ÒDo not use while sleepingÓ
~instructions on a hot-air hair dryer



ÒA heart can freeze. 
Or it can burn.
My pain will ease, if I can learn:
There is no future. There is no past.
I live this moment as
My last.
ThereÕs only us. ThereÕs only this.
Forget regret, or life is yours to miss
No other course. No other way.
No day but today.Ó
~Mimi RENT




AuthorÕs notes:
ItÕs me again! With another wonderful part.
Stop making rude comments about my social life. I know you are!


Disclaimer:  ::to the tune of Oh Christmas Tree::
O Sailormoon O Sailormoon! 
You do not belong to meÑe! 
You belong to Takeuchi 
NaoÑoko, sadly.

	
Walking the Thin Line: Part Three 

It had been a bad day.  Just a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad 
day and thatÕs all there was too it.  No higher power, no strange karma, no 
string of destiny that seemed to be tightening around her, leading up 
to...something.  It was just a *normal*, albeit miserable, day.
At least thatÕs what Tsukino Usagi told herself as she walked home from 
her detention. Her morning had begun with her running extra late because Luna 
wasnÕt there to wake her, and it just got progressively worse from there.  She 
tripped and fell on her way to school and was now sporting the Ôband-aid on 
the kneeÕ look favored by most ten-year-olds.  Her eyes were glassy from 
listening to Haruka-sensei lecture to her in the tone of voice of someone 
whose boyfriend must have cancelled on her again.  And she felt like crying, 
she still hadnÕt found Luna!  And she was beginning to worry.
But, come hell or high water, she was also *determined* to have a least 
a little joy in the purgatory these last few hours had brought her. Joy in the 
form of the new Sailor V game.  Usagi plastered a smile on her face and walked 
into the arcade.
And the smile bid a quick ÔsayonaraÕ as Usagi looked over to the 
counter and saw a little black cat sitting there as if she owned the place.  
*Her* little black cat.  Sitting with...sitting with...
ÒARRGGHHHH!!!!Ó Usagi roared at the ceiling.  ÔSomeone up there hates 
me *a lot*.Õ She marched to the counter.
ÒKonichi, Odango-san. Ogenki desu ka?Ó Mamoru asked in an even 
baritone, as if he did not see the steam emitting from her ears.
ÒLUNA!!!Ó She cried, rushing forward and taking the cat in her arms, 
squeezing her until LunaÕs eyes seemed to pop from her head.  ÒOh, IÕve 
worried so much!! Where *were* you?!Ó  
Mamoru watched Usagi look at Luna as if she expected her pet to answer 
her back.  For a second a disturbing connection flickered through his mind, 
something about a dream he had last night...  But UsagiÕs sharp questioning to 
Luna snapped him out of his reverie.  
ÒShe was with me.Ó Mamoru answered in a smooth, conversational tone.  
He then purposely avoided UsagiÕs gaze as he motioned to Motoki to bring him 
more coffee when he got a chance.  ÔI have her attention *now*Õ he thought, 
perhaps a little immaturely.
Usagi gasped.  ÒShe was WHAT?!Ó  Suddenly the poor little odango didnÕt 
look as if she knew whether to feel relieved, betrayed, or angry. She chose 
the last one.
ÒChiba Mamoru, even I didnÕt think youÕd stoop so low as to kidnap my 
kitty!!Ó  She cried, backing away from him and tightening her arms around Luna 
possessively.
ÒI didnÕt do anything of the sort!Ó he retorted, ÒI just woke up this 
morning and your stupid cat was in my room.Ó
ÒThatÕs impossible! How would she know where you lived?Ó
ÒAre you calling me a liar!?Ó
ÒPlease could you to take this outside?Ó a slightly irritated masculine 
voice broke into the altercation.
ÒNa..?Ó they both turned to face Motoki with confused expressions.
ÒYou are scaring the customers...Ó Motoki nodded his head to the throng 
of bewildered faces staring out at the two from the crowd. 
ÒHey, IÕm a paying customer, too, Motoki-kun...Ó Mamoru began but 
Motoki cut him off with a raise of the eyebrows.
ÒWhen was the last time you paid for anything, mi amigo? Look, no 
problem, but could you two at least *try* to keep your voices down?Ó the 
friendly arcade employee looked as if his easy-going nature was being tried 
severally.
ÒHai, gomen.Ó
ÒIÕm so sorry, Motoki-Ôniisan!Ó Usagi said, suddenly feeling heat raise 
into her face.
He answered with a tight smile and turned back to the huge amount of 
orders he had waiting for him.
Usagi stared at her feet.  ÔGreat, now oniisan is angry at me.Õ  That 
bothered her less than she thought it should.  Which bothered her.
Luna meowed a little and Usagi was brought back to the present with a 
quick jolt.
Mamoru watched Usagi blush and look down miserably when Motoki 
reprimanded them.  He suddenly found himself debating whether or not to tell 
her about Reika.  Something he would never normally do.  That bothered him.
ÔAnyway, itÕd probably break her silly little schoolgirl heart.Õ  And 
that thought bothered him, too. 
Keeping his voice down at MotokiÕs request he hissed, ÒWell, I brought 
your cat here, but IÕm sick of taking care of it for you. CanÕt you even 
handle caring for it yourself?  Are you so helpless that we canÕt even trust 
you for that?Ó
Usagi sucked in her breath, his words unknowingly had hit on her 
deepest insecurities.  Was she so helpless?  How could someone like her 
fulfill the awesome responsibilities of being and Sailor senshi, let alone 
their leader?  And baka-Mamoru knew none of this, how dare he talk like that?
ÒI am not helpless,Ó she hissed back, leaning to him with fire in her 
eyes, Òand even if I am, I donÕt require *your* help so why donÕt you just 
leave me alone?Ó
ÒBelieve, Odango, there is nothing IÕd like more,Ó he lied, Òbut it 
just seems you leave chaos in your wake and IÕm always there to have to deal 
with it.Ó
Confusion.  ÒLike what?Ó she asked in a normal voice.
ÒLike bringing your cat here to find you. What was she doing in my 
apartment, anyway?  ItÕs suspicious, Odango atama, and IÕm not sure IÕm 
comfortable with it.Ó
ÒWith what? With a housecat knowing where you live?  ThatÕs crazy, 
baka, are you paranoid or something?Ó  Usagi was finding it hard to keep her 
temper in check.  The truth was, she was worried about LunaÕs motives in 
seeking Mamoru out, but she couldnÕt get to talk to Luna until later and right 
now every horrible thing that happened to her today was brought to the surface 
and focused on the smug young man in front of her.
 ÔAnd frankly, the fact that he is just so utterly attractive makes him 
a million times *more* annoying.Õ  Usagi noted to herself, as she geared up 
for another argument.
ÒIÕm surprised you know a big word like ÔparanoidÕ, but for your 
information I live on the tenth story. And my door was locked, so explain 
that?Ó
ÒMagic?Ó
He glared at her.  ÒIÕm getting sick of never getting a straight answer 
from you Odango atama!Ó
ÒWell, IÕm sick of you, period!Ó
ÒThen why are you still here?Ó He challenged her.
ÒGood question, Mamoru. IÕm leaving.Ó She turned around and headed for 
the glass sliding doors and freedom.
ÒChotto... Odango atama?Ó MamoruÕs strained voice followed her, he 
sounded as if he was struggling not to laugh.
ÒHai?Ó
ÒDo you have Luna with you?Ó
Color rushed to her face, and she hated his laughter.  ÒStop it!Ó she 
cried, looking frantically around the arcade for Luna.
But he didnÕt stop.  Mamoru fell back into his seat, snickering.
Usagi felt tears burn in her eyes, embarrassment welling up in chest.  
ÔWhy in front of him?  Why canÕt I just prove to Chiba Mamoru that IÕm more 
than a careless child?  Oh, Luna how could you DO this to me?Õ

Luna perched back on the beam where she had watched them the first 
time, when Usagi bewitched Mamoru by taking his hand.  It wasnÕt the most 
comfortable place in the world, but she had to make sure Usagi didnÕt leave 
yet.  For once, Luna felt at a loss what to do.  It seemed those two were 
destined to hurt each other with words!  In fact, if she hadnÕt felt the 
electricity yesterday she would be certain they were meant to be adversaries 
and nothing else.
Perhaps she was even wrong about this entire thing.  But Luna didnÕt 
want Usagi to find her and leave the arcade just yet.  So when Motoki came out 
of the storeroom to her left, Luna deftly jumped over the top of the open door 
and into the dark room.  Nestling herself against the shelves, she shut her 
eyes and tuned her ears to the noise from the arcade for her ownerÕs familiar 
soprano trill.  
ÒDo you need help, Odango Atama?Ó Mamoru asked with mock-concern.
ÒIÕm *fine*, thank you.Ó She answered snippily as she walked about the 
arcade, looking behind games, under feet and dodging people.  Mamoru was 
following her around making comments.
ÒIf you are sure. But I doubt youÕll find your cat behind the crane 
game.Ó
ÒYou know what would help? You leaving.Ó
He crossed his arms, leaned against the wall as Usagi let her eyes 
travel the ceilings, searching.
ÒWell, gomen nasai, Odango, but thatÕs the one thing I canÕt do.Ó He 
said, watching her lazily.
ÒWhy not?Ó She glared at him.
He shrugged.
ÒGot nowhere else to go?Ó she teased, ÒNo hot date or anything? IÕm 
*so* shocked.Ó
He smiled.  ÒSmart aleck.Ó
Usagi smirked.  Then sighed.  ÒI canÕt find her, Mamoru.Ó
Mamoru couldnÕt help it as laughter took him over again.
ÒStop it!Ó
ÒI..  just canÕt believe you were so indignant about being responsible 
and you were about to...just...leave...oh, Odango you should have seen your 
face...Ó he struggled for breath.
Any comfort Usagi may have been feeling at the newfound amity toward 
Mamoru disappeared in a fiery wave of fury.  There he goes again.
ÒHow dare you accuse me of not caring about Luna!Ó
ÒI didnÕtÑÓ
ÒMaybe itÕs because I care that IÕm so worried!  And I donÕt think 
sheÕs helpless but she is so small and-Ó
ÒIÕm sure sheÕs fine, Odango atama. Calm down.Ó
ÒI will not! What would you know about caring, Mamoru?  You are the 
coldest-hearted person I ever met!Ó
ÒRather be cold-hearted than empty headed,Ó he shot back, Òor odango Ð
headed as the case may be.Ó
ÒJerk!Ó
ÒSTOP IT!!Ó  Suddenly, Usagi felt her arm being taken in a forceful 
hold and turned around to face Motoki, his fair face burning and fires of hell 
visible behind his eyes.
ÒIf you two refuse to take it outside,Ó he hissed, pulling them over 
the closed storeroom door, Òthen take it *inside*.Ó With that both Usagi and 
Mamoru found themselves in the dimly lit, dusty storage closet.  And Motoki 
slammed the door with all his might.
ÔWow, heÕs angry.Õ  Mamoru reflected dimly.  ÔI canÕt believe heÕd have 
the strength to haul both of us in here.Õ  Mamoru paused, Ôbut I *was* in 
shock and taken by surprise.Õ  He nodded, male ego back in place.  He turned 
back to Usagi.
Who was glaring at him.
ÒYes, your majesty?Ó he asked sarcastically.
ÒI canÕt *believe* you got us locked in here.Ó
She couldnÕt really make out his features all that well, but she 
assumed he was raising his eyebrow as he said, ÒMe?Ó
ÒThatÕs what I said. Are you deaf, too?Ó
ÒWhat? I didnÕt hear you... you werenÕt quite high-pitched enough.  
Shall we try again?Ó
Her voice grew cold, and eerily quiet.  ÒYou, Chiba, are the most 
arrogant, stupid, immature, mean, insensitive ego-driven chauvinistic pig to 
ever walk this planet.Ó
Silence.  Mamoru took a deep breath and answered in a chocolate-smooth 
voice, ÒGoodness Odango, and you say it like itÕs a bad thing.Ó
She screamed in frustration.

ÒKonichiÕ Motoki-san!Ó  Rei leaned her hands on the counter and faced 
her friend.  ÒHow are you doing?Ó
ÒStressed. ItÕs busy today.  And school stuff has been piling up.Ó
ÒYou do look frazzled.Ó  Ami observed sympathetically.
Rei perched on a nearby stool, ÒWell then we wonÕt order anything. But 
I was wondering if you had seen Usagi today?Ó
Motoki rolled his eyes.  ÒHave I.  SheÕs in the storage room.Ó He 
nodded his head to the closed door.  Muffled voices filtered through, a high 
feminine voice and a quieter, deeper one.
ÒWhatÕs she doing in *there?*Ó Rei asked, surprised.
ÒFighting with Mamoru.Ó
Two pairs of eyes widened immeasurably and stared in silence at him for 
a moment.
He shrugged.  ÒThey were annoying me, so I threw them in the storage 
room.  They still havenÕt shut up.Ó
A vexed scream.  Smug laughter. A muffled retort. A scuffle. Silence.
ÒThey want each other so bad.Ó Rei said.
Motoki nodded, ÒDuh.Ó 

ÔDamn his laughter.Õ  Usagi thought.  ÔDamn his obnoxious, self-
satisfied remarks.Õ  She was loosing her confidence in her ability to keep up 
this battle of wits.  Especially since his wealth of clever retorts seemed 
never-ending and her head was starting to hurt with all the thinking going 
into keeping herself from crashing and burning.  One thing she did NOT want to 
do in front of Mamoru.
Luna was watching fascinated from the shelf, wondering how their mutual 
attraction could be so obvious to everyone but them.  ÔMy god,Õ she thought, 
Ôthey really believe they hate each other.Õ
ÒOk, why donÕt you just shut up right now and maybe Motoki will let us 
out.Ó Usagi said making a face at him.
ÒI resent the implication that I am the entire reason we are locked in 
here, Usa. I personally would much prefer to have avoided any conversation 
with you at all, but since you seem to enjoy my company so much...Ó
ÒEnjoy?! IÕd rather pull my hair out then hang around with you!Ó ÔWhat 
did he call me?Õ
 ÒThen why donÕt you? Sometimes I think you lie about what you really 
think of me, Odango atama.Ó He winked.
ÒShut up!Ó
ÒBy the way, band-aid is *really* sexy.  No, I mean it. So, whoÕd you 
trip over this time?Ó
Usagi was seeing red. Through a mist of angry tears she remembered the 
kids who would tease her in grade school, boys teasing girls because they had 
no other way to communicate between the sexes.  She and Naru would taunt, ÔBe 
quiet! Be quiet or IÕll kiss you!Õ.  It wasnÕt flattering how they would all 
shut up, but it worked.  It worked.  Hell, she was ready to try anything to 
shut this man up.  Or shake him up a little.  Nothing could phase him!
ÒSHUT UP!!Ó Usagi was annoyed at what he had made her almost convince 
herself to do.
ÒMake me.Ó
And she did.  He asked for it, really.  Crossing the room in two steps, 
she stood on her tip-toes, took his face in her warm little hands and pressed 
her lips to his.
ÔFinally!Õ  Luna thought.

ÒUm...Motoki-kun?Ó Ami asked as he hurried past them on his way to the 
kitchen.
ÒNi, Ami-chan?Ó
ÒWell, I know you are busy but I just wanted to point out that Usagi 
and Mamoru have been in there a while...Ó
ÒThinking I should let them out?Ó
ÒWell, actually,Ó Rei looked worried, ÒI havenÕt heard anything from 
them for a while.Ó
Motoki looked considering.  Rei jumped as she just thought of a 
possible reason for the sudden silence.
ÒOh my god, Motoki!! One of them killed the other!!Ó


ÔHis lips are so warm...Õ Usagi wasnÕt sure what she expected him to 
do. Pull away? Slap her? Laugh at her? Shut up? But it never, ever occurred to 
her that he might actually respond.  Or that she might like it.
She heard him suck in his breath, and felt him relax slightly under her 
touch.  Slowly, he brought his hands to rest on her waist, jumping when he 
felt skin where her shirt had ridden up as she stretched to reach his mouth.  
Dark hair fell forward and tickled her face as he leaned his head down, 
pulling her closer.  
The room was spinning around Mamoru in slow circles.  He was pretty 
sure gravity had titled and time had stopped.  Blonde hair was everywhere. 
Blonde hair and soft skin and her warm little body pressed against his. She 
smelled like vanilla and spring air and tasted like sugar, sunshine and...  he 
couldnÕt even begin.  Mamoru wondered if heÕd ever be able to live without 
this taste, after having experienced it.
'Odango Atama...finally...' He tried to speak but he couldn't, refusing 
to remove his lips even long enough to form words.  He brought his mouth to 
her neck, hair, and back to her lips.  She whimpered a little and Mamoru 
wondered why he hadn't gone insane yet.  "Shh..." he murmured.  He ran his 
hand down her arm.  He felt Usagi shiver under his touch. 
Usagi couldnÕt think.  She couldnÕt breathe.  She was pretty sure her 
heart was about to leap from her chest and join his.  Anything to be closer to 
him.  She wrapped both arms around his slim waist.
ÒUsako...Ó Mamoru blindly reached a desperate hand to the back of her 
head, gently coaxing her lips open...
ÔOh I do *not* think so, Chiba!Õ  Luna thought.  ÔThis may be destiny 
but sheÕs my responsibility!Õ  And so thinking, Luna jumped down from the 
shelf and onto UsagiÕs shoulder, bouncing into her arms. 
She shrieked, and yelled, ÒLuna!Ó
Mamoru gasped and jumped away, his body already protesting the lack of 
warmth, his head spinning in circles of desire and denial.
Usagi stared at Luna, shock registering in her eyes as she slowly came 
to terms with the situation.  Luna gave her a mock-disapproving stare and 
Usagi had the grace to blush.
ÒSo you found your cat, eh, Usagi-chan?Ó
Wide-eyed horror.  Usagi turned around to face Motoki, Rei and Ami 
looking at her curiously.
ÒMinna-san!!Ó she cried.  Ôoh my god...no...Õ
ÒYes, Usagi-chan, itÕs us.Ó Rei gave her a weird look.  ÒAt your 
rescue. As usual.Ó
ÒLooks like we are sprung, Usagi.Ó Mamoru gave Motoki a dry smile, ÒYou 
threw away my coffee didnÕt you?Ó
	ÒIt got cold.Ó
	Mamoru smirked.  ÒSure.Ó
	ÒSo it looks as if you guys are both still in one piece.Ó Rei observed, 
teasingly.  ÒBut you could cut the tension with a knife.Ó She added, glancing 
between Usagi and Mamoru with a strange look.
	ÒAre you ok, Usagi-chan?Ó Ami pressed a cool hand to her friendÕs 
forehead, ÒYou are flush...and warm.Ó
	She flushed even more as the previous moments came flooding back to 
her.  ÒIÑIÕm ok.Ó ÔThey didnÕt see.  They came in right after Luna fell on me.  
They donÕt know.Õ
	ÒWell, letÕs get going. IÕm not staying in here anymore.  You are lucky 
neither of us is claustrophobic, Motoki.Ó  As Mamoru left, he passed the 
girls, brushing UsagiÕs shoulder inadvertently. 
	At the electricity of his touch, Usagi jumped a little and looked up 
into his stormy eyes.
	He stared back for a moment, confusion, uncertainty, and intense 
longing evident in his gaze.  Quickly, though, a mask of indifference covered 
his face, and he raised his eyebrows at her smugly.  ÒJa ne Odango-Atama. See 
you around.Ó
	Despite his cold words, Usagi felt strangely content.  ÔJa ne... What 
did he call me before? Usako? Well, if he called me that, then I should find a 
name for him.  Because I felt something.  Important.  You care about me.  You 
want me.  And you wonÕt be able to run forever...Mamo-chan.Õ
	Back outside the storeroom, Usagi blinked in the bright lights of the 
arcade.  ÔThis is twice IÕve gone in here to play video games and havenÕt had 
a chance.Õ  She thought, repressing the urge to giggle hysterically.  She 
realized giddily that she really, really wanted Mamoru to kiss her again.  How 
long must she wait?
	ÒUsagi.Ó Luna whispered in her ear.
	Usagi suddenly turned crimson and she remembered her intelligent, 
*talking*, nosy cat had witnessed the entire scene.
	ÒHÑhai...Ó
	ÒIÕm going off again, ok?  You are alright with the girls, ne?Ó
	ÒUm...hai...Ó
	Luna nodded.  ÒGood. This time donÕt worry so much, I know what IÕm 
doing.Ó
And with that Luna left UsagiÕs arms and began to leap through the city 
at amazing speeds.  She left behind the voices of the girls, convinced UsagiÕs 
temperature meant she was ill.  Luna knew they would take poor, dazed Usagi 
home and put her to bed like the dutiful friends they were.  In fact, if Luna 
played her cards right, she wouldnÕt have to talk to Usagi at all that night.  
Although she wanted to chat about The Kiss, she also knew her little teenage 
keeper would want an explanation about her being in MamoruÕs apartment last 
night, and she didnÕt have one yet. 
So Luna decided visiting Mamoru was much safer.  She didnÕt have to 
talk, and he was probably still recovering from Usagi.  Besides, if worse came 
to worse she had the perfect excuse to get him to see Usagi again.  Luna 
herself. 

~~
The end.  For now.
Yes, thatÕs right. I planned it up to here, now IÕm stuck for a bit. So enjoy. 
I was going to end it right when she kissed him, but I decided, Ônah, letÕs 
stick some romance inÕ.  Oh, and I donÕt read soft porn <romance novels> at 
all, so thatÕs why IÕm bad at writing kissing scenes. Gomen.

Quick note about the Tokyo accent:
	In Tokyo, a very cosmopolitan, modern city, the Japanese syllable ÔwaÕ 
is slowly disappearing from the language.  ThatÕs why IÕve written things like 
ÔhelloÕ as ÔkonichiÕ and not ÔkonichiwaÕ.  Because Sailormoon takes place in 
Tokyo! Yey!
I feel adding little Japanese sayings gives fanfiction a realism that 
is charming. I can almost see and hear the anime characters when it is put in 
stories I read.  So that is why I do it. IÕm sorry if that annoys you, as I 
know it does some people.

Random thoughts:
I like Motoki.
Chocolate is good.
Where do my car keys go when IÕm not using them?
Should I go to Prom this year?
Popcorn is yucky.
I like coffee. Too much. 
MK is weird.
Is it true about green M&Ms?
When will the next part of this story be out?
What is the sound of one hand clapping?
I hope I get into college...