Chapter 25

As soon as they got to the Fruit Parlor, ChibiUsa ran up to the counter, and yelled for Motoki.

"MOTOKI! Can I order Usagi's milkshake quick please?" ChibiUsa yelled out.

"UH…Yeah…..Oh. Definitely. Give me two minutes, ok? Do you need something at the same time?" Motoki had glanced at Usagi then looked back to ChibiUsa.

"Nah. I can wait. Usagi needs hers now." ChibiUsa answered.

Mamoru and the girls crowded into a large table than ChibiUsa bounced over to shortly after, and shoved the milkshake at Usagi then sat down. Once they had all ordered food, everyone started chattering about this and that. Suddenly Usagi spoke up.

"ChibiUsa, why don't you write a letter to your mama about how you feel, and what you're thinking? You don't have to say you were angry, but maybe tell her you were hurt, and upset. Maybe she can write back, and try to make you feel better." Usagi suggested.

"I don't know if I'm allowed to, or how to get a letter there." ChibiUsa said.

"Maybe writing the letter, even if you can't send it, will help you get out your feelings better. Maybe it will help you understand better too."

"Maybe."

"We can ask Setsuna if it's possible to send or receive letters, and how. Maybe that will help you feel better too."

"We can ask, but I'm not sure it will work."

"Well if you can send a letter, you should. I bet she would love to hear from you. You could probably send her a picture or two too."

"I know she and papa would love pictures."

"So we'll ask Sets if you can send letters to your mama. Ok?"

"Ok. Thanks Usagi."

Usagi just smiled at ChibiUsa. Mamoru pulled Usagi close to him, and whispered in her ear.

"Good idea." He said.

"Thanks. It might help her feel better, and maybe feel more connected to them." Usage whispered.

Just then ChibiUsa squealed.

"PUU! HOTARU!" ChibiUsa squealed, and ran for the door.

The group looked up to see Setsuna, Hotaru, Haruka, and Michiru walked in. Hotaru, and ChibiUsa were hugging, giggling, and chattering quickly. The foursome settled themselves at the table, with Mamoru, and the rest of the girls.

"Hi everyone." Setsuna said.

"Hello." Michiru said with her usual smile.

"Hey there kitten. How are you today?" Haruka said in a flirty manner.

"Hi Haruka. I'm good." Usagi answered with a blush.

Mamoru chuckled, and rolled his eyes.

"Puu, can I ask you something?" ChibiUsa said hesitantly.

"Of course." Setsuna said.

"Could I…..would I be able to write a letter to mama, and send it to her?" ChibiUsa asked.

"Yes. Of course. Give the letter to Luna P. It will take the letter to your mama." Setsuna replied.

"Can I send pictures? Can mama write back?"

"Yes, and yes"

"Thank you Puu." ChibiUsa smiled.

Mamoru hoped this would help her feel better. He quickly noticed that Haruka and Michiru were very quiet, but were watching ChibiUsa very closely. He knew, and understood why.

"I have another race on Sunday. You coming Kitten?" Haruka asked Usagi.

"Sure." Usagi responded excitedly.

"Can I come too?" ChibiUsa asked hopefully.

"Unfortunately, it's not a safe place for children. Hotaru doesn't get to go either." Setsuna answered gently.

"Oh. Ok. Well can Hotaru come over to my house for a playdate while all of you are at the race?" ChibiUsa asked.

"I don't…" Haruka started, but Michiru cut her off.

"I think that would be a lovely idea. What do you think Hotaru?" Michiru said.

"I would love to!" Hotaru answered.

"She'd have to be dropped off at 8:00 in the morning." Haruka growled.

"That's ok. Wait. Usagi, do you think mama-Ikuko, and papa-Kenji would let Hotaru sleep over Saturday night? If it's ok with you guys, of course." ChibiUsa asked.

"I'm sure they would be fine with it." Usagi answered with a smile.

"Is it ok with you guys, for Hotaru to spend the night, please? That way none of you have to leave extra early Sunday to bring her over." ChibiUsa asked.

"I really don't think…" Haruka started, but Michiru interrupted her again.

"Yes. That's fine. We'll bring her over Saturday afternoon." Michiru answered.

"Oh thank you. Thank you. Thank you." ChibiUsa beamed.

Mamoru could tell Haruka wasn't happy about it, but knew she wouldn't argue with Michiru. He noticed ChibiUsa looking at the pair nervously, and wondered what was on her mind.

"Ummmm….Haruka, Michiru, can I talk to you two please? In private. Please?" ChibiUsa asked nervously.

Haruka glared, and grunted, while Michiru nodded. The pair followed ChibiUsa to a corner table, away from anyone else.

"I wonder what that's about?" Rei asked.

"I think ChibiUsa wants to apologize for how she's been acting. She knows how protective of Usagi they are. Especially Haruka. ChibiUsa told me once, that Haruka runs off more men with "moon eyes" from the queen, then even the king has." Hotaru answered.

"Wait. Haruka is more jealous than Mamoru, in the future?" Minako said with a giggle.

"ChibiUsa said she asked Haruka once, why she did that. Haruka said that the only person allowed to flirt with the queen, other than the king, was her. She has to make sure everyone knows that." Hotaru stated.

All of the girls broke at laughing, even Mamoru chuckled. Usagi blushed, and ducked her head. Mamoru put his arm on her shoulders, and pulled her close.

"You have to admit, that is sweet. In a weird way." Mamoru said with a chuckle.

"But I don't get why Haruka would feel that way, or flirt with me." Usagi said, confused.

"She doesn't get it." Minako giggled.

"Nope. And I think I'm ok with that." Mamoru stated.

"Hmph." Usagi pouted.

Eventually ChibiUsa, Haruka, and Michiru made it back to the table. ChibiUsa was smiling, as was Michiru. Haruka looked less tense, but still watchful.

For the rest of the meal everyone laughed, joked, and chatted. Setsuna told them about the prank that got played on her at work. Mamoru talked a bit about his internship. Everyone seemed to genuinely just enjoy hanging out together. After all that had happened, it was needed.

Around 5:00 the group finally left the Fruit Parlor after being there for almost three hours. Mamoru walked ChibiUsa and Usagi home. ChibiUsa was skipping along in front of them, seeming lighter, and happier than she had since she arrived. Usagi was smiling softly swinging their clasped hands as she walked beside him. She also seemed a lot happier, and relaxed. This was how it should be, he thought to himself.

When they got to Usagi's front door, ChibiUsa gave him a quick hug, and went to go in the house, when he stopped her.

"Wait a second ChibiUsa. I have something for you both." Mamoru told her, as he pulled two boxes out of his bag, and handed them to each of his girls.

The girls pulled out the picture frames he got at the zoo, with the picture of the three of them in the bunny enclosure, in it. He also got simple albums for each of the girls that contained copies of all of the pictures he took that day. ChibiUsa beamed then launched herself at him, and whispered thank you into his ear. She skipped into the house, calling to Ikuko as she shut the door.

He looked at Usagi as he stood up. She had tears in her eyes, and a smile on her face. Once he was standing completely, she crashed into him, and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"Thank you Mamo. This was so sweet." Usagi said against his chest.

"You're welcome Usako. I'm glad you like it." Mamoru said as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

He placed his finger under her chin, and turned her face up to his. He pressed his lips to hers. He didn't deepen the kiss because he knew Kenji was home, but he had to give her this kiss. He slowly pulled back after a minute or two, and smiled down at her.

"I love you Usako." Mamoru said softly.

"I love you Mamo." She said back just as softly.

He was just pulling away when the front door flew up. He saw Kenji standing there. He immediately dropped his hands from Usagi, and stepped back.

"Good. You haven't left yet." Kenji stated.

"Um..I was just about it." Mamoru said.

"Nope. Ikuko is demanding your presence at dinner since, in her words, it's been too long since that young man has had a home cooked meal. So you need to come in, and have dinner with us before my wife nags me to death." Kenji said.

"Well, when you put it that way. Thank you for the invitation." Mamoru said with a chuckle as he followed Kenji, and Usagi into the house.

Dinner with Usagi's family was very enjoyable. By the time he got home, he was calm, relaxed, and hopeful that all was right.