Tsukino Usagi sighed, desperately trying to pull her golden spun locks of hair into their normal buns. With all the practice over the years, she thought that it would be a cinch by now, but sometimes her huge mass of hair just would not work with her despite all efforts. Grumbling, she gave in and put forth just enough to achieve a ponytail. She smoothed down the lumps, not really caring if it looked a bit sloppy. After all, she was only going out to the grocery store to buy some milk for her Okaasan; she could have another go with the buns later.
Taking the steps two at a time, she spun around the banister at the bottom and nearly collided with her younger brother, Shingo. They stuck their tongues out at each other concurrently before continuing on their ways. Ikuko was waiting patiently at the kitchen entrance, a wad of paper money clenched in her fist. She pushed it into Usagi's hands.
"I need milk, of course. There's a little extra if you want a candy bar or something." Ikuko explained, laughing lightly as her daughter's eyes lit up with excitement. The younger girl threw her arms around her mother's neck, hugging her tightly to express her gratitude.
"Thank you!" Slipping her shoes on, she grabbed her coat on the way out and left without further conversation. Once she walked outside, she immediately burrowed in the coat and looked up at the clouded sky. The last chills of winter were still lingering, and there was a good chance of snow tonight. She couldn't remember exactly why, but seeing snow always made her heart tingle unpleasantly.
Shaking off her thoughts, she entered the small market that was a convenient three blocks from the Tsukino household. The woman at the counter called out her name, greeting her pleasantly, and Usagi waved back. The two of them see each other at least once a week, seeing as Ikuko frequently runs out of cooking ingredients. Usagi had been coming on her own since she was thirteen.
Lifting the milk in her hands, Usagi walked down the candy aisle and picked up one of her favorite candy bars. She went to the counter, counting out the yen she would need to pay for the two items, and handed it the cashier with a warm smile.
"How have you been, Usagi-san?" The woman asked, ringing up the items.
"Very good, thanks. My grades have finally improved, so Okaasan is happy with me. Shingo can't make fun of me anymore, either." Usagi grinned at this, eyes sparkling with mirth as she remembered Shingo's downtrodden expression when she showed him her good grades.
"That's good to hear. Have a good day, Usagi-san." Usagi nodded in response, taking the change and her items before leaving the store. As soon as she stepped outside, she realized the temperature felt twice as cold as it had before. Unconsciously shivering, she made her way back towards her home with quick steps, anxious to return to the heat.
Stretching her arms out behind her, Usagi leaned back into her chair and exhaled deeply, releasing the tension in her muscles. Doing homework was not her favorite activity; she favored any distraction, so she rose from her desk and walked over to the window. Opening the curtains, she gazed out into the darkening sky. Snow had just started to fall, flakes whirling and dancing through the air, oblivious to the rest of the world and that they were about to hit the ground.
Usagi's bright blue eyes darkened somewhat as the snow weaved through her line of vision, almost tauntingly. She raised her palm against the cold glass, trying to touch the snow with her fingertips. Her brain ached with the strain of trying to remember just who made her so sad to see the snow. Pressing her forehead against the glass, she quietly wept to herself as her heart called out to this unknown person.
All too suddenly, her telephone rang loudly, interrupting her reverie. She sniffled, pulling the curtains closed on the snow, and lifted the receiver to her ear. "Hello?" Her voice sounded a little scratchy, but there was no other evidence that she'd been briefly crying. Silence echoed in her ear, and not even the sound of someone breathing came through the phone. Before she got too freaked out and hung up, a voice did speak into her ear.
"Very soon the curse will reclaim you. The spell you've used to free yourself will be broken. Remember the snow, Rabbit-chan." The voice was so low, and whispering, that it was indistinguishable. A definite click followed the cryptic statement, and Usagi's trembling hand dropped the plastic receiver. It hit the edge of her nightstand and cracked before tumbling into the carpet.
'What does this mean?' Swallowing down her confusion, she bent down and picked up the phone once more. After making sure it was still working, she quickly dialed the number to the Cherry Hill Temple.
Ohayo! -gets attacked with flying objects- Gomen ne! You know I can't resist a new story! This idea hit me, and I simply could not resist. I have the next chapter ready to go but, you know the rules. No reviews, no enthusiasm, no updates. That's just my way. You see, when no one reviews, I get depressed and start thinking I suck and then I have no motivation to work on anything. So...review please!
By the way, for fun, try to guess the crossover before it is revealed next chapter! I give a few hints: it isn't Harry Potter or Gundam Wing, it's mildly popular right now, and it has lots of cute bishounen! (Not very good clues, eh?)
♥SachiNyoko♥