Hi, minna! If this chapter seems a little off-set, its because my computer was playing mind games with me, and I can't find chapter 2 of this fic! Don't worry, it is on Alicia's site!!! (which is the coolest site!) I hope you are enjoying this, and here is the part that most people are waiting for (namely my friend, Mako-chan) the ROMANCE!!! Granted, its not much, but hey, give me a break. I'm listening to that sweet song the Tsukiage no Knight sings in the Japenese version of Sailor Moon. Its my inspiration! ^_^ Before I forget, Sailor Moon will never belong to me, but go read "Rewind" to learn about the great Mamo-chan cloning project. Now on to the fic! What's New, Usagi? Chapter Three by: Sailor Starlite Usagi trudged silently up the steps to Mamoru's apartment, tired beyond belief. She had stayed past four in the morning battling a Dark Kingdom youma, and then had to get up to go to school two hours later. She actually made it on time to school, which surprised everyone, especially Ami and Makoto. They knew how late she had been up. *They* barely made it on time. She wished she could skip this whole study session today, but there was a big project due next week, and she needed all the help she could get with this. And Mamoru was perfect...he didn't get impatient with her and tell her she was a loser, like the last three tutors did. She smiled. Mamoru heard the knocking on his door, and answered to see a smiling Usagi on the other side. He let her in, wondering why she looked so tired, despite her bright smile. "Usagi-chan, dajiobou?" She waved a hand at his question. "Dajiobou, Mamoru-kun. I was just up late last night." Mamoru could relate. There had been a particulary hard youma to beat last night, keeping him and the senshi up past a reasonable hour. He led her to the couch, where she pulled out her notebook, explaining the project to him. They were supposed to research an ancient legend, and write a ten page report on the details of it, any story that was made from it, any myths that went along with it...so on and so forth. For extra credit, they could re-enact a part of the legend. Usagi needed the extra credit, but she didn't even know where to start. She vaugely heard Mamoru's voice in the background, but in her mind another voice seemed to be speaking to her as well. "Serenity...why do you not use the Moon Kingdom legend? It is well-known, except for the facts that only you and I knew about." At that comment Usagi blushed, and the room went into focus. She saw Mamoru staring at her with a concerned expression on his face. \par \tab "Usagi-chan? Did you hear me? I asked if you knew the legend of the Moon Kingdom." Usagi nodded, and he smiled. "Then its the perfect one to do! Here, let's look up the information we need...." For the next couple of hours, Usagi and Mamoru researched the legend in the many books he had, and even went on the internet. Usagi knew the internet well, and decided to leave a message--sending it to all the names in her address book, and even posting in all her clubs. She hoped she would get information soon. She had never gone all out on a project like this, and she had Mamoru to thank for this. The day was catching up with her though, and she needed to leave so that she could get to Rei's temple on time. But she was so tired... Mamoru never saw someone so intensly focused on something, and he smiled at the determined look in her eyes, although he worried about the dark circles underneath them. It was already late, and he wanted her to get sleep soon. She would probaly need the whole weekend to make up for her lost sleep! He saw her nodding off over the book that she had in her lap. "Usagi-chan? Do you need a ride home?" He asked. She started, then shook her head. "Not home, Mamoru-kun, but to Rei's temple. My parents are out of town. I'm supposed to stay at Rei's for the weekend." He thought about it. "Why don't you just stay here, Usagi-chan? You are practically asleep anyways, and I have plenty of room. Tomorrow I can take you to Rei's." She looked at him gratefully. "Arigato, Mamoru-kun! Let me just call Rei and tell her the change of plans." He pointed out the phone to her, and she was amused to see it was shaped like a rose. She quickly dialed Rei's number, and explained the situation. Rei was silent, and she heard her discussing something with the other girls in the background. "Usagi-chan, can you trust this Mamoru?" She asked finally, and Usagi nodded, then remembered Rei couldn't see her. "Hai, Rei-chan! I can't explain it, but I feel very safe with him." Rei gave her consent, and Usagi hung up the phone, ready to drop. She saw Mamoru holding the bedroom door open for her. "Here, Usagi-chan. You can sleep here while I have the couch. I hope that you catch up on whatever sleep you lost. You look awfully tired." She nodded gratefully, and was soon fast asleep, although not without someone watching over her. Mamoru observed the sleeping girl with tenderness in his heart. He couldn't explain the feelings he had for the girl, but he knew that it was stronger than anything he felt before, and he didn't want to lose her. She seemed so peaceful now, so serene. He walked over to the bed, where the moonlight was shining down on the little bunny. Her bright blue eyes were now blissfully closed in slumber, and her hair fell across her face. He tenderly brushed it away, and she smiled in response. Maybe tomorrow they could become much more than just tutor and student. Usagi was thinking of Mamoru, too, but once more she had the dream where Endymion was talking to her. ~~Usagi's Dream~~ "Serenity...I see that you are learning every little myth that centered around our Universe." Endymion said, and Usagi was startled to find herself, once again, in the shadowy mists of her dreams where she spoke with the mysterious Endymion. "Endymion, what was I during the Silver Millinnium?" She asked, curious. She must have been more important than just a court jester, although that's what she was good for these days. Endymion shook his head firmly. "That I can not tell you, Serenity. But remember me, always. I love you, forever and till the end of time." Usagi couldn't help feel the tugging between her and Endymion, and concluded that Endymion must have been very special to her indeed. But now her heart thought of Mamoru... Usagi sensed Endymion's sadness, and she was torn. Before she could reconcile the situtation, though, she woke up. ~~End Dream~~ Usagi awoke to the sound of something being dropped in a hot pan, and her nose informed her that it was French Toast. She lept out of bed, then realized where she was. She was at Mamoru's place. She blushed. What a lazy girl he must see her as, sleeping like for so long. She crept silently out of the room to observe Mamoru, and her mouth dropped open slightly at the sight before her. Apparently, Mamoru was quite comfortable in his own home with no shirt on, and Usagi took his moment of inattentiveness to admire his handsome figure. She never truly realized how handsome he really was. But he was more than that. He was smart, too, and could cheer her up. She starting to feel guilty spying on him, and walked shyly out to the kitchen to watch him prepare breakfast. Mamoru smiled when Usagi walked into the room, trying to peek at what he was cooking. She leaned down and kissed her cheek, feeling uncommonly bold today. She blushed, but didn't pull away or slap him. She beamed up happily. "Ohayoo*, Mamoru-kun!" She exclaimed, and tried to snatch one of the already done pieces of the meal. He laughingly pulled the tray away from her, and she pouted. "They'll get cold, Mamoru-kun!" She said, and he laughed. "Okay, then, Usa-chan. Only one!" He put it on a plate for her and let her attack it with butter and syrup. She was halfway through it when the endearment finally registered in her brain. "Mamoru-kun, did you just call me 'Usa-chan'?" She asked, looking at him carefully, laying her fork on the plate. He gulped nervously. Why did that slip out? He was not one to give pet names to anyone, but he was dearly glad that 'Usako' didn't escape his lips. "I...it suits you, Usagi-chan. Do you mind?" He asked. She shook her head, and smiled up at him again, finishing off her food. "Iie, Mamoru-kun. I was just surprised that anyone would care to make up a name for me. I am just kinda shocked, but I don't *mind.*" He grinned and let out a sigh a relief. Usagi obsereved Mamoru under her lashes, and she grinned to herself at the nickname she had picked out for him, although he would probably die if he ever heard her call him that. But Mamo-chan suited him so well, and she wished he could be *her* Mamo-chan. She was startled out of her thoughts by Mamoru's voice, who was sitting next to her now. "Speaking of nicknames, Usa-chan, I knew someone once who wore her hair up in buns, but not with the pigtails. Her finacee was very much in love with her, and her with him, and they had there own private nicknames for eachother. I believe he called her 'Buns' and she called him 'Muffin' in retaliation." Usagi laughed at the notion. Buns and Muffin? It sounded like a breakfast meal! As she gazed at Mamoru, she found herself more relaxed than she had ever been in her whole life. Half in and out of a daydream, she leaned aganist him, totally relaxed. Mamoru was surprised at first, but then wrapped his arm around Usagi, and she smiled up at him. He realized how close they were, and she wondered what it would be like to kiss her. He slowly leaned down, and her eyes widened when she realized his intent. Usagi was slightly shocked to see Mamoru doing exactly what she dreamed of him doing, and their breath danced on eachothers lips before they met in a sweet kiss, that slowly opened up their feelings for eachother. The kiss deepened, and Usagi reveled in every moment of it. At that instant of perfect happiness though, she remembered the dream where Endymion was waiting. Endymion who said he loved her, and she sensed that she belonged to. It was all too confusing. She pulled away, and gave Mamoru a quick kiss on the cheek. "Gomen, Mamo-chan, but I have to go. Arigato for everything. Ja ne!" She fairly flew out the door, leaving Mamoru dazed and wondering what happened. Something must have, for the name that came towards him in her hasty flight out the door was not her usual. He smiled, and couldn't wait for the next study session to begin. Okay, as you can see, I used a bit of Japenese in here. For those of you who know not a thing, here is a brief list and meanings: Ohayoo--good morning ja ne--see ya arigato--thank you gomen--sorry Iie--no daijobou--are you all right? (when asked) i'm fine (when replying) minna--everyone (that is the pun on Mina's name--^_^) I have to thank Alicia Blade for her help in this story, she gave me an idea to work with, and its finally taking shape! Yay! Well, e-mail is good, peoples! Sailor Starlite--co-owner of the great Mamo-chan cloning corperation, and obsesse of the greatest drink invented--pepsi! Check out more craziness at http://www.fortunecity.com/rivendell/health/520