Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon, or Tuxedo Kamen... FINE! *rolls eyes and huffs* But I really wish I did!

Author's Notes: Okay, not really sure where this one came from. Just popped into my head and I was like... Ohh, Shiny! I'm seriously in the middle of writing a chapter for another story, and I was like... Hmm, maybe this would be fun. So, here you go. Tell me what you think!

The Meaning of Love:
A Story From Beginning to End

Chapter One
Encounters

Three-year-old Tsukino Usagi was a quiet, thoughtful, loving child. She was loved greatly by her parents, and everyone else she graced with her presence. However, if there were a competition for who loved her most in the world, Tsukino Kenji would be the first to say he would win. Father's rights and all. Sure, her mother carried her, doted on her, and loved her so much it hurt, but to Kenji, his little princess was the greatest treasure which had ever graced the earth.

He didn't like to share. Often he would find excuses to leave work early, or even to convince his wife to bring her into the office. Showing off the two women in his life was one of the greatest pleasures he'd ever known. Younger employees for the paper were often jealous of his adoring wife and lovely baby girl. He ate it up like cream. But letting other people have a moment with his daughter was almost painful. Something told him she would only be his a short time, and that there would be a great responsibility on her shoulders one day.

That is perhaps why he hated her dreams. Every morning she would wake up excited and chatter on and on about Endy and his roses, and everything he had said or done. He hated it. Hated the man who was stealing her attentions away from her loving father. Usagi was his little bunny, and he would keep her that way as long as possible.

On this particular morning however, Kenji was extremely occupied. Ikuko was in labor, and so it was her cousin Haruki who was watching her. Kenji hated to leave her home during such an important occasion, but rules were rules. Honestly, Ikuko might be right anyway, he admitted, even if only in his own head. Perhaps watching her mother go through pain to deliver her brother wouldn't be the best thing. But it might later make her stay away from boys, and that could only be a good thing.

-O-

Usagi didn't see the world the way her father and mother did. She just wanted to be with her mother, and make sure she was alright. Hospitals were supposed to be for sick people, and she really didn't understand the concept of having a little brother. She wasn't often exposed to other people, as her family kept her close. She didn't go to a nursery school during the days because her mother stayed home. Her only other real companions were Haruki, who was several years older, and Endy, who her parents claimed wasn't real.

In her mind, Endy was real, and he always said that if you loved someone you should always be there for them. He had told her that was his reason for visiting her dreams, especially when she was sad or scared. And she was often scared. Especially of the thunder and lighting that made the sky bright and the world shake.

-O-

Haruki took her hand and led her down the street to catch the bus when it was finally time to go meet the mysterious new brother. "What does a brother do?" She looked up at her red-haired cousin curiously.

"Well, I suppose in the beginning he wont do much at all. Probably just eat, sleep, cry, and poop."

Usagi giggled. Her cousin was silly. "And then what?"

"Well, he will learn to do the things you learned to do. Walking and talking, and all sorts of other things. And one day he'll be big and strong, and the two of you will love each other, even if you pick on each other a bit."

"What would I pick from him?" Usagi's little nose wrinkled in confusion.

"I mean teasing. He might call you names, and you might call him names, or play tricks on him." Haruki laughed at her open mouthed stare.

"But... but that's mean!" She finally said, sounding scandalized. They climbed up onto the bus and he lifted her into the seat beside him.

"Not really," he said finally. "Sometimes when we love someone we still want to tease them. Most of the time it's all in fun. Like when I pull your hair a little, I don't really hurt you and even when I tease a little I never say anything really mean. It's just a hidden way to say I love you."

Usagi was quiet for a long time, contemplating this new information. "But I can be nice for now right?"

Haruki nodded. "Of course you can. What do you have in mind?"

"Flowers," giggled the little girl. "I love flowers, so I want to get him some."

"That sounds great. We can pick some up in the gift shop." He grinned down at her. "I think you're going to be a great big sister."

"Endy said so too," she sighed and snuggled against her cousin.

"So who is Endy?" Haruki had heard his uncle speak the name with hostility.

"He's my friend. He comes and visits me when I sleep. 'Specially when there's thunder." She sighed. "He loves me lots and lots and says someday I'm gonna meet a prince."

"Wow!" Haruki hid his chuckle. His little cousin had an active imagination.

The two climbed off the bus and headed into the visitors entrance. Haruki led her into the gift shop where they bought the last bouquet of roses and a little blue teddy bear. His uncle had given him the money before he and his aunt had left for the hospital.

Several hallways, elevators, and even staircases later, Haruki knew the two of them were lost. It was his responsibility to watch her, and to get her safely to his parents, and he was feeling a bit frustrated. He went to a nurse's station to ask for directions, and when he turned around Usagi was gone. A moment later he saw her little blonde head peeking disappearing into a hospital room.

-O-

Six-year-old Chiba Mamoru was feeling a bit pathetic. He couldn't seem to stop crying, and it was a bit embarrassing. He'd been crying for days now, and he wasn't sure how to stop the tears. But it was worse. So much worse, because now Fiore, who was the only friend he'd made since the accident, had to leave. It really wasn't fair. Everybody left, and he would always be alone. At the thought a new wave of tears consumed him.

He didn't notice the little blonde girl peeking her head in to see what the noise was. He was dwelling on how he was supposed to say goodbye. Unhappy and feeling abandoned, little Mamoru wasn't sure what to think. He rubbed at his sore eyes, and then blinked when he lowered his hands.

A little girl with bright blue eyes was staring up at him. She had to be barely half his age, and she had blonde hair pulled up so it looked like dumplings and noodles.

"Who are…?" Mamoru wasn't sure what to make of the little girl, who had gotten so close when even the other children never did, except Fiore. And he was leaving. He squeezed his eyes closed for a moment to hold back the tears. Opening them again he looked down at the little girl.

"Don't cry. It's okay." She closed in on him and hugged his leg. Her little hands were gentle, and she smelled like strawberries and chocolate. He wondered just who she was, and why she had come to talk to him. She was very nice though, so he didn't mind. Finally, he decided to explain.

"But my best friend is going to have to go away really soon. And there's nothing I can do to help him." He wanted to tell her the rest, but she was so young and happy he didn't want to depress her. She looked too sweet to be saddened by his problems. He wanted to protect her from that kind of knowledge.

"Guess what? It's a special day. I'm a big sister now. My mommy just had a baby, so I brought these flowers to celebrate." The blonde child lifted up a bright red rose to him. "Here, it's for you." Mamoru was stunned. He reached out carefully and accepted the pretty flower. Suddenly he felt just a little bit hopeful. The only other time he felt that way was when the princess came to see him in his dreams. His Princess Tee.

"Wow, thanks!" He smiled at her. She waved him a little closer, and when he bent down to her she stood on her little tip-toes and kissed his cheek. He blushed and covered the spot with one hand.

"I'll be your friend." She twisted back and forth, holding onto her little skirt, and smiled shyly.

"Okay," he said at last.

-O-

Haruki stood in the doorway, feeling a bit amazed at his little cousin. She had so quickly changed the other child's mood. The other kid was closer to his own age. Haruki was very proud because he was eight, and he was allowed to protect his little cousin. He'd been allowed to bring her to the hospital all by himself, and he had done a good job.

"Usagi," he called finally. "It's time to go meet your brother."

"Kay!" She impulsively leaped forward and hugged the boy again. "Bye." She waved and raced toward Haruki before suddenly stopping and turning around. "Hey, what's your name?"

"Mamoru," the black-haired boy answered, his blue eyes twinkling. "Bye Little Bunny!" He waved and Haruki grabbed Usagi's hand and led her out of the room and into the maternity ward.

-O-

Kenji stood proudly, holding his newborn son, as he watched his wife doze off again. It had been a hard labor for her, though she was strong and brave, as she'd been when Usagi was born. He wondered what was keeping his little girl, and if it had really been wise to let an eight year old bring her to the hospital alone. A moment later however, the little blonde ball of energy was racing into the room.

A few minutes of hugs and excited squeals later, and Usagi was sitting carefully on the bed, between her mother's legs, and holding little Shingo, her mother's arms wrapped around hers to prevent any accidents. Kenji turned to Haruki.

"What took so long?" he asked finally. the other boy grinned.

"Oh, just Usagi saving someone again."

Kenji let out a happy laugh. "All in a day's work for her," he admitted, and the story was relayed. "I'm telling you, one day, my little bunny is going to save the world.