Sailor Moon

Ghosts of the past

A fanfiction by Jonathan Schmidt

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon so don't sue me. There I said it J

This series is based almost entirely on the dub which, despite its shortcomings, I prefer to the original. Judge the story by how well made you think it is not by whether I include those questionable aspects of the original. Try to regard it as a different reality and dimension. It takes place a few months after the end of the Stars season. Any question/comments? Email me at ashmidt@flash.net enjoy.

Text in italics are thoughts.

Text in Triangular Brackets is psychic or telepathic communication

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Episode fourteen: Two Lovely Rhapsodies! The Bonds That Transcend Time

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The figures of a man and a woman stood together under a gazebo in the park. The man touched her face, "so… any regrets about taking our relationship to this level?"

"None whatsoever," she leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips.

*The shrine, the Inner scouts except Mina are there*

"You're dating WHO?!" Serena cried in complete shock.

Lita blushed, "Ken, for about a week now."

"But I always thought you and Ken were just friends," Raye pointed out.

Lita nodded. "Me too but after the fight with Phantom I felt so confident that I asked him out. I'd thought about doing it lots of times but before that I was too afraid of what it might do to our friendship. It's really amazing though how easily we've gone from friends to lovers. I'm really beginning to think he may be the one I'm destined for. Ohh" Overcome with emotion she laid back, her eyes sparkling. "Its different from all my other crushes, I've never really felt this way before. It's so… right. Really, it's just so natural when I'm with him. I don't have to worry about acting a certain way or about him being intimidated by me like other boys. I can just be me and he accepts that completely."

"Well they do say that good friends often make the best mates," Amy said. "I know it was that way for me and Greg."

"Same here," Raye said, "I really think our years of friendship has helped my relationship with Chad."

Serena clutched her face cutely. "Well it's not true for everyone. Darien is my best friend of course but I'll bet back in The Silver Millennium we fell in love at first sight."

Lita had recovered and looked to Amy. "Besides that may have been true on your side Amy but I think Greg liked you from the start."

Serena's eyes glistened, "ah our love was written in the stars…"

The others continued to ignore her as Amy reddened. "Well regardless we're talking about you now," she said shifting the focus back to Lita.

Serena sweatdropped, "what about me?"

Raye: "So have you kissed yet?"

Lita *blushes*: "Yes."

Serena: "Hey doesn't anybody care about Darien and me?!"

The three glared at her. "No!" Serena sulked in the corner as they continued.

"You're going to ask him to the campus dance tonight aren't you?" Raye asked.

Lita smiled, "already have."

Mina watched from the stands as a young man she knew well celebrated with his teammates over another won game. She had to admit he was better then ever. She sighed as she remembered all the games she had played together with him back in England. Volleyball… she missed it but missed him much more. Why do I come here and watch him? We've barely spoken since his Heart Crystal was taken… why do I still think about him so much? She sighed again, why?

"That last shot was incredible!" one boy cried as he slapped Jamie on the back.

"Thanks," Jamie replied sincerely. Then amidst all the voices of congratulation he happened to look up. He blinked in disbelief at who he saw in the stands. "Mina?" Before he could think of what to do or say she had left.

Mina walked slowly down the street, hands in her pockets and face down. I'm through with this. It's over between me and Jamie and its time I accepted it.

A white cat leaped down from a tree over Mina. "Where have you been?" Artemis asked as he approached her.

"Just… watching a Volleyball game that's all."

Artemis raised an eyebrow. "Not just any Volleyball game I bet."

Mina glared at him in slight annoyance, "what's that supposed to mean?"

"You were out watching 'him' again weren't you?"

"And so what if I was?"

"You really do miss Jamie don't you?" Artemis asked knowingly. He shook his head and chuckled, "after all these years, its got to be more then a crush."

"It doesn't matter," Mina replied sadly. "He's moved on, found a girl who suits his taste more. I wish I could just forget about him."

"That's not the Mina I known. Come on where's that Goddess of Love spirit?" Artemis said trying to cheer her up.

Mina's smile was bittersweet; "I'm beginning to think that this goddess is always going to be alone." She started to walk away.

Artemis called after her. "Mina if you think there could really be something to this attraction I think you should try to see what it is. It seems like everybody's been hooking up lately, maybe it's your turn."

Mina hung her head. "I'm just so tired of trying Artemis."

Artemis looked at her in understanding. "How about you try just one more time, give Jamie another chance. At least talk to him about how you feel." Mina looked back at him, her face uncertain.

"Lita this dress looks so incredible on you," Serena complimented. The two had been trying on dresses at her place for over an hour now and had finally decided to go with her rose dress from the previous dance.

"Thanks." Lita had to admit she liked the dress but it and the dance brought back a bad memory. "Last time… I went to this dance it didn't end so well…"

Serena smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. "This time things will be different. I'm certain of it."

Lita clasped Serena's hand in hers. "Thanks Serena. You seem to always know just what to say."

Serena giggled, sweatdropped, and put a hand behind her head, "not always. Anyway I'd better get home and get my dress on so Darien can pick me up."

"Oh Serena I kept you! I'm so sorry…" Lita said now feeling quite depressed.

Serena put a hand on her shoulder again, "hey don't worry I've already got my dress picked out so I could help you here."

Lita looked at her in disbelief. "You planned ahead?"

Serena put her hands on her hips, "of course I did. I've matured a lot you know."

Lita smiled, "yeah Serena, I know."

I can't believe I'm doing this, Mina thought to herself as she walked toward the gym. If there was really something between us wouldn't we have realized it earlier? Still… I have to admit I at least have some unresolved feelings… She laughed, "to think, I'd normally be agonizing over getting a guy to come with me to the dance tonight."

She walked in and searched for awhile, soon spotting him putting some balls up in a storage room. She subconsciously moved to fix her hair then strode in. His back was turned to her as she timidly made herself known. "Hey, Jamie," she said ever so quietly.

Jamie turned around, surprise evident on his face. "Mina? What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk," she said softly then added, "if you have time."

Jamie looked a bit uncomfortable but he nodded, "sure."

Meanwhile outside the Outer Sailor Soldiers were chasing after yet another of Jedite's Youma. This time it was a creature that looked like some type of ice sculpted demon with long scythe-like claws. It ran swiftly, dodging a World Shaking and turning anything it happened to touch to ice. Luckily no people were around.

Uranus leaped down from the gym's roof and gave the creature a swift kick in the jaw sending it stumbling back. The other Outer sailors gathered behind her. Uranus crossed her arms, "I suggest you surrender." Cornered, the creature turned around and pressed its claws against the gym's wall turning it into ice. It then smashed an opening and jumped into the gym.

"So what did you want to talk about?" Jamie asked passing a Volleyball from hand to hand nervously.

"Well, I don't really know how to start," Mina stammered, "its just-" Suddenly they heard the wall collapse as the ice Youma entered the building. Mina went to the door and gasped, "Jamie get back there's a monster!"

"What do you mean?" Jamie asked as he looked through the door too. His eyes widened at the sight of the battle.

Now with more room to maneuver the creature slashed at the sailors as they dodged. It then proceeded to spit out a large beam of icy energy straight at them. They dodged again but it continued to fire the beam till a stray one went and struck the closed door to the storage room, sealing Mina and Jamie in.

Jamie rammed against the door a few times, "I can't budge it."

Mina panicked and began to dash about the room frantically. "Oh no! We're going to run out of air and die here! Oh Jamie why, why must our beautiful young lives end?!"

Jamie sweatdropped, "I don't think that's going to happen Mina."

*Uranus and Neptune battle theme plays*

Saturn leveled her scythe with the creature, shaking off some ice crystals that had clung to her hair when dodging the beam. "All right let's put this to bed."

"Pluto Deadly Scream!"

"Neptune Deep Submerge!"

The two orbs struck the ice demon hard, stunning it. Uranus and Saturn raced toward it.

"Space Sword Blaster!"

"Silence Scythe Strike!"

They struck low and high, slicing through its body on each side. "Nice…" The creature whispered before shattering into a thousand pieces, which proceeded to disappear.

Pluto glanced at the frozen door to the storage room and let out a contemplating "hmmm."

"Something wrong Pluto?" Neptune inquired.

Pluto seemed to think about her answer for a moment. "No, Mina is inside there with a young man but I can sense they need to talk. The ice will melt away within a hour so I suggest we leave them."

Neptune raised an eyebrow suggestively, "really?"

"I never considered you the matchmaker type," Uranus quipped.

"Do you think Mina loves this guy?" Saturn asked innocently.

"That remains to be seen," Pluto replied then added with an air of mystery, "I can feel two pairs of hearts growing closer tonight. The result may be a great joy for all of us but them in particular."

Uranus raised her arms and stretched, "well that was a good workout but I think I'll go check up on Moonface, maybe I can teach her a few more waltzing skills. You two want to come?" she asked, it went without saying that Neptune was going with her.

Saturn shook her head. "No thanks, I think I'm a bit young for that stuff besides my dad is making a special dinner for me and Trista tonight."

"Your father cooks?" Uranus grinned, "he seems to do everything." Saturn gushed at the compliment.

"It would be rude of me not to show up as well," Pluto said simply and walked off with Saturn.

As they stepped out of the gym Neptune looked up at the sky. "I think I feel the same thing Pluto did. The glitter of their stars is shining very brightly tonight."

*Tsukino home, doorbell rings*

"I'll get it!" Serena yelled as she ran to the door wearing her pink party dress. She smiled as she opened the door, "Darien!"

"Hey Serena," Darien greeted with a smile, "you ready?"

"Actually I've still got to find my shoes, I'm such a goof. Anyway I'll only be a minute." She ran off leaving Darien to wait at the door.

Sammy stepped up, "how can you stand her?"

Darien smiled and ruffled the boys hair, "there's a lot more to your sister then meets the eye."

"Yeah," Sammy admitted, "I know. Now don't tell her I said that!"

"Mums the word," Darien replied.

"Hey is somebody there?" a male voice called from another room.

"Uh oh," Sammy said looking over his shoulder, "my dads coming. Good luck." He ran off leaving a nervous Darien as Mr. and Mrs. Tsukino approached.

Kenji looked him over suspiciously. "So it's the mysterious Darien. You know for someone so close to my daughter I sure don't see you much."

Ikuko grabbed his hand and pulled Kenji away. "That's because you act like this everytime he's around. Leave Darien be we both know he's a perfect gentleman."

"I'm telling you it's just an act so he can make his move!" Kenji whispered back in her ear.

"Ikuko sighed, "they've been dating for over two years now. Do you really think he's still 'waiting to make his move?'" Kenji had no response for that and so simply grumbled. Darien smiled nervously and stayed quiet through the whole thing.

"Okay I found them," Serena cried happily as she returned. "Let's get going, bye Mom, bye Dad." With that they were out the door.

"Have a good time sweety," Ikuko called after her. Kenji continued to grumble. "Come now dear," Ikuko soothed, "we have to let her grow up."

Kenji sighed, "I know you're right, but its still so hard."

As they got in the car Darien let out a sigh of relief. "I know he's just being protective but your dad makes me pretty uncomfortable sometimes. It's like nothing I do around him is right."

Serena waved the matter aside. "Don't worry about it besides I'm sure he'll warm up to you once we're married."

Darien smirked, "or maybe he will after we become king and queen of Earth." Serena laughed.

Ken stood outside, waiting nervously. "I sure hope she likes my tux," he whispered under his breath.

Greg approached, Amy on his arm. "Hey Ken," she greeted, "you're waiting for Lita aren't you?"

"Yeah, I would have picked her up at her place but she said she wanted to surprise me."

Amy smiled, "well it looks like your wait's over. Have fun." Ken looked behind him and his jaw dropped.

*Cue Amara and Michelle vocal music as camera pans up on Lita*

Ken found himself blushing profusely at how incredibly beautiful Lita looked. He'd always known she was pretty of course but had never seen her dressed like this. He tried to compliment her but found himself unable to do anything but stare and stutter.

Lita giggled and reddened slightly, "I guess that means you like it?"

"No. Ahhh! I mean yes! I mean…" Ken turned away trying not to look at her to regain his composure. "You look nice."

"The way you're acting you'd think looking directly at me could cause blindness." She smirked, "that's got to be more then 'nice.'" Ken kept stuttering, making Lita giggle again. "Well come on let's go inside."

"Oh, right!" Ken took her arm and led her in.

Meanwhile Mina was fuming. Pluto knew I was here I'm certain of it. Is leaving me here some kind of sick practical joke, why would she do it? Oh I'll get her for this.

"Mina, did you hear me?" Jamie said as though he had been talking to her for some time.

Mina sweatdropped, "oh sorry I was off in my own little world! Go ahead, I'm listening."

"I was just saying I saw you at the game today. Why were you there? I personally didn't expect to ever see you again."

Mina was confused, why would he think that? She shrugged it off. Here goes nothing. "Say Jamie, what would you say to a girl if she told you she may have some unresolved feelings for you?"

Jamie looked surprised by her words, immediately catching on to what she meant. "I would say that I thought I had destroyed any chance of having a relationship with her long ago," he said sadly.

"Well you certainly didn't seem interested much back then," Mina replied, moving the conversation beyond the hypothetical and not caring if it sounded rude.

Jamie looked at her seriously. "A lots changed since then, I guess you could say I grew up. About a year ago I had an accident and tore some ligaments. It laid me up for quite awhile but I'm glad it happened. It really made me think about what was important in life. I realized how stupidly obsessed I've been with Volleyball all these years." He looked at her as though uncertain how to continue he then hung his head in shame. "Mina… I'm so sorry about calling off our relationship just because you weren't playing on the team anymore. I… I don't know what else to say about how stupid it was. I only hope I didn't hurt you. I'm frankly surprised that you would have any feelings left for me."

You'd be surprised, Mina thought to herself. "Its not like we could have even had a real relationship then anyway, and you don't have to feel sorry for me. I've done just fine, why once upon a time I dated two hunky guys at once!" she said, conveniently leaving out the less flattering parts of the story.

Jamie laughed, "well glad to hear it."

Mina began to regret her last statement as she changed the subject. "Well what about you? How have you and that girl been doing?"

Jamie looked away, "oh, we broke up quite awhile ago." He laughed half-heartedly, "about all we had in common was Volleyball."

"Oh," Mina now slightly regretted asking but her mind couldn't help but ponder the fact that Jamie was now likely available. That's silly, she reprimanded herself, of course he's still got a girlfriend. Well… I guess there's no harm in asking… "So… who's your new girlfriend?"

"I don't have one," Jamie admitted freely.

"You have to be kidding me. A fine guy like you?"

Jamie reddened slightly but stayed serious, "I don't want you to feel sorry for me but after I realized what I'd lost I just didn't see the point in dating anymore."

"What you'd lost?" Mina asked. "What do you mean? What made you think I wouldn't give you another chance?"

"Well there's no way a girl like you would ever have time for me after I called things off and shut you out of my life. I'll bet you've got guys lining up just to be seen with you."

Mina looked down and leaned against the wall; "even if I did it wouldn't matter because I doubt I'd care about them. There's only one guy I've cared for this much for this long."

"Mina… you really mean that?" he asked afraid that the answer would be no.

Mina closed her eyes, "yes… I do."

Ken led Lita out onto the dance floor. It was like a dream as they began to dance, slowly and gracefully moving about on the floor. The music began to play a song that Raye had let the dance organizer use. All seemed to become idyllic.

//I've waited all my life… For the day when love appears… Like a fairy tale in days gone by… He will rescue me from my fears…//

Serena danced with Darien, all clumsiness seeming to leave her for now as they gazed into each other's eyes.

//And now I feel him standing close to me…//

Poetry in motion, Greg and Amy glided about the floor.

//And how can I tell him what he means to me…//

Chad was a bit clumsy at first but he soon got the hang of it as Raye taught him some steps she herself had only recently learned.

//My heart stands still-has he come?//

Jamie held out his hand to her. "This may not be the place but would you like to dance?"

Mina blushed, "oh sure!" She clasped her hand in his and he pulled her towards him.

//Oh starry night… is this the moment I dream of? Oh starry night… Tell me, is he my own true love?//

Amara and Michelle watched from the back, just enjoying the music. Michelle sighed and closed her eyes, "its times like this that I'm more certain then ever that life is worth living. To experience love, triumph even pain and heartache, all of it makes us stronger and better. But beyond that its nice when things quiet down and you can just listen to the melody play." Amara didn't reply, but merely smiled and took her hand, both resting in the comfort of the love they could feel around them.

//Every night I think of him… Here in my lonely room… Waiting for my prince to come… Wondering if he'll be here soon…//

Lita was in heaven. Can this be real? Or am I just imagining it all again like with Tiger's Eye? Can I really be in love, how can I know?

//And I sit patiently, waiting for a sign… And I hope his heart longs for mine… He calls my name, is he the one?//

Mina looked up at him dreamily. "Jamie, do you think its possible for people to fall in love quickly? Like in a week, a day?"

"I think its possible, but I don't think that describes us." Mina's face saddened at that remark, Jamie smiled and touched her face, "I know I've been falling in love with you for years."

//Oh starry night… Is this the moment I dream of? Oh starry night… Tell me, is he my own true love?//

Mina's eyes glistened with tears of joy, "I know, somehow I know. I love you Jamie."

Jamie caressed her, "and I love you, Sailor Venus."

Mina smiled, "I thought you knew."

"I bet there's a lot I don't know though. I can't wait to find out." He brought his face close to hers. They kissed deeply as both their bodies were bathed in Venus's aura. They danced till long past the ice melting.

//Oh starry night… is he the one that I dream of? Oh starry night… how will I know, will his love show? Is he my own true love?//

Ken and Lita walked out into the garden to take a breather from dancing. Lita stretched, "this has been an incredible night hasn't it Ken?"

Ken seemed nervous as he spoke, "Lita… I have something I want to admit. I always wanted to go out with you I just thought you weren't interested. If it was what you wanted I was more then happy to just be your friend but… I can't tell you how wonderful it felt when you asked me out."

Lita turned toward him. "All this time I was afraid of you just wanting to be friends. I think I convinced myself that that was all I wanted too."

"Lita I-"

She raised a hand to quiet him. "Ken, before you say anything else I want to tell you something."

"What is it Lita?"

She looked down sadly, as though afraid what she was about to say would end the relationship. "There are things about me you don't know, things you'll have to know before you commit to any type of serious relationship with me. You see I'm-"

Now she was silenced as Ken put a finger to her lips and gazed at her lovingly. "Sailor Jupiter?"

Lita's mouth dropped open in shock. "How did you know?"

Ken smiled. "Lita I've been your best friend for ages, you really think I didn't notice how you were suddenly hanging out with a bunch of new friends while at the same time Sailor Jupiter started appearing with the other scouts? Not to mention how you were conveniently gone whenever they showed up. Lita I'm proud of you, I always knew you were special in ways I couldn't understand. I love all that you are."

Lita's eyes shook with emotion. "Ken…" They began to kiss, growing more passionate every second. The air around them turned electric as her aura flared. The grass beneath their feet grew and flowers sprouted. They broke the kiss quite overwhelmed. "Wow…" they both breathed.

Serena and Michelle relaxed by the refreshments (Amara is surrounded by a mob of people asking her to give them dance lessons). "So no hard feelings?" Michelle asked the image of Mina from her communicator.

"Are you kidding? I should be thanking you!" her face seemed to radiate happiness. "Anyway be seeing you, Jamie's going to walk me home."

Serena closed her eyes as she recounted. "First Amy then Raye then Lita and Mina all in less then a year. Michelle, what do you think is the likelihood of two sailors finding loves on the same night?"

Michelle smiled. "I believe it's all too great for destiny to have not played a role.

Notes:

Well I got Mina and Lita guys, they certainly deserve them.