Sailormoon: Millennial Earth -- A Sailormoon Fanfic
Sailor Galaxia has been defeated, and the year 2000 has finally arrived. The Sailor Senshi have now joyfully returned to their normal lives, albeit a little clouded with the departure of Mamoru. He now goes to finish his last semester of study abroad at Harvard -- his previouse semester having been sidelined. But nothing ever stays quiet for long. Will the Sailor Senshi have to power up again as Winter seems to linger on? And who is this American girl that Mamoru has grown close to? What adventures await as the new Millennium nears? So begins the next installment of Sailormoon. Millennial Earth.
(Author's Note: This story takes place after the end of Sailormoon Stars (using elements of both the manga and anime).
Part 1
Winter was still prevalent as Chiba Mamoru walked through the campus of the American university. Because of Galaxia he had not been able to attend some time back and had gotten special permission to attend this time. Usagi hadn't wanted him to go, but he had told her that it was a great opportunity and that it was a chance in a lifetime. Besides, this time they promised to keep in constant contact so that nothing like what had happened before would happen again. He hated leaving her, because he knew that he wouldn't be able to help her in her times of need. But she was growing up. One day she would be Neo-Queen Selenity, Queen of Crystal Tokyo. She needed to learn to do things on her own, to stand strong. And, of course, she had her protectors. The Senshi would put their own lives on the line for her. Especially Rei. He laughed. He knew they seemed to not get along, but that's because they cared for each other very much. Rei didn't want to see Usagi come to any harm. Mamoru knew, just like Rei, that Usagi need more growing up to do. Her destiny required it.
Occasionally he could feel twinges pulling him towards Japan. Those were the times he knew his Usako had transformed into Sailormoon. He sighed softly. Only a few months and he would return to her, for he was only here for one semester. He broke from his reverie as a scream pierced the winter air. He ran to see what was the matter.
His eyes widened at what he encountered: a young college coed, perhaps around his age, was being held by the wrist by a tall man in dark clothing whose face was angry. But Mamoru stared at the girl. Her long, pale lavender hair was held back at the nape of her neck, the rest hanging loosely down her back, a little disheveled as two free locks of hair framed her face. Her blue eyes, similar to his own, were ablaze. And yet, Mamoru felt there was something not quite right with this seeming act of wrong. "Stop!" he yelled.
The pair turned slowly to face him, looks of surprises on their faces as the girl's wrist slipped out of the man's grasp, but they did nothing else. They were frozen in one position.
Mamoru let his mind slow for a moment as he thought of the correct words to use. "Leave her alone!" He almost felt as if he were Tuxedo Kamen.
The girl began to laugh. "Oh my! And who says chivalry is dead?" She smiled towards the man next to her, his face in a scowl.
His lips were drawn up pertly, his eyes slightly blank as he sighed, "Man, you just interrupted our best rehearsal!"
The girl shushed her friend and walked over to the slightly embarrassed Mamoru. "We were just practicing for a play we're doing. Though, if I ever am in trouble, I'd love to have you around, --?" she looked at him as if asking for his name.
He blinked and swallowed. "Chiba Mamoru. That is, to say, Mamoru." He said with slightly accented English.
She grinned. "Oh! You're from Japan!" She bowed slightly. "Konnichiwa," she began and continued speaking to him in English-accented Japanese, telling him that she was sorry to have caused any discomfort and to please forgive her friend, since he could be rude sometimes. "Oh!" she said, dropping the Japanese. "My name is Em, by the way. Em Rose. Nice to meet you," she said, extending her hand.
He smiled and took it, startled as he felt a tingle when they touched.
Her eyes widened, and she grimaced. "Hmm ... " she said looking around, "must be the static in the air."
"Em! Come one. Stop playing around. We need to practice!"
Em turned back to her partner. "Look, we've already been practicing for hours. Go home! And, there's no need to be rude to our friend, you know. I'm sure Mamo-chan here probably isn't feeling all that comfortable about now."
"Your friend," he mumbled. "Fine, Em, we'll practice tomorrow, I guess. See ya!" He waved casually to her and Mamoru and walked off.
She turned back to encounter a startled Mamoru. Her eyes widened in questioning, and then went wider with embarrassment. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! I called you Mamo-chan! I know that's only used for … those that are close to you. It's just that sometimes I use it with my friends, and so it comes naturally. I'm sorry. Really." Her cheeks colored.
His cheeks colored as well, though not as much. "I understand. No apology is needed. Though, only my girlfriend calls me that."
She smiled. "Aww, that's so sweet! Do you have a picture of her?"
He nodded and dug out his wallet, opening it to show her a picture of a pretty young woman with blonde hair done up in pigtails that seemed to be wrapped around themselves in round balls with long locks of hair coming out of them. A picture next to it showed Mamoru with his arm around her shoulders. They both looked happy -- if she a little young.
Em stared at it, and for a brief moment she thought she saw the young woman in a white flowing dress and Mamoru dressed in somewhat formal attire, almost like armor. She blinked and the image was gone. A word escaped her lips with a sigh, "Shepherd."
Mamoru looked at her. "Pardon?"
She pulled away a little and shook her head. What did that mean? "I'm sorry, nothing." She smiled, seeming a little forced. "She's very pretty. Though, she looks a little younger than most college guys' girlfriends."
He grinned. "Perhaps, but she is my Usako," he said almost charmingly. He looked at Em's questioning look and laughed lightly. "I am sorry. Usagi. Tsukino Usagi. That is her name, but I call her Usako."
"Tsukino Usagi," Em spoke softly as if thinking. "Rabbit of the Moon." The words seemed to echo.
Mamoru blinked in surprise. "Yes. Exactly."
Em looked at him and smiled questioningly. "Would you happen to be in the Advanced Japanese class?"
He nodded, and she grinned.
"Great! So am I! Though I'm surprised you are, you certainly don't need it. But, I suppose you wanted something familiar here, right?"
He was taken slightly aback. How did she know that was what I was thinking? He just nodded.
She then took his arm lightly, looking up at him. "Well then, how about I get you more familiar with things around here?"
He stared into her blue eyes and blinked at a warmth unfamiliar to him, though touched with familiarity. He then smiled shyly and took her arm tighter into his, letting her lead the way.