AN: Hiyas! ^_^ I think I focused more on the detectives on the case this time... next chapter will be more serious, I think, so I guess it's ok...balance wise and all... I tried to keep the waff in, but was I successful? Please tell me. I'm not too sure about this chapter, writer's block has been particularly horrible lately... Erm...there may be certain lines in here that people *might* find a tad weird...Gomen in advance, I've been a real psycho this past week (as if that wasn't noticed^^;) Thanks go out to the wonderful Shana! Ah, gotta love Endy...::sighs:: And Joeey, whose kind words inspired me to get off my lazy @$$ and get on with this fic. A *BIG* thankies to Sakura for pre-reading, dealing with my incessant blabber and always encouraging me with this, no matter how annoying (and impossibly LONG) this story can get! Disclaimer: If Sailor Moon was mine, and didn't belong to Naoko Takeuchi, I would be in Tahiti or the Bahamas right now. I'm in New York. 'Nuff said. ***************************** The Game Is the Mystery Day 5- Pawns Rated PG by April Rayne Startear42@aol.com ****************************** Her eyes flashed open, and she was so frightened she wasn't able to squint when the morning sun fell into her eyes. 'Damned nightmare...' The same thing, over and over again... Usagi had overslept, but that didn't bother her very much because of the extended time. She did have a little trouble packing her suitcase though, because she had decided to bring too much. After a few quick calls to Minako, Makoto and Ami, she was totally ready to go. Rei didn't ask too many questions when she saw Usagi carrying a two situcases out of the apartment to drag to the car. In fact, she did the opposite, and jumped to conclusions. "Usagi! Don't you think that you and Mamoru-kun-" "Stop that, Rei-chan!" This was what had to be the hundreth time that Rei had implied that the trip wasn't all *business*. Usagi's eyes lit up with an idea. "What about Jadeite-san?" Rei shut up *very* quickly after that. When she got to HQ, Mamoru was waiting outside for them. Opening the trunk and transferring her bags to the trunk of his car, he stayed fairly taciturn, only speaking when greeting the other two women. By the time he was finished, Rei was done picking up forms and left with a quick wave and a highly enthusiastic "Have fun!". That was followed by one *very* suspicious wink. Mamoru looked at Usagi quzzically. "She had too much coffee this morning. Don't ask." The ride to the train terminal took a a half hour, then came the wait for the train... "Boarding train number 25...Final call..." <2:30 P.M.> Usagi marvelled at the sights outside the train window. Mile upon mile of gardens covered by blue sky with majestic white topped mountains in the background. Every now and then they would pass other people working in the fields, relaxing among the growing spring flowers. 'I'd almost forgotten that places like this exist...' "Wow... this place is gorgeous..." she breathed, not realizing that she had spoken aloud. Turning to talk to Mamoru, she already found him looking at her, midnight blue eyes meeting ones of crystal blue. "Gorgeous..." he repeated with the same breathless admiration that she had shown. The contact held, but dissipated as Usagi tore herself away to look back at the world outside the window. Now if only her heartbeat would calm down... <3:15 P.M> "It's too bad that we didn't catch up with Yamino-san yesterday..." Mamoru mused. Usagi nodded slowly, leaning against him. Mamoru remembered the exact reason why they had missed it, and smiled to himself. "Usagi...about the stakeout yesterday..." He tapped her on the shoulder. "Usa...?" Usagi slept happily against Mamoru's shoulder. <4:15 P.M> ***** "Stop that..." she mumbled, teeth chattering. There it was again... That laugh... Usagi looked around again, the lack of light not helping to add to her confidence. "I *said* STOP!" She cried out. Without so much as a warning, the laughing died out, and what was left was another growing warmth. "Usagi... Usagi..." a somewhat familiar voice called out. Usagi had not yet begun to trust any of her senses... until now. "He's here..." she whispered. "You're here again," she muttered breathlessly as she turned around to face him. There she would come face to face with her savior... ***** Face to face with eyes of midnight blue. "Usa..." Mamoru trailed off as Usagi's eyes opened to meet his. "You fell asleep. We're almost there, and we have to get ready." The blonde was immobile, and only stared into his eyes with the most confusing gaze, as if she couldn't stop herself if she had to. Was she still dreaming? "Tsukino, what's wrong?" he asked, brows furrowing in concern. She continued to stay still, her blue eyes gazing intently into his, trying to swim to consciousness. Suddenly, she blinked, and asked absentmindedly, "What?"' He couldn't help the small laugh that emerged from him. "We'll talk about it later. Let's get your stuff ready." <5:19 P.M> They had reached their train stop on time, but the only problem was that the hotel was a good 40 minutes away. But in traffic...well... it just took a bit longer than expected. After tipping the taxi driver, Mamoru went to the back to help Usagi with her bags. After she pulled one suitcase out, she leaned over to grab another one, and struggled to get that out. A warm hand moved over hers, and she turned around to find Mamoru moving to help her, taking both of her larger bags along with his and facing the front door. "You should learn how to pack, Tsukino," he called out over her shoulder. She picked up her small bag and moved next to him, mumbling a thank you. They faced the hotel, a large, beautiful haven in the midst of the mountains and fields, looming largely above them. "Let's hope that Yamino-san is already here," he said taking one last look at Usagi before moving forward. 'Are you so sure about that, Mamoru...?' Usagi looked on sadly as he moved away from her. Sighing, she took a step forward. <5:27 P.M> The room buzzed with people ranging from the conservative types in business suits and skirts, to the not-so-conservative in bright blaring colors and dress styles. Thankfully, all of them were headed for one place, and soon the lobby was cleared. They approached the desk, and a kindly old man came to their service. "Hi. We'd like to stay here overnight. Do you have any vacan-" "I'm sorry," he interrupted with an apologetic smile. "Because of the convention coming in, we don't have-" "Do you two need a room?" A bellhop chimed in.(AN: Get it? Bellhop? Chimed? Umm...nevermind^^;) "Kurura-san, we have only one available, and it's the honeymoon suite." "Is that so?" the older man mumbled. He looked at the young couple before him and his smile widened. They were awfully cute together. "Is that all right with you?" "Yes, that's fine. Put it under Midorikawa. Keisuke and Kaori Midorikawa." Usagi resisted the urge to pinch him. He was at it again! "Eh…Ma- Keisuke-chan," she said between clenched teeth, trying to keep calm. "Are you sure? It might cost much." She knew that he was aware that the cost wasn't the first thing to come to her mind. Overhearing her, Kurura-san added, "Because you came at such an inconvenient time, I'll let you stay in the suite for the price of a regular room." Mamoru jumped at the chance, and looked down at Usagi, the mischief in his eyes making a blush appear at her cheeks. "Kao-chan, now how can we pass that up?" Kurura-san gave Mamoru the key, and their bags were given to the bellhop. "Have a nice stay!" the owner called out as the couple, walking closely together with their arms around each other, disappeared into the elevator. They turned back to face Kurura-san as the elevator doors closed, smiling. When he was finally out of view, and they began to move upwards, Usagi let go, as did Mamoru. "*Why* do you keep on doing this?!" she cried. He motioned for her to keep it down. "We're undercover. And it's easier to pretend to be a couple on a vacation that just two strangers who just happened to be there. Besides, that way we can work together, and...I don't have you out of my sight." Her eyes widened just a bit, and the light blush on her cheeks grew a little. "You're still a rookie, Odango." She looked down at the buttons on the wall, hoping he didn't see the way her face fell when he had said that. The doors opened, and they stepped outside into the furnished hallway, only to realize that their room was the only one on the floor. Mamoru opened the door slowly, and Usagi's eyes widened when it came into view. It was spectacular... The large room was bathed in a soft white fabric, with vases of roses adorning every place possible. Next to them were white and red candles. Everything led up to the large marble balcony, hidden by lace curtains. Usagi sighed. It screamed romance. As is sensing her thoughts, Mamoru looked down at her, smiled, and picked her up, as she screamed and wailed, "Put me down, baka!" He grinned and carried her closer to him, whispering in her ear. "The husband has to carry the wife across the threshold, ne?" Usagi laughed, put her arms around his neck and looked him directly in the eye. "Did you have something on the train that you're not telling me about?" She played along more than willingly, clinging closer to him as he stepped inside of the room. Laughing until she saw the maid down the hallway... That's when reality hit and she began to realize that he was probably putting on a show. "The bags should be here soon," she said solemnly, her laughter dying out as he placed her gently on the bed. Mamoru saw the change in her eyes and was about to ask what had happened, but voted against it. "Now all we have to do is try and find Yamino-san at dinner..." <6:15 P.M.> "Chiba, I'm not too sure about this..." "We can't just stay in our room the whole night." "I know that, but-" "May I help you to your seats?" The waiter asked at the entrance to the hotel restaurant. Noticing that they weren't wearing nametags for the convention, he realized that they weren't supposed to be there. "I'm sorry, this is for conference members only, and you'll have to have dinner through room service." Mamoru frowned. "But-" "Now why would you say that?" A voice crooned from behind them. "The customer is always right, right sir? They can just sit with us at my table. We just happen to have two vacancies." The couple turned around to find the source of the voice. 'Her!' Usagi's mind screamed as she stood frozen to her spot. Long auburn hair flowing behind strange dress with blood red eyes, looking ready to kill. And the staredown began. Blue eyes met blood red with such a fervor that Usagi was certain that her feelings about this woman couldn't be wrong. Usagi's grasp around Mamoru's arm grew stronger, and she tried to send him a silent message of warning. Mamoru looked down on her the second he noted the change, and he couldn't help that his heart skipped another beat. He could sense her fear. Looking at the woman in front of them, with emerald green eyes and auburn hair tied up in a conservative bun, Mamoru blinked. He thought that he had seen her scowl at Usagi. Putting his hand over hers in a show of comfort, Usagi blinked. The woman had changed... She seemed like any other woman at the conference, dressed in a business suit with a name tag. Usagi brought her free hand to her forehead. Was she imagining things? "Hajimemashite. Arigatou... Yamino Beryl-san," Mamoru replied with a hint of caution in his tone. The waiter had stepped aside to help the next group of people, so Beryl, taking the lead, brushed past Mamoru and Usagi and led them to their table, which seated four. Beryl sat down first, while Usagi and Mamoru looked at her strangely before taking a seat and introducing themselves. Beryl just nodded with a saccharine smile as she realized that the two were married, and the table lay in uncomfortable silence. That is, until Beryl decided to find out more about this couple... "That's a beautiful necklace, Kaori-san." Usagi's eyes widened in horror, as she grasped the necklace in her hands, a gesture that didn't go unnoticed by the other two at the table. "A...Arigatou." Mamoru looked down at her, and moved to whisper in her ear. "What's wrong?" "May I ask why you're here?" Beryl interrupted with a lazy drawl, eyes only on Mamoru. He stayed still, showing a lack of fear. Underneath the table, Usagi and Mamoru's hands were still holding on tightly to each other. They exchanged worried glances before answering. "Actually, I don't think you'll believe this, but we came here to see you." An eyebrow raised. "Is that so?" Usagi gulped while Mamoru continued. "Yes, we needed to see you for relationship counseling." "Hey Beryl, did I miss anything?" Another cool voice emerged from behind them, and the couple turned around to see a tall woman with blond hair at the crown of her head that faded away to strawberry where her hair met with her waist. Her gold eyes gleamed with mischief, and she kept her focus on the couple as she sat down. "Charmed..." the woman drawled. "I'm Gingano Hoshi." Beryl explained the seating arrangement, and she nodded, adding in a strange whisper, "It's just too *bad* that the other two doctors...weren't able to make it tonight, ne, Beryl?" Usagi drew in a sharp breath as she heard the icy chill in the woman's voice and saw the flower that adorned the woman's dress. Her mind flashbacked to last night, when Rei had taken out the vial... She held onto his hand harder, and looked up to find that his eyes were telling her the same thing. Before they could ask anything, however, Beryl continued with what they had been talking about. "You say that you need marriage counseling? Well, this conference is supposed to be fairly busy, but I'm sure that I could fit you in. Is tonight all right?" Mamoru nodded, as the waiter brought the appetizer to their table. Mamoru was about to tell him that they hadn't ordered when Beryl explained that the dinner had already been pre arranged. Before the couple could get anything in edgewise, Both women had taken out a tiny bottle, filled to the brim with black flakes. They looked like miniature versions of the petal that Rei had shown them...Beryl offered some to Usagi first. "Would you like to try this with your soup? I always bring some of this spice with me, it really brings the food to life," she added with a knowing smile. "What...what is it?" "Oh, just some exotic spice- Dark Star Lotus blossoms that I just happened to pick up." Usagi couldn't take being in the room with Beryl anymore. Yawning, she leaned her head on Mamoru's shoulder, and looked into his eyes pleadingly. 'We need to talk...' Eyes lowering in silent amusement, he gently put her face in his hands and stood up, and helped her up as well. Putting his arm around her waist, Mamoru bowed and Usagi followed. "I'm sorry, but my wife is just so tired from travel today..." "I'm sorry..." Usagi mimicked. "Just tell the waiter to charge this to the honeymoon suite. Sayonara Yamino-san, Gingano-san." Beryl's eyebrows shot up. "Honeymoon suite?" "We're celebrating an anniversary... Sayonara." Before the women could interrupt again, Mamoru and Usagi moved out of the restaurant as fast as they could. "Call me for a meeting tonight! Room 666!" (AN: It was the only truly scary number that I could recall, sorry if it bothers anyone) Beryl called out to the two quickly retreating backs. She sat back and sighed, her eyes focusing on Mamoru and a grin playing on her lips. "Now what did you do *that* for?" Hoshi asked, putting her hands on her hips. Beryl smirked. "What? It's not like it was *poisoned* or anything..." <6:59 P.M.> When they reached the elevator lobby, neither moved from their positions, and Mamoru held Usagi closer to him. She laid her head against his chest and took in a deep breath, content with the sound of his heartbeat. Realizing what she was doing, she brought her head up slowly, blushing. "Sorry, I really am tired...Ne, Chiba... I don't like the way this is going..." Her thoughts flashed back to the stakeout. "That was her... I just know it was. What happens to us if she knows?" Mamoru shook his head. "Don't think about it that way," he murmured as the elevator doors opened. They stepped in, and pressed the button for their floor. Usagi moved in closer to him, and was about to ask another question when they both noticed something. Three other doctors at the conference sat down on the lobby couch. All three of them were talking to each other, but had a pallid, shallow look to their faces. All three of them were wearing Dark Star Lotus Blossoms. The doors closed shut. Usagi looked up at Mamoru, a horrified look in her eyes. The elevator began to shift upwards. "Did...did you see that?" He nodded solemnly. "Let's not jump to conclusions, Tsukino. Rei didn't call us about any of the lab findings yet. There's no way that we can determine-" "But what about Beryl? She seems suspicious enough." "Tsukino..." he sighed. "Don't worry about it." They stood silently as the elevator continued upwards, Usagi moving to make herself more comfortable as he kept his arm around her waist. The doors opened, and they made their way to their room. When they reached inside, they took a look at the phone to find an orange light blinking. They had a message. The detectives sat down at the edge of the bed, and Usagi took the receiver and pressed the button to receive it. "You have...one...message," the automated operator voice droned. "Tsukino-san, Chiba-san," Minako's voice emerged. "Sorry that we couldn't get through to you...for some reason, the cell phone connection is severed up there. And then you had to go change your names on us! We had to barter with the hotel receptionist to connect us to the only two guests that *weren't* doctors!" Usagi could hear Ami and Makoto in the background...'We only called the poor woman fifteen times!' They were arguing with Minako to 'get on with it'. Minako coughed. "Both Ami, Makoto, Rei and I have decided to tell you to give up on the Tuxedo Mask investigation." Usagi nearly dropped the phone, and turned with a hollow look to Mamoru. Giving him the receiver, she got up and went to the window balcony. Mamoru took the phone gingerly and began to listen. Ami's voice came on the line. "Considering that you're in Kyodai, and this case hasn't been easy, we decided that it would be better for you to focus only on who's behind the jewelry heists. That is definetly on the list as a higher priority." "We'll pay you for your work, of course," Makoto added. "And perhaps after this is solved, then we can go back to the Tuxedo Mask Investigation, ne?" "Arigatou gozaimashita, and ganbatte with your investigation at the hotel," they said simultaneously. Mamoru put down the receiver with a click. Getting up, he moved slowly to where Usagi was standing, her arms around herself, but not from being cold. '*Why* would they stop the investigation?' she thought to herself. 'I'm just as much a part of this as they are, and they didn't even talk to me about this...' The sun began to set over the mountains, and the sky was beginning to resemble the color of Mamoru's eyes. She sighed as she looked out into the distance, and day faded away. "Tsukino..." "I know that we haven't been altogether focused on Tuxedo Mask lately, but it's like you said, isn't it? The more we find out about this case, the closer we get to him..." He nodded, moving next to her and taking her hand. "It's going to get cold soon. Come back inside." She shook her head. "I'd like to stay out here for a while." Not letting go, Mamoru continued, a serious look in his eyes. "Why do you want to figure out who he is so badly?" "It's my first case..." she said with as much conviction as she had in her pinky. "You'd never understand..." she muttered under her breath. "I would," he countered gently. 'If I find him, I might lose you...' Usagi lowered her head, watching her foot as she traced a pattern on the floor with her toe. 'But I want to do this. For my mother, for me...for us...' "I think he's going to play a big part in my life. I don't know how...but I do..." Mamoru's heart sank at her words. "We're going to continue with the investigation..." Mamoru said with finality. "You'll find him." "Are you sure?" His eyes gazed into hers as he tried one last time to stop himself from saying what he had intended never to say...She could hate him forever for never telling the truth... "I guarantee it...because-" RING! RING! Their lock broke as the intruding sound came upon them, and their eyes strayed back inside to the phone that rang incessantly at their nightstand. Releasing his hold on her hesitantly, he walked inside, Usagi at his heels. He picked up the phone. "Moshi moshi?" "Midorikawa-san? It's Yamino Beryl, from earlier at dinner." He covered the receiver and mouthed who it was to Usagi, who nodded and sat down on the bed, wringing her hands. "You finished early," he responded dryly, annoyed that the caller had *impeccable* timing. "I wasn't that hungry tonight," she continued, obviously unaware of Mamoru's tone. "Now about that meeting...How about tonight, at 7:40? My room number is 666. And another thing," Beryl continued to talk before he could interrupt, "I prefer to see each of you one at a time. Well, see you later then! Sayonara." Click. Mamoru stared at the reciever blankly before putting it down. "She's not one for communicating," he mumbled to himself. "What's going on?" Mamoru took a seat next to her. "She wants to see us in her room, tonight, at 7:40." Usagi nodded, and took in a deep sigh. "One at a time." Usagi stood up. "What? What kind of a quack is she? Who gives relationship counseling to a couple if the couple isn't going to be together at all?" "Tsukino, I'm sure that she meant that we'd go into it together eventually." Usagi sighed, and glanced at her watch. "That means I have to deal with her on my own?" She groaned. "That and that fact that she couldn't make it any *more* obvious that she's another member of your fan club," she muttered under her breath. An amused smile lit up his blue eyes at the frown that appeared on hers. "Jealous, Tsukino?" She froze like a deer caught in headlights. "That'll be the day!" she cried after a delay, frustrated. She moved to the other side of the room and began to rummage through one of her suitcases, praying that her always telltale blush wasn't coming on full force. Mamoru suffocated the urge to laugh, and got up from his place on the bed to close the blacony windows. "When you're done looking for whatever you were looking for, I think we should get out and do a field investigation with the other doctors," he commented, turning back to her. Usagi nodded, and got up, the traces of her blush still evident. "Didn't find it?" Mamoru asked. "Didn't find wha... I guess I left it at home," she got out in one quick sentence, mentally kicking herself. "Let's go now- we have a half an hour to kill." They both moved out of the door and into the elevator. As the door closed, she looked up at him, eyes questioning. "Chiba...What were you going to say before? You guarantee it because..." Mamoru looked at her eyes, and couldn't help but move in closer to her, to see further into their depths. "I guarantee it," he paused. 'Wait...Can you get any more 'unromantic'? Not in an elevator, Chiba- No witnesses if she decides to kill you...' "I guarantee it" he repeated, "...because... I know how much this means to you." Usagi stood still, the effect of his words bringing another shine to her eyes. "Arigatou..." It was the truth, but it was missing so much... He threw his logic to the side and leaned over and began to whisper in her ear. "There's something else you need to know, Usagi..." Her face flushed, she turned to face him again. This time, his face was only an inch away from hers. "Mamo..." The elevators opened, and two other people moved in, giving knowing smiles and apologetic looks as they realized that they had interrupted the couple's 'moment'. Usagi and Mamoru stood straight up, neither one looking at the other. "Maybe later," Mamoru sighed as the elevator made it's way to the lobby. <7:47 P.M> During their field research, they found that most of the doctors had gotten the flowers as gifts when they had reached the hotel. All of them seemed tired, wiped out and irritable. When they spoke to Kurura-san about it, he said that he had no knowledge of the delivery... They had no time to react though... "We're late, Tsukino." "Well, I was hungry and couldn't help getting something to eat. Blame it on Beryl- she made me lose my appetite before...I don't eat anything unless I know just what I'm eating." "Right," Mamoru mused, giving her a sly look. He was rewarded with a quick smack across the back. Just then, they realized that they were up to room 666, and the door was already slightly open,waiting for one of them to come in. They looked at each other, and Usagi gulped. Mamoru moved forward first, grasping Usagi's hand one last time before letting go and moving to the door. "Yamino-san?" "Come right in...I've been waiting." a cool voice came from inside. Usagi grabbed his hand one more time before he took another step. "We're undercover. She won't know," he reassured her. "Just...don't let her get her claws into you." "You make her sound like she's out to get us." Her response was to let go of his hand, and stand against the door opposite to her room. He took the handle to the door, and opened it cautiously. He stepped inside and made sure that the door closed behind him. "Be careful..." "You should be careful too," a voice called out before clamping a hand over Usagi's mouth and dragging her into the room behind her. ******** Usagi tried to scream, but her voice was muffled by the hand over her mouth. Tears began to spring at the corners of her eyes. 'Help me...' Suddenly, the hand let go, and Usagi backlashed, letting one hand fly smack against her captor's cheek, and then pelting him in the stomach with her fist. "Usagi-chan!" Her two guardians looked back at her, wide eyed, Artemis doubled over on the floor. "Luna! Artemis!" She took a few steps backwards and stared at her two friends, Luna, dressed in a french maid outfit, and Artemis, dressed as a bellhop. She moved to help him up. "Gomen! I didn't know-" "No kidding," Artemis said. "I see the training with Rei has been paying off." Usagi apologized again, then stared blankly at them. "What are you doing here?" "We wanted to keep an eye on you- I know someone that works here. The girls wanted to hear more gossip," she sighed. "It was best that we come- we're only staying for a few hours, and then we're leaving you two to the investigation tomorrow." "You didn't have to come. I can take care of myself!" Usagi cried, flinging her hands into the air. "We know that you can," Artemis sighed. but this is *really* dangerous-" "Mamo-chan is right here! He'll protect me!" They blinked. "Mamo-chan?" Usagi's hand flew to her mouth. 'Oh, no...' "Chiba-san... Mamoru... he knows what he's doing. Nothing will go wrong..." Luna moved to the bed and motioned for Usagi to sit down next to her. She did, reluctantly, and grimaced in preparation of a tirade. "Usagi-chan...You didn't fall-" "I know Luna, I know. He can't be the one. But if he isn't, then... I don't want to know about it... How can I even think about it when he's here in real life and Tuxedo Mask only exists in my dreams?! And then you had to go and cancel the Tuxedo Mask Investigation without telling me..." She stood up, and moved to the window again, looking up at the moon, as if for guidance. "Luna, Artemis...Mamoru is in the next room with a woman whom I have *never* felt so much negative energy from. Even mother would be nervous." "We know. That's why we don't want you to go see her tonight." "But Mamo-" "He's probably going to be unaffected. If we're right in our suspicions about her, then you would be in far more danger, because of your lineage." "We're only playing a game of pretend, Luna. And I don't want him to get caught up...I don't want to get caught up in this make-believe world. It's not right. There's just too much at stake..." Luna and Artemis had both moved to her, and they each put a reassuring hand on her arm. "You're just like your mother, you know that?" Luna said gently. Suddenly, an assistant manager appeared at the doorway, took one look inside the open door, and called out. "Hey! Aren't you supposed to be working? There's a huge mess in room 101- lady brought her kids along. Get to work." he moved down the hallway and paused, scratching his head. "I don't remember ordering new french maid uniforms. Strange... Hurry up and get to work!" "Hai!" Luna and Artemis called out, both reluctantly going to the door. "Usagi, be careful! Don't go anywhere near her!" The blond nodded. "I'll be careful. See you tomorrow, ne?" They disappeared out the door, but Usagi heard the last remnants of their conversation as they traveled down the hall. "We weren't supposed to actually be working," Luna sighed. "I can't believe Yaten-kun gave me this awful costume, too." "I think the short skirt and frills is a nice touch," Artemis added flirtingly. "Luna, you have to admit that you look really hot-" SMACK! Usagi couldn't help but stifle a giggle. Then her eyes strayed back to the room across the hall. She walked out of the room, closed the door behind her, and leaned against it. "Mamo-chan..." "That's a nice necklace," Mamoru mused as he noticed the large obsidian stone hanging at the end of a bronze chain. "Arigatou," she replied, taking the necklace in her hands. "Please, take a seat." He sat on the chair arranged across from her. "So what is the problem exactly?" Mamoru grimaced. 'Well, Chiba, you have now proven yourself to be idiot of the year. Good thing you *forgot* to come up with a problem.' "Well, Usa...Kao-chan and I...we have problems telling each other things. Sometimes I think that we don't trust each other..." "Keisuke-san, if you don't mind my asking, what exactly is it that you can't tell her?" Mamoru nearly laughed to himself. 'You don't want to know'. "My feelings, I suppose." "Hmmm...and what would those be?" 'That I think she's amazing, that I've never felt this way with anyone before...' He paused as his thoughts strayed back to Usagi, and he became too caught up to control himself. "I can't tell her...That I think I'm falling in love with her." A jealous frown marred Beryl's features. "You didn't marry her out of love?" 'Damn...I got off track...' "I just think that we both went into this relationship not knowing too much about each other, but now that we do...things are different. I can't really explain it." Beryl turned around in her chair, and scowled as she took out a lighter from her bag. She took out a stick of dark incense, and lit the end, making sure to put it on the holder on the table between the two of them. "Don't mind me," she added. "I usually put this on to help relax a little. You don't mind, do you?" "No, not at all," Mamoru said as the strange aroma drifted to him. "Just what is this?" "Don't you remember?" she said mockingly as she saw his eyelids become heavy and finally close with unconsciousness. "Dark Star Lotus Blossoms..." she smiled wickedly to herself. "And just what is a handsome guy like you doing with a girl like her? That girl isn't who she seems is she? I can tell." She moved over to sit closer to him. "You're going to help me get what I want... Now tell me detective, just what are you looking for?" <8:00 P.M.> Usagi stood silently across the hallway. "I'm sure that he's fine..." <8:13 P.M> "What's going on in there?" Usagi repeated to herself as she paced back and forth. <8:36 P.M.> Usagi was slumped down on the ground, her locket held in her hands tightly. "Mamo-chan..." <8:45 P.M.> "Keisuke-chan!" Usagi called out as Mamoru finally walked out of the door. She swept him up in a hug, and Mamoru put his arms around her, holding her tight. He was so grateful to see her again... "Keisuke-chan," she whispered, reaching up to his ear. "I'm not feeling well...Is it okay if we get back to this tomorrow?" Looking down on her, he playfully whispered, "Chicken," and turned back to the woman that stood in the doorway. "Yamino-san...we're going to bed early. Kao-chan is still tired. Arigatou." With that, the couple walked down the hall. Gingano Hoshi opened the door that connected the two women's rooms, and tapped Beryl on the shoulder. "What are you doing next?" "He doesn't know much about the girl, but I'm not going to go against the instinct that I have about her. Tomorrow, early morning, my plan goes into action. She's not going to know what hit her...Don't you just love screwing with other peoples' minds?" she quipped before closing the door with a slam behind her. "Ne, Chiba...What happened in there? Why did it take so long?" He didn't reply until the elevator door opened and they went inside. He held on tightly to her, still reeling from what had happened in the room. "To tell you the truth, nothing happened... But I think that we need to keep a closer eye on her." She nodded. "I was really worried..." she whispered as the door opened. "I had no idea what was going on...But now we can just get some rest, and we don't have to worry about anything until tomorrow morning..." They opened the door to their room. Usagi took another look at the king sized bed, and gulped. "So about those sleeping arrangements-" she started, moving to check the phone. "I'll sleep on the recliner." "But I don't mind if you sleep with me..." she blushed furiously, realizing that that didn't come out the way that she had intended it to. "But... it's not comfortable, you just can't- I mean, there's more than enough room..." "It's fine, Tsukino, he said, walking over to the closet and pulling out extra sheets and an extra pillow. He placed them on the recliner set up near the window, neatly arranging a place to sleep. "See?" "No," she mused, taking the sheets and tossing them back into the closet. "I'm not going to be able to sleep if I know that you're going to be uncomfortable." "Tsukino..." "I insist, and I won't take no for an answer, or I'm taking the floor." Mamoru ran a hand through his hair, and sighed. "You drive a hard bargain, Tsukino." She flashed him her brightest smile. "I know." Going back to her suitcase, she said, "Chiba, you use the bathroom first, I take a long time." "You're a girl. No surprise," he muttered. "Hey!" he cried out, dodging a flying pillow. "I take it back!" After getting a few things from his bag, he walked into the bathroom. "Aww, honey, look at the spa!" "Shut up Chiba," she muttered, a blush quickly staining her cheeks. He laughed, and closed the door behind him. She heard the shower begin to run, and let out the breath that she had been holding for what felt like forever. This was *not* going to be as easy as she had thought. She went back to her purse and pulled out the small envelope with the picture in it. She lay back on the bed, and held it above her, but not before bringing it to her chest in a hug. There she lay for minutes, content. She thought about making a phone call to the girls, but it was bad enough that they had Luna and Artemis come after her... The water in the shower was shut off, and Usagi immidiately looked up from her place on the bed. The door opened, and Mamoru walked out in a pair of flannel PJ pants, (AN: Anyone beg to differ? I didn't think boxers would be quite appropriate...^^;)with a towel draped around his neck. His hair was still damp, and his bangs fell over his mignight blues, making her fight the urge to fix it so his eyes were clearly in view. "Ne, Tsukino, can you get me a tank top from my bag?" "Huh?" she asked, blinking out of her trance. The smell of roses traveled to her nose, and she unconsciously took in the wonderful scent. "Oh!" she gasped, going through the bag next to the bed, thankful that the shirt was within quick reach. "Here," she mumbled, tossing it to him. She quickly moved off the bed, to get to her own bag, rummaging for some imaginary item. Thinking twice, she went to the bed and shoved the picture and envelope into her purse. "Guess it's my turn." Grabbing her clothes, she avoided his eyes and moved past him into the bathroom. He grinned to himself. She sure was something else. A half an hour later, Usagi cautiosly turned the knob. Hearing the click, Mamoru looked up from the book that he was reading. He caught his breath. Usagi looking as shy as ever, slowly walked out of the bathroom, first peeking out of the sliver of space that she had made to see what he was doing. Her hair, usually up in odangos, cascaded in beauty down her back, still glistening because it was damp. She looked like an angel... "What?" she asked when she saw his glazed expression. "Nothing," he mumbled, looking back at his book. He lazily followed the symbols on the page while watching her move to her side of the bed. "Do you want me to leave the light on?" "No, it's best if we both get some sleep," he said, closing the book. Both of them leaned over to shut the lights off. They lay down on their backs, looking at the top of the canopy bed. ... ... ... "Don't you think it's funny, how we got away with everything today?" Usagi sighed. "...Yeah." ... ... ... Mamoru tried not to look at the girl lying beside him. "We make a pretty good team..." "Yeah..." ... ... ... Usagi smiled. "Being married to you isn't so bad, Chiba." "...Yeah." ... ... ... "What were you going to tell me in the elevator, Chiba?" Usagi whispered into the dark. He paused, that quirky grin making it's way to his face. "Now isn't the right time, Tsukino. Later, I promise." Usagi took in a deep breath. "...Mamoru-kun?" He turned onto his side to face her, glad that the dark would hide his confusion. "Hai..." "Arigatou." He lay on his back again, and just nodded, knowing that she knew his reply. "Oyasumi, Odango." "Oyasumi, Mamoru-baka." ***** <2:05 A.M.> The woman sat down on the train, looking worriedly at the moon that stayed constant in the sky. Her pale hair shimmered underneath its rays, and she felt another tremor run through her heart. It reached out to a certain young man and woman, for she knew that something was going to happen soon. "Wait for me...I'll be there for both of you as soon as I can..." ***** That warmth again. He came back to save her again... Usagi turned around. But this time, she didn't come face to face with the mask. "Mamo-chan...?" She knew those eyes, that face, anywhere, but... She looked to her left and found Tuxedo Mask's figure looking back at her. Both of them stood side by side, waiting for her. "How is this possible?" The temperature dropped and a harsh wind began to blow. "They're both mine!" The laugh crackled again, resounding in her ears. Usagi turned around to face ner nemesis but found only an uncomfortable pitch black wall. She turned around to warn the men of the oncoming enemy... Gone. *** "IIE!" she cried out, her eyes flashing open in shock and pure terror. "Usa..." Mamoru had moved next to Usagi, shaking her out of her nightmare. Usagi was mute for a moment, and then threw herself into his arms, crying. "It was so horrible...so horrible..." she mumbled incessantly. He put his arms around her, moving his hands through her hair, caressing her back. "I didn't want to lose..." she whimpered again, and she continued to cry into his chest. "Tuxedo Mask...Oh, Mamo-chan..." Mamoru froze. What did she just say? "Usa..." After a few minutes, her sobs subsided. Never releasing her hold on him, she found comfort and that familiar warmth in his embrace. Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep, leaning against his chest. Not wanting to disturb her sleep, he leaned back against the headboard. His slight movements caused her to shift as if waking up, only to cuddle closer and fall into deeper sleep. "Usako..." He smoothed her hair back form her forehead, and without a second thought, bent over and sent her a butterfly kiss on her forehead. She didn't stir. "I'm sorry I didn't realize things sooner, princess..." He took another look outside the window at the full moon. Its sheen came in through the window, onto the couple. As if weaving a magic spell, Mamoru's eyes became more heavy, and soon, he was in a deep sleep, his arms still cradling the sleeping Usagi. He wouldn't need to watch her from the shadows tonight. *************** End Day 5 *************** AN: Yes, this is ambiguous, but that's what makes it a mystery, if I told you everything, this wouldn't work out. And despite certain...predictable parts about this...please let me get the next chapter or so out... you guys have *no* idea of what's going on in this crazy head of mine. Gingano Hoshi...translated as Galaxy's Star... if anyone has seen/read season five of SM, then you know who I'm talking about...And Yaten-kun too...If you don't I don't want to spoil it for you...Ok, so I jumped seasons a little...don't kill me!I needed another major player from the first season and I couldn't find another! Feedback, feedback, feedback!!!!!! ::coughs:: Feedback, please??? Mamo-chan says I need to relax and it will keep me distracted from that horrible 22 page US history packet that's lying in my bookbag... But if that doesn't work, there's always Usagi-chan's locket... @_@ Aieee... TGITM5 3/2000