Tsukino Usagi looked rather expectantly at her friend. Rei stared back at her. Everyone was absolutely silent. Usagi blinked, smiling a bit guilelessly, the situation not going as she expected. Rei's nostrils began to flare a little. Ami sweat-dropped and Makoto took a cautious step back with the blue-haired girl.

"So..." Rei began, her tone unnaturally sweet.

Minako beamed next to the odango-blonde. "It was my idea!" Rei's eyes momentarily flitted on to Minako, her glare so fierce that even Minako paused. Two pairs of blue-eyes turned to each other worriedly before turning back to the dark-haired priestess.

"What Rei-chan? You don't like it?" Usagi frowned worriedly at the dark-haired miko.

"Well..." Rei began, "returning my manga on my birthday," Rei purred at last. "Is -not- a good idea!"

"But we were broke!" Usagi cried out helplessly as their friend gave out shouts of battle-cries as she chased the two blondes around the Hikawa Jinja with her broom.

The wind blew morosely, rattling the drooping banner that said "Happy Birthday Rei-chan!" as it dangled lopsidely over the paper doors.