It's been a while minna, but I have finally gotten around to typing a new chapter. I've been a bit preoccupied with trying to edit and continue all of my other stories. I've also been trying to write this and my other stories in the same diction as the they began instead of switching repeatedly back and forth. I'm failing miserably and I know this is not a good excuse...so on with the story...

Disclaimer: I do not own the song or the characters, although the thought is a tad bit appealing...

All quotation use is the same as before, except " ..." now includes song lyrics.

Chapter 6:

Hai, I loved surprises then, but now I could do without them. They always end up badly one way or the other and tend to happen at the worse times. Perhaps this feeling is from my age and not from my true emotions? Who knows, maybe one day I'll like the experiences I've grown to despise.
-Sailor Cosmos

"Surprise?" I mouthed as the car came to an abrupt halt in front of a red carpet. The sudden stop made me hit my head on the dashboard and I did not hesitate in shouting at Mamoru's shady driving skills.

"You tryin' to kill me? Good grief..non driving...good for nothing...stupid...idiot...asshole," I mutter as he walks around the car to my side. He opens the door and I open my mouth to repeat my insults when I see over his shoulder the name of the restaurant we're arrived at.

"O my,"I say before my eyes light up and I try to get out of the car, but trip all over my gown.

"Damn thing...well what are you waiting for? Help me out of this evil car," I say with a big smile and a dark blush creeping rapidly across my face.

Mamoru smiled at my antics as he helped me out of the car and led me into the building. He tossed the keys to a nearby valet and said something that resembled, "Don't scratch the paint or dent my door?"

I could not believe my eyes. I had never been to a place as classy or expensive as this place looked. The entire door way was trimmed in gold and marble. The floor covered in crimson velvet carpets. The light fixtures brightened the surrounding street as well as the hallway leading into the building.

"Mamoru?" I asked as we were led by a much older women to our table. Mamuru silienced my words with a chaste kiss to my hand and pulled out my chair so I could be seated.

In the center of the room was a small stage surrounded on everyside by steps. Standing onstage was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, but Mamoru paid her no attention as he placed our order and stared into my eyes.

"Usa-chan, care to dance with me while we have this slow song to back us up?"Mamoru asked in a voice so smooth I could only nod my head for fear words would escape me.

He took my hand to help me from my chair and led us across the small dance floor effortlessly. I had never danced like this before, but it came so naturally that I couldn't resist smiling smuggly as other couples looked at us enviously.

'O yeah. I am so good,' I thought to myself as Mamoru spun me around before a dip.
'That you are,' Mamoru's subconscious replied.

I halted in the middle of the steps and the song ended around us. I raised my eyebrow and realized Mamoru had not spoken outloud. Neither had I, now that I thought about it. The other dancers around us clapped for the singer as she stepped off the stage to offer the microphone to someone else. I never got to voice my concern at hearing things because she handed me the microphone and guided me onto the stage.

"Here you go, sweetie. Show 'em what you're made of,"she told me with a smile.

I didn't know what to do. I'd never sang in front of a crowd before. 'What song do I pick? Do I look okay in this lighting?' I whispered frantically in my mind hoping siliently that Mamoru really could hear me.

'Move On My Heart?'Mamoru suggested with a small apathetic shrug,'You look gorgeous by the way Usako and I think the song suits your voice.'

A small grateful smile passed over my lips at his respond to my plea. I no longer had to fear insanity, but I would need to look into this telepathy later. I chose the song and stepped up the small stairs to stand center stage. The words appeared on a large curtain hung high above the crowd. This made it look like I was watching my audience and not the words. I didn't have time to admire the genius behind this idea before the first notes of the song began to play.

"Baby I just want you to understand just exactly how you make me feel," a computer generized voice whispered when I was too shy to repeat the words. I came in softly on the next word.

"Oooo yeah...," I attempted, but my voice was too soft for the microphone to pick it up entirely, so again the computer generized voice sang my line.

I took a deep breath and let the computer do all the beginning adlibs before looking up to sing the first verse loud and clear.

"Time after time, when I'm feelin low
somethin inside of me lets me know that it's alright
love's on my side
when the world...seems a lonely place
I've got a dream that wont leave a trace of the blues
I just think of you and baby I know..."

My voice rang through the room and couples paused in their dances to look up at me as I began to sing the chorus with a little more emotion then I had started the song with.

"I've got a real thing, here by my side
someone who needs, me holding me tight
and these special feelings won't ever fade
cause I knew from the start, you put a move on my...heart"

There was an audible gasp from several men as I began to walk alluringly around the little stage. I was into the song now and my voice was coated in hidden emotion. I was singing for that baka, but he was the only man in the room that refused to look at me.

"Baby our love's, like a melody, playing for us
in the sweetest key...you could find...the music of life
and when we touch, there's the warmest glow
heat in the passion that heaven knows, it's a dream
just for you, you and me...and baby I know"

My voice was sultrier as I sang the second verse and people were cheering and applauding as I entered the final stretch of the song. Mamoru had chanced a small look up at me. Our eyes connected and I began the second chorus of the song looking into his eyes.

"I've got a real thing, the love of my life
someone who needs me and he feels me with pride
baby now, now and forever, we'll never part
cause you're the world to me, you put a move on my heart..."

My eyes were watering with unshed tears and I began to repeat the chorus once morewhen suddenly the music stopped and a loud explosion shook the entire restaurant. The room filled with smoke and, panicking, I looked for Mamoru to get him to safety.

"Mamoru!"I shouted among the screams of people as they ran out of the restaurant. "Mamoru!" I managed again before a piece of the ceiling feel onto my back and there was only darkness as I went unconcious.

I'm sad to say my singing was interrupted abruptly. We celebrate--we used to celebrate this night as the our anniversary. I miss those nights. Something would always interupted our romantic exploits, but he would always make it up to me. I wish he was still around to do that. I'd serenade him forever if he was.

Sailor Cosmos

There you have it minna. A tiny sample of what I've been working so long on. I hope I did the song and the characters justice by using them this way. Also I read somewhere that in Japan karoake bars are fancier than these poor excuses for pubs in the U.S. Hopefully that explains why it was not a fancy hard to prounounce restaurant. Thanks for reading and as always reviews are welcome. 'Til we meet again...