I don't own anything to do with Sailormoon, but you knew that already, you clever people!

A Name on a Stone

by Jessyca Thornbrook

Chapter 1: A Shot In The Dark

Tsukino Usagi bounced into the Crown Arcade one Saturday morning, glowing like a firefly and flinging smiles in every direction. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Motoki-san!" she sang out. "A chocolate sundae, please!" She danced over to the counter and flopped down contentedly.

At the other end of the counter, Chiba Mamoru perched on his stool like a gargoyle on a cathedral, glowering down on the world in general. His gaze sharpened and fixed on the blond girl humming happily to herself as she rummaged through her shopping bags. His scowl intensified.

Motoki returned with Usagi's sundae. "Hitting the hard stuff a little early today, aren't you?" he teased as she attacked the ice cream gleefully.

"No way!" she delcared between bites. "It's never too early for ice cream! Besides, I've been so busy this morning, I need ice cream to keep me going!"

"Oh? What have you been up to?"

"Shopping!" she replied, as if the word was somehow innately satisfying to say. "I found the perfect present for my mom."

"Let me guess," a sarcastic voice broke in, "it's an apology present for failing another exam. It must've been pretty bad to drag you out of bed before noon."

Usagi stiffened, and her eyes narrowed to slits. "No," she said icily, "it's a Mother's Day present, for your information." Mamoru said nothing, returning his attention to the textbook in front of him. Usagi's expression grew even more offended when he ignored her. Motoki jumped in, anxious to head off yet another argument.

"So what did you get her?" he inquired.

Usagi's face brightened immediately. "Let's see, I got her some chocolate," she fished a large box out of one bag.

"Say it with fattening food. How thoughtful," mumbled Mamoru. Usagi's head whipped around in his direction.

"Not that it's any of your business, but these happen to be her favorite chocolates in the world, and they're expensive, too!" she snapped. "What did you get your mom, Mr. Perfect? Tofu and alfalfa sprouts?" Once again Mamoru turned back to his book without a word.

"So, Usagi-chan, what else--" Motoki tried to ask.

"What, did you forget that tomorrow's Mother's Day?" she continued, oblivious to Motoki's desperate attempt to divert her attention. "That's it, isn't it?" she giggled. "You forgot! Mr. Know-it-all forgo-ot!" she teased in a sing-song voice.

Mamoru suddenly slammed his book shut and turned on her with fury in every feature. "I wish I could!" he snarled. Then he got up, nearly knocking over his stool, and stalked out of the arcade.

Usagi sat stunned and trembling, her eyes wide, until Motoki touched her elbow. "Are you okay?"

"Wha--what did I do?" she stammered in a small voice. "I was just joking..." she trailed off, her big eyes filling with tears.

Motoki did his best to reassure her. "It's not your fault. He's had a rough week, school and stuff, and he--he just doesn't go in for holidays like this."

"Why not? Doesn't he like his mom?" she asked, voice still wavering. Motoki hesitated, looking uncomfortable. A new thought suddenly occured to Usagi, and her eyes grew even rounder. "Doesn't he...have a mom?"

-------------------------------

Okay, so that's chapter one. Chapter two, coming right up!