Konnichi wa, minna-chan! Not much to say except that this is the first part to the second story in my "Usagi and Mamoru's Love" series. This one's not as violent as "Blossomings," so it's only rated PG. However, it'll get pretty violent later on. But we'll cross that bridge later. Thanks to Alpha and Leia, and I suggest you all read stuff by Ninx, Sailor Charon, Courtney Wells, and Amethist. I hope you enjoy this fanfic! Usagi and Mamoru, as a married couple! Yay! -Lianne (eclipse@ntplx.net) *Sailor Moon and all its characters are copyright Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha Ltd./Toei Animation, Co., Ltd. and the English adaptation is copyright 1995 DIC productions, LP. This story is copyright Lianne Sentar, October 1997. **DOWN WITH DUB-BASHING!!! *Usagi and Mamoru's Love: Surprises* Part 1 Mamoru walked into his small apartment, nonchalantely closing the door behind him. The notebook and few loose papers he carried under his arm he set down on the nearby dining room table as he looked around the quiet, simple apartment. Just then, from the direction of the bedroom, he saw Luna, slowly walking towards him. He smiled. "Konnichi wa, Luna." "Konnichi wa, Mamoru-san," she replied. "How was work?" "Same as always, I suppose," he answered with a shrug. "You know how it is at a lab - everybody bent over computers or test tubes trying to figure out something or other." "But at least this will give you experience before you decide what medical field you'll finally go into," Luna commented. "Hai. Though I've finished all my education. Just wish I could pick something..." He sighed. "Oh well. Guess I'll eventually pick something. I know Usako'll help me." He looked around. "By the way - where is she? And Artemis?" "Usagi's at the movies with the girls," Luna answered. "Artemis went for a walk while I took a nap." "O.K." Mamoru walked into the kitchen. "Want something to eat?" "No, arigato." Luna hopped up onto the dining room table and seperated Mamoru's papers with a small paw, looking at them intently. After a moment, she called, "Mamoru-san, are these the new things you've been working on?" Mamoru walked out of the kitchen with a can of soda and nodded as he sat down next to her. "Hai. Been working on it for about a week." "Looks like you've made some progress." Mamoru nodded again. "Hai, but you never know with medicine. I could end up with nothing or something great by the time I figure all those equations out. You just have to wait with Chemistry." Luna tilted her head. "This stuff seems to be pretty advanced. All the people down there must love you if you can work with THIS stuff." Mamoru laughed. "I wish! All the guys there hate me 'cause they see Usako whenever she comes to pick me up. About a MILLION of the guys asked me if we were going out, hoping they could catch her for a date if we weren't. Imagine the glares I got when I told them she was my wife!" Luna smirked. "That's Usagi, all right. Charmin' the socks offa everyone." "That's for sure." Just then, through the added kitty door in the apartment, strutted Artemis, blue eyes cheerful. "Hey, you guys!" he greeted. "Luna, how was your nap?" "Wonderful. How's the weather today?" "Really nice for December," he said as he went up and nuzzled her. She purred happily. Mamoru got up to leave them alone a minute, slipping into the bedroom. He fished his car keys out of his pocket and tossed them onto the dresser. A piece of paper on the counter of the dresser caught his eye. He walked over to it and picked it up. -Mamo-chan, Motoki called last night. Seems he and Reika got back from their "Second Honeymoon" cruise last night. Can you believe they've been married for so long? But what about us? Luna and Artemis seem happy being married. You like the married life? I do, as long as it's to you! Got a surprise for you tonight. A little rabbit was drawn on the bottom, the way Usagi often signed her name. Below it was written: P.S. - I love you! There was a lipstick mark next to that, as if Usagi had purposefully kissed the paper while wearing lipstick. He smiled as he walked back out to the kitchen. Luna and Artemis were sitting and talking, and Mamoru sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "Man. I'm bored." Artemis blinked. "Really?" Mamoru shrugged. "Well, Usako's usually here when I get home. It's kinda quiet when she's not around, y'know?" Luna rolled her eyes. "Hai, but is that always a bad thing?" "It is for me." Artemis smiled. "You really love her, don't you? I mean, everything about her." Mamoru looked away. "Everything," he said quietly. Luna sighed. "Well, I have to admit, though living with her all those years took out of me, I really get to miss her chipperness through the day." "And we all know Usagi's VERY chipper," Artemis added with a grin. Mamoru sighed. "I'm gonna take a nap," he said. "You two need anything?" "No." "Alright. Ja ne." He walked into the bedroom and closed the door most of the way. Artemis watched him go. "You wanna make bets on how much his mood's gonna boost soon as she gets home?" Luna smiled. "Nah. I wouldn't bet against that. I know I'd lose." ************************ "Ja ne!" Usagi called as she parted from the inner senshi. "Bye," Minako said, waving, as Usagi skipped down the street until she disappeared. She turned to the others. "So, waddya wanna do now, minna? Come over to my place?" Makoto shrugged. "Why not? But what'll we do?" Minako grinned. "You could make me dinner." Makoto rolled her eyes. "You are SO lazy!" "No. I just bite at cooking. Please?" Makoto looked at her seriously. "Only if you work with me so you can do it YOURSELF next time." Rei smiled and shrugged. "No prob. We'll all help. And we'll get a good meal out of it!" Makoto sighed good-naturedly. "All right. What are you guys in the mood for?" "Doesn't matter to me," Ami said simply. "Don't care, long's as it's good," Minako said. "Hmmm...maybe...rice," Makoto said to herself. "Chicken, some vegetables, a side of soba -" She suddenly stopped and made a little choke, eyes wide. Minako blinked. "Mako-chan? Daijobu?" Makoto looked up, eyes wide. "Minna, did you feel that?!" she asked quickly. "Nani?" Rei took her hands, worry showing in her dark eyes. "Feel what, Mako?" "Just now...that...oh, I don't know how to explain it," Makoto said nervously. "Like, just a...feeling?" "No," Ami said. "Rei-chan, you often feel evil spirits. Did you feel something just now?" "No," Rei said, shaking her head. Makoto looked at the ground a moment, then shook her head. "No. Forget it." "Are you sure?" Minako asked. "It might be something..." Makoto shook her head. "It was nothing. Probably just that movie popcorn messin' with my stomach." She smiled, looking much calmer. "Well...alright," Minako said after a moment. "You guys ready to go?" "Hai," they all chorused as they started to walk down the street. Makoto looked down at the sidewalk as they walked, not saying much. For a brief moment, her eyes flashed. For that second the pupils turned from emerald to clear. Clear as glittering crystal, and then back again. She shook herself to try to clear her head, then sighed and looked up at the dying sun. It's golden-orange rays illuminated her worried green eyes and her unsure face. She walked most of the way home in silence. To be continued... -Sorry such a short part, but I'm having a bit of WRITER'S BLOCK with this story (eech!). I HAVE, however, been working on a new story (yes, ANOTHER one, Ninx is right in saying I can't wait till I finish a story before I start another one) that will probably be done in a few weeks. It's a long story, but only comes in one part. It's about Mamoru, Motoki, and Reika in the early days of college. I'm having a lot of fun with it, and it's humurous, although pretty emotional, too. It's one of my more adult stories, so it'll probably be PG-13 when it comes out. You can look for that in coming weeks if you care. And Amethist and I have FINALLY come out with the first part of our co-written fanfic, "The Wacky Adventures of Psycho Setsuna," so if you're in the mood for something absolutely nuts, you can check it out. Ja ne! -Lianne (eclipse@ntplx.net)