hey hey! this one goes out to anyone in adelaide right now, just a lil something to warm you up!

disclaimer; i do not own sailor moon.

Usagi sat at the counter of the Crown Arcade, apparently deep in thought.

Motoki watched her with trepidation, waiting for the wail to come once her chocolate milkshake was finished. Cornflower blue eyes stared through the wall behind the counter.

The bell above the door tinkled, and with wide, confident strides, Mamoru approached the counter and waited for his usual; black coffee. After indulging himself with a quick glance and smirk at the distant blonde, Mamoru placed the cup to his lips, and allowed the bitter nectar to strengthen him before entering battle once again.

"The answer is four."

Usagi, yanked from her dream world, merely jumped, shook her head and turned to her torpor,

"Thanks, I'll remember that…"

"Whoa, what's up Odango Atama?" asked a shocked Mamoru, forgetting is mission in life.

A sigh was his simple answer.

"Aw, C'mon Odango! You fail tests all the time! How was this one different?"

Silence.

Mamoru narrowed his eyes, "What's up with her today? It can't be that bad… she should try my life, then we'll see," thought Mamoru envisioning the mysterious princess of his dreams.

At that moment Usagi pushed away her glass and made her way toward the door.

Mamoru called after her; "Hey, Odango!" But she slipped through the door and was gone.

Mamoru, thoroughly disappointed with this afternoon's encounter, sighed audibly putting a hand through his ebony locks. He downed the dregs of his coffee and bid Motoki goodbye.

Back at his apartment Mamoru collapsed onto his couch and let out a breath. Looking around, he realized he had too much energy to sit and do nothing. Not being able to spar with Usagi had left him restless, so dressing in his sweatpants and shirt he left his apartment to jog.

Listening to the steady beat of his feet on the ground beneath him, Mamoru took in the twilight surrounding him. The various bird songs were beginning to fade into the night and Mamoru focused on them, trying to tell them apart. One in particular took his attention. It filled his senses and made his princess dance before his eyes. Feeling dizzy he stopped and slumped against a tree, trying to regain his bearings, all the while the dark princess shimmering in the moonlight before him, her blonde hair swimming in an out of focus…

Mamoru screwed his eyes tightly shut; only bird song entering his senses, only… it wasn't a bird…

Mamoru, breathing deeply, slowly opened his eyes and focused on the bench by the lake.

Blonde hair…

Mamoru's focus sharpened and he saw Usagi upon the bench.

She looked out over the lake, eyes reflecting the dimming light, listening to the only song in the air.

Mamoru gaped.

The star locket…

Sailor Moon…

Gaining his composure, Mamoru made his way over to Usagi. Leaning his elbows on the back of the bench he leaned closer to the lake and said,

"It sounds so sad."

Usagi jumped at Mamoru's appearance behind her and smiled;

"No. It sounds peaceful to me… it cheers me up."

Mamoru's eyes sparkled in the falling darkness,

"Good… I'm glad I could help…"