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December 19th
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Mamoru picked me up at exactly two the next day. Mom had no problem letting me go out again. Not that this was a date. Was it? What am I saying? Mamo-chan and I are barely friends. Mamo-chan? Oh this is not good Usagi.

Mamoru (hah.. got it this time) once again opened the car door for me. When I got in I noticed my bags still sitting on the floor.

"You left them here yesterday," he said with a chuckle.

"Sorry, I guess I was too tired to notice."

"It's fine. You're not going to fall asleep on me again are you?"

I giggled. "No. I got plenty of sleep last night!"

"Good. The drive was boring, except for your snoring."

"I do not snore!" Do I? I think Luna would have told me. She constantly complains that I squish her and talk in my sleep (both of which I totally deny).

"I'm just kidding, Usagi." Whew. That's good. "You just mumbled a few things."

Oh no.

"Yeah. Something about how handsome and charming I am."

"I did not." Did I?

"Well, not me. I think I heard something about Tuxedo Kamen."

Oh, that's better I thought grimly. Did I just out myself and the other girls? And to Mamoru of all people?

"What about Tuxedo Kamen?"

"You just said you thought the roses were from him."

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha." Oh that was close. "Like a Tuxedo Kamen would leave ME roses." I forgot about the rose adventure last night. That reminds me… "Oh flower dragon slayer…" At that moment, Mamoru's face turned more shades of red than I've ever seen. Needless to say, the Tuxedo Kamen issue was dropped.

It didn't take us long to get to the mall. Mamoru dropped me off at the front, and then went to find a space. After what seemed like forever, he finally walked up to where I was and we went in.

My shopping didn't seem to take as long as before. I found my dad some house slippers. If I were to ever get a boyfriend, I know he'd ruin his old ones by pacing the floor.

I found a Sailor Moon pocket game for Shingo that he had been wanting. I couldn't deny my brother such a wonderful super hero, could I?

For my mom, I bought some lotion and a new apron. She was about to wear her old one out. I think she uses it every day!

I bought Motoki a new spatula. I sort of, kind of left it on the burner at his house. I was pretty sure he needed a new one.

Mamoru, through all my shopping, was very helpful. He helped me carry my bags which I greatly appreciated for I was running out of arms! He told me the colors and items a guy would like. I was clueless when it came to shopping for a guy. I was very grateful to him.

This brought my newest challenge. What was I going to get Mamoru? He had probably never had a real Christmas. I would have to give him something special.

I was about to go into a department store when Mamoru stopped me.

"Hey, Usagi. I need to go to a couple of stores. I'll come find you in there though," he said pointing to the store I was about to enter.

"Okay."

This will give me a chance to find something for you. But what… I didn't really what he'd like. It had to be something special.

Then I found something perfect. I was so excited. He'll love this.

It was a simple blue sweater. But the color caught my attention because it was as though I was staring into his eyes. I found a size I was sure would fit him and went to a cash register. I handed the lady the sweater and looked out for Mamoru.

I hope this doesn't take long! He could come any minute and...

And then, there he was, coming in the store. Heading strait for me.

'Ack! He'll see his gift and the surprise will be ruined!'

"Your receipt is in the bag, Miss."

"Huh?" I turned around to see the lady hand me a large bag. It seems she boxed the sweater as well. "Oh, thank you."

'Whew! That was close!'

"Hey, Odango," Mamoru said as I walked over to him. "Done shopping?"

I'll let that one slide.

"Not yet. One store left."

I had to get Luna something. She'd be absolutely crushed if I forgot her.

Loud noises of birds chirping and dogs barking filled the store Mamoru and I walked in.

'I love pet stores!'

I walked over and looked at the cats. I sometimes think Luna is lonely and I want to get her a friend, but I don't want to push my luck with another pet. Shingo has only so much patience with cats.

I about died when I saw a white cat with a Band-Aid on its forehead. It was in the arms of a girl about my size with almost the same color hair.

'I wonder if that cat has a crescent moon and talks, too?'

I almost laughed at the thought of two talking cats, but I thought of how annoying that would be!

"Are you going to buy something or stare into space, Usagi?"

"Oh, right!"

I walked over to the cat beds and found one Luna would love. It was so pretty with crescent moons all over it.

After I paid for the present, Mamoru and I walked out. I couldn't wait to give everyone their gifts. Especially him.

We arrived at my house and he helped me get some of my bags. This time, I didn't forget the ones from the night before.

"Mamoru, thank you for all your help. Would you like to come in?"

He hesitated for a moment.

"No thank you, Usagi. I have some things to do. I had fun though."

I bet he didn't want to see all the Christmas stuff we have. Either that, or it was the fact that my father was standing at the window. I think Daddy could scare even the Negaverse away if they were interested in dating his daughter.

"Okay, Mamoru. I'll see you soon."

"Bye, Usa."

"Bye," I said as I shut the door.

I trudged up the stairs with my many presents and went in my room. I dropped everything on the bed, which scared Luna, and looked out my window.

Mamoru was opening his car door and was about to get in until he wiped something away from his eye. A tear?

He looked up at me and waved. I smiled and waved back as he left. More than ever I wanted to make his Christmas special.

I began sorting through the bags and found the roses from the night before. They still looked perfect for being out of water for who knows how long. I would have to put all six of them in a vase.

Six. I thought I only had five.

I began trying to remember when and where I got each one.

"I only found five last night. Someone must have given me another, but who? Could it be..."