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December 22nd – 23rd
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I didn't leave my house for the next two days. I was too scared. I knew if I went out, I would run into Mamoru. I couldn't face him after how I acted.
The 22nd I stayed in my room, staring at the seven red roses and the one white in the vase on my dresser. At one point Mom checked on me and asked if I wanted to help her in the kitchen. She must really be worried if she's asking me to join her. The last time I did I burned the water. Oh yeah… you read that right. It is actually possible. Trust me, I know.
I declined her invitation. She knocked on my door again a couple of hours later and said she was heading out to go shopping. She didn't ask if I wanted to go along and I didn't bring it up. Even if I did want to go, it was tradition for Mom and Dad to meet and have a nice dinner together before Christmas.
I left my room around six in the afternoon to get something to eat. That could be a record for me; I hadn't eaten since the night before. The thought of dinner made me quiver and I slammed the refrigerator shut.
Before I could start reliving that nightmare, I heard the doorbell ring. I looked out the window to see who it was.
No one was outside.
I opened the door and found a package with only my name on it. When I opened it I found only one thing inside.
A red rose.
Rose number nine.
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The 23rd I pulled myself out of my funk. Anyone who has met me knows I can't be upset about something for long. I realized that whether or not the roses were from Mamoru, my seclusion would not help me figure it out. I also realized that even if he had no feelings for me, at least he was trying to get along. I would just have to live with being his friend.
I decided that today would be a good time to wrap presents. I wasn't planning on going anywhere so what else would I do?
I wrapped Mamoru's present last. As I did I remembered what he confessed to me about his parents the night we ate together at the mall. I had promised myself I would try to give him a great Christmas, but I had failed.
I went to bed early that night. No mysterious roses had appeared…
Not until around midnight.
……
I awoke to the sound of rustling fabric and the scent of roses in the air.
Then I saw him. My dream hunk, Tuxedo Kamen, was at my window. I thought I was dreaming. He smiled at me, then without a word he scooped me into his arms and flew out into the night. (Hey, it felt like flying to me! I was in Heaven!)
I should have been frightened of this man who took me from my home in the middle of the night. Luna told us he could be working with enemy because he too was after the ginzuishou.
But for some strange reason, I wasn't scared. I felt he wouldn't hurt us… me. I felt… safe.
I snuggled into his warm chest as he carried me. From what I could see, we were going to the park.
He stopped somewhere near the water. Not that I could see it, I could only hear it crashing against the rocks. I shivered as a chilly wind passed over me. He set me down on a bench and wrapped his cape around me. It was warm.
"Thank you," I said finally able to speak. He sat next to me on the bench and smiled. If only I could see past the mask.
"For what, Usagi?"
"For getting me out of the house. For bringing me to this beautiful place. For... for saving my life."
"Saving your life?" Oops. This better be a dream.
"You have protected Sailor Moon many times." If this isn't a dream, Luna is going to kill me! "Without you, I'd probably be dead."
We sat in silence listening to the crashing waves upon the rocks.
Being here with Tuxedo Kamen was a wonderful dream come true. Yet all I wanted was to share this moment with Mamoru.
"Who are you, Tuxedo Kamen?" I asked, hoping he'd finally remove the mask.
No such luck.
"That will be revealed to you soon, Champion of Love and Justice. But until that time..."
He pulled out a red rose, just as beautiful as the others.
"Are you the one that left them?"
"Soon, Usagi. You'll know everything soon. I promise."
"Can I see you again?" I asked as he picked me up again and left the waterfront.
"How about tomorrow? Right here. At one o'clock"
"Okay," I murmured and drifted off to sleep in his arms.
……
I awoke later in my room. The windows were closed tight and it was still dark out. Luna was curled up fast asleep at the foot of the bed and looked as though she'd not been disturbed.
'It was only a dream,' I thought sadly and pulled my covers up to me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something lying on the pillow.
Rose number ten.
