Giri or Honmei?

AN: Well it's the time of year for Valentines Day (Didn't we just finish x-mas!?!?!?!) In Japan, the tradition is very different then in North America and this is where I got my idea for this story as well as the title. It will be a multi chapter story and will be completed only after … sorry, I think that I'll let you guess on that one. ;)

Now, I do NOT own SM, nor do I claim to. This is a story from a fan for fans. Sailor Moon and all its character are owned by Naoko Takeuchi. As my preference, the names are in Japanese. Mamoru and Motoki are 18 and the girls are 16. For this story, the scouts do not exist nor do any of the bad guys.

Legend:
Items in / / are info to know the day, time, location, etc.
.oO( ) are used to indicate what someone is thinking
" " are used to indicate speech

With this all said, I leave you all to the story and hope you enjoy it.

And now… on with the show.

AN2: Though this story is mainly focused on Usagi and Mamoru, my favorite couple, I will attempt to include the others into this story more then usual.

AN 3: This is the same chapter, with a few corrections. I re-read some part and just fixed a few mistakes in format and wording. Except that, nothing really changed on this chapter.

/ February 11th - Tsukino Residence /

A blonde haired teenage girl let out a heavy sigh as her eyes were staring; actually they were glaring intently at the calendar upon her wall. Groaning in utter frustration, Usagi tossed a pink cushion at the offending object as she cast her blue orbs upon the darkening sky beyond her bedroom window. She rested her chin upon her crossed arms which were resting atop of her small white coffee table on her bedroom floor and stared silently at the heavens before her.

For the past month, she had been fighting an inward battle with herself and she felt like she was loosing it. Had she known it would be so difficult, she would not have made that stupid New Year resolution. Part of her wanted nothing more then to scream at the top of her lungs; if only she believed that it would have helped her vent this pent up nervous energy that was building up inside of her very soul she would have done so long ago.

Many a time she had wanted to just ignore and pretend that she hadn't made that silly oath on the first of the year; to dismiss it as a joke and go on with her life as if nothing ever happen. Unfortunately, she wanted to prove to herself as well as to her friends that she was not a quitter and that not only she could but that she would carry this promise out even if it killed her… and truth be told, she had to wonder if it wouldn't do just that. .oO(Why did I let Rei & Minako talk me into this again?)

Cerulean blue eyes gazed at the stars for one short moment before hiding behind a pair of eyelids with long golden lashes. Sighing softly, Usagi pushed the table away from her as she stood up from the floor and made her way to her night table next to her bed. As her hand rested upon the cold surface of the wood, she slowly open the drawer and gazed inside at its content, a small smile forming upon her lips. Maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't be as bad as she was dreading.

Feeling something rubbing against her leg, Usagi turned her attention to the black feline that was at her feet attempting to comfort her. Smiling warmly, the petite girl picked up the cat that was her most trusted confidant and rubbed her nose in her fur as she whispered, "I know I'm getting worked up over nothing, right Luna-chan?" Yawning, she made her way to her bed and slipped under the plush white and pink bedding, releasing Luna who quickly curled up by her head upon the pillow. Gazing out her window one last time, she sighed happily and allowed sleep to wash over her and carry her to the land of dreams.

/ Aino Residence /

Sitting in front of the brown coffee table in the middle of her room, dozens upon dozens of boxes were spread out in front of a blonde haired girl, a red bow pulling her hair back from her face. She tapped her finger gently against her lips as she tilted her head back and front as she hummed and aaahed to herself, deep in concentration. Taking in a deep breath, Minako gazed at the surface that was now covered with a multitude of small boxes as she counted them one by one again, checking off an imaginary list in her mind at the same time.

She simply loved this time of year, though it had not been long since she first started to plan things out for it, soon it would be that wonderful day that she had patiently waited for. Clapping her hands together she let out a gleeful sound as she stood up and did a small dance around the table, mentally chanting to herself, attempting not to wake her mother up. .oO(Just a few more days, just a few more days!)

Throwing herself backwards onto her golden yellow bedspread, her blue eyes gazed at the ceiling almost as if she was seeing right through it and into the heavens above. A wide smile spread upon her cherry red lips as she stretched as ran through the various scenarios into her mind. She was now 16 and this year would be the one she wanted to make sure she would remember.

Turning to her side, her eyes gazed upon the table where her treasures rested, tomorrow she would go through them and count each one again just to make sure that she had indeed remembered everyone she wanted on her list and possibly have a few extra, you know just in case. Giggling, she curled up and pulled the duvet over her body and snuggled against her pillow, allowing her eyes to welcome the night as she drifted off to the land of nod.

/ Hikawa Shrine /

The room was filled with dozens upon dozens of candles, the flame swaying and dancing to a non existent breeze. In the center of the room was a blazing and roaring fire, before it was a raven haired girl with long black hair. The young beauty appeared to be no more then 16 and was concentrating deeply, her head bowed in silent prayer as her fingers linked intricately in various rhythmic positions as silent words escaped her lips.

Each breath she took only seemed to cause the heat in the room to intensify, causing beads of sweat to form upon the young priestess brow as she meditated. Without notice, the flames all stood still as a pair of dark purple eyes gazed into the golden red hues before her. Though time seemed to have stood still for an eternity it had been only a few seconds and the crackling of the fire filled the room once more as Rei stood up and stretched her weary and tensed muscle.

Opening the door to the prayer room, Rei stood silently for a few moments as the refreshing cool breeze of the night caressed her skin, her eyes diverting briefly to the cloudless sky that stretched before her. A hint of a smile formed upon her lips as she took care of putting out the candles, her mind at ease after her hour long meditation.

Giving the room a quick once over, she shut the doors behind her and silently made her way toward her room, quickly joined by two dark colored birds, each resting comfortably upon either of her shoulders. Standing in front of the door to her quarters, she gazed at her two crows and silently bid them a good night as she entered her room, finding her way to her bed. Like every night, since she had first moved into the temple to live with her grandfather, the raven haired girl kissed her finger and pressed it gently against the picture frame of her mother and wished her sweet dreams before joining her once more in her dreams.

/ Mizuno Residence /

Outside of the moon light that was streaming through the curtain less window, short blue hair peaked slightly above a text book, a night lamp the secondary source of light in the small room. The water colored locks belonged to a young girl, the soft and short strands framing her face as she diligently concentrated upon the characters printed before her. In the background, the sound of waves washing upon the shore could be heard; filling the room with the only sound other then the rhythmic sound of the pages being turned from the manuscript held in the young girls grasp.

Resting the heavy document upon the desk surface, Ami stretched her arms as she took a quick peak at the clock by her bed. Stifling back a yawn, she removed her reading glasses and laid them upon the surface next to her book, her fingers gently rubbing the bridge of her nose.

Standing up she reached up for the sky in an attempt to loosen her muscles that had gotten stiff during her last study session. Smiling, Ami gave a quick glance at the books that were spread out upon her desk and checked off her in her mind the list of homework that she had completed hours ago. Content that everything was in order, she made her way toward her bed.

Sitting upon the blue comforter, Ami allowed her vision to drift toward the window and admire the firmament that was just on the other side of the glass that separated her from the crisp February breeze. A sad smile crossed her feature as she allowed the melody to wash over her and her mind drifted to an old memory, though it was not an unpleasant recollection of thoughts that filled her, she often missed those happy moments.

As she took notice of the time again, she reminded herself that it was indeed time for her to get some much needed rest if she wanted to be refreshed for school the next day. Standing up, she made her way to her CD player and changed the disk to the same one that she had been falling asleep to for years now. As the soothing sound filled the room, she made her way to her bed and slipped underneath the blankets and allowed the melody to carry her soul to another dimension where everything was possible.

/ Kino Residence /

A brunette, sporting a ponytail, walked out of the kitchen after putting away the dishes that she had just finished washing and drying. The entire apartment was filled with tantalizing aromas only giving a hint of what had been prepared earlier during the evening.

Makoto stood at the doorway to her kitchenette, smiling proudly as her eyes scanned the containers that were resting upon the table and imaging the others that were stacked neatly inside of her refrigerator.

With a flick of her finger, the lights in the room disappeared and darkness filled the area as the tall girl made her way toward her bathroom. After a quick shower and change of clothing, Makoto made her way into her bedroom that she had decorated in shades of dark beige and forest green that matched the sheets of her bed. Cautiously, she padded her way to her bedside table and turned the lamp on before sitting down on her bed.

Opening the top drawer of the night stand, she pulled out a worn out brush and smile sadly at the item that she held in her hand. As her eyes drifted out to stare at the starry sky outside the bedroom window, Makoto untied the ponytail, allowing her brown lock to fall down her shoulder as she brushed her hair silently, remembering her younger days, a forlorn smile gracing her delicate features.

Moments later, after placing the brush back in the drawer, she sighed softly and curled up under her blanket, pulling the pillow closer to her as she allowed herself to fall asleep, Makoto's psyche guider her to where her heart awaited for her… in the land of sugar plum and fairies.

/ Chiba Residence /

It was late and he had an early class, he knew he should be sound asleep by now but his mind would not allow him to rest peacefully. Mid terms were coming up and though he knew he was ready for them, he still had to try and get a couple more hours of studying to ensure that he kept his grade point average high. True, if he didn't spend so much time with his best friend, he would have plenty of time to study, right? Ok, it wasn't like he didn't study when he went to see Motoki at work, after all that was when he would spend most of his time with his blonde hair pal. Naturally, Motoki was not the only reason he was spending more time at the café… he had to get his daily dose of coffee.

The ebony haired man stood up from his couch, tossing his textbook on the table in front of him as he stretched. Gazing at the clock Mamoru let out a soft sigh as he made his way to the patio door in his living room. Opening the door, allowing the cool air to hit him; he stepped out onto the balcony and rested his hands upon the cold metal of the railing; his eyes drifted upwards at the celestial orb that was shining so brightly in the dark sky.

A small smile formed upon Mamoru's lips, his midnight dark eyes sparkled as the days events filtered through his mind for the millionth time that evening. It had been a good day, no a great day for him today and he could only hope that tomorrow would be just as amazing. He stood silently outside for a few more minutes, allowing himself the luxury of putting down his defenses, tossing away his masks and walls as he admired the heavens that were before him.

With a soft sigh, he reluctantly turned and returned back to his warm, yet aloof, apartment. Regrettably, the cold February air was not something one could enjoy without a nice and comfy jacket and his green blazer was resting comfortably in the closet by the front door. Turning back one last time, Mamoru shut the patio door and turned off the lights as he made his way to his bedroom to rest for the night.

AN4: Well that's it for tonight; let me know what you think of it so far. This is quite short for me however there is a reason to my madness (or so I like to believe). Also, I do not believe it's customary for Japanese to take New Year resolution so I took an artistic license there. For the title, well just read my opening comment.

All I can say…

To be continued!

-Jy