Wow. LanieV…. +g+ THANK YOU for letting me know what you think about past drabbles, too. +hughughug+

Dudly. Well, I have been known for making drabbles into ficlets (I'm no good for fiction longer than 2000 words. Or, better said, I have no patience for finishing them and then I end up with these WIPs all over the place… +hangs head in shame+). I understand what you mean, sometimes one wants to do more than 100 words with an idea. And maybe later, though of that specific drabble there as little to be said outsode those 100 words, imho. There are others, though, such a 'sweet sixteen', where I'll definitely look into after I'm done with this challenge.

That is, if the guys at smmonthly don't put up another pretty challenge. They did Future Fic in March! bites nails Note to self: go look what they're doing now.

To everybody else, especially you guys who are always motivating me (you know who you are+smooch!+)… THANKS!

-

053. GIDDY

The three schoolgirls looked unusually giddy. Was the Odango's behaviour contagious?

"Passed a test today?"

"Don't even try, you jerk," she informed him earnestly. "We're celebrating."

Mamoru raised an eyebrow.

Uncharacteristically, Mizuno-san smiled brightly. "We just, um, overcame an… er… important obstacle."

Usagi nodded. "And that's why we celebrate!"

"So your problem is completely solved?"

Three faces darkened simultaneously.

"Not really," the brunette girl admitted.

Mamoru laughed. To be that naïve again! General Jadeite had been defeated, but he knew that the Negaverse had more – and worse – in store. "Then why are you so happy?"

Usagi glared. "Oh, shut up!"

26/03/07

054. NIGHTMARE

Finally! After so many doubts, she'd lift the mask and know. Her hand was steady and, as it lowered, it revealed…

…Umino?

No way! Hadn't this happened already?

That was when she noticed the line behind him. Dozens of men dressed a Tuxedo Kamen, dozens and dozens that she revealed as other classmates, random guys, Motoki and complete strangers… and none felt right.

At last only one man stayed, and she hesitated before reaching for the mask.

"Are you sure?"

That voice. It was his. But she suddenly didn't feel ready.

"No, you are not."

And then she was alone.

26/03/07

055. PANIC

"WHAAAAAAT?!"

Motoki felt sorry for poor Naru-chan, who was on the receiving end of Usagi's wail.

"But I didn't knooooooooooooow!"

"Haruna-sensei reminded us about those tests this morning, Usa."

"I was sleeping," Usagi confessed meekly. At Naru's berating look, she tried to explain. "Last night I stayed up late because.… Well, because Luna---"

Motoki couldn't hear the rest as Mamoru snorted.

"She's blaming her cat?"

"She's just fourteen."

Mamoru shrugged. "So? Others do more than sleep and play and they still remember their assignments."

"Usa-chan has other priorities, Mamoru."

Mamoru rolled his eyes. "The Odango has priorities? As if!"

26/03/07

056. RED STRING OF DESTINY

Makoto snickered as she watched Usagi pleading to Motoki for extra cherry syrup on her ice-cream, pretty please?

Soon enough, Motoki smiled and relented.

At Usagi's side, Mamoru shook his head at his friend's weakness.

The thick cherry syrup began its fall towards the awaiting chocolate ice-cream, when suddenly a crash sounded from behind Motoki. Startled, he whirled around, spraying syrup from Usagi to Mamoru in an uneven red line.

As Mamoru glared daggers and Usagi loudly bemoaned the loss, Makoto thought of that old myth of love and destiny.

"Don't you dare cry, Odango!"

Love and destiny?

Yeah, right.

26/03/07