Feb 2002

 Disclaimer: I don't own the characters I'm just borrowing them.  The story,
 however, is mine.



Chapter 3


	Usagi smothered a yawn as she met Naru at her door, "Naru-chan, are
 you sure it's Friday?"

	"Hai, Usagi-chan, it's Friday!  Two days of relaxing and no school
 ahead."

	Usagi yawned again, "That's what you think."

	"Nani?  Oh, right, you have to work."

	Usagi groaned, "No, I have to quit my job."

	Naru grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around as they hit
 the end of the walkway, "Nani? Why, Usagi-chan?"

	Usagi shrugged, "I need more sleep!"

	Naru laughed and grabbed her arm, dragging her forward, "Well, come
 on.  You can have a nap after school.  If we don't hurry we might be late."

	Usagi groaned, "I'm coming, I'm coming.  You know, Naru-chan,
 sometimes I envy you."

	Naru just grinned as the girls picked up their reluctant feet and
 started jogging towards the school.

	*			*			*

	Ms Haruna slapped her ruler against her desk, "Alright class, open
 your books to page 45.  Today we're starting the exploration of the
 biosphere."

	Groans from around the class echoed her anouncement and Miss Haruna
 ignored them.  She began drawing something on the board, her back to the
 class.

	Umino leaned across the isle, his wire-rimmed glasses reflecting
 Naru's image, "Naru-chan."

	She glanced at him, "What is it, Umino-kun?"

	He slid a folded piece of paper across her desk, "Read it," before
 straightening and openeding his note book.  Naru shook her head as the
 class nerd began taking notes, and carefully opened the piece of paper. 
 The words written on it were done in note format so it looked like notes
 had been taken.  That Umino, he thought of everything.  She carefully
 copied down the notes from the board on a clean piece of paper, keeping
 Umnio's sheet beneathe it.  As she finished taking down each note, she read
 one of Umino's.  Finally, the whole sheet seemed to come together.

Notes:

- Beautiful
- Elegant
- Refined
- Older
- A senior
- Solitary
- Musician

	Naru glanced up as Ms Haruna continued to write the notes on the
 board and then looked at Umino, who seemed to be absorbed with the note
 taking.  She leaned forward and slipped the folded paper into the back of
 Usagi's skirt.  After the last couple of months it had become standard for
 when she wanted to pass a note to her friend.  She went back to taking her
 notes as Usagi stretched, her shirt coming un-tucked and concealing the
 note as it fell back down.  The blonde wouldn't touch it until after class.

	As Ms Haruna droned on and on about the biosphere, Usagi's head
 dropped.  The unfortunate thing about changing schools half way through the
 year was that you sometimes covered the subjects you'd already covered at
 your first school.  She knew this lesson already, and it was as boring now
 as it was the first time.

	"Usagi-chan?" the whisper just barely carried.

	Usagi glanced back over her shoulder, miming a yawn to Naru who
 covers her mouth to smother a giggle.  Naru glanced at their teacher and
 mimed a sleeping motion.  Usagi grinned and pointed to herself, miming the
 same action.  Naru grinned.

	"Are you enjoying your little session of charades, Miss Osaka?"

	Naru turned beat red.  "Gome nasai Haruna-sensei!"

	Ms Haruna shook her head, "Usagi, is there a problem?"

	Usagi groaned softly, "Hai, Haruna-sensei.  I already took this
 lesson before I came; I already have my marks for the final exam in it.  Is
 it still required that I take this part of the course again?"

	Ms Haruna cocked her head at her student, "What was your final mark,
 Usagi?"

	"89%.  Isn't there something you might have covered in the first
 half of the year that I haven't seen yet?"

	Ms Haruna put her pointer stick down on her desktop, "You would
 rather study something new than take the same part of the course over again
 and get, say, an ace mark?"

	Usagi shrugged, "That's right.  What can I say; I'm strange. 
 Honestly, Haruna-sensi, I think it's pointless to take a subject portion I
 already know instead of something I haven't learned yet that's going to be
 on the exam."

	Ms Haruna smiled, "You've surprised me, Usagi-chan.  Take your book
 and go to the library.  Search through the index and mark down every
 chapter you haven't studied yet and bring it back to me.  I'll set up your
 own course based on what we've already covered for when we're doing
 subjects you've already finished."

	"Arigatou, Haruna-sensi!" she smiled and collected her books, "I'll
 have that list for you by the end of the class."

	Ms Haruna nodded and waved her out.

	Usagi breathed a sigh of relief as she closed the classroom door
 behind her.  Wow was that subject boring.  It was boring in English but in
 Japanese it was worse!  She shook her head, trying to clear the cobwebs. 
 She felt like she could use a nap, but that wasn't why she was going to the
 library, as appealing as it seemed.

	"Well, hello.  Who have we here?"

	She looked up as the musical voice interrupted her thoughts.  She
 did a double take.  Standing in front of her was a beautiful young woman. 
 Her aquamarine hair floated about her elegant features as if they were
 waves moving gently against the seashore.  She was dressed in a regular
 school uniform, but her stripes on the hem of her skirt marked her as a
 senior.  Usagi tried to remember exactly how many years the school had but
 couldn't seem to.  Something like 11, or so she thought.

	The young woman smiled at her, "I didn't mean to startle you,
 shouldn't you be in class?"

	Usagi smiled, finding her voice, "I'm going to the library.  I don't
 believe we've met, I'm Tuskino Usagi."

	The young woman laughed softly, "Iie, no, we've not met.  Kaiou
 Michiru.  I'm pleased to meet you Usagi."

	Usagi nodded, "Same here.  Not to be offensive, but aren't you too
 old to be in this school?"

	Michiru laughed again.  Her laugh wasn't a giggle, more like a soft,
 female chuckle, "If you promise not to tell anyone, I'll tell you why I'm
 here."

	Usagi stepped towards her, intrigued.  "So you're not supposed to be
 in this school?"

	Michiru shook her head and grabbed her free hand, "Come on, we can
 talk while we walk to the library."

	Usagi went along quietly.  Breaking the silence after a few moments
 she asked, "So why are you here exactly?  I won't tell anyone, I promise."

	Michiru glanced about her, but the halls were deserted.  Every
 student seemed to be in class.  "I'm looking for a friend of mine.  She got
 signed up here by mistake, she's supposed to be in my grade."

	Usagi's brow furrowed, "Signed up by mistake?  That seems unlikely."

	Michiru smiled, "I know, it seems far-fetched, but it's the truth. 
 She has amnesia, she doesn't remember how old she is, or what she's here
 for.  I've come to remind her."

	Usagi turned the information over in her mind, "How did she get this
 amnesia?"

	Michiru sighed softly, "She was in a car accident and hit her head
 pretty hard.  The doctors said it shouldn't last forever, but then she
 disappeared.  I'm really worried about her, she's not exactly
 conventional."

	Usagi grinned, "How can I help?"

	Michiru looked down at her critically, "Can you keep this all a
 secret?"

	The blonde's head bobbed up and down in agreement, "I'm good at
 that.  You know what, maybe I know your friend, I'm friends with a couple
 of seniors here.  What's her name?"

	Michiru glanced around, "That's the problem, Usagi-chan, I'm not
 sure if she's even using her real name.  She's very boyish, and she prefers
 to wear the male uniform, or at least, she did." She shook her head, "I'm
 not even sure how much she remembers."

	Usagi stopped and leaned against one wall of the hallway, "Haruka?"

	Michiru stopped, her eyes widening, "You know her?"

	Usagi grinned, "I thought she was a man when I first saw her, but I
 know of who she is.  Come on, I think I know of who I can ask that might
 know of where she is."

	Michiru's face relaxed into a brilliant smile, "I owe you one,
 Usagi-chan."

	"Don't thank me just yet, Haruka is usually found fighting with the
 guys outside."

	Michiru grinned, "Same Haruka.  Come on, let's find her before she
 does anything worse."

	Usagi grinned back and led the way, swiftly, towards the main
 grounds where she'd seen the tomboy Haruka practicing her fighting skills
 with an unruly crowd.

	*			*			*

	Usagi stepped into the court yard with a steady stride.  She
 remembered the bullies and the tough kids from her old school.  If they
 smelled fear, or saw you were hesitant, they wouldn't respect you at all. 
 And Usagi had no interest in becoming the object of ridicule.  "Haruka!"

	Across the tarmac three figures were embroiled in a close combat,
 one was taller than the others and fending off two younger boys.  As Usagi
 approached, Michiru in tow, they didn't appear to notice they were no
 longer alone.  "Haruka!"

	The tallest of the three could have been either a boy or a girl. 
 With short, sandy blonde hair, a lanky figure and dressed in the male
 school uniform, Haruka Ten'ou looked to be just another boy on campus. 
 Currently she was sporting a bloodied lip and bruised knuckles, her pants
 torn from contact with the concrete.

	Michiru stepped in front of Usagi as Haruka punched out twice and
 knocked both of the boys to their backs.  "Haruka Ten'ou?"

	Haruka finally looked up, "Hai, what do you want?"

	Usagi glanced from Michiru to Haruka.  Michiru had a pained look on
 her face, "Don't you recognize me, Haruka?"

	Haruka wiped her hand across her lips, "You look familiar, but I
 don't know your name.  How do you know mine?"

	"We've been friends for years, Haruka.  You don't belong here."

	Haruka looked at Michiru suspiciously, her eyes sliding away to land
 on Usagi, "Tuskino Usagi, right?"

	"Hai, that's right." Usagi glanced at Michiru, "I didn't realize you
 knew my name, Haruka."

	Haruka smiled a half smile, "Hard not to, you're the only girl in
 school with that hair style, you tend to draw a lot of attention." Her gaze
 went back to Michiru, "Who's your friend, Usagi-chan?"

	Michiru turned to walk away but Usagi grabbed her arm, "Kaiou
 Michiru, Haruka-chan, you really should speak with her."

	Haruka looked at the smiling young woman and then smiled, "If you'd
 like me too, Usagi-chan, I'd be more than willing to.  What are you doing
 after school today?"

	Usagi blinked, "I have plans.  Naru-chan and I are going to the
 arcade to try out the newest game.  If you and Michiru would like I know a
 couple of people you might like to meet."

	Haruka met Michiru's eyes.  Michiru shook her head, "I can't
 tonight, Usagi-chan, I have violin practice.  Haruka, perhaps you and I
 could get together and play sometime?"

	"Play?"

	Michiru smiled, "Yes.  I know it's hard to believe but you don't
 really belong in this school, you're actually a year and a half beyond this
 already."

	Haruka looked at her sceptically, but finally smiled, "Sure, let's
 go for coffee, you can tell me everything you think I need to know."

	Michiru smiled in relief, "Arigato, Usagi-chan, I'll take it from
 here."

	Usagi grinned, "Douitashimashite, you are welcome, Michiru-chan. 
 Have fun!" she waved and raced away, back towards the school and her
 assignment she'd postponed for helping.  Hopefully those two would be
 alright, but for now she'd have to run and get cracking on her books if she
 hoped to get her list to Ms Haruna by the end of the period.


	*			*			*

	Usagi breathed a sigh of relief as the final bell rang and closed
 her books.  

	Naru was stuffing her books into her bag, "Finally!  Wow,
 Usagi-chan, I can't believe how long today felt.  Umino just wouldn't shut
 up at lunch about the new girl."

	"Who, Michiru?"

	Naru nodded, "Yeah.  I saw her in the halls this afternoon looking a
 little lost.  She and this majorly hunky senior boy were heading back
 towards the gym!  I can't believe how fast she works, that won't be good
 for her reputation at all."

	Usagi stopped what she was doing and stared hard at Naru.  "What
 reputation is that, Naru-chan?"

	Naru shrugged, not looking up as she continued to stuff her books
 into her bag, "There's word going around that she plays hard and fast with
 the guys."

	Usagi slammed her hand down on Naru's desk, drawing a surprised look
 from her friend, "Naru-chan I would appreciate it if you didn't repeat that
 rumour to anyone.  I had the chance to meet Michiru-chan today while I was
 on my way to the library to put together my own science class.  She's a
 very nice young woman, I would hope you wouldn't judge her by what someone
 else has said about her!"

	Naru had the grace to blush, "Gomennasai, Usagi-chan, I didn't mean
 anything by it!  You did ask, I just told you what I'd heard."

	Usagi sighed, "I still don't like it.  Who'd you hear it from? 
 Umino?"

	Naru blushed a deeper shade of red, shaking her head. "Iie, one of
 the girls who's new to our grade.  She said she went to school with Michiru
 and had seen her out with different guys... a new one every night.  She did
 say Michiru had seemed to be taken with the racer in the group.  He's tall,
 lanky, blonde haired and has green eyes.  I saw her with him today, but
 that's still not going to reflect well on her being here."

	Usagi grinned, "I hate to break it to you Naru-chan, but Haruka
 isn't Michiru's boyfriend.  Haruka is a girl, like you or I."

	Naru's jaw dropped.

	"Usagi, Naru, is there a reason you're whispering while you're still
 in your seats?  School is over."

	Usagi glanced up at her teacher and quickly gathered her bags, "No
 reason, Himoto-sensei, we were just going."

	Naru collected her bag and shut it as Usagi swept her books into her
 arms and quickly left the class, their Geology teacher stepping out behind
 them and locking the door.  They stepped away from him quickly and walked
 towards their lockers.  Naru glanced left and right before making a face,
 "You'd better tell me what all this is about, Usagi-chan, Haruka is one of
 the hottest senior boys!"

	Usagi rolled her eyes, "I'll explain when we get to the arcade,
 Naru-chan, just don't talk about it here, alright?  I don't know who might
 hear and I don't want to be responsible for rumors of any kind!"

	Naru nodded and walked, silently, with her to their lockers.  They
 exchanged glances before spinning their combination locks.

	"Naru-chan!  Usagi-chan!  I've got the hottest news of the school
 for my two girls!"

	Naru and Usagi jumped, "Umino!" they both yelled at the same time.

	He blinked from behind his glasses, "Nani?  Did I do something
 wrong?"

	"You only scared the heck out of us, you big idiot!"

	"Well if you two had been talking instead of sulking around like
 someone had just killed your cat, I wouldn't have scared you."  The nerd's
 reasoning skills were just a little on the odd side, to say the least,
 "Anyway, I've got all the hottest gossip on the new girls and guys in our
 school.  What do you say we all go to the arcade and talk.  My treat?"

	Usagi groaned as she opened her locker, "Oh no!"

	"Nani?  Something wrong, Usagi-chan?"

	She met Naru's gaze, "I forgot I have practice after school today, I
 can't come.  You guys go ahead without me, I have to book it or I'll never
 get changed in time for the start!" she grabbed her gym bag out of the
 locker and slammed it shut behind her, dashing off down the hallway at a
 full run.

	Naru shook her head and yelled after her, "Meet us there after
 practice Usagi-chan!  I'll be waiting!"

	One hand came up between two long, blonde streamers of hair,
 acknowledging the comment as the whirlwind disappeared around a corner.

	*			*			*

	She leaned against one wall of the solid fence and gently rotated
 her ankle.  Go figure.  She was alright in practice but she gets out into
 the real world and her ankles couldn't withstand a good run.  Not that the
 blister on her heel helped.  A sharp, shooting pain shot up through her leg
 and she grimaced.  "What would Luna say to me," she muttered softly to
 herself, shaking her head.  Super heroes do NOT get injured walking, well
 alright, running, home from gymnastics practice.

	"Konnichiha, Usagi-chan."

	She glanced up, "Konnichiha, Mamoru-kun.  How are you today?"

	He walked towards her, book in hand, a slightly amused smile on his
 lips.  She couldn't help but let her gaze wander over him.  Black jeans,
 not too snug but snug enough to lend a hint as to what lay beneath, a black
 t-shirt and leather jacket slung over one shoulder.  His sun glasses hid
 his eye from view.

	"Find anything you like, Usagi-chan?"

	Her cheeks heated as she tore her gaze away.  He was annoying but
 damn did he fill out his jeans well.  What was she thinking?  He was in
 college, years ahead of her, he probably thought she was some cry-baby
 student who would moon over him.  "Like?  Nothing is to my taste.  Much to
 light, I prefer dark meat, thank you very much."

	He chuckled.  "Aren't we the fiery one, Odango Atama.  If you're
 that sharp in class I don't see why you need my help with your math."

	She blinked.  "Nani?  You'll help me?"

	He stopped in front of her and removed his shades, nodding, "Hai,
 I'll help you.  I'd like your help with my English in exchange.  I'm
 fluent, as far as a textbook goes, but very few people here speak the
 language.  I'm intending to study in America eventually and I'd like you
 help."

	Her smile was sudden and brilliant, "Of course I'll help you!  You
 don't happen to have the time do you, Mamoru-kun?  I left my watch in my
 locker and I can't get it until Monday." She nodded pointedly to his left
 wrist.

	He glanced at his watch, "Almost 5.  What are you doing outside of
 the school at this hour?"

	She grimaced, planting her sore foot back on the ground, "I had
 gymnastics practice and then I hurt myself sprinting down those stairs,"
 she waved at the main staircase.  "You might say you're my knight in
 shining armor again... if you were wearing armor.  The way those jeans are
 though, I'd almost say you were protected against all things evil."

	He chuckled, sliding his shades back on and offering her his arm
 after slipping his pocket book into his back pocket.  She hesitated.  Every
 time she touched him she felt like she'd been electrocuted.

	"I don't bite, Usagi-chan, honest."

	She adjusted her backpack and then took his arm carefully.  Her
 fingertips slid gently over the powerful muscles of his forearm and she
 jerked her hand back as if she'd been burned. "Could you put your jacket
 on, Mamoru?  Please?"

	"Something wrong, Usagi-chan?"

	She shook her head quickly, her cheeks burning, "Iie.  I just..."

	He didn't wait for her response as he slid his coat on and offered
 her his arm again. "Relax," he told her softly.

	She cleared her throat, fighting against the embarrassment she felt
 in his presence, and took his arm gingerly.  She leaned against him, almost
 putting her complete weight on him as he tensed his arm.  They walked a few
 slow paces together.

	"You can lean against me, Usagi-chan, I won't break."

	"I am, Mamoru," she shot back at him in English, feeling flustered,
 "I'm afraid I don't weight a lot."

	"You're telling me." He teased in Japanese, "I could just carry you,
 if you like."

	"I'd rather you wouldn't Mamoru-kun," she replied, following his
 lead and speaking in Japanese, "That'd be two days in a row you'd have
 carried me and we don't want to make that a habit!"

	He murmured something that sounded suspiciously like, "Why not?" but
 helped her walk without further comment.  

	Usagi gingerly put her foot down at the end of the block and
 attempted to put her weight on it, feeling the throb of the abused tendons
 clearly, "How am I going to work like this?" she moaned, letting go of
 Mamoru's arm and sinking down on the curb, "I can't carry supplies when I
 can't even walk!"

	"You have a job?"

	She looked up at him, "Yeah, ditzy Usagi has a job, is that so
 crazy?"

	He smiled a half smile at her, "At the risk of sounding like a stuck
 up jerk, yes.  You're what, 14?  15?  You shouldn't have to worry about a
 job, Usagi-chan, you should be out enjoying yourself.

	"I happen to like my job thanks," she told him, gently massaging her
 ankle as she dodged his age question, "but if I want to be able to study
 with you I think I've got to give it up.  My schedule doesn't really allow
 for a job at the moment."

	He offered her his hand, "Come on, Odango atama, there are better
 placed to tend to a sore ankle than a street corner."

	She grabbed his leather-covered wrist and pulled herself to her
 feet, "Yeah, like telling my boss I've got to give up my weekend job. 
 Think you could help me either to a phone or, maybe if you're not doing
 anything, to the college so I can talk to her in person."

	Mamoru slid his arm around her shoulders to help support her, "I'm
 free, come on."

	With a thankful smile, Usagi allowed him to steer her towards the
 college.


	*			*			*

	"Gadou-sama?"

	"Usagi-chan?  Is that you?"

	"Hai!  I brought a friend with me, I need to talk to you."

	Usagi pulled out one of the chairs in the art room as Mamoru helped
 her into it.  An older woman with a mop of curly white hair, and a
 vivacious smile stepped into the room.  Her skirt swirled around her feet
 as she quickly approached her charge, "Usagi-chan, what did you do?"

	Mamoru turned and stepped out of their way, walking towards the back
 of the room where some of the more modern art was on display.  

	"Gomen, Gadou-sama," Usagi felt her cheeks flame, "I injured myself
 on my way here, I'm sorry I'm late."

	Ms. Gadou shook her head, "You could have called, Usagi-chan.  I
 wouldn't have held you to coming in today.  Your friend was very nice in
 helping you get to work."

	"I had to come in, Gadou-sama, I had to tell you in person I can't
 come in anymore."

	Ms. Gadou sat across from her; "Would your friend have anything to
 do with that?" she asked softly, a knowing smile on her face.

	Usagi blushed, shaking her head emphatically, "Iie!  Mamoru-kun is a
 friend of a friend, to be honest.  I need to bring my school marks up and
 he's going to tutor me, so I can't do both school and my job anymore. 
 Gomen nasai, Gadou-sama, I wish I could."

	Ms. Gadou smiled, "I understand, Usagi-chan.  Your school is
 important.  If you decide you want to work with me again, I'll be more than
 happy to hire you.  Or to give you a reference if and when you need it."

	Usagi hopped to her feet and hugged the grandmotherly woman,
 "Arigatougozaimasu, Gadou-sama!  I'll still come by and visit you when I
 can, I promise."

	"I look forward to it, Usagi-chan.  Now, go and get your grades up,
 I can't wait to reward you for getting straight A's." she winked at her.

	Usagi grinned as Ms. Gadou got to her feet with a smile and then
 left the room to go back into her office.  Mamoru approached from behind
 her, "Well, there is something to be said for honesty.  Where to now,
 milady?"

	She made a face at him, taking his arm again, "I told Naru-chan I'd
 meet her at the arcade after practice but I think I'd rather just go home."

	"Home it is then.  This would have been so much easier if I'd
 brought my car to school with me today."

	Usagi glanced at him as he helped her down the hall towards the main
 stairs of the college Art department, "If you'd brought your car I'd be
 sitting on the school steps hoping someone would miss me and come looking
 for me.  I really appreciate your help, Mamoru-kun, I just wanted you to
 know that."

	He shrugged, "I'm a sucker for a damsel in distress, I couldn't very
 well leave you there injured as you are.  How's the ankle feeling?"

	"It's still sore, I think I sprained it pretty bad.  Know what, If
 we can just get to a phone I'll get my mom to come and get me."

	"And leave you to your own devices?  Not a chance, Odango atama, no
 telling what you'll do to yourself if I put you at the top of another
 staircase by yourself."

	She stuck her tongue out at him as he helped her navigate the stairs
 down to the main floor, "Very funny.  I find it hard to believe you don't
 want me out of your hair, Mamoru-kun, I am after all a high school student
 and you're in university."

	"Call me crazy, but I don't find your company as trying as some of
 the other females I've talked with.  You give as good as you get, Odango
 atama, and it's refreshing."

	"I wish you'd stop calling me that."

	"Not a chance.  I promised not to call you Odango in front of
 Motoki... when we're alone, you're fair game."

	She punched him in the arm, "Then so are you.  Walk me home and I'll
 introduce you to my parents and we can talk about how I'm going to pay you
 for my tutoring."

	"You're going to tutor me back, that's payment enough for me."

	"Are you sure?"

	He nodded, holding the door open for her, "Positive.  Just accept
 that someone else, even a solitary University student who pays their own
 way, can do an honest trade for some courses."

	She laughed softly, "Alright, alright, deal, I teach you, you teach
 me and everybody gets what they want."

	"Sounds good."

	She shook her head as she pointed him towards the area of town where
 she lived.




 Author's Notes: Comments, questions, flames, suggestions... all to 

 Jademax@hotmail.com

 I know it's started off slow, but I promise the next chapter is going to
 have some action!

Thanks for reading!
Jade_Max