I do not own Sailor Moon, or these characters. sigh --;

My Cousin's Alias

Ch. 1

Dear Diary,

Last summer was the highlight of my entire life! There wasn't any school, no more homework or bullies to worry about—unless I accidentally met up with them over summer—and I got to leave this dreadful place for a while! It was heaven!

But I learned that I would be meeting a cousin of mine, Minako. I hadn't seen her since I was seven! That was ten years ago! I was worried that I would make a bad impression, or that she wouldn't like me and would scorn me because my family was having… money problems at the moment.

My family and I were already on our way north when I learned she went to an extremely expensive, top of the art, private school.

I knew she was going to be a snob from day one.

But I was wrong.

She seemed kind of sad, and lonely. It was as if we each understood each other, and neither of us were really happy, but we got along really well! She taught me how to ride trick horses and we went shopping almost every day! It was a relief to not have to worry about money expenses for once in my life! She made me let her buy the things that I wanted, and would hear nothing short of a complaint when I told her that it didn't feel right and that I had saved up some money and could pay for it for myself.

I did have a job, after all.

She seemed surprised that I had needed one at all.

That summer had been the best summer in my whole life! When I had to leave and we said our good-byes, neither of us could help from crying. I miss her already, and I know I'll miss her smile even more when school starts up again. I never told her much about my family's money problems. She had most likely heard enough from her mother. I didn't tell her about the problems I had a school either. I didn't want to feel insignificant. For once in my life… I didn't want someone's pity.

Now here I am. I have school tomorrow, and it doesn't look bright. Maybe Nephrite and his little band will have forgotten about me during summer.

On a cheery note… maybe Kunzite transferred schools. He gives me the creeps!

Usagi stretched and flipped onto her back on the twin-sized bed. She held her little pink diary above her head for inspection and then locked it with the little golden key before hiding it under her pillow. She rose from her bed with a sigh and ambled over to her dresser. When her eyes landed upon a picture on Minako that she had taken over the summer, she smiled. She hoped it wouldn't be another ten years before she saw her fun-loving cousin and friend.

Yes; friend. That's also what Minako was… and Usagi didn't have very many of them.

Two months had passed since school started, and Usagi wasn't very happy with the fact that the 'bullies' as she dubbed them, hadn't forgotten about her. She was rewarded with numerous tripping incidents, milk and other condiments and food items that somehow 'found their way onto her thrift store outfits,' and getting hit with multiple P.E. equipment since she had Physical education with the creeps.

For Molly and Ami it wasn't much better.

Usagi was now currently walking toward the lunch table that she, Molly, Ami, and Melvin donned as their own when a meat-ball and a few sticky spaghetti noodles were hurled through the air in her general direction. It hit her in the side of the head and she froze, biting her lip and fighting back the beginning pin-pricks of tears that threatened.

The meatball hit her square in the jaw, bouncing off and rolling down her white shirt, leaving a red spaghetti sauce stain in its trail. The noodles however, clung to her hair and dangled from her head. She turned in the direction the food was lobbed from, already mentally picturing the image she would see. Nephrite would have a lop-sided smirk on his face as if he had done the greatest thing in the world. A spoon would be suspended in the air, where he had launched the food at her.

Jadeite would be laughing his ass off at her, pointing a finger at her with tears of mirth in his eyes. He's be clutching his stomach with the other hand, since laughing took so much effort upon his part.

Last, there would be Kunzite. He was kind of the 'leader of the pack' so to speak. He would be staring at her with those chilly silver-blue eyes, no emotion in them or on his face. He wouldn't laugh or smile. He would say a word. He's just sit there… staring at her… not helping her in any way, but not egging his buddies on either. It was as if he… simply didn't care.

A shiver raked Usagi's spine at the thought, and when she saw the perpetrators she wasn't far from accurate. Nephrite was in the very same position, but his eyebrow was raised slightly, as if saying, 'What are you gonna do about it?' Jadeite covered his mouth with both hands, snorting every now and with until he finally relented and burst out laughing.

And Kunzite was as emotionless as ever. He was stone; not moving, not breathing. He was as lifeless as his emotions. Usagi briefly wondered how anyone could ever be that way. With startling realization, Usagi noticed the contrast between one of her worst enemies and her favorite and only cousin. While Minako thrived off of life and was full of love, this guy before her was as void of those things as a black hole.

Another shiver raked her spine.

"Oh, Usagi! Are you alright?"

Ami and Molly made their way over to their friend. Seeing the predicament she was in, they took her lunch tray and set it on the table by their own trays, telling Melvin to watch their food for them. Then they ushered the blonde out of the lunch room and into the girl's bathroom, Ami promptly getting paper towels, wetting them, and trying to clean the stain out of Usagi's shirt. Molly picked the few spaghetti noodles from Usagi's hair and tossing them in the trash.

"I hate my life!" Usagi screamed, tears now visible in her eyes. Random outbursts such as this was nothing new, but now Usagi meant it… and wanted to do something about it! She just didn't know how, or what.

"We could say you're sick and you could leave early," Molly offered, looking at her blonde companion sympathetically.

Ami pursed her lips. "You would think they'd be over this by now! They haven't grown up over the summer at all!"

Usagi shook her head. "I'm fine. Really, you guys don't need to worry. I can't have a ton of sick leaves this year anyway. I don't want to become a 'Super-Senior' any time soon. You know how it was last year. The Principle almost had me repeat a grade. Besides, Nephrite would know that he had gotten to me… and I don't want to give him the pleasure of knowing he could still hurt me after all this time. Just forget it."

Her friends looked unsure, but decided against trying to persuade her otherwise. They nodded, and continued on with the rest of their day.

They knew now. They knew that it would never change; not until after they graduated. They would never be free of the threesome's wrath.

"Mom, I'm going out with some people from school for an early dinner," Minako called loudly throughout her house as she headed through the mansion to the gallery, picking up the purse she had tossed on an elegant velvet chair when she had returned from the academy.

"Alright. Have fun dear."

Her mother came out from the lounging area, her hair up in a towel and drabbed in a fluffy, yet elegant, robe. "How much will it cost?"

"It's about twenty dollars."

Her mother, who had brought her purse out with her, opened it and dug around for her wallet, finally pulling it out and opening it. "Here's a fifty. It the smallest bill I have on me right now."

Minako accepted it without comment and headed to the door. "I might be home late. Don't wait up for me," she said before departing.

"Alright, dear. Have a nice time, now."

Minako left the house with a sigh and stuck the fifty dollar bill in her purse. Rei was already waiting for her, leaning against the side of a sleek, black sports car that must have been her brother's new baby. Which number was this now? Lucky number seven?

I really need to get my driver's license, Minako thought when she saw Mamoru at the wheel, smirking and patting the dash board of the car.

Minako rolled her eyes.

"Hey, Minako! Hurry up! I don't want to keep the others waiting!" Rei called after her.

"I'm coming," Minako drawled, then faked a cheerful smile. She sped up despite her mind telling her not to.

In the car Rei talked non-stop about this guy that was supposedly really rich and happened to have good looks as well. Minako turned to look out the window, a headache already coming on. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes and instead, blocked all sound out.

"Minako! We're here!"

The blonde snapped out of her daze by the irritated voice. Rei was standing outside of the car with the door open, a not-so-pleasant expression on her face. Minako reddened before unbuckling her seatbelt and stepping out of the car. She guiltily looked down at the pavement as she walked around the car to where Rei and Mamoru were standing. Mamoru had the indecency to smirk.

Again.

"Weren't you even listening to me?!" Rei screeched, looking beyond pissed.

"Sorry, Rei. I have a lot on my mind, with the up-coming banquet and all. I want everything to be perfect!" Minako winced inwardly. Now she had resulted in lying to her closest friend.

Rei nodded, her anger dissipating. "I understand perfectly. You only turn eighteen once in your life. If you need any help with decorations or the guest list, I'll be more than willing!"

Mainko nodded and forced what she hoped was a relieved expression to appear on her face. "That would help a lot! Thank you, Rei."

She smiled. "Hey, what are best friends for?" Then she turned and marched up to the café, leaving Minako to follow after her.

What are best friends? Minako wanted to ask gloomily. I can't even confide in her what I'm feeling! I'm no friend at all…

Minako, Rei, and Mamoru sat down at their usual corner table by the window and a fake plant. Ann and Alan were already seated. Minako was slightly surprised that Rei had invited them. Zoicite arrived just as Minako was taking her seat. She was relieved that a relatively normal—if brainy—guy would be here as well.

"Is Makoto coming?" Minako asked casually once everyone was situated, Minako between Rei and Alan.

Ann had been taking a sip of water from her glass when she froze mid-way. Rei, who had been talking mid-sentence, stopped abruptly as well.

Minako blinked. Something wasn't right. "What?" She asked innocently, truly not knowing what was going on.

"We don't need her kind here," Ann stated indifferently. The then took a dainty sip from her water glass.

Minako glowered. What you mean is, 'We don't need students on Charity or Scholarships. Minako dared mot state her opinion aloud though.

"I agree with Ann for once," Rei stated, also taking a sip of her water. She winced. "It needs lemon," she said after a bit, and then ushered a waitress over and requested one.

Minako was ashamed. Did I used to be like this too? Before I knew what it was like to not have a ton of money? Before I met my cousin Usagi? Am I the one who changed?

"Maybe… but we used to go horseback riding together. Don't you remember that Rei?" Minako asked, hoping her friend would understand. Hoping that she wasn't the weird one, and that Rei would help her to confirm that.

"I must admit, she was an excellent rider," she stated, and Minako felt her heart soar. "But that's about all she could do."

Minako's heart plummeted. She suddenly felt out of place. She felt as if she didn't belong here anymore. Not even with her friends.

"Hey Mamoru, I saw you got yourself another baby! What type of car is it?" Alan asked conversationally. "I've never seen anything like it."

Mamoru smirked. "That's because it's not in stores yet. That's what I get, having a dad who owns Farwell Cars Inc. He's trying to out-buy Vicki's Vehicles as well. Soon he might be owner of both corporations."

Ann squealed. "That's wonderful! Will you take me for a spin sometime?"

Mamoru hesitated for a minute before he shrugged. "Yeah, sure. Why not?"

She clapped her hands together and squealed some more. Minako shook her head unobtrusively. They were all fakes. They were all rich little kids that got everything from mommy and daddy. They were despicable.

I'm despicable! What's it like to have a job? What's it like to have to watch what you spend, and not give yourself the little pleasures that make life fun! What's it like to… be a regular person?

I don't want to hold my emotions in check! I don't want to be judged for my appearance and social standard! I want to be myself, and live life to the fullest!

Minako blinked. She felt as if a piece of her heart had disconnected itself from her being, and she just realized it now.

I don't even know who I am!!!