Promise Me the Sun
By: Tatsutahime
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon. Naoko Takeuchi does. I am only using her characters for my story. I'm also using Celine Dion's 'Where Does My Heart Beat Now.'
AU: Before you read this, I just wan to point out that Mamoru and his friends are 17, Usagi, Ami, and Mina are 14, and Lita and Rei are 16.
Chapter 1: The Boy Next Door
Placing a hand on her forehead, Usagi squinted her eyes to look up at the blazing hot sun. She turned her attention to the stands and spotted her four best friends. She smiled widely as Mina mouthed 'Good luck.' She wiped the sweat off of her forehead as she looked across the starting line. She started jumping up and down to loosen up. She winked at her teammate Molly before focusing on the track ahead of her.
"READY!"
Usagi's heart began to race as the official's voice echoed in her mind.
"SET!"
She dropped to one knee and placed her hands lightly in front of her.
"BANG!"
A loud gunshot was heard as the runners pushed off of the starting blocks and sprinted down the track. It all seemed to go in slow motion for Usagi. Her blue and white track uniform clung tightly to her body. Her shoulder length blonde hair was pulled back into a firm ponytail. She smiled slyly as the runners started to pass her up. She couldn't hear the crowd cheering her on or the eagerness in her coach's voice. All she could hear was the wind blowing against her ears, and the soft thuds her spikes made when they sank into the smooth track.
When she passed the middle of her 400-meter run, she knew it was time to do what she was known for. She started sprinting…fast. In no time, she was side by side with a slim brunette, fighting for first. It wasn't really a fight though cause Usagi easily passed her up and quickly approached the finish line. She passed with flying colors. Her hands immediately dropped to her knees as she gasped to catch her breath. Seconds later the brunette passed the finish line claiming second place. Usagi looked up to her coach, friends and the football players run up to her. The crowd roared her name as Matt picked her up and placed her on his shoulders. A large smile spread across her face as she looked down at the adoring face of her boyfriend Matt. She had broken the tie and won the SWC's for her school. A large trophy was trusted into her arms as she raised it up high.
~*~
Matt carefully lowered Usagi to her feet. "So, I'll meet you at the fair tonight?" he asked as the crowd died down. Usagi smiled at him and nodded reassuringly as she headed towards the girls' locker room to get her clothes. "I'll see ya tonight!" she heard him yell at her retreating back. She playfully waved at him without looking back.
She turned slightly as she heard her name being called. "Ah, there's my fastest runner! Nice job Tsukino! I admit I was worried in the beginning but I knew my girl wouldn't let me down!" her coach exclaimed when he reached her. "Say, have you thought about joining the track team for the High School next year? I was talking to the head coach up there and…Oh, we have all the time in the world to talk about this. Tonight, you should be celebrating! See ya at practice tomorrow!" with a light pat on her back, he headed towards Molly to congratulate her on placing 3rd. As she walked towards the school, her friends congratulated her as well.
Before she could open the door to the locker room, a tall figure caught her eye. She turned to the left and leaned against the brick wall. A large smile started to spread across her face. "Hey you."
Mamoru smiled and started to walk up to her, leaving Chad, Greg, Ken, Mike (Kunzite) behind. He stopped and leaded against the walk beside her. "Hey."
"I didn't see you in the stands. Did you see me?"
"How could I miss you. Congratulations Buns."
"Thanks…you going to the fair tonight?"
"'I'm thinking about it."
Usagi's lips dropped to an innocent pout that no one could resist. NO ONE.
"All right All right. I'll go. "
"You really should go though."
Mamoru chuckled slightly. "I heard there's gonna be a singing contest. Who knows, someone important might be there. You should enter." He said in a serious tone.
Usagi looked up at him nervously. "Me? Oh no...I'm not good enough…I just couldn't…You know how nervous I get!" She watched him shrug. "If anyone could do it, it's you Buns. You have the most beautiful voice I've ever heard." She smiled at him shyly before looking down to her feet. 'She's so pretty…' soon an uncomfortable silence grew. Mamoru broke his chain of thought and shifted slightly off the wall.
"Well, uh…I better get going…" he said softly. Wanting to brake the tension in the air, he added in a teasing voice. " Before the guys see me with 14 year old. It wouldn't be good for my image." Usagi's eyes lit up suddenly. "Oh, you!" she cried as he punch his arm playfully. "Tell them I said hi." "All right. See ya tonight Buns."
Usagi watched as Mamoru ran up to his group of friends. A wave of sadness rushed past her seeing him with them. Not that she didn't like them or anything cause she did. She just missed the times when it used to be just him and her…together…as best friends. They rarely spent time together anymore. Occasionally he would show up at midnight and they would go to there spot together. She wondered what happened between them. 'Time…that's what happened. He has other OLDER friends now. Why would a high school junior want to waste time on me?' She shook her head sadly before turning into the locker room.
~*~
Mamoru looked back just in time to see her disappear behind the door. He remembered back 15 minutes ago when her boyfriend Matt picked her up and spun her around. 'She looked so happy…' Jealously spread through his body whenever he thought of them together. 'He's not good enough for her…' he thought bitterly. 'And what? You are Mamoru? Come on, she's the head cheerleader in her grade. Not to mention the fact that she's a track star, and has the most beautiful voice and gods her smile…I'm not even gonna go there.' Mamoru slowly ran his fingers through his hair. 'I'm not surprised she's taken. By the head quarterback for heaven's sake! Can they be more perfect together? But I am 3 years older than he is though…I can take him….'
"Hey dude, you OK? You look a bit red." Mamoru looked up to see Greg looking at him oddly. He gave a nervous chuckle. "Oh, I'm fine. Oh hey! That reminds me, wanna go to the fair tonight?'
~*~
Usagi frantically ran around her house looking for her beige sandals. "Hey Sammy? Have you seen my sandals?" she asked as she ran past his room. Without looking up from his TV screen. He yelled back at her "Yea, I think they're next to the front door." Usagi stopped sheepishly in his doorway. "Oh…Thanks!"
She started running about again when she heard a honk from outside. She struggled with her sandals while patting down her yellow sundress. She took a deep breath before opening the door. "Bye Mom, Dad, Sammy! C-ya later!"
She greeted her friends as she took a seat in the front next to Lita, the driver. The girls started to engage in a lively conversation as the red convertible pulled out of the driveway and towards the fair.
"Oh, Usagi, I forgot to congratulate you on winning that race. You were great!" Lita exclaimed. Usagi blushed slightly. She was never good at receiving compliments. Running was just natural to her. It made her feel free. "Thanks."
"Oh, Usagi…Guess what!" Mina cried as Rei shoved her hand over her mouth. She looked at the two confused. "What?"
"Mina managed to push Rei away long enough to blurt out, "She got asked out by Chad!" Rei blushed a scarlet red before sinking deep into the beige leather seats.
Usagi's eyes widen in surprise. "Oh my gosh, Chad, Chad? I mean Mamoru's friend Chad? That's so cool Rei!" Laughter broke out as the girls continued to gossip about Mamoru's gorgeous friends.
"I personally think Mamoru is hot!" Lita said proudly. Usagi's face slightly dropped as she turned to look out the window. 'Why do I feel like this…'
Mina noticed her reaction and said, "Oh Lita, you know what Mamoru's Usagi's man!" Usagi's attention quickly turned to her in shock. "What?! He is not! I'm going out with Matt remember?" The girls looked at her slyly. Everyone knew very well that Mamoru had a crush on Usagi…well, everyone except for Usagi. They smiled at her confused expression. She was obviously that dense.
~*~
Usagi took a deep breath as she watched the singer in the medium sized stage. The girl wasn't all that great. There was a small crowd of 15 watching her. She had just been told that a real talent scout from Juuban Records was one of the judges and she was next up. She nervously paced around before looking up at the full moon in the sky. 'Please let me do good.'
"Buns! Are you OK?" Usagi turned around to see Mamoru's worried face looking straight at her. Usagi ran up to him and gave him a big hug. "I'm so nervous. Do I look OK? There IS a scout here and this might be my only chance to prove that I really want to be a singer. I've waited all my life for a moment like this. What if I'm not good enough? What if I get too nervous? What if…"
Mamoru's finger came up to touch her lips softly. "Just look ahead and you'll do fine. Usagi you have a voice that could serenade an angel and don't let ANYONE let you think otherwise…" Usagi blushed a deep red when she realized that he used her real name. "…if they do, I'll just have to beat them up." She giggled softly as she unconsciously snuggled closer in his embrace. 'This feels so right…'
"Usagi! You're up honey!" Usagi looked up. Fear clouded her eyes as she looked at Mamoru. "You'll do fine." he whispered as Usagi slowly walked up the backstage steps. "Hey Usagi?" she turned slightly to glance at him. "You look beautiful." Usagi blushed crimson red as she continued up the stairs and onto the stage.
~*~
Usagi stood nervously in the dark of the night as she waited to be announced. The cool night-breeze gently blew though her loose french-braid. She never liked wearing her hair down.
"Now presenting our very own Usagi Tsukino!" She looked up at the full moon as she felt a sense of warmth and serenity wash over her. 'Goddess of the Moon help me…' She inhaled sharply the lights above her flashed on. The words just seemed to flow out.
So much to believe in
We were lost in time
Everything I needed
I felt into your eyes
Always thought of keepin
Your heart next to mine
But now that seems so far away
Don't know how love could leave
Without a trace
Where do silent hearts go?
Where does my heart beat now
Where is the sound
That only echoes through the night
Where does my heart beat now
I can't live without
Without feeling it inside
Where do all the lonely hearts go?
Mina, Lita, Ami, and Rei watched in awe as they watched their friend sing. The passion in her voice was indescribable.
Candle in the water
Drifting helplessly
Hiding from the thunder
Come and rescue me
Driven by the hunger
Of the endless dream
I'm searching for the hand that I can hold
I'm reaching for the arms that let me know
Where do silent hearts go?
Where does my heart beat now
Where is the sound
That only echoes through the night
Where does my heart beat now
I can't live without
Without feeling it inside
Where do all the lonely hearts go?
Where do all the lonely hearts go?
Her voice rang like a sweet bell through the park. Crowds and crowds of people quickly gathered to see the woman that possessed such strong emotion.
Then one touch overcomes the silence
Love still survives
Two hearts needing one another
Give me wings to fly
Where does my heart beat now
Where is the sound
That only echoes through the night
Where does my heart beat now
I can't live without
Without feeling it inside
Mamoru watched as the crowds of people gathered, the amazement on their faces and the shyness melt away from Usagi's body. He saw it all. She started moving around on stage as she sang her heart out. 'She was born to do this.'
I need someone to give my heart to
I feel it getting stronger and stronger and stronger
And I feel it inside
Hearts are made to last
'Till the end of time
She held the last note till she was practically breathless. She looked down to at the smiling faces of the people in the audience. She blushed as she saw Matt whistle and started a chain of a standing ovation. From that moment on, everything was set in stone.
AU: Well I'm gonna end it there. Not really a cliffhanger but oh well. What's gonna happen between Usagi and Mamoru next? Find out next time. Please review and check out my other story 'The Protector.' I'm hoping for maybe 15 reviews before the next chapter comes out?