Summary/ Author's Notes: This will be a story (eventually) about Usagi's growing and maturing, the senshi fine tuning their powers, dealing with change, and THE GENERALS REBORN. If you don't like the generals that much, and think they will always be evil creeps, so be it. There are gigantic sites and tons of fan-fics about that which are really cool. - The story is placed right after Sailor Stars- I'm simply picking off where they left off, sorta. Heh. The characterization of the generals is based off of the manga, which is why you will not see any Malachite/ Zoisite relationships here, when I finally get to that part. You'll notice Japanese names and terms chucked throughout the story, so here's a vocab list. And, finally, this is going to be a LONG story, which I am devoting a lot of time to, so hold on to your hats, minna, and here we go!

Phrases to Know:

Tadaima- equivelant to "I'm home"

Okaeri- equivalent to "We welcome you back"

Otousan- father

Okasan- mother

Nani- What

Ja Ne- equivalent to "See you later"

Ne?- often added on to sentences to mean "Isn't that right?"

Moshimoshi- telephone greeting.

Most of you already know the Japanese suffixes for names, so I'll leave them out. If you get REALLY confused with the Japanese names (which you shouldn't) I'll place their dub equivalents at the bottom of the story just in case. Now on with the show!

It had been a long year.

Usagi Tsukino, fifteen year old super-heroine, had risen from the dead once again, with her friends and compatriots, and now faced the burdens of real life—the first of which being that even if she were to become supreme ruler within the next six years, she needed to have a complete education. Given her marks during her days as the Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon, Super Sailor Moon, and the last, stressful year in her final form with her final battle, Usagi knew she was very far behind.

And while being momentarily at-one with the universe made her realize that life could change at any minute, and one should love full-heartedly and have fun… she also realized that since she was the protector of her solar system, she needed to know enough to rule it should she live that long. Living as though each day was her last was, she knew, not for her—though that didn't mean she couldn't love as though each day was her last. The girl with the dumpling-shaped hairdo had sobered, but her heart had grown.

Thus, Usagi Tsukino was found on a Saturday afternoon chewing on her pencil as she worked out some math problems. Her sandaled feet kicked in the air until she finally surrendered with only the slightest of whines in her voice—"Amiii, I don't get it."

Ami tilted her head and looked over her glasses. "Really, Usagi-chan, you know I can't help you unless you tell me which method you're attempting to use." As intellectual leader of the senshi, Ami had felt it her duty to kindle her friend's determination in studies, and had invited Usagi to study at the apartment she shared with her mother—even though school was out, and the studying wasn't mandatory.

Just as the blonde was preparing to launch into how Sigma was supposed to be used for said subset of numbers but wasn't working, there was a ring on Ami's home line. Usagi closed her mouth, and Ami darted up to pick up the phone. She tucked it between her shoulder and her ear: "Moshimoshi." A pause, then she held the phone out; "Usa-chan, it's for you."

"Thanks, Ami." She stood and took the wireless phone, turning slightly away with a smile. "Hello?"

"Usagi," Ikuko-mama's voice resonated with excitement and trepidation, "we have some very important news for you, and it is necessary for you to come home right now. Tell Ami that you have to go, please?"

Usagi's mother Ikuko normally let her daughter wander where she pleased and never called her home early—a fairly daring thing to do if one considered all of the frightening activity that Juuban had been subject to. Upon learning of her daughter's role in fighting evil, the rules had been slackened even more, with the one addendum that Usagi must call home as soon as she changes location. An inconvenience, but one that came with no curfew attached. It must be something really important, to call me home from Ami's place, she thought. "Well, OK, Okasan, I'll be home right away" Usagi answered, puzzled at what was so important that her mother would call her while she was out, especially when she was at Ami's studying.

Walking down the street, Usagi reflected on the past few weeks. She recalled Mamoru right after Galaxia was defeated and he found himself back at Harvard, coming home just so he could be with Usagi again and help explain to her parents the engagement- both the current one and the one from 10,000 years ago. With his and Luna's help, Usagi was able to show and explain to her parents exactly what she had been doing under their noses for the last four years as Sailor Moon. She remembered the looks of disbelief and amazement when she transformed in front of their eyes. She also remembered her Otousan's shock, then rage, when he realized that the transformation had her naked at some point and that Mamoru had seen it before! Usagi giggled to herself at that memory. That last fight with the enemy had been very difficult, and she was glad that the Silver Crystal pulled through for her so well so that she could be with her family again, normal once more.

Ah, home again. She slipped off her shoes and walked into the living room, where she found her family all congregated. "Tadaima!" she greeted. Shingo did not look pleased.

"Okaeri, Usa-chan! Sit down, please," her Dad started. "I realize that this has been a very tough year for you, and that you and your friends are like family, especially now that you saved the world from—er, rebirthed it—after Galaxia." Usagi nodded for him to continue. "However," Usagi's eyes narrowed, "I have just got a job transfer…" Her mind raced- where would they move to? Another section of Tokyo, another city, another island? "…To San Francisco, in the United States." Usagi's heart sank. America?! She frowned into the space past Kenji-papa's head. "So, uh, what do you think, Usagi?" Kenji-papa questioned tentatively. He loved his daughter very much, but he had heard a great deal about what her rage did to her when she was taken away from her friends.

If this had happened while Usagi was in any other stage of her life before this one, she would have sobbed the day away, devastated at the prospect of leaving the only true friends she had known these past four years. She would have sulked endlessly, or raged at her parents about the unfairness of it all. But now, so much more mature after her last battle, she simply locked away her feelings, looked her father in the eyes, tilted her head slightly, and asked, "But Otousan, why?"

Still a little uncomfortable with this new Usagi, Kenji-papa shifted a bit before answering, "This job, although it's at a faraway newspaper, offers more money for less hours, so I can be home more often. We will have a bigger house, and you and Shingo will have a new outlook and be able to broaden your horizons. It will be an educating experience, if not more," he finished. He felt the new Usagi deserved more reasons than a simple "It will be good for you," even if that was the general point. Usagi nodded, but asked,

"What will my friends and senshi do without me?"

Kenji-papa had the decency to look a little sheepish—he couldn't prevent his daughter from saving the world, could he?—but Ikuko-mama picked up the answer where her husband left off, and called over her shoulder, "Luna!"

"Leave me out of this!" Luna yelped, and hopped to a chair farther from the couch. Ever since it was found out Luna could talk, she was the much-appreciated mediator and advisor to the family, but this was one argument that she wasn't going to attempt to solve. Ikuko-mama sighed and turned back to Usagi.

"Luna said, when we broke the news to her, that it will be upsetting to you to move away from your friends. However, she has consulted Setsuna, who foresees no problem with you moving to America with us, so she believes that the senshi business won't get in the way. You'll be able to write, e-mail, and visit occasionally, and although this won't be a replacement for walking down to the shrine to see all your friends there, you won't loose communication completely." Ikuko-mama looked her daughter in the eye and pleaded, "Usagi, please try to find something good in this. This is an amazing opportunity for the whole family!"

Usagi sat a moment, looked up, and did a half-smile, "Well, I'll have no choice but to get better in my English. I don't think I'll be able to get away with a D- where we're going."

"There's something to be thankful for! Better grades!" Ikuko-mama shouted joyfully. She had always tried to convince Usagi that taking English would come in handy. Usagi looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Plus, I will be closer to Mamoru"

"There's something else!" Ikuko-mama clapped her hands together gleefully. She liked Mamoru-kun. However, Kenji-papa's face reddened a shade at the mention of Mamoru. Even if Mamoru and Usagi were destined to be together, it didn't mean that he had to like it! Mamoru was still too old for Usagi, he thought, no matter HOW long their engagement has been!

Usagi sighed and stood up. Leave Juuban?After all we've been through? How am I going to tell the senshi? "Excuse me please," she said. Her parents nodded.

She went to her room, shut the door, and sunk to the floor, weeping softly.

"NANI?!?!" Minako shouted, "They can't DO that to me!!! Take away my best friend AND princess from my protection and PUT HER IN ANOTHER COUNTRY?! IIE!!!!" Minako was seething with rage after she learned the situation from Artemis. The cat was not happy with having to be the messenger.

"Woah, Mina, calm down! Think of it this way; She's closer to Mamoru- kun," the white cat reasoned.

"What, is he going to catch a flight over to California from Harvard weekly, 5 hours before a youma appears, to arrive just in time to toss his roses while Usagi trips over youma attacks? I DON'T THINK SO! She's an ocean away from us, a continent away from him, could her parents have picked a place that was ANY MORE ISOLATED???" Minako screeched, showing an unusually large amount of emotion as she looked about ready to bite Artemis's head off.

"She could be in England…"

"I DON"T EVEN WANT TO THINK ABOUT THAT!!!!!" she plopped on her bed furiously. "Why can't I go with her? She needs protection." Minako began to reason out a plan. Thinking of all the excuses to go to California she had, she found none good enough to relocate her entire family just for Usagi's sake- they wouldn't understand. Especially because I STILL haven't told them about my being a Senshi yet, she thought wryly. Thinking of all the senshi, she made a list of their aspirations, family status, and possibility to move with/ visit often with Usagi.

"NOTES:

Sailor Mercury- Wants to become a pediatrician. Dad travels, mom is doctor at hospital. Can go with dad on business trips to CA if he has any. May apply to Stanford Medical School, but would go to live there in 3 years for grad. Not quite good enough.

Myself, Sailor Venus- Want to become a movie star/ model. Travel to LA about every 3-6 months. Wrong end of California, however. Might talk to agent about auditions in San Francisco… chances of making it there are slim, though. Also have responsibility of being leader of remaining Senshi while Usagi-chan is gone… can't move away for that reason.

Sailor Mars- Wants to continue at the shrine as head priestess, possibly become a singer. Is most definitely staying in Japan.

Sailor Jupiter- Wants to become a famous chef, no boyfriend attachments, nor family. She's strong, too. If anyone could move, it would be her. She could go to a Culinary Arts school as an exchange student- they love those. Not too much of a problem there. And Mako-chan was so good, that maybe they might let her in right away. That is very good. Must talk to her about that…

The Outer Senshi- Michiru might be able to check out Usa once in a while if she guest appeared with the San Francisco Orchestra once in a while- yes, she certainly could do that. But she and the others can't move because they still have to raise Hotaru-chan. Setsuna and Haruka would not have any opportunities for their jobs to bring them to California, though. Rats."

Looking down at her list, Minako said, "Well, it's a start…"

"Very good, Mina!" Artemis looked over her shoulder. "You're just as good at solving problems now as when you were leading the Senshi in the Moon Kingdom. Quick, let's present this plan to the others, before they go into a fit like you did!" Minako smacked him lightly on the back of the head to show her annoyance at his last comment, and he exclaimed, "Hey!" as she rushed out through the door, list in hand, with him trailing behind her.

Usagi had, amazingly, called a meeting at the shrine for the Senshi. She wanted to break the news to them all at once, as opposed to one at a time, so they could all comfort each other. Strolling around the temple grounds, she thought about just how much she would miss that place; the shrine was beautiful, and just radiated a sense of peacefulness. Then again, Rei wasn't around screaming at her, which did help the place become a lot calmer. Usagi sighed, Face it, girl, you are going to MISS Rei screaming her head off at you because you were late. Or weak. Or got detention and didn't tell anyone. Oh, geez, I'm going to miss her no matter what we've done, aren't I? Usagi sighed again, and looked up to notice Ami-chan and Rei-chan climbing the steps to the temple.

"Hey, guys," she greeted half-heartedly. Oh, Selene, she would miss them. She smiled with a bit of melancholy and raised her hand in greeting. Come on, Usagi, she told herself, you've got to be cheerful for the others. They depend on you.

"Hey Usagi-chan!" they greeted cheerfully. They stopped though, when they saw the look on Usagi's face, looked at each other, and sprinted up to her, concerned. "Usagi! Princess! What's the matter?" they shouted, running up and hugging her. She returned the hug.

"Oh, nothing at the moment, guys, I'll tell you when the rest of the gang gets here." She closed off the subject, and they all sat down, Usagi sandwiched between her two worried friends, enjoying their company for what seemed to be the last time for a long while.

After a few minutes, the five inner Senshi were all assembled, and all eyes were on Usagi. Luna and Artemis sat down patiently on either side of Minako, who was restraining herself from broadcasting her sadness, as well as her plan, all over the temple. Makoto sat between Ami and Luna, cheerful eyes somber, awaiting the news that was to come. Rei, sitting between Artemis and Usagi, was calm, her patient eyes reading that this was a serious thing for Usagi, what ever it was, and she was determined to help her princess through it. All were quiet.

"Minna-san," Usagi began, "I want you all to know that I love you very much, and you have been very good to me as my protectors and dearest friends." The girls around her shifted uneasily. "I- I called this meeting to announce that my family and I are moving to California." Murmurs of disbelief flew around the circle, and, amazingly, cool and collected Ami was the first to react.

"U-Usagi!!" she wailed, and threw her arms around her friend, "But—you were my first friend! You can't leave us now!" She sobbed into Usagi's shoulder. Soon enough, everyone was weeping on everyone else- a more emotional group of girls had never been seen before. "Oh, Usagi," they chorused, "We love you so, Usagi! Princess!"

After a good ten minute sobbing, Minako separated herself from the girls to stand up. She stood calm, collected, tall, and proud. The other Senshi dabbed their eyes and looked up at her. She began to speak, sounding just like when she would give strategy meetings in the Moon Kingdom.

"As you all know, we are the Senshi. We were created to protect our princess. This is losing a dear friend, but Usagi moving to the States is also a form of losing our duty, our purpose. We must protect the princess.

"I know you're all thinking that Usa's moving to California, and that there is nothing to do about it. You're right- there's no way we can convince Usa's parents to back down. However, there is still the possibility of one of us moving along WITH Usagi, as well as multiple visits from the others who cannot." The Senshi stared at her attentively; she continued, "As you know we all have our own responsibilities for THIS life, as well as our past life- that is why not all of us will be able to go with you, Usagi-chan. We may all be together in a few years, but the chances are slim. Here are my observations:

"Rei, your dream is to become a priestess, or a singer, and all of that work is done in Japan. Sailor Mars will not visit America unless it is an emergency," Rei nodded, Minako continued, "Sailor Mercury," Ami sat at attention, bolt upright, "From what you've told me, your father occasionally travels on business trips to San Francisco. You must find a way to accompany him on some, if not all these trips." Ami nodded curtly.

"I myself," Minako continued, "will visit as often as my modeling and acting take me to the area- I will work extra hard to acquire gigs there. I will visit at least twice a year. The Outers will only visit when absolutely necessary, Usagi. Michiru may check up on you once in a while with the Mirror and her job in the San Francisco Orchestra, but don't count on it. The Outers normally do not involve themselves in anything save the preservation of the solar system." Minako turned,

"Jupiter." Jupiter nodded. "My hopes are resting on you right now to defend the princess. I would have you signed up in a fine culinary arts school close to Usagi's public school. You would protect and aid Sailor Moon if necessary from Youma, as we know that it is always good to have backup for those things. Example A is Tuxedo Kamen." She winked at Usagi, then turned back to Makoto. "All you need to do is say yes or no. Any reason you produce for you to stay in Juuban will be accepted- we have our lives to live outside of destiny as well. If you DO choose to go, you will have a nice flat near Usagi's home, and you have a spot waiting for you at one of the finest culinary art schools in America. It is your choice, and neither one is bad." She stopped there, hating to put so much pressure on her friend.

Makoto leaned back against a pillar, deep in thought. She didn't have a boyfriend, parents, or siblings to hold her back, and she was enrolled in a school of her dreams as well as protecting her princess at the same time. She sighed. "Well, sounds good to me." Everyone sighed in relief and hugged again. Minako spoke up.

"Makoto, here is the information for my private account. This is where all your money will come from as well as a second account that can be opened for any money you get out of a job you do. Do not hesitate to dip into these funds, all right?" she queried. Makoto nodded, dumbfounded. It's like a dream vacation, she thought, even though she did still understand the seriousness of taking care of Usagi, groceries, and the finances. But that was OK.

"Everything will be OK."

Makoto smiled.

Chiba Mamoru stared up at the bright moon, wishing he could be back in Japan with Usagi at that moment. It was a rare occurrence to be able to see the sky in Boston- smog and fog normally covered it up. But he had a feeling that something important was about to happen. Skipping up the few steps to get to the Post Office, he scratched off the last of his errands from his list. "Check."

Standing inside the building, staring at the P. O. Boxes, he fished for his and his roommate's key in his pocket. He hadn't received any mail from Usako lately, and that made him kind of worried. The one letter he had sent to her was returned unusually fast with a "Return to Sender" stamped on top. This made him especially concerned. Was someone trying to block him from his Usako?

Finally yanking open the P. O. box, he sighed in relief. He had received letters, all right- from Setsuna, Michiru and Haruka, Rei, Ami, Makoto, Motoki, Minako, and, most importantly, Usako. All of the Senshi AND his best friend's letter in one day! He itched to read them all, but he didn't feel like doing it in the post office—it was raining outside, and his apartment was the best place to read it anyway. Mamoru harrumphed with impatience and then, lovingly, stuffed the letters into his backpack, pulled out his umbrella, and started walking home.

The college student with blonde hair down to the bottom of his shoulder blades looked out the window near in his shared flat. He set down the newspaper- he had tried to read it, but just too much was on his mind. He missed his friends—the 'Latin Quartet,' they called themselves, because their last names were all derived Latin words—and he also missed his hometown in California. His silver eyes reflected his longing and homesickness, even though his face did not. He was a serious boy, dedicated to his studies, and a lover of challenges. How else would he get into MIT? He chuckled, thinking of how, when his friends got into trouble, he would be the strategist that got them out of it (then again, his strategies also got them into trouble as well). Yes, those were the days- I was the man to get into or out of any challenge, he thought. Now, he was just the strategist who figured out the best way to build things at a college that was almost mind-bendingly difficult, but not entertaining. He should have joined a fraternity, or gone to a school with more character, like Harvard. That was where his roommate was going.

His roommate, Darien Chiba, was quite a character. Actually, his real name was Mamoru Chiba, but he had asked everyone to call him Darien for the simplicity of not having to explain he was an exchange student from Japan to every curious mind who heard his name. It got old after a while, Darien/ Mamoru had said. To be frank, he really liked his roommate, Mamoru. (The name he preferred to call his roommate by—how on Earth did anyone derive "Darien" from that name anyway?) Mamoru was a challenge in himself, being a rather secretive person who only opened up every once in a while. It was maddening seeing Mamoru look at his picture of a whole bunch of girls in funny short-skirted outfits, asking who they were, and getting the reply, "Dear friends." In THOSE outfits? the silver eyed boy had thought, getting the verbal answer from Mamoru, "You could say it was for a play. By the way, the one in orange is a model for a movie, do you recognize her?" Whenever Kent (that was the silver eyed boy's name) mentioned the picture, which was on Mamoru's bedside table, Mamoru would always change the subject. Just what relation to him were those people? Kent thought. Kent was especially interested in the blonde with the weird hair that Mamoru was holding in the picture. Whenever he mentioned her, Mamoru would blush a little and get a funny look on his face, a cross between immense pain and incredible longing. Was she a past girlfriend?

"Hey, Kent, I'm back. Oops! You want me to help you learn Japanese, right? Tadaima, Kent-kun," he corrected himself, stepping inside and taking off his shoes.

"Okaeri, Mamo-kun," Kent greeted back cheerily. Mamoru winced.

"Would you mind not shortening my name like that?" he asked, "It's way too familiar and… reminds me of… Japan." He had a strange look on his face, like he didn't want to say more, but he realized that, since Kent was interested in keeping the atmosphere filled with Japan related stuff, he might want to still use the nickname. "Oh, by the way," he continued, changing the subject, as usual. Kent sighed. "You got two letters, one from," he checked them again, "Jed Ardor, and one from Neville Sidus. Are they friends of yours?" Kent brightened up, smiling, something that he never really did, being a rather serious person. Mamoru looked interested.

"Friends? They're like brothers to me!" he took the letters, "Funny, no one's heard from Si for a while. Wonder what's up?" Si, short for Simon, was the youngest in his group of friends, being a senior in High School. Neville Sidus was a sophmore in college, and Jed was the same age as Kent. All three of them were part of the 'Latin Quartet.' "Did I tell you these were my childhood friends? The 'Latin Quartet' we liked to call ourselves, because all of our last names were Latin words, for no apparent reason. We have all sorts of heritage, but none of us can figure out where our names come from." Mamoru looked interested.

"I knew your name was Latin, but I wasn't aware that your group of friends called themselves that. Their first names aren't Latin."

Kent was enthusiastic, now that Mamoru showed some interest in something besides academics. "Yeah, but we looked them up in Si's mom's baby name book. He kept it around for some reason. Our names have pretty interesting meanings," he said proudly.

"Really," Mamoru said, making a move to sit down. He guessed Usagi's letter could wait a few minutes until Kent was done. What he had to say was rather interesting, and he had never been so enthusiastic about something like this before- or in any case, Mamoru himself had never noticed. "What were they?"

"Well, my name, first and last, means 'bright light', Jed's is 'fire hand,' Si's is 'flower to be heard,' even though he's rather quiet- we always found that ironic- and Nev's is 'star nephew.' We always found that interesting, since the two things weren't connected directly like the rest of our names, but it kind of fit him, the star part anyway, because he's really interested in Astronomy, and Astrology when he has the time for it. We never really figured out what Jed's and my names mean- I'm not exactly the happiest person, you know, and Jed isn't exactly easy to anger. Nev always joked around and said, "Kent, you will marry a beautiful happy woman, who shines like a bright light, and Jed, you will love a woman who consults fire and is really crabby- we'd all crack up at that part- then he'd close his eyes and say, "the answer lies in the stars.""

Mamoru sat up a little more, alert suddenly, thinking, Where have I heard that phrase before? I know I heard that somewhere in Japan… I'll have to write Usako. He frowned, remembering his last letter never reached her. Hmm… I'll have to try again.

Kent noticed that Mamoru was deep in thought. When he came out of it again, Kent asked,

"So Mamoru, who's Usako, and why does her envelope have little hearts and bunny rabbits on it." Mamoru blushed three shades of red, before replying,

"Nobody." Kent folded his arms in front of him and chuckled lightly,

"Oh, yes, I believe you there. Now come on now, is she the blonde you're holding in the picture? The meatball head?" Mamoru looked puzzled now. "Come on, Mamoru, meatballs are similar to dumplings, remember? And your girlfriend's hairdo looks just like it. He went into the bedroom, got the picture pointed out the girl in the picture's head to Mamoru, still sitting at the table bewildered. "See? Her hair buns look like meatballs. Meatball Head. Or, in your terms, Odango Atama." Mamoru looked at him bewildered. How did he figure that out? Wait a second, how did he figure that outin Japanese?!

Kent looked puzzled. "Wait a sec, what'd I just say about that Princess of yours?" Mamoru nearly turned blue now. "What, now what'd I say?"

"Why did you call her 'Odango Atama,' then 'Princess'?" he asked tentatively.

"Gee, well, I don't know what Odango Atama means, but I called her Princess because she's kind of, well, I don't know, it's just the way boyfriends spoil their girlfriends, so they're like princesses," he explained. Mamoru let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Whew. That's a relief- I almost thought he knew about Princess Serenity for a moment! But he doesn't remember what Odango Atama means, and yet he just said it. He doesn't pick up words easily, either, so how does he know it and then just…not? And how did he know Usako is my girlfriend…well, fiancé.

"Well," the silver eyed man interrupted Mamoru's thoughts, leaning back in his chair casually, "read it to me, bud!" Mamoru raised his eyebrow for a moment, smiled, and read it silently to himself. Darn, almost had him, Kent thought. But he was interrupted from further scheming by Mamoru's shout,

"What?! She moved to California?" Kent snapped to attention.

"Cool! Now she's closer to you!"

"But not close enough! How can the Sen-" Mamoru shut his mouth before he could say any more. Oh, geez! he thought, picking up on a common exclamation in the U.S., How did I almost let that slip?? He sunk back down in his chair and brooded.

Kent was curious now. "What's wrong now? How can the what do what, Mamoru-kun?"

"Nothing. Nothing is wrong, Kent," Mamoru answered firmly, standing up, gathering his letters and the picture, and walking to the room they shared, sitting down on the twin bed that was his. He set the picture down carefully on his nightstand and stared at it for a moment, before continuing to read his letters. Kent peaked in the room after a bit, but decided to leave him alone and read his own letters.

A few hours later, Kent knocked on Mamoru's door and announced that dinner was ready. Mamoru sighed, shoved the letters in the top drawer of his nightstand and walked out of the room to the table where they ate. Pizza and plates were already set up, so he sat down and grabbed a piece. He chewed thoughtfully for a while before Kent broke the seemingly endless silence.

"Mamoru, you know if something's wrong at home and you need someone to help sort things out, you can always talk to me, ne?" he said honestly, throwing in the last Japanese word he picked up from Mamoru in for comfort.

"Some things, Kent, cannot be spoken of. Others simply… hurt too much to be spoken of," he replied, "but thanks for the offer." Honestly, how do you tell a guy that your girlfriend is a princess from a former life you've been engaged to for 10,000 years as well as the world's greatest superhero against all things evil, and you're the prince of the Earth who hangs around and throws roses most of the time? And how do you tell him that she's currently on her own with only one of her guardians, and unless she stops klutzing or goes into her Princess state, she's completely defenseless against all the millions of evil things which are attracted to her power? "So what's going on at home with you?"

"Well, Jed tells me that the thing that's got Si so tied up is that he has a new tutoring student, as well as all the pressures of Senior year, which I'm sure you remember well," Kent looked to see Mamoru's reaction, Does he always look so bored? Time to see if he's really paying attention… "I think she's from Japan," he looked at Mamoru picking at his pizza, crossing his arms, he thought, he's slow, "Her English name is Serena," Mamoru looked up at him sharply, then blinked and began eating his pizza. "Her Japanese name is Usagi."

Mamoru choked.

"Mamoru, man are you ok?" Kent stood up in his chair, ready to go to Mamoru if he needed his help. Mamoru nodded, and swallowed. He looked up at Kent and whispered,

"Usako?" Then he rushed in with a torrent of questions, "Did he mention a girl named Makoto? How much are they studying together? Has her English improved? What are her grades? Are any guys making moves on her? They better not! How is she feeling? Is she making new friends?" he paused for a moment, "She's in the same school as your friend Simon, in your hometown?"

Kent did one of the unthinkables- he laughed. Mamoru chuckled a bit too, which was more laughter than what he'd had in a long time.

"Sheesh, Mamoru, that's a lot of questions!" They laughed some more before Kent continued. "OK, Mamoru. Never heard of Makoto, I'll ask in my next letter, they study as much as they can outside of school and detention." Mamoru's brow furrowed a bit at the thought of them being together, but then went on to think, Usako always did get detention a lot. Kent continued, "I believe Si told me that her English has improved a great deal, and she is working very hard on her grades, even though she doesn't understand a lot in the classes. Now that she's applying herself, though, it seems she's determined to pick up the new language. I don't believe that anyone is making moves on her at the moment… Si didn't say much about that. She's hanging out with Si and our old group of girls and guys, so I'm assuming she's got lots of friends there. And yes, that was our old hometown. Anything else while I'm at it?" he finished wryly.

Mamoru looked embarrassed a bit, realizing just how many questions he had asked. "No, I think I'll write to Usagi and ask the rest. Hm!" He looked up and had on a small goofy smile, realizing how silly he'd been. Kent gave a small smirk back.

"Good. Now is she your girlfriend or what?" Mamoru blushed a little bit. "Yup, you're a goner."

"Of course I like her," Mamoru answered. She's my fiancé, he added mentally, I have to love her for that!

"So is she your girlfriend?" Kent probed, his silver eyes sparkling with mirth.

"Yes! Well, sort of," he allowed himself a little smirk, A bit more than a girlfriend.

"You've already asked her out, then?"

"I asked her out a long time ago." How does 10,000 years ago sound to you?

"Oh, so is your relationship on the rocks?"

"I hope not!"

"Are you in an on-and-off relationship?

"We got over that stage a while ago," Once I was cured of Queen Metallia, and the dreams I got from the Dark Moon, and all those other things that possessed me, he added to himself.

"Oh, so is your relationship more? Have you… you know?" Kent raised an eyebrow.

"Certainly not! We're waiting till… we're abstaining," he corrected himself, Don't want the guy to know too much.

Kent smirked, Since he seems to be answering my every question…"When's the wedding?"

"During the cherry blossom season as soon as she's through with High School and—Wait a minute! You don't need to know that!" Mamoru blushed fiercely. Mamoru-baka, you are so gullible! He didn't mean to tell his roommate his situation with Usako. No one else he knew at the college was getting married to a…a sophomore. A sophomore in high school, that is.

"So, the little lady is your fiancé. Well, that explains why you refuse to go partying with us and stay at home instead drinking coffee. For how long have you been engaged?" Mamoru thought hard before he spoke, Can't be caught saying 'after we defeated Sailor Galaxia,' can we?"

"Since this July."

"I'll tell Si, then."

"Don't have it spread around the school though, please. I don't want Usagi to be teased or anything," Mamoru continued, a light blush staining his cheeks, looking rather embarrassed.

"Sure thing, your highness," Kent answered automatically, rather smug. Mamoru gaped at him, shocked.

Does he know?

"Anything for you and the Princess."

Maybe he's doing that silly 'act like royalty thing' again.

"You two really shouldn't be seeing each other, though," the silver-eyed man continued, serious.

Huh? Kent looked him in the eyes, his silver eyes capturing Mamoru's blue ones in an arresting, somber gaze.

"It is forbidden for two people from different planets to fall in love."

A/N: Woohoo! Chapter one is done! The last quote, in case you don't recognize it immediately (for shame!) is loosely based on the quote from the part in Act 9: Princess where Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask remember their past in the Silver Millennium in front of Kunzite. Hope you liked it, and don't forget to review! Arigato!