Moonlight Strangers

Author\'s Note - This was one of the first stories I wrote. It isn\'t my best writing but it\'s okay. And yes, I wrote this back when I knew the Anime better than the Manga and it shows. ^_^; It\'s still a cute story so I hope you enjoy. ^_^

Her small bare foot swung in a high, deadly fast, scything arc. If it had contacted its intended target, it would have sent his head flying across the room. Her much larger and solidly built opponent easily dodged, but too late realized he was overbalanced. With a dull thud his back hit the mat. The petite girl promptly stepped back and stood at attention. Some long dark hair escaped her tieback and hung daintily from her brow as she bowed. Clearly she intoned, “Thank you for a challenging match, worthy opponent.” Some of the less disciplined Karate class students snickered.

The honorable teacher noted them, and serenely kept his smile to himself as he thought, “Once again, Hino Rei has proven size and strength have absolutely nothing to do with Karate.”

Dismayed, Mamoru looked at the practice room ceiling. “I will not groan!” he thought to himself sternly. To his relief, a low toned gong signaled the end of class.

Rei offered Mamoru a hand up and said, “Whew, I really worked up an appetite. Do you want to go to the Crown and get a burger together?”

Mamoru ran his fingers through his hair, “Um yeah, I guess that sounds good. Meet me out front when you’re done in the locker room.”

As they walked into the Crown, Rei possessively held Mamoru’s arm and chatted happily to him about some people who visited the temple yesterday. Rei noticed two girls sitting at a table and tried to steer Mamoru in the opposite direction, but it was too late.

“Hi Rei,” Ami called as she waved.

Mamoru said, “There’s your friends, lets go say hi,” as he turned and headed toward their table.

“Okay,” Rei sighed.

Ami and Usagi made room at the table for them. Mamoru and Rei ordered some food, and Ami asked, “How was Karate class?”

Rei answered, “Oh, about the same as usual. Anything new with you guys?”

Usagi shook her head no, and Ami said, “The only thing I have new is I’m starting classes at another cram school this Saturday.

Usagi groaned, “Ugh Ami! How can you stand all that school?”

Ami smiled, “I guess it’s a hobby to me.”

Mamoru put down his soda and gave in to the urge to tease Usagi. “Meatball-head, for many people, school isn’t a bad experience. We work hard and enjoy learning and studying new things. If you did the same, maybe school would be more fun for you.”

Rei giggled, and Usagi’s temper flared. She felt like wiping the smug expression from Mamoru’s face with her fist. “Well,” she icily said, “You may be a rocket scientist, and I may struggle in school, but at least I don’t flunk niceness and civility in real life!” Usagi stood up and left the table in a huff. She decided to take her aggravation out on the Sailor V video game.

********************
“I\'ve known a few guys who thought they were pretty smart
But you\'ve got being right down to an art
You think you\'re a genius-you drive me up the wall
You\'re a regular original, a know-it-all

Oh-oo-oh, you think you\'re special
Oh-oo-oh, you think you\'re something else

Okay, so you\'re a rocket scientist
That don\'t impress me much
So you got the brain but have you got the touch
Don\'t get me wrong, yeah I think you\'re alright
But that won\'t keep me warm in the middle of the night
That don\'t impress me much”**
********************

A week later, Usagi was talking to Motoki who worked at the Crown. She wanted to enter a modeling contest. Motoki assured Usagi that if she really wanted to, she could be a model. Mamoru was sitting at a video game console and overheard the conversation. He knew Motoki didn’t have a clue how hard it was to model. Mamoru had done some modeling in the past, and he thought his point of view would help more than Motoki’s would. He had meant well, but again Usagi ended up stomping away angry.

********************
“Oh-oo-oh, you think you\'re special
Oh-oo-oh, you think you\'re something else

Okay, so you\'re Brad Pitt
That don\'t impress me much
So you got the looks but have you got the touch
Don\'t get me wrong, yeah I think you\'re alright
But that won\'t keep me warm in the middle of the night
That don\'t impress me much”**
********************

Motoki shook his head as he watched a very ticked off Usagi leave. “You know Mamoru, sometimes you’re pretty mean. How come you’re always so rough on that girl?”

Dismayed, Mamoru answered, “I really don’t mean to be. It’s just something that comes over me when I’m around her. A feeling that I just can’t quite explain.”

Motoki looked closely at Mamoru, then smiled mischievously as he said, “Mamoru, I’ll bet Fifty dollars you can’t get Usagi to say something nice about you by the end of this month.”

Surprised, Mamoru said, “Motoki, cut it out. I’m not going to take you’re money!”

Motoki retorted with, “Don’t worry, you won’t take my money, because I don’t think you can do it.”

Mamoru’s eyes flashed annoyance as he thought, “Most girls think I’m pretty terrific. Case in point is Usagi’s friend Rei. If I really tried, Usagi would like me.” Mamoru answered Motoki, “All right smart-ass, I’ll take your bet!” As Mamoru walked out the Crown doors, he could still hear Motoki laughing. “He’s a friend?” Mamoru thought sourly. “He won’t be laughing when I win that bet. Maybe I will take his money just for laughing like that!”

********************

Two weeks later, Ami, Usagi, Makoto, who was the newest member of the sailor team, and Luna were waiting for Rei at the temple. She was late for their meeting. A red sports car pulled up to the temple steps and Rei was sitting in the front passenger’s seat. Curious, the girls ran to the car. Mamoru stepped out of the driver’s side as Rei got out her side.

Makoto asked with awe, “Wow Mamoru, is this your car?”

“Yes,” Mamoru answered proudly. He looked to see what Usagi’s reaction was. She was standing back from the others and didn’t say anything, but she was admiring the car too. Mamoru turned to her and asked, “Hey Meatball-head, do you like my car?”

Surprised, Usagi answered coolly, “Well, it looks like it runs. I guess it’s okay.”

Mamoru was dumbfounded by her answer. Before he thought, he responded, “Most people who know anything think it’s more than okay!”

Usagi’s eyes flashed dangerously, “I guess it depends on who’s driving it!” she retorted.

Makoto and Ami started to choke as they tried not to laugh and Rei looked very annoyed.

Mamoru was livid. Without another word he jumped in his car and left.

“Thanks a lot Usagi!” Rei said sarcastically as she watched his car disappear down the road.

“Rei, I can’t help it if your boyfriend is a vain, annoying, know-it-all!” Usagi retorted. This time Makoto and Ami laughed out loud.

Rei glared, “You may not like him, but I do!”

Usagi shook her head, “I don’t know why Rei. From what I’ve seen of him, he’s not very nice.”

Rei threw her hair over her shoulder and started up the temple stairs as she said, “Usagi, he’s nice to everyone else, but you!”

“Great!” Usagi responded as she wondered, “Why just me?”

********************
“You\'re one of those guys who likes to shine his machine
You make me take off my shoes before you let me get in
I can\'t believe you kiss your car good night
C\'mon baby tell me-you must be jokin\', right!

Oh-oo-oh, you think you\'re special
Oh-oo-oh, you think you\'re something else

Okay, so you\'ve got a car
That don\'t impress me much
So you got the moves but have you got the touch
Don\'t get me wrong, yeah I think you\'re alright
But that won\'t keep me warm in the middle of the night
That don\'t impress me much”**
********************

Mamoru slammed his car door and stomped into his building. He was fuming. “She is the most annoying girl I ever met!” he thought as he viciously pushed the elevator button. He sat at his kitchen table eating dinner and he thought about Usagi. “She doesn’t like anything! Most girls are hanging on me all the time whether I want them to or not. Maybe I will end up losing that bet with Motoki. It’s a stupid bet anyway. I’ll tell Motoki to forget it. I really don’t want to do it now.”

Later, Mamoru tossed and turned and couldn’t sleep. He kept thinking about meatball styled golden hair, flashing angry eyes and scathing words. “Why do we fight so much?” he wondered. “I really don’t want to fight with her.” As he looked out his window at the moon, he realized what he really wanted to do was kiss her. If Mamoru hadn’t been lying down, he would have fallen over. “Where did that come from?” he wondered. “Do I really like her?”

Really liking a girl was foreign territory for Mamoru. He had always kept girls at arm’s length and didn’t let them get close. Many girls wanted to date him, and he had dated them, but not one had been serious. As soon as a girl wanted a commitment, he would back off. Not one girl had been interesting enough to him, to be worth the hassle of a deeper relationship. The guys at school teased him when they saw him with different girls all the time. They hinted that Mamoru must also have a different girl to sleep with every night. The truth was Mamoru had never allowed a relationship to go past a kiss. If a girl wanted more, he let her go. A new girl always showed up eventually. Now, for the first time in his life, Mamoru’s felt differently about a girl. He couldn’t understand why, but he felt compelled to ask her what she thought of him. Each time Usagi said she disapproved, he’d get angry. Mamoru had never invested an entire night of sleep thinking about a girl before. By 4 am he was getting frustrated and desperate to find a solution.

“I can talk to her, and apologize for the things I’ve said,” he thought. “She *is* a lot of fun to tease, but it’s obvious she’ll never like me if I keep it up. Maybe if I promise not to tease her, we can start over and become friends.” Mamoru thought that sounded like a plan. He was finally able to grab what little sleep time was left before he had to go to classes.

********************

Mamoru really tried to find a way to talk to Usagi, but each time was a disaster. One time he had followed Usagi and her friends to an art gallery. He was waiting for her to leave when a girl he didn’t know latched onto him. Of course, Usagi saw the girl and completely misconstrued the situation. The strange girl ended up being a painter. She conscripted both Mamoru and Usagi to pose for her, and somehow, they managed to tick each other off again. Another time, he had offered her a ride home from school and she turned him down flat. He was getting very frustrated. He hadn’t slept well for over two weeks now, and it didn’t help that Tuxedo Kamen was being called out more frequently. Finals were coming up and for the first time Mamoru didn’t feel fully prepared to take them. Motoki wasn’t making things any better. He refused to drop the bet and it was almost the end of the month. He had been watching Mamoru’s failed attempts to win Usagi over, and it was an unending source of amusement to him. The only bright spot in Mamoru’s life was Sailor Moon and the other Senshi. At least they were appreciative of his help, and they liked him. This was a salve for his battered ego

********************

One evening after dinner, Luna said, “I need to go over Ami’s house and work on a computer program with her. I’ll be back sometime around dawn.”

“Don’t work too hard.” Usagi said as Luna jumped out through the bedroom window.

Usagi decided to watch some TV then went bed. She thought over her day as she stared at the full moon through her window. “I guess it’s been one of those “good day/bad day” days,” she decided. She thought about what had been bad first, to get it over with. “Mamoru, that’s the bad. He seems determined to ruin every day for me! He seems to show up everywhere and at the worst times. Today he came up behind me while I was playing the Sailor V game and startled me. Fortunately the game can handle a soda spill, but my shirt and skirt are a mess! Then to top it all off, instead of apologizing, Mamoru laughed! Eventually he did stop laughing and said he was sorry, but by then I was royally steamed. Of course, school was the other bad thing. Now the good things! Tomorrow is Saturday and I can sleep in! Also, We seem to finally be getting someplace with finding more rainbow crystals. Tuxedo Kamen has been a big help and anytime I see him, it’s another good thing!” Usagi smiled to herself. “In spite of Mamoru, I still had more good things than bad, so it was a good day over all.” She rolled over and quickly fell asleep.

********************
“That don\'t impress me much
You think you\'re cool but have you got the touch
Don\'t get me wrong, yeah I think you\'re alright
But that won\'t keep me warm on the long, cold, lonely night
That don\'t impress me much”**
********************

Mamoru was angry and he couldn’t sleep, again. His plan to tell Usagi he was sorry had failed miserably again. “If she won’t let me talk to her, then I’ll just have to go where she can’t avoid me,” he decided. “I know, I can go to her room as Tuxedo Kamen, transform back into Mamoru, then wake her up. Maybe she’ll be surprised long enough to let me say what I need to say to her.” Impulsively, he left his apartment with his new sleep deprived plan.

Tuxedo Kamen found Usagi’s house and guessed the pink bunny curtains were hers. He noticed the window was open and the porch roof made it fairly easy to get to. He climbed in through her window and stepped on a pile of Usagi’s schoolbooks scattering them.

As Tuxedo Kamen tried to regain his balance, Usagi woke up. “Luna, are you done at Ami’s already?” she sleepily asked.

Tuxedo Kamen froze. “Damn!” he cursed to himself, “I haven’t transformed back yet.”

Usagi realized Luna hadn’t answered, and she heard someone breathing. “Who’s there?” she demanded as she rolled over to lunge for her brooch. Before she grabbed it, Usagi recognized Tuxedo Kamen’s distinctive outline silhouetted in the moonlight. Surprised, she asked, “Tuxedo Kamen why are you here?”

Tuxedo Kamen thought, “What do I do now? I can’t transform or she’ll know who I am.” He stood silent and decided, “I’ll just leave.”

Usagi’s startled him by suddenly laughing. “Oh, I get it,” she said, “I must be dreaming! Tuxedo Kamen wouldn’t really sneak in my room at night!”

Tuxedo Kamen blushed as he thought to himself, “Oh yes he would!”

Usagi giggled, threw back her covers and leapt out of bed. “This could be fun!” she exclaimed.

Thoughts of the window fled from Tuxedo Kamen’s mind and his eyes opened wide. “Whoa!” he thought with surprise. Usagi stood in front of him wearing a short silky nightgown with a very low and revealing neckline. “Damn!” He cursed to himself again as he realized she was now standing between him and the window and he couldn’t get out.

Usagi stated, “Okay, if I’m dreaming then I can tell you what to do.” She smiled, looked him straight in the eyes and said, “Say something sexy and romantic like what you say when I’m Sailor Moon.”

Tuxedo Kamen still hadn’t said a word and just stared at her. He swallowed hard and tried to think, “When she’s Sailor Moon? Oh, she thinks this is a dream. Do I play along or do I tell her I’m real?” Distractedly he thought, “God she’s hot! I can see right down the front of her nightgown!”

Usagi looked puzzled and asked, “Why aren’t you talking?” Her face suddenly lit up as she exclaimed, “Oh I know! I should be Sailor Moon for this!” She reached for something on her night table.

Tuxedo Kamen saw her grab a brooch just like Sailor Moon’s. Surprised, he wondered, “Why does Usagi have something like that by her bed?”

Usagi held the brooch. She thrust her hand above her head and confidently said, “Moon Prism Power!”

Tuxedo Kamen reeled in shock as light surrounded Usagi and she started to transform. “Usagi’s Sailor Moon!?” Suddenly he was getting uncomfortable. Confused, he thought, “Why do I feel so hot? I feel like a string pulled too tight and about to snap, and I can barely stay standing. What’s happening to me?” Panicked, Tuxedo Kamen tried to think, but he was totally overwhelmed. He felt as if he was drowning in a haze of not quite pain, but it wasn’t pleasant either. A thought surfaced in his mind, “It’s like her transformation is going right through me and I’m resonating with it. That’s it! I usually feel her transformation from miles away. I’ve never been this close before. I hope it ends soon and I hope I survive. Oh great! To top it all off she’s naked! I’m not going to survive this!” He couldn’t take anymore. He started to groan out loud, when suddenly it was over.

Sailor Moon stood in her final pose, smiled and said, “There, that’s better!” She looked closely at Tuxedo Kamen. He was sweating, his arms were stiff at his sides, his hands were fisted, his jaw was clenched, and his eyes looked glazed. Sailor Moon put her hand against his chest and felt his heart racing extremely fast. She asked, “Tuxedo Kamen is something wrong?” She shook her head and muttered, “This is a very strange dream.” “Well,” she said, “Now you can say those sexy romantic things you say when we fight together.” Sailor Moon smiled and leaned in closer, “You know,” she confided, “I love to hear your voice. It’s like my reward for fighting.” Sailor Moon paused expectantly, but still he didn’t say anything. She was perplexed and getting a bit annoyed, “Well, aren’t you going to say something? Anything?”

She was standing very close to him with her hand still resting on his chest. This, combined with the residual affects of her transformation, seeing her in her nightgown and seeing her nude, was just too much for Tuxedo Kamen. Calm, disciplined and reserved Tuxedo Kamen was defeated. He lost it, and he lost it completely.

A growl welled up from deep in his chest. He grabbed Sailor Moon’s arms and stared into her eyes with a dangerously intense expression. His look reminded her of a wild animal stalking its prey. Sailor Moon was suddenly afraid and tried to pull away from him. Tuxedo Kamen ferociously pulled her toward him as he said in a low harsh voice, “Usagi - Sailor Moon, you’re driving me insane!” His lips descended on hers hard and with a desperate hunger. She gasped, and he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss.

Sailor Moon’s mind reeled as she thought, “Oh God! I’ve never dreamed anything this intense before! I feel like he’s going to devour me!”

Tuxedo Kamen slid one arm around her waist. He reached with his other hand under her short skirt and massaged her butt. Sailor Moon grabbed for his coat and clung as he lifted her feet off the floor. As they kissed, Tuxedo Kamen felt like he really was in a dream. He thought to himself, “Sailor Moon the warrior is nice, but what I really want is to kiss my sweet meatball-head, Usagi.” Curious, he wondered if he had enough power to make her change back. He moved Sailor Moon slightly away, but he didn’t break their kiss. He put his hand on her brooch, and with a thought, commanded what he wanted. To Usagi’s astonishment and Tuxedo Kamen’s delight, she transformed back into Usagi. Tuxedo Kamen took her brooch, dropped it on the floor and continued kissing her.

His kiss became soft, slow and sensual. Usagi thought she would faint from the feelings coursing through her. Tuxedo Kamen’s arms completely supported her against his chest. He ran his hand down her back. He enjoyed feeling the soft material of her nightgown slide under his fingers and over her curves. He again cradled her butt and rubbed his hand over the silky smoothness of her underwear. Usagi slid her leg up over his thigh and hooked her foot behind his knee for support. She didn’t realize how vulnerable and exposed she was in this position, but Tuxedo Kamen did. With a low groan, he pulled her extremely close and slowly rubbed her over his very obvious erection. Usagi’s head was spinning as she thought to herself, “*I definitely never dreamed THAT before!*”

Tuxedo Kamen finally released her lips. He trailed kisses down her neck, then continued down the neckline of her nightgown. He pushed the flimsy cloth aside with his cheek, and continued his kisses over the swell of her breast. When he reached her nipple, he eagerly enveloped it with his mouth.

Usagi purred and sighed in response to the feelings emanating from her breast, and from his shockingly warm hardness pressing against her. Unconsciously, she moved her arms to cradle Tuxedo Kamen’s head, and she ran her fingers through his soft thick raven hair. She felt a slight bump against her arm then heard a soft thump on the floor. Usagi opened her eyes and noticed Tuxedo Kamen’s hat had fallen off. “Strange,” she thought fuzzily, “His hat never came off in my dreams before, and I always wake up before I can take his mask off.” Usagi hesitated, “Do I want to end this dream? No I really don’t, but this is not like my normal dream. Curious, Usagi held her breath and reached for his mask. “I’m touching it!” she thought. With final resolution, she lifted the mask and held it in her hand. Usagi looked down at Tuxedo Kamen’s face with triumphant amazement and anticipation. Her feelings quickly turned to horror as she realized it was Chiba Mamoru holding her and feasting on her breast!

“No!” Usagi whispered, “Tuxedo Kamen can’t be Mamoru. What kind of a dream is this? It’s a nightmare! Well it’s my dream and I’m going to change it!” Usagi spoke louder and demanded, “Tuxedo Kamen change into someone else, anybody else! I do not want you to be Chiba Mamoru! *You can’t be Chiba Mamoru!*” Usagi started to cry as she repeated this and tried to push him away.

Tuxedo Kamen felt Usagi’s emotional turmoil slice through him. Slowly, it registered in his passion-fogged mind that something was wrong. Confused, he looked up and saw Usagi holding his mask. He listened to what she was saying and it dawned on him what had happened. Her words were like a bucket of ice water dumped over him. Sorrow filled his heart as he thought, “She doesn’t want me – the real me. She really doesn’t want me.” Tuxedo Kamen deliberately stood Usagi up on her feet, and straightened the front of her nightgown. He took his mask from her hand, bent over to pick up his hat, and silently turned to leave.

Usagi was very confused when she realized he was leaving. She said, “You can’t leave! This is *MY* dream and you’re supposed to change!”

Tuxedo Kamen swallowed the lump in his throat. He took a deep breath, turned around and flatly stated, “Usagi, this isn’t a dream, and I can’t change who I am.”

Usagi dropped to her knees in shock as she watched him go out the window, and out of her life.

Usagi sat on the floor as she tried to figure out what happened. She thought, “Tuxedo Kamen really is Chiba Mamoru! Mamoru sneaked into my room as Tuxedo Kamen and started to make love to me!” Once Usagi got over the shock, she realized the idea didn’t upset her half as much as she thought it should. Usagi then thought about his parting statement and realized what she said had hurt him. “I guess I was really harsh, but I thought it was a dream, and I was very surprised!” she rationalized. Usagi sighed and thought, “Bottom line is, he may never help me fight again. I may have lost him forever.” Suddenly, she realized just how much she’d miss Tuxedo Kamen, and Mamoru. Usagi put her face down on the floor and wept brokenheartedly.

********************

Luna left Ami’s house just before dawn. “I’ll head home, check on Usagi, get some food and take a nap,” she thought. Luna silently leaped through the window and found Usagi curled in a ball on the floor sobbing. Alarmed, she asked, “What happened Usagi? Why are you crying and lying on the floor?”

Usagi tried to answer but she was hyperventilating and still sobbing. The only words that made sense to Luna were “Tuxedo Kamen, here, window, left, never fight again.”

Luna rubbed against Usagi’s head and arms to try to calm her. “What happened?” she wondered. “It sure has Usagi upset! She said Tuxedo Kamen was here, but why here? Did he figure out Usagi is Sailor Moon?” Luna asked Usagi, “Did he hurt you Usagi?” Usagi just sobbed and rocked herself back and forth. A horrific thought suddenly occurred to Luna, “Did he, did he…?” Every hair on Luna stood on end making her look two times bigger. Her eyes glittered angrily and her claws extended. “If he did, I will personally find him and I’ll, I’ll, I’ll rip him apart limb from limb!” Luna’s crescent moon started to glow and a golden aura began to emanate from her body. Usagi heard Luna hiss. She opened her eyes, looked up and almost screamed at Luna’s appearance. Luna tried to ask calmly one more time, “Usagi, did he, did he physically or sexually hurt you?”

Finally, Usagi understood what Luna was asking. She answered with a tearful hiccup, “No Luna, he didn’t hurt me like that.”

Luna looked at Usagi with a penetrating gaze. “You wouldn’t lie to me to protect him would you? Please, tell me the truth even if he threatened you.”

Usagi shook her head and whispered, “Honest Luna. With how you look right now, I wouldn’t dare lie to you! You’re glowing, and I swear you’re bigger! What’s happening to you?”

Luna started to breathe deeply and shake. “Please Usagi, hold and pet me,” she whispered, “We both need to calm down.”

Shocked, Usagi quickly complied. Luna had never asked to be petted before! Slowly, Luna’s fur smoothed and the glowing diminished. Usagi was also calming down. She asked again, “Luna, what was that?”

Luna stepped out of Usagi’s arms, sat down in front of her and sighed, “I almost reverted to my original form. I remember a trade off was made. My size and strength were diminished, and my knowledge and intelligence were increased. If a dire situation comes up where my intelligence is inadequate, and the only recourse is force, I can revert back. However, once I do it I will stay that way.”

“What would you be?” Usagi asked curiously.

“A cat, but a very large cat. Bigger than earth’s Lion, about the size of a small horse,” Luna answered.

Usagi shivered. “Luna, please don’t do that. You wouldn’t fit in my room!”

Luna laughed as she said, “It’s not my first option Usagi. Usually intelligence is more than adequate.” She continued seriously, “This was close though. If he had hurt you like that, I would have hunted him down and killed him.”

Usagi shivered again at the conviction in Luna’s voice, as she said, “Thank you Luna. I’m glad you don’t need to though.”

“Now,” Luna requested, “please tell me what happened tonight.”

Usagi took a shaky breath. “Tuxedo Kamen climbed through my window into my room and I thought I was dreaming. He never said a word and I did something really stupid, I transformed into Sailor Moon. I don’t think he knew I was Sailor Moon. He seemed very surprised. We kissed (“After Luna’s display, I think I’ll keep some information to myself,” she thought). I tried to take his mask off, but I didn’t think it would really work. Usually I wake up from my dreams when I try. This time, it came off and I saw Tuxedo Kamen was Chiba Mamoru. I didn’t want him to be Mamoru. Since I still thought I was dreaming, I told him to change into someone else, anyone else, but not Chiba Mamoru. That’s when he said this wasn’t a dream and he couldn’t change into someone else, then he left.

Luna put her head down, covered her eyes with her paws and groaned, “Usagi, What a mess! I leave you alone one night and this happens!”

Usagi bristled, “You know, I didn’t invite him over! He just showed up.”

Luna sighed, “Yes, you’re right. Did he say why he decided to visit you?”

Actually no,” Usagi responded as she thought over the night’s events. “Luna, he hardly talked. I think he said two sentences. He seemed stunned or something.”

Luna mused, “Could he have been taken over by the Dark Kingdom?”

Usagi confidently shook her head no, “If he had been, I would’ve felt the negative energy.”

“Well Usagi, I just don’t know what to think. Please tell me everything he said exactly,” requested Luna as she tried to make some sense out of this.

Usagi said, “I already told you he said this isn’t a dream, and he can’t change who he is.” Usagi blushed as she remembered the only other thing he had said.

Luna looked at her expectantly, “Well, what else did he say?”

Usagi twisted her hands together and blushed, but she finally whispered, “He said, “Usagi - Sailor Moon, you’re driving me insane.””

“Oh,” Luna said even more confused. “What did he do after he said that?”

Usagi unconsciously sighed and said, “That’s when he kissed me.”

Luna stared out the window for a moment then shook her head. “This just doesn’t make sense! Are you sure he didn’t know you were Sailor Moon before hand?”

“Yes, Luna. He was very surprised.” Usagi smiled as she remembered his expression.

“Okay,” Luna concluded, “We need to have a Senshi meeting this morning. Maybe one of the other girls can figure this out. At the very least we need to let them know who Tuxedo Kamen is.”

Usagi quickly looked up horrified, “No Luna! We can’t tell the others!”

“Why not? This is sailor business!” Luna asked sharply.

“Because, because, oh I don’t know, but they just can’t know! Please Luna, at least not right now. Promise, please?” Usagi pleaded.

Luna sighed, “Okay, Usagi, but I think it’s a mistake. However, if he starts causing trouble, I will have to tell them.”

Usagi sighed with relief, nodded her head yes and gratefully said, “Thank you Luna.”

********************

Tuxedo Kamen transformed back into Mamoru and slowly walked back to his apartment. He felt completely numb and tried not to think about what happened at Usagi’s. Mamoru fell onto his bed. He was bone tired, but he still couldn’t fall asleep. Finally, he decided he had to think about it. Mamoru acknowledged with hindsight, it had been a bad idea to visit Usagi.

“What was I thinking? I could’ve been put in jail for breaking and entering or even for attempted rape! That’s another thing, I can’t believe I lost it like that! If she hadn’t found out who I was, I think (to Hell with think!), I know, I wasn’t going to stop!”

He groaned as he thought about Usagi so soft and warm in his arms. “Well, I better just give that idea up right now. What little chance I may have had, has now been blown to bits. What’s even worse is how this will affect working with Sailor Moon and the Senshi. Two women I care for a lot turned out to be the same person, and I just ruined my chances with her for life!” Actually, as he thought about it, he realized his past behavior with Usagi is what really caused the problem. What had happened tonight only nailed the lid shut on a coffin he had already made.

“Damn! How come, when it comes to Usagi, I just can’t think straight?” Mamoru remembered how vehemently she insisted she didn’t want him.

“She does want Tuxedo Kamen, but that doesn’t help me any!” Mamoru sighed and finally gave in to the tears that insisted on falling. Eventually he fell asleep exhausted.

********************

The next few days were quiet. Mamoru and Usagi had an unspoken agreement to avoid each other. Motoki was thoroughly confused. Usagi flat out refused to come inside the Crown with her friends. Makoto had confided to him that Usagi had been extra out of it and jumpy at school. She hardly ate her lunch and had burst into tears during gym. Motoki had a good idea what, or rather who, was bothering her. Motoki saw Mamoru at school the next day. The poor guy looked really down. Motoki stopped him and asked, “Did something happen between you and Usagi?”

Mamoru’s eyes flashed angrily, “Motoki, it’s none of your damn business. Here’s your Fifty dollars, and don’t mention her name to me again!”

Motoki was stunned by Mamoru’s reaction. He looked at the money on the ground, then at Mamoru’s retreating back. He thought to himself, “Wow! Whatever happened must not have been good. I hope I haven’t lost them as friends because of this. I really thought they would eventually hit it off. I wonder what happened?”

Usagi tried not to think about how alone she felt. She also tried not to think about what would happen when a Youma attacked. She didn’t have very long to wait. Sailor Moon really did try to fight hard and not need help, but somehow the monster backed her into a corner. It was standing over Sailor Moon, and the Senshi couldn’t attack without also hitting her.

“Damn!” Sailor Moon thought, “I just can’t seem to do anything right!” She grimaced as the monster reached for her throat. Suddenly, she was scooped up in familiar arms as she heard the monster howl with frustration and pain. Sailor Moon opened her eyes to see Tuxedo Kamen had saved her after all! Gratefully she said, “Thank you Tuxedo Kamen!” He didn’t say a word as he put her down. The other Senshi finished off the Youma then ran towards Sailor Moon. Tuxedo Kamen turned to leave. Panicked, Sailor Moon grabbed his wrist and desperately said, “Tuxedo Kamen why did you help me again?”

Tuxedo Kamen turned to look at Sailor Moon. His eyes showed anguish and pain, and his voice was bitterly harsh, “Sailor Moon no matter what happened between us, we still fight on the same side, against the Dark Kingdom. Until the mission is completed, you can count on me to help you. Don’t worry though, I won’t come near you otherwise.” Tuxedo Kamen turned and quickly walked away.

Sailor Moon sunk to her knees as she realized how much she really had hurt him. Despair filled her heart. She called to his retreating back, “Oh please! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it really! Please!” but he continued walking. Sailor Moon collapsed in tears. She could handle being angry at his teasing and their arguments, but she couldn’t handle not having him in her life.

The other Senshi listened then looked at each other shocked and confused. Luna shook her head sadly as she steeled herself for the coming conflict. Mars walked up to Sailor Moon and demanded, “Sailor Moon what happened between you and Tuxedo Kamen?”

“No Mars please, I don’t want to talk about it,” Sailor Moon sobbed.

Anger flashed in Mars’ eyes, “I really don’t give a damn if you want to talk about it or not! Anything involving Tuxedo Kamen is sailor business. You either spill, or you can find a new Mars! I won’t follow a leader who thinks her personal life is more important than our mission!”

Sailor Moon could see Mars was livid. She looked at Jupiter and Mercury and saw confusion and hurt in their eyes. “I guess Luna was right,” Sailor Moon sighed, “I can’t keep this a secret from the girls.” Sailor Moon nodded her head yes and said, “Mars you’re right. I’m sorry. I will tell you now.”

Luna sighed as she muttered, “Finally!”

Sailor Moon told them about Tuxedo Kamen’s visit, how she inadvertently revealed her secret identity to him, how she ended up discovering who Tuxedo Kamen was, the reaction she had to this revelation, and his response. Sailor Moon was again crying as she finished the story.

Confused, Mercury asked, “Why are you so upset? He said he wouldn’t abandon the mission and he’ll leave you alone. What else do you want? You should be happy!”

Sailor Moon shook her head and whispered, “I don’t know! I hurt him badly and I feel terrible about it. I also miss arguing with him and I even miss hearing him call me meatball-head!”

Jupiter’s face lit up with sudden understanding, “I get it now! Sailor Moon he loves you! His actions and expressions clearly show it! Also, even though you don’t want to admit it, you love him too!”

Sailor Moon looked up shocked, “No, I can’t! He doesn’t! Mamoru is Rei’s boyfriend!”

Mars stood silent. She was rocked to the core when Sailor Moon said Mamoru was Tuxedo Kamen. Mars knew she wanted Mamoru for herself, and she wanted him even more knowing he’s Tuxedo Kamen. She thought about what Jupiter just said. She and Mamoru had gone on dates, but if she was honest about it, she knew she wasn’t his girlfriend. She was the one who called him for dates, and he never looked at her with an emotion stronger than mild amusement or maybe even polite tolerance. She hated to admit it, but Mamoru would never climb in her bedroom window, or kiss her passionately. She would give her right arm for Mamoru to look at her the way he looked at Usagi, but she now knew it wasn’t meant to be. Mars reached into her subspace pocket, pulled out a pen and paper, and scribbled something down. She held the paper out to Sailor Moon and said with a sigh of resignation, “Here, go to him. You two need to work this out.”

Sailor Moon saw an address on the paper. She pushed it away. “Rei no, I can’t!”

Mars was trying very hard to not lose her temper at the thickheaded girl. She grit her teeth and glared as she spoke harshly, “Usagi, don’t be a fool! Mamoru’s a terrific guy and he’s in pain. I won’t make this offer a second time. If you don’t go to him, I definitely will!”

Sailor Moon quickly looked up at Mars. She suddenly realized why she hadn’t wanted them to know who Tuxedo Kamen was. She knew it would make him even more attractive to Rei. She didn’t want to compete with Rei, but she also hated the idea of Rei and Mamoru seriously together. “I guess Jupiter’s right. I do want him, I do love him!” She also understood the large sacrifice Mars was making. Sailor Moon’s eyes teared up and spilled over as she took the paper from Mars’ outstretched hand. With a choked voice, she whispered, “Thank you, Rei. You’re a true friend!” Sailor Moon looked at the address again and left.

Jupiter and Mercury hugged Mars then they turned to go to the Shrine together. Luna looked at Sailor Moon’s retreating back and then looked at the other girls. She took a deep sigh of relief. For a moment she had been afraid this would break the Senshi apart, but true friendship won in the end. “They’re all really great girls!” she thought with pride. She again looked in the direction Sailor Moon had gone. “Usagi, I do hope you know what you’re doing,” she thought nervously. Luna turned and slowly followed the Senshi.

********************

“What am I doing?” Sailor Moon thought in panic as she continued to walk toward the address Rei had given her. “I can’t believe I’m going to Mamoru’s! Should I go as Sailor Moon or as Usagi? Since he didn’t know I was Sailor Moon, he must have come to see Usagi. Come to think of it, he also somehow managed to change me back into Usagi. Even when he knew I was Sailor Moon, he still wanted Usagi! I guess that means he doesn’t hate me like I thought he did.” This revelation was a big boost to Usagi’s failing confidence. With a sudden flash of insight, she realized why the things she said had hurt him so badly. “I would feel horrible if I thought he liked Sailor Moon, but not me as Usagi! He knows I like Tuxedo Kamen, but he’s sure I hate Chiba Mamoru. Do I hate Mamoru? If I did, then I would have been happy to have him leave me alone this last week. Instead, I was miserable. I don’t like fighting, but I missed fighting with him! I guess that settles it.” Sailor Moon stopped behind a building and transformed back into Usagi. She continued walking to the address with a determined look in her eyes.

Usagi found Mamoru’s apartment and rang the doorbell. She waited a few moments and almost left, but she decided to try one more time. This time, the door opened. Usagi’s eyes widened with shock as she looked at him. His eyes were blood shot, he hadn’t shaved, and he looked miserable. “Did I do that to him?” she wondered.

Mamoru thought, “I must be hallucinating.” He rubbed his eyes and looked again. Usagi was still there. He finally said, “Hi.” He couldn’t think of anything else to say. “Why is she here?” he thought.

********************
“If it\'s true don\'t leave me all alone out here
Wondering if you\'re ever gonna take me there
Tell me what you\'re feeling cause I need to know
Girl you\'ve gotta let me know which way to go

Cause I need to know
I need to know
Tell me baby girl cause I need to know
I need to know
I need to know
Tell me baby girl cause I need to know”***
********************

Usagi realized he wasn’t inviting her in. “Don’t you invite people in if they come to visit?” She asked with a smile, gently teasing him.

Mamoru blushed. “Yeah, sure, come in,” he belatedly offered. Usagi took her shoes off and sat on the couch. Mamoru knew he should offer her something like tea, but he couldn’t think straight. His only thought was, “Why is she here?”

********************
“My every thought is of this being true
It\'s getting harder not to think of you
Girl I\'m exactly where I wanna be
The only thing is I need you here with me - oh

If it\'s true don\'t leave me all alone out here
Wondering if you\'re ever gonna take me there
Tell me what you\'re feeling cause I need to know
Girl you\'ve gotta let me know which way to go

Cause I need to know
I need to know
Tell me baby girl cause I need to know
I need to know
I need to know
Tell me baby girl cause I need to know”***
********************

Usagi cleared her throat as she nervously wondered what to say. “Rei gave me your address,” she finally said.

Mamoru looked surprised. “Oh,” Was his brilliant response.

Usagi took a deep breath as she thought, “Here goes nothing!” “Mamoru, I need to tell you I’m sorry. I said some really mean things, and now I know I didn’t mean them.” Usagi looked at her hands clasped in her lap as she continued, “I thought I didn’t like you, but I found I really missed seeing and talking to you. I even missed arguing with you.” Usagi looked up hopefully, “If you can forgive me, I’d like to start over.”

Mamoru couldn’t believe it. She just said what he had been trying to say to her for weeks! “Usagi, I feel like I should be saying that to you, not the other way around. I tried to say it so many times, but something always got messed up.” Mamoru looked down and his voice thickened with emotion as he continued, “I wanted to say I was sorry so badly. That’s why I visited you, but things got messed up again.” He looked up, his eyes pleading with her, “Please forgive me. I want to start over too.”

Usagi smiled. Now she knew why he had come to her room. “Okay, I’ll forgive you and you forgive me. We’ll start over and be nice to each other. Deal?”

“Deal!” Mamoru answered and he smiled back at her.

“Wow!” Usagi thought, “He has a fabulous smile!” She remembered his kisses and started to blush. These thoughts made her think of another question she had. “Mamoru, if you wanted to say you were sorry when you visited, then why didn’t you say anything at all?”

Mamoru blushed to the roots of his hair, but he knew he owed her an honest explanation. Mamoru ran his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath, “Well, I was hoping to transform back and then wake you. I figured you’d be so surprised that you’d listen to me. You woke up too soon. I was going to leave, but when you got up in your nightgown, I got a bit flustered. Then, you really surprised me when you started to transform. I didn’t know you were Sailor Moon. When you transform, I get a kind of signal sent to me to also transform and go to you. The signal was extremely strong when I was standing right next to you. It wasn’t painful, but I was very disoriented by it. Also, watching you transform so close, was very, um, sexy. I guess I just really lost it then. I’m sorry. I’m very glad you stopped me, and I promise I won’t try something like that again.”

Mamoru looked so uncomfortable trying to explain. Usagi desperately wanted to laugh, but figured it wasn’t a good idea. She took a deep breath. “Well,” she said. She tried to look stern, like Luna, “I guess that’ll teach you not to sneak in a girl’s bedroom at night. You’re lucky I wear a nightgown. Some people don’t, you know!” Mamoru pointedly looked at his foot at the end of his crossed leg. Impossibly, he turned even redder as he nodded his head yes. Usagi couldn’t help it and she started to giggle as she continued, “You really think my transformation is sexy?!”

Mamoru looked up, and his eyes smoldered with remembrance. “Yes, I do,” he said quietly.

Usagi’s breath caught in her throat as he looked at her. She quickly looked down to break the intensity. “Th, Thank you,” she stammered. She thought to herself, “Damn, what if I want him to try again sometime?”

Mamoru smiled and his eyes twinkled with amusement at how she reacted to his flirting. He decided Usagi was dangerous to his sanity, and also quite addictive. Mamoru stretched and folded his arms behind his head, as he casually said, “I have a request. If I’m within arm’s length of you, and you’re going to transform, please warn me. Okay?” Usagi looked up to see if he was serious then nodded her head yes. Mamoru looked at the clock on the wall. “Hey, it’s almost dinner time and I’m starved. How about I get my act together and we go grab a bite to eat?” Usagi’s stomach growled at the thought and they both laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Mamoru said as he left the room.

********************

Later that evening, Motoki was working. He hadn’t seen Mamoru or Usagi in days, and he felt really bad for meddling in their lives. Motoki decided he would go to Mamoru’s after work and try to apologize. Just then he happened to look out the front window and almost fell over with shock. He saw Mamoru and Usagi walking together down the sidewalk. Mamoru had his arm comfortably around Usagi’s shoulder, and they were talking. It looked like they were finally getting along together.

“Well I’ll be,” Motoki thought, “I was right after all!” He breathed a sigh of relief and happily turned back to his work.


The end! ^_^

Author’s Note>The moonlight bedroom scene was inspired by a fanfic written by Princess Destiny called “The Games We Play”. I liked her story it’s very funny and enjoyable to read.

Luna’s original size idea was borrowed from a great story called “Moonfall” written by Meara. I loved the idea that there is more to Luna and Artemus than just brains.

Thank you for reading my story. If you liked it, or if you have any (politely worded) comments or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. Please email me at ndeblock@att.net .


Bye, Luna Hope

** - Artist: Shania Twain
Album: Come On Over
Title: That Don\'t Impress Me Much

*** - Artist: Marc Anthony
Album: Marc Anthony
Title: I Need To Know

Disclaimer>Sailor Moon and all her friends don’t belong to me. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi. I just borrowed them for a little bit.