Usagi's Everlasting Wish Chapter 11, a sailor moon fanfic

Author disclaimer: songs used in this chapter are Somewhere Love Remains and Just A Kiss, both by Lady Antebellum

Chapter 11

The first song was an upbeat tune which made all couples move to the dance floor to stamp out any tension that remained. At first, everyone seemed to move in an awkward sway but as the song progressed, everyone eventually felt comfortable enough to use their partners to get a good dance. Usagi used life to the full and refused to feel awkward if she could help it. As she started to dance she wasn't sure how much Mamoru would interact with her but as luck would have it, he was a good dancer with fabulous rhythm. She was pleasantly surprised but felt uneasy since she was never steady on her feet. As the song hit the main chorus and blasted out a heart stopping beat, Mamoru turned around to grab her hand. In that split second Usagi felt a familiar jolt of déjà vu. After that they seemed to fall into synchronised harmony and Usagi forgot her worries of standing on his foot and falling on her face.

The first sets of songs were buoyant songs that everyone didn't seem able to get away from. All partners happily danced with their partners and exchanged with friends to continue socialising in that way. Lots of laughter was shared when dance swaps went wrong but it worked. Mamoru hadn't let go of Usagi since the first dance. He was perfectly able to ballroom dance since as a child he was forced to integrate in a more refined way. However, Usagi was a more carefree girl with a huge heart which made freestyle dancing very easy and almost fun. Mamoru felt like the luckiest guy in the room in that moment.

After the 7th dance, Usagi found that she was starting to get tired as her energy reserves were running out. Usagi gestured to Mamoru that she needed to rest and Mamoru went to get some punch for them both. She went to the ladies' room to touch up her makeup and straighten her dress out. Dancing in a long gown was difficult but all of the girls seemed to adjust; when you had an able partner, dancing seemed like the easiest thing in the world. Minako came running into the ladies' room laughing and Usagi turned around to join her friend.

"Hey Usagi-chan! Isn't the dance just wonderful or what?! Kunzite just left to fetch a drink, I'm dying! We seem to get on well, considering my track record with guys; this seems to feel like a fairytale! It's rather surreal, right?!" Minako took a breath and continued, "How are you and Mamoru-san getting along?"

Usagi beamed at the blonde bombshell in front of her and nodded. "We're getting along fine! Mamoru just went to fetch us some drinks too. It's so hot out there! But we've avoided the partner swaps so far. Rei-chan did a great job with the music!"

Minako laughed heartily and agreed. "Come on, Usa-chan. Let's get back," she looped arms with her lookalike and they proceeded outside. Mamoru was waiting at a table for his little bunny and she noticed him right away. Blue locked with blue and Minako giggled and waved with a wink. Usagi greeted Mamoru and thanked him for her beverage. It was now the 9th song of the night and the tempo had slowed down. Rei had decided she wanted the faster songs for being the ice breaker and then slow dances to end the night so more in-depth conversations can be made. She hoped couples would be made from the night.

Mamoru gazed at Usagi and she felt his eyes boring into her so she turned questionably to look at him. He took her hand without speaking a word and pulled her towards the dance floor. She smiled faintly and he whirled her into his arms. Couples had scattered more now as many decided to sit down or drink and a few resolved for strolling in the back lawns that had been lit for when the sun had set. The ebony haired man swayed with his blonde pig-tailed companion of whom the former was frowning slightly at his partner. She seemed oblivious to all around her as she had closed her eyes to listen to the rhythm of the music so she was in sway, always. While he had the nerve, he leaned forward slightly to leave a butterfly kiss on the edge of her mouth. To her it was feather light, but it was there. This caused her eyes to snap open and she looked at the handsome man she clung to as they danced. He smirked as he twirled her around for a change in course in the dance then brought her close to whisper "I want to finish the conversation I started the other day before you ran out on me."

She sighed. She knew this was coming... the male species was rather predictable. But she patiently waited for the onslaught of questions that she knew he wanted to ask.

"What did you feel just now?"

She didn't expect that though. She narrowed her eyes at him and sighed quietly to herself. She was an open person who wore her heart on her sleeve. Mamoru Chiba however, made her feelings feel complicated. She spent all of her time knowing him exchanging insults and teasing. And recently they shared awkward encounters and gentle flirtatious conversations; Usagi was usually oblivious to this though. Her feelings told her otherwise though. Admittedly she liked having him near her. When he wasn't with her, she felt like a rabbit caught in headlights. She'd stop and stare with wide eyes, too petrified to move. When he touched her, it was like a safe haven to her. She just didn't know how to express it.

"I feel... conflicted."

Mamoru stared at the beautiful girl in front of him and pursed his lips at her. "You need to explain Usagi. I asked what you felt... just now. Not what you feel."

"Is there a difference?" she challenged.

Mamoru chuckled. "I guess not, but I guess I understand." He pulled her closer and could make out the familiar vanilla and strawberry scent in her hair. It was a unique combination that could only be associated with Usagi. He buried his face in her hair that was resting over her shoulder in curly waves. "Your touch makes me feel like I'm home. I haven't felt like this in a long time... and I don't know why. What is it about you that make me feel like a bolt of lightning has struck all of my nerves at once and heightened my sense of security?"

Usagi took this in and swallowed. "When you touch me, I feel this odd sense of familiarity... like you've held me like this before. I feel confused by it. I just don't want you to let go."

The song changed and the couple didn't notice. They were in their own world. Nevertheless, the music reached their ears. Somewhere love remains started to play and Mamoru pulled back to waltz Usagi. She looked startled when she realised what he was trying to do. He gently squeezed her hand to give her reassurance and continued to twirl her around the dance floor. He led her with grace and confidence. Everybody moved out of the way of the waltzing couple who was attracting more and more stares. An audience started to gather when other couples stopped dancing themselves to watch.

Love takes time to build its defences
And trust takes time to tear down those fences
And what remains is stronger than ever before
So don't walk out that door
I don't wanna hurt anymore

So baby just breathe in, breathe out
The only time for love is right now
Forgive all of the mistakes we've made
If we give it just one more try
Maybe we could stop this goodbye
Through the fire and rain
Somehow somewhere
I know through all this pain
Somehow somewhere love remains

Mamoru twirled Usagi a dozen times as the song started to fade out and there was a slight pause as the dance ended and Usagi and Mamoru ended in a light embrace, still in hold. Everyone applauded the couple who started in surprise and lightly blushed as they looked at each other.

"Let's take a walk through the gardens," Mamoru whispered in Usagi's ear to which she nodded. They walked out of the room and through to the gardens; Mamoru held on firmly to Usagi's hand. They got outside and he shrugged his jacket off to drape over her shoulders. She smiled at the gesture and off they walked. Unknowingly they both thought back to the fare.

It hit 3 o'clock and Usagi went to a stall to grab a drink. As she turned to get the girls to go to a late lunch, she stepped onto a man's foot. She looked up into the eyes of Mamoru Chiba, internally she sighed, only she couldn't decide if she sighed wistfully or with sorrow in her heart. Then she decided that it must be sorrow as she looked down and noticed she'd knocked her drink into him and now he was soaked. She gaped at her clumsiness but he was watching her intently. She coughed awkwardly and this prompted him to look at her. His eyes followed her gaze and he sighed.

"Oh, odango atama! I didn't think this was going to become a habit with you throwing your beverages over me!"

She opened her mouth to reply but he simply clamped a hand around the back of her neck and turned her away from any passers-by. He leaned forward so his mouth brushed against the side of hers and whispered "do you really want to owe me for another laundry trip?"

She gulped and stammered "I never owed you anything. You always bump into me." He chuckled lightly at this then stopped as he felt her fingers entwine with his ebony locks at the back of her head and she moved his face so she could see into his eyes. "Let your heart sweetheart be your compass when you're lost and you should follow it where ever you may go. When it's all said and done you can walk instead of run because no matter what you'll never be alone." She gave him a look that made him shiver and she brushed her lips across his cheek, which was easy as he had stooped to her 4-foot 11 height. She untangled his arms from around her frame and walked away in the direction of her friends.

"Music is the best way to express yourself if you can't find another way," Usagi spontaneously expressed.

Mamoru blinked and looked at her. "Usa-chan, what are you talking about?"

"What I said at the fare... it was from a song I heard. It made me think of you but I meant every syllable. When I first met you, you came across as cold, arrogant and quite simply, a jerk. However, when I look at your eyes, you look sad and withdrawn and I didn't understand why. I tried to ask Motoki but he refused to tell me. No one should be alone with their sorrow, even my number one teaser!" she pushed him slightly in good humour but once again looked serious and questioning.

"I admit I didn't understand you at the fare. It was so... not you. You hated me! I could see the fire in your eyes whenever I spoke to you."

Usagi looked at the flowerbeds as they walked... one of which kept deep red roses, fresh in bloom. She felt drawn to them. She whispered "I never hated you. I just... don't understand you."

"Motoki is my only friend and he has been my entire life... as far as I can remember. But he was there when my parents died in a car accident. I don't remember anything before the accident. I was in it. I don't dwell on it, let alone talk about it as it happened on my birthday when I was a child. I didn't know who I was, let alone who my parents were so I felt alone. It's just easier that way, I guess." Mamoru sighed. "When I met you when that test paper landed on my head, I just had this urge to tease you about it. I can't explain it, there's just something about you. Besides, I couldn't pass up the opportunity. Your aura shines brighter than anyone else. You light me up."

She looked up at him and cocked her head to the side. "My aura?"

"Yes, your essence is so pure. You have a huge heart and I could see that. You always forgave me for my rude remarks but I couldn't decide if I wasn't human or you were just... something else."

"I think I can deal with that for now. But I won't give you pity. I'm hoping you can move on... starting with the next dance? You still have healing to do, regardless of how much time has passed. Wounds leave scars." She gestured for his other hand which he gladly gave and they turned towards the dance floor.

The next song was Just a Kiss which Mamoru inwardly smiled at. I'll have to thank Rei-san for this. The song encouraged Mamoru to take his chance with Usagi. He didn't understand what these feelings were... but he wasn't going to fight it. He was tired of feeling confused so he will fight for what makes him.

Lyin' here with you so close to me
It's hard to fight these feelings when it feels so hard to breathe
Caught up in this moment
Caught up in your smile

Mamoru admired Usagi's grace while she danced with him... it felt familiar to him. He felt himself get lost in her eyes when she looked at him to smile, but she didn't look away.

I've never opened up to anyone
So hard to hold back when I'm holding you in my arms
We don't need to rush this
Let's just take it slow

Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch of the fire burning so bright
No I don't want to mess this thing up
I don't want to push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I've been waiting for my whole life
So baby I'm alright, with just a kiss goodnight

I know that if we give this a little time
It'll only bring us closer to the love we wanna find
It's never felt so real, no it's never felt so right

Mamoru felt the resolve on his face which Usagi noticed as they slowly waltzed to the melody. She melted further into his arms as he leaned in slowly towards her. At first, he left butterfly kisses down the side of her face.

Usagi had moved her face to look into his eyes and in that moment, Mamoru accidentally planted his lips on her. They both twirled and came apart slightly. They noticed the same contentment as the other rested in the other's arms. As rejection wasn't featuring tonight, Mamoru decided to intentionally place his lips over hers. Her eyes widened slowly at his boldness, and then she closed them as they felt the electric bolts of familiarity shoot down both of their bodies. The kiss was sweet and natural.

No I don't want to say goodnight
I know it's time to leave, but you'll be in my dreams

Tonight
Tonight
Tonight

In that moment, they both felt the same sense of déjà vu. And the song ended. Usagi's cheeks were tinted a pretty shade of pink as opposed to Mamoru who looked quite exasperated with what just took place.

Suddenly, they heard Rei get up behind the DJ stand and call out to the couples. "Right guys, for the last song of the night, we have Downtown to round it off! I hope you all enjoyed the night and dates have been organized!" At this everyone sweat dropped and started to dance. Everyone danced as a group rather than in couples. The girls came over to Mamoru and Usagi and literally dragged Usagi over with them so Mamoru was forced to dance with the guys.

All in all, the night was a good one. Unknowingly, both sides of the same coin would fall asleep reminiscing over the dance and the feelings that were bursting out of them. It was left unsaid, but peace was made between them and through a little love and understanding between two new friends, bridges were built and new things could grow.