"He needs a hat! And a scarf!" Chibiusa poked her tongue out in concentration as mitten-covered hands smoothed out the snowman's belly.

"Hat... and scarf," Usagi wrapped one of her Papa's old scarves around the snowman's fat neck. Chibiusa and she pushed in some rocks to make to buttons and stood back to admire their work.

"He's perfect!" Chibiusa declared, hands on her hips. The future princess' hands wore thick mittens that matched her toque and scarf. She also wore one of Usagi's parkas from her days in grade school. Usagi thought she looked adorable.

"We did a pretty good job, didn't we?" Chibiusa hummed in agreement.

"Girls! The pie is ready, come grab a slice!" Ikuko announced from the Tsukino's front door, shivering as the cold wind blew past her.

"Pie!" Usagi and Chibiusa cheered.

"Make sure the door is closed properly. I don't want any snow blowing in," Ikuko called from the kitchen where she was preparing pie slices for her children. Usagi helped Chibiusa out of her winter-wear prison as the younger Tsukino bounced impatiently. Finally mittens and boots were removed and pie could be consumed.

"Did you two have fun out there?" Ikuko placed two plates of cherry pie onto the table.

"So much fun, Ikuko Mama! Usagi and I built the best snowman in the world!" Chibiusa shovelled a large bite of pie into her mouth.

"Well I for one am glad to see you two getting along. Must be that holiday cheer ." Ikuko smoothed out Usagi's hair, smiling down at her two girls.

"This pie is super yummy, Mama!" Usagi scarfed down the last of her slice. Ikuko smiled as Chibiusa and Usagi stood up, putting away their plates and forks before deciding to watch some television together. The holiday season always put people in a good mood.


"Luna says we still have to do Senshi training even though it's snowing so much ! But after I come back from Rei's we can watch some movies, if you'd like." Usagi chatted amiably as she pulled on some thick socks.

"That's okay Usagi. Mamo-chan said I could come over to his apartment." Usagi paused for a moment.

"Oh really? What are you two doing?" She smiled a little remembering the last time Chibiusa came over. Usagi spent nearly every day with Chibiusa doing fun winter things so she'd let him have one afternoon. There was no way Chibiusa preferred time with Mamoru compared to Usagi.

"It's a surprise !" Chibiusa giggled. Usagi simply rolled her eyes and finished getting ready, grabbing her phone.

"I'll see you later, Chibiusa. Have fun with Mamo-chan." Just before Usagi left she paused a moment and turned back on her heels. She leaned down to where Chibiusa was petting a sleeping Diana and pressed a kiss onto her forehead. Chibiusa wrinkled her nose but let out a small giggle.

"Bye Usagi!" Chibiusa gave Usagi a loud kiss on her cheek, still giggling. See , Usagi was clearly Chibiusa's favourite.


Usagi leaned against the elevator wall, closing her eyes. Senshi training was so much harder in the cold weather. Her biceps and thighs were going to very sore tomorrow morning. It was early evening and the sun was just beginning to set. Which meant Usagi had to pick up Chibiusa and be sure to make back home in time for dinner or Mama would yell at her.

The elevator door opened into Mamoru's floor and Usagi headed over to his door and rang the bell.

"It's open!" Usagi blinked. Since when did Mamo-chan leave his door unlocked? Cautiously, Usagi opened to door walking in.

"Hello?" Usagi called out slipping out of her snow boots. Chibiusa's laughter could be heard from the living room as Usagi wandered deeper into Mamoru's apartment. She paused and took a moment to take in her surroundings. Hanging from the ceiling were fairy lights along with silver snowflakes. Small decorations were scattered throughout the apartment. A tree stood in the corner. That's where Mamoru stood with a giggling Chibiusa in his arms as he hoisted her up, letting her add an angel to the top of the tree.

"Usagi! Doesn't everything look pretty?" Chibiusa asked turning her attention to the blonde girl, arms wrapping around Mamoru's neck.

"Very pretty," Raising an eyebrow at Mamoru, "You've never decorated your apartment before."

"Chibiusa insisted."

"We went shopping and bought the prettiest decorations! Mamo-chan let me pick whatever I wanted."

"You can tell Mama and me all about during dinner." Mamoru let Chibiusa down so she could put on her coat.

"How was training?" Usagi kept her face neutral as she walked towards her boyfriend.

"Hard." She wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in her chest. His fingers brush against her cheek, and she felt him use his psychokinesis to relieve the tension in her muscles. Usagi let out a sigh and hugged him closer.

"I can't believe you're trying to buy Chibiusa's love." Mamoru rolled his eyes.

"Chibiusa already loves me. I was just making her happy. You sound upset." Usagi didn't have to look up to know he had that infuriating smirk on his face. "Is it because we didn't invite you to decorate with us?"

Usagi pulled back and smiled sweetly at Mamoru. "Of course not. But now that I know you're open to decorating I expect to be on the committee next year."

"Of course you can, Usako."

The couple stared at each other a moment before Chibiusa tugged on Usagi's arm.

"Let's go!"

"Ready?" Chibiusa nodded impatiently.

"Bye Mamo-chan! Today was the best!" Chibiusa smiled giving Mamoru a bear hug.

Usagi scoffed at the look Mamoru gave her as he hugged Chibiusa goodbye.

"Come on, before Mama decided she's not gonna let us have dinner." And because Usagi was a mature superheroine, she made sure to stick her tongue out at Mamoru before slamming the door shut, ignoring his laughter.


Their little competition seemed to escalate over the next few days. And Usagi was beginning to think she might actually lose. She'd give Chibiusa some cookies, Mamoru would get her an entire cake. At dinner Chibiusa would regale Usagi with her adventures with Mamo-chan.

"We went to the park and then to the candy store and then we watched the snow fall and drank cocoa with extra whipped cream and marshmallows! The pretty pink ones that are huge! " It was Mamo-chan this and Mamo-chan that. Usagi needed to come up with a new plan and fast. And who better to help her win this battle then her faithful Senshis?


"I- what? " Makoto blinked, confused.

"Usagi-chan, you're not making any sense." Ami adjusted her sweater, "Mamoru and you are fighting?"

"What did you say to him to make him angry at you?" Rei asked typing up her hair.

"Not that kind of fighting!" Usagi groaned, stretching out on the floor. "We're in a battle! A war! One that I have to win."

"A war?" Minako sounded amused as she patted Artemis' head.

"Mamoru-san and Usagi-chan are fighting over Chibiusa." Luna clarifying with an eye roll.

"Over Chibiusa?"

"Mmmhmm!" Usagi nodded earnestly. "To see who's her favourite!"

"Favourite what?" Haruka popped a sugar cookie into her mouth. When Usagi had called them all to Rei's shrine for an emergency...this was not what she was expecting.

"I'm Chibiusa's favourite," Hotaru stated matter-of-factly.

"Favourite parent ." Usagi clarified.

"Of for the love of—" Michiru sighed. "Chibiusa loves both of you. Isn't that enough? You're not divorced parents fighting over the custody of their only child."

"We're not going to help you Usagi. Poor girl must miss her home already as it is. Chibiusa doesn't need you two fighting over her." Rei said firmly.

Usagi sniffed and turned her head away. "So none of you are going to help your princess, in her time of need? Some protectors you all are."

"Really, the protectors card?"

"What exactly are we protecting you from?"

"Defeat! At the hands of a Terran man no less!"

"Technically, we're all Terrans now…" Usagi ignored Ami's weak plea, overcome with determination and competitiveness.

"Fine we'll help you, jeez."

"So what's the plan, Koneko-chan?"


"Chibiusa~!" Usagi called out with a grin. "I have a present for you!"

Chibiusa peeked her head into Usagi's room. Her eyes lit up when she saw the gift wrapped in silver paper with a big red bow on top. She let out a squeal and hopped onto the bed.

"Can I open it now?" Chibiusa asked bouncing with excitement.

"If you'd like," Usagi watched as Chibiusa cheered and grabbed the present. She was expecting her to tear open the present as quickly as possible but Chibiusa carefully unwrapped the paper. Usagi smiled; despite the outward similarities to her Chibiusa was just like Mamoru in other ways.

Chibiusa let out a soft gasp when she pulled out her present. "Is this really for me?" She asked in awe.

"Of course it is silly." Chibiusa smiled as she picked up the shimmering material of the gown. It was a beautiful pink and glittering piece with gems embroidered into the bodice.

"It's beautiful Usagi!" Chibiusa threw her small arms around Usagi. "Thank you!"

"You're welcome Chibiusa. Now put it on."

"Now?"

"Mmmhmm! We're going somewhere special."

After getting ready, Usagi and Chibiusa walked up the steps of the Hiwaka Shrine. Chibiusa gave Usagi a questioning look but Usagi simply winked and put a finger to her lips.

Usagi knocked twice on the door. After a moment, Michiru and Haruka opened the door. The pair were dressed in beautiful evening wear.

"Ah, princesses. Welcome." They stepped aside to reveal streamers and lanterns decorating the walls. In the centre was a dining table with lovely flowers and pretty teacups. Haruka moved to take Chibiusa's coat as the younger girl looked around the room in wonder. Seating her at the head table, Makoto appeared with a tray of sweets and Rei began to pour the tea.

"What is all of this?"

"A tea party Chibiusa. And you're the guest of honor!" Minako placed a plastic tiara on top of Chibiusa's head of pink hair. Hotaru sat next to Chibiusa, dressed in a deep purple gown.

"But why?"

"Because you're precious to us all Chibiusa. And we'd do anything to put a smile on that cute little face." Usagi poked Chibiusa's stomach; her heart felt warm after hearing the girl's giggling.

"Would her royal highness like to eat?" Ami asked offering Chibiusa a selection of desserts.

"Oh there's so many choices!" Chibiusa sighed dramatically while thinking of her choice.

The night continued. The nine Senshis laughed and chatted and drank delicious tea. Chibiusa loved every minute of it. It reminded her of the fancy balls they'd have in Crystal Tokyo. The tea party ended and was followed by a slumber party. All the girls changed into cozy pajamas and sat on the floor of Rei's room gossiping.

"Oh he was so handsome you guys! But his personality...a dumpster truly. But alas, what was this single high school girl to do?" Minako waved her arms around as she told everyone about her latest conquest.

"That's very shallow of you, Mina-P." Usagi giggled, fluffing her pillow.

"Come one Usagi-chan," Rei jested. "You're just as shallow as Minako." The girls laughed at Usagi's indignant gasp.

"I am not!"

"Oh really? So you'd still date Mamoru-san even if he wasn't good looking?"

"...Well, he's very handsome so I don't have to think about that." That earned her a few eye rolls.

"You're lucky Usagi-chan. All the other boys out there are garbage." Makoto leaned back against her pillow.

"Maybe you should try girls, Mako." Haruka teased, causing Mako to blush brightly.

"I hope one day I find a wonderful prince to love me." Chibiusa sighed.

"Aww, don't worry Chibiusa. You have plenty of time to find love." Makoto assured.

"Hey Chibiusa, are there any hot guys in the 30th Century?"

"Mina!" Ami chastised.

"What? I need to know what future-me's options are like." The girls laughed and giggled until sleep took it's hold.

"Last night was the best day ever!" Chibiusa said skipping alongside Usagi. After waffles for breakfast the pair decided to head back.

"I'm glad you had a good time, Chibiusa." She was definitely on top again.

"Hey Chibiusa is it okay if we stop by Mamo-chan's? I think I left my good scarf there. You can tell Mamo-chan all about what a great time you had."


'It was the best! Mako-chan made so many types of cake. And then later Michiru and Mina-chan made my hair look really pretty and we stayed up way past my bedtime!"

Mamoru smiled and nodded as he listened to Chibiusa excitedly tell the events without any order.

"Usako? Did you find your scarf yet?"

"Not yet!" Usagi shouted from his bedroom. He could practically hear the victorious smile on her face. How long did it take to find a scarf?

"Mamo-chan! Are you listening?" Chibiusa tugged on Mamoru's sweater sleeve.

"Oh, of course Chibiusa. Continue."

After another twenty minutes, Usagi returned from Mamoru's bedroom. "Found it!" She held it up. "Sorry it took so long." Mamoru rolled his yes at the fake smile plastered on her face. The two narrowed their eyes at each other, silently daring the other to say something.

"Why was your scarf in Mamo-chan's bedroom?" Oops. Their silent argument turned to shared panic. Chibiusa looked between them confused.

"What kind of cake did Makoto bake again?" Mamoru asked quickly turning to face Chibiusa with bright interest.

" So many kinds, Mamo-chan! "