Well, somehow I made it past all those awful 
tests, (ugh) and came back with yet another part to 
this story that keeps running around in my head.  
Thanks to Snarf who "poked" some of that encouragement 
into me to get this out. ^_^

	Disclaimer: Tell you what, I'll let you make 
up your own fancied disclaimer and put it here. *grin*  
I will say that a poor college student such as I has 
no means to own any of SM, though it was a nice 
thought . . .




"A Birthday Wish Come True"
by Sailor Elysia


Part Two:  A Simple Wish?





	Usagi breezed through the front door of her house, 
yelling to her mother as she dashed up the stairs to her 
bedroom, "Mom!  Sorry I'm late!  You won't believe what 
happened to me today!"

	Tsukino Ikuko stood in the kitchen doorway, 
smiling as she listened to her now fifteen-year-old 
daughter upstairs ramble on about anything and everything.  
She understood how a teenager's life could be, and she 
knew no matter how old Usagi got, she'd stay the same.  
No amount of time could ever change that.  With her purse 
in hand, and ready to accompany her daughter on one of 
her many eventful shopping sprees, she called up the 
stairs.  "Usagi, I'm ready to go when you are, but don't 
forget, we've got to be back in time for your party." 

	A blur of blonde hair, blue skirt, white shirt 
and pink jacket suddenly rushed down the stairs and stood 
at Ikuko's side.  "Hai, mother, I'm ready to go!" Usagi 
grinned happily, excited at the thought of looking at all 
the new shops in town.  Ikuko just shook her head and 
smiled at her daughter's enthusiasm.  With all this energy, 
this was certainly going to be a *long* afternoon.




			^*^*^*^*^*^




	Even with all the excitement the day promised, 
and shopping, her favorite activity, Usagi had a 
difficult time keeping her concentration.  Who could have
left that mysterious note for her at the arcade?  It 
couldn't be a prank played on her by one of her friends, 
it seemed much too serious to be a joke.  Motoki couldn't 
have done it, she knew he already had Reika as a girlfriend.  
So who in the world wanted to meet her so badly that they 
had to be so secretive about it?  It was odd, yet intriguing 
at the same time.

	"Usagi?" The snap of her mother's fingers brought 
her back to reality.  "What do you think of this dress?"  
Usagi glanced at the garment Ikuko was holding up.  Her 
nose wrinkled slightly at the sight of the long red dress.  
Red really wasn't her color; it suited her friend Rei much 
better.  Usagi glanced past her mother to the rack just 
behind her, her eyes stopping at a white dress sticking out 
from the rest of the rack.  She eagerly pulled it out and 
held it up to her figure.  

	The dress had an empire waist, pale pink rosebuds 
scattered all over the lower skirt,  and reached down to 
her knees.  "Mom, this one is absolutely perfect!" Usagi 
squealed as she twirled around, still holding the dress to 
her.  Ikuko grinned at Usagi's vivaciousness, and silently 
agreed that the dress was definitely her type.  Without 
another word, they bought the dress, winning a smile from 
the cashier, and set out scouring the streets of Tokyo once 
more.



			^*^*^*^*^*^




	I left the arcade about an hour after Usagi did, 
still leaving Motoki dumbfounded.  I love it when I can 
shock him like that.  I still had one thing left to do: 
find the perfect gift for Usako.  I had already bought 
one small gift, but I felt it wasn't enough.  So I still 
had a few loose ends to tie up.

	As I walked along one of Juuban's main streets 
not paying attention to anything in particular, a sudden 
fit of giggling made me bring my head up.  I knew that 
laugh anywhere.  I froze in my tracks when I saw her 
approaching me.  Usagi and another woman, who I guessed 
to be her mother, were giggling loudly while clutching 
shopping bags in one hand and ice cream cones in the other.

	Okay, calm down Mamoru.  It's only Usagi coming 
towards you.  Oh sure, like *that* helped any.  She's 
the only reason I get up in the morning, and my excuse 
for going to the arcade as much as I do.  I can't be calm 
around her!  As she advanced closer and closer, I knew 
there was no way for me to pass by her without saying 
something.  But I won't call her Odango, I won't, I won't, 
I won't.

	"Konnichi wa, Odango Atama," I replied as she 
walked by me. Baka Mamoru! I didn't want to get her 
attention like that!  I watched as she visibly cringed 
and turned around to face me, the fury rising on her 
adorable face.

	"Mamoru-kun!  I was hoping to get through this 
day without having to hear that stupid name from you or 
anyone else!"  If her mother hadn't tugged on her sleeve 
just then, I was sure she would've continued chewing me 
out.  She looked at her mother, then back at me, then back 
at her mother and sighed.  "Mom," she mumbled, "meet Chiba 
Mamoru, the only person besides Rei who I let get away with 
calling me names."  

	She *lets* me get away with it!?  I never thought 
I'd hear her say that.  What kind of comment is that, Usa?  
Are you trying to say something to me, or am I just reading 
too much into things?

	I bowed politely to her mother. "A pleasure to 
meet you, Tsukino-san.  I can see where Usagi-chan gets 
her looks."  I couldn't help myself.  If I was to ever get 
on Usako's good side, a little flattery couldn't hurt.  I 
glanced at her from out of the corner of my eye and noticed 
she was staring open-mouthed with widened eyes at me.  If 
I didn't know any better, I'd say that some of Rei's fiery 
temper had rubbed off on her.  Good, at least I caught her 
attention with that one.  If you only knew what I had 
planned for you, Usako, then I'd definitely have your full 
attention.  "I'll see you around then, Odango," I winked at 
her, and continued on my way. 




			^*^*^*^*^*^




	Her fists slowly unclenched as she watched Mamoru 
walk away.  Ooh, just a few words from him could get her 
so uptight!  Why was it that she became so short-tempered 
around him?  No one else could change her moods like he 
could . . .  What was *that* supposed to mean?  She most 
certainly did not like him . . . did she?  She admitted 
that he was indeed handsome, and some days she could just 
drown in his deep blue eyes . . . well, everyone was 
entitled to their crushes, weren't they?  But Mamoru, of 
all people!

	Sure, she didn't absolutely appreciate the name 
calling, but sometimes, she actually looked forward to 
their constant retorts and gibe they threw at each other.  
It was like a necessary part of her day now; to walk into 
the arcade and be met by some teasing comment of his. And 
what about all the times she was late to school, and she 
continually ran into him?  Why did he care so much, anyway?  
It left Usagi feeling *very* confused.

	She and her mother continued to walk home so they 
could get the house ready for her party that afternoon.  
Even as they went over all the preparations, Usagi couldn't 
get the other thing that was still troubling her off her 
mind: that card.  Part of her wanted to go to the park 
after her party and find out what it was all about, while 
the rest of her suddenly became shy about the whole thing.  
'All because of a stupid note,' her mind argued.  'Yes, but 
you've got to admit, it's very flattering.'

	When they got back to the house, Usagi ran up the 
stairs, and into her bedroom, dropping her bags at the foot 
of her bed, barely missing a napping Luna.  She pulled out 
the white dress from the first bag and slipped it over her 
head, wanting to make sure it fit her right.  Usagi grinned 
happily when she glanced in the mirror and found that the 
dress fit her perfectly, like it had been made for her. 

	The sound of the front door opening downstairs 
and the familiar voices of Makoto and Minako talking to 
her mother made Usagi smile.  She turned to Luna, who was 
still trying to go back to sleep.  "C'mon Luna.  How can 
anyone sleep through such a glorious day?"  The midnight 
black cat yawned, and glared at her owner.  "I seem to 
remember saying the same thing to you many mornings."  
She stretched out to her full length, then jumped down 
from the bed.  Glancing behind her, she sighed as she 
watched Usagi still standing in front of the full-length 
mirror, twirling back and forth in her new dress.  A 
mischievous look gleamed in her eye.  "Now who's the slow 
poke?" Luna taunted.  Usagi stopped twirling and looked 
down at her cat.  "Slowpoke?! I'll show you! Race you 
downstairs, Luna!" she replied as she dashed out of the 
bedroom with a flash of black close at her heels.




			^*^*^*^*^




	A burst of laughter from the living room made 
Ikuko smile as she lit the fifteenth candle on the two 
layer chocolate cake.  She walked slowly from the kitchen 
with the cake in hand into the other room where Ami, Rei, 
Minako, Makoto were all seated on the floor around Usagi 
and her pile of gifts they had given her, giggling happily 
about past experiences.  From clothing and manga to stuffed 
animals, they each knew what Usagi wanted the most, each 
gift fitting perfectly to her bright personality.  

	Usagi's eyes lit up as she saw her mother walk 
into the room with the cake, the candles illuminating 
her face.  Ikuko softly began to sing, and everyone else 
joined in instantaneously.  As the cake was placed on the 
low table in front of her, she leaned forward, preparing 
to blow out the flaming candles, when Minako suddenly 
stopped her.  "Usagi-chan, don't forget, you have to 
make a wish!"

	Usagi glanced at each of her friends, each of 
them nodding in agreement.  She thought for a moment, then 
she smiled, knowing exactly what to wish for.  Though it 
was not something she would have normally wished for, 
something in the back of her mind made her change her wish 
at the last second. She leaned forward again, and with a 
huge breath, proceeded to blow out each and every candle 
on the cake.  

	Makoto nudged her friend in the side with her 
elbow.  "Well, what did you wish for?"  Usagi looked at 
her, about to spill it, when Minako clapped a hand over 
her mouth.  "You can't tell anyone, Usagi-chan!  Then it 
won't come true!"  Rei grinned and muttered under her 
breath, "like that's all it's gonna take to stop a loud 
mouth like her."  Usagi caught her friend's words, and 
stuck her tongue out at her.  "Rei-chan, don't be so 
mean!"

	Ami silenced them all with a few words.  "I 
think we've forgotten the most important thing," she 
replied, pointing to the chocolate-frosted cake in front 
of everyone.  Immediately the five girls dug into the 
two-layer cake, talking and chattering the whole time 
about school, boys, and everything else.

	As Usagi devoured her slice of cake, she glanced 
out the window and caught sight of the sun, which by now 
was sinking slowly into the horizon.  'Sunset . . .'  The 
word suddenly revived the memory of the day's events in 
her mind.  Sunset?!  She just *had* to know who sent her 
that card!  What if it turned out to be the love of her 
life, the one person who could show her true happiness?  
On the other hand, what if it turned out to be a big joke?  
She didn't think she could handle the humiliation if it 
was.  Part of her held back again, while a small voice 
kept taunting her to go to the park.  Finally, Usagi 
gave in, and decided to go no matter what happened.










	I know, I know, the ending isn't very good, but 
midterms are haunting me at the moment, so I can't devote 
quite as much time to my fanfics as much as I'd like to.  
Hopefully I can make up for it all with part three.  
	One quick question:  A lot of people have been 
asking me whether or not I planned to continue my short 
story, "Going Up?"  The truth is, I don't know.  I don't 
have any ideas for it, though I am in the process of 
revising it and maybe adding a little more.  But as for 
continuing it, I'm stuck.  So for those who want to see 
it continued, got any ideas for me?  *sheepish grin*

Until then, ja ne!

Elysia-chan


	"YKYWTMSMW: your favorite candy becomes M & M's 
and Skittles, cause you realize they have the letters 
"S" and "M" printed on them."

(okay, so I got bored one night . . .*sheepish grin*)