A.N. So this turned out to be a lot longer than I had anticipated. Please don't expect this regularly in the future. Anyway, hope you like it.

Oh, and I forgot the disclaimer last time. I don't own Sailor Moon, so don't sue.

The Ring

"I'm so sorry Usa," he moaned into his cellphone, "I'm afraid I don't have much of a choice. I promise once I'm done with these extra shifts at the hospital we'll go on a nice romantic date. I promise. Okay?...Mm, Bye."

It broke his heart to have to lie to his soon to be fiancee, but Mamoru's latest endeavor, in what his best friend Motoki had dubbed "Operation Mrs. Chiba", was proving to be more of a challenge than expected. Apparently, there was no suitable engagement ring for his Usako in all of Tokyo. He had scoured every inch of the blasted city, every department, jewelry, and antique store he could find. He had probably seen more diamonds in the last week than any ancient king or pirate ever had in his entire lifetime. And all he had to prove for it was an empty tank of gas.

"I don't understand Motoki," he sighed dejectedly as he shoved his phone into his pocket and took a seat at the counter. "It's as if the world is against us getting married."

The soon to be best man chided his best friend. Mamoru was one of the smartest guys he knew, but Motoki marveled at how outright stupid he could be whenever it came to Usagi. Ever since she came into his life, Motoki had notice how the once stoic teenager whose only relationship was that with his coffee and textbooks slowly started coming out of his reclusive little shell. He had more friends, his grades had gotten even higher, and, for the first time in what may have been years, Mamoru was genuinely smiling.

"Come on Mamoru. If the world was against this, your relationship wouldn't have lasted this long," Motoki joked as he set down a pipping cup of joe before him, "Besides, you know as well as I do that Usagi would love any ring you give her. She just wants to know you love her as much as she loves you."

"I know that Toki," he sighed, taking another long sip of coffee, "but I just hate that I can't get her a ring as perfect as she is. I just want her to know how much she means to me."

"But do you really think a ring is going to be able to say that? Usagi's not very materialistic. It won't matter to her how many carats, the color or cut. Hell, she'll even take one of those cheap plastic rings from the little toy dispensers in the corner if it came from you." Motoki slide around the counter and placed a reassuring hand on Mamoru's shoulder. "Don't worry buddy. You're not a failure of a fiance if you can't find a ring. It just means your standards are too damn high is all."

The words were such a relief to Mamoru. He let out an anxious breath and finished the last drops of coffee. "Man Motoki, when did you get so good with this girl stuff? You're starting to sound like Minako."

"What can I say Mamoru. It' a gift. Oh and here," he said as he tossed some sort of clear plastic ball towards him, "In case you really can't find anything better."

Mamoru's Tuxedo Kamen reflexes automatically kicked in, firmly grasping the object in midair. He brought it closer to his face to examine it only to discover it was a tiny plastic ring, covered in metallic paint with a pink rhinestone in the middle, from the aforementioned dispenser in the corner next to the arcade games. A small grin appeared on his lips, and he dropped it in his front pants pocket to humor his friend. "Anyway, I'd better get going. Naru said Osa-P is getting some new engagement rings, and they're closing in an hour."

"Good luck, and tell Usa I said 'Hi' when you get back home."

"Idiot," he replied as he left his stool and started to turn towards the door, "I can't tell her I was here. She thinks I'm working overtime at the hospital."

"Not anymore I don't!" screamed a familiar female voice. Other patrons sat in stunned silence in their seats as the scene unfolded before them. Mamoru's body froze as his mind became inundated with frightening thoughts; how much had she heard, does she think I'm cheating, will she break up with me?

"U...Usako. Please, please let me explain."

"Go ahead Mamo-chan! Explain to me why you're here and not working your "overtime shift" at the hospital, why you've been avoiding me this past week, and why you're never at home!" As she spoke, her calm, stern voice started to crack and changed from that of a mature young lady to an insecure little girl. "Do you not want to see me anymore Mamo-chan? Do you...do you not love me anymore?" She stood perfectly still with her gaze trained at the linoleum tile before his feet, not daring to look him in the face to see his answer. He could see the fat, wet tears trail down her red cheeks and plop down to the ground.

At first, his steps were slow and deliberate as his brain tried to muster up the right words to say, but his heart soon took over and his feet moved quickly in long strides so he could stand in front of her and embrace her. He held her close, fearing she would just walk out through those automatic glass double doors and out of his life completely. But he couldn't bring himself to tell her, tell her the reason he had been away for so long was to find a ring to propose with. The surprise would be ruined- no moonlight stroll through the rose garden, and he hadn't even asked permission from her father either. After what seemed like an eternity of contemplation, he found his answer.

"Usako, please don't be mad at me. You know I can't stand to see you cry." She looked up at him with her gorgeous cerulean eyes, and he smiled and wiped away her tears. "The reason I've been gone so much this week is... I've been looking for a... I wanted to ask you if... Oh to hell with it!". He held her at arms length, looked at the trembling girl in front of him that he loved with every fiber of his being- past, present, and future- and got down on one knee. He fished out Motoki's tiny plastic ring from his pocket and held it out to her with both hands. She gasped and both dainty hands went to her mouth.

"I know this probably isn't how you imagined it. Trust me, I wanted it to be a bit more romantic," he started as he glanced at his audience, "and private than this. I've been searching this entire city the past week for a ring suitable enough for your little finger Usako. Needless to say I didn't find one if I'm offering you this, but I realize now that, that I need you Usako. I know it's not very impressive and sorta pathetic, but if you'll have it and me, I promise I'll make you happy. Please, please accept this ring Usako. I beg you, please be my wife."

And for the first time since its opening, the Crown Fruit Parlor and Arcade was dead silent. The pinging of video games stopped and everyone held their breath in anticipation of the odango-ed blonde's answer. The emotion had drained from her face; it was impossible to predict her thoughts. She slowly lowered herself down on both knees, took Mamoru's face in the palms of her hands, and leaned her forehead against his. She nodded. In a simple, yet telling gesture, she accepted.

Mamoru smiled brighter than he ever had in his life, took his fiancee's blushing face in his hands and kissed her as the crowd erupted into applause. When the couple parted, Mamoru slide the ring on Usagi's ring finger. "We can go shopping for a nicer ring tomorrow, but for now this will have to do."

Usagi spun the band around on her finger, admiring it from all sides. "But Mamo-chan, I kinda like this one. It's not very fancy or special, but it's cute and has it's own charm. Kinda like me! I really do love this ring Mamo-chan. We can go get an "official" ring, but this will always be my engagement ring."