AN: Hello again! I've got another one shot for you all. Thank you to all the reviews from everyone. They've been really encouraging and I love jumping in head first all over again! But special thanks in particular to Moon Bunny my beta and to a close friend of mine who gave me the encouragement to write the first chapter of this in the first place. Thank you Mana. My Australian Jupiter. Please read and review! P.S I know this one isn't completely Mamoru or MamoUsa focused but I felt I had to challenge myself a little!

Garden Escape

Makoto Kino wasn't sure why she felt so down lately. In the last few weeks she had volunteered at a fairly large garden centre near her home. She had come here a lot when she first moved into town before she became friends with Usagi and the girls. Before she became Sailor Jupiter. Before things changed. It was strange. At first they had all considered that a huge change. They had super powers for crying out loud! But now that they'd dealt with three different planet destroying threats the girls saw their powers as almost normal and she hardly came here anymore. Makoto herself thought she was beginning to lose touch with the mundane because of all that happened. She wanted to do something to thank the people who worked here. After all she understood better than a lot of people the work required for good quality gardening so she volunteered in the downtime now that the Death Busters were gone as a personal sign of thanks.

She walked in that afternoon surprised it was this quiet. There were usually more people here. She put on her uniform as she continued to think. There had technically been four if you counted that plant guy Fiore who knew Mamoru but she didn't think he was that threatening…despite what had happened.

Having put herself on guard Makoto looked around with her attuned senses and shook her head slowly. There wasn't anything dark in this place. It was just distractingly quiet. What she wouldn't give for Usagi's noise and light as she read her manga or had some of her cakes. Or for Minako to come bursting in talking about some dress that cost more than Makoto's food budget for a month or some dreamy guy who probably had less brains than Yuichiro on his worst day!

Just thinking about those two made it hard not to laugh. She tried hard to focus on the flowers around her and smiled. She was surrounded by magnolias. Beautiful ones at that. "The flower of nature. Well I do have a green thumb." She laughed softly to herself as she began to explore. Nearby was a grouping of edelweiss and peonies. "Just what was that supposed to be again?" She said out loud, not expecting anyone to answer.

"Hey Mako-chan!" Called out a certain excited bubbly blonde and her somewhat bemused but content male companion and small pink-haired cutie. Makoto came over grinning as Mamoru was trying to get Usagi to be just a little quieter.

It was obvious he wasn't doing a good job from the famous Usagi 'cute cry' that was currently being prepared and weaponised against him. Just as he was about to concede his stupidity Makoto appeared to save him with a bento of strawberry parfait for all four of them.

"Don't worry Usagi. We don't mind it here. We like noise here. Noise means happy customers! Since I'm technically on break take these!" She smiled and gave one to each of the guests. Mamoru gave her an apologetic but thankful smile as the two Usagis got distracted by both the food and the pretty flowers.

Mamoru smiled when he saw the flowers surrounding them. "These really are beautiful. You've made quite a difference to the place." He told her as he began to relax. It was rare to completely and totally relax like this unless he was with Usagi or one of the other girls. So he always tried to be open around them.

Makoto's face showed a strange form of polite confusion. "How did you know that? I've only been working here a few weeks." She pointed out before he shook his head. "I know. I come here a few times a week myself. Usually after studying. I saw you in your uniform working with some peonies one day but I had to run so I couldn't say hi. I just remembered thinking the flower of bravery suited you."

As Mamoru said this Usagi nodded with a broad innocent Usagi smile. "He's right Mako. You've always been the brave one. The first to want to rush into trouble." She pointed out and took her hand.

It was definitely hard to know how to react to that. It was nice of Mamoru to say something like that…and for once he did seem fully relaxed. But she didn't feel brave all the time. Quite often she was saying that to get rid of her frustration. But it meant a lot to her. "Thank you. Both of you." She smiled as Usagi ran back to the flowers. "While those two are distracted lets find something for them both." She grinned, watching the two Usagis stuff their faces next to a large display of red and white roses.

Mamoru agreed and the two began to plan all sorts of possible choices. Red poppies? Usagi was fun loving for sure…but she was more than that. Pansies? Maybe. They were both caring and thoughtful. Sneakily they bought some and put a handful into a bouquet for them both. As they are doing this the girls were both chattering away to a small girl. It looked like they were busy entertaining her while her mother had a rest at a small bench. What would be the next flower for them both? Maybe some lilies of the valley? They were both incredibly sweet and caring after all. Lastly though: Yellow imperial chrysanthemums, red love roses and forget-me-nots for true love. They'd do perfectly.

Makoto and Mamoru smiled at each other kindly and came over to the girls. Mamoru noticed the small girl was now walking home with her mother and handed his two angels their bouquets.

"Hey there you two have you been having fun? I certainly hope so." He smiled gently, watching as their heads nodded excitedly.

"Of course Mamo-chan! How could we not? It's so pretty here! You've worked your magic here too Mako-chan. Hopefully they'll let you work with other flowers soon. Wait. Mamo? Are these bouquet for us? They look beautiful!" Usako gushed as she held the flowers. Chibi-Usa squealed and began to beg for her bouguet. "Wait? Usagi's is bigger? No fair. I wanted the bigger one." She pouted cutely.

Makoto was quite obviously blushing but trying to hide it behind her hand. Chibi-Usa smiled and took her hand. "Don't worry Auntie Mako. Come home with us! We can play together or have dinner together!" The others smiled and nodded as they left the garden centre together. It was moments like this that made Mako realise she was part of her family and just how accepting Usagi and Mamoru were. Before long the moon shone high in the sky as the sky exploded with colour and stars.

AN: There you are! I hope you liked it. Please do leave a review with your thoughts and opinions. There will hopefully be one more soon. I repeat my thanks to both Mana and my beta Moon Bunny. For those who don't know the chosen flowers and their meanings come from the Japanese language of flowers known as Hanakotoba.