at her. With mock anger, Usagi stood and beaned him with a pillow. Then, he rose to his feet, a good head-and-a-half taller than she, and slammed her with the pillow she had just thrown. All chaos broke loose then and 'Romeo and Juliet' was forgotten to a pillow war.


Sitting in organic chemistry class, Usagi was desperately taking notes while trying to comprehend what her skinny, balding teacher was discussing. She seemed as lost as just about everybody else in the class.

"Okay, class, next time we will be discussing the importance of nitrogen. Don't miss it! It's a very exciting lecture."

Students grumbled and shuffled around, collecting their things to leave as fast as possible. Still overwhelmed from the plethora of information she had attempted to cram into her head, Usagi remained in her seat staring at her notes. She would definitely have to ask for Mamoru for help on this one.

"Hey, class is over, you know," said a voice.

Usagi looked up into the face of the girl who sat three seats to the right from her. She had noticed this girl before because she was one of the most stunning people Usagi had ever seen, with jet black hair that hung down to her waist and violet eyes that gleamed. She carried herself with an air of dignity and grace. Usagi smiled at her.

"Yeah, I know...I'm still in shock from his lecture. I don't understand any of it!" Usagi whined.

"Yeah, me too. This guy's speaking a whole other language," said the girl. Then she extended her hand. "I'm Hino Rei."

Standing, Usagi accepted her hand. "Tsukino Usagi. Nice to meet you."

The two walked out of the class together.

"I've never been any good at math or science," explained Usagi. "Especially science. Especially chemistry."

"Actually, I like chemistry but this man is so confusing. He just talks and talks and talks. I guess I'm just not used to this method of teaching, yet. At my old school, class wasn't taught this way," Rei explained.

"Yeah? Where did you go to school?"

"T.A. Girls High."

"Wow! That prestigious private school! Is it-"

Rei tossed her long hair over her shoulder, as an iciness crept into her voice. "I suppose you'll ask me how I got in...who my father is...how rich I am..."

Usagi looked at her new friend queerly. "Actually, no. I was gonna ask if wearing those short skirts was uncomfortable or not*."

Rei's cheeks flushed a dark pink. "Oh, eh he he, most people won't usually ask those kinds of things. Sorry, Tsukino-san."

Smiling, Usagi replied: "I'm not most people, Rei-chan. Oh, and you should call me Usagi."

"Okay, Usagi. And you get used to the length after a while."

Then, Usagi laughed. "Hey, where do you live? If it isn't so far away from me, maybe one day we can study together?"

"I'd like that," replied Rei. "I live at the Hikawa Shrine."

"There!?!" Usagi said loudly. "I love it there! And it's so close to my house!"

Rei smiled. "Good! My grandfather runs the temple. I'll be sure to tell him that you like it. He'll be pleased."

"So, Rei-chan, are you into all that spooky religious stuff?" Usagi asked in a low, scary voice.

"It's not 'spooky!' And, yes, I am. My ojiisan* has been teaching me the ways of the temple so that one day I can take over for him and become a great priestess."

"Wow..." whispered Usagi in awe. "I've never had a friend who was a Shinto priestess. That's so cool."

"Thanks. Well, I better be going. I've got another class in half-an-hour and I've got to get a bite to eat before. It was great to meet you."

"Yeah, you too! And we should definitely get together to study sometime!"

Rei smiled. "Ok! I'll see you in class!"

"Bye! See you!"

Usagi turned and walked away, smiling. ‘She's really cool,’ she thought. ‘The others would like Rei-chan. Maybe, I'll invite her over to Mako-chan's one day.’ Thinking of Mako made Usagi's stomach grumble. Since she had two hours to kill before her next class, Usagi figured she would pay herchef-friend a visit for lunch.


Pressing the doorbell, Usagi waited outside in the hall of her friend's apartment.

"Who is it?" she heard Mako cry.

"Mako-chan, it's me, Usagi!"

A few seconds later, Usagi heard footsteps and then the door swung open. There stood Makoto looking terribly disheveled. Her nose was bright red and her eyes were teary and bloodshot. Attempting to smile, Mako looked like she had been hit by a Mack truck.

"Hey, Usagi-chan. I'm-I'm sorry, for looking like this," she said wiping her eyes.

"Mako-chan, what's wrong?" Usagi asked as she let herself in.

Mako shook her head for lack of words. She began crying. Usagi put her arm around her friend’s shoulders and steered her into the apartment.

"Calm down, Mako-chan. Shhh," comforted Usagi.

When Makoto's tears died down a bit, Usagi asked her again what was wrong. Makoto simply pointed to a yellow slip of paper on her coffee table. Usagi reached for it and began reading. Her jaw dropped and her eyes became wide and angry.

"What!?! Mako-chan, you're being evicted from your apartment! But, why?" asked Usagi.

Mako shook her head. "It's...well...my landlord is such a jerk! God, I hate him!" she screamed. "When he found out that I had finally graduated high school in June and that I was an official adult, he decided he would raise my rent."

"Can he do that?"

"Yeah, supposedly there's some loophole clause in the contract that says he can raise the rent when he deems it necessary. Well, with school and books and everything I can't pay him what he wants and I've told him that, but he doesn't care cause he's such an idiot!!"

"Well, how long has it been since you've paid the rent?" inquired Usagi.

"I haven't paid my rent in full since he raised it...almost four months," said Mako quietly.

"Four months!!" Usagi cried. "Mako-chan..."

"I know, Usagi-chan, but what am I supposed to do, starve? I guess that now I'll really starve since I'm gonna be homeless."

"Well, Mako-chan, if you want, you can always stay with me. My mom or dad won't mind."

Mako shook her head. "No, Usagi-chan. I don't want handouts. I want to be independent. Thank you for offering, though."

Feeling helpless, Usagi sat in silent sympathy for her friend. Makoto sniffled quietly. She had no place to live yet was too stubborn to stay with Usagi...

"Listen, Mako-chan. You're being evicted in two weeks unless you pay up, right?" Usagi said.

"Yeah," replied Mako.

"And you don't have the money to pay, right?"

"Yes."

"Then you'll just have to find another apartment."

Mako nodded. "I know. But it's such a pain. I never know if I'm getting scammed and pretty soon things all start looking the same and I just really hate it."

"Well, then, you'll just have to get some one to help you then! And I'm going to be that person!" said Usagi, standing with arms akimbo. "You look and in the want ads and I'll call up Ami-chan and Minako-chan tonight and tell them that Saturday we're going apartment hunting with you! It'll be fun and we'll find you a great new place!"

Almost immediately, Mako's face brightened. She bounced up and hugged her friend. "Really, Usagi-chan!! Oh, thank you so much!"

"It's no problem, Mako-chan. Anything for a friend in need! Everything's gonna work out more than OK!"


Although after looking at six different apartments at completely opposite ends of town for the whole day, Usagi's attitude changed quite drastically. Four girls sat in the lobby of the last prospective apartment feeling exhausted.

"My feet hurt," whined Minako. "I'm hungry...and thirsty."

"Minako-chan, just hold out for half an hour more," said Ami. "Then we'll be done and we can go get a bite to eat."

"Forget it, let's just go," Makoto said. "This apartment will be like all the rest."

"No, Mako-chan, from the ad, this seems to be the best one. If the apartment is half as nice as the lobby, it should be great," insisted Usagi.

Just then, a short, sweet-looking woman walked in. "Hello, girls. I'm Tanaka Keiko, I run this building. Nice to meet you."

All four girls stood and bowed. "Nice to meet you, too, Tanaka-san," said Mako. "I called you earlier about the apartment for rent. I'm Kino Makoto."

"Ah, yes, Kino-san. If you'll follow me, I'll show you the apartment..."

"Oh, it's gorgeous!" exclaimed Usagi, when the four girls and Ms. Tanaka had filed into the apartment. Indeed, it was a spectacle.

"A terrace," cried Minako.

"Look at the view. You can see the bay from here," commented Ami.

"The kitchen's huge. You could do a lot of cooking in here, Mako-chan," Usagi added.

Ms. Tanaka beamed. "And the living room is very spacious," she added. "If you'll look with me over here, then you'll see..."

The woman began leading them around the apartment pointing out different things of interest. However, Mako seemed troubled. It dawned on her when she saw the bedrooms.

"Tanaka-san, I'm sorry, but as I'm looking around, I've counted three bedrooms and two baths," said Mako.

"Yes?" asked Ms. Tanaka, as if that were the point.

"Well, I don't need that many. Only one bedroom, one bath. Like the ad said," replied Makoto, pulling the cut up piece of newspaper from her purse.

"Oh, my," said Ms. Tanaka. "I believe that one was sold a few days ago. When you called about the ad in the paper, I thought you were speaking of this one." She pointed to an ad a few boxes over.

Upon seeing the asking price for the rent, Mako's face fell. "Oh, well...then thank you for your time."

"Well, dear, I could make you a better offer. Say, $1000 a month."

Mako shook her head. "I'm afraid that's still too much. And I really don't need the extra space."

Listening to this, Usagi gazed around the apartment. It certainly was magnificent. It was large and clean, had a great view, and was a lot closer to K.O. than her house. Suddenly had a light bulb in her head went on.

"Mako-chan, I have an idea," she said. "Excuse us, Tanaka-san."

Usagi pulled Mako, Ami, and Minako aside. Excitement sparkled in her mischievous blue eyes. "Now don't laugh at this," she began. "But, what if we pooled our money and rented the apartment together?"

Usagi waited for a reaction. All she got was three faces filled with shock.

"Think of it this way...Minako-chan you live with your parents but they're moving across town to a smaller place anyways. And Ami-chan you live with your mom who's rarely home. Don't you think it would be nice to have some one to come home to? And, this apartment is a lot closer to school than where we live! We could help Mako-chan out! If we all put our money together, we would be paying next to nothing for a great place like this and live with our best friends. What do you say?"

Three faces had morphed from shock, to contemplation, to excitement.

"Usagi-chan, you're a genius!" said Minako. "I say let's do it!"

"I don't think my mom would have a problem," said Ami. "She's been looking to move anyhow."

Mako smiled. "You guys are the best!"

Whirling around to face Ms. Tanaka, Usagi said: "We think we have an idea. When can we get back to you on the apartment?"

"Anytime, dears," she replied.

"Great!" said Mako. "We'll let you know as soon as possible. Thank you."

With much excitement, Usagi, Ami, Minako, and Makoto split up for the day to run home and ask their parents about their new idea.


"I can't believe you convinced your parents to let you do this," remarked Mamoru, as he sat on Usagi's bare mattress.

Shrugging, Usagi folded more shirts and put them in a large box. "They couldn't let me stay forever, you know. And besides, they're only paying one half of the month's rent. I'm paying for the other half. Now stop talking, and start packing."

Mamoru smiled and continued putting Usagi's books into a smaller box. "I just don't see why you have to move when you've got your parents paying for everything here. Living on your own isn't all fun and games."

"Thanks, Papa," commented Usagi sarcastically. "You better watch your little comments, mister, or I'm gonna start thinking that you don't want me to go."

Mamoru remained silent. "Just keep folding," he said after a while.

Usagi raised her eyebrows and shook her head. The more she knew him, the more he puzzled her.


9:36 pm. Boxes were everywhere. The only real furniture was the sofa, the coffee table, and four mattresses. Empty pizza boxes were strewn about. Four exhausted young women laid about eyeing the huge task of moving in that had taken all day and still wasn't even close to complete. One young man with a bottle of glass cleaner and a rag was going about the house cleaning the dirty windows.

"Mamo-chan, will you quit that!" insisted Usagi. "You're making us feel like lazy slobs."

"You said it, I didn't," he replied, walking over to where they lounged. He noticed Minako had fallen asleep on the floor and was lightly snoring, Ami, relaxing on the sofa, covered her eyes with an arm, probably sleeping, and Makoto had just started collecting dirty napkins and pizza boxes to throw out. He sat himself down next to Usagi.

"Do you need me to come back tomorrow? I don't have class," he offered.

Usagi smiled. "Sure, if you want. I have class from ten until one, but I'm sure these ones need a big strong guy to do some manual labor."

"I can't wait," said Mamoru, standing. "Well, I better head out. I want to do a little Quantum Physics reviewing before I hit the sack."

"You disgust me sometimes, you know that?"

"I do. I'll see you tomorrow, hopefully," Mamoru said, as Usagi opened the door.

"Definitely," she replied. "Bye."

He waved as he walked down the hall. The last thing he saw was Usagi in the doorway, smiling and waving back.


Mamoru got into his car and sighed. He sat in the darkness and stared straight ahead of him, simply thinking. It was gonna be weird not having Usagi so close to him. He started the car and pulled away from the building. But he supposed he should be happy for her. She was finally starting her life away from home. And he could still call her. And see her in school. As he began convincing himself that things wouldn't be so bad, Mamoru began cheering up. Maybe he could even see her more now that she wasn't confined to her parents' rules. Maybe...maybe he was thinking about this a little too much.

"God, Usa," he muttered to himself. "What are you doing to me?"

He shook his head and concentrated on the road, attempting to get her and all of the confusing thoughts that had to do with her, out of his head.


Usagi sat on the bare mattress of her new room. Looking around at the stark, white walls and solemn wood tile, she began to ache for her old room. She wanted back the pink walls and carpeting and the stuffed animals. Her throat clenched up from the tears that she was trying to hold back. Going over to a cardboard box labeled "Fragile stuff," Usagi ripped open the lid and fumbled through the mess until she finally felt what she had been looking for. She pulled out a pink frame holding her favorite watercolor painting in it: of a Moon Princess silhouetted against the moon. Smiling, she recalled a situation very much like this one. It was after her first day of school at Juuban. Usagi remembered going home, flopping down on her bunny covers, and crying until she had no more tears left. She had picked up this very picture and cursed the evil boy who had made fun of her hair and her idealized fantasy of Moon Princesses and Kingdoms. She thought she could never make it another day in Juuban, that she would hate Mamoru for her entire life. The recollection brought a smile to her lips now. Sniffling, Usagi placed the frame on her bare bed. She had proved herself wrong once. She would just have to do it again. Everything was going to be OK.


The buzzer to the apartment sounded loudly. Usagi ran to the door and opened it to a smiling girl with long, black hair.

"Hi, Rei-chan. Come in!"

Rei stepped into Usagi's apartment. "Nice place. Do you live here by yourself?"

"No, I share it with my three best friends from high school," replied Usagi.

"Wow, that sounds like fun. Do you share rooms?"

"Only, Mako-chan and Minako-chan. They share the master bedroom. Me and my other friend, Ami-chan, get our own rooms cause we're 'college' girls and need to be up late to study and stuff. I want you to meet them. Ami-chan! Mako-chan! Minako-chan! Come out here! There's somebody I want you to meet!"

Usagi and Rei only had to wait a moment before Makoto appeared from the kitchen and Ami came from her room.

"Rei-chan this is Ami-chan and Mako-chan. Everybody meet Rei-chan."

"Hi."
"Hey."
"Nice to meet you."

Usagi tapped her foot on the floor. "Where's Minako-chan?"

Ami shrugged. Mako answered. "She's in our room watching one of her idol shows. With Minako-chan you ne-"

"AAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!"

A high-pitched shriek from Minako's room caused all four girls to race in.

"What's going on, Minako-chan!" cried Ami.

"Are you okay?" asked Usagi.

"Geez, Mina! It sounded like bloody murder!" reprimanded Mako.

They saw Minako sitting two inches away from the TV set, staring with starry eyes. "Shhhh, keep it down! I can't hear!" she commanded.

Rei's mouth was agape. She was wondering what was wrong with Usagi's strange friend.

"Minako-chan...?" asked Usagi.

Minako shot straight up and dashed over to Usagi. "Oh, Usagi-chan, I'm soooooo jealous of you!"

"Uh, why?"

"Oh! This is just too exciting! The Three Lights!!" Minako said jumping up and down.

"The Three who?" asked Usagi.

Suddenly, Rei, Mako, and Ami joined their blonde-friend Minako in a collective sigh.

"The Three Lights," Mako repeated dreamily.

"Haven't you heard of them, Usagi?" Rei asked.

"No, who are they?" insisted Usagi.

"Only three of the hottest singers in Japan," Minako declared. "And, you'll never believe this, but they're enrolling in K.O.!!"

"What!!" screamed Rei, Ami, and Mako.

"That's right! It was just on the news! They're taking a break from touring to get their education! I'm so jealous of you, Usagi-chan! Imagine sitting next to Seiya in Math class! I would fail that class for sure!"

Suddenly, Minako was aware of a stranger in the room. "Oh, hi. Aino Minako. Usagi's friend and roommate and number one fan of The Three Lights!"

They shook hands. "Hino Rei. But sorry Aino-san, it looks like I got you beat. I'll be saving Yaten a seat in English class!"

"You go to K.O., too? No fair! Listen, when you meet them, you have got to introduce me...I've just got to know more about Yaten..."

Suddenly, Ami, Mako, Rei, and Minako all burst out into a pandemonium of Three Lights gossip, leaving an ignorant Usagi cut off from the group. She stood off to the side with her arms folded across her chest.

"I don't see what's so good about them anyways," she mumbled.

"What!?!" cried the other four girls in Usagi's face.

‘Geez, I didn't think they'd hear me,’ thought Usagi.

"‘This’ is what's so good about them!" said Minako producing a huge poster of three men with long ponytails posing in different color suits. Usagi had to admit they were all very handsome yet they seemed somewhat...effeminate.

"And this!" added Rei, holding out a CD case.

(‘God, where do they pull these things out of? Mid-air?’ Usagi thought.)

She popped the CD into Minako's stereo and instantly, music blared in room.

*"Kimi wa istumo kagayaiteta," sang (or rather, screamed) Rei, Mako, Minako, and Ami over the music.

Wincing, Usagi covered her ears, went over to the CD player and stopped the music. "Ok, I get it. You like these guys. I've been living in a cave! Now, Rei-chan and I have to study Chemistry. Ne, Rei-chan?"

No response.

"Rei-chan?"

But, all four girls were giggling over a teeny-bopper magazine of some sort, completely ignoring Usagi.

"Oh, Yaten is so sexy!"
"I only like them for Taiki, he's so smart!"
"Yeah, right, Ami-chan!"
"I'll take Seiya any day of the week!"

Usagi stared crossly at her supposed friends. "Fine, desert me for a bunch of girly singers!" Usagi exclaimed.

"Huh? Did you say something, Usagi-chan?" Ami asked, poking her head out of the circle of giddiness.

Shaking her head, Usagi walked out of the room. Even Ami. Reasonable, sensible, quiet Ami was part of the cult! Usagi threw her hands up in the air. Well, at least Rei and everybody else as clicked. Maybe she'd give Mamoru a call. ‘He’ wouldn't obsess over some singers! And maybe she could actually get some work done!


The doorbell to Mamoru's apartment rang. Eyeing the door curiously, he put down the book he had been reading and walked to the door. He opened it and was surprised to see who it was.

"Usa! What are you doing here?" he asked.

Putting on a puppy-dog face, Usagi held up her Organic Chemistry book. "Help," was all she said. Mamoru smiled and let her come in.

"I was supposed to have a friend from class help me study," she said.

"What happened?" replied Mamoru.

"You ever heard of the Three Lights?" Usagi asked.

"No."

Smiling, Usagi replied "Ah, I knew I could count on you."

"What? Who are they?" Mamoru said following Usagi into his living room.

"I don't know but you'll be hearing a lot more of them," Usagi answered. "They're some big idols coming to study at K.O. Minako-chan found out and went crazy and that put an end to all of my study plans. I have a lab due tomorrow and was wondering if you could go over some concepts with me."

"Sure. Piece of cake," Mamoru said.

He and Usagi laid down on the soft green carpeting side by side. Usagi opened up the book and began a brief overview of what they had been doing in class. Mamoru should have been listening. But he was trying to pinpoint the fragrance of Usagi's perfume. It smelled like oranges and cake? Or cinnamon and roses? Hmmm, it smelled delicious whatever it was. Maybe gardenias and lemon?

"Mamo-chan?" said Usagi, snapping him back into reality.

"Yeah, okay, uh-huh," he replied, playing off his inattentiveness rather well. "Okay so we'll need to start here..."

Luckily, Mamoru knew Organic Chemistry like the back of his hand so that Usagi wouldn't notice that he hadn't been paying attention. It dazed him a little. He didn't know when he had started caring about Usagi's perfume or even noticing that she smelled so wonderful. In fact, some things he had been doing of late were concerning him. He would catch himself smiling when he thought about something humorous she had said the day before. Sometimes, when he was reading or studying, he would discover his concentration was rambling onto Usagi. And once, but never more than that, he found himself wondering what it would feel like to run his fingers through her soft hair. He figured these episodes were stress-induced. Nothing that a little sleep couldn't cure...At least that's what he hoped.


Usagi lay on the white carpet of her living room. It was chilly, cloudy day; perfect for being home alone. Mako was across town searching for a foreign ingredient for some recipe or another. Minako was in dance class and Ami was at the library. Scribbling into the notebook in front of her, Usagi suddenly heard her doorbell. She figured it was one of the girls returning.

"Really, you should take your key," she scolded, opening the door. "Mamo-chan! What are you doing here?"

"I was over at the University and I figured I'd stop by on my way back."

Usagi let him in. "You want some tea? I just put a pot on the stove. It should be ready any second now."

"Sure, that sounds good," he replied.

Usagi disappeared into the kitchen and Mamoru walked into the living room. Making himself comfortable on the sofa, he noticed the open notebook on the floor. He didn't mean to be nosy, he just recognized Usagi's messy handwriting and became curious. Picking up the spiral notebook, he began reading.

A few moments later, Usagi reemerged from the kitchen with two steaming mugs in her hands. She saw Mamoru intently delving into her notebook.

"Hey! Put that down!" she commanded, placing the mugs on the coffee table while attempting to grab the notebook out of her friend's hands. "Give me that!"

Mamoru, laughing all the while, dodged Usagi's lunges and attempted to continue reading. Finally, Usagi managed to reclaim her notebook.

"Nobody told you to read that!" she said angrily. "That's private!"

"Did you write that?" Mamoru asked, smiling.

"I can't believe you read that!" she yelled, her cheeks flushing a scarlet hue.

"You wrote that?" Mamoru asked again.

"Yes," mumbled Usagi.

"Usa," Mamoru began, his voice filled with awe. "That's really good. When it's done, you should get it published."

Wide-eyed, Usagi looked up at him. She had always wrote quirky little stories for fun. Never for others to read. It surprised her that some one thought her story was actually decent. And not just someone. Mamo-chan! Who would tell her the truth no matter what! And he liked her story! Usagi blushed.

"Well, I don't know about published..." she mumbled.

"I think you should look into it. You could make it big!" Mamoru exclaimed.

"You think so?"

"I know so."

Usagi smiled slightly at Mamoru. Then, she said "Oh, shut up and drink your tea!"

Laughing, Mamoru picked up his mug, took a sip, and made a terrible face. "You know, Usa, you write a whole lot better than you make tea!"

"Hey!" Usagi yelled, hitting him lightly. "You be quiet!"

Then, both of them erupted into a laughing-fest, mock-insulting and playfully hitting each other.


Usagi wrapped the heavy jacket around her tightly. It was a freezing March day and all she wanted to do was get home and into a heated room. But that wouldn't be possible, she thought bitterly, because of the mob of girls that blocked her normal route out of the college building to her apartment. She was forced to take the back exit and walk around the whole building. Those stupid girls who waited for Seeya, Rotten, and Tiki, or whatever their names were.

"Damn Three Lights," she muttered.

She hadn't heard anything else since they had arrived. And to make matters worse one of them was in her American Literature class. The one course she so desperately wanted to pay attention in she couldn't because of girls fawning over Tiki or whichever Three Light it was. Suddenly a huge gust a wind blew past Usagi and took half of her English paper with it.

"Oh, no!" she cried, running after the loose sheets. Frantically, she grabbed all of them except for one which led her on a wild chase. Just when she thought the paper was gone for good, a hand reached up into the air and plucked it easily from the wind's clutches.

"Need this, Odango?" he said, handing the stray paper to her and smiling slyly.

Usagi didn't know whether to be grateful that he had gotten her paper, angry that he called her that dumb nickname, or stunned that such a handsome person was actually talking to her. She opted for the latter situation. Oddly, Usagi seemed to recognize this dashing enigma before her. He had long black hair tied into a low ponytail and piercing blue eyes. His smile was that of a mischievous little boy's and he was about a head taller than Usagi. She gazed up at him and felt her cheeks turning bright red.

"Th-thank you," she stammered. "I appreciate it."

"No problem," he replied, smiling that crooked grin again. "Just be more careful next time. See you around, Odango!"

And then the magic was gone. "That was a little rude," she muttered. "Some guys think they can act so careless with girls! Ugh!"

Glaring at him one last time, Usagi turned around and stormed back to her apartment, desperately commanding her heart to quit thumping in her chest.


The next day before American Literature class, Usagi sat in the classroom reviewing her notes on the book they had just read. The room was peaceful and calm but judging from the sudden squealing outside, Usagi knew that it wouldn't be for long. One of the idols had arrived. Just as she figured, the noise burst in along with a tall man in dark sunglasses with long black hair. Usagi attempted to remain studying. But that was almost impossible. Her concentration was completely shot.

"Damn Three Lights," she muttered.


Usagi raced out after class to avoid the accumulating mob outside of the room. When she had successfully gotten by, she exhaled loudly. ‘Hopefully this craze will die down soon,’ she thought. ‘Then maybe I can walk around without being run over!’

"Hey, Odango, did you ever get your paper back in order?" she heard.

Whirling around, she saw it was the same guy from yesterday. Usagi clenched her fists.

"Don't call me, Odango!" she exclaimed.

The guy laughed. "Hey, sorry. Can you give me a name that you'd like to be called?"

"Usagi. Tsukino Usagi."

"Usagi...hmmmm. I think I like Odango better," the man teased.

Usagi's face flushed red. "And I think you're really rude! Who do you think you are?"

The man seemed surprised. "You don't know who I am?" he asked.

"No. Should I?"

"I guess I'm not as popular as I thought," he mumbled. "Well, I just assumed that-"

Suddenly, Usagi heard loud screams and saw four or five girls running in her direction. ‘What the-?’ she thought.

"Seiya!!! Seiya!!!" they screamed.

Suddenly, the guy grabbed her arm and sprinted away with her. "Come on!" he cried.

Running as fast as she could, Usagi yelled: "Where are you taking me? What's going on?"

"I'll explain later!" he shouted.

He cut around a corner and hid amongst a few plants that were there. The girls ran by. Usagi, panting and afraid, now had certain suspicions of who her handsome companion was.

"Who are you?" she demanded, panting from her sprint.

"I'm Seiya," he replied, holding out his hand. "I'm in your American Lit class."

Usagi's eyes went wide. "You're..."

He nodded. "Yes, I'm a Light. As if you couldn't tell already."

Jaw agape, Usagi replied "I've never met a superstar. Much less hidden in a plant with one."

Seiya laughed. "Well, I'm glad you get to spend your first time with me."

Blushing, Usagi looked away.

"Hey, Odango," Seiya began cautiously. "Can I buy you some coffee?"

His face couldn't have been more than six inches away. Heart pounding in her chest, Usagi was suddenly at a loss for words. This funny, sweet, incredibly fine-looking superstar was asking ‘her’ for coffee! Of course he could buy her some coffee!

"Uh...okay. Coffee sounds good. When?"

"Do you have a class now?" he asked.

"Not for an hour."

"Okay, then. How about now? I know of a great place a few blocks from here," he suggested.

Smiling, Usagi answered "Sure."

Looking both ways cautiously, Seiya made sure the coast was clear and then, taking Usagi's hand in his, dashed towards the exit. The warmth of his hand squeezing hers caused Usagi's heart to flutter in her chest. She thought she had never met such a perfect guy. Wouldn't Minako and the others die when they found out! Usagi couldn't wait to tell them.


Usagi burst into her Organic Chemistry class and raced to her seat by Rei. Eyes sparkling with excitement, Usagi grinned at her friend.

"What?" asked Rei. "Usagi, what's that look on your face?"

"You will never believe who I just had coffee with!" she whispered excitedly.

Noticing the flush in her cheeks and the stars dancing in her eyes, Rei suddenly became very curious. "Who, Usagi? Out with it!"

"Ready for this? I, me, Tsukino Usagi, just had a double latte with Kou Seiya!"

Rei's eyes bugged out and her mouth dropped nearly to the floor. "No!" she exclaimed, causing stares from her classmates. Dropping her voice to an excited whisper, she continued "You're kidding, Usagi! Tell me you're kidding!"

Usagi smiled and shook her head. "He asked me out for coffee again tomorrow, too!"

"Oh...my...GOD!!! I don't know whether to turn green with envy or scream at the top of my lungs. Tell me everything that happened."

Starting at the beginning with the events from the previous day with her English paper to escaping the screaming fans, Usagi told her story breathlessly in two minutes flat. When she finished, Rei was just shaking her head.

"I don't believe it," she muttered. "My friend going for coffee with a Light! Wait until Minako and the others find out!"

"I know," giggled Usagi. "I can't wait to see their reactions!"

Floating inside, Usagi really couldn't wait to tell them. They would be flabbergasted. Heck, ‘she’ was flabbergasted. Her mind was still whirling. All she could really remember was his eyes...those dark, mysterious blue eyes...like the sky in that one moment before dusk transforms to night. And he was so warm and open and funny. She longed to talk to him some more. Hopefully there would be plenty of time to that if...oh, the thought was too much! ‘Get a hold of yourself, Usagi,’ she thought. ‘You've still got two hours of Organic Chemistry to learn.’

But it was useless. The entire two hours was spent daydreaming and doodling hearts on her paper. She figured she would just ask for Mamoru's assistance...he could always be depended on in a jam, right?


"Why do you need my help this time?" Mamoru asked over the phone. He exhaled loudly. It seemed he was always helping Usagi with her darn Chemistry work.

He heard his friend's infectious giggling over the phone and smiled. "I was...distracted," she said.

"By what?"

"You ever heard of the Three Lights?" she asked.

Arching an eyebrow, Mamoru replied: "Yeah, you mentioned something about them once."

Usagi giggled again. "You might be hearing a lot more of them ‘giggle, giggle’."

"Usa?" he asked warningly. "What do you mean by that?"

"Oh, Mamo-chan! Seiya, he's in the Three Lights, asked me out for coffee today and, oh, it was so incredible, ‘he's’ so incredible, and..."

Usagi kept on talking but Mamoru heard nothing of what she was saying. He knew Usagi was pretty, beautiful even, and that guys would be drooling over her in college, but he didn't expect this reaction from himself. He discovered himself clenching the receiver of the telephone.

"...and he's just so perfect and cute and sweet and nice, and did I mention that he's so fine-"

"You said that," Mamoru interrupted icily.

"Oh..." There was a silence on the other end. "Mamo-chan?"

"What."

"Are you okay?" Usagi asked. She thought that maybe she had said something wrong.

"Yeah," Mamoru said, catching the frostiness in his tone. "Sorry. So are we still on for milkshakes tomorrow?"

He heard Usagi suck in her breath slowly. "Gee, Mamo-chan, I totally forgot...Seiya and I are going out for coffee again."

"Oh," he answered, attempting to conceal the disappointment in his voice. "Then, next week."

"Yeah," Usagi said. "So, can I come over so that you can explain some of this stuff to me?"

Pausing before he replied, Mamoru said: "Uh, not tonight, okay, Usa? I'm not feeling so good..."

"Oh, okay, then! I'll ask Ami-chan. I hope you feel better Mamo-chan! I'll see you in English class tomorrow!"

"Uh...okay. See ya."

Mamoru replaced the phone onto the receiver and stared at it for a while. Rubbing his eyes, he swallowed the lump in his throat. Somehow, he had a feeling that he ‘would’ be hearing a lot more of the Three Lights. Well, he wouldn't be buying their CD anytime soon, that's for sure! His attempt at humor only sunk him deeper into a depression and he wondered what in the world could be wrong with him.


At seven the next night, Ami emerged from her room and walked into the living room where Minako was watching TV.

"Done studying?" Minako asked.

"Yeah, finally. Hey, where's Usagi-chan? I haven't seen her all day."

Shrugging, Minako replied "All she told me was that she was going out for coffee with a friend and that she'd be back by seven thirty."

"Oh, okay," Ami walked into the kitchen to grab something to eat. Opening the refrigerator, she took out the necessary ingredients for a sandwich. Then, she heard the buzzer to the door and Minako's footsteps running to answer it. Ami dipped the knife into the mayonnaise jar and was just about to spread it on the bread when-

"AAAAHHHHH!!!!"

Dropping the knife, Ami raced into the foyer to see Minako holding the door open, screaming like a madwoman.

"Minako-chan! What is it?" Ami said racing to her friend's side. As she approached the door, Ami stopped dead in her tracks. Her jaw hit the floor. "Oh my God..." she whispered, covering her mouth.

Usagi, standing outside, flushed bright red. Her companion laughed.

"Ladies," he said. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm-"

"Seiya?!?" screamed somebody from down the hall.

Spinning around, Usagi saw Mako drop the bag of groceries she had been cradling in her arms.

"Oh my God!" she screamed.

"Mako-chan, please!" begged Usagi.

"What's he doing here?" Minako screamed/asked.

"This is the friend I was telling you about..." Usagi began.

"What!?!" all three girls cried.

"If you'll just come inside, I can explain everything," Usagi said.

Wide-eyed and open-mouthed, Makoto, Minako, and Ami filed into the apartment. When situated inside, all three girls stared at Seiya like kids who had just seen Santa Claus.

"I can't believe this..." whispered Minako. "Tell me I'm dreaming. No. Tell me I'm ‘not’ dreaming...this is too cool."

"Seiya this is everybody," Usagi introduced. "Everybody, Seiya."

Still staring incredulously, the trio of girls replied at the same time "We now" before erupting with squeals of delight.


"Bye, Seiya!" chimed Ami, Makoto, and Minako. "Come visit us again! And bring your brothers!"

Seiya waved and Usagi walked with him towards the door. "Let me walk you outside," said Usagi.

"Sure."

In the hallway walking towards the elevator, Usagi asked "So, what do you think of them?"

"Well, they like me," remarked Seiya, laughing.

Usagi laughed too. "That's the understatement of the year. They adore you. Did you see their faces? Sometimes, they can take things way out of proportion. But they're my best friends...I love them and they love me."

"It would be hard not to love you," Seiya said.

Usagi's heart flipped over in her chest and she turned bright red. Seiya simply smiled. The two waited in silence for the elevator. When it arrived, the doors opened to reveal...

"Mamo-chan!" Usagi said.

The surprised smile on Mamoru's face diminished when he saw Usagi's companion.

"Hey, Usa..." he replied, never taking his eyes of the guy next to her.

"Perfect timing! I wanted you to meet Seiya. Seiya this is Mamo-chan, my best friend in the whole wide world!" Usagi exclaimed.

Seiya smiled and held out his hand. Hesitating, Mamoru eyed this stranger then shook hands.

"So, you're the famous 'Mamo-chan?' I've heard a lot about you," Seiya said.

"This is the Three Light?" Mamoru asked coldly.

Usagi recognized this frosty side of Mamoru that he was making all too apparent. She attempted to ignore it. "Yeah," she said. "Mamo-chan, Seiya, you'll like each other. You have a lot of things in common."

Saying nothing, Mamoru continued glaring at Seiya who was beginning to feel very uneasy around Usagi's friend. "Well, Mamoru-san, it was nice meeting you. Hey, it's late. I'll walk myself down and leave you two."

"Are you sure?" Usagi asked. Her wistful tone caused Mamoru to eye her sharply.

"Yeah. We'll get together again okay, Odango?" he said, before stepping into the elevator.

"Sure," she sighed. "Bye!"

Mamoru's eyebrows shot up. Odango? Had he heard right? Seiya had just called Usagi Odango and she just stood there smiling and batting her eyelashes! Mamoru's blood began boiling. The elevator doors closed and Usagi sighed again.

"Isn't he great?" she said.

"He called you Odango, you know," Mamoru replied.

"Yeah, I know."

"So..."

"So, what? I think it's cute," Usagi said.

"Cute!" exclaimed Mamoru. "You didn't think it was cute when-"

Mamoru stopped himself. This was leading into dangerous territory.

"When what?" asked Usagi.

"Forget it. I'm going home," Mamoru said, pushing the button to the elevator.

"Mamo-chan, what's wrong? You've been acting so weird lately. Did I say something that upset you?"

The doors to the elevator opened up and Mamoru walked in. "I'm fine," he remarked rather frostily before the doors closed. "You said nothing wrong," he muttered. "Nothing at all."


It was a breezy May evening. Fragile, pink cherry blossoms floated gingerly to the ground. The night sky was void of any imperfections: only a sliver of the moon and a few lucky stars whose light was able to be seen in the Tokyo sky. Inhaling the brisk air, Usagi couldn't have pictured a more perfect time to be out on a walk with Seiya. She stole a sidewards glance at her companion and her heart fluttered. They had been dating for about a month and a half and that time had flown by for her like water through a sieve. Suddenly, Usagi had become the envy of every girl at K.O....actually, the envy of every girl in Tokyo. She ate in fancy restaurants and met a few other idols. But, there was more to it than that. Seiya was one of the most incredible guys she had ever met. He held doors for her, was the perfect gentleman to her parents, and (much to Usagi's dismay) hadn't even attempted to put a move on her.* Usagi's friends weren't as starstruck anymore and they and Seiya hung around together like old pals. Even Seiya's brothers had clicked with everyone. It was too perfect! Everybody was happy...

‘Well, not everybody,’ Usagi thought.

There was Mamoru. Usagi winced inwardly just thinking about it. He and Seiya hadn't hit it off, yet. Whenever Usagi mentioned something about Seiya, Mamoru would change the subject or would remain silent. In the month and a half Usagi and Seiya had been seeing each other, Usagi believed she hadn't had one conversation over two minutes with Mamoru about him. It was frustrating because she wanted so badly for Mamoru to like Seiya. Without Mamoru's approval, things seemed all wrong.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Seiya asked.

Usagi smiled. "I was just thinking about Mamo-chan."

Returning her smile, Seiya replied "Is there a moment when you're ‘not’ thinking about him?"

Usagi laughed lightly. "I have to think about him all the time just to figure him out. He's still such a mystery to me."

"Well, what were you thinking about? Maybe I can help."

Usagi shook her head. What was she going to say to Seiya? I can't decide if Mamo-chan hates you or not? No, this was something Seiya definitely could not understand.

"Well...it's nothing," Usagi replied.

Seiya nodded. She was normally a warm, open person, but there were some hidden coves in her that Seiya simply couldn't reach. He often supposed that she would only let certain people into those reserves...certain people by the name of Mamo-chan. Finally, they reached Usagi's apartment building.

"I had a nice time tonight, Seiya," Usagi said. "Well, I always have a nice time when I'm with you."

Seiya grinned. Usagi's heart skipped a beat when she saw his eyes gleaming. "The feeling is mutual, Odango," he replied, his voice dropping to a whisper. Would he finally kiss her tonight?

He stared into her eyes for a long moment. To Usagi, it felt like he could read her every thought. His finger brushed her cheek. Usagi's breath quickened. All she could do was stare from his eyes to his lips. And then, she couldn't stare at either. Her eyelids shut. She felt one of Seiya's hands on her back and the other still on her cheek. And then, she felt his lips on hers. Time and reason stopped. Usagi's limbs tingled and felt weak and watery. ‘God, this must be what heaven feels like,’ she thought.

This kiss ended eventually. And, somehow, Usagi said goodbye to Seiya and got up to her apartment. But that feeling was still there. She floated into her bedroom, sunk into her bed, grabbed her pillow, and hugged it fiercely, pretending it was Seiya.

"I think," she mumbled. "I'm in love."


"What!?!" Mamoru asked.

"You heard me," Usagi said.

"You mean, with...Seiya?" he nearly screamed.

"Geez, Mamo-chan, calm down," Usagi said, her feelings becoming slightly injured. "Yes, with Seiya."

"Usa, come on. You've only known him for a month."

Usagi could only stare at Mamoru. "You don't like him do you?" she asked softly.

‘Bingo,’ thought Mamoru. He had disliked Seiya since day 1. Maybe it was that ponytail or his designer clothes or the fact that he was rich and famous. Maybe it was because he had usurped his role of Most Perfect Guy in the World to Usagi. Mamoru guessed she was waiting for an answer. Now would be the time. He was going to tell her just what he thought of that mama's boy who she believed to love! Looking up at Usagi, he saw the anticipation, the hope, the heart-wrenching hurt in her eyes that made him want to kick himself in the face.

"I..." he began.

That face, pleading with him to utter the words she wanted to hear.

"I...I like him," he lied.

Immediately, her face brightened and she grinned widely. "Oh, good, Mamo-chan. For a second there I thought you were going to tell me how much you hated him! I shouldn't have doubted you! I should know that you would be happy for my happiness."

Saying nothing, Mamoru chuckled nervously.

"This is so perfect!" she exclaimed, falling back onto the carpeting. "Things are working out just like I dreamed they would!"

"What do you mean?" Mamoru asked, staring down at her from the sofa.

Usagi gazed up at him and smiled. "Don't you know? Every little girl dreams of growing up and marrying a handsome, sweet, wealthy, successful man. We imagine it when we play with our dolls. We linger on it when we walk by a wedding dress shop. We daydream about it in math class. Most of the time, we realize that it's pure fantasy and that we'll probably end up in some hum-drum life. But, not me! That's why I'm so ecstatic! My dream and my reality are becoming the same thing! It's so exciting."

Inside, Mamoru was cringing. That was the life she wanted? She craved nothing that he had...and it bothered him. A lot. All this time, he thought Usagi had been content with his companionship. Little had he realized that she desired more. He was witnessing a whole new side to their relationship.

"Mamo-chan?" she asked.

"Yeah?" he replied.

"Are you alright?" she inquired.

"Why do you ask?"

She looked away in frustration and then picked herself off of the carpet and began walking towards the door. "I'll call you sometime," she said, almost sadly, before letting herself out.

Mamoru stared at the door for a long time trying to make sense of the thoughts swirling in his mind. She liked Seiya...She also liked Mamoru...but in totally different ways. Seiya liked her...He liked her...but in completely, totally different ways. No, that didn't seem right. Seiya could give her fancy cars and nice dresses but Mamoru could give her friendship. Usagi gave Seiya love...Usagi gave Mamoru the cold shoulder. That troubled him. It didn't seem right. He gave her friendship, she gave him nothing. Usagi should give him love, dammit. That's the way it should be. Usagi should love him!

The thought process died there.

What was he thinking? Where in the world had that come from? He didn't care whether Usagi loved him or not! So there!

At least, that's what he tried to convince himself. It wasn't working. His mind had just solved an equation for him. If a equals b and b equals c then a must equal c. That's what his mind had just told him. Like math. It was only logical...While one side of his brain protested against this last thought, another side pieced together everything that had been puzzling of late. Usagi's scent, daydreaming about her, wanting to touch that gorgeous mane of hair, this burning jealousy towards Seiya. And...suddenly he remembered that day, it was over a year ago, studying in his apartment. She had been resting...and he had come over to her...and caressed her cheek.. and then...Mamoru swallowed the wave of nausea that coursed through his stomach.

"No, no, no, no, no," he muttered, holding his head in his hands.

But, all of the symptoms were present. It was definitely...he was definitely sick.

And the medicine he needed was beyond his reach.

Stay tuned for Phase 2!

- - -

Author's notes:

*Rei-chan's skirt on her high school uniform was a lot shorter than Usagi's.

*Grandfather

*First couple of lines from the Three Light's signature song, "Nagareboshi he."

*Alright, I know I said that Seiya and Usagi had been dating for a month and a half, so you're probably wondering why he hasn't kissed her yet! Well, in Japan, things don't move as fast than they do here. I read somewhere that most girls can't date until they're in college. I also didn't want to make Seiya seem like he wanted just "one thing" from Usagi, either.