Hi guys!

A big thank you to those following my story. It really means a lot, thank you!

Sorry for taking this long to write this chapter, I'm working on a one shot called 'Nightingale' on our favorite couple Usa/Mamo. I should be posting it up soon. Stay on the lookout.

Anyway enjoy!

"Chop chop princess, we haven't got all day."

Usagi groaned in annoyance. "Would you stop dragging me like that, I'm not a dog you know."

Asanuma looked over his shoulder, he saw a scowl forming on her face. Getting annoyed himself he responded, "You're right, at the rate you're walking you're more like a turtle." He felt as the petite blonde pulled on his arm, causing them to stop in the middle of the busy sidewalk. He honestly had no clue how a tiny girl like her could muster up so much strength.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, he turned to face her and cut her off before she began whining again. "I'm sorry Usa, but we're on a tight schedule here and if we don't—"

"Well if you would tell me where we're going—"

"I told you it's part of your surprise—"

"I don't—"

"Stop. I don't want to hear it. It's your birthday Usa, I know your family and friends may have forgotten, but I haven't. So stop sulking, it doesn't suit you. Now, turn that frown upside down buttercup and let's get hopping." Usagi let out a huff as Asanuma led them through the maze of people on the sidewalk.

With trying to hold up this charade of being an art student and helping Mamoru get his internship back, somehow she'd forgotten today was indeed her birthday. It wasn't until she walked into campus that she remembered. Asanuma had surprised her with one of those jumbo sized strawberry champagne cupcakes with a sparkler candle in the middle and a loud greeting of 'Happy Birthday Blondie!' Today was her 18th birthday and no one from her family, the girls, or Mamoru had called or texted her to wish her a happy birthday. Granted, she knew they were all busy; the girls with school related things, her parents chaperoning Shingo and his friends at Tokyo DisneySea for the weekend, and Mamoru was super excited to resume his internship again at Tokyo Hospital.

He had called her as soon as Dr. Murata gave him the great news. Usagi mentally thanked Murata for keeping his promise but silently cursed him for allowing Mamoru to resume his internship today out of all days. Mamoru hadn't even mentioned anything about it being her birthday, she concluded that with everything that happened and now getting the opportunity to recommence his internship, including shadowing one of the hospital's top surgeon's, he blatantly forgot.

After her call with Mamoru she felt downhearted. Not even the fact that school had ended two hours earlier today was enough to cheer her up. Their last class was cancelled due to Saito-san's absence, class meant no rehearsals, today the whole team had the Friday to themselves. Usagi would have been thrilled along with the rest of her teammates but her sulking mood got in the way. Today was her 18th birthday and yet she didn't feel one ounce of happiness. Even her own parents forgot!? They had promised to take her out to breakfast to that little shop that sold her favorite crepes like they did every year, but somehow Shingo convinced them last minute to take him and his friends to the water theme park. Now here she was being dragged by Asanuma to god knows where to do god knows what. Of course he was just trying to cheer her up. After she embarrassingly confessed that everyone forgot her birthday and she had no plans to celebrate, he made it his mission to bring her out of her funk.

Asanuma's voice filled with excitement brought her out of her thoughts. "We're here!"

"What's this?" A look of confusion on her face as she read the bright bold letters of the fancy building in front of them, 'HAYATO SALON'.

"We're cutting your hair."

Usagi whirled to look at the blond man next to her, a dubious look on her face. "Excuse me!?" She nearly howled.

"I said—"

"I know what you said—"

"Great. Let's go then." He said confidently as he started walking toward the hair salon's entrance. He stopped as he felt Usagi grab ahold of his arm.

"I can't cut my hair."

"Why not?"

'Why not?' She repeated the words in her mind. She looked toward the ground. Who said she couldn't cut her hair, there was no rule book that said she couldn't. Technically no one had said she couldn't, but this was more than hair. Apart from her golden crescent she wore in her royal garb or as Sailor Moon, her hair was also a part of who she was.

She felt as a warm hand gently squeezed one of her shoulders. Bringing her eyes up to meet her friend's amiable sunny blue eyes, a soft smile on his lips.

"Usa, we talked about this. Hair is just hair, it doesn't define who you are, it only adds to your personality." His voice holding a gentle tone. Usagi tried to shake her head, but he kept talking. "You told me you wanted my help to complete that bucket list of yours, the first thing on your list was to cut your hair."

Two weeks ago Saito-san had been analyzing with her dance team that dance itself was a form of art that interpreted life. Performing dance out in the real world was competitive, you either made it or you didn't. In order to succeed as a dancer and outshine other performers they needed to love life and everything that it brought them, only then will they be able to express it in their movements. They needed to find meaning. She assigned her students to make a bucket list of things they wanted to do or accomplish before they died. This list would help them get out of their comfort zone, open their eyes to what the world could offer them, overall it would help them figure out who they were.

Usagi wrote down things she wanted to accomplish before she died or in her case before she took the throne. Before she knew it, she had more than 30 things on her list ranging from; traveling to exotic places, skydiving, swimming with sharks. To simple things such as sleeping out in the open under a starry night, volunteering at the orphanage and like Asanuma pointed out, cutting her hair.

Having her memories from the silver millennium she recalled how her mother struggled to find time for herself. Queen Serenity had always put the Moon Kingdom as first priority, it's what a proper ruler would do. She had an image to uphold. Usagi remembered the stories her mother from another lifetime would tell her, all the things and adventures she went on before ruling the Moon. Usagi knew once she was queen she wouldn't be able to do any of these things. So when Saito-san announced that she wanted all her students to mark off two things from their list before the year ended, she promised herself that she would mark off everything on her list before being crowned as Neo Queen Serenity.

"Okay, I'll do it." Nodding in determination.

Asanuma whooped in excitement, earning him some weird looks from passersby. "Now come on—"

"Wait!" Usagi grabbed him by the arm again. "Numa, I don't have the money to pay for this place." This place was embellished and elegant, way out of her budget. It looked like those places that only accepted well known socialites and those who lived in luxury.

"I got it taken care of—"

"Numa—"

Asanuma grabbed ahold of her hands, a fixed gaze on her. "Look Usa, you're the first person to become my friend without caring about my wealth. Back in America, the only reason I had friends was because they saw how loaded my parents were. Nobody cared or bothered to know who I was. They were only interested in the money or obligated from their parents to become my friends just so they could get closer to my parents.." taking a deep breath he continued, "but you Usa, you're special, you looked beyond that, heck you didn't even know I was rich until I told you. You became my friend because you wanted to and in such a short time you've come to be my best friend… the annoying sister I was always wanted." Pinching her cheek.

Usagi smacked his hand away and hit him on the arm. "Way to ruin the moment."

Asanuma shrugged a shoulder, a playful smile on his lips.

Considering his words briefly, Usagi knew what he was saying was true. At the university, most of the people who tried getting close to Asanuma only did it for his money or to get invited to exclusive events he went with his parents, then behind his back they would make comments that he was stuck up and a spoiled rich kid, she'd even overheard some students from the dance team say how he probably bribed his way into the team. However, none of it was true, for starters Asanuma was extremely talented, and he was one of the most down to earth guys she'd ever met, he didn't flaunt around his wealth or make anyone feel inferior to him. He was right, no one saw him past the 'rich kid' exterior, no one knew the real Asanuma like she did. He was caring, funny, he liked to make people laugh, he was generous and helped those in need, and was always in a happy mood.

Even now with knowing he was keeping his dancing career a secret from his family, she knew he needed her friendship as much as she needed his. After her talk with Murata she decided she wouldn't press Asanuma about his secret, who was she to judge, she was doing the same thing.

"Come on, stop stalling. This is only part of your surprise for today."

"Numa, no!" She huffed our exasperated. "This is more than enough. You don't need to do more to prove my friendship is valuable to you—"

"I know that, but I want to… now come on. I was able to squeeze an appointment with my mother's hairdresser. He's a busy man so let's get moving." He said as he guided her inside toward the luxurious building.

Usagi looked down the mirror as locks of platinum blonde hair covered the pristine white tiled floor. She shook her head frantically, too scared to raise her eyes and face her reflection. She felt as the hairdresser ran his fingers through her now shortened hair. She heard him clasped his hand over his chest, his flamboyant voice bringing her head up to meet his chocolate brown eyes through the mirror. "Sweetheart, if I thought you were beautiful half an hour ago, you are breathtakingly gorgeous now."

Removing her eyes from his she met the reflection of her cerulean blue eyes, her eyes widened in shock. Gone was the childish young blond with odangos on her head, now in her place stood a young woman ready to conquer her dreams. She gave out a short laugh, as she brought some of her hair to the front, the ends reaching toward her midsection. She couldn't believe she actually went through with it, her never ending hair now reached just above her bum. "I love it, thank you." She whispered wholeheartedly.

"The pleasure was all mine sweetheart, have a wonderful birthday Usagi-san." He said as he removed the drape from her.

Standing up she went to meet Asanuma at the waiting area. Once he saw her she saw as his eyes widened in surprise.

Asanuma felt his jaw drop. Sure he had no romantic feelings for the bubbly blond, but he'd be blind not to see how exceptionally beautiful she was. "Wow" he breathed out, a broad smile on his face. "Wait 'til that boyfriend of yours gets his eyes on you."

At the mention of her boyfriend, her eyes widened in horror. 'What will Mamo-chan say? What will the girls say? Oh no! What is Luna gonna say about this!?' Usagi brought her hands toward her face, shaking her head. She felt a panic attack start to form.

Asanuma reached Usagi, removing her hands from her face. "Hey, hey calm down." He whispered softly.

"What if he hates it? What if—"

"You're being ridiculous!" An incredulous look on his face. "Usa, listen to me. You're beautiful with or without the super long hair. I'm sure if you decided to shave it all off you would still look stunning." He laughed as he saw her scrunch her face in disgust. "I'm kidding don't do that. Now repeat after me: It's just hair, my hair does not define who I am."

Usagi gave him a deadpanned look. When he gave her a pointed look she begrudgingly obliged.

"You really do look great Usagi, and I'm sure Chiba-san will agree with me… Now let's go, I need to get you home so you can get ready for your next surprise!" Hauling her out of the prestigious salon.

Boisterous laughter filled the room as a poor rendition of 'I'm too sexy' was sung by a drunk young man with a bright pink Mohawk.

Usagi wiped off the tears from her eyes from laughing so hard as the young man shook his 'tush' up on stage.

"Oh man, I think that's the best worst one yet!" Hollered someone behind their booth.

"Alright alright let's give a round of applause to Gaku-san and thank Kami children aren't allowed in here, they'd have nightmares." The crowd erupted in laughter as the karaoke host took hold of the stage.

Asanuma had gotten most of the dance team together and even convinced Motoki to celebrate her birthday at Juban's best karaoke bar, Studio Himawari. The place was lively and fun, strangers encouraging each other to sing no matter how awful they were. It was a great distraction from her low spirited mood.

Finally giving her attention again to the karaoke host she noticed as he set her eyes on her. "Well looky here, is that a birthday girl I see over there?" Her friends yelled 'yes' hollering and whooping in chorus while pointing to her baby pink birthday sash and white bunny ears. Usagi flushed a deep red and sank back against the booth as people started looking toward their table.

Usagi covered her face in embarrassment as the karaoke host made his way toward the table. "Come on doll, don't be shy. How about we sing this beautiful young lady the best rendition of Happy birthday she's ever heard!?" He boomed into his microphone.

She smacked Motoki on his arm when he pulled her hands away from her as the crowd full of drunks and over excited people started singing her the 'best' rendition of happy birthday.

After the crowd settled down, everyone went back to what they were doing. Some of her friends left the table to sign up themselves to take a turn at singing. Taking a sip of her citrusy fun Mai Tai drink she felt a nudge on her side, emerald green eyes looked at her quizzically. "How are you really doing, Usa-chan?"

She looked toward some of her friends from university as they looked animatedly over the song selection. Bringing back her gaze to meet Motoki, she let out a deep sigh dejectedly. "I'm having fun, I really am… BUT… I do wish Mamo-chan and the girls were here with me too."

"Usa—"

"I know they're busy Toki, and I understand, I really do… but you know for once I thought…" she looked around to see if anyone was eavesdropping on their conversation before continuing, "this year was going to be different, not having to worry about youma, droids, or evil queens trying to take over the world, I thought it meant we could finally celebrate something without that on our backs."

Motoki gave her a wry smile, wrapping his arm around her in a side hug. "I'm sorry, Usa-chan… I don't know what to tell you?" He honestly didn't know how to console the world's strongest and most beloved heroine. Up to this day he couldn't figure out how such a young girl, now young woman, could have the weight of the world over her shoulders and not breakdown. Had it been him in her shoes, he was sure he would've had panic attacks for life.

He recalled the day he'd discovered her secret identity, the girls were in their usual booth at the arcade.

For some reason that day the arcade was empty so he kept himself busy by removing gum from under the tables. He was behind the girl's booth when he heard Rei admonishing Usagi for sulking over her breakup with Mamoru and how it had almost cost her Chibi-Usa's life. At first, anyone eavesdropping would think she was talking about getting ran over by a car, exaggeration a fall maybe, but the next words she mumbled caused him to stop. "You're Sailor Moon, you can't allow your personal life to interfere in battles." He stood still, hearing as the girls shuffled their way out of the arcade. Hearing the bell as they made their exit he popped his head out from under the table only to be met with wide cerulean blue eyes. Her eyes widened in panic as one of the girls knocked on the window. Usagi signaled him with her hand to stay low as she nodded toward the girl who knocked on the window. Pretending as if she hadn't seen him, she gathered her things silently and left.

Later that night she found him pacing behind the counter, gripping his hair in his fists. She sat down on her usual stool, looked him straight on and gave him a lopsided smile and shrugged her shoulders casually as she said, "I guess my secret is out." He rushed out from behind the counter and engulfed her in a tight embrace then proceeded to check her over as if he'd find any cuts, bruises or any broken bones on her body. She hadn't given him details on how she or the others became senshi or his best friend being Tuxedo Kamen, the knight crusader. She just held on tight to him. Both silently promising to keep each other's secret.

It wasn't until a few months later when she came in overwhelmed and on the verge of a meltdown that she told him EVERYTHING, the girl needed to vent and vent she did. She went from telling him she was the reincarnated moon princess, how she became Sailor Moon, her soul bond to Mamoru, how she and Mamoru would rule over the world years from now and that the pink haired child that Mamoru doted over was in fact their future child. Only being fifteen and she was entrusted with a lot of things a teenager her age shouldn't have to handle. It took him two hours and three mugs of hot cocoa to calm the teen down.

Three years later, a few months back she confessed to him how after their last battle with the enemy her nightmares reached a tenfold. How sometimes her nightmares got so bad she wouldn't sleep, too scared of the images that would replay in her mind.

How she kept this a secret from Mamoru and the girls, he didn't know.

Speaking of nightmares. He looked down toward her. "How are your nightmares?" He felt her shrug her shoulders.

"They don't come as often. I guess with school and dance rehearsals I get too worn out to let my mind drift."

"You know, you should really tell Mamoru—"

"Not yet, he has a lot on his plate right now. I'll tell him eventually—"

He scoffed. "Just like you'll eventually tell everyone you got a full ride into school on a dance scholarship?"

"Toki—"

"I'm sorry, I know...I just… you deserve to be treated better—"

They both stayed silent as Asanuma made his way toward them. Usagi narrowed her eyes in suspicion, he had a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"You ready to sing your heart out Blondie?"

As soon as those words left his lips, the karaoke host got up on stage. "I don't know about you guys, but I think after delivering the greatest performance of Happy Birthday, it's time we hear the birthday girl sing."

Usagi's panic filled eyes widened in fear. She shook her head frantically as Asanuma tugged on her arm and Motoki budged her out of the booth.

"What song would you like doll?"

Usagi felt her hands shake as she tightened her hold on the microphone. She looked around the crowded bar, until she set her sight on her group of friends. She saw as Asanuma and Motoki gave her a thumbs up and mouthing the words 'You got this'. Taking a deep breath, she waited for the music to begin. Usagi closed her eyes, letting the soft notes of the song play, she didn't need to look at the flat screen, she knew this song by heart.

"I know your eyes in the morning sun

I feel you touch me in the pouring rain

And the moment that you wander far from me

I want to feel you in my arms again.."

It was a song she grew up listening to. Her Mama used to play it every Saturday while she made breakfast for the family. It always brought her joy and a feeling of love every time her mama played it on the radio.

"...How deep is your love, how deep is your love

How deep is your love?

I really need to learn…"

As a child she fell in love with the sweet melody even if she hadn't fully understood its meaning. Now that she's older she related her love life to the lyrics. There was no doubt in her heart how much she loved Mamoru. She would go through hell and back with no hesitation, if it meant being with him. However, sometimes there was that inkling of uncertainty of how deep Mamoru's love for her ran.

"I believe in you

You know the door to my very soul

You're the light in my deepest, darkest hour

You're my savior when I fall

And you may not think I care for you

When you know down inside that I really do

And it's me you need to show…"

She knew he loved her, but there were times where she felt she was more of a nuisance in his life. She understood it was hard for him to express his feelings, yet she wished more than anything that one day he'd be comfortable in their relationship to freely convey his feelings for her.

"How deep is your love, how deep is your love

I really need to learn

'Cause we're living in a world of fools

Breaking us down when they all should let us be

We belong to you and me."

Before she could open her eyes, the crowd hooted and cheered. Bringing a deep blush of embarrassment on her face. The karaoke host went to stand next to her and patted her on the back.

"Wow! That was amazing! Let's give it up to this sweet angelic and delicate voice. Wow."

There was some more clapping and whistling from around the bar. Getting off stage as graciously as she could in her black pumps, she made her way toward her booth. Asanuma and Motoki were the firsts to congratulate her on her performance. After fussing about her performance and why she kept her singing voice a secret for so long, they went to grab more drinks and sang the night away.

Motoki and her had just finished belting out duet of 'Uptown Funk' when he received a call from Reika. He gave her a hug goodbye and excused himself, promising he'll see her tomorrow at the arcade. Some of the girls from the dance team hit it off with Gaku and his group of friends, leaving Usagi and Asanuma to join their table, while others left for the night.

"Thank you for everything Numa, I had a blast. This really turned out to be a great birthday for me." She said earnestly as she clanked her drink with his.

"Don't thank me yet. We still have one more thing to do before midnight." Sending her a sly smile.

Usagi arched an eyebrow at him, wondering what he was up to now.

A/N

So for those that don't know what song Usagi sang, it's 'How Deep is Your Love' by The Bee Gees. It's a beautiful song, an oldie but a goodie.

I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and how things are slowly building up. Thanks for taking the time and reading my story, especially those following it. Kudos to you!

So, What do you guys think Asanuma is up to now? What's next on his agenda?

How will Mamoru and the girls react to her new hairstyle?

Review, let me know your thoughts!