Hello Mina, Sorry this took so long in coming but I had to have it just right. I hope you all enjoy. Belated Merry Christmas! Please let me know what you think? Rand R and feel free to email me also : Oh yes and once again I do not own or hold any copyrights to Sailor Moon. This is just my imagination so don't sue me as I am poor.

Chapter 4 Christmas Past, Christmas Present

Usagi never heard a sound as Mamoru approached. He sat quietly beside her on the bench. Laying his hand on her head he stroked her hair. "I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you." The feel of his hand shocked her. When he spoke she froze unable even to breathe. He continued stroking her hair. "I thought you knew all this time." "You have a good friend in Motoki, he set me straight."

He held the gift in his other hand. "Well I guess I should open it." She lifted her head and looked up remaining silent. He gingerly tore the gift open. He grinned when he saw the scarf. "Just what I wanted and needed." He held up a hand. "I am being serious, please do not hurt me." As he wrapped the scarf around his neck and adjusted it, she stood and turned around sitting next to him unsure of what to say. Her heart trembled in confusion waiting to see if this could be real. "I guess I should explain." He took a deep breath to calm himself and gather his thoughts.

"I still have this nightmare regularly at this time of year." "I must have been three or maybe four years old." "I was in the backseat and my parents were up front." "I remember being so excited that we were heading to my grandparent's on Christmas Eve." "I knew Santa was bringing me a new bike." "I could hardly sit still so I was looking out the window." "It was dark and very snowy and my parent's were talking quietly in the front seat." Mamoru took a deep breath before continuing.

"Suddenly the light was really bright in the car, I heard metal tearing and the sound of tires squealing. Then I was weightless; falling. I remember my Mother screaming in terror. It scared me more than the falling sensation. After that all I can remember is wandering around in the dark crying for help."Suddenly thelady she had seen popped into her head. "Please save my son from the darkness," echoed through Usagi's thoughts. "No way could that have been his mother," Usagi quickly figured out how to find the answer

"I was sent to an orphanage because my parent's were dead and my grandparent's were to old to take on a young boy." A tear slid down his cheek unchecked. Usagi absentmindedly reached up and wiped the tear away with a gentle smile. "My Grandparent's both died the following year, months apart." "I lived at the orphanage until I turned 18 and since then I have started College." Mamoru laughed shakily, "You know I have never told anyone that story." Usagi remained silent just waiting patiently for him to continue. She knew how hard it must be for him to relive such painful memories.

"It feels kind of refreshing to actually be sharing this with someone else." Mamoru smiled. Usagi stood up, "Will you trust me for just a few minutes? I have something actually somewhere I want to take you." He looked at her oddly but decided to go along. Standing up he offered her his arm and they headed out of the park. She changed the subject for now just chatting about nonsensical stuff.

They wandered up a few blocks and over, their heads bent together just chatting. Finally they approached the entrance to the Cemetery and Mamoru gave her a quizzical look. "Why are we approaching the Cemetery?" "Just trust me, Okay?" She gave him a gentle smile and tugged on his hand. He thought for a moment and then nodded. She led the way through the headstones, meandering this way and that.

Finally she saw the now familiar headstone she was looking for. As they approached together, once again nature held it's breath. The silence was eerily comforting as though nature itself was listening to this conversation. Mamoru suddenly stopped with a very odd look on his face. His head buzzed with a funny dizzying sound. Memories flashed through his mind. Standing under an umbrella holding a hand of someone he did not know.

A funny looking man in black speaking of a funny place called heaven. A place where his parents went without him. Where they would be happy. He had always wondered how they would be happy without him there. Slowly coming back to the here and now, he reached up to his face and felt wetness. He had not even realized he was crying, did not know when he began. Looking around all the pictures were gone, it was just Usagi and him alone. He let out a shaky breath, "I have been here before, once long ago." He had never in all the years come here until now. Walking closer he traced the letter C.

"How did you know?" Usagi looked at him serenely and spoke. "I did not know until today." She sat gently off to the side of the Headstone where she had rested the night before. Patting the ground next to her she signaled him to come sit. He walked over and joined her. "What are we waiting for?" he whispered near her ear. His breath tickled her ear. She gave him a mysterious sidelong glance and mouthed, "You'll see."

Shortly it came, but it was different this time. Usagi knew immediately. A beautiful haunting tune carried on the breeze was their first sign. Right before Mamoru's eyes a pink glow began to materialize. He sat shocked holding his breath. As the glow brightened he could see a shape taking form. All of the lights coalesced into a person. He knew who it was immediately. "Mom?", he couldn't speak past the lump in his throat.

The apparition was smiling this time the sense of sadness nonexistent. Usagi and Mamoru both scrambled up into standing positions. The apparition glided closer and stopped right in front of both of them. The Lady raised her hand and gently laid her palm on Mamoru's cheek. He felt a warm tingling sensation at her touch. Pulling her hand back she looked at Usagi. She raised her arms and engulfed Usagi in a warm tingling embrace. "Thank you my child." "I knew you were the one."

She pulled back and gently placed a kiss on Usagi's forhead. Looking once more at Mamoru she spoke again. "Mamo-chan, you have grown to be so handsome. Never forget how much we love you." She leaned forward and kissed her son goodbye. "Take excellent care of him Usagi." Usagi's mouth fell open as she wondered how Mamoru's Mother knew her name. The Lady backed away from both Usagi and Mamoru and with a final wave she began to disapate.

After the final glow was gone nature let out it's breath with a sigh. The very last impression they had was a haunting voice on the wind. "A present for you both." The eerie feeling was replaced with a silent peacefulness. Usagi and Mamoru both stood still in shock looking at where Mamoru's mother had stood. Finally their awareness was brought back by a snowflake landing on Usagi's nose. They both looked around in surprise.

It was snowing! Fat gentle flakes were drifting to earth and clinging to everything. Mamoru smiled at Usagi. He understood his mother's last comment now. He stepped close to Usagi and embraced her in a tight hug. His voice thick with emotion, he choked out, "I dont know how to say thank you but this might begin to cover it, do you mind if I kiss you now?" Usagi only nodded, her mind still wrapping around everything that had just happened. Mamoru leaned forward and gently kissed her lips.

The End

I hope you all enjoyed this! It gave me great joy in writing it for the christmas holiday. Please review or email me and let me know what you think!