MoonDragon: Actually, I wasn't going to upload this story until it was completely finished, but I have a reason. My computer sucks. I'm not kidding, I've had it since Elementary School and I'm in High School now so yeah, it's old. The good news is that my parents are talking about giving me a new one for my birthday!! (February 26, I'll be 15.) I'm worried my computer will shut down and delete all my stories, so I'm just uploading them here so in case that happens, I can just copy and save the words from the internet!
Unspoken Memories
Chapter 2
Minako waited impatiently tapping her foot. After waiting for a half hour at her seat staring at the clock it was only five minutes until lunch. Occasionally she snuck back-glances at the golden haired girl who was still snoozing. Minako figured she must really be grateful for that back row seating arrangement; the teacher never said a word to her. Now she would get some answers as to why she seemed so familiar and why she had been crying the day before.
Thinking back to the day before when the girl was crying Minako realized something. It wasn't just Sailor Moon who must be lonely. She was sure that the mystery girl must be too. Some vague feeling inside just told her it must be true. When Minako was living in London a few years ago she felt the same way. Something about the blond separated her from her peers, but she couldn't remember what that something was. Whatever the cause of that might be, she knew full well that loneliness was one of the worst feelings someone could have.
Silently Minako mouthed the word 'yes' as the bell rang and teens all across the room dashed out the door. Most of them were buying their lunch and didn't want to have to wait in the lines forever. Luckily the noise from people chattering and the semi-loud bell didn't appear to wake her target as she was still silently snoozing.
Before the blond went over to interrogate the sleeping girl she went to the front of the room to ask the teacher her name. He groaned muttering something about wanting to get his food and away from troublesome teenagers. Shoving the seating chart in her hands he didn't say a word and left the door to the teachers lounge with the newspaper tucked under his arm. Trying to overlook his rudeness she scanned the chart spotting the name under the seat the girl occupying.
Tsukino Usagi. Minako pondered over the name to herself. 'Usagi-chan? Wow, even the name seems familiar.'
Silently making her way to the back of the room she placed her hand on the teen's shoulder again just like she had previously done the day before. Minako's eyes glazed over as images flashed before her mind. An orange, blue, and white sailor outfit appeared and it brought back so much nostalgia that she couldn't put together a coherent thought. Other smaller things flashed by as well as a strange image. It was her, Usagi, Rei, Makoto, and Ami at Rei's temple just hanging around together. It seemed so real like a memory, but Minako couldn't remember such a thing. She didn't even recognize Usagi before the park incident.
Quickly removing her grip and holding her hand to her chest she stared at Usagi. What had just happened?
As she gazed she noticed how peaceful the stranger looked. Her arms were crossed on the desk forming a makeshift pillow for her head to rest in. Her head tilted to the side Usagi tried to burrow further in her own embrace trying to get more comfortable. A content and peaceful smile laced her features and Minako grinned unconsciously.
Something else caught her light blue eyes and she looked on in amazement. Now that she was closer she could tell that her hair wasn't completely golden. No, it also had brief hints of silver in it. It blended in with her locks making a whole new majestic color Minako had never witnessed before. From far away gold was the dominant showing color, but up close the silver shone through giving it a glow. Using her fingers she ran her digits through her tresses lightly enough not to wake her up. Soft as silk with no damage whatsoever done to it. Minako pouted wishing she had hair like that.
"Usagi-chan?" she questioned this time not trying to wake her by shaking her shoulder. That little episode with the flashes behind her eyes still startled her and she didn't want it to happen again. "Usagi-chan? It's lunch time, you should wake up." That was all it took to get her sitting up straight with just a bit of drool on her lips. She smiled excitedly and Minako heard her stomach growl.
"YES!! Too bad I ate my lunch during class…" she announced as an afterthought to herself messily throwing her things in her school bag about to depart from the room. Talking to herself she said, "I guess I could get a snack in the lines." She giggled at the thought of the treat to come licking her lips.
'Is this really the girl who was crying the other day? She's so cheerful and bubbly. Maybe they just look really similar…,' she wondered as Usagi started to hum a soft song to herself still completely unaware of Minako's presence. 'I'm positive this is her! It has to be!'
Ceasing her actions she looked up at Minako finding out she wasn't alone and flashed a bright smile. Minako saw her eyes stare straight into her for the first time and marveled at them. It wasn't just her hair that was touched by silver, her navy blue eyes were also outlined with it. A mixture of dark blue and silver. It seemed so natural it seemed strange but beautiful at the same time.
"Thanks for waking me up… oh…" she mumbled at the end realizing who it was. Refusing for this to be a reply of yesterday Minako grabbed hold of her hand as she was about to walk away trying to ignore those images that kept coming to her.
"Wait, do you want to eat lunch with me and my friends? I'm sure we'd all get along great!" Minako rushed out quickly making her words almost blend into one mega-word. She was positive that they could all be friends; the picture that she saw with all of them together only strengthened her conclusion. Usagi had a sorrowful look overcastted on her before she shortly shook her head. Putting on what seemed like a fake smile she made an excuse.
"Sorry, but I've… um… got lunch detention! Yeah, late to class like usual," she said trying to pull off something that was obviously a lie. Her tongue slipped through her small smile and she shrugged looking nonchalant. Minako wasn't taking that as an answer but let go giving Usagi a chance to escape. As she reached the door archway Minako spoke out.
"Hold on! Could you just tell me if we ever knew each other?!" she half-shouted wanting to be sure the gold-silver haired girl heard her. When Usagi's head turned back Minako realized how awkward and random the question was. Not to mention loud. Her cheeks flamed up in embarrassment. Rubbing the back of her neck in a nervous habit she laughed. "I mean, you just look so familiar, it seems strange that we don't know each other."
Usagi stopped speed walking and drooped her head. Her bangs covered her crystal blue orbs as her back faced Minako. Her hand came up to hold one side of the doorframe and Minako swore she saw her shoulders shake. Hearing a deep breath being taken Usagi stood erect trying to look confident of her next choice words.
"No. there was never a time when we knew each other. I don't even know your name. Please excuse me." Her words were clear and strong with a hint of authority as she took that time to leave the room. It was a complete contrast to her earlier attitude. Minako wondered what her real everyday personality could be. So far she knew the girl could be depressed, bubbly, and act with authority.
She threw her hands up in the air in exasperation realizing she didn't get any answers at all. Just more questions. She stopped and blinked thinking back to Usagi's last words to her.
'That's such a lie! She called me by name yesterday at the park!' she mentally screamed getting more interested now more than ever.
ooOoo
"That sounds very strange," Ami analyzed as they all, except Rei, sat under a large tree eating their bento. "She said she doesn't know your name but yesterday she called you Minako?" The blond nodded. At the beginning of lunch she had finally told them about her mysterious disappearance. They all looked at her strangely as if they thought she was hallucinating but Minako got them into at least pretending that it might've happened. "And when you touched her shoulder you had images of us and her together?"
"Are you sure this isn't just some freaky dream you had last night, Minako-chan?" Makoto questioned taking a bite from her homemade sandwich. "Maybe you ate some bad food before falling asleep." Minako shook her head hastily.
"It really happened! I'm telling you, there's something so familiar about her but I just can't remember…"
"I'm starting to get interested in her too. What did you say her name was? Tsukino Usagi-san?" Minako nodded knowing she had gotten Ami wanting to know more about her as well. Makoto still seemed in thought not really believing. "I seem to recall her in the halls form your description. She's the only one with that kind of hairstyle. I didn't want to say anything because it might sound strange, but I felt I knew her from somewhere too." The blond smiled not feeling as crazy.
Makoto looked around trying to see if Usagi was anywhere to be found. She didn't recall ever seeing her but from their description it sounded like she would be easy to find. Using her hand as a shade to her eyes from the sun she squinted across the area. She pointed to a girl sitting by herself.
"Is that her? The one with two buns on her head?" she questioned and Minako nodded as well as Ami. "She sure does stand out, in a good way though." Makoto stood up, brushed her school uniform of any dirt that might've been picked up from the ground, and walked over to her. Ami sighed saying something about her being too impulsive and that she might startle Usagi. Minako observed what would happen as she and Ami started to pay close attention.
ooOoo
Makoto had gotten behind Usagi undetected so far. She seemed to be lost in a daydream and halfway asleep. Her head bobbed a bit as she fought to stay awake rubbing her eyes. Clearly the girl didn't get much sleep last night. That made it only so much easier to sneak up on her. Makoto took a seat near her and Usagi jumped at the new visitor.
"Hi, I'm Minako-chan's friend, Makoto," she introduced. Usagi seemed unsure if she should talk back or not seemingly debating something in her mind. Finally she smiled a bit, scooting away, and began to talk back.
"Hello." She didn't offer a name of a handshake and went back to eating as if trying to tell her to go away. Makoto didn't take the hint and was somewhat angered she was trying to brush her off.
"Are you sure you don't want to eat with us? You look kind of lonely here by yourself." Usagi shook her head in refusal making the brunette struggle to keep from frowning. The golden haired girl laughed saying she had something to do urgently soon. She stood up trying to get away from Makoto but she was halted by a hand holding her wrist keeping her in place.
Almost instantly she retracted her grip letting Usagi escape away like she had with Minako. Instead this time no one chased her or called out. She grinned almost nervously shuffling her feet before darting off. "Sorry, got to go!" Her comment wasn't heard by the brunette. Makoto's eyes hooded as a strong image planted itself in her mind.
She recalled a time probably a few years ago including Usagi. They were in middle school, which was obvious due to their uniforms. Makoto still sported her brown uniform since she was the new transfer student from a different school. The brunette was eating lunch by herself and could recall someone with gold hair coming up form behind her introducing herself with a smile. They talked all lunch hour and then the image faded leaving Makoto back into reality watching Usagi disappear as she turned a corner heading back into the building. She stared in amazement internally knowing it was Usagi in the memory that just came to her.
Walking back to her friends Makoto sat down stumped. When she said nothing Minako questioned her on what happened eagerly waiting for her answer.
"I swear on my life that I know her!" she spilled and Minako knew by now it wasn't just a coincidence that they all had some kind of feeling towards her. "She just brushed me off as soon as I sat down though, not at all like the Usagi from back then." With Minako's and Ami's weird looks she explained the same thing happened to her when she came into contact with Usagi just like what happened with Minako. "It makes me so mad I just want to beat someone up!" she announced planting a fist in her palm. Ami and Minako laughed nervously at her temper. "I think she knows us too, and that's what's ticking me off the most! She's pretending not to feel anything!"
"Something strange is happening," Ami scrutinized to herself biting the tip of her thumb like she usually did when she was stumped at what was going on. Minako and Makoto nodded trying to figure out what was happening too.
ooOoo
Inside school Usagi looked out at them through the window with a look of regret on her face. She smiled shaking her head sadly turning away walking through the silent, deserted halls.
ooOoo
Minako, Makoto, and Ami were waiting at the steps of Rei's shrine. The priestess should be arriving at any second to come home after long hours at school. Ami was contently reading a book as Minako and Makoto argued, ridiculously, about what Usagi might be trying to hiding.
"Maybe she murdered someone and we saw. Now she's trying to keep away so we don't tell on her!" Makoto offered. The blond rolled her eyes. Trust the brunette to go straight to the violent answer.
"Even if she did, which I'm sure she didn't, that wouldn't explain how we don't know anything about her." Ami had gotten a good word in as she paused in her book joining the investigation. Placing a marker neatly in the pages she closed the novel facing them.
"We could've been in so much shock that the memories were blocked in our minds."
"She didn't murder anyone," Minako said jumping in. "I don't think Usagi-chan has the heart to do that. Maybe she broke up with her boyfriend and is so depressed that she doesn't want to be near anyone." Leave it to the blond to think of the romantic answer. Ami shook her head sighing.
"That still doesn't explain how we forgot about her." The two girls grumbled as their ideas were shot down.
"I bet she's trying to study real hard and doesn't want to be interrupted by anyone. That way she'll be able to focus on her grades." Of course the aqua haired girl would reply with that kind of statement. Minako and Makoto stared at Ami before laughing at the idea.
The blond just thought it was hysterical. Usagi, studying? Those two words should never be in the same sentence unless separated by the words 'would never'. She'd rather take a nap and daydream about cute boys. Her laughter died down and Minako wondered where that thought had come from before having a gentle smile overtake her features. Somehow it wouldn't surprise her is Usagi turned out to be that kind of girl. It seemed unthinkable for her to operate any other way.
Soon footsteps were heard from high-heeled shoes and they all knew Rei had finally arrived. Each of the girls on the steps were now frowning thinking hard on what it might be that was so weird about Usagi.
"If you look like that people aren't going to come to the temple. They'll think this is a gloomy place; it's bad for business," she said stopping in front of them flinging the backpack off her shoulder onto the ground. She rolled her shoulders and stretched and took a seat next to Makoto. She asked what it was they were talking about to make them look that way.
"Hey, you know that girl I saw yesterday? I finally got her name! Does Tsukino Usagi ring a bell?" Rei froze at the words looking skeptical.
"I've never heard it before, but—"
"It sounds familiar, right?" Minako interrupted getting a glare from Rei as her words were cut off. She nodded anyways with furrowed eyebrows trying to remember why it brought a nostalgic feeling in her.
Out of the blue, Minako suddenly remembered what those two girls were talking about in class; about how the sailor senshi disappeared two years ago. Since they were on the topic of strange things she decided to ask about it too.
"I know this is really random, but does anyone remember anything about the sailor senshi?" Ami was the first to answer.
"You mean Sailor Moon? Of course, everyone knows about her."
"What about the others… what were their names…?" Minako paused in thought. Biting her bottom lip she frowned. This was what she meant by how she forgot everything about the warriors. She knew the girls had said their names in study hall but already she forgot. It was like something was keeping her from remembering. Everyone else seemed just as stumped as she was.
Their conversation was interrupted by two cats rushing up to them. Both had the same identical golden patch covering their foreheads. It didn't take a genius to know it was Artemis and Luna. The black cat ran up to Ami and the white one ran up to Minako desperately tugging on their long sleeves with their teeth.
Ami was about to grab hold of Luna before the two darted away just as soon as they came. Strange. The pets waited a few yards ahead obviously wanting the girls to follow their movement. The blond and aqua haired girl looked at each other before nodding chasing after them. Makoto and Rei followed after them confused as to what was happening.
