Title: Underneath the Waves (Complete Fic) Author: SailorIllusions E-Mail: Mystikazg@aol.com Rating: PG Hi minna-chan! This is my second finished fic! I know, I know. There are still some that I need to finish. Hehehe. I couldn't help it. This idea just hit me out of nowhere and I just had to write it. Well, this is along the SM storyline...with a few twists. Please...e-mail me. Comments are welcome. Ja ne! *DISCLAIMER: Sailor Moon was created by Naoko Takeuchi and is property of Kodansha, TOEI Animation, Mixxine, Bandai, and DIC Productions. Underneath The Waves The lonely figure of a girl was outlined in the light of the moon, trudging along wearily. Her head was hung down and the ends of her flowing, blonde hair trailed along the ground. Her sailor fuku was soiled and in some places torn quite severely. She issued a tiny sigh as she continued on. 'We almost got killed tonight!' 'How are we ever going to defeat the Negaverse?!' 'It's impossible!' 'What's going to happen the next time?' The voices of Raye, Makota, Minako, and Ami echoed through her head. That's right, Usagi thought. How are we ever going to beat them? I'm not any help to anyone at all. Tears clouded her cobalt blue eyes. My Senshi almost got annihilated tonight by that youma. I'm supposed to be the leader of the Senshi, Sailormoon. Yet, I can barely help those that I care about so dearly. The tears that had been gathering in her eyes now fell down in tiny drops and hit the cement. Usagi tenderly touched the wound on her stomach. Even though Tuxedo-Kamen comes to our rescue, it doesn't help boost my self-esteem any. That just means that I am incompent at being Sailormoon and I can't help my own Senshi. Whenever he glances at me, I can practically see the coldness projecting from his eyes. Once again, Usagi heard the voices of her Senshi in her head. 'Why don't you try helping us next time Sailormoon?' 'It's bad enough that we have to get hurt on your benefit.' 'How can you help us when you can't even help yourself out?' Eventually, Usagi came upon the new park that the city had just created. It held a beautiful park and playground. They had even created a large and lovely lake. She ventured out onto the shore of the lake and watched as the waves lapped at the sand. It was a very windy night and she let the rapid breezes cool her heated cheeks. She carefully lied down and gazed at the clusters of stars overhead. The pain from her wound was even more fierce but Usagi steadily ignored it. And worst of all, is the loneliness I feel. I want so badly to be with someone, holding on to them forever. But it doesn't seem MY life was destined that way. Images of Mamoru's grin came into focus. Mamo-chan, the guy of my dreams. She liked the nickname she had come up with. No matter how much he continues to tease me, I see the genuine warmth lurking in his eyes. I also see the sadness there too. He's intelligent and handsome. I want to share the rest of my life with someone like that. With a start, Usagi could feel the blood oozing from the wound. She recalled the fight earlier that night when a youma came out of nowhere. To summarize it, the youma had materialized behind everyone and had thrown some wicked-looking thorns at Sailor Mars. She had been off to the side and saw the attack and rushed to cover her. The thorn had whizzed by her, but had managed to cut a deep gash in her stomach. Fortunately, no one had noticed it during the battle and after the battle, she left immediately. Now though, she knew that if she didn't get it treated, serious complications would arise. Luckily, everyone was asleep at home. As the pain intensified, so did the emotional heartache that Usagi felt. Tears streamed down her face as she thought about her life, her friends, and the love she wished she had. The world's probably better off without me anyway. That thought lingered in her head. I can't save the world. I'm just a girl who can't even get her own priorities straight. What if someone dies one day because I was careless? What if it's a an innocent child who has their whole life ahead of them, goals and dreams to accomplish? That thought horrified her to no ends. No, I won't let that happen. I don't want people to die because of someone like me. The tears continued to fall as her sobs increased. Usagi slowly stood up and walked down to the edge of the lake. The breeze that frolicked over the water called out to her, luring her like a siren's song. Usagi clutched her stomach and started to walk into the cold and dark lake. Mamoru sat straight up in bed and clenched his teeth. He had just woken up from a strange nightmare where Sailormoon had died. Sailormoon and her Senshi had almost met that fate tonight. Luckily, he had been there as Tuxedo-Kamen to help them out. Yet he remembered the look in Sailormoon's eyes. She had seemed withdrawn and quiet. From out of nowhere, he felt a sense of impending doom register within his very being. An image of Sailormoon drawing her last breath flashed before his eyes, and before he knew it, he was up and out into the night. He quickly melded into Tuxedo-Kamen and ran through the streets. He had just passed the new park when he suddenly whirled back around and stared intently at the park. He felt as if something was calling him, willing him to enter it. Once again, that image of Sailormoon flickered in his mind, and he was off again. He stopped the minute he saw Sailormoon. Actually, Usako he reminded himself. He had discovered her identity quite some time ago. She seemed like she was in the midst of unbearable pain. She clutched her stomach and leaned forward. My Usako, Mamoru thought. What's wrong with her? He then saw Usagi walk towards the edge of the lake. Mamoru was rooted to the spot. What is she doing? Going out for a swim at this time of night? What can I say to her? I've always been cruel to her, taunting her. Lost in thought, Mamoru failed to see Usagi wade even deeper into the lake, the water around her neck. When Mamoru looked back up, he saw the top of Usagi's buns peeking from the water. NOOO!!!!! Mamoru raced towards the lake. Just as the water reached her neck, Usagi had that prickling sensation that someone was nearby. Nah, no one's up at this time of night, she thought. This water is so cold, but at the same time, it feels nice. Her eyes slowly closed as the water enveloped her head. She couldn't breath. Now the world is safe again. I couldn't do it anyways. No one needs me. Slowly, darkness filtered her thoughts as water filled her lungs and she slipped into unconciousness. Mamoru ran through the water a few seconds after Usagi had gone under. He was vaguely aware that he was still Tuxedo-Kamen, but he didn't care. All he was thinking about was his Usako. I have to get to her. What the hell is she thinking? How could she do this? As soon he got out far enough, he dived underwater to see if he could catch a glimpse of her. By some strange coincedence, the moon was shining in full force tonight, so it wasn't difficult to see what was underwater. Mamoru went back to the surface for air and dived right back down. He frantically swam, trying to catch a glimpse of the girl who had managed to latch onto his heart. He was terrified, completely and utterly terrified. Where are you Usako? Please. Don't do this. And then, in a stray beam of moonlight, he saw her. She was floating downwards, her eyelids closed. Her hair had come undone somehow and was floating everywhere around her. She almost seemed like a lost water nymph asleep in her habitat. He swam his way towards her body. He reached her and hugged her tightly. He had to pull her back up. Mamoru kicked his way back up towards the surface, holding Usagi. He stared at her face and brushed his lips against hers. To his surprise, her eyes flickered open as she gazed at him. Yet, she seemed unaware that they were still underwater. A slight smile appeared on her face as her eyes closed once more. Finally they hit the surface. Mamoru gasped for air. Even though weariness filled his limbs, he made his way back towards the shore, Usagi in tow. When they reached the shore, Mamoru hefted Usagi up and made his way to the soft grass underneath the cherry trees. He laid her body out and shook her. He tried CPR repeatedly. Please Usako, wake up. He took her hand in his. It was cold as ice. Tears filled his eyes. Oh no, please don't leave me Usako. I need you. He reached down to hug her tightly and he could feel her stirring. "Usagi, you're okay!" Mamoru yelled in relief. Usagi remembered slipping into darkness. Then she had felt warmth and remembered seeing Tuxedo-Kamen holding her. Where had he come from. Then she remembered entering that darkness again. Now here she was, out of the water and Tuxedo-Kamen hugging her tightly. Usagi? Where did he get that from? Usagi suddenly started coughing up water that had entered her lungs. The pain from her stomach hit her tenfold and she sagged against Tuxedo-Kamen. "Oh, Usako, I was so scared. Are you all right?" Tuxedo-Kamen asked her. "Um. Tuxedo-Kamen, how do you know my name?" Usagi asked him tentatively. Tuxedo-Kamen paused and stared at her. He seemed to be considering several options. She waited patiently for him to answer her. He finally seemed ready to speak. "I know a lot of things about you Usak...er...Usagi. I care about you a lot. But first you need to tell me why you did what you did. I need to know. Earth's people depend on you for your protection," Tuxedo-Kamen said. "Need me? Yeah right. I feel like such a failure. Everytime we come across a youma, someone always gets hurt or is close to getting hurt badly. And then you always have to come and help me. How am I supposed to protect the people of this planet if I can't protect myself and my immediate comrades?" Usagi asked bitterly. Stray tears drifted down her cheeks. "And I'm so tired of being alone. I just want someone to love me for who I am, someone to share my dreams with." Mamoru winced at her harsh words. She actually feels that way about herself, he thought incredously. How could she? And she feels just as alone as I do! Mamoru decided that maybe now was the time to reveal his true identity. He removed the mask that covered his face and enfolded his arms around her. Usagi blinked in astonishment. "Ma...Ma...Mamoru-kun?! Oh my gosh! You're Tuxedo-Kamen?!" she whispered. "Hai, Usako. And I want you to know, that I think you are the bravest girl I've ever met. You put all others before you and would sacrifice your life for another without a thought. You're kind, innocent, and loyal. You're wrong Usako. You are the best person to protect Earth. And you're not alone. I love you Usako. I love you for who you are because you're like the light that always drives the darkness away. A girl who is funny and adorable. My Usako," Mamoru told her softly. Usagi felt even more tears fall from her eyes. He loves me. Thank you heavens. Thank you for listening to my prayers. And he called me Usako. Usagi giggled softly. "I love you too," she trailed off as she suddenly de-transformed before his eyes and succumbed to the pain the wound was causing her. "Usako! Usako, wake up! What's wron..." Mamoru shouted. He finally felt the warmth that was making it's way through the front of his shirt. In the harsh light of the moon, he noticed that she was bleeding from what was apparently a gash that stretched from somewhere in from of her stomach, to her side. Panic latched onto his mind. Mamoru gathered her in his arms and raced back to his apartment. He flew up into the air and jumped from one rooftop to the next until he landed on his balcony. He stepped inside and into his bedroom. The next few hours he put to use all the medical knowledge he had obtained and finally, somewhere near dawn, he collapsed into a the big, overstuffed chair in the living room. She's okay now, he thought. Mamoru had worked to undress her quickly and tend to her wound. Luckily for her, the gash had not been too deep, but still had required some thorough cleansing and bandages to be wrapped around her waist. Now she was on his bed, in one of his big t-shirts, quietly sleeping. She sure has a great body though, he thought with a grin. Baka, he thought and hit himself on the head. How in the hell can you be thinking something like that. Then he smiled. She actually loves me too. But gosh, she sure is beautiful. And with that thought, he finally fell asleep. Usagi awoke to sunshine streaming through a window. She stretched and realized with a start the dull pain that throbbed in her side. What in the...? Last night! I almost died...Tuxedo-Kamen... Mamo-chan...darkness. Her thoughts spun rapidly in her head. She glanced down at her attire and looked down into her shirt and noticed that her wound had been dressed and all taken care of. How did I get out of my clothes? Suddenly she blushed furiously. Ohmygosh! Mamo-chan saw me without my clothes. I could die of embarrasment. Her thoughts then took another rapid turn. Where is he? Where am I? How did I end up in this bed? Usagi carefully got up and walked to the door. She pushed it open further and there she saw him. He was sound asleep on a big, overstuffed chair in the living room. This must be his place she thought. She ventured further out until she was directly in front of him. With a shaky hand, she reached out and brushed the bangs over his forehead. Mamo-chan, you stayed up all night just to take care of me. And you love me? You accept me for who I am and all that I am. You are truly the prince of my dreams. I love you. Suddenly, his hand shot up out of nowhere and his eyes opened. Holding her gaze steadily, he kissed her hand. "Good morning, Usako. Feeling better?" he inquired. He wrapped both arms around her, being careful of her wound. Usagi nodded, trying to hide her blush. Then she looked into his eyes once more and couldn't help but feel her love for him pound in her heart. The pain in her side suddenly became non-existent. She quickly bent down and pecked him on the lips. She smiled at his surprised face. "Yes I am, Mamo-chan. Thank you for saving my life and my heart," Usagi said. Mamoru grinned at the nickname she had just given him. He pulled her onto his lap and hugged her softly. She in turn, wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her forehead on his. "No, thank you Usako. For saving me and for loving me. I will be by your side, forever and ever," Mamoru told her. "As will I," Usagi said as their lips closed upon each other tenderly.