22. - - Christmas

White Christmas.

At last

After two years of no snow, Usagi's wish finally came true. When she woke up in the morning, stretched out a few times and threw Luna off her bed, with a yawn she turned her head to the window - only to be blinded by pure whiteness.

With a squeak of happiness she jumped out of bed, completely ignoring the fact that the temperature of her room was much lower than her bed and pressed her face to the cold glass window.

"Snow!" She screamed in joy, happiness drawn on her face and shining in her eyes. Luna at first thought seriously to give her some wordings about proper conduct, but watching her protege so blissfully happy she changed her mind and nodded her head with a smile.

"Oh Luna!" Usagi sighed, turning to face the cat. "This... is.. This must mean all my wishes will come true!"

Luna raised one eyebrow and lazily jumped back on the bed. "Other wishes?"

"Well, you know. A new coat, big allowance - ski trip with the family.. You know. I told you all about it."

"Yes, and they are all so perfectly simple because you get them fulfilled every year." Luna answered, and Usagi fights a frown.

"Well, you know what Luna, at least that means I can trust Christmas to give me the things I love and enjoy..." She trailed off, her thoughts wandering off and her eyes turning glassy. 'I wish for this Christmas that he makes my wish come true..'

"Usagi?"

"Ah, don't worry. Never mind. Now, I need to get going, Rei first, and.. Oh, I need to go by Motoki's place too - I have presents for him and his sister. And I have yet to pick up Shingo's too.."

"That's a lot of things to be done. Don't you think you should go, like now?"

"Why, it's only..." Usagi turned to the clock on her night stand which told her in large red digits that is was almost noon. "Oh my God! I can't believe it. I'm latee...!"

And a mini tornado called Usagi soon ran amongst the streets of Tokyo so she could manage to complete all the tasks set out for this day to be done. And time flew by quickly - in pleasant company of her friends, and in gift exchanging. She stayed with the girls too long, but that couldn't be helped. Pleasure is pleasure.

Now she was finally sitting in one of the booths in the arcade, talking to Naru who only stopped by to give her a present and of course, to pick up her own. With a short goodbye and good wishes they parted and Usagi sat down again with a tired sigh, throwing her head back and closing her eyes.

"Tired?" Asked a deep, velvet voice she knew all too well. But she was in a very good mood right now, albeit tired, but too happy to play games with him now.

"Yes, I've been running around all day so I could share the Christmas joy, and give presents, and the snow that made me happy in the morning now won't stop falling..."

Mamoru gave a short laugh and sat down across of her. "Well, at least one of us had a nice day."

Usagi frowned at that, feeling a bit of worry sneak in. "Something bad happened?"

"No, I just had to work. That's all." Mamoru said shaking off the snow from his shoulders, but not moving his eyes from her. "I'm a bit tired myself."

"Geez, working on Christmas. Terrible. Not quite the best thing to do, no? Well, this..." She trailed off here, turning around and played with her bag before pulling out a small red present. "May brighten your day."

Mamoru blinked once, and then stared at her. "A gift? For me?"

Red blush that appeared on her cheeks moment before, now only deepened. She nodded shyly. "Yes. Look, I know we aren't exactly friends, but I had a feeling I have to give you something.." She tried to explain, staring at the table.

"Usagi, thank you. But I'm sorry, I'm afraid I didn't buy presents this year. Tomorrow. I promise."

Usagi raised her head quickly and Mamoru noticed the spark of sorrow in her eyes before she got on her feet. "I really don't mind, Mamoru. I just wanted to do something nice. I have to go though, family awaits." With that, she turned on her heels and stared toward the exit.

Completely on impulse, Mamoru grabbed her slim wrist. Usagi stopped and with question written on her face turned to him, only to see him getting up. "Usagi.."

She raised her head to look him in the eyes, and that blush returned to her cheeks. "Hm?"

"Merry Christmas." Mamoru whispered before his lips descended on her own and kissed her gently, just a touch soft as the wings of a butterfly. For that moment, everything was right with the world, all white and heavenly, and pure.. And oh, so very like Christmas.

When the day was slowly ending, Usagi let herself admit that was the best present she got this year for Christmas.

And by the way, it made all of her wishes come true, she thought with a happy sigh while slipping into dreamland completely relaxed and content.