Usagi tightened her grip on her umbrella and knelt before the grave in front of her. She took out the old lilies from the jar and replaced them with some red roses. "Hey nana, grandpa, how're you doing?" she whispered gently as she filled the jar up with fresh water.
Feeling cramp in her calves she stood up again, wincing as she heard the clicks of her knees. She was about to turn away when she saw a lone figure not 100 yards away from her, kneeling at a grave. She wasn't aware of it, but her legs were moving her toward him. Eventually she reached him and standing behind him, whispered the names on the grave under her breath.
"Verity and Shino Chiba - RIP"
Chiba…
~*~
Mamoru had been visiting his parents grave. He hadn't been aware of the rain that was now pounding onto his back and seeping into his green jacket. He ignored the tears that flowed down his cheeks. Who was to see them?
He traced the lettering with a finger, wondering in his mind what his parents would be like today, what they would think of him now. He imagined his parents – his mother, Verity, always smiling, so gentle and kind. She had long blonde hair that cascaded down her back. And she would always smell of cookies. She was so like Usagi, they even had the same klutz tendencies. His father, tall and dark, but a loving husband and father; even if the first impression suggested otherwise.
He wasn't aware of the young girl behind him reading the inscriptions on a silent breath. Until he heard a gentle whisper caressing his ear…
~*~
Usagi knelt down again, ignoring the protests from her legs. She couldn't let him get any wetter.
"Here," she whispered into his ear, holding the umbrella over them both, "You'll catch a cold."
"Or ruin that jacket," she added cheekily.
Mamoru was staring blankly at her, but she wasn't looking at him anymore. She was glancing wistfully at the grave in front of them. "Verity and Shino Chiba," she murmured. "Are you visiting your grandparents as well? Me too," she continued softly.
~*~
Mamoru blinked at her. He could've sworn he had been staring into the eyes of his mother just seconds ago.
Then it registered what she said. "Your grandparents."
"I…" he said, looking away.
Usagi faltered slightly. "I'm sorry," she said, "It's none of my business, I'll just- I'll just go… I'm so sorry."
Before Mamoru knew what he was doing, he was grasping her wrist and pulling her to him. "No," he murmured, pulling her close. He couldn't believe he was about to do this, only Motoki knew his dark secret.
Pointing to the names he said, "Verity? That's my mother." Ignoring the horrified gasp from his arms he continued. "Shino is my father. They died in a car accident when I was six."
There was a slight silence. Then he heard a small sob from his chest. He looked down to see a tearful Usagi watching him, tears falling down her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered. Before he could say anything, two small arms were winding around his neck and soft lips placing a gentle kiss on his cheek. As she did this, he caught the smell of cookies.
Then he heard her apologize once more in his ear.
~*~
'His parents! How could I be so tactless!'
"I'm so sorry," Usagi whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek softly.
"I'm so sorry."
~*~
Mamoru reciprocated the hug, and then pulled her to her feet.
"It's okay," he said to her, as his thumbs stroked her cheeks. "It happened a long time ago. Yes, I do miss them, but I know they'd be proud of me if they saw me today."
He picked up the umbrella that had been discarded on the floor when she had hugged him, and lifted over her head. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, they walked together, around the graveyard, both learning a little bit more about the other as they continued.
