A/N: I don't own Sailor Moon. Thanks so much for reading!
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"This above all, to thine own self be true."
-William Shakespeare
Mizuno Ami Verses Sailor Mercury
By Veronica Cereta
***************************************************************************
"Mizuno Ami, please come up to the board to write the correct answer for the class."
The blue haired girl got up slowly and walked to the chalkboard. She ignored the snickers and
comments of her classmates, as she had been doing for years. She didn't like how her teacher
always assumed that her answer would be the correct one, though she hadn't been wrong yet.
However, when the teacher verbalized it she felt the massive weight of expected perfection,
expected by everyone: the teacher, her classmates, herself. Carefully, neatly she wrote the
answer that she had worked out.
"See class," The teacher beamed at the model student, "that is how you solve these more difficult
problems."
Ami walked back to her seat careful not to look at anyone. By now the class was annoyed with
her always being right. She couldn't help it. She wanted to be a great doctor and that required
study. Because she studied, she knew the answers. It was so simple. Everyone could have good
grades, if they just applied themselves.
The bell rang and the class rushed out into the hall. Ami slowly gathered her books and marched
out. She determined that on the way out she would ask the teacher to stop choosing her to
answer all of the tough questions. Every day after class she made this resolve, and every day she
walked slowly by the teacher's desk, to shy to even make eye contact. Today was no exception.
She wandered into the hall cursing herself for not speaking up and at the same time reassuring
herself that there would be tomorrow. There was always tomorrow. Out in the hall, a young
man who was apparently waiting for her surprised Ami.
"Nice job on that last problem today."
She blushed and blinked a couple times, "Thanks, it was nothing, really."
"Well I couldn't do it."
It had taken her a moment to identify the boy. He now remembered his name was Ian Gogyou.
She had recognized it from the practice tests. His scores weren't perfect, but they were
incredibly close, good enough to get into any university. "Thank you." She replied as her cheeks
turned a shade brighter.
"What are you talking about?" a familiar voice interrupted the conversation. "Huh, are you
interested in Ami?"
"Usagi, no it's nothing like that." It was at times like this that Ami wondered if she would be
talking to this girl if she weren't sworn to protect her.
"Well if you want to date Ami you have to be smart, at least half as smart as she is. And you
have to be nice, because she is the nicest person I can think of."
The boy was visibly nervous. "I think you misunderstood." He turned to Ami. "I only wished to
congratulate you, and maybe ask you out for ice-cream or something."
"Oh Ami can't do that today. We've got to study." Usagi, who was used to having guys drool
all over her, had no idea how mortifying this was for her introverted friend. Ami knew this, but
the knowledge didn't help. She knew her the blond wasn't trying to be heartless, but she was
nonetheless.
"Maybe some other time," she told Ian before bolting out of the school. Usagi couldn't miss the
tears forming in the corners of her friend's eyes. 'Ami must really like this guy.' She turned to
see if she could work something out for her friend, but Ian was running for his locker. Now she
felt terrible.
******************************************************************************
"Ami, I am so sorry," Usagi had already apologized three times. No one was getting much
studying done. What was the point of everyone coming to Rei's to study if they were just going
to listen to Usagi ask for forgiveness the whole time.
"I said it's okay. Don't worry." Ami managed a smile that was a bit more cheerful than she
really felt.
"It's fine, Usagi," Makoto cut in. "Remember this is Ami we're talking about. The one who
once said 'dating isn't in my vocabulary.'" The brunette had straightened up and was giving her
best impression of the serious student. "Studying is the only thing that matters now." She
giggled and elbowed her blue haired friend.
"Right," Ami said with a sigh that was a bit more audible than she intended. "Let's get back to
work."
****************************************************************************
The study group had broken up sooner than it should have. Usagi and Minako decided they
needed ice cream, and the others had gotten sick of their wining. They resolved to continue
tomorrow. Ami leaned against the railing on the balcony of the penthouse. She was watching
the sunset. Colors and light were dancing all across the sky: reds, purples, and deep blues. The
dancing light put the young girl in a reflective mood.
'I am boring: studious, driven, capable, and boring. I know that I am able to do so much. I want
to do so much. I want to leave my mark on the world. When I go I want them to know that
Mizuno Ami was here. It is just so hard balancing my life as a student and a senshi. The world
*will* see me though.' The Princess of Mercury was one of the quietest, gentlest citizens of the
Silver Millennium. It came as a shock to most people that she was so driven. She wanted things
that other people wanted, to be known, to be famous, to leaver her mark. That was part of the
reason she studied as hard as she did, the reason she competed in the science competitions, the
reason she took all the practice exams. Ami fingered a slip of paper. She had copied the number
onto it out of the phone book the night before. 'They don't give out gold medals for perfect
scores on practice tests,' she thought as she went inside, picked up the phone, and dialed the
number.
The voice on the other end was gruff. "Moshimoshi."
"Hello," she answered meekly. "Is this Oshi Sunao, the Olympic swimming coach?"
***********************************************************************
"You did what?!" Minako was aghast.
"I simply called a coach to help me with swimming so I might be able to try out for the
Olympics. He is going to watch me after our study group today."
"I think it's wonderful, Ami." Usagi was getting excited about the idea. She wanted to watch her
friend swim in a competition.
"I don't!" Minako countered. "What if someone recognizes you?"
"They won't, and besides, I don't see how my wanting to swim in the Olympics is different from
your wanting to be a famous singer."
"It is different because you are making it happen and Minako can't," Rei came to her friend's
aid. "Lay off her, Minako."
"Oh, that was mean, Rei," The girl was truly offended. She would become a great singer, it was
just taking a while. "What if you are swimming in a competition and we're attacked?" She
continued.
"Of course my duties as a senshi come before anything else. Don't worry."
Makoto had something to say. "I don't think it puts you in danger, but isn't it kind of like using
your powers as a senshi for personal gain."
"I don't think so. At least I hope not. I was a good swimmer before my powers were awakened.
And Haruka drives racecars professionally even though her guardian planet gives her exceptional
speed. I think it is much the same as that."
"Oh, I see. Well, Good Luck." Makoto smiled at her friend.
Minako could see she was fighting a loosing battle. "Well, why do you want to do this?"
"You should understand that, Minako. I want to leave my mark. I want the world to know who I
am."
"Everyone knows who Sailor Mercury is!" Minako interrupted.
"Not Sailor Mercury, Mizuno Ami! Sailor Mercury is fine; she's wonderful, but Mizuno Ami is
driven and talented. If it wasn't for Sailor Mercury, Mizuno Ami would change the world. She
would be interesting. She would be doing things! There would be no distractions, no emergency
calls in the middle of science competitions or sensitive experiments, no battles detracting from
study time! There would be enough time for swimming, painting, and everything that makes
Mizuno Ami out of the ordinary! There would be no interruptions!"
Shocked, the other girls stared at their friend. They had all experienced these thoughts, but no
one had thought of articulating them, and certainly no one had imagined that Ami ever would.
Ami couldn't miss the looks on her friend's faces. "Don't get me wrong. I love being a senshi.
I can't wait to live in the Silver Millennium, and I want to protect our princess with my life. But
I also want to be Mizuno Ami, and I haven't been doing that very well lately."
Minako walked up and put a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Yeah, I know exactly how you
feel."
***************************************************************************
"This above all, to thine own self be true."
-William Shakespeare
Mizuno Ami Verses Sailor Mercury
By Veronica Cereta
***************************************************************************
"Mizuno Ami, please come up to the board to write the correct answer for the class."
The blue haired girl got up slowly and walked to the chalkboard. She ignored the snickers and
comments of her classmates, as she had been doing for years. She didn't like how her teacher
always assumed that her answer would be the correct one, though she hadn't been wrong yet.
However, when the teacher verbalized it she felt the massive weight of expected perfection,
expected by everyone: the teacher, her classmates, herself. Carefully, neatly she wrote the
answer that she had worked out.
"See class," The teacher beamed at the model student, "that is how you solve these more difficult
problems."
Ami walked back to her seat careful not to look at anyone. By now the class was annoyed with
her always being right. She couldn't help it. She wanted to be a great doctor and that required
study. Because she studied, she knew the answers. It was so simple. Everyone could have good
grades, if they just applied themselves.
The bell rang and the class rushed out into the hall. Ami slowly gathered her books and marched
out. She determined that on the way out she would ask the teacher to stop choosing her to
answer all of the tough questions. Every day after class she made this resolve, and every day she
walked slowly by the teacher's desk, to shy to even make eye contact. Today was no exception.
She wandered into the hall cursing herself for not speaking up and at the same time reassuring
herself that there would be tomorrow. There was always tomorrow. Out in the hall, a young
man who was apparently waiting for her surprised Ami.
"Nice job on that last problem today."
She blushed and blinked a couple times, "Thanks, it was nothing, really."
"Well I couldn't do it."
It had taken her a moment to identify the boy. He now remembered his name was Ian Gogyou.
She had recognized it from the practice tests. His scores weren't perfect, but they were
incredibly close, good enough to get into any university. "Thank you." She replied as her cheeks
turned a shade brighter.
"What are you talking about?" a familiar voice interrupted the conversation. "Huh, are you
interested in Ami?"
"Usagi, no it's nothing like that." It was at times like this that Ami wondered if she would be
talking to this girl if she weren't sworn to protect her.
"Well if you want to date Ami you have to be smart, at least half as smart as she is. And you
have to be nice, because she is the nicest person I can think of."
The boy was visibly nervous. "I think you misunderstood." He turned to Ami. "I only wished to
congratulate you, and maybe ask you out for ice-cream or something."
"Oh Ami can't do that today. We've got to study." Usagi, who was used to having guys drool
all over her, had no idea how mortifying this was for her introverted friend. Ami knew this, but
the knowledge didn't help. She knew her the blond wasn't trying to be heartless, but she was
nonetheless.
"Maybe some other time," she told Ian before bolting out of the school. Usagi couldn't miss the
tears forming in the corners of her friend's eyes. 'Ami must really like this guy.' She turned to
see if she could work something out for her friend, but Ian was running for his locker. Now she
felt terrible.
******************************************************************************
"Ami, I am so sorry," Usagi had already apologized three times. No one was getting much
studying done. What was the point of everyone coming to Rei's to study if they were just going
to listen to Usagi ask for forgiveness the whole time.
"I said it's okay. Don't worry." Ami managed a smile that was a bit more cheerful than she
really felt.
"It's fine, Usagi," Makoto cut in. "Remember this is Ami we're talking about. The one who
once said 'dating isn't in my vocabulary.'" The brunette had straightened up and was giving her
best impression of the serious student. "Studying is the only thing that matters now." She
giggled and elbowed her blue haired friend.
"Right," Ami said with a sigh that was a bit more audible than she intended. "Let's get back to
work."
****************************************************************************
The study group had broken up sooner than it should have. Usagi and Minako decided they
needed ice cream, and the others had gotten sick of their wining. They resolved to continue
tomorrow. Ami leaned against the railing on the balcony of the penthouse. She was watching
the sunset. Colors and light were dancing all across the sky: reds, purples, and deep blues. The
dancing light put the young girl in a reflective mood.
'I am boring: studious, driven, capable, and boring. I know that I am able to do so much. I want
to do so much. I want to leave my mark on the world. When I go I want them to know that
Mizuno Ami was here. It is just so hard balancing my life as a student and a senshi. The world
*will* see me though.' The Princess of Mercury was one of the quietest, gentlest citizens of the
Silver Millennium. It came as a shock to most people that she was so driven. She wanted things
that other people wanted, to be known, to be famous, to leaver her mark. That was part of the
reason she studied as hard as she did, the reason she competed in the science competitions, the
reason she took all the practice exams. Ami fingered a slip of paper. She had copied the number
onto it out of the phone book the night before. 'They don't give out gold medals for perfect
scores on practice tests,' she thought as she went inside, picked up the phone, and dialed the
number.
The voice on the other end was gruff. "Moshimoshi."
"Hello," she answered meekly. "Is this Oshi Sunao, the Olympic swimming coach?"
***********************************************************************
"You did what?!" Minako was aghast.
"I simply called a coach to help me with swimming so I might be able to try out for the
Olympics. He is going to watch me after our study group today."
"I think it's wonderful, Ami." Usagi was getting excited about the idea. She wanted to watch her
friend swim in a competition.
"I don't!" Minako countered. "What if someone recognizes you?"
"They won't, and besides, I don't see how my wanting to swim in the Olympics is different from
your wanting to be a famous singer."
"It is different because you are making it happen and Minako can't," Rei came to her friend's
aid. "Lay off her, Minako."
"Oh, that was mean, Rei," The girl was truly offended. She would become a great singer, it was
just taking a while. "What if you are swimming in a competition and we're attacked?" She
continued.
"Of course my duties as a senshi come before anything else. Don't worry."
Makoto had something to say. "I don't think it puts you in danger, but isn't it kind of like using
your powers as a senshi for personal gain."
"I don't think so. At least I hope not. I was a good swimmer before my powers were awakened.
And Haruka drives racecars professionally even though her guardian planet gives her exceptional
speed. I think it is much the same as that."
"Oh, I see. Well, Good Luck." Makoto smiled at her friend.
Minako could see she was fighting a loosing battle. "Well, why do you want to do this?"
"You should understand that, Minako. I want to leave my mark. I want the world to know who I
am."
"Everyone knows who Sailor Mercury is!" Minako interrupted.
"Not Sailor Mercury, Mizuno Ami! Sailor Mercury is fine; she's wonderful, but Mizuno Ami is
driven and talented. If it wasn't for Sailor Mercury, Mizuno Ami would change the world. She
would be interesting. She would be doing things! There would be no distractions, no emergency
calls in the middle of science competitions or sensitive experiments, no battles detracting from
study time! There would be enough time for swimming, painting, and everything that makes
Mizuno Ami out of the ordinary! There would be no interruptions!"
Shocked, the other girls stared at their friend. They had all experienced these thoughts, but no
one had thought of articulating them, and certainly no one had imagined that Ami ever would.
Ami couldn't miss the looks on her friend's faces. "Don't get me wrong. I love being a senshi.
I can't wait to live in the Silver Millennium, and I want to protect our princess with my life. But
I also want to be Mizuno Ami, and I haven't been doing that very well lately."
Minako walked up and put a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Yeah, I know exactly how you
feel."