Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon
The Second Story

AN: So I was talking Sailor Moon with my friend Midnight, and we were bitching about the general lack of PGSM outers fic. So we decided to write one. Enjoy.

When one is speaking Japanese, there is a tendency to trail off when one is uncertain or about to say something rude or negative that might be offensive to the listener. While I usually hate using '...' in stories, as there's so many other ways to express that particular part of speech, I've decided to include it simply because it actually makes sense to have them there. So don't mind them, there's a reason for them.

London, Summer, Two Years Ago

Michiru had to try very hard to make sure that she doesn't come off as rather insane as she tries not to burst into a fit of giggles at Aino Minako's completely chest-fallen expression as soon as the fiery woman leaves the office. It was so unlike Senshi Venus to look like that, and it almost made Michiru feel human again to see another girl hopelessly in love with someone and powerless to act on her emotions.

She stood up, smoothing her skirt, and offered her hand to the pop-star. "I'm Michiru Kaiou, we've spoken on the phone." Once, briefly, to confirm this appointment as their managers couldn't get a hold of each other. She spoke in English, as she wasn't quite sure that she wanted to reveal to this woman that she was more than proficient in Japanese, it was a trump card that she wanted to hang on to.

Aino Minako smiles warmly and takes her hand. They shake and the pop star turns to her assistant, and says in Japanese, "When Kaiou-san's manager gets here, send him in." She turns back to Michiru then, and smiles. Her English is close to perfect, which is impressive, "Well, Ms. Kaoiu, do you want to come with me?"

Michiru nodded and bent down to quickly collect her violin case from under her seat. She followed the pop idol with the barest of smiles to her assistant. Lateness was not something that she liked very much, and she was pretty sure that Aino Minako shared the sentiment. She would have to have words with her manager later.

The office was large and airy, but impersonal insofar as there was very little of the Idol in the room. Just a few gold and platinum records mounted on the wall, and a few pictures of the idol with various others - mostly at awards shows. Michiru wondered how she could work in such a place, for her own workspace at home was an absolute mess of memories and little bits of inspiration. This was just too sterile for Michiru's tastes; she wouldn't be able to work here for very long. She needed some form of clutter or she couldn't concentrate until she'd created some.

"So, Ms. Kaiou, without our managers here, we can actually have a conversation." Aino Minako's smile was bewitching and full of private amusement. Michiru wondered if she can sense Neptune within her subconscious, for the smile seemed to suggest that she was laughing at a very personal joke.

Michiru put a finger to her lips, fainting thoughtfulness. "You know, Aino-san, I can speak Japanese just fine. So if it's more convenient for you..."

"Oh!" She looks sheepish for a moment, before quickly recovering. "I didn't even think to ask. It's alright, Kaiou-san, I speak both languages."

Michiru laughed. She was going to speak Japanese for this woman, because it seemed as though that's what her cultural heritage suggested that she should. "So, you want my assistance with a few pieces, am I right? Do you have idea what exactly you want?"

Minako reached into her desk, pulling out a large folder with numerous sticky notes and scraps of paper sticking out of it. "I'm not much with violin composition, but I do write for piano from time to time, so these are mostly written for piano. I thought that we could adapt them..."

Michiru leaned forwards as the folder fell open and the younger woman began to page through the scraps with bits of music and lyrics scribbled all over them. This was far more like her own work space; essentially vomit in the form of inspiration. She could see little bits of some of the songs by Minako that she herself knows, as well as many that she's never seen before.

"There are some waltz pieces that I've put together..." Minako muttered almost to herself as she searched. She laughed triumphantly and held up a small bundle of actual sheet music. "I've never written something like this before, so I could be completely off-base on the timing..." She offered the papers to Michiru with a grin.

Michiru took the papers and Neptune let out a low whistle from inside her mind. If Michiru had known how to glare at the entity within her mind, she would have, for she didn't need the distraction right now. She knew what Aino Minako was doing, and it made her smile a little bit.

She recognized the tune almost instantly and hums a few bars to herself, these are songs from the past life. "These are love songs, ne?" She said quietly. Venusian if she remembered correctly, and some of the most passionate that existed; Michiru wondered just who's heart this girl was trying to win.

Aino Minako looked taken aback. "Well, I guess you could call them that. They're more dances than anything else..." Her eyes were wide, as though she wasn't expecting Michiru to see right through her. It was almost reassuring to know that the Outer Senshi still have a one-up on even the 'fearless leader' of the Inner Senshi.

Michiru smiled and set the papers down on the desk in front of them. "I would be more than happy to help you adapt these," she said.

Inside her mind, Neptune smiled. This was going to be a fun adventure.

END PART ONE