Chapter 1-I Think, Therefore I am

"Rei-Chan, check this out. The world famous hypnotist is performing in Tokyo." Usagi waved the poster excitedly. "Everyone, we can take a break from our study groups and senshi meetings, right? It's so cool…It said here that she could hypnotise people and turn them into chickens…."

"No way…Let me see!" Mina snatched the poster out of Usagi's hand. Rei and Mako leaned in closer to look at the poster.

"It's people thinking they are chickens. Not that they were turned into chickens…" Ami explained. Sighing in defeat, she closed her textbooks. It would be hours before they could settle down again.

"She's probably a fake anyway." Rei stuck her tongue out at Usagi. "Only you would believe in such things…"

"Rei-chan. You are so mean again…." Usagi whined in her high pitch voice.

Ami excused herself and slipped quietly away from the group. She slid the door closed and walked out to the yard. She sat down against the tree and opened her book again. Instead of focusing, her mind couldn't help but think of what happened this afternoon…

Dr. Mizuno was just leaving for her week-long conference when Ami arrived home from school. The doctor grinned excitedly when she saw her daughter walked through the door. She held up a big white envelope and waved. Ami's heart sank when she saw the logo. University of Cambridge.

"They are offering you an early admission. Ami, this is one of the top five medical schools in the world." Mom handed the envelope to Ami. "What do you think?"

Ami took a deep breath and put on her bravest face. "I am glad. When the school told me to send out my test scores, I didn't think anything would come of it. It's a big decision, though; I will have a lot to think about."

"Yes. We will talk more after I come back. Sleep on it. Now I really have to go. I love you, Ami." Mom bent down and gave Ami a quick kiss on the forehead. "So proud of you."

When the front door closed, Ami wiped away her frozen smile. She had faced this problem before. She made a choice once before, choosing her destiny over her personal dream. Faced with the same dilemma, Ami sighed in defeat.

"What are you doing out here? All by yourself…" A voice rang out behind Ami. Michiru leaped out of the tree.

"What? What were you doing up there? How long have you been there?" Startled, Ami blushed.

"Oh, Haruka and I were just doing a quick patrol around the neighbourhood. Then we got bored. So I said I would race her to the temple in our civilian forms. Looks like I won. Hehe.." Michiru chuckled.

"I was just being nice," Haruka said as she landed on the ground. The boi flipped through her hair and muttered about how unfair it was. If Michiru didn't leap over head head, temporarily distracting her, causing her to run straight into a tree…. Haruka made a mental note not to race against Michiru if she was wearing a mini skirt.

"Okay…" Ami said awkwardly. The two were looking at each other now with playful eyes, while happily twirling their fingers around each others. "Ah hem. Anyway, do you guys want to come in and say hi to the girls? I think Usagi and Rei should be done arguing by now."

So the three of them made their way back into the room. The girls spent the night gossiping and talking about the upcoming show. Ami tried her best to distract herself. She was among friends and she had a purpose in life. She couldn't be selfish and abandon the scouts. So that night, Ami decided. She would stay here. There were millions of doctors around the world, but there was only be one Sailor Mercury. Sometimes, destiny was more important than dreams.