Chapter 2: As the Celestial Bodies Align part 1
KojiroSasaki was regularly an early riser. He was often awake and beginning his daily practice and meditation before day break. Clothed in a traditional umanori hakama and kimono with an indigo haori, the Immortal swordsman moved the 90 centimeter blade of his nodachi in lightning quick strikes with perfect precision. The ancient, well cared for sword, Monohoshi Zao danced in its master's hands until the dawn broke and Kojiro halted his practice.
A pair of delicate yet strong arms wrapped around him as he finished sheathing his long blade. He smiled as he felt a warm body press against him.
"Up before me again, Darling? So cruel of you to leave me to wake up to a cold and empty bed," The soft feminine voice was mocking and playful rather than angry or offended.
Kojiro chuckled "We both know that if I don't get up before you by the time I got out of bed you would have made sure I barely had the strength to move, let alone practice my art. Besides we have appointments to keep today so we can't stay in the bedroom until noon, despite how much I'd love to indulge your every whim."
A musical laugh as his wife moved in front of him without completely releasing her embrace. Her auburn hair was almost pink as it swayed and sparkled in the early morning light. "I know you'll make it up to me. You always do when you cut short my play time. But you're right I'm heading out to talk to our old friend Katsuo Hino about his granddaughter, he says her spiritual abilities are developing and she's shown promise as an oracle."
Kojiro frowned for a moment, "Be sure to remind him that the rules of behaviour in your presence are still in effect. I don't care if he's a senior citizen now; the penalty is still the same."
"So protective of me, you know how to make a woman feel special. Reminds me why I fell for you in the first place." She said pulling her taller husband down into a kiss.
When they broke off the kiss Kojiro stated, "I just wish I hadn't made you wait a few centuries."
"Dying and being reborn will do that." Was her reply, "But at least you came back."
"For the Smartest and most beautiful woman in the world, Tamamo-no-Mae, how can a man do any less." Kojiro said using the title his wife had gone under when she finally found him again. "I'd do it again if I had to Misukume" Switching to her preferred name of this century.
"Enough reminiscing, you need to get ready for your day, I mean you need to send Gilgamesh an update before you meet with the old hound. So that means standard business clothes" Misukume scolded. "As dashing as you look in those clothes it's a fashion faux pas in this era."
Kojiro just smiled and nodded, wondering how he'd been lucky enough to catch the eye of his goddess on earth.
Elsewhere in Tokyo as had become a custom in the several months since they met Makoto Kino and Setanta Mac Deichtine sat down for breakfast in Makoto's home. However there was an awkward silence today, as there seemed to be an almost palpable feeling of depression coming from.
Setanta broke the silence, "So you're transfer has finally gone through, Makoto?"
The girl sighed and nodded, "yes, in a few days I start at Juuban Municipal Junior High School, away from everything I want to leave behind. Like Sempai."
"You really need to get over that jerk. And I hope the change of setting helps you. And to hell with what your old school thought, I'm proud with how you handled the bastard. Time honoured tradition among many of the women I've known, 'he breaks your heart, and you break his limbs'." Setanta said, still wondering if it was worth hunting down the little bastard who hurt the girl he'd taken under his wing.
Makoto just looked down and said nothing.
Setanta saw his words were not helping things much. "Right I've always been a man of action more than words and right now you need something to help get you out of your funk and back to being the wonderful cheerful girl I know you are. Since you're between schools as it were, you're coming with me to meet a friend of mine. We're going to be meeting up for a meal, some drinks and later karaoke. If we're lucky his wife might turn up for the last part. If some fun doesn't help then another set of ears to listen to your woes can't hurt."
Makoto looked at the man she'd become close to since they'd fought together in an alley somewhere. He was like an older brother or some sort of wacky uncle, always looking out for her. And for someone without family like her it meant a lot. "You'd have me tag along on your personal time with your friend?"
"In a heartbeat. Kojiro won't mind and I'm not going to let you beat yourself up like this if I can help it." Setanta said firmly. "So you're coming along if I have to toss you over my shoulder and carry you."
For the first time that morning Makoto smiled.
The Dark Kingdom was in chaos. Not to say that it wasn't normally in a chaotic state considering its denizens were mainly Youma, beings of chaotic nature, but now news was circulating throughout the forces of evil that stirred ancient fears.
There was news that operations to collect energy for Queen Metallia's resurrection and seek out the Silver Crystal had met with unexpected resistance. Danburite's operations in Western Europe had met with disaster. Other operations had faced unexpected setbacks. And now when they had narrowed down the location of the Silver Crystal to a single nation and Metallia's return seemed so close, the worst had happened.
The King of Heroes was back.
Not all of the frontline Youma had been present during the assault on the Moon Kingdom but even those spawned after the Great Banishment had heard tales of the Golden Destroyer. He and his companion, the Wild Man, had cut a swath through the hordes led by Gugalanna, the Great Bull, one of Metallia's most powerful servants and leader of one of the largest hosts during the assault. Not only had the two of them held back Gugalanna's forces until the Youma had all been sealed, but they had slain the Great Bull himself. And when the Golden Destroyer's companion succumbed to the wounds Gugalanna had given him, the King of Uruk had unleashed terrible vengeance upon the Youma that remained. Only very few survived to be banished.
The Youma were not the only ones who were not happy with the developments in Japan.
Queen Beryl had called her generals, the Shitennou together. "Jadeite report, how many operations have we lost?"
The Blonde haired general winced and began listing off numbers, "In the short time since Gilgamesh made his presence known we're lost three operations in the Juuban district where it's easiest to teleport in Youma, and another eight in various parts of Tokyo. He's picking off lone Youma as quickly as he can find them. The energy gatherers are no match on their own. I suggest since the city is important to our energy that we reinforce our remaining operations by assigning more than one Youma at a time. That way we can offer opposition to Gilgamesh as well as eliminate other enemies such as that Senshi that attacked one of our operations."
Queen Beryl nodded, "I approve of this, see that it is done. However even increasing the guard on our operations will not be enough to stop Gilgamesh. While Jadeite continues his work and searches for the Ginzuishou, I want you three to prepare a means of eliminating Gilgamesh."
Kunzite, Zoisite, and Nephrite nodded at the command.
Nephrite said "It will not be easy my Queen, Gilgamesh is powerful. Brute force is clearly not an option."
Zoisite added, "We need to be careful of the many artefacts he uses. However since he's moved to engage us within a city he has to limit himself to his less powerful and destructive weapons to avoid attention and collateral damage."
Kunzite concluded, "We will exploit every advantage this battle field gives us and we will remove this threat even if we have to do so ourselves. Even if he manages to elude us it will distract him from Jadeite's operations which will aid in Metallia's restoration which even he cannot oppose."
Queen Beryl smiled, "This world belongs to us, and not even that relic of the Silver Millennium will stop us!"
Usagi was lost in thought as she walked to school, after the jewellery store incident she had been hit with a lot of information which she was having trouble processing. After the encounter with the man in gold, Luna had been trying to teach Usagi a lot in a short span of time which just left the girl confused. Even now as the Cat walked on a short wall beside her on her way to school the cat was trying to give her instructions.
"Luna," Usagi whined, "I can't understand any of this. I can barely keep track of what my mission is let alone why and how I'm supposed to do it. Especially since you won't give me a straight answer about whom I'm supposed to be fighting against."
Luna sighed, "I'm sorry but ever since we encountered Gilgamesh, I've felt a sudden panic. Normally I wouldn't be trying to force so much on you at once, although I do expect you to learn all this. But that man fills me with unease as much as the Dark Kingdom does so you need to be ready to encounter both of them. We need to find the other Sailor Senshi and the Princess, and then we can worry about where characters like Gilgamesh and Tuxedo Mask stand in the fight against the Dark Kingdom"
Luna thought to herself 'if only I could remember more, I'd know why that man fills me with this fear.'
Usagi's thoughts drifted in a different direction at the thought of Tuxedo Mask. For the teenage girl the man was absolutely dreamy. It was more than just his good looks and aura of mystery, Gilgamesh was a mystery as well and not lacking in looks either but something about Tuxedo Mask made her feel safe, like he would protect and support her no matter what. And of course every girl is crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.
It was during this haze of teenage romantic fantasizing that Usagi stopped paying attention to where she was walking and started crossing the street into the path of an oncoming car. By the time Luna recovered from her own distraction it was too late to do more than shriek a warning. "Usagi look out!"
Only for Usagi to be suddenly grabbed and hoisted over the shoulder of a tall brown haired girl with a ponytail who leapt out of the way of the car.
Makoto and Setanta had decided that since it would be a while before they met up with Setanta's friend that the rest of the day would be dedicated to cheering Makoto up. Setanta decided the best place to head first was one of the local public parks which had a particularly impressive public garden. Setanta was halfway through an amusing anecdote about the man he would be introducing Makoto to later.
"So I'm waiting for Kojiro to finish getting changed into his kimono to head down to the hotel ballroom for the reception. I'm eager to get down because I was hungry and painfully sober so I bang on the door demanding he hurry up and he says to go on without me. I ask him what's wrong and he tells me there's a problem with his formal Kimono he might be a while. Now I've been ready for half an hour at this point so my patience has run out and I force the door open. And there he is wearing the most girly pink Kimono I have ever laid eyes on."
Makoto erupted into giggles while Setanta continued.
"Everything about this item screamed that it belonged on a woman, although to be fair Kojiro is bishonen enough to pull it off. Kojiro looks completely mortified since supposedly his wife had bought him this formal Kimono special on one of her trips and he did not have another set of formal clothes. Not to mention he was terrified of pissing off his wife if she found out he hated something she bought for him. Thus he's in a complete panic about what to do since he doesn't want to offend our host, his wife, or humiliate himself. I'm busy trying to keep from laughing in his face so I say..."
Makoto was suddenly distracted from the story at the sight of a blonde girl carelessly walking into traffic ahead of them heading the opposite direction. Seeing a car coming towards the girl Makoto immediately started sprinting forward.
"Have to hurry, that girl has no idea that the car is coming." Makoto thought as she gained speed and momentum.
As the distance between the blonde girl and the oncoming car narrowed, the image of burning wreckage and broken bodies of a different accident from many years ago flashed through Makoto's mind.
'I can't let it happen again. I won't let it happen again. This time I can DO something!'
With this final mental declaration Makoto put on an final burst of speed as she closed the gap between herself and the other girl, scooping the Blonde up forcefully and leaping out of the way of the vehicle as it rushed by.
The two girls skidded to a halt safely on the sidewalk, Makoto panting for breath as the Usagi looked up in surprise and awe at her rescuer.
For a moment neither spoke. Before Makoto smiled and slowly lowered Usagi to the ground. "Are you alright?"
Usagi nodded still dumbstruck by the daring rescue from the beautiful tall girl.
Makoto breathed a sigh of relief. "Be more careful next time. You could get hurt if you don't pay attention to the world around you."
Usagi lowered her eyes, embarrassed at the danger she had carelessly put herself in. "Thank you for saving me."
Makoto just smiled back at her. "your very welcome.
Luna stared at Makoto, trying to get a good reading of the girl when all three were surprised by a voice coming from right next to them. "Hey little girl, you dropped this."
Sentanta grinned wolfishly as he held Usagi's school bag which has slipped from her grasp when Makoto had saved her. Usagi took the bag still feeling sheepish for the trouble she had caused these friendly strangers, before realizing she was late again. Giving them a quick bow she said "I have to go, thank you both very" before starting to run off.
Sentanta called after her "just watch out, heroes like Makoto are rare these days."
As the Makoto and Sentanta headed the opposite way Usagi had run off Luna stared at them. Something about the man bothered her. She had not noticed the man approach them, something her feline senses should have picked up. Also Usagi's bag had not been remotely scuffed or damaged, like it had been snatched out of the air. Looking over his shoulder as the two walked away Sentanta met the Cat's eyes for a moment then gave a little shrug before he began picking up on the story the rescue had interrupted.
"Now where was I? Oh right, the women's Kimono..."
Despite her near brush with vehicular blunt force trauma, Usagi's morning went as normal: Arrive to class late, get yelled and punished, get another test back with miserable results.
However by lunch time the results for a recent set of mock final exams had been posted for the entire school to see, which caused an explosion of gossip among the student body about the top scoring student with a perfect score.
After devouring her lunch Usagi decided to head off alone for a bit, to take some time to try and think of the various crazy things that had entered her life. Between the duties of being sailor moon, and the hassles of normal life Usagi's mind of even more of an unorganized mess than usual. The memories of the girl who saved her from the car earlier just added to the things Usagi had running through her head.
"Why does everything have to be so hard?" Usagi mumbled to herself, wishing Luna was around to talk to. "even just petting the furry little grouch would make me feel better. What does Luna get up to when I'm in school anyways?"
Usagi's question was answered by a surprised yelp ahead of her. Usagi looked ahead to see Luna landing on top of a girl with short blue hair a few meters ahead of her after jumping out of a tree. For a moment she was dumbstruck as to why the cat who always acted so prim and proper would being leaping out of trees onto people. As a result she just watched the scene unfold in from of her.
Ami was caught off guard and stared at her furry ambusher, "A Kitty? You completely surprised me." The girl began petting the cat who purred and rubbed against Ami's hand. "aww, you are just too cute. If I didn't live in a condo I could take you home with me."
Seeing the girl that the school gossip had labelled cold and unapproachable so happy at the presence of a surprising cat, Usagi got the impression that no one really knew the girl behind the perfect scores. She decided she would talk to Ami, when Luna spotted Usagi and lept from Ami's shoulder onto Usagi's head. "Luna, be careful you silly cat." She turned to Ami "Sorry about that, are you alright?"
Ami smiled at Usagi "After the way the cat fell from the sky, I thought she was an angel."
"Luna, an angel?" Usagi asked, earning her a glare from the cat and an embarrassed squeak from Ami. Usagi just found it adorable. "You're Ami Mizuno from class five right? I'm Usagi Tsukino from class one. And this is my cat Luna."
And thus began an unusual friendship between two very different girls.