Part one, drabble 32: Rain at midnight
Usagi lay in bed, her restless fingers echoing the faint tap-tap-tap of the rain on her balcony. The clock across the room ticked the seconds rhythmically, and the soft moonlight on its face revealed the time to be just before midnight.
Usually by now, Usagi was fast asleep. But tonight her fingertips itched and her feet danced uneasily beneath the covers, and before she knew it, she was sliding out of bed. She pulled her nightgown over her head, stumbling into some blue jeans and a high-necked pink shirt. She shrugged into a sweater and tiptoed down the stairs, through the silent house. After she took an umbrella from the closet, she slipped out the front door and headed down the street towards the arcade.
All was quiet in the suburban neighborhood, except for the steady thrum of the rain on the cement. Golden halos of light ringed the lampposts, casting shadows across the street. A lone car moved slowly down the street, headlights blinding Usagi for a moment before they slid further along the street, washing up over a solitary figure who stared back at Usagi with faint surprise etched on his face.
He didn't have an umbrella. His black hair was matted with water, and a tiny drop of water slipped off the end of his nose. He lifted one hand to the back of his neck, rubbing the muscles there, and she noticed that at the very least, he had a water resistant jacket on.
"Odango?" Mamoru asked finally, shoving one hand into the pocket of his sodden jeans.
Usagi's temper immediately sparked to life. "Don't call me that," she ordered, moving forward as though she would pass him by. He caught her arm, tugging her back gently.
"What are you doing out? It's past midnight on a school night. It's dangerous for you to be out here by yourself," he said softly.
"None of your business," she replied, trying to tug her arm away from him. "Honestly, Mamoru-baka, you sound like my mother." He let her go, and kept a few paces behind her as she made her way down the street. Finally she lost patience.
"What on Earth are you doing?" she asked.
"Following you," he said.
"I can see that," she replied with some irritation, "but why are you following me?"
He brushed his soaked bangs out of his face.
"So I can make sure you get home okay."
Her eyebrows rose in surprise. She thought it over for a moment, then abruptly turned and headed back the way she'd come. He studied her curiously for a moment. Impatiently, she turned back to him.
"Are you coming?" He grinned, jogging to catch up with her.
"You might as well share my umbrella," she invited grudgingly. "But you'll have to hold it. I can't reach high enough to cover you, too."
He obliged her, taking the umbrella from her grasp and making sure they both had shelter from the cool rain. They walked in a companionable silence for a few minutes.
"Why are you out here this late?" Usagi asked finally.
"No particular reason," he hedged, shrugging his broad shoulders. "You?"
"No particular reason," she responded stiffly, and he laughed.
"I couldn't sleep," he said admitted. "Sometimes a walk helps clear my head. I got caught in the rain. I would have gone home, but I saw you walking along."
"I couldn't sleep, either. My mother would have kittens if she knew I'd left the house." She darted a guilty glance at him, but he only smiled and tugged on one of her ponytails. She smacked at his hand, and he laughed.
"I won't tell her," he said, "if you promise not to go out this late alone again."
Usagi shrugged noncommittally. "What if I just feel like going for a walk?" she asked.
"Then get someone to go with you." He stopped and tweaked her nose, and Usagi realized they'd reached her house. She wondered how Mamoru had known where she lived.
"What if there isn't anyone to walk with me?" she asked.
"Then I'll go with you. Now, get inside. You'll catch a cold." He handed her the umbrella and pushed her gently towards the door.
"You should talk," she scoffed, motioning to his soaked clothes and soggy shoes. She hesitated on the threshold and all at once shoved the umbrella back into his hands. "Take it," she said, slipping through the front door. "You're already soaked to the bone. You can give it back to me tomorrow."
Mamoru grinned, opening the umbrella. "Thanks, Odango," he said, watching with glee as two bright spots of color lit her cheeks.
"Don't call me that," she hissed, closing the door with a snap. Mamoru laughed to himself, as he turned towards the street. The door creaked open behind him, and he heard Usagi's cautious whisper.
"Mamoru-baka? I forgot to thank you for walking me home."
"Anytime, Odango," Mamoru replied, laughing as she spat her objection to the nickname. "Anytime."