AN: Hello everyone, I decided to dust off this series of shorts for the holidays! It's been a while so I maybe a bit rusty. Anyways enjoy this short and please leave reviews! Happy Holidays everyone.

Thanksgiving Blues

It was once again the time of year when the leaves began to change colors and every day seemed a little colder than the previous one. Despite the beauty nature presented, one recently revived Shitennou couldn't help but feeling slightly depressed. While he was overjoyed to be reunited with his prince and the love of his life, there were times when he missed the life he had built before being reunited with them. While his parents in this life were deceased, they'd had traditions and this time of the year really made him miss them. Nevertheless, the warrior did his best to hide his mellow feelings from his fellow men and especially his love. Unbeknownst to him said love had already taken note of the situation and was at that very moment working on a solution

"Thanks what?", Rei questioned.

The look of confusion on the priestess's face was mirrored around the room. Makoto had called a meeting of all the Senshi & Shitennou at Usagi & Mamoru's apartment to try to resolve her boyfriends' problems.

"Thanksgiving," she repeated. "It's a North American custom where a family gathers on the last Thursday of November. They have a big meal, everyone participates, and they talk about what they're thankful for. Neph has been really quiet and sort of down lately and I think he's missing his old life and family a bit."

Mako hesitated and clasped her hands together.

"If we could all get together and do this for him I'm sure it would make him very happy!", she blurted out rapidly.

The group sat silently for a moment digesting Makoto's request then suddenly the room exploded with conversation. Ami was trying to explain the North American tradition to everyone. Usagi and Minako were squealing with excitement over the thought of Mako's cooking. Rei and the other Shin were wondering where they would have such a meal and figuring out logistics.

"Umm does this mean you'll help?", The brunette asked hesitantly.

Everyone stopped talking and turned to stare at her as if she'd grown a second head.

"Of course, we will", Mamoru said as he stood and put an arm around Makoto in a rare show of affection. "I remember well how important Thanksgiving is in America from my time abroad. I had not thought that may be the reason why Neph has been so down."

"Neither had I", Kunzite added and Minako leaned into him comfortingly.

"It's wonderful of you to want to do this for him Mako," Usagi said standing up next to her and Mamoru. "We're all a family now. Of course, we'll help you!"

The brunette felt tears stinging her eyes as she looked around the room. Rei and Jed, Minako and Kunzite, and even Ami and Zoi smiled back at her. Usagi was right, they truly were a family now.

"Thanks, everyone", Mako said thickly before clearing her throat. "Now I need everyone to bring a dish!"

The color collectively drained from Minako and Usagi's faces.

"A dish? As in cooking?" Rei gasped.

"Yes", Makoto said firmly placing her hands on her hips. "I'll be responsible for making the traditional American food with help from Mamoru. The rest of you can at least bring one dish, it doesn't have to be American food just whatever you make well."

The gang nodded in agreement knowing it was no use arguing with Makoto when she was in a state like this.

"Okay guys we only have a few days to pull this off, Ami is in charge of organizing." The brunette continued. "Everyone else help out as much as you can and do not show up without a dish!"

"Yes General," Jed said teasingly causing Rei to pinch him.

Not long after, Ami directed everyone's attention to the middle of the room where she stood and the group began finalizing plans for Nephs Thanksgiving surprise.

A few days later everything was in place. The group decided to host the event at Usagi & Mamoru's apartment. While the apartment wasn't the largest, everyone felt most comfortable there and it was least likely to cause suspicion. Ami and Zoi had the apartment decorated beautifully with fall colors, the two had decided to try an American dish and brought potato salad. Rei and Jed had helped to set the table and brought tea as their contribution. Mako had yelled that tea was not a dish until Jed advised that everyone would be better off drinking the tea as opposed to anything Rei had cooked. Smoke could still be seen rising subtly from his shoes.

Makoto and Mamoru had worked hard at a traditional Thanksgiving spread including turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, beans, stuffing and an assortment of pies and cakes. Meanwhile Minako and Usagi had been banished from the kitchen and sat pouting in the living room, impatiently waiting for the guest of honor.

"I can't believe he's not here yet", Mina whined.

"We're sooo hungry", Usagi added earning them both a glare from Rei.

Just as the priestess opened her mouth to give the two blondes a tongue lashing there was a knock at the door.

"Places everyone" Makoto whispered excitedly. "He's here!"

The lights in Mamoru's apartment were dim as Neph entered using his and Mako's key. She'd called and left several messages telling him to meet her there, but now it seemed no one was home.

What's going on, he thought as he looked around.

Nephrite reached out to turn on the lights and everyone leaped from there hiding spots and shouted "Surprise!" and "Happy Thanksgiving!"

The Shitennou was stunned as he took in his surroundings. All of his friends were there smiling at him, and what was that smell? It smelled like...home?

"Guys, what's going on?", he asked still in shock and hesitantly entered the room.

Makoto stepped forward from the bunch and quickly approached her boyfriend. Her eyes shining with unshed tears and she quickly kissed him on his cheek. Noticing she was too overwhelmed to speak Kunzite quickly filled in.

"Makoto here noticed that you were a bit down lately and she thought you might be missing your homeland. So, she came up with the idea to bring one of those traditions here to Japan.", he said.

"And we were all happy to help her", Minako chimed in looping her arm through Kunzites'.

The auburn-haired man simply stared back and forth between his friends and his love, unable to speak.

"Enough talking", Mako interrupted wiping at her eyes. "Let's get settled and eat everyone!"

"Woohoo", Usagi and Minako yelled and rushed to the table.

They couldn't wait to try some of the American foods. As Neph was lead to the table and seated next to Makoto, he felt himself being overwhelmed with emotion. He couldn't believe that they had done all this for him? They must really love him. As everyone finally began eating and talking amongst themselves Neph finally found his voice.

"I-I just can't believe that you guys did all this for me?", he said.

The table grew silent and Neph was treated to the same look Makoto had gotten a few days prior.

"Of course, we did you idiot," Jed scoffed as he frowned at the hard dinner rolls Mina had brought. He was glad he and Rei opted to bring tea.

Usagi smiled after swallowing a mouth full of yams.

"He's right you know, we're a family now. You have to know we'd do anything for you."

"Including wiping our mouths", Rei snapped throwing a napkin at the future queen.

"Hey", the blonde yelled as the table erupted in laughter.

Neph was still laughing as his brunette slipped her hand into his.

"We've all been through a lot and some of us have had more difficulty than others adjusting to our new lives. I-we just want you to be happy Neph", Mako said softly a blush on her cheek.

The warrior felt his eyes stinging and worked quickly to blink away the tears.

"I know what I'm most thankful for this year", he said thickly.

"What's that?", The brunette said as they looked around at their laughing friends.

"Mako I'm most thankful for you" he said. Nephrite cupped her cheek and kissed her as deeply as he could to raucous cheers of their friends.