Author's Note:

So, first, I want to apologize because I'm trying very hard to get through this, as well as updating my other stories. Some of my other stories that have partially completed chapters I can finish up and share quickly, so I hope to have several out to you in the next couple days.

Unfortunately my hip is so bad right now that I can only manage about an hour sitting up at a time, so most of my writing is happening on my phone in google docs, and then I have to transfer it to fanfiction and format it here. I am planning to have this story finished within a week, but please bear with me. I want you all to enjoy it. I've already written the end. He he. It's a matter of writing the middle, and there has been a lot of research involved.

Also, I am transferring all of my works to other sites, and as I do I am improving and updating them, so you might notice that stories, or parts of stories have been edited. I hope you are all continuing to have a wonderful New Year, and that you enjoy this and my other stories!

Warning: Lemon

Resolve: A New Years Story
Sequel to:
Sanctuary, A Christmas Story

Chapter Two
A New Year

***Usagi's POV***

"Akemashite-omedetou-gozaimasu!"

Usagi smiled and waved as she moved closer to the edge of the roof. She held tightly to Mamoru's hand, thankful he was in her life and her heart. He was everything to her, and she was unsure how she had managed to keep herself apart from him for so long.

They had come to the roof of his apartment building for hatsunhinode, or the first sunrise of the new year, and she was thrilled to be with him for it. It meant so much to share it with him, and she hoped it meant good things for the year to follow. She leaned against his shoulder as they looked over the wall around the edges of the roof, staring towards the east.

They had shared a breakfast of ozoni, and had eaten the jubako box meals her mother had pressed on them before they'd left the house. Their celebration had lasted all night, and now they were ready to embrace the new year with the first rising sun. Her happiness was nearly overwhelming. It was rare for her to be so carefree since she had learned she was Sailor Moon.

She had to admit, her life was looking up. Her parents knew her secret. Her brother and cousin both shared in it as well. She had Mamo-chan back, her Senshi, the Shitennou… she had so many people to be grateful for. With Naru and Guiro (Umino's actual first name, LOL) and Motoki and Reika all aware of their secret, she didn't have to lie to the ones she loved.

And she had a hint of a wonderful future she and Mamoru would enjoy together. Although, she still thought about future Mamoru's cryptic words occasionally. The tone in his voice when he had told them they had to face things together had spoken volumes. It meant things would come about to separate them, and they would have to overcome them. Together. She wondered exactly what he had meant by that, but decided that no matter what she would avoid being separated from her Mamo-chan.

"Look Usako," Mamoru said, pointing to the sky line. They had the perfect view as the sun rose. She smiled and clung to his hand happily.

"It's so beautiful," she breathed, unable to contain her joy.

"Not as beautiful as you," Mamoru whispered, and she turned her face to look at him. He caught her lips with his own and picked her up to kiss her soundly. She blushed and hid her face when he released her. She knew people were staring. Not just because they had been so open with their affection, but because everyone around Chiba Mamoru had a notion that he wasn't an emotional or affectionate person. They couldn't have been more wrong however.

Mamoru pulled her so that her back rested against his chest and they stared out at the sunrise together. It was a beautiful morning. The sky was clear of clouds, the air relatively warm, and the smell of good food was on the wind. It was perfect.

***Seijoru (Ail's) POV***

Akane.

That was the name of the girl who was bullying Natsume, and who had been giving Seijoru strange looks and making comments that made him feel strange and nervous. He didn't like it. It made him uncomfortable and edgy. He had thought long and hard since she had started her weird advances, and felt guilty for the times he had pressured Usagi.

He missed her.

Seijoru sighed as he turned over on the bunk bed. He was in a room with five other boys, but six bunk beds, so he had been able to take a top bunk for himself. Natsume had complained because she had a top bunk, but for him it meant a measure of safety. He liked to be up high. It reminded him of the branches of the Makai tree.

He missed her too.

The previous night had been difficult for both of them. Eating food was new. They'd had a few things to eat before, to keep up appearances, but it wasn't something either of them had enjoyed, except for one time when Natsume had discovered sweets. Worse though, was eating in a huge room with many tables and other teenagers who all stared at the two of them.

Natsume had been afraid. That bully, Akane, had been making her life a living hell. She followed her around, sought her out to make her miserable. Called her names and pushed her.

When one of the adults was around she was saccharine sweet, but the moment their backs were turned she became worse than a Cardian with a toothache. Seijoru snorted. She was also giving off a strange feeling to him. He couldn't pin down what the feeling was, but he sensed the girl was more than a normal human. He had been to hundreds of planets, and he had an uncanny ability to sense those with power.

She reminded him of something elusive that he had been sensing for about two years. Something that disappeared like smoke the moment he got a sense of it. Something that Natsume had.

Seijoru frowned and sat up. He glanced at the clock. It was still early. The sun was hardly up over the horizon, but he couldn't sleep. His heart was still filled with sadness. He knew that the Makai tree had left because of the way they were thinking and acting. When she had first flown away he had tried to talk to Natsume about it, but she had grown angry. Since then he had kept his peace. She was all he had left, and he was afraid to lose her.

They were listed as brother and sister on this planet, but that wasn't the truth. In fact she was the only other living member of his species, as far as he knew, and he loved her as his future mate. Though, of she continued on the path she was on, he wasn't sure they would ever see that reality.

Somehow they had to find their way out of this situation. They had to leave the halfway house and then they had to forge new identities. They couldn't stay. He just knew staying in that place was dangerous. He would find a job and get food for them somehow.

His mind turned to Usagi and he thought briefly of turning to her for help before he dismissed it. He shook his head sadly. They had attacked her. She had probably figured out who they were. And even if she hadn't… if she felt about him the way he felt about Akane, then she wouldn't want to be anywhere near him.

He reached the hall and turned to go to the bathrooms. Natsume came rushing down the hallway and a moment later had grabbed him and pulled him behind one of the vending machines.

"What's going on?" he asked, keeping his voice to a whisper.

"Akane," Natsume panted. "She showed up in my dormitory and started going through my things, taking stuff. I don't really have anything, and I don't care if she takes most of it, but I pulled my school uniforms away and she lost it."

Seijoru frowned. He didn't know why the other girl had taken such an instant dislike to Natsume, but she was quickly becoming a major problem.

Natsume made a strange sound and he turned to look at her. All the color had drained from her face. She was shaking and looked like she might be sick. He lifted a hand and pressed it to her forehead. Clammy and cold. No fever.

"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.

"It's gone," she whispered, sounding terrified.

"What's gone?" he asked.

"My flower," she hissed. Her eyes widened and then rolled up in her head before she collapsed in his arms.

***Rei's POV***

People trailed up and down the steps of the Hikawah Jinja, their kimono's in colorful arrays as they trekked to the shrine. Donations filled the box and Rei moved swiftly to empty it between her other chores. All the girls except Usagi had come to help. Little Hotaru was doing very well selling charms, and Makoto had the gardens looking magical.

As the people made their offerings to the kami Rei thanked them for her friends, who were back in her life, and for Jadeite, who certainly made her days interesting. She was grateful for her grandfather, who in spite of his near constant flirting, was a wise and generous man, who knew who she was, and what she did.

Minako, wearing miko robes Rei normally reserved for Usagi, was busy wielding a broom and chatting with everyone who made it up the long stone staircase. Ami was giving directions while Michiru handed out cups of water and juice to the visitors. Haruka was handing out fliers for an upcoming festival, though several dozen had been turned into paper airplanes and were being thrown to entertain small children.

It was Setsuna that surprised her the most however. Usagi had made the older teen promise not to hide while she helped, and the young woman kept her word. She stayed near Rei's grandfather, gently chiding him when his flirting went too far, and explaining traditions to those who were not of Japanese decent, or who did not follow Shinto. Rei smiled at her, thankful that she was trying so hard.

She had to be grateful. Even when Usagi had been 'kidnapped' by her boyfriend for the day, she had still managed to find a way to help. And Rei was rather certain that the little blonde was having a good morning herself. She hid a grin at the thought, and wondered how long it would be before she was ready to take the next step with Jadeite.

***Mamoru's POV***

Mamoru gently traced the contours of Usagi's cheek. Her skin was soft, velvety and smooth. The look of love and devotion in her eyes made his heart swell. He wondered if he could ever possibly deserve her.

Usagi completed him in a way he hadn't imagined was possible. Her joy and laughter and absolute wonder at the world around them were contagious. He knew that his studious nature could help her, but she was so much more. She brought him out of the darkness and loneliness that had been his life for so long.

He was grateful they had no school that day, and that he had time to spend alone with her. There were no Cardians to fight, no Youma out there, and she didn't have to be home until after dinner. They had no infants to care for or training to attend. For just one day it was the two of them alone.

He had considered taking her to see the Emperor, who would make several appearances throughout the day, but when they had talked about it, they'd decided they wanted to spend the time alone together. Talking, laughing, perhaps watching a movie.

And making love. He smiled. That was first on his agenda. They'd already eaten and watched the sunrise. Now he wanted to make her call out his name in joy and ecstasy. He picked her up and twirled her before carrying her to his bedroom. They'd only had a few times together in such a way, and he intended to make the most out of having her all to himself.

Laying her gently on the bed, he brushed a stray lock of hair away from her eyes so he could stare into them. Then he bent and kissed her, letting his love and passion flow through their bond so she could feel just how much he wanted her. Her own feelings were clear enough to him. Desire and need and joy and devotion. Love.

He opened her kimono and bared her skin to his mouth, kissing his soft skin as it was exposed. It took several minutes to unwrap the only gift he ever wanted, but then he was finally able to spread her open and taste her. She moaned and tried to pull away, a bit nervous, but he soothed her with touch and words.

They were still both very new to this level of intimacy, but they would only learn by exploring and touching, so he spread her open and licked into her hot channel, enjoying her sweet taste. She was thrashing and moaning at the first touch, so he rested one arm over her belly to hold her still as he explored.

Her nub was hardened and instantly oversensitized. He rubbed it gently with his thumb, watching her hips move in time with his actions. Then he suckled it into his mouth, and she screamed and flew apart in his arms as he pressed two fingers into her in the same moment. She shuddered, her walls clenching around him as she came.

He moved up her body and they connected as one. When he was inside her he felt not just pleasure, but comfort and wholeness. His soul and hers were connected, and when they were together they were one. Their mouths met and clung, tongues dancing together in harmony as he slid in and out of her.

She panted and moaned under him, driving him closer and closer to the edge, and then let out a shuddering scream. Her hot, wet walls convulsing around him drew his own orgasm and he released himself, holding her tight as he shook with the ecstasy of the moment.

"I love you Usako," he whispered, his breaths coming harshly in a throat raw from his groans.

"I love you Mamo-chan," she said, and lifted her head to kiss him again.

He knew, in the way that their hearts spoke to one another, that they would probably not be leaving his apartment that day. Grinning down at her, he pulled out and threw himself onto his back, pulling her against his side. 'Together,' he thought, 'forever.'

Author's Note: Yes, I am quite aware that Mamoru was a bit sappy in this last scene... but sometimes I can't help myself. LOL.

So, let me know what you think about what is happening to Natsume and Seijoru. Do you think it's fitting? It comes from a combination of requests I got when I did the poll in the last story, and I want to do it justice. I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

Again, I'm sorry it took a few days to post this, and for an extremely short chapter, but I have to separate it here, otherwise there would be a time jump just before a chapter change, plus a major cliffhanger. I don't want to do that here, so I left off with New Years day and gave you a few bits of sweetness.