Promise Me The Sun

By: Tatsutahime

Epilogue: A Second Chance at Life

Usagi screamed and screamed. Suddenly she felt large hands shake at her arm. Her eyes flew open as she sat up straight. Tears streaked down her face as she frantically looked around. Panting hard, her eyes settled on a familiar face.

"Are you okay Usagi?! You where screaming…." Mark asked as he sat down next to her. He placed a comforting hand on her back as some attempt to calm her.

"…Mark? What are you doing here?"

Mark looked at Usagi puzzled. "We're on tour honey. Are you feeling okay?" His hand reached up to feel her forehead.

"I … I …Where… where am I?" Usagi asked. Her breathing stilled but her eyes her still wide and alert.

"Where are you? Usagi, we're at the Ritz Hotel in Paris!"

"I … how is that possible?…Was it all…a dream? …Was everything that happened a dream…?" Usagi demanded clutching her red satin sheets. Her voice was desperate but soft as she looked around her hotel room.

"What are you talking about… you just had a nightmare."

Usagi shook her head. "It felt so real… It was so intense…" her voice drifted as she lifted both her hands up. "The funeral…the cliffs… I could have sworn… I …I felt the water…stabbing me all over…"

Mark's face paled as Usagi recalled her dream. Usagi stopped when she noticed the look on her manager's face.

"Mark…?"

"The funeral…was it our friend Mamoru's funeral…?" Mark asked seriously.

"How…how did you know…" Usagi's eyes widened. She was clearly shocked.

"I … I think I had the same dream…"

"When?"

"This afternoon… at your photo shoot. I took a nap in the lounge… I can't believe we both had the same dream…Has that ever happened before?!"

Shivers ran down her spine. "It didn't seem like a dream… It was more like a premonition…"

"I have to admit it was one of my more uh… realistic ones…but…"

"Mark! People I love died! I died! And don't you think it was weird that we both dreamt it?" Mark noticed the tears welling up in her eyes.

"Okay, let's say maybe it was some sort of premonition… was it to warn you of your future?" Mark watched as Usagi looked down. "Look in the bright side Usagi. In the future, you would know to avoid people named Tony…and 8-inch kitchen knifes… clubs called the Lapine Rouge… big cliffs… It'll be okay. Just get some rest. Trust me… You love this life… I know you do. For two years, I've watched you on stage. You're like this diamond… you'll never lose your spark…your shine." He took her hands in his.

Mark sighed. "You're going back aren't you." It was more a statement than a question.

"… I have to. You understand… don't you? You're right though… I do love this life… and I've made enough money to buy me a mansion in LA and live there until I die! But as much as I do love this life, it's not enough. It will probably never be enough. It feels like I'm missing out on something…" Usagi stopped trying to think of a name to call the empty void inside of her.

"Love?"

"…Yes. A part of it is love and another part of it is my childhood. But there's more… much more. I know I'm lucky. I'm only sixteen years old but I feel like I have so much power. I can have anything… anyone I want. It feels so good but at the same time, it scares the hell out of me. I think… the worlds had enough Tsukino Usagi the singer… for a while at least. I think I know a few people back in Japan that are missing a daughter, a sister, and a friend. "

~*~

1 Day and a Plane Ride Later

"You take care." Mark smiled as he embraced Usagi. "Call me if you need anything, you hear me! Anything at all."

The two stood outside her house. Mark had accompanied her on the plane ride and to her house.

"I will." Usagi whispered as she backed away. She looked around at her suitcases scattered on the long cement driveway, then watched Mark get into the black limousine.

Usagi walked up to the car and placed a hand on the open window. "…I was meaning to ask you…in my dream. You spoke of a girl named Cassie…I was wondering if Cassie was…you know…real."

"She's as real as you and I." Mark smiled as the limo pulled away from her house. Usagi watched in amazement as the limo pulled out of her driveway and into the street.

Moments later, Mark stuck his head out the moon roof long enough to shout. "IF YOU EVER CHANGE YOUR MIND… YOU KNOW WHERE I AM!!!"

Usagi laughed as she waved her hand. "Goodbye Mark…" Once the limo pulled out of view, Usagi gathered her suitcases and headed for the front door.

Clearing her throat, she straightened her short jean skirt and adjusted her pink spaghetti strapped tank top. Gently tossing her curly blonde hair behind her shoulder, she raised her hand to knob on the white painted door. 'It feels like dejavu.'

Usagi smiled as the door opened. Irene put a hand to her chest as tears quickly formed. "Oh dear god…my baby…"

"Hi mom… I'm home."

~*~

Usagi nervously walked down the empty halls of Juuban High School. Classes were in session. After talking to her mom, she was clearly spooked. Apparently her whole family had that very same dream. Her mom tried to contact her but she was already on a plane back home.

'I wonder if Mamoru had the dream too…' It was certainly possible. It would help her explain why she was back. 'God what am I gonna say? Hey Dare, I haven't talkin or spoken to you in two years but, guess what! I quit my job and traveled across the world because I think I'm in love with you!' Carefully unfolding the yellow piece of paper she got from the main office. She turned and stopped at a brown door. 'Room 102…'

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and peered into the classroom. She scanned the classroom as all talking stopped. The old professor looked as her in wide bewilderment.

Usagi walked up to him. As she walked by she heard whispers of "Oh my gosh! That's Usagi Tsukino!" and a few "She's so pretty!" and "What's she doing here? This is so cool! Are we having an assembly?"

~*~

Mamoru sighed as he plopped his head up with his left hand. His gaze was lost somewhere through the window. He knew he should be paying attention but he couldn't help it. The teacher's words seemed to go in one ear and come out the other. Not once stopping at his brain. Soon he blocked the old man out completely. His thoughts where on something else, or better yet, someone else.

Suddenly he felt Tom, the boy that sat behind him nudge him, snapping him out of this daydream. He sat up realizing that the teacher had stopped talking. 'Is class over?' That's when he heard the other boys whispering. "Damn! Look at her!"

His eyes went wide with shock as he turned towards the front of the room. 'It can't be…'

~*~

The old teacher quickly moved up to her. "Can…can I help you Miss. Tsukino?" His old eyes soft and sparkling.

"Yes… I was hoping to talk to one of your students." The room silenced and the boys looked at her hopefully.

"Of course! Of course!" She giggled as she watched him nod quickly with a foolish grin on his face. "Which one would you like? Take your pick." The old man gestured towards the class with one hand as if auctioning them off.

" Mm…" Usagi searched the classroom for Mamoru. Shock was written all over his face as she lifted her hand and waved slightly. "Chiba Mamoru?"

"Well Mr. Chiba it is." The old teacher stated as he turned to Mamoru. When he noticed that Mamoru didn't move, he waved a hand at him. "Mamoru? You aren't gonna keep the little lady waiting are you?"

Mamoru shook his head sheepishly as he stood up. He slowly approached her. The class broke into whistles as Usagi motioned for him to follow her out the door. Mamoru's face turned a crimson red as he followed the girl of his dreams out the classroom.

~*~

The warm afternoon sun sparked brightly in the sky. Large white balls of cloud were scattered about by the summer breeze. Silence settled between Usagi and Mamoru as the entered the courtyard. Usagi took a sat under a beautiful cherry blossom tree. She shyly looked up at Mamoru to follow.

"How are you Dare?" Usagi asked breaking the silence.

"I've been good. Really good. What about you? How's America?"

"Good. America's great…" Usagi thought in her head over and over how to bring up the subject. Mamoru noticed the perplexed yet sad look on her face.

"What are you doing here Buns? If I remember correctly, you have a tour going on?"

"I had a tour going on. When I got to Paris, I called it quits…" Usagi looked down at her lap as she twirled a piece of curly blonde hair with her long thin fingers.

Mamoru stared at her. 'This can't be happening again…can it?' Shaking his head at the thought, he unconsciously moved closed to her. "…Why? What about your fans… and the press? They'll probably go crazy if you cancel your concerts!"

"They can wait." Usagi smiled. "Mmm…I guess I felt like I was missing out on something special here." 'Or better yet, someone…you.'

Mamoru nodded understandingly. He let out a soft chuckle. "You know Buns, you coming here at this time was pretty much a miracle."

Usagi looked up at him. "Why is that?"

Mamoru smiled. "I don't want to sound crazy or anything but jeez! A few nights ago I had the weirdest dream!" Mamoru went on telling her bits and pieces of his dream, carefully avoiding their love for each other in the dreams. He stopped when he noticed Usagi's face go pale.

"You okay Buns?"

Now she was convinced that the dream was a premonition of their future. She nodded as she looked down and pulled a star shaped locket out of her purse.

"You still have that…?" Mamoru looked at her amazed. It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yea… I have to tell you the truth Mamoru." Mamoru frowned as she used his real name. He felt something was wrong.

"What's going on Usagi?"

"That dream you had… was the same dream I had. But … for the strangest reason… I …I just have this strong feeling that it wasn't a dream. It's real. It's our future Dare…" Tears slowly formed in her eyes as she pictured him in the hospital bed. Without warning she threw herself into his arms. She was so happy that he was alive and well.

Mamoru was shocked to say the least. Looking down at the girl in his arms, he hugged her back. 'She had the same dream… does she know that I love her?' Usagi slowly pulled away, wiping the tears on her delicate face. "I just had to come back."

A small smile formed on her face as she cocked her head to the side. "I love you…" Usagi's voice was soft and sweet.

Mamoru's eyes went completely wide. His eyeballs threatened to pop out of their sockets. He was shocked all right. Closing his eyes for a brief second, he shook away all his fears. Nothing else seemed to matter. 'She loves me…'

Usagi almost gasped as Mamoru, without warning, pulled her back into a tight hug. With his finger, he turned her face towards his. Their faces millimeters apart, Usagi's breath quickened. "I love you too Buns…" Before she could even smile, Mamoru covered her soft lips with his for a long sweet kiss.

Seconds later, loud cheering was heard as well as helicopters in the air. Usagi looked up a bit dazed to see the whole school assembled outside watching the scene. When a camera flashed, she immediately knew that the press and reporters were here as well.

Usagi giggled at Mamoru's lovely scarlet red face before burying her face into his chest. "I can't go anywhere without them. I'm sorry Dare." Mamoru smiled looking down at his love. "It's okay." Suddenly Mamoru's body stiffened. A question still lingered in his mind.

"Does this mean you're staying? Here… with me? I'll take care of you. I promise. "

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Mamoru smiled before reclaiming her lips. When they finally broke apart, Usagi grinned. "Dare…?"

"Hm?" he answered savoring her sweet strawberry scent.

"Remember how I promised to tell you if my dreams ever came true?"

"Of course."

"Well… they did."

AN: I'm finally finished! Do you like? That was my longest story yet! ( Lol, besides the fact that I only have two stories.) I have a great idea for another story that I'm starting now so please stay tuned. REVIEW! I know you hate doing it, I know I do ^_^*, but it makes me feel better.

I would like to specially thank Cheryl for taking the time to emailing me about The Lesson! Thanks!