Promise Of The Rose 2: Mamoru's Promise
Author: Usagi_Carter
Rated: PG
Hey out there. It's Usagi Carter. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their positive responses and encouragement on my other stories. The biggest thanks have to go to Andrea Readwolf. She's become like a sister to me in the last few weeks/months. Her involvement in Zodiac Senshi, our new story, has been incredible. She's also been there to teach, inspire and push me to my limits. Thanks Andrea.
Now, a little about this story. It takes place right after Sailor Moon R, the movie: "Promise of the Rose". I just got the dub version and cried through the entire thing. I just wondered what it would be like when they returned to Earth after Usagi says, "So, from now on when I say it'll be alright, you'll believe me" and Mamoru says, "Yeah". This is my version of the immediate aftermath. Well, on with the story. Standard disclaimers apply.
Promise of the Rose: 2, Mamoru's Promise
By Usagi Carter
March-April 2000
"So, from now on when I say it'll be alright, you'll believe me?" Sailor Moon asked as she sat up, but still stayed in Tuxedo Kamen's arms.
"Yeah," Tuxedo Kamen said as tears coursed down his cheeks.
"WE LOVE YOU SAILOR MOON!" Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus said as they pounced on their once again living leader.
"I love you too," Sailor Moon said as she returned their hugs. "Guys, we had better book it. Luna and Artemis and Chibi Usa must be very worried by now. Besides, I'm hungry!" The others laughed and stood up.
"Sailor Moon, are you sure you're strong enough to do a Sailor Teleport?" Jupiter asked Moon as the frail girl was lifted up with Tuxedo Mask's help.
"I think so Jupiter," She said as she attempted to stand on her own, and failed.
"Sailor Moon, you are in no condition to help us after what you've already been through," Mercury said as she whipped out her hand held computer and scanned Sailor Moon. "You have to regain your strength."
"Mercury, will I be able to help?" Tuxedo Kamen asked.
"Yes. Just concentrate hard on us and let us do the work. Sailor Moon, stay in the middle. Tuxedo Kamen, stand between Jupiter and Mars," Mercury said as everyone prepared to teleport out.
"SAILOR TELEPORT!" they screamed as they disappeared in a blur of multi-colored light.
On Earth
"Welcome back Sailor Senshi. Did you accomplish your mission?" Luna asked. The girls smiled.
"Mamo-chan! Usagi-baka!" Chibi Usa said as she ran to them.
"Hey Chibi Odango," Mamoru said as he hugged her.
"Usagi-chan, you okay?" Mako-chan asked as Usagi stared up at the moon.
Usagi heard Mako but didn't respond to her friend's question. She was thinking of Fiore. She knew he had given up his life to save hers. Usagi felt his warmth even before Mamoru wrapped his arms around her waist. "Penny for your thoughts," he said in her ear. She smiled and buried herself deeper in his embrace.
"It's nothing. I just wish that Fiore-san hadn't died trying to save me," she replied as the held back tears could no longer be held back. "He meant so much to you and you hadn't seen each other in so long." She finished. Her tears burned as they fell quietly down her rosy cheeks.
"It wasn't your fault. It was his decision to give up his life for yours," Mamoru replied. The pain of losing Fiore still coursed through his heart, but the pain of his only love blaming herself was increasingly worse. "It's not your fault."
"Isn't it though. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy, and now look what I've done," she said as she turned to look at him. "I killed your best friend!" she cried out
as she ran from the scene. Mamoru made a move to go after her and the others stopped him.
"Mamoru-san, let her go. She just needs to be on her own for a while. Remember that she just died and came back and your best friend died to save her. She feels guilty that someone who was finally brought back to the side of goodness had to die for her to live," Raye said quietly. "Luna-chan, go after her. Make sure she stays out of trouble but also don't bug her."
"Thank you Raye-chan, but that won't be necessary. I will go after her. I had a promise someone kept to me and one I need to make and keep one to another," Mamoru said as he rushed off.
An Hour Later
He found her in the park, near the lake, sitting under a tree, staring at the Moon and crying. He sat next to her and pulled her into his arms. She willingly leaned against him and cried harder. "Gomen Nasai." She whispered, as her sobs became increasingly worse.
"It's not your fault. Fiore-chan knew what he was giving up when he made me give you his life force, and so did I. Usako, I wouldn't have forgiven myself if you had really been gone. It hurt to see you so lifeless up there. I felt like dying right along with you, and I think Fiore-chan knew that we couldn't be apart for long before I would end up dying." Mamoru said as he held her close to his chest. He really had thought that he would lose her permanently up there and the thought had terrified him to no end.
"How about we go to my apartment and get some rest. Chibi Usa-chan is with the girls and I think we need to have some alone time," he said quietly.
"Okay." Usagi responded. Tonight, neither wanted to be parted from the other. They'd come too close to losing each other again. Mamoru helped Usagi up and they went to his apartment.
Once they were there, they took off their shoes and then cuddled on the couch. Mamoru had lit all the candles in the house and opened the balcony curtains so that the moon could shine in the room. Usagi leaned against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. She closed her eyes and cherished the feeling of him kissing her hair, eyes,
temples, forehead, cheeks and finally, the feeling of his soft rose petal lips on hers. She relished the feeling of his passionate attempt to make her feel better. 'We haven't
done this in a while' she mused as she snaked her arms around his neck and proceeded to straddle his lap. His arms immediately went around her waist as he crushed her body to his. (Note: don't get any funny ideas about where this is going!)
Slowly, very slowly, Usagi felt his tongue ease open her lips and then begin to play with her own. She moaned quietly against his invasion. "I love you," Mamoru said as he moved his kisses to her neck. "Usako, please stay here tonight. I don't want you to leave."
Usagi moaned as he kissed her neck. Then she responded to his question. "I won't go anywhere, I promise," she said as she kissed his lips passionately.
After a good hour of just making out on the couch, Mamoru took Usagi to his room. He gave her one of his large shirts for her to wear and she went to the bathroom to change. When she came back, he already had his pajamas on. He was lying on the bed waiting for her. She smiled, closed the door, took down her odangos and then climbed in the warm and inviting bed next to him. He shut the light out, and then the two of them curled up together. Mamoru was awake most of the night thanking the gods that she was still with him and praying that Fiore was okay wherever he was. "I miss you Fiore-chan," he whispered. He had gone out onto the balcony and stared up into the stars. Waking Usako wasn't on his list of priorities.
Unbeknownst to him, Usagi was awake and standing behind him when he said it. She had felt his apprehension somehow and had woken up to find him gone. She had wandered to the balcony and found him standing there silently, or so she thought. She tried cringing as little as possible when she heard him. Just then she heard him say something else. "As much as I know I'm going to miss you, I am certainly glad you helped me save the other person I love so very much. I know you would have loved to have had been given the chance to really know her. She's loving, caring, sweet, and of course she's beautiful. But most of all, she loves me like no other possibly could. So, wherever you are, I just wanted to say thank you for giving her back to me," Mamoru finished as he turned around upon hearing Usagi gasp. He saw her staring at him and couldn't help but lose himself in her cerulean blue eyes. He smiled and walked toward her. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. Mamoru bent down and kissed Usagi's cheek. They went back inside and settled down into the bed they had previously been in.
"I love you Mamo-chan," Usagi whispered as sleep claimed her once again.
Next morning
She woke up to something soft tracing her cheeks and neck. When she opened her eyes, she saw Mamoru looking down on her, a magical rose in hand, sweeping it across her face and neck. "Morning beautiful," he said as he bent down and kissed her.
"Morning handsome. What time is it?" she asked as he looked at the clock.
"About 9 in the morning. We have been requested to join the others at the temple in about an hour. Which means we have time to get up and get breakfast before heading over," he replied as he kissed her again.
"Hmm, what do you want me to cook?" Usagi asked.
"I was thinking I could cook for you this morning," Mamoru said as she smiled.
"Okay. Let's get a move on," she said as they both go up and got dressed. Then they went into the kitchen and Mamoru made breakfast.
Hikawa Shrine
1 hour later (10 a.m.)
"Usagi-chan, I need to talk to you in private," Raye said as Usagi and Mamoru entered the shrine.
"Sure," Usagi said as they went into the hallway. "What's up?" Usagi could feel the tension in her best friend.
"I was looking in the fire last night and I saw Fiore-san," Raye said as Usagi stared at her in shock.
"Are you sure?" Usagi asked.
"Yes, very sure. I think he may visit you soon, just you," Raye said as Usagi's shocked expression.
"But why? Mamo-chan's his best friend," Usagi said.
"I don't know, I passed out after that. Be careful, I don't know what's going to happen. You might not want to stay at Mamoru-san's tonight because if Fiore-san is going to
contact you, it might disturb Mamoru-san a bit," Raye said.
"Thank you for the advice Raye. Let's go join the others," Usagi said apprehensively.
"What's up?" Mina asked as the two girls walked in.
"Nothing. Just had to talk to Usagi-chan about something. So, what are we going to do tonight?" Raye asked as she sat between Amy and Usagi, who just happened to be as far away from Mamoru as possible in such a small space.
"Usa-chan, you okay?" Mako asked.
"Huh, oh I'm fine. Just got a lot on my mind. Guys, I can't do anything tonight. I'm supposed to take care of Shingo and his friends. They're having a sleep over tonight. Umm, Mamo-chan, think you could keep Chibi Usa tonight?" she asked quietly. Raye narrowed her brow at Usagi. She *knew* that Shingo was out of town with their parents visiting friends. Fortunately, none of the others knew that Shingo wasn't in town, not even Chibi Usa, who just happened to have spent the last few nights with her and Mako.
"Sure," he said as he stared at his girlfriend. Something was wrong and he knew it.
"Thanks. It'll make it much easier on me for what I have to do tonight," Usagi said as she stared at the floor.
"Well, what are we going to do?" Mako asked as the others started making plans. Mamoru tuned out and stared at Usagi, who just happened to have her eyes closed. He watched her say something to Raye and then go into the room that housed the sacred fire.
Fire Room
"Sacred Fire, I know you usually only work for Raye-chan, but I need help. Please, tell me about what is going to happen tonight," Usagi began as the fire flickered in front of her. Suddenly, the fire roared and visions filled Usagi's head.
Visions of the Moon Kingdom.
Visions of Mamo-chan and Fiore together.
Visions of the other Senshi.
Visions of Chibi Usa.
Visions of what looked like Senshi that she couldn't recognize.
Visions of her and Mamo-chan together.
Visions of what she knew she had to show Fiore.
"Thank you sacred fire. I know what I must do now," she said as she stood up. She walked into the other room and noticed that none of the other senshi were there, and neither was Mamoru or Chibi Usa. She looked at the clock and noticed it had been about four hours since she had gone into the fire room. "I guess they got tired of waiting for me. I need to go for a walk and then I need to get home and prepare," she said as she scribbled a note to the scouts and left.
The Tuskino Household
5 p.m.
"Luna-chan, please, just go to Raye-chan's and stay there. I have something I need to do and I don't want you here to distract me," Usagi said as she kicked Luna, gently, out of the house.
"I see you aren't gentle all the time," a voice said from behind her.
"Fiore-san." Usagi said as she turned around.
"Usagi-san."
"What brings you here?" she asked as she sat down on the couch.
"Someone gave me some good advice, so I'm following it," he replied as he sat next to her.
"So you're still alive?" she asked.
"No. A friend of yours, you could say, has helped me to come back to learn before I pass on. I didn't mean to scare you or Mamoru," he said softly.
"It's okay. There is something I have to do now that you're here. I wanted to share something special to me with you. It'll help you understand my relationship with Mamo-chan and maybe further your own with him," she said as she grabbed his hands. He was shocked at first. "Just trust me."
A sudden wave hit him head-on. It didn't hurt, but it was a warm silvery gold that made him relax. "What you're about to experience is all my memories of Mamo-chan, good and bad," Usagi said quietly as she proceeded to show him everything the sacred fire had shown her earlier.
"You were Queen Serenity's daughter! You really are a princess!" Fiore exclaimed.
"Yes. There's more though," she said as she proceeded to show him things about Mamoru, past, present, and future.
"You and Mamoru-san are going to marry. That little girl I saw with him today is your daughter!" Fiore exclaimed once again.
"Yes, Fiore-san, she is our daughter. Now you know everything I do. I'm sure Mamo-chan can share with you the same things I have if you go talk to him. Would you like to accompany me to his apartment? You can meet Chibi Usa while we're there," Usagi said as she stood up and stretched.
"Sure. I would love to go see Mamoru-san," Fiore said as the two left the house.
Mamoru's Apartment
"Mamo-chan, are you there?" Usagi asked as she knocked on the door.
"Coming!" a little voice, said from inside. "Usagi-baka!" Chibi Usa screeched as she opened the door.
"Kon-wa. Where's Mamo-chan?" Usagi asked.
"In the shower. I thought Shingo-chan was having a sleep over tonight?" Chibi Usa asked.
"Shingo-chan is out of town. I kind of had something else to do. Chibi Usa, I would like you to meet Fiore-san," Usagi started.
"You're Mamo-chan's friend, aren't you?" Chibi Usa asked as the three sat in the living room.
"Yes, I am," Fiore replied as he watched the little girl. 'She looks like Usagi and acts like Mamoru' Fiore thought as he stared at her.
"I'll go see if I can hurry Mamo-chan up," Usagi said as she went into the hallway. She stopped outside the bathroom oor and knocked quietly.
"Chibi Usa, what is it?"
"First of all, I'm not Chibi Usa. Second, I need to speak to you," Usagi said as the bathroom door flew open at the speed of light.
"I thought you had..."
"I lied. I brought someone to see you. Hurry up and get dressed," she said as she kissed him and then went into the living room.
"Usako, what's going..." Mamoru started as he walked into the living room. He immediately noticed the other male in the room. "Who the hell..."
"Mamoru-san, it's nice to see you after so long," Fiore said quietly.
"FIORE!" Mamoru said as he caught sight of the person.
"But I thought..."
"You can thank Sailor Pluto for him being here," Usagi started. She was sitting in Mamoru's leather recliner and had Chibi Usa tucked in her lap, almost asleep.
"Usako?" Mamoru asked.
"Raye-chan told me she saw him last night in the fire. She said he was going to visit me. I had a few things I needed to show him, which is why I spent four hours in the fire room tonight. He knows everything I could show him of our past, present, and, our future," she said as she gazed lovingly at Mamoru then at Chibi Usa. "Mamo-chan, please don't be mad with me, but in order for me to get over what happened and for him to understand, I had to show him everything. Maybe, you should show him it all from your point of view."
"Fiore-chan, have a seat on the floor in front of the couch," Mamoru said as Fiore sat down. "Usako, go ahead and give me Chibi Usa. I'll go lay her down on my bed," Mamoru took Chibi Usa and did as he said he would. "I'm going to need your help with this Usako, cause I've never done it before and you have."
Usagi sat next to the two of them. She took one of each of their hands and held them in her own. "Concentrate and focus. Direct your memories to Fiore-san. Use my power if you must. It isn't hard," Usagi said. In ten minutes, the sharing was done and the three of them stood there staring at one another. Usagi nodded to Mamoru and then went into the bedroom to check on Chibi Usa.
"You've done really well for yourself, Mamoru-san." Fiore stated.
"Yeah well, it helps when you were a Prince in another lifetime and the mother of the Princess you loved wanted you to be together cause she knew you loved her daughter and would die for her. Again and again," Mamoru said as the two walked out onto the balcony and stared at the moon.
"You two must have really loved each other for Queen Serenity to sacrifice everything for you to be together." Fiore said quietly.
"We did then, we still do, and from the fact that Chibi Usa is alive and our daughter, I'd bet it's safe to say we still do in Crystal Tokyo." Mamoru said.
"What's Usagi-chan like?" Fiore asked.
"An angel. She's caring, loving, kind, cute, sexy, innocent, everything a girl should be." Mamoru said about his girlfriend and soul mate.
"You two almost done out here?" Usagi asked as they turned toward the door. She was wearing one of Mamoru's shirts and a pair of shorts. Fiore's breath caught at the sight of such an angel while Mamoru smiled at his breathtaking girlfriend.
"Your hair is so long." Fiore commented.
"Yeah, I know. Would you guys like some ice cream?" Usagi asked. "Oh yeah, you can't eat ice cream."
"What's ice cream?" Fiore asked. He was curious.
"Ice Cream is a delicious treat made here."
"Too bad I'm not alive anymore or I think I would have like to try some." Fiore replied.
"Usako, do we have any chocolate left?" Mamoru asked as he went to his girlfriend.
"Hai. Probably enough left for you to have a bowl. Chibi Usa had a chocolate craving and devoured most of it. Though, I think it's safe to say you have no more Mint Chocolate Chip." Usagi laughed as Mamoru nodded his head.
"Sounds like Chibi wasn't the only one to have a chocolate craving. So, Fiore, what's going to happen to you now?" Mamoru asked.
"Umm, I'll probably pass on to another life," Fiore replied.
"Too bad you can't stay on earth, or I would try to bring you back," Usagi said quietly. She was starting to get sad and also sleepy so she set her bowl on the coffee table and leaned against Mamoru.
"Usako, why don't you go lay with Chibi Usa on my bed," Mamoru suggested.
"Come tuck me in real quick," she said quietly as she stood. He nodded and they went to the bedroom. He tucked her in after she lay down and cuddled next to Chibi Usa.
"Sleep tight, my Usako. Remember that I'll always protect you. By the power of Earth, I swear on my magical roses, I'll always protect you." Mamoru said quietly. He went back into the living room to say goodbye to Fiore, who's time was growing short.
"Arigato for showing me what your life has been like. I think I can pass on now without any regrets," Fiore said as they walked onto the balcony. "Mamoru-san, promise me something,"
"Anything," Mamoru said as he looked at his friend.
"Don't ever stop loving her. She needs you so much and I know you need her too. Your memories have proven it time and time again," Fiore said urgently.
"I promise, on the rose, I will always protect, cherish, and love her. Sayonara Fiore," Mamoru said as Fiore vanished from existence. "I promise."