Happy Turkey Day to all! I hope everyone had lots to be thankful for and lots to eat! I'm so thankful for all of the reviews and praises I have received so far on this story, er...my collection of drabbles. They have been so much fun to write! Thank you to Alianora Serein (stay on that sugar high), KiwiKol (i will keep writing for your enjoyment, hehe!), Alicia Blade (YOU are the amazing writer, girl!), kireisnowtenshi (thank you s0 much & i'm glad you enjoyed the bday drabbles), il0verice (thank you!), Snow Mouse (dang, i hope to make your fave stories list, haha!), My One Hope (thank you x 437752 and good luck with your drabbles), and elianthos (of course I love your writing, why else would i read it?) for all of your reviews and encouragement.

If you are interested in writing your own drabbles, joining other writing challenges, or want to meet many great Sailor Moon fans & authors, check out the UsakoMamoru community on Livejournal. Love, Kyoshi.

The Hots and Colds of Autumn
#76 Family, 1053 words

Usagi slept peacefully in her bed surrounded by a light amount of moisture until she found herself drowning in an even larger pool of water. She screamed as she jumped out of her now-soaked bunny sheets.

"Shingo! What do you think you're doing!" screeched Usagi. Several birds flew out of the tree outside her room window.

Usagi's younger brother laughed heartily, holding his sides with one hand while the other held an empty glass. "Mom…said…I could…you…sleep too…much," he breathed between cackles. His cheeks began to flush red hot with his growing amusement.

"SHINGO!" Usagi bellowed before lurching forward, claws bared.

Shingo let out a surprised yelp and scrambled out of his sister's room. Sighing, Usagi turned to her soaked sheets; she decided to change them after dinner. Usagi changed into dry clothes and stopped at her vanity mirror to brush out any tangles in her hair. A dark-clothed figure outside caught her attention.

"It's Mamoru-baka," she said aloud to no one. Usagi's eyes followed his tall figure as he passed her house, walking alone and rather slowly. He wore a long black trench coat over his clothes and looked more solemn than usual. "I wonder where he's going."

Usagi sprinted around the room, grabbing her purse and a jacket for the cool autumn weather. Her legs bounded downstairs, loud stomps echoing throughout the Tsukino household.

"Usagi? It's time for dinner!" called Mama Ikuko as she placed the last dish on the dinner table. Her husband and Shingo were already seated and ready to eat.

Usagi kissed her mother on the cheek while grabbing a warm roll from the basket. "I'm really sorry, but I have to go somewhere really quick. Go ahead and start eating without me!" she said, running out of the house.

Her family only stared after her.

"I wonder where he's going," Usagi continued to ponder as she followed the mysterious man several feet in front of her. A cool wind blew through her hair, and she tightened her jacket around her body. "I should have brought a thicker one."

She continued to follow Mamoru through the streets of Juuban, not knowing where they were headed. Usagi contemplated how mysterious he always acted; she wondered even if Motoki knew the real man inside. Finally, Mamoru turned into the local cemetery, sending chills down Usagi's spine.

"Great!" she muttered, debating on whether she wanted to continue following him. "I know the guy is all serious all the time, but being some weird occultist is too out there even for Baka!"

Usagi sucked in a breath and darted after Mamoru. She ran past stone angels, dreary memorials, and dried flowers strewn across hundreds of gravestones. Suddenly, Mamoru's distinct figure came into view, bent over a modest stone marker. He laid two red roses over the stone. Usagi never noticed them in his hands before, but she also never noticed the single tear escaping Mamoru's eye until the watery crystal sparkled under the sun before he batted it away. Realizing she must have been intruding on a private moment, Usagi turned to leave and give Mamoru some time alone when several leaves crunched under her foot.

"Usagi?" called a soft voice.

Turning slowly, Usagi felt guilty under the weight of Mamoru's sapphire eyes. "Gomen nasai," she replied bowing her head, unable to keep eye contact. Usagi looked up when she heard Mamoru turn his back to her.

"It was a really bad accident," he said.

Usagi's lips parted, confused as to her next move. Did he want her to stay? She took a step forward, prompted by the sadness behind his voice. Her heart broke at the thought of Mamoru's unspoken hurt that burdened him for however long, and Usagi continued taking steps until she stood beside Mamoru's towering body.

"I don't remember what happened exactly," continued Mamoru quietly. "I was only five. I just remember that one day I didn't have a family anymore."

Tears welled up in Usagi's eyes. Usagi reached over, taking Mamoru's hand in hers. It was surprisingly warm, and suddenly, Usagi realized how cold she had become. Mamoru smiled at the smaller woman next to him and took off his coat. He draped it over Usagi's shoulders, running his hands over her arms to give her more warmth.

Usagi swallowed to keep her tears from falling as her eyes gazed at the gravestone: Chiba. She tried to give him a smile in thanks for his coat, but Usagi's eyes lingered on the roses. A sharp gasp exited her lips; she could recognize those flowers anywhere.

"Are you okay?" Mamoru asked, noticing Usagi's body tensing under his touch.

Usagi quickly turned to face Mamoru with a smile. She nodded silently and started to pull Mamoru away from the gravesite. "It doesn't suit you to be so sad, Mamoru-baka," she replied with a grin.

Mamoru returned gesture with a chuckle and a grin of his own. "I was about to say the same thing about you. Let's get out of here."

The pair exited the cemetery, still holding hands, but neither of them minded very much. They walked at a leisurely pace, never breaking the newfound peace with words. Turning on Cherry Hill Street, Usagi abruptly remembered her family eating dinner.

"I have to go, Mamoru!" she said, taking off in a sprint. Halfway to her house, she turned around, realizing she was still wearing Mamoru's coat.

"Give it to me later!" he called with a wave. Mamoru turned back and decided to head to Crown Arcade. He craved a hot cup of coffee.

Usagi stopped at the door to her home. She could smell the aroma of Mama Ikuko's latest dinner, the dinner she abruptly dashed out of, but she could also smell the distinct scent of roses and autumn. It reminded her of Mamoru. Entering her warm house, Usagi tossed Mamoru's coat aside. She knew she would return it later, but for now, she resolved to some good home cooking.

The Tsukino family looked up from their almost emptied plates to stare at Usagi. The blonde daughter made her way around the table, showering kisses and hugs on Ikuko, Kenji, and even Shingo. Then she took her usual seat and piled a mountain of food on her plate.

"Ashiteru!" she cheered before shoveling a fork-full in her mouth.