Hi people! Here's part 2. If it weren't for all the encouragment I got, this part wouldn't be out yet. So, e-mail me and I'll try to keep writing! This part continues right after part 1. When I say right after, I mean RIGHT AFTER (not even one second in between). I'd like to thank all the people that e-mailed me (you guys kept me going), my sister (for reading my story and giving me ideas), my computer (for not dying on me. Really, I absolutely *hate* computers that die on you), AND... Usagi and Mamoru (for being the BEST characters to work with). Naoko created Sailormoon. If I did, I wouldn't be writing fanfics. That's all! On with the story! "This is someone talking" <> *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ THE BLIND KISS BY PEARL "Mamoru-san?" Usagi asked her green haired friend, really puzzled. <> Usagi looked back to the man who had just kissed her. <> "Yes. The guy you were looking at when I came, a second ago. Remember, Usagi-chan?" Michiru asked her friend jokingly. Usagi turned back to Michiru with a smile. "Actually, no. I was just about to though." She held her hand out to the guy named Mamoru, "Nice to meet you, Mamoru-san. I'm Tsukino Usagi." She gave one of her killer smiles as he shook her hand. "Tsukino-san. Nice to meet you too! Did you come here alone?" Mamoru asked. Just then, "Odango! Where are you? Odango?" Came a really familiar voice. "Oh! Excuse me, Mamoru-san, Michiru-san. Seiya's probably looking for me." Usagi bowed her head slightly to the two and left into the crowd. Mamoru smiled after her. "Odango. It fits." He then looked at Michiru and asked, "Were we supposed to know each other?" "I don't think you two have ever met. She's the girl I was talking to today. She came here with Seiya, one of the Three Lights. What were you two doing?" Michiru inquired. "Umm... Well,... She just bumped into me when the lights went out. That's all, yup, that's all." Mamoru replied as a hint of a blush appeared on his face. "Oh. She's really cute, don't you think?" Michiru asked. "Well, I have to get to know her before I can comment about her." <> "Seiya?" Usagi yelled out as she squeezed into the big crowd. "Odango! There you are!" Seiya cried out happily as she approached him. "I thought I had lost you! Here, lets go aside a bit." He pulled her by her arm to a corner of the room. All the girls sighed as Seiya lead Usagi away. They looked at the two walking away for a while before turning to pursue Taiki, who was now talking to a certain blue-haired girl. Rei, one of the girls who stalked the Three Lights, got a very determined look and went after Seiya and Usagi. <> Meanwhile, Seiya and Usagi were sitting on some benches at the side of the room. "So, what happened after I was pulled away?" Seiya was asking Usagi. Usagi thought for a moment, "Let's see... I wandered around for a very long time, bumped into this guy named Mamoru, and..," "And?" Seiya went on. "And I met him!" Usagi finished. "That's it?" "Yes, that's it." "Okay, then. Do you want to dance, odango?" Seiya offered. "Sure. We've still got an hour left before we can leave. But, wait a sec. I have to go check on Minako. I don't want her pulling any more tricks this evening." Usagi told Seiya. "Go ahead. Also tell Yaten to knock it off." Usagi got up as a girl with long black hair approached where they were sitting. "Hello, Rei-chan! Haven't seen you in a long time!" Rei glared at Usagi a bit before she said, "Yes. It's been a long time." With that, she proceeded to walk away to where Seiya was. <> Usagi stared at Rei as she walked away. <> Usagi went on to looking for the PA room once again after Rei walked out of her sight. <> As an idea took form in Usagi's head, she decided to try it out. She closed her eyes and stood still. <> Usagi walked around aimlessly for a while. <> Not totally discouraged yet, Usagi kept walking with her eyes closed, unaware of the people dashing out of her path. Bump. <> Usagi complained to nobody. <> Usagi groaned as she started to apologize to the person she bumped into. "I'm SOO sorry, I wasn't paying attention. I was-" "I think you bump into me on purpose, Tsukino-san." Usagi opened her eyes as she looked up. "Oh! It's Mamoru- san!" "Hai. Take my advice, Tsukino-san. Walking with your eyes open is way easier." Mamoru grinned as Usagi started to blush. "Well, you see, I was just trying to find my friend and she is nowhere to be found and-" "You decided to try to find her with your sixth sense?" Mamoru supplied. Usagi looked at him, shocked. "How'd you know?" "Lucky guess." Mamoru answered. <> He looked down at her delicate face. He thought she was cute but didn't want to tell her. "Care for a dance, Tsukino-san?" Usagi smile at him, "Sure, Mamoru-san. I'd be delighted. And, you can just call me Usagi." "Okay." Mamoru said as the music started. The music was tango. Usagi frowned as she heard the music. "Who would play tango music for such a party?" She wondered out loud. The music really didn't fit the semi-quiet mood of the party and *definitely* wasn't a Three Lights piece. "Well, it seems like whoever shut the lights off still has things on his agenda for this evening." Mamoru remarked. "Argh! Not Minako and Yaten again! I was just on my way to find them! They can get so annoying!" Usagi angrily said. "Don't you like tango, Usagi-chan?" "Yes but it's so unusual for someone to dance to tango music in a formal party. I've got to go find them now!" "They can wait." Mamoru said as he swung Usagi into his arms. "Since I like tango too, why don't we dance to it?" ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Usagi was having the time of her life. She loved tango music and loved dancing to them. She may be bad with upbeat dancing but tango was her favorite. As for Mamoru, tango was like his second nature. As stunned guests stood shocked to hear such a music being played. Mamoru and Usagi danced to their hearts' content. They were both excellent. The crowd cleared way for the two as they danced around the room. Usagi was laughing happily while blushing furiously. Mamoru was laughing. He was laughing at Usagi's happiness and her blush. "Calm down, Usagi-chan! You're doing great!" Mamoru commented her. Usagi looked at him, "But, the people are watching us!" "It's okay. They probably like watching us. Anyway, aren't you having fun?" "Fun? This is way beyond that!" Usagi answered exuberantly. Mamoru swung her out and in as she followed his dancing. <> Mamoru smirked as he dipped her backwards. <> "Well, well, well, who do we have here?" The tall woman said as she approached Michiru. "Ah! So you finally decided to come after all. How did you get in? I gave your ticket to Mamoru-san when you didn't want to come." Michiru asked. The woman looked at Michiru. "I have my ways." "Really? You snuck in?" "Michiru-chan! I would NOT do such a thing! I just knew the doorman, that's all. He's my old classmate." Michiru glanced at the woman questioningly. "Yeah, whatever." The woman looked at the dance floor. "So, Mamoru finally found someone he could dance with?" "Yes, he did." "To tango music! Whatever came over those people? To play tango music at a party like this?" "Minako." "Oh, I see. That explains a lot. They look quite good together actually." Michiru looked back to the two still dancing in the middle of the clearing. "You mean Usagi-chan and Mamoru-kun? Yes. They look very good together. Too bad Seiya over there really likes Usagi-chan." They both turned their heads to look at Seiya, who was fuming. Besides the facts that Usagi was showing off her talents with a stranger, Rei was clinging onto his arm. He was NOT in a good mood. Michiru sighed and turned back to watch, along with fifty other people, Usagi and Mamoru dance to tango music. Usagi giggled as Mamoru pulled her in and put his face side-by-side to hers as he marched them sideways. She had seen the move but had never really done it. It looks unique but it felt embarrassing. <> As if he read her thought, Mamoru pulled a red rose from inside his pocket and was going to put it between his teeth but chickened out. "So, you're quite embarrassed too, Mamoru-kun!" Usagi accused. "Well, let's not give people the impression that we're insane, okay? Crazy's okay. It's late, no one's really thinking right. When the party's over, I can show you how to grab the table cloth without breaking any glasses." Mamoru defended. Usagi gave a small laugh, "I don't know. You seem too sure of yourself." Mamoru and Usagi danced for a few more seconds and the music ended. The audience that formed around them burst out applauding and Usagi blushed furiously. Mamoru and Usagi bowed and Mamoru gave her his rose. She took it then he lead her off the floor to where Michiru was standing. "Well done, Usagi-chan and Mamoru-kun! I never knew you guys had it in you!" Michiru commented. "Yeah! I didn't know either." Usagi said as she caught her breath. Dancing was fun but it wasn't easy. "It was really great!" Said the women beside Michiru. Mamoru spoke, "Thank you, boss." "BOSS??" Usagi screeched out. "Shh, Usagi-chan. You might break the windows that way." Mamoru cautioned as he covered her mouth. "Gomen. Boss?" Usagi asked again. The woman spoke this time. "So, you guys don't *really* know each other yet!" "What do you mean?" Mamoru and Usagi asked at the same time. "Here, I'll make the introductions. Usagi, this is the-" "Usagi-chan! Fantastic job!" Taiki came up to Usagi with a girl following him. "Thank you, Taiki-kun. And who is this lady with the stunning dress?" Usagi asked about the girl behind him. "Oh. Usagi, this is Mizuno Ami. I went to the same university as her. We were rivals back then." Taiki introduced. "Hi Mizuno-san!" Usagi said as she shook Ami's hand. "Glad to meet you! I've been dying to ask you about your dress. Where did you get it?" Taiki interrupted, "Sorry, Usagi-chan. I want to dance with Ami right now. There's plenty of time to get to know her later. I invited her to our next concert so you'll see her there. This is our song." "Oh. that's okay with me. Have fun, Mizuno-san." Ami spoke for the first time, "Thank you, I will." "Usagi-chan, why are you so interested in her dress?" Mamoru asked after they left. "Ah-hem!" Mamoru's boss acquired their attention. "So, on with my introductions. Usagi-chan, this is the leader of my Osaka office, Mamoru Chiba" Usagi's mouth hung open at the introduction but Mamoru still didn't get it. "And... Mamoru-kun, this is the wonderful Tokyo designer who also works for me." Their boss finished. "YOU work for Galaxy?" They both asked each other. "Don't you just *love* introductions?" The boss said to Michiru then turned her attention back to the two gawking at each other. "And, with the upcoming show, you two are going to have to work with each other day and night. I decided to move Mamoru to the Tokyo office during the summer so I don't have to go back and forth so many times between the two places. "Wait," Usagi said, coming out of her trance. "How come I've never heard of Mamoru?" The boss explained, "Well, he has his other job as a computer engineer so he actually only works for me part time. His designs are spectacular so I had to use him." "Oh." Was all Usagi could get in before a very angry Seiya came up and grabbed her rather rudely away from the group. "Odango! There you are!" Seiya said as calmly as he could manage. He had only gotten away because Rei had to go to the washroom. "Talk to you later!" Usagi shouted back to the group as she was lead away. Mamoru watched as Seiya lead Usagi away. He was still shocked about her being his unseen partner. "Why didn't you tell me before?" He asked his boss, who was actually younger than himself. "Well, don't you like surprises?" Michiru grinned. "Haruka-chan, you are so evil!" ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Oh, Usagi-chan. Wasn't tonight just wonderful?" An exhausted Minako asked Usagi when they got home. Usagi was just as exhausted. "Yeah. It was different from what I thought it would turn out to be." She remarked. Minako got a question mark on her head. "What do you mean by different?" Usagi looked her right in the eye. "Well, I finally met my mysterious Osaka partner and we danced to tango. It's not something I do everyday." "Oh! So YOU were the one dancing to the tango Yaten and I played! No wonder Seiya-kun was so mad. He was giving off steam! You were quite good though. We didn't really expect anyone to actually dance to the music." Minako giggled. "So, you finally met the Osaka guy! I wanted to meet him! He looked pretty cool from far away." "Yeah. He's nice. I want to know him better though since we have to work together for the September show." Minako made a disgusted face. "The September show! I so DO NOT look forward to it! Yaten invited me to go with him when the Three Lights tour around the world. I want to go." Usagi came out of her tired states. "Nani??? You CAN'T go! The September show is the biggest show in the whole year! It's too important! You can't just leave, Minako-chan! I need you here." "The Osaka guy is coming to Tokyo for the summer to help, isn't he? You'll have him to help you. It'll be nice." "But..." "I want to go, Usagi-chan. I'd like to tour the World!" "Okay, fine. I'm to tired to argue with you." Minako smirked at the triumph. "Okay. Goodnight." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Usagi doodled in her notebook. She wasn't in a good mood. People walked around outside her office, working on her last design. It was really busy here now. With the Osaka designer also in Tokyo, the workers had to work extra fast to keep up with the speed of creativity. One thing though, Usagi wasn't having an easy time with her designs. It seemed like she was almost running out. Without Minako around, Usagi just wasn't her happy self. She didn't have anyone to talk freely to about everything. Sure, Mamoru was going to be working in the same office but he had to go back to Osaka to finish his other job and move to Tokyo. <> Usagi went back to staring at her notebook. She just wasn't feeling good today. The Three Lights and Minako had left a week ago. Michiru also went for a few concerts. Usagi was really lonely. Except for Haruka, no one really wanted to talk to Usagi in her bad mood. Mamoru leaned on the door frame. He looked inside to find a slightly dysfunctional woman staring at her own manga drawings on her notebook. He smiled. Even when she was obviously upset, she still looked cute. <> He walked up behind her. She didn't move. She just glared at her notebook as if she was accusing it for everything that had happened. He put his hand on her shoulders. "Good morning, Tsukino-san!" He said quite loudly. Usagi jumped when she heard the voice. She turned around abruptly to find a grinning Mamoru. "Mamoru!" She screamed out loudly. Then, she lowered her voice down to an evil whisper. "NEVER do that again, you hear. NEVER!" With that special emphasis on the word 'never', if Mamoru wasn't in a good mood, he would have been scared. "And I'm glad to see you too, Usagi-chan." Mamoru said. Usagi regained her composure, "Yeah. Whatever." "Looks like someone wasn't working hard! What do I see... Oh! A manga drawing, how nice, Usagi-chan" "It's none of your business, HEY!" Before Usagi could stop him, Mamoru grabbed her book and was studying the drawing. "Not bad, actually. She has a rather pretty dress. It's you right? You can sort of tell by the odangos." Usagi snagged her book back. "It's none of your business." "Actually, I'm here to think up designs and so are you so I get to look at anything you draw." Mamoru pointed out. Usagi turned back to facing her desk. "Oh? The king has finally made his presence! Yay." She said unenthusiastically. "What's wrong with you today, Usagi-chan?" Mamoru asked sympathetically. Usagi thought that he was making fun of her so she took offense in his tune. "I don't know, Chiba-san. Why don't you tell me? You seem very smart." Mamoru closed Usagi's door and leaned on it as he let out a breath. "Mamoru-kun! Met hurricane Usagi?" Asked a chuckling Haruka. Mamoru looked up. "Boss! Yes, unfortunately. Is Usagi always like this?" "Actually, no. She's usually very happy and bouncy. She's been like this ever since Minako left for a tour around the world. Usagi needs a friend. She doesn't work alone." Haruka answered. Mamoru nodded. "She's totally unlike me. I don't mind working alone. It doesn't really affect me." "Usagi-chan! Usagi-chan!" Shouted an excited woman as she opened Usagi's door to find her leaning on her desk. "What?" Came an uncaring voice. The woman smiled at the passive Usagi. "You have a fax. From Minako-chan." "Really? Wow! Let me see, let me see!" Usagi's voice went up at least three octaves. Haruka smiled, the woman beamed, the whole office cheered, and Mamoru looked at the suddenly joyous Usagi with surprise. Haruka patted Mamoru on the shoulder. "You'll get used to it." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "So, what color do you think will go better?" Usagi asked Mamoru. "I think either red or violet. Black would look too plain on it. We need something special." Mamoru replied. Usagi nodded. "Yes. I thought red too. I don't wear red a lot but it's a stunning color on some people." "Agreed then." Mamoru leaned back in his chair. Just half an hour ago, he left this room feeling like the lowest creature in the world. Now he was back and feeling very welcome. "So, Usagi-chan, feeling better than you did thirty minutes ago?" He asked. Usagi smiled at him. "Yup. I have a designer to work with and a fax from my friend. What more can one ask for?" "A vacation?" "No, a SUNDAE!!!" Usagi shouted out. Mamoru chuckled. "You're so outbursty, Usagi-chan!" Usagi smiled. "He hee." "Why don't we go out for lunch? I'll treat." Mamoru offered. "Are you sure? You've only known me for an hour and you want to treat me? You DO NOT know me, Mamoru-kun!" Usagi asked. Mamoru tilted his head in confusion. "What's there to know?" Usagi grinned as she grabbed his arm. "You'll soon find out why people don't treat me." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Mamoru clutched his wallet tighter as Usagi finished her 6th ice cream sundae. Even though she wasn't totally messy, (she knocked that habit a few years back) she looked like a child pigging out on her favorite foods. Mamoru couldn't hold his laughter. She looked so adorable. "What's so funny, Mamoru-kun?" Usagi asked. Mamoru tried to control his mirth. "You are, Usagi-chan." "Humph!" Usagi pouted. "I'm not!" Mamoru would have collapsed to the floor with laughter had he not been taught that one should be presentable in public. Usagi quickly finished her 7th and last sundae and wiped her mouth clean with a napkin. "Okay, done!" Mamoru quickly paid the waiter and walked out with Usagi. "So, where do you want to go for the rest of the lunch break?" Usagi asked. Mamoru replied, "I'm not sure. Why don't you take us somewhere? I don't know Tokyo as well as you do." "Okay. Let's go to the park. I don't feel like going to the arcade today." "Oh? Are you an arcade kind of person?" Mamoru was curious. "Not really. I just like their Sailor V game. It's really exciting. I haven't been there since I was 15 though. I don't usually leave the office at lunch." "Really? Aren't you glad you came out today, then?" Usagi beamed at him. "If it wasn't for you, I'd still be inside that boring building. Even though I like my job, it's still a job." "I know what you mean." Usagi and Mamoru walked quietly to the park. Once they got there, Mamoru picked a tree and they sat down under it. "Isn't it so nice today?" Usagi asked. Mamoru agreed. "Yeah. It's cool, unlike the usual Tokyo summer day." Usagi closed her eyes and took in the smell of plants all around her. She loved being outside but her busy life restricted her to remaining inside a lot. She sighed as she relaxed and let all her problems escape her. She was never this uptight when she was young. She could let problems be when she was young. Now, she learned to solve them. <> She though as she carelessly slipped into sleep. Mamoru looked over the peaceful lake and felt his mind cool off. <> He looked up into the tree they sat under and thought how nice it would be to climb. <> As his thought transferred to Usagi, he turned his head to look at her. <> He was going to speak but realized that she was asleep. He smiled silently and went back to looking over the lake and the gardens. Suddenly, he felt weight on his left shoulder. He turned his head to find Usagi leaning on him. He was going to point that out to her but decided that it wasn't uncomfortable. He just let her lean on him and stayed that way for the next fifteen minutes as the clock ticked away. "Usagi-chan. Usagi-chan. Wake up. It's time to go back to work." Mamoru whispered quietly as he shook Usagi gently. <> "Usagi!" "Huh?" Usagi woke up with a start. "Where am I?" Mamoru looked her in the eye. "You fell asleep." Usagi looked away embarrassed. "Really? I guess I was too tired. I wanted to stay after work today too! We have so much to do." Mamoru touched her arm. "It's okay. We have plenty of time to work our designs out. You don't have to work so hard. Come. Let's get back before Haruka starts worrying." "Right." Usagi and Mamoru walked back to the office in silence. They both didn't want to be late and neither wanted to discuss any business until they got back. To Usagi, she had found a new friend. To Mamoru, he had found his first friend. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ As the summer rolled by, Usagi and Mamoru grew fonder of each other. Usagi didn't think about Minako as much and became really good friends with Mamoru. They designed everything together and shared all their ideas. They stayed late together to finish off any designs they wanted to accomplish. As the whole office watched on, Mamoru and Usagi laughed and joked all day while they thought up interesting color combinations and patterns. There were times when Usagi had to just sit back to let Mamoru design the men's wear and when Mamoru had to let Usagi think up the ladies' section. They didn't always agree but they always compromised. By the middle of August, they were right on schedule. Haruka watched the two happily as her show made great progress and wondered where she would be without those two. She smiled when an excited Usagi screeched out with joy as new ideas entered her mind and laughed with Mamoru at Usagi's happy bubbly nature. Overall, it was a fun summer for all of them. Usagi and Mamoru were the best of friends. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "What are you doing, Usagi-chan?" Asked a curious Mamoru. She had been drawing in her notebook more than usual these days. <> Usagi looked up. "Oh. Nothing really." She put her notebook away in her bag. "Come on. Tell me what you are hiding!" Mamoru pleaded. Usagi stuck out her tongue at him. "A girl has got to have *some* secrets, Mamoru-kun. You know just about everything else about me." "Okay. I respect you. I'll just peek when you're not watching." "You can try." Mamoru laughed. "My! Aren't we sure of ourselves!" Knock. Knock. "Come in!" Both Mamoru and Usagi chimed at the same time. Haruka came in. "You too have been around each other too much. You even say the same thing now." She remarked. "Good afternoon, Haruka-san!" Usagi greeted. Haruka smiled at her. "Hello, Kanneko-chan." "Do I look like a kitten to you?" Usagi asked as she heard the familiar nickname. "You do to me! Hello, Mamoru-kun. How are things going?" Haruka asked. Mamoru gave Haruka a stack of paper. "Just fine. We've done some good designing today. Usagi-chan here is still not satisfied though. She's looking for something more." "Really, Kanneko-chan? Ambitious are you?" Usagi explained, "The more the better!" "Okay then. I'll leave you two alone for your heavy thinking. I'm going to go pick up Michiru. She's coming back early. The rest still have two more weeks to go." "Sure. Say hi to her for me too!" Usagi said. "Me too." Mamoru added. "I will. Be sure to leave at five thirty sharp today. You two can't stay extra long. I won't be here to close up last." "Okay." They both answered at the same time. Haruka laughed and let the room. Usagi and Mamoru went back to doing their own things. Usagi drew on a piece of paper and Mamoru flipped through a department store magazine. <> Usagi doodled on her paper. She fooled around with patterns and shapes. Colors ran through her mind as she searched for color combinations. <> She looked up from her drawings and looked at Mamoru. He was now looking at some swimsuits. She surveyed what he was wearing. Black top with black pants. A green jacket hung on his chair behind him as it was too warm to be wearing a business jacket right now. She thought about how he would look in bright colors. <> Usagi thought about how good Mamoru looked in dark colors. Her thoughts eventually wondered to how good Mamoru looked in general. When she realized that she was staring openly at Mamoru, she jerked her head down abruptly, hoping he didn't see. Mamoru looked up as he saw the shadow of Usagi's head jerking. He found her to be busy drawing nothing on her piece of paper and smiled at no one in particular. She looked like she was concentrating very hard on looking busy even though she really didn't have anything to do. She was wearing a white blouse with the sleeves rolled up. It had been raining this morning so almost everyone came in long sleeves. Usagi had been no different. Since it was now afternoon, it was quite hot. Usagi absently bite her lips. She had her pink jacket hanging behind her chair. People were surprised when Usagi came in a pink suit this morning but she had said that she wanted to try it out. <> Mamoru looked at her hair in their usual odangos. Long blond hair streamed down her face and behind her back. He sat back and just drank in how beautiful she looked. <> Mamoru let his magazine drop onto his lap as he settled with studying Usagi's features. "What are you looking at? Do I have something on me?" Usagi asked. Mamoru snapped out of his thoughts. "No. I was just staring at space." "Then why were you smiling, Mamoru-kun?" Usagi inquired. Mamoru looked down at his lap. "I found something to be interesting." "Oh. Wow!" Usagi exclaimed. "Huh?" Mamoru was confused as to why Usagi would yell out 'wow'. Usagi was beside him in less than a second. She took the magazine out of his hands and jumped up and down in excitement. "THIS is what I need!" She pointed to one of the suits. "Usagi-chan, it's almost the end of summer and you still want a bathing suit?" Mamoru asked. Usagi looked at him calmly. "No. If I wanted one, I'd design one. This is the perfect design for a dress!" "Which one?" Mamoru asked. Usagi pointed to a white swimsuit with a blue decorative skirt. "Oh. That." Usagi was impatient now. "What do you mean, that?" "Easy. I designed it." Usagi was shocked. "YOU designed this thing!" "Yes." "Wow!" Usagi was at a loss of words. Mamoru was worried. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Usagi beamed him a huge smile and held up a victory sign. "That's a VERY good thing." "Thank you. What do you plan to do with it?" "Mamo-chan, weren't you listening to me? I want to make it into a dress!" Mamoru was silent for a while then got a really weird look on his face. "WHAT did you call me?" Usagi blushed. "Oops. Gomen, Mamoru-kun. I didn't mean to call you that. Excuse me." "Where did you come up with that name?" Mamoru pressured her into answering. "Umm..." Usagi pondered what she could tell him. < "I... just..." "Yes, keep going." "I... only... I..." Usagi didn't know what to say. Mamoru noticed Usagi holding her breath and laughed silently. "That's okay, Usagi-chan. You may call me that." Usagi smiled. "Really? I can call you Mamo-chan?" "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say, Usako." Usagi frowned. "Usako?" It was Mamoru's turn to hold up a victory sign. "I get to call you something too, don't I? It's only fair." "Fine. Now, about the design..." "Mamoru! Usagi! Time to go! It's five thirty. Boss won't let you two stay any longer." Someone shouted from outside. "Argh!" Usagi let out. "I wanted to work on this design!" "Why don't you come over to my house after? It's Saturday tomorrow and we don't have to work. We can stay up as long as we want." Mamoru offered. "Sure! I'll be there at seven?" "Okay." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Usagi wondered around the area, looking for Mamoru's apartment. <> Usagi was so lost that she wanted to cry. It was very humid and hot outside. It wasn't pleasant. Usagi had been walking around the area for the last twenty minutes. There were more than ten apartment buildings where she was, <> Usagi stomped around, frustrated. <> At the thought of her nickname for him, she giggled. It was a cute name. She liked it. She was relieved to find that Mamoru didn't mind. Usagi sat down in front of one of the buildings. She looked up desperately into the sky. <> After two minutes, she realized that the sky wasn't going to help her. Because she was frustrated, everything bugged her. She tugged at her hair and the odangos were loose. Her hair flowed down to her ankles and nearly brushed the ground. Usagi leaned back on a railing and sighed. <> She closed her eyes to rest a bit. <> She remembered her meeting Mamoru by bumping into him twice three months ago at a party. Usagi got up and walked to the first apartment building she reached. <<5000. Looks like a number Mamoru might like.>> She went in and pressed the elevator button. To her relief, there was a listing of names on each floor. Soon, after visiting each floor, she found herself standing on the same floor as Mamoru's name said he did. She walked down the hall and tried to listen inside. <> Suddenly, Usagi felt a slight tugging somewhere inside her. <> She followed the feeling and soon arrived at a door. She suddenly got very nervous. <> The door opened. Usagi cringed in fear. "Usako! Glad you could make it. Usako?" Mamoru asked. Usagi was holding her breath and her eyes were shut tightly. Mamoru nudged her shoulder and she blinked. When she recognized Mamoru, she let out a breath of relief. "Mamo-chan!" She jumped into Mamoru's arms. "Whoa, Usako! What happened." Usagi back down. "You wouldn't believe it. I actually left your address at home. I only remembered which block it was on." Mamoru laughed. "I sort of thought the same thing. It's okay. You're here now!" "Yes and am I GLAD!!!" "Come on in, Usako!" Mamoru held the door open for her as she stepped in and looked around. "Nice place! Very neat!" Usagi commented. "Thank you! Want anything to drink?" Usagi smiled at him. "You know me! I drink and eat anything, anytime." "Yes. I know." After Mamoru got the drinks, the two settled down in his living room and were soon involved in the plans for Usagi's new design. Mamoru was glad that Usagi liked his design. He was watching some cartoon on TV one day and saw some people wear them. He forgot who they were. "And, the blue skirt should be kept the same length." Usagi decided. "Usako! The skirt is really short because it's a swimming suit. You can't possibly keep it at the same length!" Mamoru yelled out. Usagi protested, "But, Mamo-chan! It'll look really great. Someone can just wear it for the show and if people like it, we'll make it. If they don't, we forget all about the design and I'll use it as a bathing suit!" "Alright! What color should the skirt be?" Mamoru asked. Usagi thought for a moment. "Blue. I like it as it is. We shouldn't change it that much. It'll ruin the original look." "Usako! I'm flattered! You really like my design that much?" Usagi smiled at him. "Hey! That's why we're partners, ne?" <> Mamoru chuckled. "Wouldn't want to work with anyone else in the world!" After they decided on the design, Mamoru had to redraw the whole thing. Usually, they'd have someone there to understand the design and redraw it but they were alone now so Mamoru had to do the honors. It wasn't an easy job! No one can really copy a drawing exactly. It took quite a while. Mamoru drew and colored as Usagi watched TV on the big couch. Mamoru didn't look up so he just heard the sound the TV made. She was watching some kind of cartoon. Mamoru focused on his work and left Usagi to herself. Ten minutes later, Mamoru was done. <> Mamoru looked towards where Usagi sat and found her fast asleep. Her hair was still down. Mamoru almost couldn't recognize her when he had found her at his door. Now, she was lying down on his couch with her hand still holding the remote control. She was still in her pink skirt but she had changed into a short sleeved shirt. She was snuggled up to the couch and looked very serene. <> Mamoru looked at her for a few minutes before realizing that it was late and she should get back home. He walked to where she slept and gently shook her shoulders. She didn't move. She just smiled. <> After he was sure that Usagi was still asleep, he shook her again. She *still* didn't wake up. <> Mamoru brushed some blond strands of hair away from her face as he bent over her. Her skin looked really soft and her lips were slightly pink from the lipstick she had on. Mamoru just stayed there and stared at her. She was the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. He marveled at how good she looked and how such a wonderful person lived behind that delicate face. <> He added. Usagi looked so calm and inviting. She was just like a sleeping princess. Mamoru smiled and bent his head down even more as his lips lightly brushed against hers. Usagi still didn't move. She was lost in her dream world. Mamoru frowned at how deep her sleep was then kissed her with more power this time. Usagi blinked her eyes open. She was looking at deep blue eyes. "Mamo-chan?" She asked as Mamoru back away. <> "Gomen, Usako, I don't know why I did that." Mamoru explained. Usagi looked at her watch. She gasped loudly when she saw that it was already eleven O'clock. "Ahh!! It's sooo late! What am I going to do?" Usagi screamed out. "Mamo-chan, I have to go. Sorry I fell asleep on your couch." With that, she gathered up all her belongings in record time and was at the door before Mamoru could figure out why she was rushing so fast. "Usako?" Was all Mamoru could manage to get out before she closed the door. Usagi stopped dead in her tracks. Inch by inch, she turned her head back to look at him. "Yes?" "Did you hear me?" Mamoru began as he walked up to her. "I'm sorry about how I woke you up. I just felt-" Her lips were on his. Mamoru was very surprised. Usagi ended the kiss and smiled up at him. "Don't worry, Mamo-chan. I liked it." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ That's it for this part! I was going to keep on going but I didn't want this to be too long. Originally, I wanted to have just 2-3 parts. Now, I might have to go beyond that. It won't go above five though. Stories with many chapters don't really appeal to me. I like long stories with not so many parts. So, e-mail me people! It's pearlhsu@home.com Tell me what you think. What do you like? What don't you like? I'll even listen to suggestions! I just want any kind of comments :O) Till next time! Pearl ^_^