Really briefly I just want to give everyone a gigantic THANK YOU! for all the wonderful reviews. Oh, and Ala Verity, just so you know, I have no problem with spamming. Especially your kind of spamming. What's wrong with spam? (Holds up can of spam and hugs it) I love spam!

But anyway, the reviews are very, very much appreciated you guys. Thanks.

10. New Year's Resolution

"Mamoru-ba—"

Usagi caught herself just in time. She had been about to start wailing one of her usual insults, but then she had remembered. She had made herself a promise, and she would keep it.

At least for the time being.

Mamoru watched in curiosity as several expressions passed over the young girl's face. First anger, then shock, finally resignement. What was with the Odango today?

"Mamoru-san," Usagi stated plainly, bowing, dropping her original insult, and substituting it for a small nod. Then she quickly redirected her attention as she turned on her heel to follow her four friends. But Mamoru caught her upper arm, and Usagi inhaled sharply at the sensation that shot through her at his strong grip. In the next moment, however, she was able to stable herself, and she bravely faced her dark-haired nemesis.

"Nani?" she asked, looking him directly in the eye. All those youma battles had taught her how to face others with confidence even when she didn't feel like it, with some added encouragement from Tuxedo Kamen.

Mamoru was slightly taken aback by her look; it was sharp and penetrating, something he would never have expected of the Odango. Just months ago she would have avoided his eyes and run off crying, but now something was different. Something had changed her, given her courage and solemnity. It irked him that he didn't know from where that source of courage had come.

"Hai?" Usagi said again, sighing. "Mamoru-san?"

"Did—did you really just call me 'Mamoru-san'? You're…you're not going to insult me or anything?" He raised his eyebrows and his face broke into a grin. Surely she would respond now.

"Not today. I have better uses of my time." Mamoru's smirk faltered slightly.

"Well, Odango, we are rather serious today. Why aren't you bugging me like usual?" Usagi looked up again, realizing she wouldn't be able to leave the Arcade until she explained. She sighed.

"It's January," she said.

"January…?" Mamoru was lost.

"Yes, January," Usagi said with emphasis, "the time for New Year's Resolutions. Well, I made one that I…that I wouldn't say anything mean to anyone for a whole month. And at first I thought it would be easy because I would just avoid Shingo, but then…then I remembered you. So congrats, Mamoru-san, you now have a whole month in which to torment me." She turned, pulling her arm from his grasp, and leaving Mamoru watching in astonishment.

Outside, Usagi shook herself mentally. She realized this was going to be harder than she had thought. He had a way of rattling her senses that no one else did. But she refused to admit to herself the truth that she wasn't shaken half so much by her fury as by the warm spot on her skin where goose bumps had shot up her upper arm.