TITLE: Our Precious Chirstmas Gift
AUTHOR: FurBall
E-MAIL: Fur.Ball@mailcity.com
RATED: PG-13

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Happy New Year Everyone!!! This was supposed to come out last December
but I didn't make it. *sigh* anyways at least better late then never ne? ^-^ 
At first this was going to be an entirely different fic, but after some thought 
I made it to fit somewhere in I'll Always Be Here. For those of you who had read 
the fic this one's going to take place before the Epilogue. ^-^
Thanks again to everyone who had supported me through that fic! and this 
Christmas story is not only a gift to you, but also it marks that a year has
passed since I first started writing fanfics! ^-^ I'm Sooooo happy about that!
Thanks to all the people of ASMR!!! 

DISCLAIMERS: Sailormoon and the other characters are NOT MINE! SO PLEASE 
DON'T SUE ME! although the some places, characters and incidences 
are mine, any similarities with other fanfics are purely coincidental! 

  Christmas is the time for giving and sharing gifts. 
     And the most precious gift of them all is love.   

/*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/////*****/

   It was Christmas time and everyone were either making their last Christmas 
shopping or enjoying the festivities of the season on the snow covered streets
of Crystal Tokyo. Everyone had a reason to rejoice for all of them were given
a second chance for living. And they all had to thank their present rulers for 
that. They all couldn't wait for the banquet that was to be held that night 
which was given as a gift to them from the King and Queen. It was such a sight 
to see two people who were so much in love with each other and who mutually 
cared for the people they govern. They have never seen such a well matched couple 
before, and to have them was a blessing They could only admire their courage, 
love and loyalty to their people.The Queen was beautiful not only on the outside 
but also inside as well. She was kind to everyone and is fair in her judgement
always. The King, like the Queen was also the same. He was also patient and 
cool headed. If there were any disturbances on their borders he would be there 
to ensure everyones safety and calmly view the situation and make necessary 
actions to hinder any further disturbances that may occur.

   "Come on, you just have to help me with this! I've got no idea what to give 
my wife this Christmas!" said the man to his companion as he pondered on the
display case where a number of necklaces were held before him.

   His companion chuckled and shook his head, then glanced worriedly at the crowd 
that was slowly starting to form outside the shop they had just entered. 
He had no reason to be alarmed however when two gaurds secured the door. 

   Turning back to the same display case once again, he sighed and looked up at
the blushing attendant whom he caught staring at his friend. He grinned and
looked at his frowning friend. 

   "Endymion-sama, for pete's sake pick a gift already! Besides, I promised Rei that 
I'll be back to help the girls with the decorations at the palace." he said 
using the title of his friend. Were they alone Akira would've teased Mamoru
more but as they were out in public, he refrained himself from doing so. But it
was too good an opportunity to pass up that he couldn't help but do so. He had 
gotten his wife a gift long before the Christmas rush so he didn't have the same 
delima as his friend, and couldn't help but tease him. He and Rei were an unlikely 
couple, after their rebirth it was Akira who had comforted Rei when they had 
waited anxiously for Endymion and Serenity to wake from their slumber and it was 
during those times where their friendship had blossomed into love. After Mamoru
and Usagi's marriage and coronation, they had decided to tie the knot themselves.

   Mamoru straightened, ran a hand over his lavander hair and glared
at his grinning friend. "Akira you really try my patience you know that?" he
said sighing as he glanced back at the necklace he was looking at a few
minutes ago. "You try to pick a gift out for a Queen and see if you can do 
it in a second." He said sarcastically. Akira chuckled and patted him on the
back. "I leave that all to you my friend. At least my wife is just a princess and
Senshi, ne?" He asked cocking an eyebrow.

   Mamoru sighed again and looked apologetically at the woman behind the
counter. He caught her staring and she blushed to the roots of her hair.
He smiled at her and said. "I'll look around a bit more and come back later."
He said, the woman bowed and replied. "Please take your time, Your Majesty."

   He nodded and went to the door. He stopped short when he noticed that a small
crowd had formed outside, he glanced at Akira who shrugged, "Hey, your royalty
you can't blame the people getting curious as to what you are doing outside the
palace couldn't you?" he asked.

   Mamoru shook his head. "Guess not." he muttered and stepped outside. The
people bowed as he passed them he nodded and made his way to another store. 

	 /**/**/**/*/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/

   "Ami-chan, Have you seen Mamo-chan?" asked a voice from the doorway. Ami looked 
up from what she was doing to see a woman standing there. She was wearing a simple
white gown that reached the floor, her silver hair up in their usual buns with
their ends reaching her ankles. A gold braclet encircled her wrist and a small
crown adorned her head.

   "No I haven't seen him, Serenity-sama." Ami replied. Usagi smiled, "Ami-chan I
told you to call me Usagi-chan when we're alone didn't I?" she chided. Ami grinned
and pointed to the gaurd behind Usagi.

    Usagi glanced back and frowned. "Yes, what is it?" She asked the gaurd.

   "Your Majesty, Princess Rei is looking for you at the ballroom." the gaurd replied.
Usagi sighed and looked back at Ami. "You coming? I think Rei might just blow a
fuse if we don't hurry down there and helped." She said.

   Ami bit back a grin and stood up to follow her. "Yeah I'll go with you. With Rei
running around like that who knows what might happen." Ami said as she fell into 
step beside Usagi, with the gaurd following behind them. "Why were you looking 
for Endymion-sama anyway?" she asked.

   "I wanted to talk to him about something before the festivitites tonight, but
I couldn't do so when he disappeared after breakfast." Usagi said sighing.

   Ami looked at her friend. "What did you want to talk to him about? Maybe I could help." 
Ami offered. Usagi shook her head quickly, and replied. "Oh..Uhh.. nothing important."
Ami looked quizically at her friends odd behavior and said nothing. 

   Upon reaching the ballroom Usagi winced as she heard Rei's shrill voice. "That's
not it! You have to move that cloth a little more further to the side!" Looking at
Ami, she leaned in and whispered. "How does Akira stand to that?" Ami giggled
and rolled her eyes. "Beats me, maybe with cottons?" Ami whispered back eyes 
twinkling. Usagi laughed at that as they entered the ballroom. Though Rei was
screaming and servants were running to and fro to do her bidding, the ballroom 
was already half finished. It had taken Rei a week to plan and decorate the
ballroom and already now it was nearly done. A combination of red and green 
cloths were hung interchangingly around the perimeter of the ballroom with colorful 
flowers placed in between cloths. Marble stands of different heights were scattered
around the room and a circle of it was made a kind of boundery from the tables
to the dance floor. Later flowers will Be placed on these stands to add color
and life to the whole place, while mistletoes will be placed in stratigic locations
where couples or strangers who will be caught unawares will kiss. The big chandelier 
in the middle of the ballroom was lowered so that some of the servants could clean 
the dust from them. Other's were busily arranging tables leaving a large space 
for dancing later. The five long tables that were set around the room for the food 
to be placed, were now being covered by table cloths. A giant tree that was lavishly
decorated was set near a raised platform where another long table was placed at 
the front of the room where the royal couple and other royalties will sit. 

   "Serenity-sama." Rei called when she saw her friends enter the room. As she made
her way towards them she would occassionaly stop and instruct a servant on what to
do next then continue on her way until she reached them.

   "Well, I'll say Rei you have done wonder's in this room." Usagi said taking 
another look around. "Where are Minako and Makoto?" She asked when she looked
at Rei again. 

   Rei smiled, "Makoto's in the kitchen instructing the cooks. Minako on the 
other hand is working on the palace's security for tonight's banquet." she 
said. Then glanced at her watch. "Akira said that he'd be here by two to put up
the last touches for tonight. But its four already. He and Endymion-sama are yet to come
back." At the mention of her husband's name Usagi turned back to look at Rei. 
"Mamo-chan went out with Akira?" She asked. Rei nodded. "Do you know where they
have gone to? Do you know when they'll come back? 'coz I need to talk to Mamo-chan
about something." Usagi persisted. Puzzled at Usagi's behavior Rei shook her head. 
"No I don't have any..." Rei was saying when she spied her husband making his way
towards her. 

   Rei glared at him over Usagi's shoulder, she placed her hands on her hips and
scowled. "And WHERE may I ask have YOU been?" Rei demanded eyes narrowed. Usagi and
Ami turned to watch the Akira make his way towards his angry wife. Akira smiled
and went to kiss his wife on her cheek. "Why I was out helping Endymion on a problem
of his." Akira said slipping an arm around his wife's waist as Rei frowned at him.
"What problem? and where's Mamo-chan?" this from Usagi, who was observing the exchange. 

   "Nothing that we couldn't handle. Ne, Endymion-sama?" Akira asked glancing behind 
him, where Mamoru entered behind him. "Yeah, It's nothing Usako." Mamoru said as he 
made his own way towards his wife. It had taken him a considerably large amount of 
time just to pick out the perfect gift for his Usako. Now the gift was safely tucked 
in his pocket where he could easily get it to give it at the banquet later. 

   "Where have you been? I was looking all over for you, you know." Usagi said looking at
her husband.

   "Oh just getting an important thing done, which I needed Akira's help with. But that's
done now." Mamoru said grinning.

   "Mamo-chan can I talk with you? I need to tell you something." Usagi said as she pulled
on Mamoru's sleeve. He kissed her lips and looked into her questioning blue eyes. 

   "Okay, let's talk in our chamber we need to get ready for the banquet, too."
     
	/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/
   
   The palace was ablazed with life. The people who were there could hardly wait for
the festivities to begin. They were all excited to know what the couple had given each
other for a gift. Many were already trying to guess what the king may have bought that 
very afternoon for his queen. As the guests made their way to the ballroom they could
only stare in amazement and pleasure at the decorations made. The flowers that were
personally arranged by Akira and Rei were beautifully made that made the ballroom look
like a garden. The tables that held the food, were beautifully designed that it didn't
only serve its purpose but added to the beauty of the place as well. A group of 
musicians were starting to warm up for the music they were to play during the 
festivities were set near the dance floor and to the right of the raised dias where
the table of the royalties was held.

    Seeing that most of the guests and other royalties were already at attendance 
and settled down in their seats. Minako, glanced at the head table where Rei
and Ami, were standing waiting for their king and queen. They were all wearing
a gown with spagetti straps and thin shawl around their shoulders, but of different
colors, pale orange, red and blue gown respectively. When she saw all was in order
she signaled the footman to sound the trumpet. 

    At the sound all of the people turned in unison to look at the emerging couple.
Mamoru was wearing his lavander tuxedo with matching cape. He wore a crisp white shirt
underneath the tuxedo with a cross shaped medallion hung around his neck. A gold chain
hung from his pocket where his starshaped pocket watch was placed. On his gloved right
hand he held his scepter and on the bridge of his nose was his silver mask. On his 
left side holding his arm was Usagi. She was wearing a pale pink gown much that
had an off the shoulder neckline. Its bodice hugged her upperbody and from there
it flowed all the way to the floor. Her hair was up in its usual odango's with a crown 
adorning her head. A pair of moon shaped earings hung from her earlobes and the familiar
gold bracelet encircled her wrist. She, like her husband held her scepter, this
time on her left hand.

    As they decsended down the steps the people could only stare at the magnificent
picture they portrayed. When they reached the table, Rei and Ami, who were standing 
on either side of them, took their scepters and placed them behind their respective 
seats. 

    As she looked at the faces before her, Usagi felt a wave of nervousness wash over
her. Sensing her fear, Mamoru took her hand in his and squeezed it for reasurance.
glancing at him Usagi smiled in thankfulness then cleared her throat.

    "My people," She said in a strong clear voice. "We have been blessed to have been
given another chance in living, and this is our first Christmas together in our new
life. I give this banquet to you, not only for the celebration of Christmas but also 
of life as well. Pay heed that this life we have been given is a precious gift and
we must live it to the fullest, for it is the best gift we could ever recieve. And
now let the festivities begin!!" 

    A resounding cheer went up after that. Usagi glanced at her husband to see his
reaction and was rewarded by a huge smile. Leaning down he kissed her softly on her
cheek, and whispered. "That was well done of you, Usako." 

    They sat down after that and enjoyed the entertainment Rei had set up.

    But for all the enjoyment, Usagi was quiet and smiled only when she felt obliged
to do so. She didn't get the chance to talk with Mamoru at all when they went up to 
get ready for the banquet. And she needed to tell him about something before they
exchange their gifts in front of the whole people. She turned to see if she could
talk with Mamoru but he was in deep conversation with Ami who was beside him. Usagi
sighed, and was nudged by Rei who was sitting beside her. 

    "Hey, why aren't you eating?" Rei asked her friend. "Makoto's worried that you
don't like her food. She had been beeping me for the past couple of minutes you know."
indicating her hidden communicator. 

    "I just have alot on my mind. Where's Mako-chan anyway?" Usagi asked taking
a bite of her shrimp. Rei gestured with her head to the left buffet table. 
"She's been standing there observing you. She's directing the flow of food." 
Rei said. Usagi nodded absently and resumed eating. It was a couple of hours
later when Usagi had the opportunity to talk with her husband.

    It was time for the dancing to begin. Mamoru led his wife to the middle of the 
dance floor as the music started. He held Usagi's right hand and wrapped an arm
around her waist, which in turn Usagi placed her left hand on his shoulder and
they started dancing. 

    "You know I never imagined that I'll be dancing with you one day with you not
only as my wife but also my queen." Mamoru said as he gazed into Usagi's eyes. Usagi
smiled and replied, "So did I."

    "I loved what you said back there a while ago, you're right this is a time not only 
to celebrate Christmas but life as well." Mamoru said as he place her right hand on 
his shoulder and laced his hands behind her waist. Still swaying to the music Usagi
in turn laced her hands about his neck. Seeing her opening at what Mamoru said, 
"About celebration of life Mamo-chan I need to tell you some..." she started to say
when Rei called out. 

    "Your Majesties!" Turning, Mamoru and Usagi saw that they had gathered an audience
who were all smiling and giggling.

    "What is it Rei?" Mamoru asked, as he stopped still holding his wife. 

    Rei pointed above their heads and grinned. "Mistletoe!" she said as their audience 
shouted encouragement to the couple, who blushed and looked up above their heads.

    Mamoru chuckled and looked down at his wife. "Well, madam we shouldn't disappoint our
subjects do we?" he asked as he leaned down to kiss her.

    Usagi's reply was forgotten when she recieved her husband's kiss and her arms 
tightened around her husband's neck encouraging him more. 

    Their audience laughed, clapped and whistled during their passionate embrace when
it was obvious that the two had forgotten it was just supposed to be a casual kiss.

    Pulling back, Mamoru smiled at his wife's bemused look. She was whispering 
something to him but he couldn't make out what it was due to the sound of clapping 
and laughter around them.

    "Usako, what did you say?" he asked straining to hear her.

    "I said I'm pregnant!!!" Usagi said into his ear.

    "YOUR WHAT!???" he shouted stunned by her announcement.

    All the laughter and clapping stopped when they heard their king shout. You could
have heard a pin drop after that stunned silence.

    Usagi looked around at the shocked faces of the people around them, then back at
her frozen husband. "Mamo-chan snap out of it, people are staring." Usagi said nervously.

    Shaking from his frozen state Mamoru looked around at their gaping guests and
blushed. He quickly took hold of Usagi's hand and left the dance floor then led her
to the terrace away from prying eyes and curious ears. 

    He didn't stop until he reached their private rose garden. Here he stopped and 
turned to look at her. "Your pregnant?" Mamoru asked finally. Taking in her slender
form. 

    Usagi nodded and smiled a little. "Yes, I am." Mamoru shook his head in wonder.
"How long?" he asked taking a step towards her and then placing a hand on her
still flat abdomen. 

    "About three months." Usagi replied looking at his eyes to see any hint of
what he was feeling. She was afraid that it might be to soon for them and so she
couldn't help but feel anxious. "Are you angry?" she asked tentatively, as she
placed a hand over his.

    Mamoru looked at her and smiled. "No, of course not. How can I be angry with you?"
he asked taking his hand from her abdomen to wrap his arms around her.

    Usagi sighed and leaned into his body, hugging him. "I thought it just might be too
soon for us." she whispered.

    Mamoru kissed her forhead and leaned back to watch her face. "No, its okay. It's 
the best gift I ever had. Thank You, Usako." Mamoru said as he leaned down to kiss
her.

    "I love you, Mamo-chan" She whispered against his lips.

    "And I you."

/***************/

    The time of the gift giving was now at hand. Mamoru stood up from his chair and in
front of the whole people presented his gift to Usagi. Usagi opened it eagerly, wondering
what it was. A bright red ruby shaped into a half openned rose hung from a necklace made
up of gold with diamonds embedded into it. It was a simple necklace piece but still
beautiful for its simplicity.

    Usagi loooked up at her husband and whispered her thanks. Mamoru in turn leaned down 
and kissed her softly on the lips. When he straightened he helped Usagi wear it around 
her neck. When it was Usagi's turn, she stood up and linked an arm around Mamoru's.

    "I have given my gift for my husband long before this moment arrived. And I think
it is better to have him tell you what it is rather than me." She said as she looked
up at Mamoru's smiling blue eyes.

    Turning to his people, he saw they were all curious as to what the gift was. For they
can see nothing about the king that could give a hint of what was given to him by their 
queen.

    "What my wife has given me will not be seen by you right now, but may see it in
a few months time." He stopped as an excited murmur came from their subjects. The
senshi themselves could only hold their joy as they came to a conclusion of what this
gift was.

    "For my gift is our child. She had just told me that I am to be a father a little 
while ago." Mamoru said proudly. A resounding cheer went up at this happy news.
The announcement made the whole night complete. It was indeed a celebration not only
of Christmas but also of life as well.

    In their bedroom later that night, Usagi pressed close against her husband as they
gazed out into the night.

    "Well, what did you think of my christmas gift for you?" Usagi asked teasingly.

    "I think it's precious." Mamoru replied and turned his wife around. 

    They had endured many hardships. And this gift of life was something of a miracle
for both of them. His happiness and joy was so vast that he all but burst with it. 
And it was all because of the woman in his arms. This lovely girl who loved him and
trusted him for who he was. And now the gift she gave him was the most precious gift
he had ever recieved.

    "But you know what?" Mamoru asked as he hugged her.

    "No, What?" Usagi asked 

    "I don't think that the child only as my gift." Mamoru said as he tucked a wayward 
hair behind her ear.

    "You don't?" Usagi asked puzzled.

    Mamoru shook his head and smiled. 

    "Nope, but I think of it as our precious christmas gift."


THE END!!!
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Well there you have it!!! 
did you like it???
Tell me okay?!
That's my gift for you!!! 
Till next time!!!

Email me!! Email me!!!

Ja minna!!
Fur Ball B)