Love Warrants all Kinds of AffectionBy Klutz and Usagi-chan
Lunap@lunap.com and Usagi@lunap.com
Note: You'll notice at times that Usagi switches back and forth 
from 'Mamoru-chan' 
to 'Mamo-chan' and back again.  It's supposed to be that way, 
don't worry about it. ^^     Love, is a funny word to me.
     It's kind of far off, distant and untouchable, or at least, it was once.  
     All through my life, (or at least what I can remember of it) people were 
always talking about how much they loved this, and how much they 
loved that, how happy they were with their friends and family. 
     I never really thought about it before, but I've realized it now.  I never 
understood a word they were saying.
     See, it's strange now, because I had heard all about love, 
and I thought it was more like some sick disease rather than ever-lasting 
happiness.  They all 
seemed so weak to show their full hearts and minds to someone else, and see the 
others in return.  Weak, I thought it, because the more someone 
knows about you, 
the more they can hurt you, the more power they hold over you.  
     My name is Chiba Mamoru, and this is my story of how love can sneak up on 
you, and makes you realize that love warrants all kinds of affection.
     Love Warrants All Kinds of Affection     
     When this whole thing started, I was a perfectly sane, logical guy of 
seventeen years, and attending Azabu Highschool, a very prestigious and private 
place.  It suited me perfectly.  I lived in a medium sized, sparsely decorated 
apartment, and held a job at a biological lab, doing tests on 
various substances 
every Thursday.  My best friend Furuhata Motoki worked at the 
Crown Fruit Parlor on 
Third, a nice little place to get a cup of coffee and play a few 
video games to get rid 
of the days stress'.  Motoki had a girlfriend who was a few 
years older than him, 
Reika.  She was okay I guess, but it never really seemed right 
to me somehow.  She 
had a full time job at the same lab as me, and wanted to be a 
famous biologist one 
day.  Motoki and I were studying to be doctors, though I took 
some karate classes on my days off.  
     Tokyo was a pretty good place for someone like me to grow 
up.  No one really 
notices anyone, they're all to busy being involved in their own 
lives, and that was the 
way I liked it.  The weather was nice, with a good long summer and spring, and 
short winters and falls.  We didn't get much snow in Tokyo back 
then, or if we did, it melted as soon as it hit the streets.  We had gray slush 
everywhere except the park, 
that always seemed to have more than enough of the fluffy white 
stuff.  I really couldn't care either way though.  I was much more involved in 
trying to get through life okay and not have to talk to too many people.
     Motoki was exception to that rule of course.  He was 
someone I could confide 
in, I had known him since the grade school the orphanage sent me 
too, and life just seemed a bit better with him around.  He talked a lot, but I 
didn't mind.  It was kind 
of nice listening to the chatter.  The only time I didn't listen 
much was when he started to go on about Reika.  I really didn't want to hear 
about it, nor did I care.  I 
would smile at him and tell him to buy her roses, (my favorite 
flower,) and he would 
smile like a jack-o-lantern, brightening and thanking me, even 
though it was the same advice I had given him a month before. 
     I loved Motoki like a brother.  He made me feel like I was 
actually here for a reason, and that somehow I wasn't a total failure in life.  
Someone wanted me 
around, and at that time, it was the best feeling in the world.
     Motoki, as I said, ran the Arcade all afternoon, and had classes every 
morning.  I'll admit that there were a lot more young teenage 
girls going there as 
soon as he started working, but for some reason, Motoki with his 
dancing freckles and his happy, trusting smile, never knew that he was the 
reason.       We were complete opposites in just about everything back 
then.  He was happy, I was depressed.  He had a girlfriend, I was happily 
single.  He loved talking 
to people, I liked ignoring people.  He had light hair, I had 
dark.  We were good 
friends though.  I brought Motoki more down to Earth, and he tried to make me a 
happier person.  I'm not sure which one of us won, but I think it was he.  
.       My life changed for the first time around September 1992, the twentieth 
century.  Life was pretty good, or at least, as good as it got 
for me.  I had just 
gotten a raise, my rose garden was still blooming, and I was 
acing all my courses with ease.
I don't know the exact date, but I wish I did.  It started out 
pretty normal, as most days do.
     I awoke five minutes before my alarm was to go off, flicked 
it off, turned on the radio to hear the weather, and stepped out of bed.  I did 
notice, as my feet 
touched the wood floor, that it was a bit warmer than usual, and that the sun 
seemed to shine a bit brighter that morning, but I ignored it.  
My thoughts were all 
black and white, there was no room for color or laughter.  I 
stretched my arms up to the ceiling, my fingers brushing it just a touch before 
scratching the back of my head a moment, and walking into the kitchen.
     I picked up the kettle, lifted the tap handle, and filled 
it with some water 
before setting it down and plugging it into the outlet on the 
wall.  My mornings had 
an exact schedule to them, and everything was going according to 
plan.  I let the 
water heat up while I took a quick shower, washed, and combed my 
hair into a more 
organized fashion.  The kettle whistled just as I re-entered the 
kitchen, I unplugged 
it and opened the cupboard above it.  Pulling out a tea bag, I 
dropped it into the 
waiting coffee cup I had set out the night before, then poured 
an exact amount of 
water in after it, just as I had the day before.  I placed two 
pieces of toast in the toaster and went back to my room to get dressed. 
     The second strange thing of that day, though I didn't 
really recognize it then, 
was that I felt for some reason that I should try to look a bit 
better than usual for 
once.  Frowning at the full-length mirror next to my closet, I 
dug out my favorite dress pants, a nice button down shirt and a jacket before 
setting my sunglasses 
down on the hallstand.  I slipped into a comfortable pair of 
shoes and made it back 
into the kitchen just as the toast popped up.  I was eating my toast when I 
remembered that today was the day I was supposed to go to an awards ceremony 
for the most promising students in Tokyo.  Choking, a snarfed down my toast and 
ran back into my room, hurriedly putting my Tuxedo on.  I brushed my teeth in 
record time, grabbed my shades and was out the door in a split 
second with minutes 
to spare.  I checked my watch and slowed my pace a bit, I still 
had time.  Stepping 
into the elevator, I pushed the ground floor button and soon 
found myself in the parking lot for tenants, walking over to my car.  
     It was a nice car, I'll admit for the times.  Nothing compared to our 30th 
century pollution-free high tech cars, but in the nineties, it 
was amazing.  I'll admit it 
now, I really do like to show off sometimes, and this car was 
perfect.  Shiny red 
exterior, sleek and fast.  The inside had leather seats and a stereo that just 
screamed 'money'.  I never would have thought to be able to 
afford it, but it turns 
out that when the owner of the orphanage died, she gave me a lot of money.  I 
guess we related a lot, her parents had died in a car crash as well, and the 
orphanage was hers.  We talked sometimes back then, in fact, she 
was the one who got me hooked on haiku poetry.  I've read them all, and I have 
some that would 
make Usako turn a deeper red than you've ever seen.  <Grin> I can 
be rather evil sometimes, can't I?
     Back to the subject at hand though. When I had received word of the 
inheritance, I was shocked, but I had already bought my 
apartment, and motorcycle with some money 
I had stashed away, so I put half of it in the bank and spent 
the other half on the car. 
     Smiling, I pulled the keys out of my pocket and slid in, 
flipping the radio to a 
new song from a movie staring Yuki Terai, one of my favorite 
actresses.  She had this short, close-cropped brown hair that I kind of liked, 
though really I was, will, and 
always have been partial to blondes and long hair.  
     I stopped at a red light and waited patiently for it to 
turn green.  Usually, I 
didn't bother paying any attention to the pedestrian's crossing 
the street, but this 
time one of them caught his eye.  It was a pretty, young girl 
with long blond hair up 
in a strange style.  I almost laughed at the sight she made.  
Stepping up onto the 
curb, she seemed to trip over something and ended up sprawling across the 
pavement.  I heard a wail loud enough to wake the dead, but the 
light had changed so I continued on my way.  
     I glanced at the clock in my car as I pulled up into the 
parking lot of the hotel 
the ceremony was being held in.  I carefully drove around the 
parking lot, looking for 
a space close enough to the entrance for my liking.  Finally I 
found one, and parked 
my car between the white lines.  I stepped out and locked my door behind me.  I 
shut the car door softly before pocketing my keys and heading towards the front 
entrance.
A man in a uniform opened the door for me and I nodded my head slightly at 
him.  Stepping into the hotel I glanced around briefly 
unimpressed with the d‚cor.  I 
headed towards the large doors that led to the reception hall 
where the ceremony was taking place.  Again, a man opened the door for me as I 
entered the room.
     This time I was impressed with the decoration of the room.  There was a 
theme or dark blue and roses, which I though complimented each 
other perfectly.  Each of the tables had a vase of roses and baby's breath in 
them.  The table clothes were a midnight blue that set off the silverware.  
     "Chiba-san!" A voice called out.  I turned and saw one of my professors 
waving me over.  I headed towards him and the group of men he was standing with.
     "I'd like to introduce you all to my best pupil, Chiba 
Mamoru." Yuki-sensei 
spoke to the men.  I nodded my head and smiled politely, shaking 
the offered hands.  My professor laughed.
     "I'd tell you everyone's names, but you'd probably forget them before they 
could be useful!"      The other men joined in and I smiled politely.  Looking 
around the room for an escape, I saw Motoki and his girlfriend Reika.  Excusing 
myself, I made my way over to my friend.
     "Mamoru-san!  You made it." Motoki greeted me.
     "Of course I made it." I smiled back at him.  "How are you Reika-san?" 
     "Quite well, Mamoru-san." Reika smiled.  "Motoki-chan has been telling me 
what a shoo in you are for this award."
     "Ah, Motoki-san has a very good chance at it as well." Mamoru replied.
     "I don't know, Mamoru-san." Motoki smiled.  "Shall we go 
take out seats?  I took the liberty of checking where you are supposed to sit, 
Mamoru-san."     "Thank you Motoki-san, and where might that be?" I asked.
     "With us." Motoki replied before turning and walking 
towards one of the tables 
near the stage.  Puzzled at why we are sitting so close to the 
front, I follow Motoki 
and take my seat as the auditorium slowly fills with people.
     Eventually, the lights dimmed and the curtains parted about a centimeter 
before closing as a fidgety, kind of nerdy looking guy stepped onto the stage.
     "<Cough, cough> Er, hi there everyone, and welcome to the third annual 
'Most Promising Student' awards!  Tonight."  
     The little nerdy guy talked on for way to long, and eventually, I was half-
asleep.  The whole ceremony went on for almost six hours, and they still hadn't 
announced the winners!     
     I guess it was a few hours latter, though truth be told, I still have no 
recollection of most of it, Motoki elbowed me in the side.
     "Mamoru!  They're finally going to announce the top three winners!" Motoki 
whispered urgently, and I sat up straighter, fixing my hair 
again so no one would know I had been asleep. 
     Thankfully, the skinny nerdy guy was gone, and someone not half-so pocket-
protector-fan was standing up on stage now.
     "The third place winner, who gets one thousand dollars and 
a scholarship to Azabu Medical Institute is.."  I saw Motoki cross his fingers 
and close his eyes, Reika was watching him with hope.
     "Furuhata Motoki!"  The announcer announced, And everyone at out table 
jumped up and cheered, smiling as Motoki made his way to the 
stage, collected his 
prize and thanked everyone, (including me, I was happy to note) before standing 
back and waiting for the next two contestants.
     "Second place, winner of two thousand dollars and a scholarship to Harvard 
is. Mizuno-Anderson Ami!" the announcer exclaimed excitedly.  A 
short girl with blue 
hair and eyes shyly took the stage, collected her prize, and 
thanked the judge and 
then her mother for being a wonderful lady before standing near Motoki.  
     "And finally, the moment we've all been waiting for.. First 
prize, winner of 
four thousand dollars, a new apartment in the Azabu-Jubaan plaza 
and ten thousand 
dollars towards whatever school they wish to attend, the winner 
is!"  The announcer 
paused, heightening the anticipation. "Chiba Mamoru!"  My mouth dropped, I 
blinked, then smiled widely and went up on stage to claim my 
prize.  I thanked the 
judge and took a rather large envelope from him before taking the mike.
     "I. wow.  I never really expected this, but I'd like to 
thank Motoki-kun and 
Reika-san for being there for me.  Mom and Dad, I kind of wish you could see me 
now.  Thank you."  I said, and stepped back with Motoki and the 
blue haired girl.       The rest of the ceremony was a blur, but I do remember 
smiling a lot more 
than I had in a long time.  It finally ended around two-thirty 
in the afternoon, after a thousand talks, some with people I didn't even know.  
     I made my way back to my car and, unlocking the door, got in.  I set the 
envelope in the passenger side next to me and leaned against the 
dark leather seat 
to relax.  After a few minutes to collect myself, I put the key 
in the ignition and 
backed out of the parking space.  I followed the line of cars 
that led out of the 
parking lot with a patience that startled even myself.  I was 
floating on cloud nine.       By the time I reached my apartment, It was almost 
three-thirty and I was 
exhausted.  I parked my car in the underground parking, grabbed 
the envelope and went to wait for the elevator.  I stepped in and pressed the 
button labeled twelve.  
The elevator lurched and slowly made its ascent.  When the 
elevator dinged and the 
doors opened, I stepped into the well-lit hallway.  I pulled my 
keys from my pocket and unlocked my front door.
     The dull and lonely apartment greeted me, but I paid no 
attention to it this 
time.  This was one of those days that nothing could get me down.  I tossed the 
envelope onto my dining room table and headed into my bedroom.  
     I glanced at my appearance in the full-length mirror behind my door.  I 
decided that it might be fun to wander around Tokyo in a tuxedo for once, so I 
grabbed my keys and left my apartment.  
     As the elevator reached the ground floor, I decided to walk, instead.  I 
pushed open the large door and felt the sunshine fall across my 
face.  Glad that I 
had my sunglasses on, I headed towards the park.  A walk through the lush green 
fields sounded perfect about now.  
     I strolled along the cobble stone path, smiling at the 
young children playing 
with their parents.  I received a few odd stares, but was 
oblivious for the most part.
     This day was perfect. I was getting a new apartment, my first year of 
university was fully paid for, PLUS four thousand in the bank extra..
     Some children were playing catch to my left, and three 
girls were playing tag.  
I smiled at them, then glanced left just in time to catch sight 
of the boy's ball rolling 
towards my feet.  I bent down and picked it up, threw it back to 
them and continued 
on my way out of the park and towards the arcade.  Motoki and I 
should have a little celebration! 
     I stepped out from under the relative shade of the trees, and onto warm 
pavement and the relative shade of skyscrapers.  The arcade was 
only a block or two 
away from that exit of the park, so I slowed my walk a bit and took in my 
surroundings.       Tall skyscrapers lined the busy streets of Tokyo.  People 
were scurrying home from work and school.  There were many schoolgirls in their 
uniforms watching me 
as I headed towards the arcade, but I ignored them as usual.
     I was nearing the doors of the arcade when something hit my face.  With my 
fast reflexes, I caught the object and looked at it.  It was a 
wad of crumpled paper.  
I glanced around to see whose it could be, but no one seemed to 
be looking for a paper.  I smoothed it out and exclaimed aloud.
     "Thirty percent?!"
     "Hey!  That's mine!" A voice yelled at me and a delicate hand snatched the 
paper away from me.  I looked up to see a slight blond in front 
of me.  Her blue eyes were full of emotion as she glared up at me.
     "Well then don't toss it away, Odango Atama." I replied, commenting on her 
odd hairstyle.       "Don't call me that!" The girl screeched at me.  It was 
slightly embarrassing to be standing there getting yelled at by a mere child.  
Besides, I wasn't going to let anything spoil my mood.  
     "Whatever you say, Odango Atama." I told her before continuing on my way 
towards the arcade. I glanced across the street and saw a large jewelry store.  
     `Hmmm.  Could that store have the Silver Crystal?' I wondered, then 
wondering where that thought had come from.. But it was there.  
I heard the girl yelling at me still and I could tell she was getting even more 
furious when I ignored 
her. Laughing, I stepped into the arcade in search of Motoki.
     I didn't see him at first, so I sat down at the counter and waited, he'd 
probably be there soon.  Apparently the odango girl decided to 
come to the arcade 
to, because I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see her 
walk in, shoving the 
test in her pocket and sit down at my favorite game - Sailor V 
Fighter.  A minute or 
two later, I turned around, looking for Motoki, and found him - oddly enough - 
leaning over Odango's shoulder, helping her with the game.  
     An odd little feeling developed in my stomach right then, 
and it was strange 
because I didn't recognize it.  Well, not in this sense.  I had 
been jealous before, of 
people who had parents and a past. But right at that moment, I 
couldn't think of 
anything that would be triggering my jealousy, especially since 
it felt different this 
time.  Motoki leaned in closer to Odango to point to something 
on the screen and 
add an encouraging comment, and she smiled shyly.  The knot in my stomach 
tightened again.     After only a few minutes of watching them, my stomach was 
so contorted, I didn't think I'd be able to handle my usual cup of coffee.  My 
hands were clenched at 
my sides, pressed tight against the stool's rim, and my teeth 
were starting to hurt 
from grinding against each other so much.  Finally, I couldn't 
take it anymore, I 
stood up and left the arcade and went home, walking quickly and this time not 
noticing my surroundings until I fell onto my couch.  The 
feelings in my stomach 
started to ease a bit, but not much.  I closed my eyes and let 
my head fall against the back of the couch seat.
     What was wrong with me?  I had * never * fallen for anyone before, much 
less an Odango'd klutz.  'An adorable klutz though.' My brain was beginning to 
wander.  I shook it, and tried listing all her bad qualities 
from what I had seen today.  
'Okay. she's not coordinated.' I thought.  Another part of my 
brain replied with an 
irritating and almost automatic response however. 'But wouldn't 
you love to have her fall into your arms?'  Okay... let's try another one. 'She 
doesn't do well in school.'  
Once again, the other half of me replied automatically.  'You'd 
love to spend a night 
helping her study though, leaning over her shoulder like Motoki 
got to today.' It replied with an arrogant grin.  I frowned and the knots in my 
stomach that had been gradually fading returned full force. 
     'What is * wrong * with you Mamoru?  This is insane, you don't even know 
her, you've only seen her twice, and that was for less than 
thirty seconds each time!  Pull your act together man, and think logically!'
     But as you can tell, there was no way in hell I was going 
to be able to think straight that night.
     I think I fell asleep a short while later, because the next 
thing I knew, I was 
having the strangest dream.  I was leaning against a window, 
high in the shadows of 
the jewelry store I had seen earlier.  I noticed something was 
blocking part of my vision.  I reached one hand up slowly to find a party mask, 
those diamond ones they 
use at embassies, sitting on my face.  I was also shocked to see my hands were 
gloved.  It appeared that I had changed sometime earlier, for 
there was a cape on my back, hanging from my shoulders, and my bow tie was 
different.  Strangely 
though, I wasn't in control fully.  It was like another part of 
me had taken over for awhile, and I was forced to sit in the back of my mind, 
watching, oddly detached 
from myself.  I jumped into the air and landed on the floor 
below with out making a sound.  
     There were jewelry cases all around me and I started searching through 
them.  That scared the heck out of me, what was I doing?  
Stealing in my sleep?  But 
apparently whatever it was that I was looking for wasn't there, 
and my body started to head out when a sound reached my ears.  
     There were two people in the next room that I could hear, and I stepped 
forward a bit to hear them better.
     A short girl with red hair and an odd accent was being strangled by what 
appeared to be her mother, but was rapidly changing into something gruesome. 
     "Help!  Mom's trying to murder me!" the girl screamed.  Not only out loud 
though, because I could hear it much louder on a metal scale.  The woman/thing 
laughed wretchedly.  
     "I'm not your mother, little girl!" she exclaimed.  "Your 
mother's tied up in the basement!"
     "Nooo!" the girl screamed, and the creature grasped her neck tighter.
     'Here goes the dry run Cape Boy.' The other part of me 
thought, and started 
forward to help her, but backed into the shadows when the door 
slammed open, and a girl with a cat on her head spoke loudly.  She seemed so 
familiar to me, and I was 
happy she was there, but nervous for her.  How could she help, 
much less fight in 
that skimpy.. My eyes trailed down her figure. very nice, but skimpy outfit?
     "Get your hands off Naru-chan now you ugly witch!" she 
screamed defiantly.  
The cat hopped down to the floor and the girl stood her guard.
     "And who are you?" the creature rasped.
     "Me?!" The girl looked shocked for a minute, and sounded 
very scared.  "Um. 
I'm. um."  The cat meowed and turned her face to the full moon shining in the 
window where I had previously stood.  "A Champion of Justice, 
and Defender against 
Evil!  Sailor Moon!" she struck a pose that complimented her 
newfound confidence.    
Unfortunately, the creature was not half so impressed as I was, 
and leap forward, nails extending into sharp appendages of their own.
     "Sailor Moon?  I've never heard of anything named Sailor 
Moon!"  It was then 
I noticed the unconscious people scattered across the floor, 
littering the room.  "All 
you slaves, wake up!  You have given your energy to the 
omnipotent!" the creature 
screamed.  The people slowly and jerkily got to their feet, eyes 
dark, not moving of 
their own accord.  They hissed together in a chant and started 
to converge on the 
girl as the creature chased her, attacking with her long nails.  
The girl barely managed to dodge, but fell and cut her knee.  She backed up 
against a wall and started talking to herself hysterically.  
     "Wahh!  This isn't a dream?" 'Same thing I was wondering.' 
I noted mentally. "Owww!  My knee's bleeding!" she wailed.  A voice spoke, 
somewhere from the 
vicinity of the floor, but I couldn't track it, or hear what it 
was saying.  The girl 
seemed to understand though, and leapt to her feet just as the 
cat jumped onto her head again, the two avoiding random shots taken at them.  
"What?!  There's no 
way!" the girl - Sailor Moon, I corrected myself - replied to 
another comment by the 
voice. "Why me, why does it have to be me?!"  Tears welled up in 
her eyes as she 
crouched back against a wall again, hiccuping.    "I hate this!  
I want to go home!" 
she wailed, and the room was filled with the most horrendous sound I had ever 
heard, shattering windows and display cases, pinging off the 
walls in it's course of destruction.  Oddly enough, it didn't wake the sleeping 
'Naru-chan' who had been dropped earlier.  
     "Ahh, those shrieks!" the creature exclaimed.  'My thoughts 
exactly.'  They 
seemed to be affecting it more than anything else had so far.  I 
knelt down, avoiding the girl's sonic boom-wailing affect.  
     "Don't cry Sailor Moon, now's your chance!" I exclaimed.  
She froze, and her 
head swiveled in my direction.  The voice spoke again to her, 
and I got the feeling it 
was coming from the cat perched on her head.  'Anything's 
possible in this messed 
up dream.' I thought, shrugging it off.  The girl pulled her 
tiara from her head and 
tossed it up in the air before catching it, and posing discus style.   
.        "Moon Tiara!  Go!"  She shouted, and smiled as it hit its 
target dead on.  I 
smiled to myself and enjoyed her energetic disposition and very 
nice form while I 
still had the chance.  She reminded me a bit of this princess in 
these dreams I'd 
been having lately..  The creature meanwhile, crumbled into dust 
and faded away.       'No way!  It turned that witch into sand.' she thought, 
astounded.  I smiled, 
surprised at how easily her thoughts came to me.  I jumped into 
the air again, flying up to my window.  
     "I didn't find the Imperium Silver Crystal here, however I 
enjoyed the show." 
I said, smiling down at her as I landed.  She froze, staring up 
at me.  'Oh!  That 
voice, I've heard it before!' she thought.  I smiled, maybe she 
had.  "My name is 
Tuxedo Mask." I said to her, preparing to leave again.  'Oh hey, 
thanks for telling me 
first.' I shot at the other half.  It grinned.  "I won't forget 
you, Sailor Moon." And I 
was gone.  Her last thought however, made me smile even wider as I made my way 
home by rooftop.     'What a mysterious guy. like a prince or something.'  She 
sighed happily.  'Wow.'
     So the attraction was mutual.  That was nice to know.  
     The next thing I remember, I woke up on my couch.  "Few, it was just a 
dream!" I exclaimed, wiping my forehead.  Then I frowned, and 
reached up, touching the mask that adorned my face still.
     "Shimatta." The more I thought about it though, it wasn't 
that bad.  After all, 
no one got hurt, and I was helping people. I sure was a lot more 
agile in that, er, 
this form, and not to mention that Sailor Moon was an attractive added bonus. I 
sighed and fell back onto the couch, costume disappearing as I 
fell into a deep sleep.
     "No.  No don't go.  Wait." I mumbled in my sleep.  "Show me who." I 
awoke with a jerk, sitting straight up on my couch.  Beads of 
sweat were dripping 
down my face and neck.  I stood up, thinking back to the strange 
dreams I had been having.  
     `Pseudo dreams really.' I thought to myself.  I thought 
they were dreams, but 
the costume, and now her.  I looked down to see that I was again wearing my own 
tuxedo.  Somewhat relived, I went into the kitchen and pulled a bottle of 
water from the refrigerator.  Grabbing a glass from the cupboard, I poured 
myself a glass of water.  
Setting the bottle back in the fridge, I went out onto the 
balcony over looking the 
busy streets of Tokyo.  Even at this hour, the streets seemed 
full of life from where I watched.
     My mind wandered back to the dream that had woken me up.  It was the 
same one that had plagued my nights for months before.  I hadn't had the dreams 
for the past month or so, but now they were back with full force.
     The girl was still untouchable, begging me to free her.  
She told me again that 
I needed to find the Silver Crystal to save her, and that 
nothing else could.  I 
couldn't make out her features, as usual, but the haunting blue eyes looked 
imploringly into mine.
     "Endymion please." She would breath out, crystalline tears 
running down her 
cheeks.  For some unknown reason, I wanted to hold her, comfort her and wipe 
away her tears.     "You need to take your duty more seriously now.  The time 
has come.  You are so close!  You can free me, Endymion.  I know you can!  
Sailor Moon is your ally.  
Trust her, for she can lead you to me." She had told me.  The 
information shocked 
me to the core.  How did my princess know about Sailor Moon, and why was she 
calling me Endymion?  I didn't understand.
     Still confused, I turned back inside and set the cup down 
in my kitchen sink.  
Sighing, I went into my bedroom, hoping to sleep through the 
rest of the night in peace.
     The next afternoon, I was walking towards the arcade to meet Motoki for 
some coffee.  I was just about to step through the doors when I 
felt something hit me on the head.
     "D‚j… vu." I muttered, as I looked down at the wad of blue paper that had 
hit me.  "More school!  Who needs that?" I heard a familiar voice say.  I 
looked in the direction the paper had come from only to see Odango standing 
there with her cat.             "Bunny, why don't you study a bit too?"
     "Me?  Uh, no thanks I think I'll pass."
     "Odango Atama!" I greeted cheerfully, uncrumpling the paper in my hand.  I 
paused and thought about the last thirty seconds for a moment, 
as she muttered to herself.
     "Oh! You're that guy from." I interrupted her, pulling my 
sunglasses off as calmly as I could.  My heart was pounding.
     "Did," I asked, "That cat just talk?"  She blanched and 
held the small black 
cat close to herself.  It kind of looked like Sailor Moon's cat.  Hmm..
     "Uh. of course not!  See ya latter!" she said, and turned 
on her way.  "Luna, 
that was a close one." she muttered.  I blinked, then looked 
down at the paper in my hands.
     'Crystal Academy. A cram school, with a new study plan.  Well, I could use 
one after all, my nights are about to get a lot more crowded..'  
I decided to check it out.  
     The building was right beside me, so I didn't have to go 
searching all over 
town for it.   The woman at the desk was tall with blonde hair 
pulled back in a bun.  
She looked kind of like a German army sergeant, and it scared me 
a bit.  She slid some forms across the table, which I filled out and gave me a 
disk.  I decided to take 
the 'study at home' version in case anything err. came up. < ^_^ 
I am so weird. >  
     Finally taking the disk and heading home, I sat down at my 
computer and put 
the disk in my A drive.  The screen went fuzzy for a moment, but 
then cleared and I began typing up my report for English class.  As I typed, a 
strange feeling came over 
me.  'Find the Imperium silver crystal.' someone seemed too be 
telling me, but it 
wasn't my princess, and I doubted they had good intentions.  I 
stared at the screen a moment before ripping the disk out the drive, and a rose 
appeared in my hand, which I instinctively threw at it, shattering the disk.  
     'Evil. I've got to get to the computer school!'  Just as I 
finished that thought 
I felt what could only be Sailor Moon transforming, and before I 
knew it, I was flying out the door, cape and mask already on.  
     The first thing I noticed when I got there, aside from the 
overwhelming sense 
of fear I was getting from Sailor Moon, (whom I suspected could 
possibly be Odango, 
or Usagi as I had heard her called) was that the room was filled 
with fog.  I saw Sailor Moon, about to be attacked by that German Army girl 
turned youma, and didn't hesitate to swoop down, grab her, and fly off while 
taking assessment of the 
room.  There was another Sailor Suited girl off in one corner, 
looking very surprised, 
but I headed back towards the youma.  "Kick her, now!" I commanded, and Sailor 
Moon responded immediately, trusting it to be me.
"Moon Kick!"  the youma fell to the floor and I turned Sailor Moon to look at 
me for a moment.       "Be careful Sailor Moon, that witch is over there!"
     "Tuxedo Mask?" she asked, amazed.  Our faces were gradually coming closer 
and I would hit a wall soon if I didn't start paying attention.  
I could hear both our hearts thumping - loudly - and smiled.  
     'Wow..' She thought, and my smile widened.  I set her down then, much to 
my dismay.       "Time to save your friend." I told her and she nodded, mind 
back on the battle at hand.  She tossed her tiara up in the air again - a 
move I was starting to 
like - and in a matter of seconds, this monster was dust, just 
as the last one was.  I 
left the two Sailors to talk among themselves.  I did hear, just 
before I was out of range, her question the air with a pleading,
     "Tuxedo Mask?" and then a sigh.  
     As soon as I got home that night, I fell exhausted into bed 
and went straight 
to sleep.  The dream of the princess returned to me again, the 
exact same words, the exact same place.  Nothing changed there.
     The next day, I woke up at the alarm for once, was dressed 
and in my school 
uniform, five minutes latter than usual. The day went as normal, 
and school got out a little early. I took a seat at the back of the public bus 
before I noticed who I was 
sitting next to.  It was that girl, Usagi, the one who had me 
wrapped around her little 
finger with out even trying.  'Strange thing about this girl, 
she sure does talk to herself a lot.' 
     "If there's trouble, it's your fault Luna!" she said.  That 
second voice replied again, and I tried to glance at her without her knowing.
     "Don't worry, it's only three o'clock, and I've got the 
remote to contact Amy." 
It replied.  Just then, when I glanced over, I saw the cat she 
had in her lap talking, 
but suddenly it started meowing frantically.  She held the cat 
up close to her face.
     "What?  What is it Luna?  What are you trying to say?" she asked, sounding 
confused.  I put on my 'I don't really care' face, and commented 
in a snide voice,     "Yeah Luna, go ahead and say it."  I grinned, she turned 
bright red and jumped half out of her seat, just the reaction I was hopping for.
     "Ooh!  You again!" She exclaimed.  I continued grinning at her, loving the 
adorable little expression on her face. er..  
"What are you doing here?" She asked me, setting the cat aside.  
"I take this bus, Odango." I reached in to my bag and pulled out my student 
card.  I held it up for her to see, hoping she would be 
impressed, although I'm not sure why.
     "Chiba Mamoru, Azabu High School, eleventh grade." She read aloud, then 
shrugged.  "Big deal."
Odango leaned forward in the bus seat, resting her arms on her knees, and 
her head on her hands.  She seemed to be thinking about something, and as I 
watched her I felt reminded of someone, but I couldn't quite 
place it..  Studying 
her, the way her hair was tied up, the way her innocent blue eyes seemed almost 
frightened by something, it hit me.
"Champion of justice." I whispered.  Her head shot up and she looked at me 
strangely.  Had she heard what I said?  Did it mean something to her?  The bus 
stopped and the doors swung open.  Usagi stood up, grabbed her 
cat and took off.  I 
glanced out the window to see what stop it was she had gotten 
off at.  It was the 
Hikawa Shrine, the one the buses had been disappearing from.  
I got up quickly and followed Usagi off the bus.  She didn't notice me, so I 
made no attempt to get her attention.  I stood quietly off to 
the side, hidden, as she 
began whispering furiously to her cat.  I only caught snatches of her phrases.
".close Luna!  He almost." She began shaking her head.  ".too scared. 
what if. disappear too?"
Curious as to what she was talking about, I wondered if I could creep closer 
to hear better.  As I was about to move, I saw her nod her head 
in resignation.     
"Alright Luna." Even her Odango seemed to droop with sadness.  She seemed 
to ask her cat anther question, before smiling brightly.  "Oh 
yeah!" She exclaimed.  
Out of no where, she was holding a pink pen with a jewel on top.  Immediately I 
thought that it might be the Silver Crystal, but the jewel had a 
golden hue to it.  I continued to watch as Usagi threw the pen into the air and 
shouted something.  
There was a flash of bright light, and I had to shield my eyes.  
When I looked back, Usagi was no where to be seen.  In her place was a very 
attractive stewardess, with short blond hair.
"Oh my God.  Usagi is Sailor Moon.." I whispered.  I was sitting there in 
shock when I saw the bus headed towards her.  She was going to 
get on, and follow 
the route through to see where the buses were disappearing to.  I knew she was, 
and I knew I didn't want her to.  It was all that stupid cat's fault.
"Hurry up Usagi!" The cat told her.  Usagi's knees were nearly shaking 
together as the bus approached.  
This time the bus didn't slow or stop.  The sign was blank and blinking, and 
Usagi noticed a girl, unconscious in the window. 
'No!  They've got Rei-chan!' she screamed out mentally, and started to run 
after the bus.    She jumped, clinging to the side.
Her legs must really have been shaking, because while I ran after her, the cat 
fell off from her perch on one ankle, and I just barely caught 
her in time.  She obviously didn't like me though, (the feeling was mutual for 
quite some time) because she leapt away first chance.  The last thing I saw or 
heard before the bus 
disappeared was Usagi in her short-skirted stewardess uniform, screaming in her 
mind again.'Luna no!  Tuxedo Mask!  I'm all alone, how will I do this?'
I frowned, shaking now.  Could she do it alone?  I didn't really know, though 
part of me thought she could.  Still, I'd rather be there for her.
A split second latter that other part of me was back at work again, and the 
world started to fade into something else.  I closed my eyes and 
let it guide me.When the earth stopped shifting beneath my feet, I opened my 
eyes to find myself standing by several of the busses that had disappeared, 
all full of unconscious 
girls.  I went to work quickly, attaching them together in a 
chain.  On the other side 
of the busses, Sailor Moon and Mercury were attacking what the other half of me 
said was a general of the Negaverse.  The girl, 'Rei-chan' was 
unconscious at his feet.  That could wait though, my first priority was the 
civilians.  After that was all 
set up I checked on the Senshi again.  A new sailor had appeared 
and Rei-chan was gone.  Gee, I wonder who she could be?  Not.  She had just 
burned the general to 
moondust and the three were talking.   I hopped into the front 
bus' drivers seat and opened the door.
"Need a ride?  This place is getting a little unstable ladies." 
I called to them.  They all smiled.
"Sure!" Sailor Moon, Usagi, spoke up for them and they climbed in, Mars and 
Mercury checking the girls while Usagi stood behind me, where I 
was happy to note I could watch her in the review mirror.  
'I knew he would come.' She thought happily.  I smiled at her.  Life didn't get 
much better than this. 
A moment or two latter, the busses were back on Cherry Hill, the portal to 
that other world was closed, and I disappeared from the bus just 
as the Senshi got 
off.  Exhausted, I headed home to fall asleep as quickly and as 
deeply as I could.  It had been a good, but long day.
I awoke the next day feeling content and warm.  I didn't want to get out of 
bed, it was strange.  Usually, I just got up, climbed out of bed 
right away.  There 
were things to do, places to go.  Today was Saturday, and even 
though I didn't have 
work or school, I usually got up.  Today, I realized how nice it 
would be to just sleep 
in, enjoy the warmth and softness of bed and close my eyes, 
dreaming of none other 
than Tsukino Usagi.  I closed my eyes and smiled.  That girl had 
me wrapped around her finger, and she didn't even know it!   Kami-samma she was 
pretty, more than 
that, beautiful!  But she didn't like me, well, the Chiba Mamoru 
me.  She seemed to 
adore Tuxedo Kamen. Maybe I should start trying to get her to like me for me, 
Chiba Mamoru, so that if we ever did tell each other our 
identities one day, I could 
know that maybe she liked me Mamoru better than me Tuxedo Kamen?  Would that 
work at all, or was I just a foolish dreamer?  I sighed and fell 
back to sleep.  My dreams that morning were different.  Still the same Princess 
in the beginning, hair, body, dress, but no face.  But I didn't wake up 
immediately after that.  Instead I dreamt in color this time, walking through a 
garden.  Usako was there, (Usako, where did that come from?  Suits though.) she 
wandered through 
ahead of me, looking at the flowers and smiling, laughing at the 
small animals that 
jumped through the trees or hopped across the path in front of her.
"Usako," I called out.  She turned to look at me and smiled. 
"Mamo-chan!  What are you doing here?" she asked.  'Silly question Usagi, 
this must be a dream or something. Eep!  I just called him 
Mamo-chan!  Why would 
I do that?  Wait a minute, Usako?' I smiled at her.  Knowing 
this must be confusing for her, I took her arm and looped it through mine.
"Come Usako, I know these gardens like the back of my hand." I told her, and 
strangely enough, I did.  We walked for what seemed like hours, 
and eventually, she began to warm up to me.
"What's that flower called Mamo-chan?" she asked me.  I looked over where 
she was pointing, but there were no flowers there.
"What flower Usako, I can't see any!" I commented, confused.  Maybe I had 
looked in the wrong direction?  I looked around, but strangely 
there were no flowers anywhere around me.  
But then I looked back at Usako, and there were flowers all around her, in her 
hair, on the plants around her, at her feet.  Everywhere, it 
seemed the air was filled with flowers, roses none the less!
'Roses, the symbol of love.  Remember Endymion, that you will only see this, 
and understand it if you open up and welcome love into your heart.  Please 
Endymion, you can free me!' A voice spoke in my head, and the 
next thing I knew, I 
was back in my room, in bed, and I no longer wanted to sleep.
I found myself headed to the arcade, without making the conscious decision 
to go there. I had gotten up, showered and dressed in record 
time, wanting to be out 
of my apartment as quickly as possible. It was almost noon, a 
record for me. I've never stayed at home for so long without a reason. 
     The bells above the arcade door jingled as I pushed it open. Motoki 
was behind the counter, wiping it down and talking to a girl I 
didn't recognize. I 
headed to the counter and sat down on the stool near where he was standing.
      "Mamoru-kun!" Motoki greeted. "I expected to see you earlier. Would 
you like some coffee?" 
     I nodded, ignoring his comment about my tardiness. With a quick 
glance around, I noted that Usako wasn't around. I sighed, somewhat sadly, 
wondering when she would be there. I wondered if she really 
liked roses? The flower 
of true love... Her picture formed in my mind, Usako covered in 
red roses, covered in 
true love. What an odd phrase. Usako covered in true love, but 
that was a truth in 
itself, for no matter where she went, people loved her. They adored her, just 
because she could smile and laugh, and love, freely. But could she ever love me?
 "Mamoru-kun? Are you alright?" Motoki asked. I looked up and saw him 
looking at me with a concerned expression. The coffee was 
sitting in front of me, black, just the way I like it. 
"I'm fine." I mumble, lifting the drink to my lips. As I sip it, 
the coffee just doesn't taste right. It's to... bitter, I decide. I want 
something sweeter. Something 
like... "Can I have some hot chocolate instead?" I ask, looking 
up at Motoki. He 
seems rather surprised, but nodded, taking away the coffee. The 
jingle of bells calls 
out behind me, and I'm tempted to turn around and see if its 
Usako. I wait, using all 
my self-control, straining to hear her lilting voice. Instead, I 
hear a deeper voice. It's not my Usako. 
"Are you sure everything's okay, Mamoru-kun?" Motoki asks. "I mean, you've 
never had anything but coffee here before, and you seem so... out of it. Did 
something happen?" 'Yeah, Motoki-san, something happened. I fell in love...' Of 
course, I don't say it out loud. I just look at him and shrug. 
"It's almost finals. I'm a bit stressed." Motoki seems to find this acceptable, 
and nods. "I understand. Good luck." He smiles at me and I smile back, 
though without the same enthusiasm. Taking my hot chocolate with me, I stand up 
and move to one of the booths near the back. I make sure that I'll be able to 
see Usako if she comes in before sitting down. 
After sitting there for nearly an hour, my patience is rewarded. The door to 
the arcade opens once more, to reveal the most gorgeous being 
ever to exist. Usako 
walks in with a bright smile on her face. She practically flows 
with grace, and I wonder why I never seemed to notice before. 
"Hi Motoki-san." She smiles up at him, but I'm not jealous. I've seen the 
smile she gives to someone she really likes, the way she smiles at me as Tuxedo 
Kamen. Her 'crush' on Motoki is not important. It's her infatuation with Tuxedo 
Kamen that has me more worried. How do I make her see that I am 
the one for her, and in that having me, she has him as well?
 I'm too far away to hear what they are talking about, but I see Motoki's face 
look a bit worried, and Usako react to it. I'm also sure I catch 
my name mention a 
few times in their conversation. The look on Usako's face makes me smile. She's 
seems concerned about me, worried. Maybe it's just her natural 
concern about all that lives, or because Motoki is concerned, but I think it is 
more than that. At least, I 
hope it's more. Maybe she's worried, just because it's me? 
The door opens again, but this time it's her two friends. Usako smiles at 
them, worry and concern lingering in her expression. The shorter 
of the two says 
something to her about it, but she just shrugs if off and smiles a bit more.
 "Let's go shopping now, Odango Atama. No more moping." The dark haired 
girl exclaims. Moping? Usako was moping? About what? Did something happen to 
her?
I found my hand in a tight fist on the tabletop. The feeling to rush Usako 
away from the world and protect her from everything was almost overwhelming. I 
take a deep breath and force myself to sip my now cold hot 
chocolate. I watch as 
Usako walks out of the arcade with her two friends, never once looking in my 
direction. I stood up and walked over to Motoki, asking him for a re-fill 
on my hot chocolate. He takes my cup and walks to the back counter, messes 
around with the hot chocolate machine and comes back over.
 "What did she say?" I ask finally. He looks confused.
 "What did who say?" he asks back. I sigh. 
             "Usak- Usagi, what did she say, I heard my name and 
she looked sad." I reply.  
             "Oh, well, I told her you weren't feeling to well 
and she was worried. Even 
though you guys argue - yeah, I've heard about it and you're 
kawaii little nickname 
for her, - I think she cares about you like any friend would. 
You should give her a chance Mamoru!" Motoki finished. 
             "You don't have to tell me twice, I already know 
how great she is." I mutter. I think he heard me anyway, or noted my dreamy 
expression, (there I go 
again, dreaming about her) before turning away to get my drink, which I took 
without thinking about it and drank calmly. I sat there for a 
long time. It didn't feel 
like it though. I remember that I just sort of sat there, (as I 
said I had nothing to do, 
and you can tell I was pretty out of it, with Usako on my mind 
and all) daydreaming 
about her, the dream... Wondering if maybe it was to predict 
something? I felt cold 
and clammy, thinking about the dream, but everytime my mind wandered from the 
'prophecy' my princess gave me to sweet, sweet, Usako, I felt 
warm and calm again. Finally, it hit me. 
"HOW DENSE AM I?!" I shouted, jumping off my stool. I quickly sat down 
again though, people were looking at me funny. All this time, it 
had meant that if I 
fall in love with Usako (already done!) and she fell in love 
with me (uh. a work in 
progress...-_-) then I would be saved! I would see roses, and 
light, and be happy 
and finally have a family! I grinned to myself, ignoring what 
must have been a VERY 
silly looking expression on my face, chugged the rest of my 
drink and was out the 
door. I had to buy her roses! And diamonds, no pearls, she loves 
pearls, how did I 
know that? I have no idea, but oh! Chocolate, and icecream and 
-! My mind came to a full halt. 
"Hold on a sec Chiba. You're missing one very important factor." 
'She doesn't love you the way you love her, and it will seem odd, frighten her, 
to do all this all at once. Start slow boy, work your way in...' 
Looking ahead and walking slower now, I saw her walking down the street towards 
me, smiling. "Kon-wa Odan... Usagi-chan, how has your day been so far?" I 
call out to her. She paused, looked surprised and.smiled. A heart-warming, 
knee-shaking, breath-
takingly Gooooorgeus smile. I think my brain just flew out the window. 
"Kon-wa Mamoru-kun, My day has gone very well so far today, you?" she 
asks, falling into step with me. I smile. 
"Excellent now, I've decided to become a better person. No more Odango 
Atama!" I tell her cheerfully. She frowns. 
"Well, I hate to tell you this after all this time Mamoru, but I do think it's 
actually very nice that you chose a nickname for me... I mean, well, not many 
people have taken the time to do that." She says softly. I wink, 
trying to cheer her up. 
"Don't worry Usagi, I have a new one for you, but..." I look around 
conspiratorially, seeing if anyone is listening. I bend down and 
whisper next to her 
ear, "I can't tell it to you yet." She shivers slightly, and I'm 
not sure if that's a good 
thing or a bad thing, but I'm hoping for the former and not the latter. 
"You do?" she squeaks out, and then, "How come?" I grin. 
"It's a secret. When everything is set, then I'll tell you." 
Smiling once more, I 
continue on my way, glancing over my shoulder once to see her 
still watching me. This makes my smile widen and I turn the corner. 
Hmmm... Now I need to come up with some sort of plan that will make Usako 
fall head over heels in love with me, as quickly as possible. 
Well, what do typical teenage girls dream of? Wait.
 Usako's not a typical teenage girl. Most girls don't fight demons from another 
dimension. Okay, try again. What does Usako dream of? 
Well, that one's easy! She dreams of moonlit kisses and dancing on the sea 
and dashing princes dressed in tuxedos... 
All right, now how do I fulfill her dreams? I've got the tuxedo part down, and 
I'm ready for those moonlit kisses as soon as she is. 
I began meandering down the street thinking about how I can win the love of my 
beloved when I suddenly get the perfect idea. I turn around and 
race back the way I 
had come. I headed towards the Tokyo Bay, hoping I could rent a 
boat on such short notice. 
            Walking along the dock, I see the perfect yacht. I 
look at it, my eyes 
catching the name. 'Moonlight Princess'. Perfect! Now, if only I 
could rent it...            "She's a beaut, ain't she?" A voice asks me. I look 
over and see an elderly man staring at the same boat as me. 
"That she is." I nod.
 "Are you looking to rent her?" This man is sent from Heaven. I'm convinced.
 "I am, actually." I turn to face him. "Do you know who I see about that?" 
"Me." The man steps onto the ship and gestures for me to follow. "Do you 
know how to drive her?" "No, but I'm a fast learner." I reply. 
"What do you want her for?" 
"I want to take the girl of my dreams (quite literally) out for night of dinner 
and dancing." I tell him. "She must be some girl." 
"Yes, she is..." I sigh happily picturing Usako before turning my attention 
back to the man. "How much is it for a day?"
"You seem like a young man in love... You can take it out for free." He tells 
me.           "But Sir..." I began, before he interrupts me.
"I insist. My wife of fifty-six years died last year, but I can 
still remember the 
way she made me feel and I can tell that's how you feel about 
this girl. Please. It would mean a lot to me." 
"Thank you, Sir." I speak seriously, though my mind is already planning how 
to get Usako to the boat that night. 
"Well, here are the keys for the boat. Make sure you've got her back here 
tomorrow evening, alright?" The man asks me. I nod, accepting 
the keys and thank him once more.
I can't remember much of the next few minutes, I simply absorbed what he 
told me on how to pilot the boat (we went inside, but no, I will 
not tell you what it 
looked like right now. Suffice to say it was perfect.) And then 
I headed back to my apartment, in a daze.
I was smiling the whole way there, which is more than I have ever done in 
the most of my life that I remember, and fell onto the couch, 
playing my hands over 
the small set of silver keys in my hand. God, I could seriously 
think about becoming 
a priest, just to thank who ever the heck was up there for this chance. 
Snapping out of my daze, I picked up the phone and made several very 
important phone calls, (Which I will also not divulge until the 
time is right. It's too 
fun watching you squirm, sort of like Usako!) ,the last of which 
was to the operator 
to find the number of one Tsukino family living somewhere in Jubaan.
 Luckily, there was only one family by that name, (How odd!) and I wrote the 
number on a piece of notepaper, which has been folded away, and is in perfect 
condition to this very day.  ^_^ Anyways, I pulled my Tux out of the closet, 
smoothed it out, produced two roses, (one for my lapel, one for 
the girl. ^_^) and 
went to take a shower, reluctant to let the little phone number 
slip out of my sight. 
That had to be the longest shower I have ever taken in my entire life, except 
maybe the one before the wedding.  I was anxious to get out, so 
I could call her, but 
I had the whole fear-of-rejection thing going on.  I wanted to 
get out and check the 
phone number and tuxedo again, but I wanted to smell my best too.  I have never 
been so indecisive before.  
I took extra care dressing that night. I carefully pulled on my tux pants, 
trying not to wrinkle or crease them. I buttoned the shirt 
slowly and carefully so that 
all the buttons matched. Then I tied the bow tie. My trembling fingers almost 
couldn't do it. I knew I was procrastinating. I mean, I was 
dressing before I had the date! 
"Mamoru. Get a grip. Call her and ask her right now!" I spoke to my 
reflection. Sighing, I picked up the paper and headed to the 
phone. I dialed slowly, 
making sure I didn't hit a wrong number. As the phone rang, my nervousness 
increased. I sank onto the arm of the chair next to the phone 
and waited. After the fourth ring, someone picked up."Hello?"
"Hi, is Usagi there please?" My voice trembled slightly, but the person on the 
other line didn't seem to notice. 
"One moment please. Usagi-chan!" There was a slight clatter as the phone 
was set down before I heard someone else pick it up. "Hello?" It was her. 
"Usagi?" I asked. "Who is this?" I could hear the confusion in her voice. 
"This is Chiba Mamoru." I paused, waiting for the screaming and the sound of 
the receiver being slammed down. When I heard none, I spoke again. "I was 
wondering if you would let me take you out to dinner tonight? 
I... I feel bad for everything I've done, calling you names and teasing you. 
Please?" I held my breath as I waited for her to reply. My eyes were 
clenched shut and the knuckles on my hands were white.
"Uhmm..." Usagi seemed to be thinking. "Is this a joke?" 
"No." I replied, my voice tight from lack of oxygen. 
"Alright then!" Usagi replied cheerfully. 
"Really?" I asked, unable to stop myself. 
"Sure. I mean, why not?" She laughed slightly. 
"I'll pick you up around seven then?" I asked her. 
"Okay. Uhm.. What should I wear?" She asked. 
"Something nice... But then, everything you wear is nice." I heard her giggle 
slightly. "I'll see you around seven." She promised, before hanging up. Smiling 
happily, I went back into my room and pulled on my tuxedo jacket. 
"She said yes! She said YES!" I shouted merrily, not caring if my neighbors 
complained. I was too happy to care. 
Now there is only one problem with being dressed at this point in time.  I was 
clean, I had flowers, I was dressed, I looked smashing.  I had 
three hours to go.'Okaaaay Mamoru, what can you do to pass some time?' I looked 
around my apartment. Spotless.
'Well, what else can I do?'  I grabbed one of my many physics books off a 
shelf plopped down on the couch and started to read.
Two minutes later I was still on the same word, the same page and the same 
thought.  'I wonder what Usagi is doing right now?' Shaking my 
head I tossed the 
book onto the floor.  That was no help, what to do?  What to do?  I could cook 
dinner, but then I wouldn't be hungry latter on my date.  
Wait a second, isn't there something I'm supposed to be doing right now?  
What could it be?  My mind wandered to the boat, (or should I say yacht?) I had 
gotten for the evening.  There was something.
"I still have to set up!  MAMORU YOU FOOL!"  Jumping up, I was out the door 
in two seconds.  Of course, I had to come back a moment latter, 
sheepishly, to get the keys and a few other things I would need that night.  A 
moment or two latter, I was off again!  
My neighbors must have thought I was crazy.
The boat needed a few things to make it perfect for tonight.  I set white table 
clothes up on a small table on deck, over looking the sea, but 
with a clear view of 
the moon.  I got a vase from the captains quarters, and filled 
it (from my usual source) full of red roses.  'Roses, moonlight. candlelight!'  
Whipping a box of matches out, I grabbed some tall dinner candles from, once 
again, the captains' 
quarters.  Lighting them, I centered them on the table, polished 
the silver ware and dishes to perfection, set the food in the microwave in the 
kitchen, and checked my watch.  Five to seven.
"ACK!  Shimmatta, I'm going to be late!"
Now you can fully appreciate the effect my little Usako has on me.  
I nervously, walked up to her house, and raised my hand to knock
on her door, then lowered it.
"No, I can't do this..." I turned to leave, but remembered that she
was waiting for me, expecting me.  "Okay, Mamoru.  Just knock onthe door."
I raised my hand again and knocked rapidly, not giving myself time
to back out again.  A few minutes later, the door was slowly opened
by a young boy."Yes?" He asked, suspiciously eyeing my suit.
"Is... Is Tsukino Usagi here?" I asked, biting my lip nervously.
Wait...  Why am I afraid of some twelve-year-old?"Who are you?" He asked.
"Chiba Mamoru." I replied.  If her younger brother is like this,
what's her dad like?
"And what do you want her for?" He asked.  I paused to think about that.
For life, forever.  I want to whisk her away to a life of paradise
where I can show her every minute just how much she means to me,
just how much I love her.
Of course, I never got the chance to say it.  The door was opened 
wider, this time by her mother.
"You must be Chiba Mamoru!  Usagi was talking about you!  Please,
come it." She smiled brightly.  So, she talks about me?  Hmm...
"I'm Tsukino Ikuko.  If you wait here, I'll go get Usagi and 
let her know your here."  
"Thank you." I smiled and watched the blue haired woman go
up the stairs.  I waited patiently until she came down a fewmoments later.
"Usagi will just be a minute.  If you'll excuse me, I have something
in the oven...""Of course."  I smiled again.  I saw down on the couch facing the
stars and waited.  Less than a minute later, I heard footsteps
coming down the stairs and I smiled in anticipation.
Suddenly, she was there.  She was standing at the bottom of the
stairs looking magnificent in a white, strapless, sleeveless
dress.  The satiny material was folded over the top, and fell
down, hugging her figure slightly.  There was a long slit up one
side that revealed her long slender legs when she walked.
I remained seated as she stood there, incapable of moving.  She
was just so stunning, so beautiful, so perfect...
"Mamoru-san?" She asked, looking at me curiously.
"Usagi...  Gomen." I stood up quickly and moved towards her.
"Are you ready to go?" "Go where though?" She asked, lacing her arm through mine
and heading towards the door."It's a surprise." I told her as I opened the door.
"Bye mom!" She called and we stepped outside.  "This is your
car?!"  She exclaimed.  "Sugoi!"
I grinned.  If she liked my car, I couldn't wait until she saw the boat!  I 
opened her door for her, and, looking pleasantly surprised, she 
slid in.  Closing it, I 
walked around to my side and hopped it.  Kami-samma, she looked 
good in my car.  Heck, she looked good anywhere, in anything! Especially if she 
was smiling like she 
was right then.  Shaking my head I started the car and backed 
out of her driveway.  
"You look lovely tonight Usagi-chan," I comment as I speed down to the 
docks.  She blushes lightly and smiles.  
"Thank you Mamoru-san, you look nice too."  I smile and look at her out of 
the corner of my eye, still watching the road.  I still can't 
quite believe she's here 
with me tonight.  I mean okay, so she doesn't know, yet, that this means 
*everything * to me, everything in the world, but I'm still glad she's here.  
     A few minutes later I pull the car into a space at the dock parking lot 
and fiddle with the keys in my pocket.  "Well, here we are." I 
say.  I get out of my 
side and walk around to open her door for her.  She's staring at 
all the boats along the harbor side, but takes my hand and gets out.
"What are we doing here?" she asks curiously.  I smile.  
"It's a surprise." He said simply and she shrugged and continued to gaze over 
the tall ships, huge yachts, and finally, it fell on the one 
boat they were heading for.
"The Moonlight Princess?  What a perfect name!  Oh this ship is beautiful 
Mamoru-san!"  she exclaimed.
"You can call me Mamoru-kun you know, it's okay." I reply quietly.  She 
looked up at me, startled.  
"Re-really?  You wouldn't mind or anything?" she asks.
I laugh.  "Heck, Usagi-chan, you could call me anything and I wouldn't mind!  
Call me anything you like, it's fine."  She smiles shyly and 
looks back at the ship.
"Okay Mamoru-chan." She whispers and smiles, looking as far away from me, 
hiding her face and probably hoping I wouldn't see the light 
blush there.  But I did, and my heart absolutely soared. 
"This way." I told her, taking her arm and lacing it through my own. Usagi's 
blush deepened, but she didn't pull her arm away. 
We walked along the dock, and I was careful to keep Usagi from falling over 
anything. When we reached the boat, I pulled my arm from hers.
Arm in arm, we walked up the long ramp and I helped Usagi down the few steps 
that led to the deck. Usagi didn't slip once, impressing herself 
as much as me. I realized how close we stood, as we continued to stand on the 
deck. Usagi noticed as well. 
"Thanks." Usagi whispered from her place in my arms. Slowly I released her 
as I saw the discomfort in her features. Blushing, I turned away 
and mumbled some excuse about casting off. 
I turned away and untied the ropes quickly before following the old man's 
directions. In almost no time, we were out in the middle of the ocean. 
I cut the engine and disappeared under the deck. When I came out with the 
large basket of food, Usagi was standing near the railing, 
watching the sun setting 
across the water. I set the basket down and stood behind her. 
"The view is really something, isn't it?" I asked. Usagi jumped slightly, as 
though she had forgotten I was there. "Yes."  She breathed softly.
 "Would you like to eat now?" I asked her. Usagi turned and stood facing me, 
the railing behind her.
 "Dinner? Out here?" She asked. I nodded. "Oh Mamoru-chan! That's so cool!" 
Usagi threw her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. Before 
I had time to re-act, she let go and was headed towards the table. I quickly 
followed her and pulled her chair out for her. Usagi blushed and sat down. 
I smiled and lifted the lid off one silver platter I had managed to find, 
revealing a tray full of different types of sushi with a small 
dish of Soya sauce in the 
middle, and two sets of chopsticks, one on either side.  
"Oh!  Mamoru-chan, this is one of my favorites, how did you know?" Usagi 
squeals.  I grin, this could be an interesting evening if it 
continues this way.  I really like these spontaneous hugs she's so fond of.
 "What makes you think I have ulterior motives?" I asked, nuzzling my chin 
against her hair.  Usagi giggled.
"Because your Mamoru!  You're never this nice, and sweet and romantic." 
Usagi replied.  I smiled.
'We'll see about that, Usako.' I thought before answering.  "It's because I 
realized what a loss it was, not being your friend.  You are 
such a wonderful person, and I wanted to get to know you better."
"Is that all?" Usagi asked, with a hint of... disappointment in her voice?  
"And because your you." I whispered in her ear, holding her close against me.  
I noticed that she didn't seem to mind her position, snuggling up against me as 
eagerly as I held her.  I smiled and we gazed up at the night sky together.  
     My attention was drawn to the beautiful moon, a few days away from 
being full, and I made a promise to myself.
     'I will win the heart of my Usako, because the full moon fades...'
The night ended far too soon.  I took the boat back in, and led Usako to the 
car with one hand on the small of her back, pulling her a bit 
closer with every step.  I 
don't think she seemed to mind we both seemed pretty happy.  The drive back to 
her house was silent, but when we pulled up in front, I got out, 
opened her door and 
led her to the front door, she paused and turned to look at me.
"I. had a really great time tonight Mamoru-chan." She said shyly.  I smile at 
her, for the millionth time this second.  
"Me too Usa-chan.  Maybe we can do this again?" I ask her.  She smiles with 
a blush and nods.  I grin.  "Well, goodnight fair maiden." I 
say, then lean down and 
kiss her gently on the cheek before leaving.  I'll never forget 
the startled, dazed, 
happy look on her face, or how she smiled so sweetly at me as I 
drove away before 
she stepped inside her house.  I do believe, that on that night, 
I had some of the sweetest dreams I've ever dreamt. 
I awoke to the sound of my alarm clock and reached over to hit the off 
button.  I leapt out of bed with more vigor than usual, and 
dashed to the shower.  I 
was in a major hurry, because I had three days to win Usako's 
heart.  Three days until the full moon, and three days until she was mine.  
     I grinned as I shaved, then rinsed the remaining shaving cream from 
my face.  I wanted to look my absolute best for Usako today, and 
I knew I would be 
seeing her.  She always goes to the arcade on Saturday.  It was inevitable.
     I pulled on a pair of stone slacks and rummaged through my closet 
until I found a black shirt that matched.  I ran a brush through 
my hair a few times before heading towards the door.
It took only a few minutes to reach the arcade.  I forced myself to slow down, 
walk at a normal speed and calm down.  Well, okay, two out of 
three isn't all that 
bad. ^^ Walking in the doors, I quickly scanned the room, happy to find the 
Odango'd Usagi sitting in a small two-person booth in the back, 
sipping a chocolate 
milkshake.  'Is that an invitation to join you Usako?  I'm sure 
you know I always 
come here this time of day on this day.'  I walk over and stand 
behind her for a second before tapping her on the shoulder.  She looks up, and 
smiles immediately."Ohayo Mamoru-chan!" she says happily.  I grin.
"Ohayo Usa-chan!  Mind if I join you?" I ask.  She shakes her head.  
"Feel free."She smiled at me as I sat down in the booth across from her.
"So what's up, Usa-chan?" I asked as I signaled for Motoki to come take my 
order.  "Not much.  I really had a wonderful time last night.  Thank you again, 
Mamoru-chan." Usagi smiled her heart-melting smile, and I almost turned into a 
puddle before her.  I smiled back at her.
"What can I get you?" Motoki asked.  I tore my gaze from Usako to look at him.  
"Coffee, black." I told him.
"Ick!" Usagi exclaimed, making a face.  "How can you drink that stuff?"
"Easy." I grinned.  Motoki turned to go get my coffee while I focused my 
attention back on Usagi.  "What are you up to for the day?"
"Umm..." Usagi stared off into space as she thought.  "I think I'm free.  What 
about you?""Well, I was thinking of taking out the most gorgeous girl in 
Tokyo, but I wasn't sure until if she was free." I smiled as Usagi blushed 
and looked down, suddenly finding her milkshake the most fascinating specimen.
She glanced up after a moment.  "I'd like that Mamoru-chan!" she says with a 
smile.  I grin, letting out a breath I had not realized I was holding.
"Great!  Where would you like to go today Usa-chan?" I ask.  
"Hm. well, how about the zoo?  I hear they have some really cute animals 
there, and tickets are half price today!" she exclaims.  I grin, 
just imagining her next to the bunny pen.  Too kawaii!
"That sounds like a great idea Usa-chan, why don't we finish up here and go 
do that?"  She nods and eagerly finishes her drink.  My coffee was set down 
somewhere in-between there, I realized, and I drank it down 
quickly.  Motoki had 
cooled it off for me a bit.  That's Motoki-kun alright, always 
anticipating me!  I flash 
him a grateful look, and he gives me a 'go get her Mamoru!' 
look. I smile, and look 
away.  Looks like Motoki caught me.  Oh well, at least someone 
did.  Now if only Usako would notice me. Hm.  
"Oooh!  They are so cute!" Usagi squealed, clutching my arm and pointing to 
the large cage of monkeys.  Although I could have done without 
the squealing in my 
ear, I was more than happy to let her latch herself on to my arm, permanently.
"Hai, Usa-chan, they are cute." I replied, smiling down at her.  Usagi released 
my arm, and pressed her face up against the glass, trying to get 
a better look at the monkeys.
Releasing that I missed her warmth, I stepped up next to her, and wrapped 
my arm around her waist, hugging her body to mine.  Startled, 
Usagi glanced up at me, before turning her attention back to the monkeys.  The 
slight rosy hue to her cheeks did not go unnoticed by me.
     "Where to next, Usa-chan?" I asked as we walked away from the monkeys.  
     "Uhm..." Usagi bit her lip in thought before deciding on the tigers and 
lions.  "Could we go see the tigers and lions now?" she asked 
hopefully.  I grinned.
"Anything you want Usa-chan!  Tigers and Lions and bears - oh my!" She 
giggles a bit at the old rhyme, and we walk, with my arm still 
around her I am glad to note, towards the 'tame cats' area.  There are lots of 
different types of Tigers and 
Lions here, but Usako veers straight for the very first cage, a 
white tiger, who to me looks pretty viscous.  
"Kon-wa white tiger-chan!"  Usako says happily to the cat.  She's so much 
like a child that way, but it just charms the socks off me!  
She's so innocent and 
sweet.  The tiger sits up and I'm surprised, it looks like its 
softening up to her 
almost immediately.  Purring, the tiger rubs up against the cage bars as Usako 
strokes its side for a moment before we move onto the next cat - 
much to the tiger's 
disappointment.  Did all animals react that way to her? Did all 
people react to her that way?  I know I certainly did, and still do.
As I watched Usako interact with the animals, I thought about how she 
interacted with people, and how all creatures seemed to react in 
the same fashion, where Usako was concerned.  They all loved her, immediately.
"Oh Mamo-chan!  Look!" Usagi cried, calling my attention back to the present.  
She was staring at a lion with her cubs, cuddled up to their 
mother.  She giggled as 
she reached her hand through the bars and began to pet the nearest cub.  I was 
about to warn her to get her hand out, because lions are very 
protective of their young, when the lion nuzzled her head to Usagi's hand.
  'What *is * it about her that makes us, everyone, act like this?  Maybe it's 
just that Usako is so free with her love, so innocent and 
child-like, that we can't help 
but be charmed.  Is it really all that important?  No, not as 
long as I love her.'When Usako had finished visiting with all the big cats, she 
decided she wanted to go see the bunnies.  'Figures!'  Grabbing my arm, 
(which I was very happy 
with), she dragged me off to see the Bunnies.  No big surprise 
here, but as soon as 
Usagi came near the large fenced off area where the bunnies 
were, they all perked 
up, turned, and gathered around her at the fence.  Giggling, 
Usako stroked them all, 
talked to them all.  By the time she was done, it was nearly 
lunchtime, and I was 
hungry!  Well if I was hungry, you can imagine how my poor Usako felt.  
"Mamoru-chan, can we get something to eat now?  I'm starved!" She whined.  
I grinned, that's my Usako!
"No problem Usa-chan, I'm hungry too!  Why don't we go find someplace to 
eat?"  I offered her my arm, and soon we were on our way. 
Uhm...  Mamoru-chan?" She asked, looking at me almost nervously.  That 
would never do."Yes, Usa-chan?" I asked, wrapping an arm around her and pulling 
her closer, hoping to alleviate her nervousness.  It seemed to work.
"Is 'Usa-chan' your nick name for me?" She asked, then bit her lip gently.
"Not exactly..." I replied, smiling.  "But it's close enough."
Usagi looked at me in confusion before shrugging and snuggling against me 
as we walked."Where do you want to eat?" I asked her.  Usagi's eyes focused 
on a space just in front of her as she thought.  
"Maybe... well, actually, I'm not sure.  I don't really feel like going out 
anywhere Mamoru-chan!"  Mamoru thought for a moment.
"I think I can deal with that Usa-chan."  He said, and led them away from the 
zoo and back towards the main parts of Tokyo.  
Usagi closed her eyes and just let Mamoru lead her through the streets of 
Tokyo.  It was a nice feeling, she thought, and let her mind drift.  ** 
"Usa-chan?  Usa-chan, we're here."  Usagi sleepily opened her eyes, and saw 
green.  Blinking, focusing a bit, she realized it was a door.  She looked up at 
Mamoru."Where are we Mamoru-chan?" she asked.  He smiled.
"We're at my place.  I thought I'd make us lunch if you'd like."  Usagi grinned 
and gave him an impulsive hug.  He was being so sweet lately! 
"That's so sweet Mamoru-chan!  No one except Mako-chan has ever wanted 
to cook for me before!"  And the next thing they knew they were 
inside, and Usagi 
was sitting on the counter kicking her feet while Mamoru cooked.  
Usagi giggled and I glanced over my shoulder at her.
"Nani, Usa-chan?  What's so funny?" I asked.  She giggled again, one hand 
curled up against her mouth, trying to cover her smile.
"Nothing Mamoru-chan, it's just that -" and she broke into giggles again.
"Nani?" I ask again, with a smile.  "If you don't tell me Usa-chan, I may just 
have to tickle you!" I mock-threaten.  Usako smiles again, amongst her giggles.
"It's just that you look so *cute * in an apron!" she blurts out, blushing.  I 
grin."Well Usa-chan, I'd say the same for you, but then, I've never 
seen you in an apron, and you look cute in everything." I replied with a grin.  
Usagi blushed more, and I turned back to finishing up the Foh. 
Serving up two plates of the hot noodle-meal, I sat down and handed Usako a 
pair of chopsticks before we both dug in.  Foh is one of my 
favorite meals, even if it isn't the healthiest, it tastes great!  
"Mamoru-chan?" Usagi asked, looking up from her food."Hai, Usa-chan?" I replied.
"Are you going to tell me soon?" she asked.  "What the nickname is, I really 
want to know!"  I almost laughed, she was just so curious all 
the time.too kawaii! 
Mamoru pushed his chair back and picked up both their plates, which were 
now cleaned of food.  Making sure his apron was secure, Mamoru went over to the 
sink, starting the hot water to flow out of the tap in a small 
waterfall, and adding 
dish soap at one point before digging in to scrub the dishes 
clean.  Usagi hopped up 
on the counter next to the sink, kicking her legs and watching in bemusement.  
Mamoru noted that Usagi was daydreaming slightly, her eyes looking a bit 
glazed as she stared at some empty patch of air in the middle of 
the small kitchen.  Grinning, he reached into the water and flicked some soap 
bubbles up at the small girl.  
"ACK!" Squealed Usagi startled out of her daydream.  She immediately 
seemed to grow devil horns and a tail though, diving her hands 
straight into the water and flicking a generous amount Mamoru's way.  
"Hey!" I cried, my hands still covered in bubbles.  Usagi just laughed
at me.  My apron was now covered in water.
"Serves you right." Usagi stuck her nose in the air and turned away from me.  
I laughed and reached out to pat her nose, leaving it covered in bubbles.
"There ya go Usa-chan." I told her.  Usagi scrunched up her nose and reached 
over to grab a handful of suds.  She smeared it across my face, like a beard.  
"You realize this means war." I told her, wiping the soap off with my apron.  
Drying my hands and pulling the apron over my head, I turned towards Usako and 
reached out to grab her.  Having anticipated my actions. Usagi 
had leapt off the counter and was now dashing across me apartment.
"You can't catch me, I'm super-Usagi!"  She called over her shoulder.  I 
laughed and continued to chase her, my fingers coming just inches away from her 
before she'd dart away again, almost like she was teasing me.  
Eventually though, we both fell onto separate ends of the couch, exhausted, 
breathing hard, and covered in soap.  
"You sure run fast, considering how much you can eat Usa-chan." I 
commented, giving her a grin.  Usako grinned back.
"It's all that racing to school." She commented, catching her 
breath gradually.  
I nodded, for lack of anything else to say, and the apartment 
was filled with a calm 
quiet, that for the first time in my life wasn't uncomfortable 
or cold, but warm and relaxed.  
I decided that I liked it.  It was a very nice change from the normally harsh 
silence of my apartment.  I glanced over at Usako and smiled.  
Her eyes were shut now, and her pink lips parted slightly.  Her breathing had 
become slow and relaxed, almost as though she was asleep.
"Wake up Usa-chan!" I cajoled.  "No sleep for Super-Usagi!"
Usagi giggled and opened her eyes.  
"You can't tell anyone, you know."  She told me, her tone very serious.
"Tell anyone what?" I asked, confused.
"That I'm Super-Usagi.  They wouldn't believe you anyway."
There seemed to be more in that single comment than she was letting on, but 
I decided to let it slide and work with it.  
"Don't be so sure Usa-chan, I bet you could kick some youm.but if you really 
wanted too." I commented, cutting off the 'youma' part before 
she noticed.  Only a 
few select people in Tokyo used the word 'youma'.  Usako's eyes saddened a 
moment before she laughed and smiled."Ha!  By tripping?" she snorted.  
"No. you'd probably be very graceful if something was at stake, but really, I 
think I'd miss it if you didn't fall, and we didn't bump into 
each other.  It's part of 
your charm."  Usako smiled with slightly watery eyes at me, then 
reached over and gave me a hug, which I returned full heartedly.
"Thank you Mamoru-chan, for being such a good friend." She whispered.
"Anytime Usa-chan, anytime."And you know what?  I meant it.  
Usako snuggled against me, resting her head on my shoulder.  Awkwardly, I 
placed my arm around her, and held her gently.  Slowly, the 
tension melted away, 
and I began to enjoy the sensation of having Usako in my arms.
"I guess we had better finish those dishes, huh?  The water's going to be 
cold."  Usako told me as she started to pull away.  All my senses screamed no.
"No!" I almost shouted, startling Usako.  She looked at me with wide eyes 
and blinked twice."No, the dishes can keep.  Let's just relax."
Usako looked a little bewildered, but nodded slowly before settling back down.  
"It's just been a long time since I've been able to just, relax, 
you know?" I asked.  
The look in her eyes seemed to say that she knew almost as well, 
if not better than I 
did.  "You help me relax Usa-chan, I can just be myself around 
you. thanks."  She smiled and leaned a little closer into my arm.  
"I'm glad Mamoru-chan, whenever I saw you before, you were so serious. 
I'm glad I can help you out."  I smiled at her.
"I mean, no one should ever be so serious about life.  It's so fleeting...  You 
should be as happy as you can for the time you have." Usako sat 
up to look at me.  "Promise me, Mamo-chan.  Promise me you'll be happy."
I was surprised at the earnest look in her eyes as she pleaded with me, and 
the way she sounded so much older than her years.  It was like 
she's seen things no 
teenaged girl should ever have to see, no person should have to see.
"I promise, Usa-chan." I gave her my word.  Usako nodded slowly before 
setting her head down once more.
Several minutes passed before my hands began to itch at the thought of any 
of my plates getting cracked or chipped by bumping against each 
other in the sink 
without my help.  I sighed.  "Usa-chan, I've got to finish those 
dishes, you just sit 
back and relax okay?" I said.  She nodded sleepily and I slipped 
out from beside her, 
resting her against the arm rest before quickly jaunting into 
the kitchen to finish the 
dishes up.  It only took me a few minutes, or maybe it only 
seemed that way.  My thoughts were, after all, quite occupied.  
When I stepped back into the living room, Usako was curled up on my couch 
fast asleep.  I smiled as the fading sunlight caught in her 
hair, causing colors to 
dance and twirl in the silken strands.  I walked towards her, 
and knelt softly on the 
floor in front of her.  Ever so carefully I let my fingers play 
in her hair, and gently slide down her cheek.  
"Mmm...  Mamo-chan..." Usako whispered, though I was sure she was still 
fast asleep.  It brought a smile to my face though.  There it 
was again, that 'Mamo-
chan'.  Yes, I could definitely get used to that.  I tapped her 
on the shoulder lightly.
"Come on sleeping beauty, there's still plenty of daylight left, 
don't fall asleep on me!" I teased.  Usagi's eyes opened slowly.  
"Mamo-chan?"  I smiled again.
"Hai, Usa-chan.  Come on, it's only four thirty, we've still got time to kill!" 
Usako sat up and sleepily rubbed her eye."What are we going to do?" She asked.
"What would you like to do?' I replied, moving to sit next to 
her on the couch.  Usako shrugged.
"We could catch a movie?  Take a boat ride?  Go to the arcade?" I suggested, 
though I really wanted time alone with her.  I didn't want to 
take my Usako to see Motoki at the arcade, but if she wanted, I would.
She looked confused.  "We can't just.stay here?  I mean, well, I'd love to go 
to the arcade with you Mamo-chan, but I'd rather do something 
with just the two of 
us. The movie sounds good though.  Could we stay in and watch a movie together?"
With *those * blue eyes asking that question, how could I refuse?  I laughed 
lightly.  "Honestly, Usa-chan, I'm glad," then in a soft, 
conspiratorial tone, "I don't 
want to share you either." I said with a sly wink.  I think 
you'll be glad to know I 
wasn't disappointed as Usako's face turned a lovely hue or light pink. 
"What movies do you have?" She asked, quickly turning away from me.  I smiled.
"Uhmm..  Casablanca, Beauty and the Beast..." I began listing the movies I 
knew were sitting in the cupboard by the t.v.  Usako burst out laughing.
"*You* have Beauty and the Beast?!  No way!"
"Hey," I said, mocking hurt, "It reminded me of us!  The beautiful village girl 
and her tormentor, the horrid beast!"  I joked.  Usagi giggled.
"Nah, you were never my tormentor Mamo-chan, it was kind of fun." She said 
shyly.  I grinned."I'm glad. I thought you were awfully cute all those times 
Usa-chan.   Everytime you got so mad, and your cheeks would turn that 
delicate pink color before you whirled around and took off." 
Usako blushed harder, and looked away.
"Mamo-chan..." She whispered.  I laughed and put an arm around her.  
"Let's just watch the movie."
Popping the movie into the VCR, I grabbed the remote and sat down next to 
Usako, who curled her feet underneath her legs on the couch and leaned a little 
towards me, we kind of balanced each other, it was nice.  The 
screen lit up with a 
soft glow and soon the strains of 'Belle' could be heard playing 
through the room as the movie moved onwards.  
Most of my attention wasn't focused on the movie that I had seen a hundred 
times before.  My senses were tuned almost one hundred percent to the beautiful 
blonde beside me. Somewhere along the way she had let her head fall against my 
shoulder, and was leaning on me.  I didn't mind at all.  It was rather nice to 
be her support, to let her silky hair fall around me.
I wished then that things could always be this way.  Soft, quiet, warm 
moments with just my Usako and I enjoying a moment.  Of course, I knew that in 
only a few hours she would have to leave and I would be alone 
again for a time, but 
for now, I would enjoy the warmth of the moment, of the silence 
that seemed to be spun from her hair alone, and just as warm and soft and 
comforting.  I could deal 
with the silence, if this was how it would always feel. 
"Mamo-chan?" She asked softly, peering up at me with her huge blue eyes.  
"We're watching a movie, right...?"
"Yes..." I nodded, not following where she was going.
"That means we should have... oh say... popcorn, right?" Usako suggested, 
grinning innocently.  I laughed.
"Your wish is my command." With that said, I reluctantly got up to go to the 
kitchen to make her some popcorn, hoping I had it buried 
somewhere in the back of my kitchen.
Lady Luck seemed to be with me that night, because somewhere back in the 
far reaches of my snack cupboard, buried beneath several tons of 
chocolate, (Always be prepared, I say) was a package of microwavable popcorn.  
"Yatta!" I cheered lightly, and set to making one rather large bowl of popcorn, 
knowing how my Usako could eat. 
I went back into the living room to see Usako clutching the people anxiously.  
Her eyes were glued to the television as the villagers began to 
shout angrily at Belle."Oh no..." She whispered.
"Hey..." I said softly, sitting next to her.  I gently put one arm around her, 
pulling her against me while I held the popcorn in the other.
She looked grateful, though whether for the arm or the popcorn I'll never 
know, because she clutched my arm with fiercely in the same way 
she was munching that popcorn down.  I decided I might as well watch the movie 
and just take in the 
sensations of a warm Usagi curled up in the crook of my arm. So, 
dutifully, I glued my eyes to the screen and dropped popcorn into my mouth at 
random intervals. Despite how *very* interesting the movie was compared to my 
present company, my eyes kept sliding from the screen to Usagi, and back 
to the screen, and back to Usagi.  No matter how much self-control I tried to 
exert, somehow Usagi 
always won out.  I guess the odds were stacked in Usako's corner from the 
beginning.Then again, if you think about, the odds have * always* been in 
Usagi's favor when it came to this.  Maybe it was that my eyes were so 
confused going back and 
forth between Usagi and the screen, or maybe I wanted it that 
way, but eventually, it had to happen.  I hit her hand in the popcorn bag. 
Usagi looked up at me, slightly startled, before a soft smile fluttered across 
her lips and she snuggled a little closer to me.  I grinned.
It was a step in the right direction.  Suddenly, before I even realized what I 
was doing, I had begun to feed Usako the popcorn.  She never 
seemed to notice as 
she lay comfortably in my arms, all her attention focused on the movie.
She's funny that way, her mind is always fluttering somewhere else, like a 
butterfly.  Not that I mind of course, she's to kawaii for 
words!  So I spent the last 
chunk of the movie slipping popcorn from the bag to Usagi's 
mouth, while she was 
enraptured by the movie.  I was more enthusiastic about simply 
watching her, how 
she breathed, which color her eyes changed to in the different 
lights, every detail was being burnt into my mind. 
Every detail was something I knew I would never forget, no matter where the 
world took me.  No matter what happened in my life, nothing and 
no one would ever mean as much to me as the delicate girl in my arms.  The girl 
who had no idea how I loved her.
Finally though, the movie was at an end.  Usagi wrinkled up her nose and 
smiled.  "That was so cute!" she declared.  I could almost 
picture her in a royal outfit 
and crowing the movie 'cute' with a scepter of some kind.  I 
laughed to myself lightly at that before hitting rewind. 
Usagi sighed as she collapsed onto her back, knocking a number of pillows off 
in the process."What is it Usa?" I asked, glancing at her.
"I want *my* Prince Charming to come into my life like that.  Belle is so 
lucky, and she doesn't even realize..." She let her voice trail 
off and her eyes fall shut.
"Don't worry Usa-chan...  I'm sure he will.  I'm sure he will..."
Sometimes, things like this happen, and I want to kick myself.  Why couldn't I 
just come out and say it?  As Tuxedo Kamen I could be bold and daring, simply 
because my mask covered who I was.  If I did something wrong, or screwed up, no 
one knew it was me, No one could say, 'Oh Mamoru-baka, I just 
want to be friends!'.  
Real life didn't have a mask or a rewind button, or even a backspace key. 
Sometimes, like now, I really wished it did.
"Do you really think so, Mamo-chan?" Usagi asked, sitting up and looking up 
at me with hopeful blue eyes.
"I know so." I smiled confidently at her as my heart screamed out 'tell her!', 
but I couldn't.  The words just wouldn't come out.
Maybe it showed on my face, or maybe Usako's just really good at reading 
people.  I'm still not sure, she's always been really perceptive 
that way.  Maybe it 
was fate, who knows?  But at any rate, she turned and asked me 
if I was alright.  I 
was surprised, I thought I was good at keeping my poker face on. 
 "Huh?  Oh!  Sure I am Usa-chan, I was just thinking about something."
"Someone?" she asked in reply.  I sighed."Yeah, sort of." 
She smiled wistfully at me before trying to put on a cheerful face.
"Who is it?  Do I know her?" She asked me.  "Maybe I can help set you two up?"
"You do know her, I think.  Don't worry about it Usa-chan.  If it's meant to 
be, it'll happen." I smiled at her.  It certainly is meant to 
be, and I'll certainly make it happen!
That's when I noticed she looked kind of down herself.  "Hey Usa-chan, 
what's wrong?  You look cuter when you smile Usa, please smile for me?" I asked 
sweetly.  She giggled, bringing herself out of her thoughtful frown.  
"Mamo-cha-an, come on!  Everyone knows I'm not cute!" she declared.  I was 
shocked, how could this girl not notice the stares sent her way 
everyday?  How could she not notice at all?
"Are you crazy Usa-chan?  You're absolutely down right adorable!"  
She blushed furiously at this and looked away, still shaking her head in the 
negative."Usa-chan," I began in my firmest voice.  "You are the most 
beautiful woman in all of Tokyo, Japan, and I will not hear otherwise."
She turned her head to look at me in surprise with, dare I hope, a hint hope 
in her eyes?"You mean it?" she asked quietly, "No one's ever said such a 
nice thing about me before, and well, everyone else is so pretty!  Ami-chan has 
Urawa falling all over 
her, and Rei-chan has Yuuichirou, and Mako-chan is just gorgeous and -"
That was all I could take of her putting herself down, so before she could say 
anything more, I reached down and kissed her firmly on the lips, silencing her. 
I waited a few seconds to see how Usa would react.  When she didn't pull 
away, I slipped my arms around her to pull her closer to me.  
As I ended the kiss, I was afraid to look at her, afraid to see what she was 
thinking."Mamo... chan..." She said softly, questioningly.  I glanced 
into her eyes and saw confusion.
"I meant it Usako, every word of it.  I don't lie when it comes to you.  You're 
too important!""Mamo-chan.?  Usako?  Is that your nickname for me Mamo-chan?" 
she asked, wide-eyed.  I nodded.
"If you'd let me Usako, I'd hold you forever and ever, and never let anyone 
take you away." I promised her.  "I'll be your Prince Charming, and whisk you 
away to a wonderful world."
"Mamo-chan..." She whispered.  Her eyes slowly began to fill with tears.  "Oh 
Mamo-chan!""Usako, please...  Please don't cry.  If you don't want this, 
just say and I'll 
pretend none of it ever happened and we can just be friends like 
we started out as 
today.  Oh Usako, please don't make me do it, but I will if you 
want me to.  I'll do anything, for you..."
It must have been less than a split second, no, half of a split second latter 
when one warm bundle of Usagi was thrown into my arms and placing soft warm 
kisses all over my face.  "Never Mamo-chan, I love you too much! 
 I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you."
Leaning forward again I placed another warm kiss on her lips, silencing her 
again before looking deep into those clear blue eyes.  "I love 
you to, Usako, I always have."

~~~WAFF!~~~

So here I am, only a few years later, but infinitely happier, and that's how a 
blonde haired, blue eyed angel walked into my life and taught me that no matter 
what happens, no matter where or who you are, love warrants all 
kinds of affection.The End.


Um.Thanks from Usa and MK to Antig for editing! You're the best Antig!