Usagi glarred at the little pink packets of fake-imitation sugar on the diner table. Mamoru was late and nothing else was going right today. She felt very close to crying, but was determined not to.

'Show a little fear or a drop of tear... and that darkness will start to grow and attack...'

Usagi thought of her mother saying this again and again and again.

She sighed and blew a few bubbles in her soda. Or at least tried. The soda came bubbling over the top of the glass and spilled all over the table. "Shimatta."

"Usagi! GET DOWN HERE! YOU ARE GOING TO BE LATE FOR SCHOOL! LET'S GO!"

Usagi rolled out of bed. Her hair was a total mess, and she knew it. She made her way through her room, which like her hair was also a mess, to the hall. She took the doorknob to the bathroom in one hand and turned it a quater to the left. It didn't open.

"Someone's in here!" Chibi-Usa's voice came drifting from the bathroom.

"Nani?"

"I'm brushing my hair."

"You have your own bathroom."

"No...I broke the lock to that so I have to use yours."

Usagi sweatdropped.

"Hurry it up. Have Ikuku-mama brush your hair downstairs."

"...Aww...Usa...I'm almost done..."

Usagi walked over to the counter to get some napkins.

Only then when she stood up did she realised that she had spilled soda all over her school uniform as well as the table she was sitting at.

Her lower lip started to tremble, and her eyes watered up. Everything was blurry.

"Usa-chan?" Usagi turned around. Mamoru...at last...was here. He turned to her and wrapped his arms around her.

"How are you today sweetheart?"

"Awful...just awful...Never been worse..."

"Oh." Mamoru choked down a giggle. "What makes today so bad?"

"Everything. I hate my mom." Usagi breathed in. He smelled good all the time. She loved that.

"Why?"

"She's mean to me."

"Oh. That all?"

"I was late to class...I got a detention...I spilled my soda..."

Mamoru smiled, looked her in the eye and ended the hug.

"I'll buy you another soda if that makes you feel better."

"That would be a good start."

"Hn. I'll help you with your homework too, so Ikuku mama wouldn't be mad at you anymore." He smiled and leaned in close to her.

"I love you...Mamo-chan." She whispered. He kissed her mouth gently.

"I love you too. Hey! Wanna know why I was late today?"

"Yes. I do."

He fished around in his pocket for a second. Pulled his hand out as well as a little silver chain.

"This...is for you."

"Ah! Why did you..."

"I saw Mako-chan today after school. She said that you where having a bad day so...I bought you this to cheer you up."