I know and I Understand

Set after season 4, episode 5, The Perfect Couple. Saori decides that she needs to tell Mamoru and Usagi that she knows their

secret, but won't tell anyone. She also wants to personally thank Sailor Moon for protecting the world.

Prologue

"Usako!" Saori heard Mamoru yell out, as she laid on the ground, not far from him.

She watched as Mamoru struggled against the knives holding him in place. He managed to get one arm free then stabbed the balloon holding tight to Sailor Moon, catching her. In that moment she realized Mamoru would never love her. He loved Sailor Moon, or apparently Usako. She was ok with that. With all Sailor Moon, or Usako did for the world, she deserved Mamoru. She smiled at the couple as they gazed into each other's eyes. Seeing that look, she happily let the idea of a romantic relationship with Mamoru go.

Chapter 1

Saori spent the week following her attack thinking about Usako, whom she learned was properly named Usagi. Usako was Mamoru's nickname for her. She quietly watched the pair when she could. Yes Usagi was loud, a bit klutzy at times, a bit immature, but she had a life about her that did not dim, despite what the 15 year old girl endured, saw, and fought to protect the world. The girl seemed to love everyone, and treated all people with kindness. She even stopped to say hi to Saori, and asked after her. The girl was lovely. Saori could see what Mamoru saw in Usagi.

When Mamoru and Usagi were together, she saw a light in his eyes she never saw any where else. She saw an ease in him. He smiled and laughed, which was rare any other time. Usagi was good for him. Brought out things no one ever saw.

The more Saori saw, the more sure she was that she needed to thank Usagi for saving her, and to let her know that her secret was safe. She also felt the need to be honest about how she had felt about Mamoru, and to apologize for almost trying to come between them.

It was with that thought that Saori called Mamoru Saturday morning to see if she could meet him, and Usagi for lunch at his place that day. Mamoru agreed, and said Usagi was already going to be there studying for the day. After hanging up, Saori went out to buy a gift for Usagi, and a thank you card. It didn't seem to be enough, but it was better than nothing.

At exactly 12:00 Saori knocked on Mamoru's door. He opened it with a smile, and lead her in. She found Usagi sitting in front of the coffee table with books and papers spread all over.

"Mamo, can you help me with this translation? I just don't get it? What am I doing wrong?" Usagi asked with a pout.

"UH. Usa, we have company." Mamoru said.

"OH. Saori, hi! How are you?" Usagi smiled, jumped up, and hugged Saori.

"I'm good. Thank you. What are you working on?" Saori asked hugging Usagi back.

"Oh this English translation of Mice and Men. None of it makes any sense to me."

"Yeah. I had trouble with that one too. Maybe I can help you."

"Good luck with that one." Mamoru chuckled. "I'm going to get lunch started."

Saori sat down and tried to help Usagi as best she could, but they both ended up getting frustrated with it, and laughing at the crazy things they came up with. Every moment, Saori saw more and more why Mamoru loved Usagi so much. It definitely wasn't just because she was Sailor Moon. She was so much more, and so very easy to love.

"Come on you two. Lunch is ready." Mamoru called from the kitchen.

The three of them sat around the table, eating, and just chatting for awhile. Once they moved back to the living room, and Mamoru sat to help Usagi with the book, Saori decided it was time to talk to them both. She got up, grabbed her gift and card for Usagi from by the door, sat back down on the couch, and cleared her throat to get their attention. As soon as they looked at her, she tried to begin.

"I..uh…I wanted to talk to you both about something." She started, looking at her hands.

"Is something wrong Saori?" Usagi asked gently.

"Well no. Not really." She answered.

"Oh. Ok. Well you can talk to us about anything." Usagi smiled as Mamoru nodded.

"Ok. Well first…um…Usagi…I…uh… want to thank you."

"Thank me? For what?"

"Well…you see….that day in the park, when I was attacked. You saved me."

"UH..No. I wasn't there." Usagi said nervously.

"You were. I heard Mamoru yell your name, pop that balloon, and catch you. I saw, and heard it all." Saori looked at Usagi and smiled.

"Oh dear." Mamoru breathed.

"Saori…I…" Usagi stuttered.

"No. No. Don't worry. I will never tell your secret. Not ever. I just…well…I just wanted to thank you. For, well, saving me that day. And, well for protecting the world like you do." Saori said with a smile.

"I….uhh….well….I…" Usagi struggled.

"It's ok Usako. People appreciate what you do. It's ok to accept their thanks some times." Mamoru said softly, rubbing his hand on Usagi's back.

"You do so much, and I just wanted you to know it is appreciated. Really." Saori said as she handed Usagi the box of chocolates, and card she got for her.

Usagi took them with a smile, and tears in her eyes. Suddenly Usagi got up, and left the room.

"Excuse her Saori. You're the first person to ever thank her, or even acknowledge her efforts. Her own father, and brother never did. They didn't know it was Usagi who protected them, but they didn't take the time to thank her as Sailor Moon either. If you think about it, with the number of times she has saved the world, her efforts have never been acknowledged. Only the senshi and myself have ever really thanked her." Mamoru said quietly.

"Oh. That's terrible. Can I ask how long you have known?" Saori asked.

"From the day she became Sailor Moon."

"How?"

"Well I guess you could say I'm her counter part. Although she does most of the work. I just help her, and protect her, when I can."

"You mean, you're…"

"Yup."

"Oh wow. Well thank you too for all you have done."

"In all honesty, I do very little compared to her and the rest of the senshi. I'm more her personal guard, and I move people out of harm's way, while they take care of the monster."

"That is important too."

"That's what Usako says, but if you saw how tired she is after a battle, due to energy use, you would disagree."

"I won't argue, but I will agree to disagree with you."

"Thank you."

They sat in silence for a few moments until they heard Usagi coming back into the living room. Her eyes were red rimmed and puffy. Mamoru opened his arms to her, and Usagi fell right into them, snuggling close.

"Usagi, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Saori said gently.

"Oh. I know. I'm a bit of a crybaby so things set me off sometimes." Usagi said with a smile. Mamoru chuckled as Usagi elbowed him causing him to grunt and pinch her side. Saori laughed at their antics.

"So, anyway Usagi. What you do means a great deal to me. I will keep your secret though." Saori said.

"Thank you Saori. That means a lot." Usago said.

"I need to tell you both something else as I feel a great deal of guilt about, I need to get off my chest." Saori said solemnly.

"Ok?" Usagi said questioningly.

"Usagi, I am so sorry." Saori whispered sadly.

"For what?" Usagi asked confused.

"Well, that day in the park, I was going to confess to having feelings for Mamoru. I was about to tell him when we were attacked. I knew you were together, but selfishly, I thought..well…I thought." Saori confessed sadly.

"That our relationship wasn't that serious because we're so different, and I'm so much younger?" Usagi asked.

"Yes. Usagi. I am so so very sorry."

Saori cast a quick glance at Mamoru noting the shock on his face, and his rapidly blinking eyes, along with a slight blush.

"Saori…I….I'm sorry, but I never saw us more than friends. I, well, I love Usako very much." Mamoru said, finally.

"Oh no Mamoru. I know that, especially now. It was foolish, and wrong of me. I am so sorry to both of you. I just felt you both should know. I also wanted to tell you both that I have let go of my feelings for Mamoru. Again I am so sorry." With that Saori got up to leave.

"Wait. Saori. Where are you going?" Usago scrambled up, and stopped Saori.

"I am leaving. I don't want to cause problems." Saori said softly.

"Don't be silly. We can all still be friends right?" Usagi asked with a smile.

"We could, but…."

"But nothing. Your past feelings for Mamo will only get in the way if you let them. Saori, you are a smart, beautiful, wonderful girl, and I would love to be your friend." Usagi said smiling.

Saori looked at Mamoru who shrugged, and said "It's her way. She makes friends with everyone. We hated each other when we first met as us, now look at us."

Saori laughed, and sat back down.

"Now Saori, we have to find you an awesome boyfriend. The Kobayashi is pretty handsome. You two would look good together." Usagi said excitedly.

"Usa." Mamoru groaned.

Saori just laughed, and was very thankful she had come to talk to them.