The rain fell from a dark, cloudy sky. The drops were large and cold and many in number. The weather was not going to relent anytime soon, and Usagi liked it that way.
She stood there, alone on the deserted street. Alone but for the rain. Her hair clung to her neck with it's heavy wetness, and she could feel droplets weighing down her eyelashes. She was wearing a raincoat, but it had ceased being effective a long time ago.
That was fine. Usagi didn't care. She'd had a terrible day, and instead of the rain dampening her spirits even further, it had given her a twisted feeling of satisfaction. The weather was her mood brought to life. That is, if rain could be considered alive.
What did she care whether rain was alive or not! If she decided it was, then it was. There was no one else here to argue with her about it anyway. And if there was . . . if there was . . .
Usagi heard footsteps approaching her. Her nostrils flared as she spun to face the interloper. If someone thought they could take advantage of her, a teenage girl alone on the street, then they were sorely mistaken. He didn't think she was anymore than an idiotic klutz, but Usagi was a kickass sailor guardian, and she was in no mood to play nice.
When she saw it was only him, she rolled her eyes and returned to her original position, looking up into the sky.
Usagi felt one wall go down and another go up. He would not physically harm her, but he did dangerous things to her heart.
She could feel his eyes take her in. Assess her. There's nothing to see here, baka, she thought irritably. Get on with your day.
But he did not walk past. He did not speak. He just stood beside her, looking up at the sky and letting the raindrops run down his face. Usagi knew this because she looked at him warily and saw that his eyes were closed, his face tilted up towards the clouds.
She looked away before he felt her gaze on him, and closed her eyes, wrapping herself in a dark, safe cocoon of peace. The first she'd felt all day.
Mamoru seemed to sense the moment when her own water droplets ran down her cheeks. He spoke not a word, but took her cold hand in his big, warm one. His touch soothed the hurt inside her, and she felt absolute, sweet relief.
Made brave by the rain and the spell it had cast upon them both, Usagi twined her fingers through his.