Title:Christmas Switch Author:Tapestry E-Mail:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com Rating:PG13 Disclaimer:Sailormoon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi and co.All rights reserved. URL:http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Teahouse/5879 *denotes thought >>> denotes change in flashback Usagi=Serena Mamoru=Darien Ami=Amy Makoto=Lita Minako=Mina Rei=Raye Yuuichirou=Chad Ryu=Greg Shinosaki=Ken Motoki=Andrew Twenty-two year old lawyer,Usagi Tsukino sat by the fire warming her hands.One of her best friends,Rei Hino was coming back from America for Christmas and she didn't know what to do. Rei had left 2 years ago to study at a University to achieve her diploma in designing,leaving her friends and boyfriend,Mamoru Chiba behind in Tokyo. Mamoru Chiba and Usagi Tsukino did not get along well and only tolerated each other,when Rei was around.Usually,the two avoided each other as best as they could.Mamoru Chiba was a 25 year-old surgeon,and worked at Tokyo General Hospital. Usagi's boyfriend,Yuuichirou Takashiro was a CEO at Takashiro Industries. Her best friends were Ami Mizuno,Minako Aino and Makoto Kino.The five had been close during high school. Mizuno Ami was now a highly respected doctor who worked at Tokyo General, with her husband Ryu Urawa. Minako Aino,her cousin was a famous actress with her fiancé, Motoki Furuhata,a famous actor. Kino Makoto was a gourmet chef and owned a chain of restaurants all over Japan. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Yuuichirou had gone to America on a business trip and was returning only the Christmas week. Usagi walked the snowed streets,shopping.She wondered what to do for Rei. Usagi hadn't seen her in two years.She wanted it to be special so Rei would be happy. Not looking where she was going,Usagi crashed into someone on the sidewalk who apparently had been preocuppied too. "I'm very sorry,Mr.....-Mamoru!!!"exclaimed Usagi. "Usagi!!"replied Mamoru. "Why don't you look where you're going you klutz!!"shouted Usagi angrily. "Well excuse me,I believe YOU,crashed into me!!"exclaimed Mamoru enraged. "ME?????!!!You jerk!!You were the one not looking where you stepped!!" cried Usagi. "Speak for yourself Tsukino."said Mamoru. Usagi felt her anger steadily rise.....When suddenly...Usagi was hit by an idea...*I guess it wouldn't hurt or kill you to ask...besides Usa,you did want something special for Rei.*thought Usagi to herself. "Alright,time-out!!"exclaimed Usagi. "Now what,Usagi??"said Mamoru. "Chiba,Rei is coming back on Christmas Eve right??"asked Usagi. "Yes."said Mamoru. "Well,I was wondering....I want to get Rei something special...something she won't forget...but...I can only think of a welome back Christmas party." murmured Usagi. "So, what do you want ME to do?"asked Mamoru. "Help me with the ....party."said Usagi."I mean...she'd be impressed we managed to work together,right??"asked Usagi. "Point taken.I've been trying to figure something she'd appreciate too... I guess we can work together..."said Mamoru. "Okay,deal....If we don't kill each other first.."said Usagi. Mamoru couldn't help but smile. This made Usagi blush...*He looks cute when he smiles...*thought Usagi. *Wait a minute!!This is Chiba Mamoru we're talking about!!!*scolded her mind. Mamoru smirked to himself.*Usagi looks cute when she's not acting like a total snob brat...press was right to name her Tokyo's Snow Queen...*thought Mamoru to himself. *I hope I can survive this....*thought the both of them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The following days..... Usagi and Mamoru worked together arguing their heads off.Their friends sometimes wished they'd brought earplugs. "No Way!!!We should hang decorations on the wall!!!Not hang lights!!!" exclaimed Usagi. "I say the atmosphere needs to be darker!!!"exclaimed Mamoru. "What is this????A welcome back Christmas party or a funeral????"shouted Usagi exasperated. "What's with all the holly branches you put at the windows???!!!"cried Mamoru. "Yeah??What's with all those red roses you put at the hallway???!!Besides, it's Christmas season!!!Not spring!!"yelled Usagi. "Ahem..." But Usagi and Mamoru continued their bickering over the decor and settings of lights and furniture in the snow cabin.... "I said HELLO!!!!!"shouted Motoki. "WHAT!!!!???"yelled Usagi and Mamoru simultaneously. "In case you two are forgetting...It's Christmas time???"asked Motoki. "WE KNOW THAT!!!"they shouted. "Good,then why are you two yelling at each other???Whatever happened to peace on Earth??Or Peace and Goodwill towards men???"asked Minako. "Towards MEN Minako.It didn't say anything about men AND women..."growled Usagi. Makoto shook her head in defeat.Ryu couldn't help but laugh at the two's antics.Ami kept on decorating the Christmas tree... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later... Usagi sat in the kitchen drinking hot coffee.She gave a sigh of relief... Decorating was finally over for today.*Sigh...For the past 4 hours,that jerk Mamoru has been giving me nothing but trouble....the jerk.*thought Usagi to herself. Somewhere else... Mamoru sat by the fire in the living room,warming himself up,along with the others.*What a day...For 4 hours straight Usagi Tsukino has given me nothing but a headache.What a pain.....I wonder how Yuuichirou puts up with it...??*wondered Mamoru to himself. The other 5 friends shared smiles with each other. Mamoru got up to get himself some coffee...at the same time,Usagi was coming out of the kitchen... The two met each other at the kitchen doorway...They both scowled at each other. Minako gave a giggle,which caused the two of them to stare at her. "What's so funny Minako???!!"demanded Usagi. "You don't want to know Usa..."replied Minako laughing.At that moment,the rest started laughing out loud. "Try me,Minako."said Usagi. "Look above Usagi."said Motoki. Both Mamoru and Usagi looked up to find themselves under a mistletoe. Both groaned inwardly....*Oh no....* "No way...I am not kissing him!!Tradition or not!!"exclaimed Usagi. "Me too!!"shouted Mamoru. "Oh come on!!Don't tell me you want to break the Christmas tradition??" pleaded Minako. "Yes....come on...be a sport you two.."said Makoto. Both Usagi and Mamoru looked at each other and back at the group and back at each other again. Mamoru grumbled..."I guess it won't kill me..." "I guess so..."said Usagi frowning. "But whoever hung this mistletoe over the kitchen doorway is in BIG trouble!!!"shouted Usagi. Minako just giggled. Reluctantly,they both kissed each other.At that moment...Usagi and Mamoru felt a spark between them.But as quickly as it came,it was gone...dismissed. Usagi and Mamoru quickly broke the kiss and faced the opposite way of each other. Usagi quickly marched upstairs angrily. Mamoru went outside to collect more firewood.... The rest of them started to laugh as they recalled the look on their faces when they saw the mistletoe above their heads... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 20th December The days had gone by quickly....and Usagi and Mamoru did not fight as much as when they'd first gotten together to decorate the snow cabin out in the mountains. In fact,once in awhile they agreed on some decorations.The cabin was quite big and could fit quite a few people. So,they agreed to hold a little dance in the big living room,and it would be possible if they just rearranged the furniture here and there. Makoto was nominated to make the food for the party.She just smiled and agreed. Ami and Ryu volunteered to bring the drinks and help Makoto bake,cook and bring the food to the cabin on Christmas Eve. Minako and Motoki had volunteered to bring music and games to the party for entertainment. In four days,Rei and Yuuichirou would come back to Tokyo for Christmas. Yuuichirou had called and said he would be bringing his cousin,Shinosaki Miyake who had recently immigrated to America,back for Christmas.. Usagi could hardly wait for them to return to Tokyo.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 21st December "Sigh...Only a day has passed!!!"exclaimed Usagi bored... Mamoru stifled a laugh..."Hey,only three more days and they'll be back from America,Usagi..."chuckled Mamoru. Usagi,Mamoru,Motoki and Minako had gone up to the cabin to put up the finishing decorations on the ceiling... Motoki came out of the kitchen holding a warm mug of coffee..."Ha!!Usagi is just impatient Mamoru..."he laughed. Minako laughed at Motoki's comment.Walking next to him,Minako tiptoed and whispered something into his ear...This earned a annoyed face from Usagi. "Hey,don't you know it's rude to whisper???"she asked. "Ha ha....coming from you,It's amazing.."joked Mamoru. "Right...besides,it's an...INSIDE joke for Minako and me."said Motoki. Usagi scowled at Mamoru and Motoki.. "Why you...."began Usagi. "Whoa!!Before you set off any fires...let me retrieve the fire extinguisher!!!"exclaimed Mamoru laughing... "Oooooh!!!!That's it!!!"cried Usagi grabbing the box of holly and ribbons and dumping them on Mamoru's head."THERE!!!" Mamoru gave a loud laugh."Hey!!What's the big idea???"he chuckled. Motoki and Minako took one look at Mamoru and started to keel over with laughter. "Don't blame me...you brought it on yourself!!!"exclaimed Usagi. When Motoki and Minako finally stopped laughing...they took a glance at the clock...they'd been here for three hours... "Hey Usagi...Minako and I have to go..we have a audition in one hour...so from here...we just might make it!!"exclaimed Motoki. "Oh..okay..We'll finish tomorrow."said Usagi. Quickly,Minako and Motoki rushed out to their car which was parked outside next to Mamoru and Usagi's cars... "Hold it!!"exclaimed Usagi towards Mamoru. "What???!!"he asked. "Since you made me dump those decorations on your head...YOU'VE got to help me pick them up and put the rest of the decorations away for tomorrow." said Usagi. "But YOU dumped the box on me!!If you'd have been a bit more tolerant,you wouldn't have!!!"protested Mamoru. "If you didn't make that remark about the fire extinguisher...I would have been more tolerant!!!"shouted Usagi. "If you didn't have such a tantrum,I wouldn't have made the remark!!!" exclaimed Mamoru. "If you weren't so damn snobby,I wouldn't even HAVE a tantrum at you!!" exclaimed Usagi. "I'm snobby....???Speak for yourself Snow Queen!!"shouted Mamoru. "Wha- Look WHO'S talking Mr Ice Prince!!"said Usagi sarcastically. "Okay okay!!Enough!!I think the both of us made our points..."said Mamoru slowly."Alright,I'll help you clean up the mess you-,WE made..."said Mamoru correcting himself. "Good....We can start by picking up all the holly branches and ribbons on the floor..."said Usagi. "Fine with me.."said Mamoru flatly. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later.... "Finally finish!!"said Mamoru."You know,next time...don't dump a box of holly branches and ribbons on me!!" Usagi snorted."I'm just glad we managed to finish packing up those decorations for tomorrow's decorating day..."said Usagi. "We spent an hour picking up those holly branches!!"exclaimed Mamoru looking at his watch. "So we did...."said Usagi. Mamoru walked towards the door and opened it.Cold wind blew through the cabin.Quickly,Mamoru pushed the door shut. "Uh Usagi..."said Mamoru weakly. "What???"asked Usagi. "I don't think we can get back to town..."said Mamoru. "Why's that???" "Because there's a blizzard out there...so,we're stuck here."said Mamoru flatly. "Why me???"groaned Usagi."Why me...???Of all the things to happen...to get stuck in the middle of nowhere with YOU..." "You make it sound as if it was a bad thing..."said Mamoru. "Because it is!!!"replied Usagi exasperated. "Hey,I'm not celebrating either,Miss Tsukino.I like getting stuck here with YOU,as much as you like getting stuck here with ME..."said Mamoru annoyed. "Sigh...guess we'll have to wait for the storm to blow over..."said Usagi sadly. Mamoru nodded. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ So..... Usagi sat on one end of the two seat couch whilst Mamoru sat on the other end.They both avoided speaking to each other and looking at each other. Usagi got up to get some hot chocolate while she sat in front of the warm roaring fire. Mamoru had gone upstairs to get a blanket... *Just my luck...getting stuck up here in the mountains with my worst enemy as a companion...*they both thought. They both came back and sat on the couch in front of the fire. "When do you think the storm will blow over??"asked Usagi drowsily. "I don't know...but I hope soon."said Mamoru staring at the fire. Awhile later..... Usagi found herself fast falling asleep.Slowly...she closed her eyes and fell asleep. Mamoru was still awake but getting drowsy.He turned a little to check the window...the storm was still going strong,and the time was 1.34am. Usagi shifted a bit,her head falling onto his shoulder...but slept on. Usagi's sudden shift of position had startled Mamoru.He looked down and saw a pile of golden curls on his shoulder. Mamoru watched her face intently.She looked beautiful and harmless this way.....vulnerable.But he knew it wouldn't last...she'd wake up,rested and full of energy.Ready to bicker again....the wall and defenses back up.... keeping the world from seeing the true Usagi Tsukino. Mamoru could no longer think coherently as the sandman began tapping at his thoughts urgently...beckoning him to pleasant dreams and peace.Slowly, Mamoru closed his eyes and fell asleep,his head resting on Usagi's. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 22nd December The next day....Usagi woke up to find herself sleeping on the sofa, comfortably nestled in the crook of Mamoru's shoulder. She turned her head slowly and saw Mamoru's sleeping face.He looked so calm,so serene that way...and absolutely too handsome for words. Reaching up with her hand,Usagi slowly traced the curve of his sleeping face.His thick dark bangs hanging down over his closed eyes made him look irresistably sexy.Usagi suddenly had the urge to kiss his forehead when she reached up to his hair to push the thick strands away. At that moment,Mamoru opened his eyes drowsily and stared straight into Usagi's sky blue eyes.They both quickly pulled away....a blush staining Usagi's cream white skin. Mamoru blushed slightly as the both of them stared confused at each other. Silence.... "Uh,morning??"asked Mamoru. Usagi nodded and dashed away towards the kitchen with a pink hue still staining her cheeks. ~In the kitchen...~ Usagi quickly splashed water on her face and pinched hard.She couldn't believe she'd just thought about kissing...ugh MAMORU CHIBA... Quickly,Usagi put a kettle over the stove and took out some coffee powder. Usagi decided she needed some really strong coffee to kick her out of her stupor. ~In the den..~ Mamoru pinched himself hard...remembering what he thought about Usagi last night when she'd fallen asleep on his shoulder.*Wake up Chiba!!Your girlfriend's coming back soon!!!So is Usagi's boyfriend...*he thought to himself. Mamoru's eyes went wide...What did he care Usagi's boyfriend was coming back???Only yesterday he'd looked forward to Rei's return...Mamoru got up to go to the bathroom so he could wash his face with cold water.Maybe this was a dream and he'd wake up soon.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Well,it's stopped snowing...but the ground must be covered with at least 6 inches!!How are we going to dig out out cars and get back to town??"asked Mamoru. "I'm as baffled as you,Chiba."said Usagi coldly. "No need to be crabby about it..."said Mamoru annoyed. "Sorry...guess I need some more coffee..."said Usagi blankly. "We could wait for Motoki and the others to come up here..."suggested Mamoru. "They'll laugh at us...we'll never live down to it,Chiba.."said Usagi. "True...we'd never hear the end of it."said Mamoru. "Only one choice left...we dig the cars out with our hands..."said Usagi. "I'd rather sit in here and wait then go out and get a cold...digging in the wet snow like that."said Mamoru. "Sigh...you're right...guess waiting does beat catching a cold or a nasty flu virus..."sighed Usagi in defeat."Want some coffee??" "Thanks...I'd like that.."said Mamoru. So........the two sat there drinking coffee and hardly speaking.But when they did,their conversations usually turned into a debate or argument. "No,I didn't start it....YOU did!!"shouted Usagi. "Oh no...You were the one who crashed into me while skating!!"said Mamoru. "Because you suddenly just had to swerve into my path!!"exclaimed Usagi. "There was a patch of thin ice on the lake!!I had to avoid it!!" "Yeah...sure you did...only to come crashing right into me."grumbled Usagi annoyed. "Huh,It wasn't exactly my idea of crashing into you...it just happened. And it's not exactly my idea of a good way to start a friendship."said Mamoru. "I guess we did start off on the wrong foot..."said Usagi. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There was a click of the door knob.. Usagi and Mamoru looked towards the door from where they sat on the floor. "Well!!Look who's here already!"joked Ryu. "Shut up.."scowled Mamoru. At that moment,Motoki and Minako and Makoto entered the cabin just after Ryu and Ami. "You two never went home last night??"asked Motoki. "Sigh,after we finished picking up the holly and stuff,it was snowing heavily outside."said Usagi. "Mmmmm....I can tell that from looking at your cars."said Makoto. "I'm surprised you two managed to survive the night with each other. I thought you'd be at each other's throats by now."giggled Minako. "How can you be sure we weren't going to??"asked Mamoru sarcasticly. "Tut-tut,Don't be such a grouch,Mamoru."said Motoki. Usagi rolled her eyes..."What do you mean a grouch..?His attitude's always like this." "Ouch..."said Ryu to Ami.Ami gave a little giggle. "You know,I really CANNOT understand WHAT Yuuichirou see's in you!!" exclaimed Mamoru exasperated. "Probably what he see's in her..."whispered Motoki to Minako. Minako gave a giggle. "I'll ignore that remark because I've already had it up to here with your attitude and I might as well ignore,than waste my time shouting at you." said Usagi. Ami smiled."Okay...lets get out the last of the decorations for the ceiling."she said. "Oh,Usa....Your brother Shingo said he'd be over later after we finish to hang that golden mistletoe!!After all...if one of us hid it in the decorations,it would be unfair to the others."said Ami. "Thanks Ami."said Usagi. *Only two more days and Rei and Yuuichirou would be back...It was funny that the two are on the same flight back.*thought Usagi to herself. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later....Back at Usagi's apartment... Usagi sat in her warm bath water scented with rose oil.She closed her eyes and let the bath relax her... Usagi thought about the past events.... ~FLASHBACKS~ She was skating along three years on a lake minding her own business.When all of a sudden..."LOOK OUT!!!!!"shouted a voice. Her eyes snapped open and saw a man with dark hair right in front of her. Then,she was lying on the ice with the man on the ice next to her.. "Hey!!What's the big idea,buster!!??"exclaimed Usagi. >>> At Rei's barbecue she met the jerk again... "Hi Rei!!"she shouted.Rei looked up from the barbecue grill.. "Yuuichirou!Usagi!!"exclaimed Rei smiling. "How are you Rei??"shee asked. "Great!!Yuuichirou,Usagi...there's someone I'd like you to meet!!This is my boyfriend,Mamoru Chiba..."said Rei. Mamoru and Usagi stared in disbelief..."YOU!!!"they exclaimed. >>> "Goodbye Rei!!!Study well in America!!I hope you can achieve your dream!" she shouted. "Bye Usagi!!" "I'll miss you Rei!!"shouted Mamoru. "I'll miss you too Mamoru!!Bye!!!The two of you better try and get along now!!!"shouted Rei before she left... She stared at Mamoru and Mamoru stared at her..."Us???Get along???Hah!!" the both of them exclaimed walking away in different directions. >>> "Why you...."began Usagi. "Whoa!!Before you set off any fires...let me retrieve the fire extinguisher!!!"exclaimed Mamoru laughing... "Oooooh!!!!That's it!!!"cried Usagi grabbing the box of holly and ribbons and dumping them on Mamoru's head."THERE!!!" Mamoru gave a loud laugh."Hey!!What's the big idea???"he chuckled. >>> "Uh Usagi..."said Mamoru weakly. "What???"asked Usagi. "I don't think we can get back to town..."said Mamoru. "Why's that???" "Because there's a blizzard out there...so,we're stuck here." ~END FLASHBACKS~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Usagi sat up.."Whoa...too many flashbacks with HIM in it."said Usagi. Suddenly...Usagi felt lonely.She sat in the water trying to analyze her thoughts and feelings... *DO I really hate Mamoru or do I just say that so that I do not have to face the truth??I wish Yuuchirou was back...it's so lonely here in Tokyo... and I hate being alone in this city.......Alone...alone..alone...* A single tear trickled down her cheek. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mamoru's apartment... Mamoru sat in his apartment sipping some champagne.It had been another day in Hell Tsukino.The woman just couldn't give him a break. Since day one they'd met,they never stopped their bickering with each other. ~FLASHBACKS~ Mamoru glided over the ice in the pond without a care in the world.Mamoru loved to skate and had happened to notice a patch of thin ice which he quickly swerved to avoid.... It was a very sharp swerve causing him to skid uncontrollably over the ice.. "LOOK OUT!!!!"he screamed towards a young woman with blond hair skating in front of him care freely. But it was too late.He ended up crashing into the woman. "Hey!!What's the big idea,buster!!!??"she yelled. "I'm so sorry miss..."apologized Mamoru. "You're such a klutz!You're a skating hazard to everybody."said the woman scornfully,getting up. "Hey!What's your problem lady???I already apologized!There was a patch of thin ice there!I had to avoid it!!" "Huh,then maybe you shouldn't have skated around this area..."said the woman skating away. >>> Rei's barbecue..."YOU!!!"they'd both shouted simultaneously. "What are YOU doing here???!!"exclaimed Usagi. "I could ask you the same thing...I'm Rei's boyfriend."stated Mamoru. "Well,I'm her bestfriend!!"exclaimed Usagi. "You two know each other??"asked Rei. They both snorted."Know each other???Boy do we ever..." "He's the jerk who crashed into me on the ice the other day!" "And she's the clown who yelled at me even after I apologized!!" "You deserved it creep!!"shouted Usagi. "You meatball brain!!I shouted out a warning at you before I crashed into you!!Why I have half a mind to tell you what I think about your attitude!" "And that's all you have!!Half a mind!!"shouted Usagi dragging Yuuichirou away from the grill..."See you Rei!" ~END FLASHBACKS~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "She's been a pain since day one...I sure wish Rei was back now.But,Usagi Tsukino is a puzzle....intriguing and puzzling.I'll give her that."said Mamoru to himself. "After all...she hides her feelings so well...almost like me."he muttered out loud. "Two more days..." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 23rd December. Usagi sat in the little cafe,staring as the steam from her tea drifted away. Makoto was the owner of the little quiet sidewalk cafe.Though she owned a chain of restaurants that made wonderful gourmet food,Makoto still insisted on running her little cafe.She said it made her feel human. "Hey Usagi,Merry Christmas!!Why the long face??Yuuichirou and Rei are coming back tomorrow.So don't look so sad."laughed Makoto. "Thanks for the pep up,but I'm just tired.I had a long day at the office. Naru couldn't find the papers I wanted today.Seems she misplaced the file in a different cabinet.It took us an hour to go through all the files.... finding,my last secretary was probably a lazy thing...since all the files were out of order.Poor Naru...she had to straighten it out."groaned Usagi. Makoto smiled."Well...sure seems like a hectic day enough.But don't forget that we're suppose to go over to the Tokyo University tonight for that presentation party."reminded Makoto. Usagi groaned."The one where Mamoru'll be???"asked Usagi. "Yup."confirmed Makoto. "Uugh...I suppose Ami and Ryu are going to be there?"asked Usagi. "Yes...Minako and Motoki said they'd try and make it..but you know their tight schedule."said Makoto. Usagi gave a slight nod."Well cousin is,in her few 15 minutes of fame spotlight... "smirked Usagi."Besides...after a day in the office..nohing can be worse."said Usagi smiling.. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That day...later.... 6.45pm.... *God,you're punctual Mina...* Usagi thought sarcastically herself as she paced around.Her cousin and fiance were 15 minutes late, picking her up. Just then,a sound of a car drove up to the curb."Hey Usagi!Merry Christmas."exclaimed a voice. Usagi squinted in the darkness..."Mamoru???"she said surprised."What are YOU doing here???" "Minako said she and Motoki were coming to the presentation later.Motoki phoned me up and told me to pick you up."explained Mamoru. Usagi sighed in frustration."Thanks.."she said. "I know what you're thinking..."said Mamoru. Usagi looked at him skeptically."Doubt it."she said flatly. "Kill Minako and Motoki??"suggested Mamoru. Usagi looked at Mamoru."Okay...maybe..Merry Christmas"she smiled slightly amused. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the University. "Ami!Ryu!"called Usagi.Two figures in the crowd turned their heads and looked up."Usagi!!Mamoru!!"exclaimed Ami and Ryu. "I was expecting Minako,Motoki and you...not you and Mamoru."said Ami in a shock. Mamoru rolled his eyes.Usagi just smirked."Mina pulled out on me..she says she'll be here LATER..."replied Usagi. Ami shook her head.She knew Minako was a dead famous actress when her cousin,Usagi was finished with her. After the Presentation.... 9.00pm.... "Well I see you finally GOT here cousin.."hissed Usagi.Minako blushed. "We have a busy schedule cousin."grinned Minako. Motoki stifled a chuckle.Usagi shot him a glare."I know it was your idea for Mamoru to pick me up."she hissed. Motoki held up his hands and gave a chuckle."Guilty as charged.But you two argue a lot.So we just wanted the two of you to stop fighting."grinned Motoki innocently. Usagi eyed him and was about to say something scathing... "Usagi...lay off.It's not like they pulled your pigtails or anything." said Mamoru. Usagi turned to face him."I do not wear pigtails anymore!!"exclaimed Usagi in shock."Who told you anyway??!!"she demanded. Mamoru shrugged."Rei showed me old pictures of you guys...You really looked like a bunny."joked Mamoru. Usagi frowned."Laugh all you want Chiba Mamoru."said Usagi darkly. "Thanks."said Mamoru chuckling."Rei told me you use to klutz out a lot." "Thank you for reminding me..."said Usagi sarcastically."I'll be sure to kill Rei when she's back." "So...do you still klutz out??"joked Mamoru. Usagi felt her blood boil."No I don't!!And if you say one word about the time on the ice...it was YOUR fault!!"exclaimed Usagi. "My fault??I warned you already!!!" "Do the two of you have to bring the topic up??"groaned Ami. "Well if you didn't skate so close to the weak spot..you wouldn't have crashed into me!!"exclaimed Usagi. The two continued to argue....People began to stare at them.Wondering what the commotion was all about. Just then...Minako got an evil glint in her eye.Minako quickly whispered a few words into Motoki's ear.Motoki looked down at his devious little fiancee and smiled,nodding his head.. "All right you two!!I think a time-out is in order here."said Minako sternly. "WHAT????"exclaimed Usagi and Mamoru. "You heard me."said Minako. "Yup.Time-out."joked Motoki. Usagi and Mamoru stared at the two actors.Then back at each other. "No WAY!!!"they both cried out. "Nobody said it was open for debate,cousin."replied Minako. "Mina!!You are so dead!!!!" Minako pulled Usagi towards a janitor's closet while Motoki did the same to Mamoru."Hey!!"he exclaimed. "You two have to learn to get along."said Minako firmly. Minako and Motoki pushed the two into the closet and shut the door,locking it.Minako gave an evil grin."Now those two will HAVE to get along." Motoki smiled."But don't you think it's a little harsh??After all they DO have a boyfriend and a girlfriend coming back tomorrow."said Motoki. "I'm doing them a favor.I always had a nagging feeling Yuuichirou isn't the ONE for Usa."said Minako."There's a definate chemistry between those two ...they just need a push."said Minako. "And perhaps,dump their current companions???"asked Motoki."What about Rei??How would SHE feel about this!!??" "You're right...but...what's done is done."said Minako. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the closet...(A VERY small one.) "This is all your fault Mamoru."spat Usagi. "My fault??I'm not the one who started scolding their cousin in a whole party was I??"replied Mamoru snidely. "This is just like at the cabin!!!"she exclaimed. "I'll say...de ja vu..."replied Mamoru. Usagi didn't say a word.She was staring up at a window.Moonlight came through it.The moon was shining brightly. Mamoru looked over at her...She made such a pretty picture at the moment. It was hard to believe that the woman staring up at the moonlight was Usagi Tsukino.One of the best lawyers in Tokyo. The moonlight shining down on her hair cast a silvery glow making her look like an angel. "Usagi..."whispered Mamoru. Usagi looked up.Her blue eyes wide."Yes??"she asked. "I-...I'm sorry."he said quietly. "Whatever for??"asked Usagi. "For every remark I made."said Mamoru. Usagi gave a quirky smile."That's okay Mamoru..I actually enjoyed our usual bantering with each other."she smiled. Mamoru smiled back. A spell had been cast over the two enemies.The ice and armor melting away only leaving two vulnerable young people...keeping the world away at arms length. Mamoru looked at his watch.In the moonlight,he saw it was 9.45pm.The presentation ended at 12am.He wondered when Motoki and Minako would let them out of the small janitor's closet. "So Usagi...tell me about yourself."said Mamoru..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11.15pm.... A tear slid down Usagi's face.In the past hour,Usagi had learnt Mamoru was an orphan and had lost his parents in a car accident.His life in the orphanage had been a bitter one.He had no friends and nobody ever bothered to talk to him. Mamoru saw a tear slide down Usagi's face.She wasn't pitying him.Sure she felt sad for him but never pity.She understood....Her parents had perished in a plane accident.Leaving her and her brother...who were sent to live with their cousin,Minako.It was why the two were close like sisters. "You know...I never thought I'd be sitting here next to you spilling out about my life's story.I always thought you were a cold,hard chauvinistic jackass."laughed Usagi. "Me???I'm hurt..."said Mamoru with his best hurt look.He gave her puppy dogs eyes. "Stop looking like that."said Usagi laughing. "Seriously...I thought you were an ice cold snobby brat."said Mamoru. Usagi stared in shock."Did I really present THAT image???"asked Usagi incredulously. They both turned to look at each other.Which was a BIG mistake....Usagi's eyes locked onto his intense blue ones.She felt her blood rush through her veins at break neck speed. Mamoru stared at her sapphire blue orbs.He heard his heart beating loudly in his ear. They were both mesmerized by each other.Slowly,their faces inched closer. Never taking their eyes off each others. Soon,they were so close that Usagi could feel his warm ragged breath on her lips. Suddenly......... The door opened.They both broke away from each other's spell as fast as possible. Minako popped her head in."I see the two of you have quieted down."she said.She opened the door wide.The light stabbing at both Usagi and Mamoru's eyes.It took awhile for them to readjust their eyes to the light. "Now don't you see that it's better to be friends than enemies??"asked Motoki. Usagi and Mamoru just plastered a fake smile on their faces.They stared at each other out of the corner of their eyes.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1.00am in the morning.... *Sigh...Usagi...what happened tonight??You nearly kissed Mamoru!!Could it be you're falling for him?? Of course not!I have Yuuichirou.But..why did it feel so easy to talk to him??It was never that way with Yuuichrou...Sigh.. go to sleep Usagi...Yuuichirou is coming back tomorrow.And Rei....that's right!!Mamoru has Rei!!But it'd still be nice to dream...*her mind thought. With that...Usagi switched off the light and fell into a deep sleep.... *Sigh...you nearly kissed Usagi Tsukino today Mamoru...that's dangerous. She has a boyfriend..besides..she your girlfriend's best friend!!And she's coming back tomorrow!!!Besides...you hate each other...what would she want with you when she's got her boyfriend.Go to sleep...you need to go pick Rei up tomorrow...* Switching off his light,Mamoru fell asleep instantly...dreaming of the incidents that had happened... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next day... 24th December. Rei Hino,Yuuichirou Takashiro and Shinosaki Miyake had just arrived in New Tokyo International Airport. "Yuuichirou,I still can't get over the fact that the company I applied for as graphic designer in Tokyo was part of YOUR company!!"exclaimed Rei. Yuuichirou smiled."You're right,it IS a coincedence.I so happened to be at that office that day and saw your application form."said Yuuichirou. Rei nodded."So,what did you say you do for a living in America,Shinosaki?" asked Rei politely. "I work as a manager in Computer Engineering's at Takashiro's in America." replied Shinosaki. "I forgot...family."said Rei laughing. "Yes....but I haven't been back in Tokyo for a a few months."said Shinosaki longingly. "Well,you're here...you can make the best of it cousin."said Yuuichirou smiling. "Well,thank you for giving me the job,Yuuichirou."said Rei. "Don't mention it..anything for a beautiful friend."said Yuuichirou. "Yuuichirou!!!"exclaimed a voice. "Rei!!"shouted another voice. Rei and Yuuichirou looked up."Usagi!!Mamoru!!"exclaimed Rei. "Usa!"said Yuuichirou. A twinge of regret and sadness flickered over Rei's heart..*Why was she feeling like this...she was back in Tokyo with her boyfriend,so,what was the problem???* Yuuichirou smiled at Usagi.*Sigh,I feel kind of sad,leaving Rei's company. Snap out of it!!Rei's got her boyfriend and I've got my own girlfriend.* After an exchange of hugs and kisses,.... "Usagi,you remember my cousin,Shinosaki Miyake?"asked Yuuichirou. "Of course!!Could never forget,I was surprised you were coming back to Tokyo."replied Usagi smiling. "Speaking of surprises....Where's everbody else??"asked Rei. "They're sorry they couldn't pick you up.They had important business." replied Mamoru. "You mean the two of you came here by yourselves???"asked Rei surprised. Usagi nodded.."In one car if you believe that."smirked Usagi. Yuuichirou and Rei gave a laugh."Incredible!!We must be hearing things!! Usagi and Mamoru...get along???"chuckled the two. "I'm surprised you two managed to get here in one piece....I was sure the two of you would have avoided each other like smelly old tuna."teased Rei. Shinosaki couldn't help but smile. "You don't know half-of it Rei."said Usagi sarcastically.The two avoided each others eyes but still making eye contact when they looked out at the corner of their eyes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rei,Yuuichirou and Shinosaki sat at the back of Mamoru's car,whilst Mamoru and Usagi sat up front.Rei and Yuuichirou said they wanted to finish discussing things they had said in the plane. *They look so close.*thought Usagi.Usagi mentally smacked herself.*Snap out of it!!Rei and Yuuichirou are just talking!* Rei and Yuuichirou laughed at each other's jokes.*Why can't Mamoru be more open and understanding like Yuuichirou???*thought Rei to herself still smiling at what Yuuichirou had said. *Rei Hino is one interesting lady.She's beautiful too...not that Usagi wasn't but...Usagi was no Rei...Usagi lacked Rei's understanding of him. Chiba Mamoru is one lucky man...*thought Yuuichirou. Shinosaki sat at the back listening to their conversations.He smiled. His cousin had a girlfriend...but it was clear he had a thing for Rei.... Rei had a fiery temper but understood his cousin's intentions.She had an unsure emotion in her eyes,but one thing was for sure.She adored Yuuichirou. *Usagi seems quiet today.*The distant look in Usagi's eyes told a whole story to Shinosaki...she was confused.The stony expression and icy look of Mamoru's was a facade...a mask...to hide his true feelings and confusion. Shinosaki smirked..the two couples were truly a mismatched pair...... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "So we'll see you later!!"exclaimed Usagi. "Right!!Merry Christmas!!"replied Mamoru.He and Rei then drove off.... "Later??Where are we going??"asked Yuuichirou. Usagi gave a smile."It's a secret...we're taking you guys out later at night..and we're blindfolding you of course."said Usagi. "What about me??"asked Shinosaki. "You're going to be blindfolded too,Shino."said Usagi smiling. We walked up to Takashiro manor.... "Well...whatever...I'm taking a shower and and a nap first then...jet lag you know..."laughed Yuuichirou. Usagi smiled."You go on ahead cousin.I thought I'd catch up with things here in Tokyo with Usagi."said Shinosaki. "Aren't you tired??"asked Usagi surprised. Shinosaki shook his head.I slept most of the way.Rei and Yuuichirou were the ones talking a lot."said Shinosaki grabbing a coat. Usagi smiled at Shinosaki and followed him."They get along well???"asked Usagi curiously. "Yeah...they spent the a week together.Doing things the whole time. Yuuichrou was pretty surprised,Rei was applying for the job of graphics designer in Tokyo."said Shinosaki trudging outside in the snow. Usagi looked at the trees which had sparkling frozen ice on it's branches. Twinkling in the sun like diamonds. "You like him don't you??"asked Shinosaki suddenly. Caught off guard...Usagi was surprised."Huh??"she asked. "Mamoru...you like him...don't you??" "I don't know..."said Usagi quietly."I can tell Yuuichirou and Rei have a bond...but Rei is Mamoru's girfriend afterall..." "Come off it Usa...I can tell you like Mamoru."said Shinosaki. "But what about Yuuichirou....what about Rei..???"whispered Usagi. Shinosaki smiled."Like you said...I can tell Yuuichirou likes you,Usa... but he really likes Rei.Same as Rei herself...I can see it in their eyes." "Whatever."smiled Usagi.."I'll deal with this when I come to it.Right now, it's....SNOW BALL FIGHT!!!"exclaimed Usagi. "Wha??"exclaimed Shinosaki.A fast wet cold snowball came flying at him... hitting him in the chest. "I haven't played snow ball fight since last year!"said Shinosaki. "You know...Makoto will be glad you're back in Tokyo,Shino.."said Usagi. "Nah...she has her boyfriend,Totomo..."said Shinosaki. "She broke up with him after you left for America,Shino..."said Usagi. Shinosaki shrugged...but inside he was smiling...did he have a chance??? "Whatever.....where's that little brother of yours,Shingo anyway??" Usagi smiled."Probably off somewhere with his girlfriend Mika."said Usagi. "Now is this a snowball fight or a gossip group???"asked Usagi throwing another snowball laughing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That night.... "Hi Rei...Mamoru."said Usagi enthusiastically at first but caught sight of Mamoru.She felt her heart flutter and twist with an unknown emotion. "So...ready for your surprise???"asked Usagi holding onto Yuuichirou's arm loosely. Rei smiled and nodded.Suddenly,Rei felt angry...she wanted to punch Usagi for being able to hold Yuuichirou's arm.*Whoa...what's with you girl..* Mamoru's sight was mesmerized by the pretty picture Usagi made.She had her golden hair french braided.It gleamed like gold.His fingers itched to feel them. Usagi wore a sugar pink dress which reached just above her knees for dancing...She wore a diamond bracelet in a shape of roses on her wrist and diamond teardrop earrings.She gaped at Mamoru.He wore casual clothes but it made him look incredibly sexy. Yuuichirou envied Mamoru that he could be close to the raven-haired beauty who wore a fire red dress which was held up by spaggheti straps. Shinosaki wanted to laugh so badly at the couples...each drooling and envying the other... "Come on....can we go yet??"asked Shinosaki. "Uh y-yes."stammered Usagi. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After an hour of driving... "You can't take the blindfolds yet!!"informed Mamoru. Usagi had gone ahead to alert the rest of the group of their arrival... "I don't like this suspense,Mamoru."said Rei fuming. "Second here."said Yuuichirou chuckling. "I can just wonder Mamoru what you and Usagi have in store for us."laughed Shinosaki heartly. The three stepped into the house."Can we take off the blindfolds yet??" asked Rei.By the tone of her voice...it was clear she was getting annoyed. "Okay...take em off."replied Mamoru. "Finally."grinned Yuuichirou. "SURPRISE!!!MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!"exclaimed the group jumping from their hiding places when Yuuichirou,Rei and Shinosaki was still in awe. "Mamoru!!You all did this for us??"asked Rei incredously. "Actually,Usagi suggested it to me...and WE...organized it."said Mamoru turning to smile at Usagi. Usagi blushed a pale pink."It was nothing." "You two actually managed to...work..TOGETHER???"asked Yuuichirou and Rei. Usagi winked at Mamoru."See...I told you they'd be surprised." Everybody in the group began to laugh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The kitchen...10.30pm Yuuichirou pulled Rei into the kitchen and told everybody they had something to discuss... "You know...I think Usagi likes YOUR boyfriend."said Yuuichirou. Rei smiled."I noticed.He likes her too...but they're both confused.They can't see the feelings they have for each other."said Rei. "You aren't angry at Usagi??"asked Yuuichirou. Rei shook her head."No...I shouldn't be..Mamoru has every right to fall in love with someone else while I was away.Besides...,"began Rei smiling. Yuuichirou smiled back at her. "I think I like YOUR girlfriend's boyfriend...."said Rei. Yuuichirou was shocked....*Rei liked him??She actually liked him??* "R-Rei??"he asked surprised. "I'm sorry Yuuichirou...I didn't know it would happen...I-I.."stammered Rei blushing. Yuuichirou silenced her with his finger.."I know exactly what you mean... I was very envious of Mamoru for being able to be your boyfriend...I mean, Usagi's a great girlfriend..but,she doesn't understand me like YOU do.." Rei was shocked..*Yuuichirou likes me too???* "Funny...that's exactly how I feel with Mamoru.You understand me..."said Rei. Yuuichirou gave a deep laugh."Sounds like we're really a case of mismatched couples.If only we could switch the mismatch to a matching pair." said Yuuichirou thoughtfully. "We can!!We can create a scheme that will get them together by tomorrow, Christmas day..."said Rei happily. "That's what I love about you...I really love you Rei."said Yuuichirou. Rei smiled."Same here...Yuuichirou."whispered Rei. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11.00pm Rei exited the kitchen and beckonned the rest in except for Usagi and Mamoru. "You can't listen to the topic.It's a surprise for both of you!!"exclaimed Rei."So...no peeking or eavesdropping!!"warned Rei. Usagi giggled like a child."Yes,mother..."she joked. Mamoru smiled.*Usagi's laugh is like tinkling bells...*he thought to himself. When Rei left for the kitchen...Mamoru returned to his thoughts.... *Stop thinking like that about Usagi,You've got a girlfriend...But I can't help it...Usagi hates you!!You hate her!!Remember???...I wonder what it'd be like to kiss her...Snap out of it!!!She's got a boyfriend!!Hello!!!.... Her hair must feel like silk...Oh man....She's so beautiful...you're nuts... Am not!!...Oh yeah??Why are you arguing with yourself then??..I uh.... Hah!!Hello...Leave me alone...reality's calling lover boy...huh???* "Mamoru!!Are you all right??You've got a silly grin plastered on your face!!"informed Usagi. "Uh...I did??"asked Mamoru starting to blush. Usagi gave a laugh."You look so adorable when you stammer and blush!!" squealed Usagi. "Huh??..Oh??" Usagi burst out laughing.She was acting like a teenager again. Regaining his composure,he scowled at her."It's not funny!!You look like a teenager having fun." "Well...I'll take it as a compliment!"laughed Usagi. "Well,it wasn't...I was trying to say you act childish for a 22 year-old!" shouted Mamoru.*Oh..good going Mamoru..make her hate you more...great idea to get to know her...* Usagi stopped laughing."You're too serious sometimes...you're such a grouch."said Usagi. "I have no need for sunshine and happiness that should be left to teens!" exclaimed Mamoru. That hurt."Well...you should try it sometimes.It wouldn't hurt to be happy once in awhile!!You're just an old scrooge!"cried Usagi. "Hah...Bah humbug.You're just running away from reality and the truth, Usagi."stated Mamoru. Usagi felt her heart shatter...She wanted to cry..but not in front of him. "You're so mean...jerk.."she whispered. Mamoru felt his heart break for Usagi...he just wanted to push her away... he didn't want her around so he could look longingly and not be able to hold her...love her...He didn't know if she felt the same...and he didn't want to hurt Rei..... "I'm sorry Usagi."he whispered. Usagi looked up."Mamoru..if this is about being in the orphange and being alone....don't push me away...I just want to help."she said sadly. "I-I..."began Mamoru. Mamoru tried to speak..but the words just died on his throat... Usagi looked up at his sad face.His eyes showed hope,pain,confusion and loneliness.Not wasting a second...Usagi enveloped him in a hug. Mamoru stared down at Usagi...she was hugging him...it was as if she understood him...without having to say a word...if only Rei could be like her.... Usagi looked up and saw Mamoru looking down at her face.His eyes were filled with emotions...not to mention began to water... "Thank you Usagi..."he whispered. Before Usagi could reply...Mamoru swooped down and captured her lips in a sweet embrace. It was gentle and sweet...but needy at the same time...Soon the kiss became more passionate.He was kissing her urgently and needingly now. Usagi returned the kiss with her own daunting passion...a torrent wave of emotions swept through her whole being... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "So everyone agrees and is willing to help switch...us mismatched couples???"asked Rei smiling. Makoto nodded.Shinosaki smiled.He knew they'd realized it soon...the mismatched couples...Ami and Ryu gave in. Minako and Motoki were standing by the closed kitchen door which had a small glass pane window. "Uh Rei...I don't think you need our help...seems the two of them solved it by themselves..."said Minako. "What do you mean??"asked Rei curiously. "Have a look for yourself..."said Motoki stepping aside. Rei and Yuuichirou peered through the glass..."Oh my...."said Rei. "What is it??"asked Makoto eagerly. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Usagi and Mamoru still kissed on...they still hadn't come up for air... The kitchen door opened. Usagi and Mamoru broke the kiss...still in each other's embrace...they both blushed and panicked when they saw the whole group step out...Rei and Yuuichirou stood side by side right in the middle of the group. "Yuuichirou!!I-I can explain..."stammered Usagi. "R-Rei...I'm sorry..I.."began Mamoru. Yuuichirou and Rei had a stern look on their faces.."We only have one thing to say to you two.."said Rei. Usagi gulped and Mamoru was cold. "W-What's that???"they asked. Yuuichirou pulled Rei into his arms and gave her a long kiss...... Usagi and Mamoru stared in a shock. When Yuuichirou and Rei stopped..."Looks like you two,solved our problem." smiled Rei. "Huh???"said Usagi. "Relax Usa...we just had a case of mismatched couples...we were in the kitchen discussing how to switch and get you two together...but seems you solved it yourselves."laughed Yuuichirou. "Y-You mean you're not angry???"asked Usagi. Rei shook her head."Nope...Yuuichirou and I love each other..we knew you two fell in love with each other too but didn't know it.So we planned to get you two together...I was afraid you might be hurt." said Rei. Usagi gave a laugh."Actually..I thought you might be hurt..."said Usagi. Yuuichirou smiled and placed an arm around Rei... Mamoru who had just recovered from his shock,smiled.He moved closer towards Usagi and slid his arms around her waist possessively,pulling her closer to him. "Hmmm...Mismatched couples huh...who would have thought..."said Mamoru. Yuuichirou smiled and winked at Mamoru.Mamoru smiled a twinkle in his eye.Bending his head from over Usagi's shoulder,Mamoru kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Well...that's settled...It's now 12.30am...Christmas Day,who wants to have a Christmas dance??"asked Motoki. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mamoru,Usagi,Ami,Ryu,Minako,Motoki,Rei and Yuuichirou began to dance a slow dance. Makoto and Shinosaki sat on the couch looking on.The two sighed,then turned to face each other...Makoto stared at Shinosaki...her emerald eyes fixed on his midnight blue ones.... "Mamoru...I..."whispered Usagi. Mamoru looked up and smiled. "I love you.."she whispered quietly.Her blue orbs shining... Mamoru planted a butterfly kiss on her lips."I love you Usagi Tsukino." Usagi sighed and caught Rei's eye...Rei smiled at her and gave her a wink. Usagi never felt so happy in her life...she leaned her head on Mamoru's shoulder as the two danced.... Mamoru smiled down at Usagi.He looked around the whole room....All their friends...Couples..dancing..even Shinosaki and Makoto were caught in the spell...Mamoru sighed...This was one Christmas he'd never forget... The switch of companions...he had no doubt...Usagi Tsukino was his true love........ With that...the 5 couples danced the night away.......... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! The End.... Dedicated to:Christmas of 1999... Awwww...isn't that sweet???They got together!!!Looks like everybody got together with the person they were suppose to be with... :) Sniff..I think I'm going to cry...I got sentimental.... <:~} <---I'm crying!! C'mon....e-mail me!!!!!Puh-leasssssse???????? Cya!!! MERRY XMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Only a few more days to the year 2000!!! Cyou next year!!!