Disclaimer: Sailormoon and all characters are copyright their respective
owners. I don’t own any of the characters related with Sailormoon, and
I’m not making any money off of this story. Also, the song A Whole
New World belongs to its respective owners as well.
Note: Later on in the story, a swear word or two may appear (nothing
very strong) but due to content, this story should probably be rated
Pg-13. Also, the title is subject to change :p
Fears Revisited
Chapter 1
Ryanna (sailorstar100@yahoo.com)
Makoto sighed. Another Christmas alone. Sure, Usagi had
invited her over for Christmas dinner, but that was her family
tradition. All the girls were with their families. Minako had gone off
to England with her mom, Ami was visiting her father, and Rei was
working with her grandfather in the mountains.
She changed into her pajamas and turned on her Christmas
CD. For some reason or other, the music always calmed her down.
She yawned and looked at her clock. 4:00. “Shinosaki was right,”
she muttered sinking into her chair. “I really do need to get a dog.”
She sighed and drifted off to sleep.
Shinosaki stood outside apartment 202. He took a deep
breath and knocked on the door. Makoto bolted upright at the sudden
noise. It better not be Usagi, she thought. She opened the door
grumbling and rubbing the sleep away from her eyes. “Usagi-chan, I told
you-” Makoto grumbled; she looked up. Her eyes widened.
Shinosaki smiled. “Merry Christmas, Mako-chan.” He handed
her a single pink rose. Her face exploded into happiness; she jumped
into his arms. Shinosaki laughed and hugged her back, then set her
back down. “You look great.”
Makoto blushed. “Thanks. So do you. Come on in!” She shut
the door behind him. She looked him over for a moment. “Why are
you all dressed up?”
“Because we have dinner reservations tonight,” he answered
sitting on the couch.
Makoto looked stunned. “Dinner reservations? Tonight?”
she stammered.
He laughed. “Yes. In an hour. You’d better get dressed.”
Makoto was still in shock. She nodded and left to shower.
“Help yourself to anything you want, Shinosaki!” She called over her
shoulder as she walked down the hall leading to the bathroom.
Shinosaki made himself at home as he had many times before.
He looked around the small apartment. It looked plain, with almost no
decorations up at all. He frowned when he saw the tree. It stood in the
corner of the living room, bare, barely decorated, and with next to
nothing underneath it.
He heard the bathroom door close and turned around, hands in
pockets. “Have you made any cookies, Mako-chan?”
“No, I haven’t felt like it this year.” She wrapped the towel
tighter around her body. Shinosaki stood in awe for a moment. Even
after all those years of knowing her, this was the first time he’d ever seen
her when her hair was down. It was long and wavy, spilling over her
shoulders and framing her face with soft curls. “How should I dress?”
she asked, looking down.
“Uh, it’s black tie.”
“Thanks.” She disappeared into her room to get dressed.
Shinosaki sighed again. No Christmas cookies either? She always
bakes Christmas cookies. He searched through the refrigerator for
something to snack on. It was empty. Fear and concern broke into his
thoughts. What’s going on? he wondered. “Usually she has enough food
in here to feed an army,” he muttered, sitting down again.
“Something wrong?” Makoto asked quietly, walking into the room.
Shinosaki stood quietly and turned around. His eyes widened
slowly; he blinked rapidly. Her dark green gown was long, reaching the
floor. She wore her hair up in a French twist, with curled strands of hair
framing her face. Around her neck she wore a tight choker with a pink
rose in the center that matched the earrings he’d given her for her
13th birthday.
Makoto looked down at her dress. “What? Don’t you like it?
“N-no, I mean yes, it’s just-” he shut his mouth and tried
again, “You look absolutely beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Makoto blushed. “So, where are we going?”
Shinosaki smiled and held out his arm. “That, I’m afraid,
is a secret.”
“Can I look yet?” Makoto wined as they walked up to the
restaurant, with Shinosaki covering her eyes.
Shinosaki laughed. “Almost…” Makoto stumbled a little. “Okay.”
He removed his hand.
The smile dropped from her face. “Shinosaki, this place is way
too expensive-”
“Don’t worry about it.” He said pointedly, pulling out her chair.
“It’s Christmas Eve,” he sat down across from her, “and there’s no one else
that I’d rather spend it with.”
Makoto blushed and fidgeted with her hands under the table.
“Soo…” she looked up. “Where are you staying while you’re here?”
“At the Motel 6 on Main Street,” Shinosaki answered, taking a
sip of his water.
“You’re more than welcome to stay with me, you know,” Makoto
offered. “You can have the back room.”
“Are you sure? I mean, the Motel 6 is fine,” Shinosaki explained.
“I didn’t exactly tell you that I was going to be here.”
“Then it’s settled. You’re staying with me.” Makoto smiled. “So
what have you been up to these past few years?”
“School mostly.” The smile faded as he took another sip of his
water. “And family lately.”
“What’s wrong? How are your parents?”
Shinosaki sighed and rubbed his temples. “They both-uh…passed
on two weeks ago.” He felt sadness rise from his stomach and gather in a
lump in his throat.
Makoto’s eyes widened and searched his face. “Oh, God,” she
whispered. She reached across the table and for his hand. “Shinosaki,
I’m sorry, I-”
“I know,” he interrupted. He gripped her hand for a moment and
smiled slowly. “Let’s change the subject, okay?” He forced a smile. Makoto
did the same.
“Sir, Ma’m, your dinner is served.” The waited set down their plates.
Shinosaki raised his glass.
“To us,” he toasted, “best friends, forever.” They touched glasses and
drank to themselves.
Makoto wiped her mouth with her napkin and tossed it on her plate.
“That was delicious. Thank you.”
A grin appeared on Shinosaki’s face. He raised an eyebrow. I have an
idea,” he said with a wicked grin.
“What? What’s your idea?” Makoto asked curiously.
“Let’s go dancing.”
A grin spread across Makoto’s face. “Really? Dancing?”
Shinosaki nodded. “Let’s go!” He rose from the table and pulled out
her chair. She took his arm, and he escorted her back to their car.
“May I have this dance?” Shinosaki offered his hand. An upbeat Latin
song began. Makoto smiled and put her hand in his. He spun her into his arms.
She smiled as they began to dance. The music faded into the background.
Their eyes never strayed off one another; the dance moves came to them
naturally,
and it was only them. No other couple existed.
Then it stopped.
The music ended, and they stopped dancing. Makoto let her hand drop
from his and walked over to a table. Shinosaki followed. “I’ll be back in a
sec.”
Makoto nodded and Shinosaki disappeared.
He returned a few minutes later, a Coke in each hand. He set them on
the table and sat next to Makoto.
He brushed a strand of hair from her face and rested his hand on her
cheek. He leaned to kiss her, but Makoto pushed him away.
“Did I do something wrong?” he wondered aloud.
“No, it’s just-” she broke off and looked down for a moment, then back
up again. “It’s just that you’re leaving in a few days and I-”
Shinosaki cut her off. A new song had started. “Will you dance with me?”
he asked, again offering his hand to her.
She hesitated a moment, and then put her hand in his.
I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me Princess, now when
Did you last let your heart decide?
Makoto leaned her head on Shinosaki’s shoulder and closed her eyes.
She held him close to her.
“Do you want to go home?” he whispered.
“After this song.”
Shinosaki smiled and tightened his embrace on her. “Okay.”
I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways, and under
On a magic carpet ride
He kissed her softly on the cheek and rested his head on top of hers.
Makoto opened her eyes for a moment, then smiled and gave into the music.
A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we’re only dreaming
Makoto lifted her head from his shoulder and smiled.
A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I’m way up here
It’s crystal clear
That now I’m in a whole new world
With you
(Now I’m in a whole new world with you)
“I had a lot of fun tonight,” she told him.
Shinosaki smiled back. “Good. I did too.” He kissed the top of her
forehead. Her smile grew wider and she blushed.
Unbelievable sights
Indescrible feelings
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through and endless diamond sky
She looked up at him. Her mind was torn with her heart. She searched
his eyes, trying to figure out what he was thinking.
A whole new world
(Don’t you dare close your eyes)
A hundred thousand things to see
(Hold your breath-it gets better)
I’m like a shooting star
I’ve come so far
I can’t go back to where I used to be
They stopped moving. Shinosaki cupped her face in his hands and drew
it closer to his. Makoto closed her eyes; he did the same. Their lips touched,
and Makoto felt her heart melt.
A whole new world
(Every turn a surprise)
With new horizons to pursue
(Every moment red-letter)
I’ll chase them anywhere
There’s time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you
A whole new world
A whole new world
That’s where we’ll be
That’s where we’ll be
A thrilling chase
A wondrous place
For you and me
The music ended, and Makoto broke their kiss. Shinosaki looked at her
with loving eyes. Her eyes dropped from his intense gaze. “Can we go home
now?” she asked. “I’m tired.”
“Sure,” Shinosaki smiled, and they left.
Makoto drifted in and out of sleep on the way home. She stirred
when she heard the car door shut. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. Shinosaki
opened the car door and frowned. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you up,”
he apologized, helping her out of the car.
Makoto yawned. “It’s okay. No big deal.”
“Do you want any tea or something?” asked Makoto as they entered
the apartment.
“Sure,” he answered shutting the door behind him. “But I’ll make
it. You go ahead and get changed.”
Makoto smiled. “Okay. I’ll be back in a second.”
Shinosaki sat at the table with two teacups. He undid his tie and top
collar button and leaned back in his chair. Makoto returned a few moments
later in a long button down shirt and sweatpants. She closed her eyes and
breathed in the sweet aroma of the tea. A smile crept across her face as she
sipped the hot liquid. “I love green tea.”
“I know,” Shinosaki answered setting down his cup. “That’s why I
made it.” He leaned forward on his elbows. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” The answer was short and final, with now more questions
asked.
Shinosaki leaned back and watched as Makoto traced the rim of her
cup with her finger. The two sat in silence, with the exception of the
Christmas
music that she’d left from before.
“I’m sorry if I was foreword with you earlier. I didn’t mean any harm,”
Shinosaki said quietly, staring down at his tea.
“It’s okay,” she answered automatically. She rose from her chair and
stretched her arms above her heard. “I think I’m going to go to bed. Come
wake me up if I’m still sleeping when you get up, okay?” Shinosaki nodded.
Makoto smiled and started for her room.
“Good night, Mako-chan,” Shinosaki called, still sitting in his chair.
She paused and turned her head. “Night.”
Shinosaki looked down at his tea. This wasn’t exactly the evening he’d
had in mind. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the back of the
chair. He rubbed his face with his hands and sat up again. An idea came to
him. A grin spread across his face. Maybe this will get Mako-chan into the
Christmas spirit, he thought as he rose from the table and headed to the closet.
To be continued...
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I'll get the next chapter out ASAP!!
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