Author Notes: A bit of angst in this chapter as Usagi takes a trip down memory lane and
meets someone she hasn't heard from in several months, not to mentioning remembering
her friendship with Naru (what the hell happened to her after Super-S anyway? Does she
go to a different High School or what?).
By the way, I know that the ring Mamoru gives Usagi is only a promise ring in the
anime, but it is an engagement ring in the manga, so I'm using that.
Moon Squared Chapter 3
Usagi slowly walked the familiar route from Hikawa shrine to her home. Luna padded
along beside her. "Are you sure this is going to work?" She asked the cat for the tenth
time.
"Yes I'm sure Usagi." Luna replied evenly "No one will notice the differences between
you and the Usagi from our time, and even if they did they'd just write it off as the usual
growth that comes with the teenage years." She sighed loudly "I certainly doubt anyone
would suspect you are an Usagi from the future."
"Maybe that's true for you and my friends," Usagi argued "But a mother see's things
differently. I don't know if I can fool her."
Luna considered voicing the opinion that Ikkuko wouldn't notice if Usagi grew an extra
head provided she kept out of trouble at school, but decided it wasn't worth it. Besides,
there were more people on the street they were about to come onto, so it would be best if
she avoided talking.
Usagi was just coming round the corner of the street (AN: Yes, it's THAT corner. If you
don't know what I mean then you're not much of a Sailor Moon fan ^_^) when she
bumped into someone.
"Hey! Watch where you're going Odango Atama!" That someone chided her.
Usagi didn't want to look. She told herself that it would be too painful, she should just
run away. But instead she slowly raised her gaze, tears threatening to escape her eyes as
she looked on the love of her life. The man she would one day marry and have a child
with. The man who had gone to America nearly three months ago, without a word since.
"Mamo-chan..." She breathed.
Mamoru was rather taken aback by this reaction. Usually she'd hurl a few insults at him
before running off. This was new. The second thing he noticed was that 'Odango Atama'
looked rather different. If he was asked to describe her in a flattering light, he would have
said 'cute'. But today he would have to say she was beautiful. He couldn't quite place it,
but something about her was just... different.
Luna looked up at the pair in surprise 'It can't be!' she told herself, trying to deny what
she saw.
Then Mamoru noticed something else. Something that threw his thoughts completely off
balance. "What's this?" He asked, taking her left hand to examine the sparkle he had just
noticed.
Usagi supressed a groan. 'Of all the people to notice! Neither Luna nor the girls had
noticed my engagement ring, then Mamo-chan has to go and spot it!'
"I didn't know you had a boyfriend Usagi." Mamoru said, not noticing that he was
referring to her by her name rather than his usual nickname for her.
Usagi looked away blushing. "He went to America to study. He gave me this before
leaving."
Luna figured out what they were talking about. This coupled with the reaction Usagi had
just shown to 'Mamoru-baka' as she usually referred to him caused the cat's jaw to
plummet towards the ground.
Mamoru was a little suspicious, but he really couldn't see how Usagi could get such a
ring on her own. "Who is he?" He asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"You don't know him." Usagi said as she considered her response. The truth was
obviously not an option. She thought of all the people who had shown an interest in her,
and even considered saying Ten'ou Haruka, before she decided what to say. "He's called
Kou Seiya." She tried not to groan as she said it 'Gomen nasai Mamo-chan!' she thought.
"Hmm..." Mamoru hummed thougtfully. "But aren't you a little young for this kind of
commitment?"
Usagi looked him in straight in the eye, a ghost of a smile playing across her delicate
features as she answered "My fiance and I are very much in love. And I know we will
marry someday."
They continued gazing into each other's eyes for a moment. Mamoru still hadn't let go of
her hand. The scene was absolutely perfect as far as Usagi was concerned. Mamoru was
more confused. He wasn't used to the feelings she was now stirring in his heart. 'She
look's so much like the Moon Princess...' he thought, recalling the ethereal beauty who
visited him in his dreams begging for him to get the Nijizuishou so they could be
together.
Alas the perfect moment couldn't last. Mamoru snapped out of his reverie and
remembered that she was not his Princess, she was 'Odango Atama', the clumsy girl he
liked to tease. And she was now attached it seemed... and must have been for some time
he reasoned. Adopting his usual smirk he reserved especially for her, he let go her hand
and stepped away "I have to go, you've held me up long enough with your antics."
He had hoped that last jibe would get her to stick her tongue out or say something more
in keeping with his usual perceptions, but instead she smiled sadly and said "I know...
you had to go..." Her mind was drifting back to the last time she had seen her Mamo-
chan, as he got on the plane to America.
Frowning to himself as he walked off, Mamoru made a mental note to ask Motoki if he
had noticed anything strange about Usagi lately. His friend was on far better terms with
the girl than he was and would be more likely to know what was going on with her.
Usagi watched him go. 'That wasn't as bad as I worried...' she thought. Though it had
been painful, she allowed some of the tears she had held back to fall down her cheeks.
"Goodbye Mamo-chan." She sniffed.
***
Two years later, the fourteen year old Usagi was having a far better time than her older
counterpart. "Oh Ataru..." she giggled as she read Rei's manga "What won't you do for a
pretty girl..."
It was at that moment that Rei came into her bedroom to check how Usagi was doing.
The first thing she saw was the neatly arranged stacks of comics. Breathing a sigh of
relief, she then noticed the large pile of manga strewn on the other side of her bed.
Obviously Usagi was sorting between 'read' and 'unread' in her own special way.
Rei resisted the urge to throttle the temporally dispossesed girl. "Usagi." she began
through gritted teeth "I thought we discussed that you were just to check which manga
you had read most recently so we could find the date you came from."
Usagi seemed nonplussed. "Oh... I read this one last month I remember." She fished a
comic seemingly at random from the pile and handed it to Rei.
Rei studied the wideban "That one was published in 1984." She sighed "I got it at the
convention last year. If I'd known you had it I wouldn't have spent an absolute fo-" She
suddenly checked herself. "I mean I picked it up for a couple of yen at a yard sale..heh
heh..." She lied.
"Oh." Usagi took her friends statement at face value "I haven't read any of the others... It
is kinda cool reading manga from the future. I can't believe Vegeta and Bulma get
together... that just doesn't make sense! Still, I'm glad they do. Trunks-kun is pretty
kawaii."
Rei meanwhile was studying the Urusei Yatsura wideban Usagi had just given her. It
was covered in greasy finger smudge marks. Usagi must have been eating chips.
Then Hotaru made the mistake of entering. "Here you are Usagi-san." She handed a bag
of chips to Usagi before turning to Rei. "Rei-san, I don't mean to be rude, but your
grandfather is... um..." she struggled for a polite way of putting things "Rather odd." She
settled on "He told me I should eat more to get fat in the 'right places'."
Rei was well aware of her grandfather's ecchi tendancies. Normally she would go and
yell at him immediately to stop being such a big perv. But right now there were more
pressing matters. "Hotaru-chan." Rei said sweetly "Can I talk with you for a moment in
the hallway?"
"Hai Rei-san." Hotaru smiled brightly as she left the room followed by Rei.
After sliding the door closed, Rei knelt down so she was eye level with the younger girl.
"Now Hotaru-chan." She began with a big smile on her face, but her voice was strained.
"I know you're trying to be nice to Usagi, but..." She put clamped her hands on Hotaru's
shoulders "You are not to give her any food near my manga."
"Rei-san, you're hurting me!" Hotaru squeaked as Rei's hands clamped tighter on her
small frame.
Rei continued staring at Hotaru with that same false grin "No food for Usagi." She
repeated, ignoring the younger girls complaint.
Hotaru considered her postion. Granted, she was the senshi of destruction and was far
more powerful than Sailor Mars, but on the other hand, Rei was a lot bigger than her and
had a vice-like grip. Looking into the crazed eyes of an otaku was scarier than anything
Mistress 9 had done to her. So Hotaru made the only logical choice "I understand Rei-
san!" She got out.
"That's a good girl!" Rei said happily as she drew Hotaru into a gentle hug.
Meanwhile in Rei's living room the remaining inner senshi were discussing the new
Usagi.
"I just don't get it." Minako complained "Usagi and I are best friends, but I just can't
seem to connect with this Usagi..."
"I know what you mean." Makoto agreed "Even though this Usagi knows me, she must
have only just met me. She only seems to really trust Ami and Rei."
"That's not true." Ami interrupted "Hotaru and her have been getting along really well
since she arrived."
Convieniently Hotaru chose that moment to enter the living room, fresh from her
encounter with Rei. No one noticed the terrified expression on her face.
"Hotaru-chan!" Minako exclaimed brightly "You've been getting on really well with this
new Usagi haven't you?"
Hotaru became more frightened. She wasn't sure if this was the prelude to another
encounter like the one she just fled "Yes..." She began cautiously, but then seeing the
sincerity in Minako's face, decided to elaborate. "I like our Usagi-san a lot, but she's
more like a big sister to me. This Usagi is closer to my age so I can relate to her more."
Hotaru smiled a bit "She's a lot like Chibi Usa-chan actually."
Minako considered this "I think that's the problem for us. She's too young for us to relate
to her..."
Hotaru brightened "I know how to make her like you Minako-san!" She hurried from the
room.
"What's she doing?" Makoto asked, just as a rumbling sound began.
Usagi suddenly burst into the room and bowed deeply before Minako. "Is it true you're
Sailor V?" She asked, stars in her eyes.
Minako grinned at Hotaru who was standing sheepishly by the door.
***
Sailor Pluto was becoming increasingly frustrated. "What the hell's wrong with this
thing?!" She demanded, giving the Time Gate a good kick.
For some reason the Time Gate was no longer working properly. All she could see
through it was events happening in realtime from either 1995 or 1997 where the two
temporally dispossesed Usagi's had went. Looking to the future was impossible, and it
was driving Pluto up the wall.
"It could be that event's are moving too far away from the preconcieved future that the
Time Gate has to concentrate on realtime events to avoid a paradox shift." The other
Sailor Pluto reasoned.
"It can do that?" The first Pluto asked incredulously.
The second Pluto just shrugged "I don't know, but it's the best explanation I can come up
with."
"Well, how long until it starts working properly again?"
Sailor Pluto sighed. 'How the hell does she expect me to know any more than she does?'
she thought, but all she said was "I expect it will return to normal once the two Usagi's
are returned to their proper time."
The newly arrived Pluto made up her mind "Right then. I'm just going to pick them up
and return them to their proper times. This has gone far enough."
"Not so fast." Pluto halted her "This is the first time something unexpected has happened,
and we have the best seats in the house! I want to see this through."
The other Pluto was on the verge of tearing her hair out "What's wrong with you?" She
demanded "How can you be so carefree about this?"
"If you must know, I am going to face the Deathbusters after this shift of guarding the
Time Gate."
Pluto absorbed the implications of that simple statement. "I'm sorry." was all she could
say.
"Don't be." Pluto waved her away "It'll happen to you eventually. Besides, if I recall
correctly, you're going to die in a few months anyway."
"Well, yes... but I get brought back... this is different."
"Perhaps. But it will be peaceful. Whereas having your star seed extracted was a most
excrutiating experience."
Pluto winced. She wasn't looking forward to her death. Sympathy for her elder
counterpart's plight made her relent "Okay." she agreed "But the first sign of a paradox
shift and I'm stepping in. If necessary, I'll prevent the entire event from happening."
***
Luna continued to stare up at Usagi until the sixteen year old noticed her cat's gaze.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Well," Luna began "aren't you going to explain what all that was about. I'll wager there
is no 'Kou Seiya'."
"Actually there is." Usagi told her "But he's dreaming if he thinks he has a chance. My
heart belongs to Mamo-chan." As she spoke, Usagi pocketed her ring. She didn't need
any more questions from anyone else who might notice.
Luna snorted "Whatever happened to Tuxedo Kamen. Besides, I thought Rei was dating
Mamoru."
"They broke up long ago." Usagi said as she resumed her walk home.
Luna hurried to follow "Okay, but what about Tuxedo Ka-" she suddenly paused,
realisation seeping in "Oh no... you have to be kidding me!"
Usagi smiled at the confusion she was causing in her guardian cat, but decided it was
best if she stopped any further questioning. "Say, speaking of secret identities." she began
innocently "Do you know who that central control you're always talking to really is?"
Luna was thrown from her stride "I always assumed it was some sort of left over sentient
computer from the Silver Millenium."
Usagi grinned "Nope. It's your old buddy Artemis."
"Artemis?!" Luna repeated in shock "Why that low down sneaky conniving..." she
hissed, going into ever more vulgar and descriptive terms to describe her fellow guardian
cat as they walked home. Usagi didn't have to worry about a single question the whole
way there. Though she did develop a new appreciation for Luna's vocabulary.
Finally arriving at her home, Usagi hesitated. It was true that she needed a place to stay
while she was stuck here, and staying at her own home would stop her parents wondering
where their daughter was... provided they didn't notice the differences between this Usagi
and the one who left the house in the morning.
She needn't have worried. "Hello dear." Ikkuko greeted her as she entered "Did you have
fun with Naru-chan?"
"Er.. yes..." Usagi said, getting a bad feeling in her gut that she had forgotten something
very important.
"That's nice." Her mother said as she puttered around the kitchen "Mrs Osaka said Naru-
chan hasn't been herself lately. I'm glad you're being supportive of your friend."
Usagi felt the colour drain from her face as she realised just what she had forgotten. 'This
is just after Nephrite died!' she remembered 'I was with Naru and Umino in the cemetary
when the Youma attacked... but this time I forgot and I ditched them!' "I just
remembered I forgot something, back in a bit!" She called out to her mother as she bolted
out the door and ran to the Osa-P jewellery store.
Arriving at the shop in record time, she went in and bowed to Naru's mother at the
counter "Konnichiwa Osaka-san, is Naru in?"
Mrs Osaka smiled "She's in her room Usagi-chan. Why don't you go up and see her."
"Arigatou!" Usagi said as she was already halfway up the stairs to the Osaka house
above the shop.
Usagi paused outside Naru's room. 'She has every right to be angry at me...' Usagi
thought sadly 'but I have to apologise.' she steeled her resolve. Besides, she was looking
forward to seeing her childhood best friend again. They had drifted apart ever since
Usagi had become Sailor Moon, and now she went to Butsumutsu High School while
Usagi went to Juuban High. It had been months since they had even seen each other.
She knocked on the door. "Come in." Naru's voice came through.
Sliding the door open, Usagi nervously walked in.
"Usagi! What are you doing here?" Naru exclaimed.
Bowing deeply, Usagi said "Sumimasen Naru-chan. I'm sorry I didn't find you again at
the cemetary after the..." Usagi wasn't sure how to continue, obviously Naru knew all
about youma thanks to her relationship with Nephrite, not to mention being attacked all
the time, but Usagi was still hesitant.
Naru moved to embrace her friend "It's all right Usagi-chan." she looked in Usagi's eyes
"I know there are some things you can't tell me, so I won't ask. But I know you will
always protect me when I need you."
Usagi felt a sudden sense of deja vu...
***
Usagi looked at the giant black crystal looming over the Tokyo skyline. 'I have to do
something...' she thought furiously, but the situation seemed so hopeless...
"Usagi!" A familiar voice called out.
Usagi turned to see Naru approaching. "Usagi-chan," she began "I'm worried about you.
Do you know anything about what's happening?" She indicated the massive crystal.
Startled by this question, Usagi hesitated. But then she adopted a cheerful tone "Of
course not Naru-chan. What could I know?"
Naru stepped closer and took Usagi's hand "I think you do know something, but you
can't tell me. So I won't ask again." She said "But if you ever need any help, you can
come to me."
Usagi thanked Naru and ran off. As Naru prayed for Usagi's safety, Usagi swore to
protect both the Earth and her friend.
***
'She knows!' Usagi realised 'Naru-chan knows I am Sailor Moon!' Hugging her friend
tightly, Usagi whispered "Thankyou Naru-chan. You're the best friend I could ever ask
for."
"And you're my best friend!" Naru agreed.
Usagi smiled brightly. 'When I get back home I am definitely looking up Naru again!'
she promised herself. "Now, how about we go get some chocolate parfait!" She
suggested.
Naru blushed. "Thankyou, but I already had some with Umino. He can be very sweet..."
'Whoops!' Usagi thought 'Looks like those two are getting together earlier now thanks to
me...' "He has a good heart." she agreed.
***
Author Notes: Gomen Nasai to everyone who was hoping for some action in this chapter,
I did plan to have some, but the chapter was also going to be longer to fit it in, alas this is
all I have time to write between studying for my exams (which I'm pretty much
guaranteed to fail anyways...). Expect the next chapter in a week.
Besides, it's not like I write action well, you saw the first chapter!
And by the way, if you're looking for something to read while you wait, how about
reading (and REVIEWING) my story 'Sailor Centauri'. It was my first fanfic, and I
thought it was pretty good, but no one has reviewed it *sob*
meets someone she hasn't heard from in several months, not to mentioning remembering
her friendship with Naru (what the hell happened to her after Super-S anyway? Does she
go to a different High School or what?).
By the way, I know that the ring Mamoru gives Usagi is only a promise ring in the
anime, but it is an engagement ring in the manga, so I'm using that.
Moon Squared Chapter 3
Usagi slowly walked the familiar route from Hikawa shrine to her home. Luna padded
along beside her. "Are you sure this is going to work?" She asked the cat for the tenth
time.
"Yes I'm sure Usagi." Luna replied evenly "No one will notice the differences between
you and the Usagi from our time, and even if they did they'd just write it off as the usual
growth that comes with the teenage years." She sighed loudly "I certainly doubt anyone
would suspect you are an Usagi from the future."
"Maybe that's true for you and my friends," Usagi argued "But a mother see's things
differently. I don't know if I can fool her."
Luna considered voicing the opinion that Ikkuko wouldn't notice if Usagi grew an extra
head provided she kept out of trouble at school, but decided it wasn't worth it. Besides,
there were more people on the street they were about to come onto, so it would be best if
she avoided talking.
Usagi was just coming round the corner of the street (AN: Yes, it's THAT corner. If you
don't know what I mean then you're not much of a Sailor Moon fan ^_^) when she
bumped into someone.
"Hey! Watch where you're going Odango Atama!" That someone chided her.
Usagi didn't want to look. She told herself that it would be too painful, she should just
run away. But instead she slowly raised her gaze, tears threatening to escape her eyes as
she looked on the love of her life. The man she would one day marry and have a child
with. The man who had gone to America nearly three months ago, without a word since.
"Mamo-chan..." She breathed.
Mamoru was rather taken aback by this reaction. Usually she'd hurl a few insults at him
before running off. This was new. The second thing he noticed was that 'Odango Atama'
looked rather different. If he was asked to describe her in a flattering light, he would have
said 'cute'. But today he would have to say she was beautiful. He couldn't quite place it,
but something about her was just... different.
Luna looked up at the pair in surprise 'It can't be!' she told herself, trying to deny what
she saw.
Then Mamoru noticed something else. Something that threw his thoughts completely off
balance. "What's this?" He asked, taking her left hand to examine the sparkle he had just
noticed.
Usagi supressed a groan. 'Of all the people to notice! Neither Luna nor the girls had
noticed my engagement ring, then Mamo-chan has to go and spot it!'
"I didn't know you had a boyfriend Usagi." Mamoru said, not noticing that he was
referring to her by her name rather than his usual nickname for her.
Usagi looked away blushing. "He went to America to study. He gave me this before
leaving."
Luna figured out what they were talking about. This coupled with the reaction Usagi had
just shown to 'Mamoru-baka' as she usually referred to him caused the cat's jaw to
plummet towards the ground.
Mamoru was a little suspicious, but he really couldn't see how Usagi could get such a
ring on her own. "Who is he?" He asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"You don't know him." Usagi said as she considered her response. The truth was
obviously not an option. She thought of all the people who had shown an interest in her,
and even considered saying Ten'ou Haruka, before she decided what to say. "He's called
Kou Seiya." She tried not to groan as she said it 'Gomen nasai Mamo-chan!' she thought.
"Hmm..." Mamoru hummed thougtfully. "But aren't you a little young for this kind of
commitment?"
Usagi looked him in straight in the eye, a ghost of a smile playing across her delicate
features as she answered "My fiance and I are very much in love. And I know we will
marry someday."
They continued gazing into each other's eyes for a moment. Mamoru still hadn't let go of
her hand. The scene was absolutely perfect as far as Usagi was concerned. Mamoru was
more confused. He wasn't used to the feelings she was now stirring in his heart. 'She
look's so much like the Moon Princess...' he thought, recalling the ethereal beauty who
visited him in his dreams begging for him to get the Nijizuishou so they could be
together.
Alas the perfect moment couldn't last. Mamoru snapped out of his reverie and
remembered that she was not his Princess, she was 'Odango Atama', the clumsy girl he
liked to tease. And she was now attached it seemed... and must have been for some time
he reasoned. Adopting his usual smirk he reserved especially for her, he let go her hand
and stepped away "I have to go, you've held me up long enough with your antics."
He had hoped that last jibe would get her to stick her tongue out or say something more
in keeping with his usual perceptions, but instead she smiled sadly and said "I know...
you had to go..." Her mind was drifting back to the last time she had seen her Mamo-
chan, as he got on the plane to America.
Frowning to himself as he walked off, Mamoru made a mental note to ask Motoki if he
had noticed anything strange about Usagi lately. His friend was on far better terms with
the girl than he was and would be more likely to know what was going on with her.
Usagi watched him go. 'That wasn't as bad as I worried...' she thought. Though it had
been painful, she allowed some of the tears she had held back to fall down her cheeks.
"Goodbye Mamo-chan." She sniffed.
***
Two years later, the fourteen year old Usagi was having a far better time than her older
counterpart. "Oh Ataru..." she giggled as she read Rei's manga "What won't you do for a
pretty girl..."
It was at that moment that Rei came into her bedroom to check how Usagi was doing.
The first thing she saw was the neatly arranged stacks of comics. Breathing a sigh of
relief, she then noticed the large pile of manga strewn on the other side of her bed.
Obviously Usagi was sorting between 'read' and 'unread' in her own special way.
Rei resisted the urge to throttle the temporally dispossesed girl. "Usagi." she began
through gritted teeth "I thought we discussed that you were just to check which manga
you had read most recently so we could find the date you came from."
Usagi seemed nonplussed. "Oh... I read this one last month I remember." She fished a
comic seemingly at random from the pile and handed it to Rei.
Rei studied the wideban "That one was published in 1984." She sighed "I got it at the
convention last year. If I'd known you had it I wouldn't have spent an absolute fo-" She
suddenly checked herself. "I mean I picked it up for a couple of yen at a yard sale..heh
heh..." She lied.
"Oh." Usagi took her friends statement at face value "I haven't read any of the others... It
is kinda cool reading manga from the future. I can't believe Vegeta and Bulma get
together... that just doesn't make sense! Still, I'm glad they do. Trunks-kun is pretty
kawaii."
Rei meanwhile was studying the Urusei Yatsura wideban Usagi had just given her. It
was covered in greasy finger smudge marks. Usagi must have been eating chips.
Then Hotaru made the mistake of entering. "Here you are Usagi-san." She handed a bag
of chips to Usagi before turning to Rei. "Rei-san, I don't mean to be rude, but your
grandfather is... um..." she struggled for a polite way of putting things "Rather odd." She
settled on "He told me I should eat more to get fat in the 'right places'."
Rei was well aware of her grandfather's ecchi tendancies. Normally she would go and
yell at him immediately to stop being such a big perv. But right now there were more
pressing matters. "Hotaru-chan." Rei said sweetly "Can I talk with you for a moment in
the hallway?"
"Hai Rei-san." Hotaru smiled brightly as she left the room followed by Rei.
After sliding the door closed, Rei knelt down so she was eye level with the younger girl.
"Now Hotaru-chan." She began with a big smile on her face, but her voice was strained.
"I know you're trying to be nice to Usagi, but..." She put clamped her hands on Hotaru's
shoulders "You are not to give her any food near my manga."
"Rei-san, you're hurting me!" Hotaru squeaked as Rei's hands clamped tighter on her
small frame.
Rei continued staring at Hotaru with that same false grin "No food for Usagi." She
repeated, ignoring the younger girls complaint.
Hotaru considered her postion. Granted, she was the senshi of destruction and was far
more powerful than Sailor Mars, but on the other hand, Rei was a lot bigger than her and
had a vice-like grip. Looking into the crazed eyes of an otaku was scarier than anything
Mistress 9 had done to her. So Hotaru made the only logical choice "I understand Rei-
san!" She got out.
"That's a good girl!" Rei said happily as she drew Hotaru into a gentle hug.
Meanwhile in Rei's living room the remaining inner senshi were discussing the new
Usagi.
"I just don't get it." Minako complained "Usagi and I are best friends, but I just can't
seem to connect with this Usagi..."
"I know what you mean." Makoto agreed "Even though this Usagi knows me, she must
have only just met me. She only seems to really trust Ami and Rei."
"That's not true." Ami interrupted "Hotaru and her have been getting along really well
since she arrived."
Convieniently Hotaru chose that moment to enter the living room, fresh from her
encounter with Rei. No one noticed the terrified expression on her face.
"Hotaru-chan!" Minako exclaimed brightly "You've been getting on really well with this
new Usagi haven't you?"
Hotaru became more frightened. She wasn't sure if this was the prelude to another
encounter like the one she just fled "Yes..." She began cautiously, but then seeing the
sincerity in Minako's face, decided to elaborate. "I like our Usagi-san a lot, but she's
more like a big sister to me. This Usagi is closer to my age so I can relate to her more."
Hotaru smiled a bit "She's a lot like Chibi Usa-chan actually."
Minako considered this "I think that's the problem for us. She's too young for us to relate
to her..."
Hotaru brightened "I know how to make her like you Minako-san!" She hurried from the
room.
"What's she doing?" Makoto asked, just as a rumbling sound began.
Usagi suddenly burst into the room and bowed deeply before Minako. "Is it true you're
Sailor V?" She asked, stars in her eyes.
Minako grinned at Hotaru who was standing sheepishly by the door.
***
Sailor Pluto was becoming increasingly frustrated. "What the hell's wrong with this
thing?!" She demanded, giving the Time Gate a good kick.
For some reason the Time Gate was no longer working properly. All she could see
through it was events happening in realtime from either 1995 or 1997 where the two
temporally dispossesed Usagi's had went. Looking to the future was impossible, and it
was driving Pluto up the wall.
"It could be that event's are moving too far away from the preconcieved future that the
Time Gate has to concentrate on realtime events to avoid a paradox shift." The other
Sailor Pluto reasoned.
"It can do that?" The first Pluto asked incredulously.
The second Pluto just shrugged "I don't know, but it's the best explanation I can come up
with."
"Well, how long until it starts working properly again?"
Sailor Pluto sighed. 'How the hell does she expect me to know any more than she does?'
she thought, but all she said was "I expect it will return to normal once the two Usagi's
are returned to their proper time."
The newly arrived Pluto made up her mind "Right then. I'm just going to pick them up
and return them to their proper times. This has gone far enough."
"Not so fast." Pluto halted her "This is the first time something unexpected has happened,
and we have the best seats in the house! I want to see this through."
The other Pluto was on the verge of tearing her hair out "What's wrong with you?" She
demanded "How can you be so carefree about this?"
"If you must know, I am going to face the Deathbusters after this shift of guarding the
Time Gate."
Pluto absorbed the implications of that simple statement. "I'm sorry." was all she could
say.
"Don't be." Pluto waved her away "It'll happen to you eventually. Besides, if I recall
correctly, you're going to die in a few months anyway."
"Well, yes... but I get brought back... this is different."
"Perhaps. But it will be peaceful. Whereas having your star seed extracted was a most
excrutiating experience."
Pluto winced. She wasn't looking forward to her death. Sympathy for her elder
counterpart's plight made her relent "Okay." she agreed "But the first sign of a paradox
shift and I'm stepping in. If necessary, I'll prevent the entire event from happening."
***
Luna continued to stare up at Usagi until the sixteen year old noticed her cat's gaze.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Well," Luna began "aren't you going to explain what all that was about. I'll wager there
is no 'Kou Seiya'."
"Actually there is." Usagi told her "But he's dreaming if he thinks he has a chance. My
heart belongs to Mamo-chan." As she spoke, Usagi pocketed her ring. She didn't need
any more questions from anyone else who might notice.
Luna snorted "Whatever happened to Tuxedo Kamen. Besides, I thought Rei was dating
Mamoru."
"They broke up long ago." Usagi said as she resumed her walk home.
Luna hurried to follow "Okay, but what about Tuxedo Ka-" she suddenly paused,
realisation seeping in "Oh no... you have to be kidding me!"
Usagi smiled at the confusion she was causing in her guardian cat, but decided it was
best if she stopped any further questioning. "Say, speaking of secret identities." she began
innocently "Do you know who that central control you're always talking to really is?"
Luna was thrown from her stride "I always assumed it was some sort of left over sentient
computer from the Silver Millenium."
Usagi grinned "Nope. It's your old buddy Artemis."
"Artemis?!" Luna repeated in shock "Why that low down sneaky conniving..." she
hissed, going into ever more vulgar and descriptive terms to describe her fellow guardian
cat as they walked home. Usagi didn't have to worry about a single question the whole
way there. Though she did develop a new appreciation for Luna's vocabulary.
Finally arriving at her home, Usagi hesitated. It was true that she needed a place to stay
while she was stuck here, and staying at her own home would stop her parents wondering
where their daughter was... provided they didn't notice the differences between this Usagi
and the one who left the house in the morning.
She needn't have worried. "Hello dear." Ikkuko greeted her as she entered "Did you have
fun with Naru-chan?"
"Er.. yes..." Usagi said, getting a bad feeling in her gut that she had forgotten something
very important.
"That's nice." Her mother said as she puttered around the kitchen "Mrs Osaka said Naru-
chan hasn't been herself lately. I'm glad you're being supportive of your friend."
Usagi felt the colour drain from her face as she realised just what she had forgotten. 'This
is just after Nephrite died!' she remembered 'I was with Naru and Umino in the cemetary
when the Youma attacked... but this time I forgot and I ditched them!' "I just
remembered I forgot something, back in a bit!" She called out to her mother as she bolted
out the door and ran to the Osa-P jewellery store.
Arriving at the shop in record time, she went in and bowed to Naru's mother at the
counter "Konnichiwa Osaka-san, is Naru in?"
Mrs Osaka smiled "She's in her room Usagi-chan. Why don't you go up and see her."
"Arigatou!" Usagi said as she was already halfway up the stairs to the Osaka house
above the shop.
Usagi paused outside Naru's room. 'She has every right to be angry at me...' Usagi
thought sadly 'but I have to apologise.' she steeled her resolve. Besides, she was looking
forward to seeing her childhood best friend again. They had drifted apart ever since
Usagi had become Sailor Moon, and now she went to Butsumutsu High School while
Usagi went to Juuban High. It had been months since they had even seen each other.
She knocked on the door. "Come in." Naru's voice came through.
Sliding the door open, Usagi nervously walked in.
"Usagi! What are you doing here?" Naru exclaimed.
Bowing deeply, Usagi said "Sumimasen Naru-chan. I'm sorry I didn't find you again at
the cemetary after the..." Usagi wasn't sure how to continue, obviously Naru knew all
about youma thanks to her relationship with Nephrite, not to mention being attacked all
the time, but Usagi was still hesitant.
Naru moved to embrace her friend "It's all right Usagi-chan." she looked in Usagi's eyes
"I know there are some things you can't tell me, so I won't ask. But I know you will
always protect me when I need you."
Usagi felt a sudden sense of deja vu...
***
Usagi looked at the giant black crystal looming over the Tokyo skyline. 'I have to do
something...' she thought furiously, but the situation seemed so hopeless...
"Usagi!" A familiar voice called out.
Usagi turned to see Naru approaching. "Usagi-chan," she began "I'm worried about you.
Do you know anything about what's happening?" She indicated the massive crystal.
Startled by this question, Usagi hesitated. But then she adopted a cheerful tone "Of
course not Naru-chan. What could I know?"
Naru stepped closer and took Usagi's hand "I think you do know something, but you
can't tell me. So I won't ask again." She said "But if you ever need any help, you can
come to me."
Usagi thanked Naru and ran off. As Naru prayed for Usagi's safety, Usagi swore to
protect both the Earth and her friend.
***
'She knows!' Usagi realised 'Naru-chan knows I am Sailor Moon!' Hugging her friend
tightly, Usagi whispered "Thankyou Naru-chan. You're the best friend I could ever ask
for."
"And you're my best friend!" Naru agreed.
Usagi smiled brightly. 'When I get back home I am definitely looking up Naru again!'
she promised herself. "Now, how about we go get some chocolate parfait!" She
suggested.
Naru blushed. "Thankyou, but I already had some with Umino. He can be very sweet..."
'Whoops!' Usagi thought 'Looks like those two are getting together earlier now thanks to
me...' "He has a good heart." she agreed.
***
Author Notes: Gomen Nasai to everyone who was hoping for some action in this chapter,
I did plan to have some, but the chapter was also going to be longer to fit it in, alas this is
all I have time to write between studying for my exams (which I'm pretty much
guaranteed to fail anyways...). Expect the next chapter in a week.
Besides, it's not like I write action well, you saw the first chapter!
And by the way, if you're looking for something to read while you wait, how about
reading (and REVIEWING) my story 'Sailor Centauri'. It was my first fanfic, and I
thought it was pretty good, but no one has reviewed it *sob*