Thanks again for all of your support! I can't believe it's hasn't even been two weeks since I started my first drabble, and you guys are great! Thanks especially to the readers who frequent my page—you make my day! Anyway, I actually almost like this one, so I hope you do, too!

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100 Themed Drabbles

Ala Verity

12. Present (Word Count: 410)

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"Wh-aaat?! Mamoru-baka got me a present?!"

"I can always withhold it, if you like," Mamoru muttered grudgingly from beside her, handing her a small be-ribboned box. "Here, knock yourself out."

Usagi shot him a pointed glare as she snatched the box from his hand and pulled at the ribbon, retorting irritably, "I'll knock you out if it turns out to be another can of spaghetti. That was so not funny!"

Titters heard around the circle indicated otherwise. Usagi ignored them, along with Makoto's loud whisper of "It's probably marinara sauce this time!"

The renewed giggles were abruptly cut off, however, by the odd choking noise that Usagi made when she pulled the lid off the box.

Followed by a blank stare. Then…

"What is it?"

Everyone leaned forward in anticipation as she pulled a miniature alarm clock out of the box, along with a slip of paper. Written on it was a single, neatly handwritten word:

"Time." Minako looked over incredulously at Mamoru. "You got her time?"

Mamoru leaned back in his seat, seemingly unperturbed by the looks he was receiving. "That's right."

Usagi looked around uncomprehendingly. "Can he even DO that?"

Makoto, who was holding the clock up to the light for examination, exclaimed, "Yo, Mamoru! What kind of a cheap-ass are you? This clock doesn't even work!" She pointed angrily to the hands, which were doomed forever to remain sacred guardians of 6:30.

Even Motoki looked a bit grim. He leaned over and said to Mamoru, shaking his head slightly, "Sorry, man, but you've taken it a little too far. I don't think time is a suitable birthday present."

At his words, Mamoru seemed, if anything, to brighten. He snapped his fingers as if in realization, sitting up straighter. "You know, you're right."

"I am?"

He looked straight at Usagi. "Completely, damn right."

It was Usagi's turn to ask the puzzled question. "He is?"

Mamoru shrugged, standing up abruptly and jamming his hands into his pockets. "I was right, then, at least." He raised a finger to point at the clock in the corner of the arcade, and Usagi looked up. It read exactly 6:30 p.m.

"If the present can't be Time, then there's obviously no time like the present!" he finished cheerfully.

And without another word, he walked up to Usagi and kissed her.

There might not be any other time like the present, but there was definitely no present like a well-deserved kiss from Chiba Mamoru.

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You got that right. Damn straight there's nothing like a kiss from Chiba Mamoru. (Hear, hear!) I hope you all got what happened there…

Anyway, get ready for the third installment of the triad—"Future!" I haven't got anyone to scan through my stories beforehand anymore, but I hope this new system still works!

Ala Verity