1/4/02

Christmas Tree

AN: Usagi/Rei shoujo ai.

Reaching over and turning off her alarm, purple eyes opened as the Shinto Maiden brushed back silky black hair from her face and rose tiredly from her bed. Making her way into her bathroom groggily, she splashed water onto her face to fully wake herself up.

Going back into her room, she started to run her brush through her hair, idly checking the date on the calendar. Finished with her hair, she wrapped it up into a braid and got up to read the words written on the 16th of December.

Written boldly in Usagi's handwriting with a dark blue pen was: Christmas tree shopping!!

Smiling to herself, Rei brushed back a stray bang as a warm glow suffused her. Remembering Usagi's pleading face as she begged her friend to go with her. Rei hadn't been wont to disappoint, and so Usagi had been able to convince her to spend the whole afternoon searching for Christmas trees and some-such.

Personally, Rei was overjoyed that the Moon Bunny had asked her to go and not the others; inside, she knew that that was silly of her, but still it was true.

Sighing, Rei shook her head and laughed softly to herself. You idiot, she reminded herself, she has Mamoru. She's happy. You could never compare. Don't get your hopes up! You're only her friend she's inviting along!

Shaking her head, she headed to her closet to see if she could find anything to wear.

*

Running up the steps of the Hikawa Shrine and Temple, Usagi worriedly thought, Oy, I hope Rei isn't mad at me for being late! It's not my fault that Mom wanted me to take out the trash before I went! She knows that Rei's shrine is so far away!

Coming upon the temple itself, Usagi paused for a second to catch her breath and fix her clothes. Bowing to the temple shrine, she slipped off her shoes and opened the sliding door, entering into the waiting room. Heading off to the hallway that led to Rei's room, she clasped her hands in front of her and thought, I hope Rei doesn't mind that we go shopping with my parents and the baka Shingo. Her thoughts were interrupted when the door to Rei's room right in front of her suddenly slid open. Coming face to face with her friend, Usagi smiled broadly and waved, "Hi!"

"I though you weren't coming," Rei teased, leading her friend into her room, "What took you so long?"

"Well…" Usagi started, taking a seat on Rei's bed and noticing her outfit and braid, "Mom wouldn't let me go without taking the trash out, and then Luna asked me where I was going and I told her that I was going Christmas tree shopping with you. Then she asked why I was doing that and not my homework!"

Looking around Rei's room, she looked up and smiled at her friend after 'arghing' and asked, "Ready to go?

*

"Uhm, Rei?"

"Yes?" Rei asked, turning to look at her friend as they walked down the many temple steps. Brushing a loose strand of hair that wouldn't stay in her braid away, she smiled encouragingly, "What is it?"

"Well…" Usagi started, twiddling a random strand of hair, "I was wondering if you didn't, uhm, that is… If you would mind to go Christmas tree shopping with my family. I know I said we would go alone, but there's a change of plans, and I really want you to come!"

Rei blinked at Usagi's outburst, but smiled anyway, "Fine by me. I'd love to."

"You would!?"

"Hai, yes." Rei nodded, and then suddenly engulfed in a hug by the happy blonde.

"Oh, thank you, Rei-chan! I was afraid you wouldn't."

Rei arched her neck to the side and looked at her friend, slowly hugging her back. "Why wouldn't I?" she asked, confused.

Usagi paused, drew back, sweatdropped, and put a hand behind her head, "I don't really know why you wouldn't… actually… Heh heheh heh…?"

Rei shook her head, smiling beside herself. Slapping Usagi's shoulder affectionately, she said, "Oh you!" and laughed at the expression she got in return.

*

"Mom! I'm home!" Usagi called as she led Rei into her house, smiling at her friend. Walking upstairs to her bedroom, she plopped down onto her bed and motioned Rei to join her.

She did, and Usagi couldn't help but notice how exotic and beautiful she looked with her hair up. But she did kind of miss Rei's hair being unbridled and free. She grimaced inwardly. Listen to myself, she thought. I sound like a cheesy romance book! Unbridled, and free, she snorted, puh-lease! Still… A small voice in the back of her head murmured, it IS true.

"So, you ready?" Usagi's mother suddenly poked her head into the room and smiled at Rei who returned it, and then said again, "Do you want to eat before we go?"

Usagi's eyes lit up, and she straightened. "Do you even have to ask? I'm there!"

Hearing Rei chuckle behind her, she rounded onto her and mock growled, "Don't you even start! I know for a fact you're hungry too!"

"Oh?" Rei's eyebrow rose, and she crossed her arms, grinning at Usagi, "And how's that?"

"Hmm…? Is it because your stomach growled on the way over here?"

"Hey!" Rei protested, blushing slightly, "That was only because I didn't have breakfast!"

"Ahah! So now you admit that you're hungry!?" Usagi said proudly, grinning triumphantly at her friend.