Minna-san!!!!!!! Konichiwa!!!!!!!!! I'm terribly sorry for the extremely long wait that I made you suffer through. Really! So, here's the fifth part. It's not the end yet. Very close to the end though. I have most of the ending planned out. Hope you will like this! As usual, comments are totally welcome! Thank you all for giving me the push that I needed to get this part out. Here's part 5: "This is someone talking" <> *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Usagi knocked on the door to her office and leaned back on it to wait for Mamoru to open the door. "Ohayo, Usako!" beamed Mamoru. Usagi turned her head around just in time to realize that the door she was leaning on was no longer there. "Wha-?" "Caught cha!" Mamoru said as he gracefully blocked Usagi's fall. Usagi smiled up at him and both of them turned as they heard chuckles down the hall. Haruka composed herself and walked towards the two. "So, the two of you are still playing the morning catching game, huh?" Usagi nodded happily. "Hai! It makes the morning more fun. Doesn't it, Mamo-chan?" "Certainly," Mamoru agreed. Haruka shook her head in wonder at the two grown people whom still loved having fun. "Well then," she said. "I guess I should do my part." Usagi and Mamoru watched Haruka as she got herself together. In a really loud and booming voice, Haruka yelled, "GO TO WORK, YOU TWO!" "Yes SIR! Right away SIR!" Both Usagi and Mamoru replied with a salute. After a moment of silence, the three of them burst out laughing and went their ways. The people in the office watched the three amusingly. "They're still on their silly routine?" Minako asked as she walked off the elevator. "They think it's fun," answered another woman. Minako sighed. <> *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ In their shared office, Usagi and Mamoru quickly got down to work. Usagi analyzed current fashion trends while Mamoru predicted future fashion trends. "I think that the short pants look will be over quite soon," stated Mamoru. "Really?" "Trends don't last long. Plus, by the time most of the people have acquired them, people would have grown tired of them already." Usagi agreed, "You have a point there. So, should we just forget about this trend and move on. Say.... start a new trend?" "My sentiments exactly." "Great! What do you think then? Long skirts? Short skirts? Medium skirts? Three-quarter length skirts?" Mamoru gave Usagi a look that clearly told her "it wasn't funny". Usagi playfully held her hands up. "Okay okay!" she said. "Enough with the mean vibes, Mamo-chan. I'm just a bit hyper." "For a woman turning 26, you are quite childish!" Mamoru scolded. "As if you should talk!" Usagi protested. A thought occurred to Mamoru. "Say, Usako. Why don't we invite some people and go out for dinner for your birthday?" Usagi screeched with delight. "Sugoi idea, Mamo-chan!" "Glad you like it," Mamoru smiled at seeing Usagi acting so happy. "So, who?" "Aye, the big question," Usagi sighed. "I don't want a big get together. Just something nice and small." "Something nice....OH! Why don't we invite Minako, Yaten, Kakyuu, and..." Mamoru began. "And?" Usagi implored. "Seiya-kun?" Mamoru said out of courtesy. Usagi blanched. "And you think that this dinner will be *NICE*?" "Why not?" "Have you seen Seiya-kun recently?" "No. Why? What's wrong with him?" "Why?" Usagi asked bewildered. "In case you have forgotten, you and Seiya-kun nearly killed each other a while ago. The two of you set each other off like oil and fire!" "Oh! That!" "Yes, THAT! It's a big THAT!" "I promise to be civil and agreeable." Usagi paused. "Really? Just for me?" Mamoru grinned. "Just so you can have a happy birthday." Usagi smiled at Mamoru sweetly. "Arigato, Mamo-chan." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Wait a sec! I'll be right there!" Usagi yelled as she rushed to open the door for two of her guests. "Ah! Welcome, Kakyuu-chan and Seiya-kun! Please come in. The others aren't here yet." Kakyuu nodded and strolled over to the sofa with Seiya. "Usagi-chan?" Minako went over to help Usagi with the drinks. "Yes?" Minako began sweetly, "I, um, have a tiny request." <> Usagi sensed that Minako wanted something big. "What can I do for you, Minako-chan?" "Would it be okay it Yaten and I don't go to dinner with you guys tonight?" "Wh-" "Please don't be upset!" Minako continued quickly. "I know that it's very bad of me to cancel this late but I really couldn't help it. Yaten already booked us somewhere else and the restaurant is very expensive. He already contacted Mamoru so you guys don't have to pay if you don't use the two reserved seats." Usagi blinked. Minako's fast speech took a while to settle in. "So, you're saying that you're not coming to dinner and that Mamo-chan already knows?" "Hai." "So you are going to dinner with Yaten-kun on MY birthday?" "Hai," Minako answered apologetically. "But I was hoping that Yaten-kun could somehow calm Mamo-chan and Seiya-kun if they started fighting!" Usagi whined. Minako shrugged. "Please, Usagi-chan. I'll make it up to you somehow." "What makes you so eager to abandon me and go out with Yaten?" Usagi asked with a twinkle in her eyes. Minako grew uneasy. "Well, I don't really know. He just said that he had something important to talk to me about." "How important?" Usagi pressed on. "I don't really know. He didn't say." "But you could tell that it was very important." "Yes." "As important as a marriage proposal?" Usagi asked meaningfully. Minako looked at Usagi. She was blushing furiously. "That important?!?" Usagi screeched. She hugged Minako happily and giggled. "Wow! This is great! You go and make Yaten-kun propose to you and tell me all about it tomorrow." "So you forgive me?" "Of course! Your day is way more important than mine! Go! Go at once and bring back an engagement ring!" Usagi ordered. "Don't get so excited, Usagi-chan! I'm not even sure if he's going to ask." "It doesn't matter. There's a possibility. Just promise me one thing." "What?" Usagi said seriously, "If he asks, you must accept." "I will." Usagi watched Minako exit their apartment with a sense of wonder. <> Usagi stood in the middle of her kitchen. Motionless. She whispered, "Love." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Seiya stood up to help Usagi with the drinks she brought them. He asked, "Where's Minako going?" "She won't be joining us today. She has some other business." "Oh. So, who are we waiting for then?" "Just Mamoru." "Oh." Usagi looked around. "Where's Kakyuu-chan?" "She went back to the car. She forgot your present there." "I see." Usagi looked down at her hands uneasily. In her fist, she clenched the engagement ring which Seiya gave to her. She had never put it on because she was never sure of her decision. Now she was sure. And she had to tell Seiya. "Seiya-kun?" "Nani?" "I, um, need to give this back to you." Kakyuu stopped dead in her steps just outside the room. "I won't take it." Seiya pushed the ring away. Usagi looked into his determined eyes and smiled. "It wouldn't have worked anyways, Seiya-kun." "Why not?" "Even though I tried, I couldn't make myself love you." "But you love Mamoru-kun?" Usagi looked away. "I don't know yet. I'm sorry." "You know what? Keep the ring as a gift," Seiya said, "from friend to friend." Usagi looked up at him. "From friend to friend." She gave Seiya a small hug. "Thank you, Seiya." Usagi hurried into her room to touch up her make-up. Tears hung in her delicate eyes, just waiting to pour out. Usagi dabbed her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror. <> Kakyuu stepped into the room and halted when Seiya's depressed eyes turned to her. She wished she could absorb some of his pain and help lessen his sadness. But, all she could do was stand there and look at him with all her love for him shining in her eyes. Seiya smiled a sad smile and said, "I've lost." Kakyuu went up to him and hugged him tightly. "No. Don't say that." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Usagi rushed out of her room as the door bell rang. She passed Seiya and Kakyuu, who were sitting together on the sofa in silence. Usagi opened the door to see Mamoru. "Konbanwa, Usako," Mamoru greeted. "Hello. You're finally here! Yaten and Minako won't be coming. Seiya and Kakyuu are already waiting," Usagi told him without looking at him. She was so confused about everything and was afraid that Mamoru would somehow complicate things more. Mamoru noticed Usagi's downcast eyes and decided to cheer her up a bit. He put a hand under her chin and held her head up. "What's wrong, Usako? Is my presence so blinding that you can't look at me?" he joked. Usagi took a breath in. <> She took another breath in. <> Usagi stepped back and looked at Mamoru. He was clad in a beautiful black suit, complete with a tie and slick hair. He was a vision of dark perfection. Usagi smiled as she remembered her surprise of seeing him for the first time a long time ago. They had kissed blindly out of instinct. She had the exact same expression on her face now. Mamoru frowned at her expression. "Do I have something on my face?" Usagi shook her head. "No. Nothing's wrong with your face." <> Mamoru smiled. "That's good. My, you look lovely tonight!" "Really?" Usagi asked. She was wearing a strapless violet dress which hung down to cover her ankles. It had a slit up her right side which hinted at her long legs. Sparkles lingered all over her dress in no specific pattern and highlighted all her lines beautifully. Her hair was free and down, providing a loose flowing ornament to her scintillating image. Mamoru nodded. "Very beautiful." Usagi giggled, turned around, and curtsied to Mamoru. "Why thank you, Mamo-chan." "My pleasure. Shall we go now?" "Of course!" Usagi beamed. She called back into her living room. "Seiya! Kakyuu! Let's go!" "Ready!" *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Wow!" Usagi looked around in wonder at the restaurant which Mamoru brought them to. "It's so wonderful! I've never seen a restaurant like this!" Mamoru said, "It's new in Tokyo. It's been opening around the world. I picked this restaurant because of the atmosphere. You like it?" "Certainly!" Usagi answered. Seiya didn't though. "Why would you pick such a place for Usagi-chan's birthday? I thought that you would pick something with more class." "Well, I didn't want us to be recognized. We'd all hate to be interrupted." Kakyuu agreed, "Good point." "I still don't like your taste," Seiya added. Usagi got worried. <> She looked imploringly at Mamoru. He nodded at her to keep his promise. Usagi breathed in relief. They all looked up as a waiter brought them all drinks. "So, Mamoru-kun, how's business going?" Seiya asked. Mamoru replied, "As usual." "Still designing?" "Yes. I design." Seiya chuckled. "Ever think of doing something attractive?" Mamoru didn't speak. "Guess not, huh? You like your so-called job?" "Yes." "I don't see why you would." Mamoru gave Seiya a slight glare. "You don't have to." "Oh my! The wine tastes great today! I've had so much experience with wine. Usagi! Don't you remember when I took you out for the exotic French wine? That was a fun day," Seiya said to Usagi. "Yes. I do. It was fun." Usagi had no idea why Seiya would bring up such a thing. "And remember the concert in New York? You had front row seats. That was a great one. Mamoru, too bad you weren't there." Mamoru raised an eyebrow. "Really?" "Yes. Usagi-chan and I had a WONDERFUL time. Didn't we?" Usagi was staring at Seiya. "Nani?" "And that time we took a walk in front of the park!" Seiya shouted out. "Mamoru-kun, we even saw you there once. Do you like the park?" "It's none of your concern." "Oh but it IS! I'm curious. I don't know much about you. I'd like to learn more." "I don't want you to." "Come on, Mamoru-kun, don't be a stick. So, are you rich like me?" Mamoru grew impatient. "Why would I want to be?" "Have you dated lots of girls?" Seiya asked with a slur to his voice. "Have you had girls chase after you?" "I don't need to." "That's sad, Mamoru. You need to get out more." "I really don't care about what you think," Mamoru stated calmly. Usagi just sat in silence. She was shocked with what was going on. Seiya seemed obsessed about making Mamoru feel as low as he could. And Mamoru...... he wasn't doing anything! When Seiya finished his fifth glass of wine and started to talk about how much fame he has, Usagi suddenly stood up and excused herself. "I have to go make a phone call,!" she said urgently. "And I need to go to the ladies room!" Kakyuu shot up as well. Usagi quickly made her way over to the phone booths and leaned back. <> "Here you are!" Kakyuu said as she made her way toward Usagi. "Kakyuu-chan." "It's tense there, isn't it?" "Very. Seiya's beyond drunk! He's talking nonsense!" Kakyuu replied, "Well, Mamoru-kun isn't the best person to have a conversation with." "I know. He must be very mad now." "Yes. Let's get back before poor Seiya kills himself." Usagi turned to her in astonishment. "*Poor* Seiya???" Kakyuu said, "Well, isn't he?" Usagi turned abruptly. "Nevermind." Mamoru was using the last of his self control to stop himself from strangling Seiya. Seiya was lost in his own world, racking his brains for every possible thing that he was better than Mamoru at. Seiya slapped Mamoru's back. "Mamoru-kun, if you ever get as rich and famous as me, you can come and I'll teach you how to handle success." Mamoru removed Seiya's hand. "No thanks." "Geez Mamoru! With this attitude, you'll never make it. Say, when did you first become known?" "26." "I was 16 when I became rich." "I really don't care." "When did you meet Usagi?" "Two years ago." "I met her before you." "So?" Mamoru was furious now. He really couldn't stand any more of Seiya's showing off. He saw Kakyuu and Usagi come back and wished for them to arrive before he suffocated Seiya. "I was also Usagi's first boyfriend!" Seiya boasted. Mamoru lost control. "But I gave her her first kiss." "What!? How dare you!" Seiya yelled out as he aimed a punch at Mamoru's nose. Usagi froze as she watched the scene unfold in front of her. Mamoru saw the punch coming and reacted very fast. He easily dodged the attack and Seiya stumbled when he struck thin air. Mamoru swung around to face Seiya as soon as Seiya found his balance and prepared to strike Mamoru again. However, Seiya wasn't fast enough. With incredible speed and power, Mamoru drove his elbow into Seiya's stomach before Seiya could tell what was going on. Seiya groaned as he doubled over in pain and Mamoru watched, not a bit hurt. "NO!" Kakyuu cried out. She ran over to where the brief fight took place and glared at Mamoru angrily. "How could you, Mamoru-san?" Kakyuu screamed at him. "Why did you hurt Seiya like that?" Mamoru grew impatient. "He tried to hit me first." "He is drunk." "So what?" "I thought you would have enough sense to go easy on a drunk man!" Kakyuu angrily answered. "You had no right..." Mamoru rolled his eyes. He really couldn't stand anyone who stood up for Seiya when it was clearly Seiya's fault. "Is it my fault that this stupid and immature guy decided to provoke me and deliberately start a fight?" Kakyuu was so engrossed in defending Seiya that she overlooked reason. "You!" She slapped Mamoru with all her strength then turned around to help Seiya regain his composure. The two of them walked out of the restaurant, past Usagi, who was still in shock. Kakyuu put a hand on Usagi's shoulder as she passed by. "I'm sorry, Usagi-chan. May be we can all have dinner some other time," she whispered. Usagi nodded even though she didn't hear anything Kakyuu said. She watched Mamoru put a hand to where Kakyuu hit him. She walked up to Mamoru. "Daijoubu, Mamo-chan?" Usagi asked. "I'm sure that Kakyuu-chan wouldn't have done that if she wasn't so in love with Seiya-kun." Mamoru took his hand away and put an arm around Usagi. "I'm so sorry, Usako. I tried to keep my cool. I couldn't keep my promise. I'm sorry." "That's okay. You tried," Usagi said as her gaze shifted to Mamoru's bruise. "Ouch! That's a big bruise! Let's go. I'll see what I can do about it. Does it hurt?" "A lot." Mamoru chuckled, "I never expected such a small woman to have such powerful strength!" The people in the restaurant watched as Usagi and Mamoru left then returned to their meals. "Young people these days. They are getting so violent!" *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Lie down here, Mamo-chan. Let me have a look at your face," Usagi said as she pointed to her sofa. She had brought Mamoru home so she could put something on his bruise. "Hai," Mamoru said as he put down his glass of wine. He was trying to drink so he could block off the evening. He walked over to the sofa and sat down next to Usagi. "Remind me not to ever upset Kakyuu-chan again," he joked. "It wasn't only you, you know. Seiya-kun was hurt pretty badly. You hit him quite strongly," Usagi pointed out "Good then. At least I'm better than him in something," Mamoru said bitterly in memory of the night he had to sit through. Usagi saw how bad Seiya made Mamoru feel. She reached for his shoulder and leaned him down onto her lap. "Mamo-chan, you're better than Seiya in a lot of things," she said. <> Mamoru thought sadly. <> He looked up at Usagi's face as she treated his face. She put on all kinds of creams and lotions trying to ease his pain. "How does that feel?" Usagi asked. Mamoru was getting tired. The drinks he had were starting to drain his energy. He saw Usagi with blurred vision. "Nice." Usagi knew that he was tired. "Go ahead and sleep, Mamo-chan. You'll feel better in the morning," she urged. Mamoru smiled as he slowly slipped into a light sleep. Usagi watched Mamoru's face relax and leaned back on the sofa with Mamoru's head in her lap. She felt really peaceful and relaxed. It was so easy being with Mamoru. She looked at him once again and placed a kiss on his forehead. He looked so cute and handsome that something stirred in her heart. Usagi knew that she could always rely on Mamoru and that she couldn't deny the feeling building up in her. She also knew that she was uncontrollably in love with Mamoru. "Good night, Mamo-chan," she whispered. "I love you." Usagi sat on the sofa thinking about what she just declared to herself. She giggled quietly to herself and pressed a kiss on Mamoru's bruise. "Aisheteru." Mamoru dreamed that Usagi said she loved him. He didn't want to wake up anymore. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Seiya woke up to the smell of coffee. He blinked sleep away from his head and looked around. "Where am I?" "This is my room," Kakyuu said. She brought a tray into her room and placed it on the table. "Your room?" Kakyuu nodded. "Yes. After you fell asleep in the car, I drove you back here. I didn't have access to your apartment so I had to bring you here. It's my temporary home." "Oh. I guess I never saw the inside because I always dropped you off outside. Small place." "I know. I like it though." "I like it too," Seiya said. Something registered in his mind. "Wait, Kakyuu... You said that you drove me here." "Hai. I did." "In my car?" Kakyuu answered, "It was the only thing I could do." "Okay. Demo, you can't drive," Seiya accused. Kakyuu blushed. "I know." "And you still drove?" Kakyuu nodded. "Even when people in Japan drive on the wrong side of the road?" She nodded more. "I tried really hard. It was sort of late so all I had to do was turn away when I saw blinding lights. It wasn't really hard. The only bad thing was that I couldn't fall asleep afterwards." Seiya watched Kakyuu in wonder. She had almost risked her life driving him home and she had slapped Mamoru so loud last night that Seiya could still remember the clap very clearly. "Thank you, Kakyuu-chan," Seiya said. "Thank you for doing everything for me." Kakyuu smiled at him. "You don't know how much I'd do for you." Seiya looked into Kakyuu's eyes. And, for the first time, he saw all the love that lived in there. He had grown really close to Kakyuu the last two months because he was trying to give Usagi some time alone. Until now, he had denied any feeling towards Kakyuu because he told himself that he was waiting for Usagi. But now, he couldn't hide the truth anymore. He was falling for Kakyuu and probably already fell for her when they were little. With her looking at him like that, he couldn't resist anymore. He stood up and walked towards Kakyuu. "What?" Kakyuu asked. "What do you want?" "This," Seiya said as he pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth with his. When he lifted his head, he saw tears in the corner of Kakyuu's eyes. "What's wrong? I'm sorry I did that. I just had to." "It's okay," Kakyuu said. "I'm just really happy." Seiya beamed. "That's good." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Mamoru drew the curtains open to let the light in. The Sunday sun beamed into the room and lighted up everything. It was already late in the morning but Usagi was still asleep. Mamoru had waken up to find himself still on Usagi's lap. She had fallen asleep in a sitting position. Now, she was still sleeping on the sofa and Mamoru was already up. Usagi opened her eyes and held up her hands to block the intruding light. She saw that it was already quite late and groaned. "So, you're finally up," Mamoru said. Usagi sleepily shook her head. "No. Not yet. Come back in a few hours." Mamoru grinned at how cute Usagi was when she was lazy and tired. "Come on, Usako. If I gave you a few hours more, you'd be still sleeping when the sun goes down." Usagi blinked a bit. "I don't care," she said groggily. Mamoru laughed and walked over to where she was laying. "Usako, get up this moment! You know that too much sleep only makes you more tired," he ordered. Usagi opened her eyes fully and looked up at the energetic Mamoru. "Go away, dad," she said. "Dad?" Mamoru chuckled. "I am not your dad." "Whatever. Give me a kiss and I'll wake up." Mamoru gave that a thought. "Are you sure?" Usagi tilted her head. "Sure of what?" she asked. Mamoru laughed. <> He glanced at Usagi's head beneath the pillow. "Wake up now or I'll pull you out!" he demanded. Usagi whined under the pillow. "I mean it, Usako!" The pillow hit Mamoru square on the face. "Fine!" Mamoru declared. "You are waking up, miss." He took Usagi's hands from her eyes and pulled her to a sitting position. She was still in her beautiful dress that she wore the night before except it was really wrinkled from her sleep. As soon as Mamoru let go of Usagi's hands, she fell right back to her sleeping position. Mamoru sighed. "You're impossible, Tsukino Usagi. You know that?" Usagi smiled with her eyes closed. "Serves you right for disturbing my beauty sleep!" Mamoru grinned then grabbed Usagi around her waist. He pulled her all the way up and put her over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes. "Hey! Put me down!" Usagi shouted. Mamoru ignored her and walked her over to the dinner table. He deposited her on a chair and got her a cup of coffee. "Geez! I should be the one tired and in pain here," he complained jokingly. Usagi, who was already half asleep on the table, snapped awake and remembered everything that happened last night. She got up and walked over to Mamoru. She turned him around and peered at his bruise. "Wow! That was a quick wake up! You just suddenly decided to be fully awake?" Mamoru was surprised at how Usagi could just suddenly make herself totally alert. Usagi touched Mamoru's fading bruise. "How is it?" she asked. "Does it still hurt a lot?" "It's better now. It's just a bit purple." "Oh. Okay. I'll cover it with make-up for you when we leave." Usagi finished putting the last bit of make-up on Mamoru's face and leaned back to look her job over. "Perfect!" she declared. "No one can tell that you have a bruise there." "Really?" Mamoru looked into the mirror and gazed at his own face. "Great! Thanks, Usako." "You are very welcome," Usagi chirped. She pressed a light kiss where his bruise hid then went to get her newspaper and mail. In front of her door was two packages. She picked them up and returned to the dinner table to open them. They were her birthday presents from Seiya and Kakyuu. Kakyuu gave her a bag of beauty products and Seiya gave her an expensive radio set. "Whoa! That is a BIG CD player!" Mamoru remarked when he saw the present Seiya gave Usagi. "Yes. I know." "Mamoru looked it over. "It even came with a set of the Three Light's CD's!" Usagi nodded. "How typical of Seiya. I wonder how he is. You delivered quite a bit hit to him yesterday." She laughed as she thought of the night before. "You should have seen his expression when he missed you on his punch! It was so funny!" "Really? I was too mad to notice." "You looked really vicious, Mamo-chan. It was so neat to watch you loose your temper." "Was it?" Mamoru inquired. Usagi looked at him and concluded that she wouldn't ever be able to stand it if Mamoru got mad at her. It would probably break her heart. Mamoru remembered the gift he had for Usagi. He reached into his pocket and produced a small box wrapped with silver paper and a pink bow. "Here. This is your birthday present. It's not as big as Seiya-kun's but I designed it." "You designed it?" Usagi asked as she took the present from Mamoru and unwrapped the paper to reveal a flat velvet box. "Well, I sent the design in and they delivered it to me a few days ago." "Oh." Usagi slowly opened the box. "Wow! It's beautiful, Mamo-chan!" She took out the locket that laid inside and held it in her palm. It was round with the shape of a heart carved on the cover. Usagi opened the locket and a lovely tune started playing. Inside, there was a moon which moved with the music and colors that painted a starry night. The light in the room shone onto the locket and reflected back in a million directions to make the locket seem like it was glowing. Usagi stared at it in amazement and pride. She ran over to Mamoru with the locket still in her hand and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Mamo-chan! I'll treasure it forever!" Mamoru let out a breath of relief at her reaction and put his arms around her. "I'm glad." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ After that fate-defining day, the four of them carried on with their lives. Seiya and Kakyuu were happy with their coupling and developed a solid relationship. Mamoru and Usagi went back to their old working routine and remained somewhere between a couple and friends. Two months later, it was getting close to Mamoru's birthday. Usagi decided to throw him a surprise party and gathered up a lot of people to plan it. It was supposed to be held at the Three Light's penthouse because that was the biggest area they could find. So, Usagi and the gang of friends worked hard to plan the party. Unfortunately, Usagi wasn't very good at being discreet. Mamoru could always catch glimpses of her talking on the phone with the Three Lights and going over to the Three Light's apartment. After a while, Mamoru got suspicious..... and very mad. (Keep in mind that he still doesn't know that Usagi turned down Seiya.) Mamoru didn't like Usagi being so close to the Three Lights, especially Seiya. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Minako knocked on the door and entered when Usagi told her to. "Minako-chan! Hurry hurry! Come see! How's this?" Usagi asked. "Hmm," Minako peered at the drawing Usagi had on her desk. "It's a bit overstuffed. I don't think Mamoru-san's the kind of guy who goes for pink balloons and cream ribbons." Usagi laughed. "I thought that too but I love these colors!" Minako gave Usagi a leveled look. "Usagi, this party is for Mamoru-san. Not for you." Usagi nodded. "Hai hai." "My! Isn't it a bit early in the day to be working on the party plans?" Minako asked. "Ano, this is the only time I can really work on it. I had to get up really early to make sure that I'd get some time before Mamo-chan came in," Usagi explained. "Oh. I see. Anyway, I wanted to ask you to help me pick out a wedding dress," Minako said. "Of course I will! We'll go to try on wedding dresses the whole day tomorrow!" Minako grinned. "Thank you, Usagi-chan." Usagi added, "We have to pick a dress so beautiful that Yaten-kun will cry when he sees you!" Minako just blushed. Then, the telephone rang. "Moshi moshi? This is Tsukino Usagi," Usagi answered the phone. Seiya's voice came through. "Usagi-chan? Is Mamoru-san there?" "No. Not yet." Seiya let out a sigh of relief, "I'm so glad. He seems to always be around and I always can't come up with a reason to speak to you when he picks up the phone!" "I know. I know. It's hard to keep a secret from Mamo-chan. He looks at me like he already knows that I know something he wants to know. It's scary!" Minako laughed. "Oh! Is Minako-chan with you?" Seiya asked. "Hai." "Good. Ask her how we should do the lights. She's good at lighting." Usagi turned to Minako. "Seiya wants to know how we should do the lights." Minako thought for a moment. "I think we should have it bright and happy." "Minako-chan thinks it should be bright and happy." "Of course," Seiya agreed. "Okay then, next question." Usagi repeated to Minako, "Next question." "Okay," said Minako. "Okay," said Usagi, "shoot!" "What color should the drapes be?" Seiya demanded. Usagi turned to Minako, "What color should the drapes be?" Minako complained, "God! Usagi-chan! You're planning this like it's ..." Mamoru stepped off the elevator and walked towards the office. He heard excited voices from the office. "... your own wedding!" Minako screeched. "He he. This is fun!" Usagi said. "So, what color?" "I think either creamy white or beige. It might look too weird if we try to use bright colors." "I agree," Usagi said. "Minako and I think the creamy white will be pretty." <> Mamoru wondered. <> Mamoru was very interested with the conversation going on. <> There was a pause before Usagi said, "Oh! Right! I didn't think of that!" Mamoru stepped into his office and gathered the scene before him. Usagi was at her desk with lots of drawings scattered about. Minako was sitting half-way on Usagi's desk. Both of them were smiling at the telephone receiver. When they saw him, Minako quickly gathered up all of Usagi's papers and Usagi abruptly ended her phone conversation. "Ohayo, Mamo-chan!" Usagi beamed loudly. "Ohayo, Mamoru-san!" Minako beamed just as loud and just as transparently. "Ohayo," Mamoru replied. "Who was on the phone this early?" Both Usagi and Minako looked a bit uneasy. "No one important," Usagi said. Minako backed her up, "No one important at all!" "Oh." Mamoru gave up trying to pry information out of the two ladies. They were really bad at hiding something but they were really good at not letting someone see the real story. Mamoru always had to guess at things that Minako and Usagi hid from him. Minako left the room and Usagi and Mamoru went to work. Mamoru forgot about the conversation he heard as a got into his work. It was already August and they were busy adjusting to the upcoming change of season. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The street was very crowded but Mamoru didn't mind. He was deep in his thoughts. <> Mamoru walked on the streets with no destination in mind. He just felt like walking and thinking. <> Mamoru grew more frustrated. <> He kicked a telephone pole and regretted it the moment he did it. <> Mamoru continued to walk down the street. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "How's this, Usagi-chan?" Minako asked. "Let's see." Usagi looked away from browsing the dresses and saw Minako. She shook her head. "Not this one. It makes you look very old." Minako agreed, "I thought that too." "Here," Usagi said, "try this one." She handed Minako another wedding dress. "Okay." Minako started to turn then heard a screech. "Nani? What's wrong, Usagi-chan?" Usagi was dancing and hugging a creamy wedding dress. "This is the perfect dress! I wish I could get married so I could wear this dress!" Minako giggled. "Fine then. Why don't you try it on?" "What for?" "Just for fun. I'll look at more dresses while you change." "Okay!" Usagi danced over to the dressing room. Minako was still looking at dresses when Usagi came out. "Wow! That is VERY beautiful, Usagi-chan!" Minako exclaimed. Usagi looked at her own reflection and grinned. She turned to Minako. "You know what, Minako-chan? I'm going to buy this dress just because I love it so much even if I'm not getting married. It's time I did something irrational." Minako nodded her agreement. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Mamoru stopped walking when he came to a red light. He glanced around and tried to see where he had walked to. He looked around and saw a bridal shop behind him. There were two girls trying on dresses. He stopped breathing when he realized who they were. Usagi was standing in the middle of the shop with the most amazing wedding dress. It was made of silk the color of ivory and embedded with pearls. The bodice ended low but a sheet of sheer cream satin led up to her neck and wrapped around her neck snugly. Her tiny waist was draped with silver chains with diamonds which led to the full flowing skirt. Her arms were covered with lose satin encrusted with pearls. When Usagi moved, light reflected off the dress and lighted up the whole room. Mamoru was openly staring into the shop at Usagi. He was shocked by how the image of Usagi in a wedding dress could affect him. She looked very much like a princess bride. Mamoru wished with all his being that he could be the groom. When he recovered from his awe, he began to wonder what Usagi was doing in a bridal store with a wedding dress on. Naturally, he came to the most obvious reason: She was getting married. Suddenly, Mamoru wished that he had never seen her in the store. He wished that he had never met Usagi. He wished that he was never born. He wished all that because nothing could make him feel as crushed as he was right then. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Minako looked outside and saw Mamoru crossing the street. She turned to Usagi to find her paying the sales lady and decided not to tell her. <> "This is a lovely dress," the saleslady said to Usagi. Usagi smiled. "I know." "It's the only one ever made. It's too expensive." "Really?" The lady nodded. "That's okay. I love it very much." "I can see that." Usagi saw Minako still browsing the store and asked for help. "Ano, miss..." "It's Setsuna." "Okay. Setsuna-san, could you recommend a dress for my friend over there? She's the one who needs the dress, not me." Setsuna looked confused. "You're not getting married?" Usagi shook her head. "No. Not me. It's Minako-chan." "Oh! Sure, I'll find her a dress. No problem. I know one that will look great on her." "Thank you, Setsuna-san." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Mamoru stopped in front of the park and sat down on a bench. <> He covered his eyes with his hand and sank down on the bench. <> Mamoru was beyond despair. He had been so sure that he could get Usagi to turn down Seiya's marriage proposal and had been reluctant to propose to Usagi himself out of politeness. <> Mamoru decided that he couldn't possibly ever feel as terrible as he did then. When he saw Usagi trying on the wedding dress, he just died. "Mommy! Mommy! Look!" a little boy pointed to the bench Mamoru was sitting on. "Don't point, Shinta. It's not polite. Come on, let's go. Daddy's waiting for us," the woman said to the little boy. The little boy refused. "But, mommy, he's going to cry!" The woman took a look at Mamoru and shook her head. "Leave this man alone, Shinta. He'll be okay." The woman picked up her son and left Mamoru sitting in his bench, on the verge of tears. Mamoru lifted his head when the two people left. He took his hands off his face and straightened up. <> He chuckled with disbelief at himself. <> Mamoru stood up and made up his mind. <> He started to walk home and regained his composure. From now on, Mamoru wouldn't let Usagi and Seiya's relationship get to him. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The clock struck six and everyone in the office started to get ready to leave. Usagi opened the door and looked at Minako. Minako was on the phone. "Are you sure that everything is ready?" Minako was asking. The person on the phone answered and Minako hung up. She turned around and saw Usagi standing there. Minako gave Usagi the thumbs up and a wink. Usagi returned the gesture then pointed to her watch. "Seven o'clock," Minako whispered. Usagi nodded and turned to go back into the office. She nervously approached Mamoru's desk and leaned over. Mamoru looked up. "What do you want?" Mamoru asked the smiling Usagi. Usagi shrugged, "Nothing really. Just waiting for you so we can go out." Mamoru raised an eyebrow. <> "Really? Are we going somewhere?" He asked. Usagi was still smiling. "Mamo-chan, of course we're going somewhere. We always go somewhere, remember?" "Do we always?" Usagi put her hands on her hips and leaned back. "What's wrong with you, Mamo-chan? Don't you want to go for a walk with me?" Mamoru looked at Usagi blankly. "Not precesely." Usagi frowned. "What do you mean?" Mamoru turned to his papers. "I have work to do, if you'll excuse me." Usagi started to panic. <> She lifted Mamoru's face with her hand. "Please, Mamo-chan. You know how much we love taking a long walk." Mamoru started to soften to Usagi's eyes then checked himself. "Do I love it?" "Come on, Mamo-chan! Why are you acting like this?" <> "It's none of you business, Usagi." Usagi was shocked. "None of my business?" she repeated. "Just go, Usagi. Go home. I'm busy." Usagi was hurt. "Why are you being so mean? All I wanted was to go take a walk with you!" Mamoru looked straight at her. "Well, I don't want to take a walk with you." "But..." "Go home, Usagi," Mamoru said harshly. Usagi looked at Mamoru with fogged up eyes but wasn't crushed yet. She wanted Mamoru's party to work so she tried to approach him with a different method. She leaned on his desk again and gave him a very innocent look. "You don't like me, Mamo-chan?" she asked with a twinkle in her eyes. Mamoru didn't even look up. "Never said I did." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Usagi sank to the floor in the elevator. Tears flowed freely from her eyes as she went over what Mamoru said to her. ...What do you want?... ...I have work to do, if you'll excuse me... ...It's none of your business... ...Go home... Usagi hugged herself as the elevator moved. "Minako-chan, I can't take Mamoru to his party now," she sobbed. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Mamoru sank in his chair and looked out the window. He was very upset with himself. He just didn't have enough control where Usagi was concerned. With just one look at Usagi, the worst of his temper came loose. He sighed and got back to work. He was going to have to work like crazy to get Usagi out of his head. The image of Usagi's wounded face as she realized that she wasn't wanted stuck in Mamoru's head. It was such a wrenching image. It made Mamoru want to run after her and hold her until she felt better. Mamoru hit the wall in frustration. Getting over Usagi was harder than anything else he has ever tried to do. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Haruka waited for the elevator door to open. When it did, she saw a sad Usagi walking out. "Usagi-chan, what's wrong?" Haruka asked. Usagi wiped away her tears and tried to smile. "Nothing's wrong, Haruka-san. I'm fine now." "Oh?" "Hai. I'm fine." Haruka let the matter drop. "So, the party's all set. Are you ready to take Mamoru over to the Three Light's at seven?" Usagi shook her head sadly. "No. I couldn't make him go." "Don't worry, Usagi-chan," Haruka comforted. "I'll trick him. You can depend on me." Usagi nodded. "Are you going by yourself then?" Haruka asked. "I'm not going at all," Usagi answered then turned and left without an explanation. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Mamoru-kun!" Haruka yelled out in greeting. "Hello, Haruka-san." "Are you still working?" "Hai." "You're not going anywhere with Usagi-chan?" "No. She left already, if you're looking for her." "I'm not looking for her. I just met her downstairs. She's depressed over something. Her face was all red. She wouldn't tell me though. Do you know what happened?" Mamoru paused for a moment. "I wouldn't know." "So, what are you working on?" Haruka asked. "The change of season." "Ahh! Can that wait?" "Yes. Why?" Haruka smiled. "I'm all alone today and I need some company. Could you take a walk with me? Forget about business until tomorrow?" Mamoru thought for a moment. "Sure. I need some fresh air anyway." "Good! Pack up your things and we can go." "Okay. I'll be done in five minutes." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Where are we walking to?" Mamoru asked. "Nowhere," Haruka said. "We've been walking for almost and hour!" Haruka looked at her watch. It was five minutes to seven o'clock. "Really? That long?" She looked up at the Three Light's building. Faking surprise, she said, "Oh my! Look where we are!" Mamoru looked up and didn't recognize anything. "Where?" Haruka smiled. "You've never been here before?" "No." "Oh. Then, why don't we pay a visit?" Mamoru asked, "To whom?" "The Three Lights, of course. I'm surprised you don't know their apartment, Mamoru-kun." Mamoru's expression grew hard. "I never bothered with them." "Come up. They have a really great penthouse," Haruka urged. "No, thank you." "It's not going to bite, Mamoru-kun." "I'm not afraid. Just not interested." Haruka gave Mamoru a leveled look. "Mamoru-kun, at least visit out of politeness." She gave Mamoru a smile. <> Mamoru knew that he was trapped. "Fine then. But, I'm only going because you cornered me into it." "Yeah sure." The two of them walked over to the building and rang the front lobby bell up to the penthouse. "Moshi moshi. Yaten here," the speaker said. "Konichiwa, Yaten-kun! Mamoru-san's here to visit you!" Haruka said to the speakerphone. Yaten looked back to the crowd of people stumbling over each other to get into position. He replied with too much enthusiasm, "Oh! How WONDERFUL! Come up! Come up!" Haruka silently cursed all the people for all the background noise. "Let's go up, Mamoru-kun." Minako ran out of the kitchen. "Are they here? Are they here?" she asked desperately. "They're coming up," Yaten replied. "Usagi and Mamoru, right?" Yaten recalled the conversation. "Actually, no," he said. "It was Haruka and Mamoru." Minako frowned. "Haruka? But Usagi's not here yet! Mamoru can't come if Usagi isn't here yet! She'll be so mad if she misses his reaction!" Yaten planted a kiss on Minako's forehead. "Don't worry, Taiki's filming the whole party. I told him to." Minako let out a sigh of relief and hugged Yaten. "I love you! You think of everything!" *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "It's so quiet up here," Mamoru commented. "Is the whole floor theirs?" "Yes. They have such a big place. It's perfect for a par-, um, a practice area," Haruka said. "They even have their practice area in their house?" Haruka mentally gave herself a kick. "Um... no. I meant that it's big enough to make one." "Oh." "Here. You ring the bell." "Fine." Mamoru pressed the bell and waited. The door opened to a pitch-dark apartment. "Mamoru-kun!" Yaten yelled out extremely loudly. Mamoru looked at the blackness. "Wha-" "SURPRISE!!!" "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!" The whole room lit up and thirty people showered Mamoru with confetti. Mamoru was pushed into the middle of the room and Haruka closed the door. "Did you get it, Taiki-kun?" Minako shouted out. "Hai hai! Every single angle of his face," Taiki shouted back. "It wasn't much of a reaction though," Seiya remarked. "He only stood there with his mouth open." The whole room burst out with laughter. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "So, Mamoru-kun, how are you enjoying the whole party so far?" Kakyuu asked. Mamoru looked around once again. "I'm really impressed! It's a great party! A lot of planning must have gone into it." "I should know! Usagi-chan and I had so much trouble hiding the whole thing from you! It was so fun though," Minako interrupted. Seiya added, "It might have been amusing for you but I had so much trouble making up excuses to talk to Usagi. I bet Mamoru-kun got really suspicious after a while." Mamoru frowned. Kakyuu laughed. "Yeah! Once I heard you making up something about Usagi's hair ribbon. What was it?" Minako laughed. "I remember that! Mamoru-kun got so mad at that one!" "I said something about picking up her hair ribbon on the street and needing to tell her," Seiya remembered. "And Usagi-chan doesn't even wear ribbons on her hair!" Minako laughed out. Everyone burst into laughter except Mamoru. "Usagi planned the whole party?" Mamoru asked. Kakyuu answered, "Yup! She did the whole thing. She started planning two weeks ago." <> "Wow! Kakyuu-chan! Is that your engagement ring?" Minako asked. Kakyuu held up her hand for Minako to see. "It's beautiful!" Minako exclaimed. "So is yours," Kakyuu said. Mamoru shook his head to clear his confusion. "Both of you are engaged?" Minako explained to him. "Kakyuu-chan's engaged to Seiya-kun and I'm engaged to Yaten. Didn't we tell you? I've already picked out my wedding dress. Usagi helped me. Wait... I think I saw you that day. Did I?" Mamoru was half shocked. "I don't think so," he said. But, inside his mind, things were beginning to click together and he had a feeling that he didn't want things to make sense. "Kakyuu-chan is engaged to Seiya?" Kakyuu nodded. "But Seiya's engaged to Usagi!" "Usagi broke our engagement on her birthday," Seiya said. "Didn't she tell you?" *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ So, that's it for this part! I'll try very hard to get the ending out soon! Hang in there! Pearl ^_^