ÒBut if you want money for people with minds that hate, all I can tell you is 
brother you have to wait.  DonÕt you know its gonna be alright. Alright.Ó
~The Beatles

ÒWell, you impress me, and IÕm not impressed very easily.
::shriek:: Ooh! Look, a blue car!!Ó
~The Simpsons

AuthorÕs notes:
Kuso kuso kuso. I hate changing stuff around. But since IÕm not sure excatly 
what episode it is when Mamoru saves Luna, and DoiÕs site <for once> doesnÕt 
help, I guess it canÕt be helped.
   Ok. Mamoru knows heÕs Tuxedo Mask in this story, even though in the anime at 
this time he doesnÕt.  As much as I love Mako-chan, IÕm delaying her entrance 
because I canÕt deal with that plot twist, too. 
We are probably looking at two or three more parts.
And I donÕt screw up continuity all that much.




Walking the Thin Line
Part 5

	Usagi woke up in a panic, and it was a whirlwind of throwing clothes 
around, fixing hair, throwing school stuff together and shoving toast in her 
mouth before running outside so the cold morning air could wake her mind up. At 
least wake it up enough to realize that Luna wasnÕt running along with her, 
lecturing her as she sometimes did.  Usagi sighed, figuring a few minutes 
werenÕt going to matter, and called for her cat at the top of her lungs.
	ÒLUÑÓ UsagiÕs throat was just starting to get sore when Luna decided 
sheÕd show up, before the neighbors started complaining.
	ÒUsagi-chaaan,Ó Luna said in her patented-almost-whiny-lecturing voice, 
Òyou are going to be late again...Ó
	ÒWell, I just wanted to make sure you were ok!Ó
	ÒBaka...I woke up with you, remember?Ó Of course she didnÕt remember. 
Usagi wasnÕt awake until about 4:30 in the afternoon, and even then... ÒNow, 
hurry, I donÕt want you to have a detention, today. We have to talk.Ó
	Usagi cringed a little at the last thing Luna said. But she answered, 
ÒHai, I agree. We do need to talk. So...IÕll see you then!Ó  And the sidewalk 
steamed where Usagi had left a fiery trail in her wake.
	When the girl was gone, LunaÕs eyes softened. ÒUsagi-chan... we need to 
talk... and I need to think...Ó

	ÔRun run run. DonÕt be late. Not today. Luna wants to talk...no, donÕt 
think about that. DonÕt think. Run run DODGE! Run run run, dodge, oops, sorry 
sir, I didnÕt see you, run run... wish I didnÕt spend all my bus money at the 
arcade...Õ Usagi was getting tired.  She was used to showing up to class sweaty 
and bedraggled, heaving for breath and frazzled, but it took stamina to run all 
that way, almost every day.  ÔFinally!Õ she thought fuzzily. ÔOnly one more 
street to cross...Õ  But before she could race across it, a strong hand grabbed 
her elbow propelling her back to the sidewalk.
	Stumbling and annoyed, Usagi yanked her arm free and rubbed it. ÒAnd just 
what to you think you are doing?!Ó
	ÒOh, IÕm sorry Odango atama,Ó a familiar voice intoned dryly, Òdid you 
*want* to get run over?Ó
With shock, Usagi looked belatedly at the traffic light.  It glowed red.  
So Mamoru-baka was right.
	Mamoru... She felt dizzy.  What was she supposed to say to him?! Slowly 
she turned around.
	Bravely, she lifted her face and met his eyes. They stared coldly back at 
her, as they always did. Reflected arrogant amusement for the silly little 
child, maybe, but not affection.  Nothing had changed.
	Usagi ignored the pain in her chest, the burning suddenly present behind 
her eyes. ÒRun over? I donÕt know, Mamoru-baka...the alternative is talking to 
you? Let me think.Ó She deadpanned. 
	Mamoru had watched her recoil from him when she met his eyes.  It 
probably had something to do with the insufferably smug look he been giving 
her, he reflected.  It was an expression he had perfected for very simple 
reasons.  Modesty drew friends.  Cold arrogance pushed people away.  ÔBut do 
you want to push *her* away?Õ his mind asked. He had no answer.  But Mamoru 
knew he had hurt her. And he had no idea how to make it better.
	ÒBetween you and your cat, Odango atama, I think IÕm carving a niche out 
for myself in the bodyguard world.Ó He offered her a smile, but she wasnÕt 
looking at him anymore.
	ÒYouÕd think youÕd have better things to do.Ó She said carelessly, as the 
light changed and she dashed across the street, safely this time, slipping in 
the gates just as they were closing.
Mamoru watched her rush into the building, ÔProbably going to make 
homeroom by seconds.Õ He thought, ignoring the tightening feeling in his 
throat.  
When he had seen Usagi that morning, running like a bat out of hell, twin 
golden ponytails streaming behind her, he thought heÕd better ignore her.  But 
he couldnÕt just let her run into traffic, like that.  So he saved her life. 
She was nearly in his arms. Perfect opening.  Until he shot it down with 
teasing and that hated nickname. 
ÔWell, what was I supposed to say?Õ he thought sarcastically, ÔLook, IÕm 
not sure, but I think I might be falling in love with you.  But I need to be 
sure, so, purely for scientific purposes, how would you feel about kissing me 
again? Yeah, *thatÕs* smooth. IÕm a real Casanova, arenÕt I?Õ  Shaking his head 
in disgust, Mamoru turned to walk away.

Meanwhile, while Haruna-sensei was discussing the importance of learning 
conversational English in the growing international community and modern Japan, 
Tsukino Usagi was having a debate with herself.  And losing. 
UsagiÕs eyes filled up with tears. ÔWhy didnÕt I just tell him? Tell him 
not to call me Odango atama, because I love him so much and it hurts me. 
Because that kiss *meant* something to me?Õ  She always stuck to the belief 
that one should never deny their heart.
	So of course, the moment the big test came, she failed it miserably. As 
usual. ÔFiguresÕ she thought, Ôbetcha there isnÕt a test out there I couldnÕt 
fail.Õ  ÔItÕs not as if he gave me much of a choice, either.  He was insulting 
me! What was I supposed to do, swoon?Õ 
	The thought that Mamoru might not return her feelings never occurred to 
her.  She knew he was falling for her, hook, line and sinker. In her mind there 
was no quandary: he loved her.  Still, he was pushing her away,  Why? 
ÔAnd why did you *let* him, you baka? You should have just held him close 
and not let go, even when people stared, and even when the school bell rang, 
and the sun set, until the world ended all around you, and not even then...Õ   
And suddenly there was no shadow of a doubt in her mind that that was 
exactly what Mamoru needed, what he lacked his entire life. Just to be loved 
for the sake of being himself.  The thought was enough to make Usagi cry. But 
she didnÕt have time, because Haruna was almost ready to check the homework she 
didnÕt do, and she had to think of something quick...

ÒSo, you know what I think about the enemy?Ó Usagi asked Luna, in a 
business-like tone. 
Luna sweatdropped. ÒHai?Ó
ÒI think they steal energy from people.Ó She rubbed her chin 
thoughtfully, ÒFor some dark purpose perhaps...Ó
Luna fell over, ÒDuh, Usagi-chan!Ó
Usagi turned from where she had been pacing around her room, and faced 
Luna. ÒOh. Well, um... I also think...Ó
ÒI didnÕt want to talk about senshi business tonight. At least not that 
kind.Ó
ÔI was afraid of that.Õ ÒOk. What do you...um, want to talk about, then?Ó
ÒThe Princess.Ó
ÔPhew!Õ ÒOk. The Princess. Well, what exactly are we supposed to be 
looking for? A beautiful girl who comes up to you and says, ÔHi. IÕm the 
princess you are searching forÕ?Ó Usagi forced herself to keep talking about 
boring mission stuff.  Anything to avoid talking about Mamoru. At least until 
she could find him and make him hers.  Then, of course, sheÕd have to brag 
about him every chance she got.  It was only what was fair and right, of 
course. 
ÒNo! No Usagi, itÕs not that easy.Ó
ÒThen how will you know when you do find her?Ó
Luna gave her a Look. ÒIÕve been looking for this princess my whole life.  
It is my mission. I *think* IÕll know, thank you very much.Ó 
Usagi shrugged, ÒWhatever.Ó 
ÒBut I have a lead, now.Ó Luna said, not looking at Usagi. Staring at the 
moon. ÔThis is *your* fault.Õ Luna thought to the bright orb shining innocently 
in the sky.
ÒHai?Ó She sounded bored.
ÒChiba Mamoru.Ó
ÒNani?Ó Usagi looked up at her cat, who was still staring at the moon. 
ÒWhat did you say?Ó
ÒYou heard me. I believe he may have some information about the 
princess.Ó
ÔSo heÕs mixed up in all this too?Õ Usagi thought incredulously, ÔWho 
next? Haruna-sensei?Õ ÒWhy would he know about the moon princess?Ó
ÒI donÕt know why. But I know how... he dreams of her.Ó
ÒDreams...Ó
Luna nodded. ÒThatÕs,Ó she swallowed, voice shaking, ÒthatÕs the reason 
IÕve been spending so much time with him. To find out more.Ó
ÒWell, um...great! So he can tell us more about her royal mysteriousness.  
But how did you talk to him?Ó
Sweatdrop. ÒDonÕt ask.Ó
There were a few more moments of silence before Luna couldnÕt stand it 
anymore. ÒUsagi-chan, I donÕt know how you feel about this boy, but there is 
something you need to know.Ó ÔItÕs easier if I just get it all out at once.Õ 
ÒBecause Chiba Mamoru has these haunting dreams of the moon princess...well, 
she appeared to him and that means that he is meant to be wi-Ó
Beep. Beep. Beep beep beepbeepbeepbeepbeep. The increased speed of 
UsagiÕs communicator altered Luna and the girl to the seriousness of the 
situation.
ÒGet your butt moving, Usagi-baka, this thing ainÕt pretty.Ó ReiÕs voice 
continued to filter through the line, giving the location of the Monster of the 
Day (or night as the case may be) and quick run-down of the circumstances so 
far.  
Luna turned to Usagi. ÒReady?Ó
ÒAs IÕll ever be. Moon prism powah, makkauppu!!Ó  The feeling of 
transforming was familiar, identical to every other time Usagi was washed with 
the pure feeling of warmth and power pulsing through her body. Her clothes 
faded away and the lighter weight of the senshi uniform settled on her 
shoulders, signaling the end to this wonderful feeling and the final blast of 
confidence and exhilaration. Strike a pose.  And back to reality.
ÒHayaku!Ó Luna cried.  And the young superheroine ran out into the cold, 
star-filled night.

Sailormars dodged another shower of the clear, deadly liquid. Where the 
drops fell, the ground burned, turning the vacant lot into what looked like a 
steaming piece of rancid swiss-cheese.
ÒMercury!Ó she shouted in panic, ÒWhat *is* that stuff, anyway?Ó
The small blue-suited warrior was huddled in a corner, trying furiously 
to get her readings so she could assist her friend. ÒApparently, it is some 
sort of acid... usually itÕs found in a hydrologic solution, and even then itÕs 
extremely strong.  And this is in a pure form rarely found outside 
laboratories.Ó
ÒSo you are saying...Ó
ÒDonÕt let it touch your skin, or youÕll be in a pain for a long time.Ó
The youma, hovering over the body of a young laboratory student 
apparently effected by NephriteÕs magic, continued to laugh maniacally, 
squirting the dangerous acid in all directions.  
ÒWhere the heck is...Ó
ÒHold it right there!Ó A silhouette appeared on the side of building, 
from the short backlit wall where Sailormoon stood proud in all her glory.
Sailormars rolled her eyes. ÔHer and her damn entrances.Õ
ÒI am the bishoujo senshi sailormoon! For abusing the 
sacred...um...periodic table of the elements by using chemicals for harm, tsuki 
ni kawatte, oshi oki yo!Ó
The youma, distracted by his new target, turned to face Sailormoon, 
grinning as it opened its hand and allowed the acid to fly at her.
ÒDuck Sailormoon!!Ó Mercury called, in a panic, ÒThatÕs acid!Ó
ÒAcid?Ó Why was that word familiar? Science class?
ÒSailormoon!!Ó all three voices cried in horror.  
They neednÕt have worried.
There was a flash of black against the light, and then their fearless 
leader found herself tackled to the ground as the acid sailed directly to where 
her face had been just moments before.
ÒArigatou!Ó Sailormoon cried, as Tuxedo Kamen stood up, shakily. 
ÒNext time be more alert, Sailormoon.Ó He said, coldly. ÒIf I werenÕt 
here that would have burned through your skin in seconds.Ó
She put a hand to her face for a second, in horror.
ÔOh, *way* to scare her, jerk.Õ Tuxedo Kamen thought for a moment. But it 
couldnÕt be helped. What if one day he couldnÕt be there? She needed to learn 
to fight by herself.
Nodding slowly, Sailormoon turned to her friends. Mars was glaring at her 
between her attacks. ÒHow about helping us out a little here, ne?!Ó
ÒI see you are needed elsewhere, Sailormoon. I leave you.Ó And he left, 
as suddenly as he came. 
Sailormoon stared after him, biting her lip. And she was worried about 
hurting him with her feelings for Mamoru? She would have liked to tell herself 
that every cold word Tuxedo Kamen said to her made her apparent betrayal 
easier, but it didnÕt really help the twisty feeling in her heart...
ÒHey, Sailormoon! Less drooling, more fighting!!Ó
ÒHai, Sailormars... Moon Tiara... ACK!Ó Sailormoon ducked another flow of 
the deadly fluid. ÒI canÕt aim while he can see us. Mercury?Ó
ÒIÕm on it. Shabon...spraÑay!Ó
Fumbling through the fog, the youma turned in confused circles, only 
nearly missing getting burned by a sudden surge of MarsÕ fire.
ÒMoon tiara... action!Ó 
And the fog cleared as the glowing disk hit the youma dead on. So 
exhausted was it from the othersÕ attacks that all it could do was scream as it 
appeared to turn back into the glass beaker it once was.  Then it crumpled into 
dust.  
ÒWaÑai!!Ó Sailormoon threw her arms up in the air, jubilantly.
Sailormercury just allowed herself a small smile, mostly at her friendÕs 
antics.
	ÒCouldnÕt have been a here just a tad earlier, Sailormoon?Ó Sailormars 
gave her leader a half-smile, she just couldnÕt resist the jib. ÒSeems you just 
canÕt be on time for anything.Ó
	Before Sailormoon could open her mouth to retort, Luna interrupted the 
impending fight. 
	ÒNo, she couldnÕt,Ó the cat said, jumping the few feet up to the stone 
wall where Sailormoon had stood, Òremember, I was with her. We came as fast as 
we could.Ó
	ÒThanks, Luna!Ó Sailormoon cried, hugging her cat until Luna meowed in 
protest.
	ÒHeÕs stirring,Ó Sailormercury leaned beside the young man, taking a 
pulse. 
	ÒShould we bring him to a hospital or something?Ó
	Luna answered, ÒNo. This is a safe neighborhood.  HeÕll wake up and go 
home with no memory of this.  LetÕs not give him anything to remember, ok?Ó
	The girls nodded.  
	Sailormars yawned, ÒWell, this priestess has to go back home.Ó
	ÒI do, too,Ó Sailormercury agreed, ÒI have to get up early tomorrow.Ó
	In amazement Sailormoon said, ÒBut tomorrow is Saturday...Ó
	ÒJuku...Ó
	ÒOn Saturday...oh, Sailormercury...Ó
	The girlÕs chatter floated up to the tall figure standing a nearby tree, 
watching the going-ons with amazement evident even behind his mask.
	ÒLuna!! LUNA!Ó Sailormoon turned, ÒOh, there you are. Time to go home, 
Luna. IÕm so tired... I think...Ó both she and Luna left to go find a place to 
detransform, and then go home.  As they disappeared down the alley, 
SailormoonÕs chattering voice carrying up over the buildings into the night, 
the figure continued to watch them leave.  
The moonlight shone has he reached up to remove his mask, the wind 
fluttered his hair for a moment, not breaking his intense concentration on 
where the blonde had just left.  Shaking his head, he murmured, ÒLuna.Ó  
Leaping to the ground, Tuxedo Kamen ran off into the night with one thought 
floating to the surface of his mind. 
ÒI *knew* it was no dream.Ó



End part five
Five! This is the longest fanfiction IÕve ever written! On to math 
homework!