Author's Note: Hey guys, thanks for the reviews! Here's the first chapter, it's kinda a continuation of the intro, just in modern day, so not very exciting, just introducing the characters. Don't forget, I'm an American, so Japanese formalities elude me, I'll be writing them from memory if at all. Also, this is about a year after Stars. MamoruXUsagi, and maybe some other pairings along the way.
Disclaimer: I only own my characters and my plots.
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Morning dawned crisp and bright in a particular region of Japan. The cheery sounds of birds twittering, dogs barking, and people eating breakfast and heading to work filled the air, unheard by a certain blond-haired teenager who slept soundly, snuggled into her warm blankets, and sprawled across her bed. Downstairs her father was just leaving for work, her younger brother was playing video games, and her mother was busily cleaning up from breakfast and packing her children's lunches, throwing an annoyed look towards the upper floor of the house where her lazy daughter was sound asleep.
"USAGI!"
The sleeping girl shot out of bed at her mother's shout, crying out in a panic as she glanced at her clock. Dashing around her room, she pulled on her school uniform and gathered her books before rushing down the stairs, grabbing her lunch from her waiting mother, and throwing herself through the door.
Usagi Tsukino raced down the streets, running her daily marathon as she attempted to get to school on time for once. She paid no mind when a limo passed her, focusing her thoughts on the sole idea of moving her legs as fast as possible.
Halfway to school Usagi collided with another blond teen, also running in the direction of Juban High School. Minako Aino, one of her best friends, who was also known for being predictably late.
"Hey Usagi!" Minako greeted breathlessly as they charged towards the school.
"Faster Minako! We're going to be late!" Usagi yelled back, her long pigtails streaming behind her.
The two girls reached the school, dashing up several flights of stairs, and finally sliding to a stop as they reached their homeroom, Minako flinging the door open.
Their teacher stopped what she was saying and sighed as she looked at the two girls who were leaning against the doorframe and panting heavily.
"Aino-san and Tsukino-san, detention after school, now take a seat so I can let your new class-mates introduce themselves."
The two girls groaned at the word detention but did as their teacher instructed and found their seats.
"Now, as I was saying, three students will be joining this homeroom, most of you already know them, but I'll let them introduce themselves."
The door opened once more and in stepped three people, three very familiar people in three very familiar uniforms.
A collective gasp swept through the room. Then the screaming began.
Usagi's breath hitched when they walked through the door, she felt as though her eyes were bugging out, which they probably were, Minako's definitely would be, and most likely Ami's as well. Ami Mizuno was another of Usagi's closest friends, but unlike the two slightly ditsy blondes, the blue-haired genius was always at school early.
An excited crowd surrounded the three new students at the front of the classroom. They pushed their way towards the desks, stopping for a minute in front of Usagi who was gaping up at them.
"Hey Odango!"
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*Inside the limo that Usagi passed on her rush to school*
Three girls, perhaps a bit older than Usagi and her friends, sat in the dimly lit, but spacious vehicle as it slowly drove through the busy city streets.
One girl, the oldest looking with long red-brown hair, pale skin, and reading glasses resting on her slightly pointed nose was seated near the front, a book on her lap and an iced-water in the cup-holder beside her, dark-green eyes scanning the pages, slim fingers turning them every few minutes.
The youngest looking girl, who had shoulder-length blond hair, tanned skin, and light violet eyes, was throwing a small rubber ball up and catching it as she listened to music, drumming her free hand on the table beside her in time to the beat.
The last girl sat towards the back of the limo, leaning against the glass window, her dark blue eyes staring out at the passing scenery, some of her long silvery-grey hair coming free of its braid.
The blond girl took her headphones off as she caught sight of her friend's expression.
"Lia?"
The grey-haired girl looked up.
"What's up?"
She rested her head against the window once more.
"Did we really have to come here?"
The chestnut-haired girl put her book down. "Of course we did, you're taking a break from your competitive riding and having a relaxing vacation in the tranquil countryside of Japan. Meanwhile I'll get a job either as a teaching assistant or as a scientist of some sort, and Hina, well Hina can just do whatever it is that Hina does best."
"Hey!" Hina crossed her arms and pouted.
Lia glanced at her younger friend and then back at the other with a pointed look.
"Seriously Chiyo, did we really have to come here."
Chiyo picked up her book once more and found her place. "Yes, you know we did, we have to find them." She resumed reading while Hina shrugged at Lia
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*Juban High School- Lunch*
Usagi started as the lunch bell rang. She had been in a daze all morning; the fact that he was once again sitting behind her didn't seem to be true. They had left, gone back to their own world, never to return, and yet here they were, all within 10 feet of her. She stood up and turned around. He was right there. Seiya was smiling at her. Yaten and Taiki were suddenly behind him. The Three Lights had returned to Juban High.
"Oh my gosh you're really here!" Minako squealed, finally coming to the conclusion that it was real, and drawing the attention of some of their classmates.
It was Ami, as always, who suggested that they relocate before talking. "Let's get lunch and find the others, we can eat and talk on the roof." She led the way out of the nearly empty classroom, followed by Taiki, Yaten, and a drooling, starry-eyed Minako, Seiya and Usagi bringing up the rear.
"You all right there, Odango?" Seiya asked, grinning wider when Usagi's dazed expression was wiped away, her bright, happy face returning.
"Yes!" She said ecstatically, grabbing his arm and dragging him after the others.
Ami separated from their group in search of Haruka Tenoh, Michiru Kaioh, and Setsuna Meioh, three older friends, the first two being students and Setsuna the school nurse. Minako pulled the Three Lights up to the roof while Usagi looked around for Makoto Kino, another of her friends.
She walked outside, looking for the nature-loving girl. "Mako-chan!" She yelled, waving at her when she finally saw her sitting underneath a tree, just unpacking her lunch.
The brunette looked up, smiling when she caught sight of the other girl. "Usagi-chan!"
"Mako-chan! Hurry, you'll never believe who's here!"
Makota raised an eyebrow but repacked her box obligingly and got up to join her hyper friend. Usagi immediately latched onto her arm, dragging the taller girl through the building and up to the roof, where Makoto froze in shock.
"Hey Makoto!" Seiya greeted, waving from his seat by the railing. Usagi grinned and continued dragging her to where they were gathered before flopping down on the ground and pulling out her lunch bag.
Minako, Seiya, Yaten, and Taiki were already seated and had their lunches open, Ami and the others had yet to show.
"But, how? Why?" Makoto finally asked.
"We'll wait till everyone's here." Taiki said, taking a bite out of a sushi roll.
Makoto smiled and sat down, taking her lunch out again and unpacking it. She laughed and handed Yaten a squid when she saw him eyeing it over her shoulder, some things never change.
A few minutes later the door to the roof opened and Ami walked through it, followed by two taller persons. The first, a pretty, feminine-looking young woman with sea-foam green hair, Michiru, followed by a boyish looking woman with short sandy hair, Haruka.
"So this is what you meant." Haruka said to Ami, sounding partly disgruntled and partly pleased, more the former.
Though they had parted on good terms, Haruka had never been particularly fond of the Three Lights. She nodded at Seiya who nodded back tentatively.
"Setsuna was busy with a few patients." Michiru said with a slight giggle.
Seiya, Yaten, and Taiki looked at the girls who were all smiling or giggling, even Haruka.
"Boys have been getting far more 'injuries' since Setsuna became the school nurse." Minako explained, still laughing.
"As much as I want to hear your excuse for being back, this should probably wait till we're at Rei's temple, that way Rei, Setsuna, Mamoru, and Hotaru can be there as well." Haruka said as she and Michiru turned around and headed back inside, Michiru waving at the Three Lights before disappearing through the doorway.
"As much as I hate to admit it she's right." Seiya conceded as he stood up, holding out a hand to help Usagi and then Makota.
"Ah, I suppose your right." Minako sighed, sounding disappointed, she had wanted to hear why they were back, and more importantly, if they were staying.
The group headed back inside to wait for class.
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*Back in the limo*
The three girls were still riding in the limousine, which had now gotten away from downtown and was winding its way up a narrow road.
"Almost there." Chiyo said softly, looking out the window and watching the trees go by. A lake was occasionally visible through breaks in the forest, the sparkling water shimmering like a thousand jewels as the sunlight hit it.
"Finally!" Hina exclaimed, practically jumping in her seat, she was tired of being cooped up.
The limo continued on the road for a few minutes before reaching a gate, partly hidden in the trees. They drove up the road for a bit longer and then finally came to a stop. The driver got out and walked to the door, opening it and holding it open as the three girls got out. Liadan, being in the back, was first, quickly jumping out and stretching the kinks out of her arms and back. Hina flew out second, spinning around and around before stopping and staring at the building in front of her.
"Wow." She whispered, gaping.
"What?" Chiyo asked as she gracefully stepped out, tucking her book under her right arm and dropping her glasses into a pocket.
Hina just pointed. It was a Victorian-style mansion, tall towers, stone exterior, vines and ivy crawling up the sides. There was a circular drive, which the limo was now sitting in. An old fountain stood in the middle of the circle surrounded by flowers and shrubs, tricking pleasantly as water poured out of the spouts. Gardens were visible on the sides of the hourse, and most likely behind it as well. A thick wood surrounded the cleared area and birds could be heard among the trees.
Chiyo just smiled. "I told you you'd like it." She said as she walked towards the front of the mansion. Hina squealed excitedly and followed immediately "I call one of the towers!"
Lia stood a moment taking it all in. It was peaceful and serene, maybe she would like it here after all, it looked like there could be some good riding trails, and the mansion was on a cliff overlooking the lake, which meant swimming whenever the weather was nice. She strode towards the house, the driver following with some of their luggage.
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*Hikawa Shrine*
Rei Hino stood on the steps of her family's temple, her long black hair whipping in the wind. A fragile-looking girl with shoulder-length black hair sat on a wall beside her, swinging her legs. Hotaru Tomoe had been waiting with Rei since Ami had called earlier that day requesting a meeting.
Rei perked up and waved as she saw three of her friends, Ami, Makoto, and Mamoru Chiba, Usagi's tall, dark, and handsome boyfriend, walking towards her.
"Where are Usagi and Minako?" Rei asked as the others reached her, already knowing the answer.
"They were late to class and got detention." Ami said, joining Rei on the steps.
"Bakas." Rei muttered, rolling her eyes.
A yellow sports car suddenly pulled up in front of the temple, Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna getting out.
"Haruka-papa! Michiru-mama! Setsuna-mama!" Hotaru cried happily, jumping off the wall and running to the trio.
"We might as well go on inside, knowing Usagi and Minako we'll be waiting awhile." Rei grumbled, leading the way to the main building.
Eventually the two tardy girls managed to get to the temple, Seiya, Yaten, and Taiki walking with them.
Usagi pushed open the door and entered the room, followed by the four people behind them. As the Three Lights walked through the door Rei's mouth dropped open, nearly spilling the cake that she had just taken a bite of. Hotaru just smiled at them, and Mamoru nodded, neither as shocked as the priestess.
"Mamo-chan!" Usagi squealed happily before launching herself into his waiting lap, snuggling into him as he wrapped his arms around her.
"So, care to tell us why you're back?" Haruka said bluntly, being her usual self.
Taiki leaned against the wall and began. "As you know, we returned to Kinmoku to help in its rebuilding. One day, not long ago, three energy signatures traveling at unfathomable speeds appeared on our sensors, but only for a brief moment. We of course traced the blips and the energy trail led straight to earth. We immediately followed after getting permission from Princess Kakyuu, but they could've landed weeks, maybe even months ago."
"But there's been no attacks, no major meteors, no monsters of any sort." Setsuna pondered aloud, the rest of the logical thinkers coming to the same conclusion.
Yaten shrugged. "We would not have paid any mind, but they were extremely powerful, and anything in a collision course with this planet can never be good.
The others nodded in agreement.
"Thanks for the warning," Haruka said, "If you're sure that this is as dangerous as you make it out to be, I suppose you can stick around and help us protect Usagi and the planet." She smiled.
The Three Lights nodded.
"We should all be on our guard, we don't know who they are or why they've come here." Mamoru said seriously.
Everyone in the room nodded in agreement.
"We should be going, we're going to resume our cover as the Three Lights." Taiki said, straightening up. Rei stood and led the way outside.
"Isn't it great though? All of us together again!" Minako said happily. "I know! We can all go to the lake to celebrate, you know, have a campout before things get really serious!"
At everyone's dubious looks she pouted. "Oh come on, it'll be fun!"
"My cousin has been inviting me back, trying to make up for last time." Rei said slowly.
"Yay! It's settled then!" Usagi exclaimed. "We'll all go up to the lake this weekend!"
Haruka shook her head with a laugh. "As the princess commands."
Taike, Yaten, and Seiya were just saying their good-byes when something caught the other's notice.
A pink cloud was forming over their heads. Usagi's eyes widened.
"What?" Seiya asked, confused by the looks everyone was giving them.
With a bright flash of pink light a little girl with pink eyes and hair in Usagi's bun style fell out of the sky and onto the Three Lights.
"Hi everyone!"
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Author's Note: Well there you have it, as I said not super exciting, and I'm assuming that anyone reading this has at least seen the anime, you should go read the manga too if you haven't!
Names and Meanings:
Hina- Sunlight
Liadan (Lia)- Grey Lady
Chiyo- thousand + world (I was going to use Terra, for earth, but it's too much like her sailor name)
If someone thinks of some better names as the story progresses feel free to message me!
