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Still, her friend seemed to love Beryl and Usagi had no intention of hurting him so she kept quiet about her suspicions. Besides, she had no proof.
Just as her skin was beginning to resemble a prune, she turned off the water and pulled on her favorite outfit (a pink sweater that Mamoru had given her for her birthday and a matching skirt). Drying her hair, she walked into the living room where Mamoru was waiting for her while “taste-testing” the large variety of cookies spread across the coffee-table.
She smiled at him, forgetting that she was supposed to be angry with him and he smiled back, knowing that he’d been forgiven.
“I love Christmas,” Usagi commented, sitting beside him on the love seat. She gazed up at the Christmas tree they had purchased just the night before.
It was by far the most enchanting tree she’d ever had in her life. Both being so busy, they had been unable to purchase a Christmas tree any earlier than December 23. They’d both been afraid that all the good trees would have already been sold but Motoki had used all his cunning to save this special tree just for them. Usagi had spent the better part of an hour thanking him repeated until finally Motoki had thrown his arms up in the air and told her to give him a hug and consider the favor repaid. Laughing, she had complied.
Now as she stared up at the tall evergreen, decorated with elegant silver ribbon and ornaments, she suddenly realized that something was missing from the dazzling display. “Mamoru,” she said, “we seem to have forgotten the angel at the top of the tree.”
He followed her gaze. “So we have... Wait here a minute. I have just the thing!” Usagi stared after him, puzzled, as he darted out of the room and down the hall. "What in the world is he up to?"
Her question was soon answered when he returned with a relatively small, florid white box tied off with ribbon in his arms. With a mysterious smile, he hand her the box.
“Open it, but be careful. It’s fragile.” Usagi stared up at him, baffled for a moment, but her curiosity soon got the best of her and she slowly untied the ribbon. She gasped when she saw what was inside.
She was made of fine, white porcelain with blushing cheeks and full, pink lips and a delicate nose. Her eyes were as blue as the deepest depths of the ocean and seemed to sparkle with joy and intelligence. Upon her forehead a golden crescent moon was proudly worn. Her hair was pure gold, pulled into two familiar buns at the top of her head with two perfect streamers falling from them. Her gown was of real, white silk and lace with gold trimming which fell down to her slippered feet. On her back were a pair of dainty wings.
“She’s beautiful... Where did you find her?” Usagi asked, eyes locked on the precious doll which she held in awe. So enrapture by the fine workmanship, she failed to notice the way Mamoru glowed at the praise.
“Actually, I made it myself with a little help from Ami, who showed me were to buy the materials and how to paint the features without screwing up and splattering paint every where,” he replied, proudly. “Do you really like it?”
Usagi tore her eyes away from the doll and looked at him, clearly astonished. “You’re really talented, Mamoru. Believe me when I say ‘I love it!’ Actually, it kind of reminds me of me...”
“I had you in mind when I made it... I still think the real thing is much more beautiful, though.” Usagi stared at Mamoru, shocked. "Did he just say I was beautiful? No, I must be hearing things."
“Will you help me put it on the tree?” Usagi asked timidly, breaking the silence that had momentarily fallen between them. Mamoru nodded and lead her over to it. He then effortlessly, as though she was nothing more than a feather, lifted her up so that she could reach the top of the tree. When the doll was firmly in place, he gently set her down but failed to let go of her petite waist.
Usagi's breath was caught in her throught as she looked up into his eyes. They were so close... So close. If she were to lean upward just a few inches... "Stop it!" she scolded herself. "He doesn’t feel that way about me."
(Then why is he looking at you like that?) a voice asked in the back of her mind.
"I probably have something stuck in my teeth and he’s wondering whether or not to tell me about it!" she argued.
(Do you really believe that?)
"Yes!" she shot back. Her eyes widened in sudden realization. "Oh my God, I’m arguing with myself! I’m hearing voices! Someone commit me to a mental institute! Quick!"
“Do...do I have something on my face?” she stammered. He abruptly let go of her, seeming a bit embarrassed. She was sorry to feel his warm body pull away from her but she made no move to stop him.
“I’m sorry, Ondango-atama. I was just thinking... Do you mind helping me with something?” Mamoru said, looking a bit nervous. She nodded.
“Of course, Mamo-chan. What is it?”
“I...bought a promise ring. I want your female opinion of it,” he replied slowly, pulling a small box out of his pocket.
She felt her heart shatter into a million pieces and fought back the tears that threatened to escape. "A promise ring...for Beryl. I guess their relationship was more serious than I thought. Oh Mamoru, how could you fall for that woman? Why can’t you see what’s right in front of your nose?" She wanted to scream and cry out in pain. She wanted to cuss and slam things around.
Instead she opened the small, velvet black box and stared at the ring that would ruin her life.
“It’s the most exquisite piece of jewelry I’ve ever seen. I’m sure Beryl will love it,” she said softly, closing the box and handing it back to him. She tried to smile, to be happy for him, but her smile never reached her eyes. "I don’t think I can enjoy myself now... I’m too heartbroken." “Mamoru, I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling very well, right now. I think I’m going to retire early.”
“Retire early? But it’s Christmas Eve! I thought we were going to stay up late and sing Christmas carols until the neighbors screamed,” Mamoru said, disappointed.
“I’m sorry. Maybe tomorrow. Good-night.” With that, she headed to her room, closed the door behind her, and through her face into the pillows. She soon cried herself to sleep.
And despite her efforts to muffle her sobs, Mamoru still heard her cry. Soon after her lamenting had ceased, he stealthily entered her bedroom and covered her with a large quilt. With a soft, sorrowful kiss on the cheek, he left her to sleep off the days events.
The next morning, she woke up so a scent she hadn’t smelled in years. "I didn’t know Mamoru could make French toast." Her stomach grumbled. She crawled shoved the quilt off of her...and found that she was still dressed. Memories of the previous night struck her, full force. Biting her lip, she forced on a mask of happiness, slipped a robe on over her wrinkled clothes and proceeded towards the kitchen where breakfast awaited her.
“Mmmm... Breakfast smells delicious!” she exclaimed. He looked up from his place by the stove and saluted her with a spatula. She giggled at his antics and sat down at the table, humming to herself. "It’s Christmas so I just forget all about last night and enjoy myself. There is no way Beryl is going to ruin my holiday!"
A few moments later, both she and Mamoru were talking away through mouthfuls of French toast, beacon, and eggs, previous night pushed aside, if not forgotten. With a sigh of content, Usagi pushed her empty plate away from her.
“Mamoru, you spoil me,” she commented. "It’s no wonder I fell in love with him..."
His eyes twinkled mysteriously as he too finished his breakfast. “Wait until you see your Christmas present,” he teased, pulling her up and over to the Christmas tree. She smiled at him and pulled his gift out of her stocking. She faltered when she saw that it was a small black box identical to the one which had held the promise ring.
"He must have bought me earrings..." Opening the box, however, she discovered that she was wrong. It was a gorgeous gold ring which a single, perfect heart-shaped diamond. Her eyes welled up with tears, unbidden.
“This looks like the promise ring you showed me last night...the one for Beryl,” she whispered, fighting back tears. "I’m so confused. Why would he buy me and Beryl the same gift? And a promise ring at that!"
“Ondango-atama... I broke up with Beryl last week when I discovered that I was in love with someone else. Someone very special to me... You. I love you, Usagi Tsukino, and I want to give this ring to you as a sign that I’ll always love you,” Mamoru told her, both anticipating and fearing her reaction.
She was silent for a moment as his words sunk in. Shyly, she lifted her gaze from the ring to his eyes. Without another word, she flung herself into his arms, tears of joy streaming down her face and Mamoru didn’t restrain himself from kissing away her tears until finally their lips met and they knew only bliss.
They were so caught up in their own little world that they failed to notice the small black cat with a golden crescent moon on its forehead watching them from the window...smiling the way only a cat can.