A.N.- Hello again peeps, I've returned with chapter 5. I hope you guys enjoy it, and I will admit that story is moving on a bit slowly...but why rush it? Just stick with me and everything will be just fine lol
Side Note- To those who have reviewed, I thank you all for the support. Though it isn't necessary to do so, you guys still take the time to review and encourage me, so a big round of applause for those awesome people! :3
Disclaimer: I don't own sailor moon and I never will. There I said it, feel better now?! Gosh... Bite me!
Now on with the story! :D
Chapter 5- A weekend start!
Usagi woke the next morning feeling a sense of dread as she climbed out of bed and went to shower. Some how she felt a part of her had died yesterday, which in many ways had lessened her willingness to accomplish the goal of her trip. Thoughts of becoming a stronger leader had taken a back seat to her longing for Mamoru, but one had to admit that her actions were completely justified. Even the mightiest of rulers had fallen victim to love at some point in their lives, and Usagi was no different.
This was why following through with her resolution would be nothing short of hellish in her youth. The fact that Luna expected so much of her after such short notice was infuriating and yet it was pointless to complain when she had already agreed. All was decided and she would reside in Hokkaido till she was strong enough to lead her scouts, as well as her people to a glorious future. With this in mind she decided that the faster she can improve herself, the sooner she could return to Mamoru.
After a short warm shower Usagi dressed and made her way downstairs for breakfast, but instead she was met with the sights of new company. As she came into view of the kitchen area, she had walked in on Setsuna speaking with two other people she was certain she hadn't met before. Still she felt a familiar presence from them as she took notice of the gold moon symbols on both their forehead's.
"Um good morning!" she stated this a little louder then she had intended but it got the attention of the rooms occupants as she rubbed the back of her neck shyly. "Soooo you guys are from the 30th century?... Luna didn't mention your visit, or maybe you were both sent by me?"
Setsuna was the first to chuckle from the statement as she shook her head and went to prepare some pancakes for breakfast. She figured Luna and Artemis would explain so there was no point in waiting around for the predictable discovery. Usagi seemed confused by Setsuna's behavior as she walked by, but her attention was gained once more when the dark haired stranger finally spoke up.
"It's me; Luna and that of course is Artemis. I found it would be much easier training you in our true forms."
Usagi's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked them over with strong observation. The thought of her cat turning into a gorgeous maiden was insane in itself. "Are you serious?!"
She walked over to the table and took a seat all the while staring at them as if they were foreign beings. This caused Luna to sweatdrop, while Artemis gave a brief chuckle and sat back comfortably crossing his legs. He seemed so graceful in his movements that Usagi was almost convinced he was a prince and a very handsome one at that.
"Unreal!, I don't believe it. How in the world did you guys do this?, and how come you never did it before?"
Luna gave a half smirk before she spoke "Well just like you and the scouts, we lost most of the memories of our past life, so to be honest we couldn't remember much of our humanoid forms. The only thing we were allowed to remember were our duties, but it seems that after the fight with Galaxia and the near destruction of our world, more memories were unlocked. I'm not sure if it was predetermined by Queen Trinity in case those of the moon kingdom should once again face destruction, but it's very plausible."
"So you just changed over night out of the blue? this is way too weird" Usagi whispered as she shook her head at the thought, still in a state of shock.
Artemis spoke up at this point waving off the tension "It's really not that complicated really. Setsuna was given some rather useful power, being the one who could control and defy time. She was given a task of playing role of top guardian towards the next generation, it was only natural that she be granted the power to unlock ceils placed by Trinity."
Usagi nodded in understanding then crossed her arms as she once again stared at towards them in awe. Of course this rose a little discomfort between the two guardians causing them to sweatdrop.
"Uh are you okay Usagi?" Luna raised an eyebrow as Usagi gave her an odd look.
"You guys..."
"Yes?" Luna and Artemis questioned in unison.
"You guys... look so awesome! I mean wow do you see yourselves? It's like you guys are some kind of hot celebrity couple. Hmmm and you know... I never realized Artemis had silver eyes, it's strange but pretty cool."
Artemis gave a cheeky grin after hearing her response. It had become obvious his ego rose from the flattery causing Luna to sigh. Usagi's reaction was a little over the top but at least it seemed to brighten her mood. She had more or less expected the worse from the heart broken blond, but fortunately she could tell the transition didn't completely destroy Usagi, and that was good enough. 'I guess she's stronger then I thought.'
Luna turned her focus elsewhere while Usagi and Artemis conversed about his past position in the moon kingdom. It was almost humorous how much of a show off Artemis had become in a matter of seconds and Luna realized she was the only one who ever had the ability to keep him in check. Sure his time as a cat had completely wiped away his less desirable behavior, and in fact made him a big sap but that wasn't always the case.
The dark haired guardian glanced towards her companion for a brief moment as her memories came rushing back to her like a stream.
-flash back-
A very beautiful woman with the grace of a Queen and silver flowing hair sat poised on her throne as she listened intently to the report of her newly assigned leading general. He was well known through out the moon for his advance knowledge of war tactics and strategy; making him the best man for the job as far as Trinity was concerned. However there was one moonling that greatly disagreed, and she just so happened to be the Queens most trusted advisor and maiden.
"Is that all Artemis?"
"Yes your highness, it's a very efficient strategy. All you need do is say the word and it shall be executed."
Trinity nodded in approval of the plan, but turned her attention to the woman that stood beside her throne with arms crossed delicately. She had not once spoken once during the discussion which was very uncommon for Luna, and this troubled the Queen.
"So… what do you say to this Luna?" Trinity's gentle tone resided throughout the room causing Luna to look towards her queen for a moment questioningly before her gaze settled back on the man kneeling before the throne.
"It is not my place to say your highness."
Trinity chuckled from this response but spoke once more "I implore you...say your piece."
Luna knew she was opening a can a world of conflict, but she couldn't help but release a brief sigh before she spoke.
"Well if you insist your highness… I'd like to begin by saying that his strategies are reasonable and I have no qualms with the course of action we'll take.
My issues preside with his character, which has been nothing less than troublesome from the moment he gained your employ. Having a brilliant mind should not over shadow, his womanizing ways… his lechery has become noteworthy amongst noble maidens. "
Luna glared towards Artemis who returned in kind with a glare of his own, but he didn't interrupt her accusations; so Luna continued
"Our kingdoms credibility is at stake your highness; we've already established strong alliances with planet Venus by acquiring a promised guardian of royal blood to serve the moon. Centuries of woman holding the position this man now occupies feels insulting; and had it been a moonling I could at least make peace with your decision, but a knight of Venus your highness?!"
The frustration in Luna's voice grew the more she spoke and Trinity could sense the tension within the court forcing her to interrupt the berating.
"Alright enough Luna… I've made my decision and so long as he lives up to his abilities as a promising General he will maintain that position. I take no concern with his personal affairs but you are a high maiden of this court so I trust you protect the grace and virtues of nobility. As a foreigner I don't expect Artemis to convert to our every custom but I believe discretion will suffice on his part. If you feel discipline is in order come to me with your proposal only should his behavior reflect upon the kingdom in its entirety."
Trinity stood with her scepter in hand signaling the end of their meeting and Luna bowed in response as the Queen made off towards her chambers. This left the two alone in the throne room with obvious tension cutting through the silence after the dismissal. Artemis who had been in a kneeling position the entire time gave a half smirk as he stood up to his full height.
"Woman you are truly bitter, but well played. Using war council as an outlet for swaying the Queens favor without pushing for a private audience was pretty wise."
Artemis chuckled to himself then relieved a sarcastic sigh "Who would have thought the admiration given freely to me by your fellow maidens would trouble you so?…."
Luna scowled towards him with disgust from his insinuations
"The only thing that troubles me so is the disgrace you bring to our council, and trust it will be corrected whenever you should find yourself crossing that line. Five servants have quarreled as a result of your frivolous flirting and alleged intimate encounters. Barely two months have past but you've bought more scandal to the palace then we've encountered in a decade!"
Luna snarled the last of her statement as she made her way to Throne rooms entrance to leave
"I want you gone, and I will do everything in my power to make it so… Artemis"
As the dark haired maiden left the room Artemis merely smirked in reply to her retreating form but spoke to the silence of the room "I've known nothing sweeter than forbidden fruit high maiden."
Though it was never meant to be heard, Luna had caught a whisp o f his words as she left which only solidified her contempt 'That man….'
-End of flash back-
Luna's thoughts were cut off by the sight of Usagi's hand waving quickly in front of her as if trying to gain her attention.
"Heeellllloooo Luna, this earth speaking... come in Luna. Breakfast is ready, aren't you going to eat?"
Luna looked around the table seeing that Setsuna, Artemis and Usagi had already begun eating. Shaking her head; she brushed off her mild embarrassment then cleared her throat. "Um we'll begin training after breakfast."
The guardian picked up her fork and got to work on her meal as Usagi simply nodded with a sigh. 'It's gonna be a long day...'
-Three hours later 11:30am-
"Oh for the love of Kami, what are you doing Usagi?!"
Luna had laid back in her seat out of frustration as she rubbed her temples. All the while Usagi was scrambling to pick up the three books that had fallen off her head a total of 172 times since they first began. Originally they had started out with good posture during meals, which was a work in progress but once they moved on to the graceful walk, it was like teaching a toddler.
Apparently Usagi had no sense of balance what so ever and lacked the ability to take so much as three steps while balancing the books on her head. There was no doubt they had a long way to go, but still it was unbelievable that three hours of practice had resulted in nothing gained.
"I'll get it this time promise." Usagi stated with a hint of determination as she steadied the books on her head and outstretched her arms for balance before beginning her short paces.
Artemis had leaned against the wall with arms crossed to observe her movements as he had been doing for the past few hours. Though he was finding it useless to do so since Usagi never seemed to comprehend his words no matter how many times he advised her. He sighed inwardly as he watched her once again approach the third step; only to lose her posture and cause the books to tumble over for the 173rd time.
"Alright Usagi take a break"
Artemis had stated dismissively, then went to the living room to join Setsuna while Luna took over. He had already scene the constant lecturing coming before it would began, so there was no point in standing around when it was clear Luna would be taking over.
Usagi stood up with the books and placed them on the table then bowed in apology. Luna just sighed in response as she took out the small note pad and scribbled some information. She figured that keeping track on what needed the most improvement from each challenge was an important factor towards Usagi's advances. When she had finished her notes she decided to tackle one last challenge, before calling it quits for the rest of the day.
"Alright, lets give speech a try. Hopefully it won't be to difficult."
Usagi chuckled when she heard this "What could be so hard about speech? I think I speak just fine."
-Two hours later 1:48pm-
Usagi through her hands in the air, finally reaching her breaking point "This is insane!, what does it matter if I say me and my friends?, it means the same thing."
Luna gave her the same bored expression she held for the past few minutes they've been holding the same argument. "Usagi... for the last time... it's my friends and 'I' okay? my friends and 'I' "
"But honestly Luna what does it matter if..."
Luna's hand shot up quick beckoning her to stop talking before she spoke once more. "That's just how it is, now moving on..."
Luna stood and made her way to the fridge then pulled out a slice of flan cake she had originally saved to cheer Usagi in case her depression worsened. This surprise didn't go unnoticed by the blond, as her eyes lit up at the sight of sweets.
"Yes! finally a break worth having" Usagi held her hands out to receive the plate but as soon as Luna held it within reach, she pulled away.
"How do you ask?" Luna replied in a questioning tone as a means to assure her this was still a part of the lesson, but Usagi didn't seem to catch on all too well.
"Um can I have some of that flan cake?"
Luna blinked remaining silent for a short moment before she spoke once more. "I don't know, can you?"
Usagi seemed confused as her brows narrowed "I just asked you that..."
"Well I don't know if you can or can't."
Usagi stared at Luna for a good minute, then looked down at the cake, only to look back up towards her guardian once more. "Uh I'm pretty sure I can."
Luna raised a slender brow "Oh? Can you?"
Usagi reached for the cake again but once again Luna pulled it out of her reach; making Usagi huff in disappointment. "Come on Luna, quit teasing me..."
Luna ignored her whining still holding the cake out of reach "Once again...how do you ask?"
"Can-I-have-some-cake!"
"No Usagi, it's may I have some cake. 'MAY I', that's basic knowledge for Kami's sake!"
Luna placed the cake down on the table and walked out the front door, practically groaning in aggravation as she left to get some fresh air. Artemis and Setsuna watched her with a look of confusion as Luna walked by and slammed the door, leaving them to turn towards the kitchen in curiosity as they spotted the blond staring in the direction Luna left. For a brief moment she did nothing, but soon turned her attention back to the cake before shrugging.
"Same difference..."
Usagi picked up a fork and dug into the delightful treat with a look of content while Artemis and Setsuna sweatdropped from the sight.
"Well... at least it's only the first day right?" Artemis made a sad attempt towards optimism, but Setsuna only shrugged in response.
"Sure"
A.N.- Well this ends chapter 5 and I guess we sorta got a taste of how troublesome Usagi will be for our poor Guardians. Looks like she has a long way to go, but if she did well in a past life, then she definitely must have the ability to do so in this life time. At least I think she can lol
Any way, look out for chapter 6 'New school, New rules!'
P.S.- Yes guys, I know Trinity is not the name of Usagi's mother, but I always liked the way it sounded. Just seems so much more fitting, and I plan to stick with it. So yes it's Queen Trinity and that's how it will stay. Love it or hate it, either way I'll still love ya guys lol. =3
Okay laterz ;o