[It has to be perfect.]
	She finished applying the last of the light-scented lotion to her peach
skin, shivering against its cold touch.
	[It has to be a wonderful date.  It can't be anything else.]
	Placing one towel on the rack, and wrapping the other around her head, she
walked, naked, out of the bathroom, and into her room. With time somewhat
of the essence, decency and modesty were out the window, especially
considering what she wanted, needed tonight. It had been too long; she had
wasted too much time, and now if it didn't happen tonight, he was leaving.
He wasn't leaving her, but the country to pursue his graduate's degree.
	She wouldn't see him regularly for four years.
	She hadn't known that before, or she would have straightened her act
earlier. Until now, every date that they had, she treated casually, and
things tended to lean more toward chaotic and less toward romantic as a
result. With her love leaving for such a long time, perhaps even longer
than she knew, she had to make this memorable, make it the perfect night
they both deserved.
	One thing she had picked up on was how to work with what she had. Thanks
to her friends what little funds she had, a couple of books her mother had
bought early in her marriage, and the incense she had been saving for a
rainy day, Usagi Tsukino had more than prepared with the little time she
had.
	Of course, it also helped that her parents, as well as Shingo, were out
visiting relatives. She would have been pulled along as well, if not for
the fortunate spin of her age. She had to study for her juken(1), which
meant all her extra time would be spent at home. There was the other stuff
that went with it; room, board, tuition, etc., but Ami was helping her on
that, so she wasn't too worried. That in itself had helped to tip the
situation in her favor. In exchange for her solid studying for the college
entrance exams, which she was doomed to do anyway after this, she was
getting Ami's backing to convince her parents to leave her behind.
	Then of course were the final two obstacles: her mother's intuition, and
her feline guardian. The first was surprisingly easy in the way it came
down. Ikuko, her mother, had just taken her out while she was shopping for
groceries, and had directly asked her of her intentions while they were
gone for two weeks. Usagi was never one to lie unless the situation was
dire, so she nervously confessed her dilemma. Her mother seemed as
uncomfortable about it as she would have imagined, but instead asked
questions that made Usagi think further about what she was doing: Did she
understand what she was doing? What did she expect afterwards? Did she
expect him to bring protection if it was going to be a surprise? After a
few more embarrassing questions, her mother surprised her once more by
helping her with some of the things on her list, mostly perfumes and
specific food spices for the dinner; she even bought a pack of something
not on Usagi's list, condoms. Usagi had been red from the moment she
realized they were in the pharmacy for that reason, to when she handed her
purchase to the clerk, who unfortunately was a boy, to afterward, when her
mother finished the rest of the conversation sitting on a park bench. Until
then, she had thought mothers could be more than a pain in the neck, but
after that little trip, she loved her mother all that much more, as well as
respected what they actually had to go through for their children.
	Usagi was more than happy that she was lucky enough to have a considerate
parent, but she wished she could actually say the same about her guardian.
Luna's first and most frightening reaction was anger. The Lunarian advisor
had indeed been suspicious since The Tsukino's departure mere hours ago,
but had dismissed it and went snooping in the shopping bags in wayward
hopes of finding a snack. Upon discovering the opaque(2) plastic squares,
she confronted Usagi with hostilities in mind, and hysterics in effect.
	The teen had originally bit back at Luna's accusations of irresponsibility
and immaturity, but then calmed down and saw that it was not going to serve
to her purposes. Timidly at first, she began to ask Luna what would she do
in such a situation, when she was so sure that this was what she wanted.
She asked the cat not about technical things, but about her past; whether
or not she had she had loved with such intensity that it seemed that she
would often suffocate. 
	Luna became quiet, and looked at Usagi, looked into the girl's frightened
eyes, and saw the steel of a determined woman. They continued to sit in the
silence, Usagi fearing she had offended her teacher and close friend, and
Luna thinking about just how delicate the situation had become. The silence
seemed almost deafening, then Luna spoke to the girl, giving some answers,
and putting effort into talking to Usagi as she saw the girl presenting
herself, a woman who wanted to make her last night with her boyfriend
special.
	She'd left after that, giving no excuse, but telling her charge that she
would be at Minako's house thinking things over, and wishing Usagi luck that
her heart's desire be proven to be true.
	That left Usagi in the now, stepping into her chilled room after the
effects of a warm bath. She finished drying her hair, and upon tossing the
towel to the bed, noted that her window blinds were open. She shut them
quickly, wanting to avoid giving a show, despite that the only possible
vantage spot was across the street at the neighbors house. Now was the time
to prepare for his arrival, which would be in only an hour.
	She walked to her dresser, and pulled the vanilla lotion from where she
had placed it before her bath. Taking a seat at her bed, she poured a
little in her hand, and began applying the cream to her skin. She shivered
at it's cool feel upon her skin, but continued to rub it first at her
thighs, then massaging her feet, then pouring more from the bottle to her
hand, applying the same treatment to her arms and chest. Usagi snapped the
bottle shut, and briefly played with the notion of letting Mamoru cover the
hard to reach places on her back. If nothing else, it was a great way to
start the evening. Then she glumly remembered that she probably wouldn't
have the guts to even tempt him to that direction.
	[Careful girl, no need to get cold feet now.] She applied deodorant, and
then went to the bed to put on her underclothing. Tonight it was
underclothing, but to anyone else at any other time, it would be a soft,
sheer teddy that complimented her alabaster skin, and covered everything to
her hips, with matching panties, and stockings that came o the top of her
thigh; the outfit fit for an interesting evening. As well as an interesting
ensemble, it was a rather expensive one, and it didn't break, but horribly
crippled her budget. That had become a problem, but she thankfully found a
solution to it.
	Picking up a cup of pens off of the top of the dresser, she pulled the
Luna Pen from the cup, and set it back down. She thought back to the
practice sessions Luna had made her go through, and smiled. She had gotten
good enough with the magic to not even need the command phrase, and had
gotten even better with it after Minako's impromptu use of it.(3) Now was
the perfect time to flex some of that ability.
	She concentrated, and a carnation glow surrounded her. Her hair was
whipped about by an invisible wind, then tamed by that same wind, putting
it into it's usual odango ponytail style. The glowing ceased, and she let
out a sigh of relief. [Only two things to go.]
	She drew her concentration again, and the aura reappeared, hugging at her
hips, and a skirt came in place, comfortably tucking in the loose, and
until then, flapping teddy. Then a blouse came to rest on her, a vest to
match, and then a small sapphire broach to take the place of a neck tab.
	The glowing faded once more, and after slipping some earlier purchased
shoes, and dabbing in a little perfume to mix with the vanilla scent, Usagi
went to make the final preparations for her evening.


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


	Mamoru Chiba looked himself over in his dresser mirror once more before
reaching for the cologne. He looked at the bottle that Motoki had lent him,
a bemused expression on his face, before deciding against it. It was an
enhancing formula, not too powerful, but enough to attract a girl in it's
soft, subtle scent. It was a great utility if he goal was to get a woman's
attention for the evening, but that was not his objective for the evening.
	It was the last night he would see her for some time to come, a painful
thought that had echoed in his mind for the whole day now. When they first
met, it was a cute annoyance that he held for her; she was a little brat
that could be much better as far as he was concerned. That didn't stop him
from connecting to her in some ways, even if he himself did not know it at
the time. She was like that pestering girl next door that on some days you
couldn't stand, and then on another level, you knew you were attracted to
in some way. Then they had gotten to know one another, and it only drew him
closer to her. The obstacles in their way were always a threat, but were
dealt with for him to be near her once more. Now they were separating for
the sake of his career choices, a foe not so easily beaten into submission.
	Usagi had taken it in some stride, it was his dream afterall. They loved
each other greatly, almost desperately at times, but even she herself had
said that she could not possibly stand in the way of his goals, to make
something of himself. That path to become what he sought, a doctor, lead
him to America, unfortunately separating them from each other for as long
as it took for him to obtain his degree. She simply asked him to be with
her that night before he left, and he readily agreed. If it was to be their
last night together for a moment to come, then why not take a last pleasure
in it?
	Mamoru sat on his bed, possibilities churning in his mind's eye. It was
going to be a trip to the movies, that he had little doubt of. Dinner would
follow, and maybe something extra romantic to wrap it up with; perhaps a
walk or a boat ride out near the park lake, since it was expected to be a
clear evening. He would leave that all to her, as he wanted for her to
enjoy herself in whatever plans she had made. However, despite all this,
one small, vital fact penetrated all musings, making him turn it over and
again in his mind.
	He pulled open his top drawer of his dresser, and looked at the small
packages inside. He had found out through Mina earlier of some intentions
of Usagi's, and wasn't too sure of how to handle it, or how to feel about
it. The concept of making love to her had popped into his mind before, but
he was always left unsure of where exactly that would leave them. For one
thing, there were some reality-based worries that preceded any argument
about definite futures that Pluto or Usagi could come up with, not that he
had actually discussed it with her before.
	That in itself was the dilemma. He had never actually sat down and asked
the girl how she felt in the given situation. Her young, shy, spunky charm
had always given him the impression that it was a subject not to be
reached, and despite choice moments where that could have been possible, he
had indeed never brought it up. Not any of the effects or results that
might have occurred, not the possible levels of pleasure that they could
reach, not even a simple joke to the subject itself. If they had a moment
alone, watching a movie or just enjoying scenery, he could feel himself
react to her, and yet he never spoke or acted on those feelings.
	Now he knew through Mina's slip in conversation that Usagi had the house
to herself, and that made him nervous and uncertain. She just may have
gotten it in her youthful head that it was going to be that kind of
occasion, and it was eye opening, if anything. So should he be prepared or
not?
	[Well, no use in not being prepared. Safety first and all that.]
	Mamoru pocketed the small packages, and turned to get his apartment keys.
It was sill a tad hard to imagine Usagi actually feeling that way, but even
if she wasn't, there was no true reason that he shouldn't be ready for the
occasion, should it arrive. Afterall, he had been protecting her all this
time; why stop to consider possibly protecting her from herself, or for
that matter, him?
	Mamoru stepped out the door, and into the evening air of Juuban, intent to
make his last moments with Usagi as memorable as he could.


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


	It was with a warm smile that Usagi has finished the dinner table
preparations. A warm smile, and a growing feeling of pride. She had made
little mess of the kitchen, having cleaned as she went along, and
everything had come out wonderful. A simple soup, some baked bread from the
market, and her curry and rice to top it off; nothing too major, but just
enough that she knew he would be pleased himself.
	A knock at the door made her jump in surprise. He was here! She attempted
to calm down, gain control of her quickened heart, but it was to no avail.
He was here, so the night could begin. Was everything prepared? There had
to be something leftover, some little thing she'd forgotten. Maybe the soup
wasn't done, or she needed to finish makeup, or...
	Usagi stopped herself, refusing to give in to the butterflies. She and
her dear Mamo-chan had been on dates before, what made this any different?
She had done all she dared; all that remained was that they enjoy
themselves. That thought in mind, she went to open the front door.
	He was there with a smile on his face, and a hand in his pocket. His gaze
put her into a state of anxiety that she wrestled control from once more.
Wouldn't do to lose herself in him now; they had the remainder of the night
to do that.
	"Um, hi Mamo-chan. Thank you for coming."
	"Not a problem Usako. You look great."
	She beamed, glad of her imagination that had helped her for her looks this
evening. "You look good too." He nodded at her comment, then sniffed at the
air, his smile growing wider. She giggled. "Something caught your nose?"
	"Vanilla. And curry. You're going all out tonight."
	"Well, it is a special night, and I hadn't made any in a while, so I
thought I'd treat you." She stepped out of the doorway, bowing with a
gesture. "Won't you come in for a bite?"
	Mamoru stepped inside, his curiosity and hunger getting the better of him.
"We're not going out first?"
	"Well, I thought a nice home-cooked meal would be nice first, since we
have a moment before that movie starts."
	"Sure, if that's what you want. It does smell good." He allowed her to
lead him in, and close the door behind.
	The setup was small, but nice. Candles were lit as a middle decoration,
giving off the same soft vanilla smell that he seemed to be picking up from
Usagi. She ushered him to a seat at one end of the small table, and went to
the kitchen. She returned moments later, balancing two soup dishes in her
grasp. He moved to get up and help, but she stopped him with a shake of her
head. "I'll get the rest, and you just sit and enjoy the smells, okay?"
	Mamoru relented, taking only his bowl from her instead, and watching her
set her own down at the other end of the table, then go back in the
kitchen. This time, she returned with two saucers with sliced bread, and
two knives. She set a knife and saucer in front of him, and sat down with
her own.
	He favored her with a pout. "No curry first?"
	"Well, I thought the soups would be nice first." She said.
	He smiled again, saying a prayer, and then tasting the soup. It's sweet,
tangy flavor put a bigger smile to his face, and he wasted no time in
digging in.
	Usagi laughed at the scene. "In a hurry Mamo-chan? I take it that means I
did a good job this time?"
	"Delicious." He said, stopping for a moment. "When did you learn this?"
	"I was sifting through mom's recipe book when I caught it. I think I
forgot to add the spice though." Usagi blushed slightly. "I'm glad you like
it though."
	"It's very good Usako." He took another spoonful, then looked back at her.
"You should try it."
	Her blush deepened, and she picked up her own spoon to eat the soup.


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


	"So what degree are you chasing?"(4)
	Mamoru looked up, slightly surprised.  Very seldom did he catch Usagi
talking about anything concerning education; perhaps she was a bit more
shaken about his choice than he thought? "Journalism. Everything's is
already paid for, so all I have to do is show up and do my best to make
sure I get it. From there I suppose it's job hunting until I land one I
want, but several editors I know have offered me something when I come out,
and something to sustain me while I'm still in school, so that shouldn't be
a real big problem."
	Usagi smiled, feeling a bit better about her Mamo-chan pursuing his dream.
"I'm glad. Do you think you have everything you need?"
	"Yeah; everything's packed and ready to go tomorrow afternoon, plane
tickets and all. It's gonna be hard though." His face grew troubled, and he
looked into his plate of curry. "I've not really been out of country, and
there's a lot I've heard about America that has me wary of things."
	"Mamo-chan, they can't be all that bad, if you're going there, then they
must have something going for them." Usagi took another fork full in her
mouth and chewed, then swallowed. "It should actually be a great time for
you. Just don't forget about us, okay?"
	He looked at her expression, which seemed to have wavered a bit. "I never
could, Usako. You're part of me, more than anyone else is." He smirked.
"I'm sure they'll try to throw women at me, but I'll just have to
persevere, won't I?"
	Usagi looked at him for a moment, then threw a grain of rice at him.
"Perverted man." It landed dead center in his forehead, and she giggled.
	They continued to eat for a moment, then Mamoru spoke up. "Have you
decided what you were going to do, Usako?"
	"Mmm?" She asked, her mouth full of food. She chewed and swallowed, then
looked a bit sheepish. "About school, right?"
	"Yeah."
	"Well, I'm going to get into literature."
	He brightened at that. "Really? You're going to do it?"
	"Yeah. I decided that I'm going to do something with words, and that's
what I've been focusing on since I started my second year of high school.
It feels comfortable to me, so I think I can do it."
	"I know you can Usako. You do have a gift with your words, and you don't
get a better advantage than that. It's as good as yours."
	She blushed. "I suppose. Thank you Mamo-chan. I will do my best then.
Maybe I can get an overseas call like you did?"
	Mamoru smiled at her. "It can happen, all you have to do is make sure it
happens." It turned to silence again, and he finished the last of his curry
on his plate, savoring the spicy flavor on his tongue. "This really is good
Usagi. I'm glad you think me honored enough to cook it."
	Usagi beamed. "Oh stop it... But you haven't touched your
bread yet."
	"I was actually about to get to it, now that you mention it."
	Usagi tilted her head to one side, an idea occurring to her. But would he
allow it? A bit too forward?
	She decided to test it anyway. "Well, we still have somewhere to be, so
you should really hurry." She got up with her plate, also finished,
gathered his curry plate, and returned them to the kitchen.
	Mamoru watched in a bit of interest as she seemed to swing her hips a
little more than she usually did. She was trying to attract his attention?
That was a bit new. Maybe it was a good idea that he brought them afterall?
	While he pondered, Usagi came back out with a small bowl full of gravy.
She set it down by his dish of bread, and then bade him scoot back from the
table for a moment. Confusion lit his face. "Usako, what are you doing?"
	"Well," she started, a bit hesitantly. "You can't seem to finish on your
own quick enough, so I'm going to help you finish."
	His confusion turned to amusement and shock, and he let her continue. She
straightened her skirt, and then sat in his lap.
	Usagi fought down the urge to gasp as she felt bare thighs touch his
pants, meaning that her skirt had hiked up and left her bare to him, save
for her undergarments.
	Mamoru's blood quickened. He watched her as she continued, seemingly
unaware of the feelings she was causing in him. She dipped a piece of bread
in the gravy, and adjusting herself so she was sideways of him, put the
bread to his mouth. He complied, opening his mouth to eat, and the moist
bread found its way in. He chewed thoughtfully, and opened for another
bite, his brain running erratic. She was doing this on purpose?
	Usagi smiled cutely, doing her best to take her mind off the fact that he
was growing aware of her nearness by the second. She fought to retain
jittery nerves as something grew underneath her, and continued to feed him.
	The final piece of bread gone, they turned and looked at each other. They
had finally taken full notice of how they were, and it was a strange,
pleasant feeling. Maybe she could forgo the movie and all else, and just
try her luck now? It was surprising the way her body was reacting to him,
and she'd be lying if she said she didn't want to find out more...
	Usagi leaned in, and kissed Mamoru's bottom lip. She then pulled back,
licking her lips. "Stray gravy." She said smirking.
	Mamoru eyed her precariously, putting his thoughts back to perspective.
"I'll bet. Are you ready to go now?"
	Usagi giggled, strangely satisfied that she had such an affect on him.
"Sure. Just let me get my coat, and we can go."


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


	"Are you sure sir? There's nothing left?"
	"Not unless you feel like catching the matinee miss. All that's left is
what you see on the screen." The man pointed to the viewer, killing the
last of Usagi's hopes.
	"It's not a problem Usako. I've heard that that one isn't really so bad."
	"I guess not." Usagi paid for two tickets, and they went past the doorman,
and into the theater. Usagi kept her disappointment from her face, but
inside she was seething. It was supposed to be a soft movie that they were
going to see, but instead was some new experiment from some company known
for popular video games. Any other time was fine, but she was in the mood
for something much more dramatic than what they had to offer.
	Mamoru decided to take her mind away from her pouting mood. "Why don't
you go ahead and grab the seats, and I'll get us some snacks?"
	"Sure. I'll see you there." Usagi split from him and entered the theater
room, fully intent on a quiet, comfy spot. The theater itself wasn't too
full, which said a little something about the film's entertainment value,
so Usagi easily picked out a spot she was comfortable with and sat down.
	She looked around again at the semi-full room, and pouted fully. It
wasn't too bad of a movie, but it just wasn't what she wanted. If not for
her schedule, she'd have settled for the matinee. But it wouldn't ruin her
evening, no sir. At the very least, she could always play with Mamoru and
the popcorn. The thought brought a smile to her face.
	Mamoru came in with a nice-sized popcorn, and balancing two drinks with
one hand. Usagi waved him over. He slid carefully past a couple, and found
his seat next to her, with a nice cushioned area of solitude around them.
	He handed her a drink with a smile. "Did I miss anything?"
	"Nothing really. The previews just started rolling."
	He placed the popcorn between the two of them, and settled in, while Usagi
sipped her drink. They both began to relax more as the movie began, and the
theater lights dimmed.
	It wasn't as bad as she originally made it out to be. The movie itself was
very realistic for something done completely with computers. Not an
extraordinary plot, but not horrible either. What really added to the whole
thing was the fact that she had her guy with her, and the movie itself did
allow for those choice scenes where she could squeak in fright and cuddle
that much closer to him. Not that she needed a reason.
	The movie was nearing its climax, when a scary scene did genuinely startle
Usagi, and she spilt the remainder of her drink all over her shoes.
	"No!" They were so expensive too! Brand new and already ruined! She
grabbed several napkins Mamoru had brought, and began dabbing the liquid
from her shoes.
	All Mamoru was feel sympathetic for his girlfriend. He watched her get up,
and hastily rush to the bathroom.


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


	"I can't believe they're ruined." She'd been able to save them, mostly,
but she felt like crying right now, and decided to indulge.
	"I'm sure they're not that bad Usako." Mamoru hugged her again as they
walked out of the theater. "You got most of the soda off of them."
	"But they were so pretty before this, and now they've got a cherry tint to
them, and I'll never be able to wear them, and..."
	Mamoru gave her a comforting hug, though he really wasn't sure what else
to say. They didn't look all that damaged to him. Her pouting was funny,
but he wouldn't tell her that.
	Usagi felt her boyfriend's arms around her, and sighed, seeing where her
mood was headed. "I'm sorry Mamo-chan. I'm already making a mess of things,
and we haven't even done much tonight."
	Mamoru decided to stop hiding the smile. "You have nothing to be sorry for
Usako." He gave her another comforting hug, and they headed to where he
parked the car. "It's been a pretty good night so far. Dinner was great,
and the movie was nice too."
	"You're just trying to make me feel better." Usagi replied.
	He hugged her closer to him. "Did it work?"
	"Dunno. Keep going, and I'll let you know."
	"Why don't we go dancing?" Mamoru asked, seeing that she had stopped
pouting. "Go out and find a nice club?"
	"Because I have two left feet?" She gave him a sheepish look. "How about a
walk instead? That would be nice."
	"Sure. There's a park nearby."
	Usagi nodded, and gave him a grin. "But Mamo-chan, what if there are
muggers?"
	"Then of course I'll have to protect you." He chuckled.
	They both went into the park area, just a couple of blocks away from the
theater. The sun was just beginning to set beneath a cloudy sky, and colors
of all shades played across the sky and landscape. Usagi took in the beauty
of it all, and hugged closer to Mamoru.
	"It's amazing really." She said.
	"Hmm?"
	"Everything here. It's supposed to be ours one day, Mamo-chan." She
frowned when further images came into her mind. "Crystal Tokyo is supposed
to take hold here one day. It was a beautiful city, but what about areas
like this? I don't remember seeing anything like it except on the outskirts
and such."
	Mamoru nodded. "You're right. We were doing a lot then, but I do remember
that there weren't a lot of green spots within the city itself. That is a
shame."
	"Mamo-chan? Do you think we did that?" She looked at him with uncertainty.
"Do you think we were responsible for all of that?"
	"Well, if you mean humans, then yeah. I guess it depends on what the
people of today do with what they have."
	"I... I don't want to be responsible for that Mamo-chan." Usagi
established timidly. "I don't want to be the one to take that all away. It
is a part of what we fight for, right?"
	"Yeah, it is." The two found a bench by a nice shade and a lovely
view of the picnic fields, and sat down. Usagi leaned into his chest, her
mind still a whirl of ideas and emotions. "Mamo-chan?"
	"Hmm?" He looked down at her, and she had to smile. He was relaxed enough
that he was already starting to drift.
	Usagi buried her head into a spot on his neck, and reveled in his feel.
"I wonder what we'll be like when we're older?"
	"Usako?" He was a bit taken off guard, both by her warm body and her
sudden contemplative mood.
	"If we're both working, will we have time to spend like this as often, or
even at all?" She looked up into his eyes. "Even if we are in control of a
kingdom, will we even be able to do things like this? All those people, and
then our children..."
	Mamoru raised an eyebrow at her. "Kids? You mean you want more than one? I
always thought that Chibi-Usa would have been enough for you." The way you
keep sending her to the past, he didn't say.
	She seemed to have sensed his underlying meaning, because she socked him
In the arm lightly. "I don't mean like that! Chibi-Usa is fine, but I meant
a full family, maybe three." She looked at her feet, suddenly blushing. "I
mean, we could handle something like that, right?"
	"It wouldn't be some heavy problem Usako." He said. "We'd just have to
see. I know I'll love every one of them."
	She sighed. "It doesn't speak highly of me if all I do is send poor
Chibi-Usa to the past for training. There should be something we can do
about that."
	Mamoru looked at her. "You worry about the future far off too much Usako.
We'll take care of it when we get there." He kissed her on the forehead.
"Everything won't be as we saw it, obviously.  We'll have to make our own
path. I'd love to have three children."
	"The future..." It seemed so far off, but Usagi knew it began tomorrow,
with her love's departure for his degree. There was supposed to be a time
for everything, and she reminded herself of what she had in mind for these
last fleeting moments that they had together.
	She snuggled closer to him, and kissed his neck. "You're right, we do have
to make due with what time we have, right?" She felt his pulse on her lips,
and how it started to quicken.
	Mamoru drew the girl by his hand to face him, then kissed her, gently. She
hugged closer to  him, and draped a leg across his lap, almost sitting
directly on him.
	They broke the kiss, and he looked at her. "Usagi?"
	She smiled at him, though her eyes danced with nervousness. She did want
him, badly, but what did she say? What could she say?
	In her partner's mind, a growing desire to respond in kind was eating at
him. To act on it in public, however, wasn't something he was too sure
about. Still, everything about her was so warm, and she smelled so good...
	Mamoru blinked as something wet hit near his eye. Usagi blinked as well
when something cold and wet landed on her nose as well. She looked up, and
caught another wet droplet in the eye. She groaned.
	"This was unexpected." Mamoru said, relieved and disappointed at the same
time.
	"We'd better get going before it gets worse." Usagi said, more
disappointed running through her than anything else.


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


	Thirty minutes had passed when Mamoru's car parked in front of the Tsukino
residence. Usagi opened the door, and they both stepped inside, shaking off
the evening coats that they had left in the car at the beginning of the
evening.
	"Well, we beat the worst of it." Mamoru said, looking out the window.
"It's really starting to come down."
	Usagi slipped off her shoes, and watched Mamoru do the same. "I guess I
should be thankful for that, at least."
	"Well, the evening's not a total bust, Usako." Though getting home in that
weather was going to be a bit of a pain.
	"I guess." She said quietly. She put up her coat, and stepped into the
living room. "I'm going to go get some towels. I'll be right back."
	"If you want." It didn't get them that badly, since they had both got in
the car by the time it started to rain, but Usagi had been rather quiet the
entire ride to her house. Mamoru idly wondered what would have happened if
the rain hadn't come. Just how far would he have taken it? It wasn't like
they hadn't been a bit daring before, but tonight had him especially wary.
	He put his thoughts away when his vision was suddenly blocked by the towel
draping over his head. He resisted the urge to blink when he felt hands dry
his hair through the soft cloth.
	"Thanks Usako." He reached up to take the towel himself, but she batted
his hands away.
	"I want to do it." She said, and continued her soft ministrations of his
head. Mamoru shrugged mentally and let her continue. When she was done, she
drew his face to look at her own, and they stared into each other's eyes.
	"Mamo-chan?" She was shaking, that much he could see. Her large
blue eyes were full of anxiety and desire. He could almost feel it dripping
from her. "Usako?"
	Usagi walked around the couch, and sat by him, both hands in her lap,
fumbling with her skirt. She chided herself for such a nervous habit, and
stopped. "Mamoru, I wanted to give you a gift before you left." [Selfish,]
she thought. [You want this more than he probably does right now.]
	"Really?" He asked.
	"Yes. I wanted... wanted to..." She fought with her words, but it wouldn't
come out. Finally, she looked into his dark eyes, and made up her resolve.
	"Mamoru, will you have me? Tonight?"
	Mamoru blinked, his face a painting of confusion and uncertainty. "Are you
sure?"
	"Yes. I want to be your present, Mamo-chan. I want to give you something
to remember me by." She turned away from his gaze, unable to keep it.
"That's why I wanted tonight to be so perfect. I wanted you to--"
	He placed a finger on her lips, and she looked at his smile. "I'd have to
be hard-pressed to ever forget you, Usagi. I love you too much." He cradled
the side of her face, tracing her growing blush. "Thank you for such a
lovely evening. But tell me the truth. You want it too, don't you?"
	She fought a sudden urge to swallow and suckle on his finger. "I... yes. I
do want you tonight. I'm..." She reddened even more. "I'm not sure how to
describe it, but I just wanted you, any piece of you to stay with me."
	They looked at one another for moments, then she placed a hand on his
cheek, and drew him into a sweet kiss. Usagi's nervousness drained from her
body as seconds passed, with the two locked into the embrace. They both
opened their mouths further, and began to probe the other with their
tongues.
	Usagi made a small sound, and broke the kiss. Still cupping Mamoru's
cheek, she began to kiss along his neck. She unbuttoned his shirt with the
other hand, trailing past every exposed part with her lips as she went
along.
	Mamoru shuddered under her attentions. He'd never seen her so... hungry
before. She truly meant what she had said, and more. It was wise to bring
those little packets tonight.
	He let his hands drop to her waste, and pulled her to his lap. Usagi sat
up, and complied. Their lips danced with one another again, and he stroked
and massaged her thighs, kneading them softly beneath the stocking fabric.
He moved his hands further up, past the hem of her skirt, and Usagi moaned
past his mouth.
	It felt heavenly to have him touch her in such ways, and she wanted more.
She lifted her hips to allow him better access, showing him how eager she
was. They broke their kiss, and she placed her head on his shoulder, making
small sounds from her throat as he traced and touched her panty line along
her inner thigh, playing along her sensitive spots.
	Mamoru smiled at her reactions to what he was doing to her. He had no real
idea just why she was so pleased, but it was pleasing him as well. He
traced away from her panties, and down where her stockings ended at her
thigh. What he felt arched his curiosity.
	"A garter?"
	Usagi, her face already red from allowing herself to be touched in such
ways, nodded. "Yeah." Something lit up in her face, and she drew away from
him, standing up and straightening her clothes a little. "I'm going
upstairs. Come up when I call you, okay?"
	"Sure." He said.
	She smiled, and quickly made her way upstairs. Mamoru sat patiently, until
he heard her voice, then he went upstairs himself. He entered the room, and
his eyes grew wide.
	She was beautiful. The teddy accented to her now hard nipples and soft
breast, and dropped off at her matching panties, hiding the top part of the
lace belt that was connecting and stretching her stockings. The soft light
of the candles in the room played with her figure, making her look alluring
and angelic. 
	Usagi saw his expression, and reddened, but didn't fidget. There wasn't
any time for nervousness now; her desire for him was making her stomach
ache. She twirled once, for effect, and then walked to him. She shed the
shirt from his arms, and the two kissed again as the garment fell to the
floor.
	His hands traveled along the thin fabric of the teddy, and then underneath
it, holding her breast. Usagi let out a sigh as he massaged them both,
starting with slow circles, and then flicking at her pert buds. She pushed
further into his grasp, eager to his seemingly magic hands.
	He kissed her briefly, then lead her to the bed. Usagi sat back down, and
he was upon her again, massaging her through her teddy, and kissing at her
neck and collar. She was suddenly very aware that as teasing as the cloth
was against her nipples, she wanted it off and away from her. She stopped
him for a moment, then shrugged out of the flimsy nightie. It took its
place besides Mamoru's discarded shirt.
	Hands began roaming again, all around one of her breast while the other
traced a slow line around her belly, making her shiver. At the same time,
Usagi's hands were outlining his well-crafted torso, especially paying
attention to his stomach muscles. Then both of her small hands went to
unfasten his pants.
	Mamoru stood up and away, and let them drop, nudging them away with a foot
into the growing pile of clothing. Socks and boxers soon followed, leaving
Usagi to blink at her man, fully exposed.
	[For me?] she couldn't help but think. She eyed the organ up and down, and
with a timid hand, grasped it, stroking its length. Mamoru closed his eyes
and enjoyed the feelings, while Usagi let another hand join the first in
playing with him.
	Mamoru looked at her wide eyes with a  smile. Sitting down beside her, he
brought her face in for a deep, hungry kiss. Usagi broke it again,
breathing rapidly.
	"Mamoru, I want you now. I don't think I can wait anymore." Her eyes were
pleading, and she was hungry for him. She couldn't help but think she was
forgetting something, but she was too focused on him to think of what it
was.
	Mamoru simply nodded, and she was reminded quickly when he went to the
pile of clothing, and pulled out the pack of condoms. From his pants
pocket. 
	Usagi looked on as he opened one, and rolled it on himself, then he sat by
her. She pulled him to her, both laying back into the bed, and shimmied
her panties from around her hips, and then off of her legs. Another flick
of the foot, and they were by the rest of the clothing.
	She welcomed his hips to hers, and he adjusted himself, enjoying the hot
feeling of her swollen lips around him. While he shifted to hold his weight
on his arms to either side of her, Usagi spread her legs for him, and
grabbed onto his shoulders from underneath his arms. He slowly pushed in,
and Usagi let a moan escape her throat as he filled her. He continued his
slow pace in, meeting resistance, and firmly pushing past it.
	Usagi jolted underneath him, pain making itself known with every prolonged
moment. Her eyes opened to his worried look, and she smiled weakly at him.
	"I'm... fine. I'll adjust." She wrapped her legs around him. "Please keep
going."
	She'd never felt anything like it before. The pain began to subside, and
then the wonderful feeling of being filled slowly, then emptied of Mamoru,
became known to her. Her heart raced as he tickled and taunted every nerve
in her sex almost all at once, and all she could do was allow her joy and
happiness escape through her throat.
	Mamoru began a faster thrust, almost lost in the feelings himself. The
tingling, pleasing sensations seemed to increase with every passing moment.
He wanted to do this forever, to be in her arms forever.
	Usagi's hips met him thrust for thrust as they both built up friction and
more pleasure. Then suddenly it was upon her; white-hot bliss passed her
eyes and she let his name go on her lips as she convulsed under him.
	When she regained awareness, she stared into his smiling eyes, and blinked
somewhat in confusion.
	"That was wonderful Usako."
	"Yeah... can we do it again?" She kissed him.
	"Hmm? Well, I haven't even..."
	Usagi giggled. Somehow that made her a little happier. "Well, I'd better
help you then, right?"
	He kissed her again, and they rolled under her bed covers, enjoying the
night for themselves.


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


	She was sleepy. Sore, sleepy, mildly hungry, but more satisfied and at
peace than she had ever been in her life. Idly, Usagi looked at her clock,
noting that they had fallen asleep almost four hours ago, and that Mamoru's
flight was about eight hours away. She had talked him into enjoying the
solitude with her, and was now really glad for it.
	There were so many things that they had done. It wasn't exactly grand, but
maybe they could improve it, over time. She thought back to the feeling of
Mamoru filling her, being a part of her, and tried to make sense of how she
could feel so much love for him. It wasn't just destiny, was it? If it was,
then destiny was a kind and wonderful thing.
	She turned over, and draping an arm across the still-sleep man's chest,
went back to sleep herself.


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


	"Well, that's my call."
	Mamoru shouldered his backpack, and took a look a the group once more.
Motoki was there with a silly grin, and the rest of the girls were there.
His mentor had made it to see him off, and for all of that he was thankful.
However, no one else really had his eye at that moment more than his other,
now his lover.
	"Hey, call when you make it there, okay?" Motoki asked.
	"Sure man. I won't forget."
	He hugged them all in turn, as they all said their good-byes. Then he
turned to his love, innocent, pure, and iron when it came to something she
really wanted. [And that something was me.] he thought.
	"Usagi..."
	"You don't have to say much Mamo-chan. I'll see you again." Tears were in
her eyes, but they didn't do anything to dampen the smile on her face. "Go
and earn what's yours, and I want pictures when you come back for break,
okay?"
	"Of course." He held her in his arms, and smiled with her. "Last night was
wonderful Usagi. I look forward to our next date."
	"Be safe, love." She kissed him, and he responded in kind.
	All too soon, he parted, waving goodbye once more, then boarding his plane
for America. Usagi touched her lips, the smile still present, and turned
away with the others, and to prepare for the future that she, they both,
desired.


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


(1) The graduation exam that you have to take in Japan in referred to as
far as I know as juken. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. ^_^

(2) Condoms are always considered a Good Thing. Condoms in opaque packages
are even better, considering that they won't get worn out under harsh
light. Then there's also the thing about keeping the things away from
extreme temperatures, but that almost goes without saying. This has been my
public help hint of the day.

(3) In one episode of Sailor Moon S, to save Usagi's secret identity,
Minako and the others put together a plan that involved her using the Luna
Pen to transform into a false Sailor Moon.

(4) I've heard a lot about Mamoru's profession that he's shooting toward,
but can't remember it for the life of me. Journalism's safe enough. ^_^

	Overall, a time-consuming, but nice story to write. I sought to write this
to see if I could attempt a semi-love story without the real super mushy
stuff, and it turned out to be incredibly fun. Fun to plan, fun to write. I
could have gone into better introspection on several of their
conversations, but I felt that would have been getting too far off track
for such a simple story. Some theorems I came up with while writing
(concerning Crystal Tokyo and time paradoxes) are actually better left for
other stories, but trust that I will use them. Anyway, Back to the Hack
with me.

-K. Murasaki 10/10/01