Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.
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Part 2-
Aug. 21
#Monday afternoon. It seemed like an ordinary day. Classes has just ended and students are with their friends laughing, talking or just being together. Yet how can it be so peaceful, the light surely shines on those who are blessed. I have been told that there would be a recital and auditions are being held. I will try it to remove some tension in my thoughts. I still did not lose hope on finding my friends. After that... " incident", we lost contact with each other. I will not believe that they have perished. I know that they are alive, somewhere.#
Nathaniel closed the journal he was writing on. He stood up from where he was sitting and walked away.
****
"What's the matter?" Michiru asked Haruka who was deep in thought as they walked through the park. She looked at her and waved her hand in denial.
" Nothing, just thinking."
" About?"
" I'm looking for this guy," she explained. Michiru's expression was of intrigue and of curiosity.
" Why?"
" He lent me his handkerchief. Actually he covered my wound with it."
"Wound?" she told her of her little "accident" and how he bandaged her leg and how he replaced his arm using the lamppost.
" Does this guy have a name?" raising an eyebrow, she was curious of who her friend was talking about.
" His name is Nathaniel."
" Nathaniel? You mean the foreign exchange student?" she nodded. Suddenly, they heard the soft song of a flute. The sound was pleasant and gentle, like it was played by nature itself. They looked for the source, following the sound of music as they went. They came to the outdoor theater and found a man in their school uniform playing the flute, surrounded by birds that seemed entranced by his music. As they came closer they recognized the player, barely. His long hair was tied at the back but his bangs were covering his face from view. He finished the number, Haruka and Michiru applauded, causing the birds to fly away. The man looked his audience, brushed his hair back and smiled.
" Good afternoon," he said. He walked down from the stage and toward them. "We meet again, sir."
" Sir?" Michiru said. She realized that this person does not know that Haruka's a she.
" Hello Nathaniel," Haruka said. Nathaniel bowed. When he rose he gave her a suspicious look.
" You know me sir?" he asked.
" Chibiusa told me your name."
" Oh, let me introduce myself formally. I am Nathaniel Guzman, just call me Nathaniel," he held out a hand and she shook it.
" I'm Haruka Tenoh and this is Michiru Kaiou."
" Pleased to meet you," as he took Michiru's hand, he bowed to kiss it. " You have eyes of emerald, how lovely" she blushed, not knowing what to say.
" How charming," she said, not sure what to make of him.
" How can I be of some service?" he asked in a straight voice.
" Come on, now. You shouldn't be so formal," Haruka said, secretly admiring his pose and attitude.
" I am sorry," he apologized.
" Forget about it," she waved her hand, dismissing the situation. " So, you play the flute rather well," she commented. She noticed something strange about the instrument.
" Not really, you're giving me too much credit," he said with a straight face. He noticed that she was looking at his flute. He glanced at it and faced her. " It's customized."
" Pardon?" she looked at him with a questioned expression.
" You were looking at my flute, I assumed that you were trying to find out what's wrong with it," he explained.
" You assumed correctly," she said. Her reaction is that of confusion. 'How did he know what I was doing?' Aloud she said, " It does look kind of out of place."
" It was customized for a left- hander, usually you hold the flute too the right. I hold my flute to the left," he explained, both girls nodded in response.
" May I see that?" Michiru asked. Nathaniel handed her the flute. She was amazed by the craftsmanship of the flute, it was like it was made by a master craftsman. " Where did you had this made?"
" I made it," he said.
Haruka and Michiru's eyes grew wide. They hadn't expected a high school kid making a flute more beautiful than any they have seen.
" You did?" Haruka was doubtful. Nathaniel nodded his face straight as ever.
" Is there a problem?" he asked. Haruka shook her head then smiled
" No. No problem at all." She smiled.
" That was a nice number you did," Michiru commented, handing him back his flute.
" It's a little rusty," he said. Haruka made a mental note that Nathaniel was humble, very humble. Then she remembered why was she looking for him.
" Oh, I was meaning to return this to you," she handed him his handkerchief. He took it and stuffed it neatly into his pocket.
" You shouldn't have bothered," he said. " How's your wound?"
" It's fine, thank you," she answered
" You really should be careful," he warned her. He went toward his bag which was near a seat in the front row. A raven suddenly landed on his shoulder. He looked at it and it squawked softly in his ear. He nodded seemed to understand. " Thank you," he said. The raven flew away and Nathaniel looked back at the two confused girls. "Where is the shinto temple?"
Haruka gave him the directions. He carried his bag, but still holding his flute. "I'm sorry if I will leave abruptly, but there are things that I must attend to."
" Are you going to the temple?" Michiru asked.
" Yes."
" We could give you a lift," Haruka offered. She was determined on finding out more about this person.
" Thank you, but I think I could get there myself," he said. He bowed, like those after the show had ended, with one hand in front and the other at the back. " Until we meet again," he started to leave.
" Are you always this formal?" Haruka said. Nathaniel looked back, thought for a moment and faced them.
" No." he called back not even tuning and left them standing there in wonderment.
" What do you think of him?" Haruka asked her companion.
" Troubled, somehow."
" Why did you say that?" she was curious of her friend's response. She admits that what she said was true.
" I.. I don't know. I somehow felt it," she said, unsure of herself.
" Is it me," Haruka started, trying hard not to believe her thoughts. " or did he talk and understood that bird?"
" He did." How, she wondered.
*****
Rei was attending her duties in the shrine of her grandfather. When she was done with her work, she fed the birds in the open space.
" Excuse me," came a voice behind her. She jumped up and looked at the man who spoke. All the birds flew away for they were startled, not by the man but by Rei's sudden reaction. He was wearing the uniform of Mugen academy, a raven was perched on his left shoulder. She was surprised because she didn't even hear his footsteps. " Sorry if I startled you, but I was told that I would find help here." The raven squawked softly at his ear, he nodded as if he understood the bird. " I was told that you could help me."
Rei stood up and studied him of a moment, not sure what to make of him. She sensed something she could not understand from him. She felt confusion, confidence, fear, trust and fury. He looked at her and all of the things she sensed were gone. It's like he hid it from her, shadowing it from the light. " May I ask who recommended me?" she was curious to know.
" He did," he jerked his thumb at the raven on his shoulder.
" The raven did?" he nodded. She raised an eyebrow in amazement. Rarely she could meet a person who could understand animals. She smiled at him and said, " How can I help you?"
" I need to find my friends," he said. His voice was full of sorrow.
" May I ask your name?"
" I'm sorry, my name is Nathaniel. Nathaniel Guzman." he bowed formally.
" I'm Rei Hino." they shook hands. She noticed that his grip was strong, but soft and gentle. " Will you come inside?" he nodded and followed her inside the temple. She led him toward the fire and she sat before it. " Why don't you go to a television station and announce that you are looking for them?" she suggested.
" The persons I'm hiding from might find them first," he said.
" Who exactly are you hiding from?" she asked. Before he could answer the door crashed open and a monster came into view. Nathaniel pushed Rei aside just before it sliced her. Its claws caught part of her clothes and was torn. 'I can't transform in front of this guy, but I have no choice.' she thought. She was ready to transform into Sailor Mars when she saw Nathaniel, holding a flute, stood in front of her.
" Stay where you are," he said to her. She obeyed. Nathaniel held the mouthpiece and drew a short sword from it. Rei saw that the blade was white and transparent. The monster attacked, trying to slash him with its claws. He evaded the attack and hacked its arm off. Then he kicked it and it went skidding near the flame. It was ready for the next attack but Nathaniel just stood there.
The flames of the fire went wild, as if some force is making it do that. It caught the monster by surprise. It engulfed the monster in its flames, leaving nothing of it but ashes. Rei looked scared, for she didn't know what was causing it. A few moments later the fire calmed down, returning to its original state.
" Sorry," Nathaniel apologized, like it was his fault the fire went the way it did.
" Did you..?" she couldn't get the words out of her mouth.
" Make the fire do what it did?" she nodded. He sighed, and sat down. Rei sat down beside him, he was hugging his legs, his head down to his knees. " I'm really sorry." Rei caressed his hair, like a mother comforting her child.
" Who are you?" she asked. She knew that there is something mysterious about this man. He looked up at her his face full of confusion.
" That." he started to say. He was now certain that he could trust her. ".. is the other reason that I'm here.
*****
The next day the bell at Juuban junior high rang for the first classes to start. Students are hurrying toward their classrooms. In one of the rooms the door opened and the teacher was looking at the late comer. She did not show any expression of being surprised.
" Miss Tsukino! Take your seat," the teacher commanded. She obeyed. As she sat down she heard the girls talking.
" Have you heard? There is a new foreign exchange student in the next class. And he's very cute. The whole school is talking about him." Usagi strained to hear the conversation but the teacher caught them.
" Girls! If you are talking about the new student keep it down," she said. The girls quieted in their seats. Usagi made a mental note that she would find out who is this man.
***** Class was over. All of the students went out and few had gone home. Usagi found Makoto sitting under a tree with Ami. She went towards them and sat beside them.
" Makoto, have you seen the new student?" Usagi asked her friend in a rather excited manner.
" Seen him? He's in my class and," she paused, giving suspense to the moment. " He sat besides me."
" What?!" Usagi's eyes grew wide in amazement. " Tell me about him."
" There he is. Rei!" she shouted. Usagi was confused. She looked around and saw the cutest boy, save for Mamoru, she ever seen. He was taller than her, his hair was black, long up to his hips and was braided. His eyes were black, like a mirror reflecting the souls of man.
" Hello," he said, acknowledging Makoto for whom he knew. His smile could melt the ice caps.
" Rei, I'd like you to meet my friends. This is Ami," she waved at him, he waved back. " And that drooling all over the place is Usagi." Usagi's was go-go eyed and can't seem to talk.
" Pleased to meet you," he said. He bowed formally with one of his hands on his chest. " I am Rei Michael," he smiled. "It's a pleasure to make you acquaintance."
Ami looked at the student with curiosity. She felt that there was something more than he was telling them.
.
End of 2
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Part 2-
Aug. 21
#Monday afternoon. It seemed like an ordinary day. Classes has just ended and students are with their friends laughing, talking or just being together. Yet how can it be so peaceful, the light surely shines on those who are blessed. I have been told that there would be a recital and auditions are being held. I will try it to remove some tension in my thoughts. I still did not lose hope on finding my friends. After that... " incident", we lost contact with each other. I will not believe that they have perished. I know that they are alive, somewhere.#
Nathaniel closed the journal he was writing on. He stood up from where he was sitting and walked away.
****
"What's the matter?" Michiru asked Haruka who was deep in thought as they walked through the park. She looked at her and waved her hand in denial.
" Nothing, just thinking."
" About?"
" I'm looking for this guy," she explained. Michiru's expression was of intrigue and of curiosity.
" Why?"
" He lent me his handkerchief. Actually he covered my wound with it."
"Wound?" she told her of her little "accident" and how he bandaged her leg and how he replaced his arm using the lamppost.
" Does this guy have a name?" raising an eyebrow, she was curious of who her friend was talking about.
" His name is Nathaniel."
" Nathaniel? You mean the foreign exchange student?" she nodded. Suddenly, they heard the soft song of a flute. The sound was pleasant and gentle, like it was played by nature itself. They looked for the source, following the sound of music as they went. They came to the outdoor theater and found a man in their school uniform playing the flute, surrounded by birds that seemed entranced by his music. As they came closer they recognized the player, barely. His long hair was tied at the back but his bangs were covering his face from view. He finished the number, Haruka and Michiru applauded, causing the birds to fly away. The man looked his audience, brushed his hair back and smiled.
" Good afternoon," he said. He walked down from the stage and toward them. "We meet again, sir."
" Sir?" Michiru said. She realized that this person does not know that Haruka's a she.
" Hello Nathaniel," Haruka said. Nathaniel bowed. When he rose he gave her a suspicious look.
" You know me sir?" he asked.
" Chibiusa told me your name."
" Oh, let me introduce myself formally. I am Nathaniel Guzman, just call me Nathaniel," he held out a hand and she shook it.
" I'm Haruka Tenoh and this is Michiru Kaiou."
" Pleased to meet you," as he took Michiru's hand, he bowed to kiss it. " You have eyes of emerald, how lovely" she blushed, not knowing what to say.
" How charming," she said, not sure what to make of him.
" How can I be of some service?" he asked in a straight voice.
" Come on, now. You shouldn't be so formal," Haruka said, secretly admiring his pose and attitude.
" I am sorry," he apologized.
" Forget about it," she waved her hand, dismissing the situation. " So, you play the flute rather well," she commented. She noticed something strange about the instrument.
" Not really, you're giving me too much credit," he said with a straight face. He noticed that she was looking at his flute. He glanced at it and faced her. " It's customized."
" Pardon?" she looked at him with a questioned expression.
" You were looking at my flute, I assumed that you were trying to find out what's wrong with it," he explained.
" You assumed correctly," she said. Her reaction is that of confusion. 'How did he know what I was doing?' Aloud she said, " It does look kind of out of place."
" It was customized for a left- hander, usually you hold the flute too the right. I hold my flute to the left," he explained, both girls nodded in response.
" May I see that?" Michiru asked. Nathaniel handed her the flute. She was amazed by the craftsmanship of the flute, it was like it was made by a master craftsman. " Where did you had this made?"
" I made it," he said.
Haruka and Michiru's eyes grew wide. They hadn't expected a high school kid making a flute more beautiful than any they have seen.
" You did?" Haruka was doubtful. Nathaniel nodded his face straight as ever.
" Is there a problem?" he asked. Haruka shook her head then smiled
" No. No problem at all." She smiled.
" That was a nice number you did," Michiru commented, handing him back his flute.
" It's a little rusty," he said. Haruka made a mental note that Nathaniel was humble, very humble. Then she remembered why was she looking for him.
" Oh, I was meaning to return this to you," she handed him his handkerchief. He took it and stuffed it neatly into his pocket.
" You shouldn't have bothered," he said. " How's your wound?"
" It's fine, thank you," she answered
" You really should be careful," he warned her. He went toward his bag which was near a seat in the front row. A raven suddenly landed on his shoulder. He looked at it and it squawked softly in his ear. He nodded seemed to understand. " Thank you," he said. The raven flew away and Nathaniel looked back at the two confused girls. "Where is the shinto temple?"
Haruka gave him the directions. He carried his bag, but still holding his flute. "I'm sorry if I will leave abruptly, but there are things that I must attend to."
" Are you going to the temple?" Michiru asked.
" Yes."
" We could give you a lift," Haruka offered. She was determined on finding out more about this person.
" Thank you, but I think I could get there myself," he said. He bowed, like those after the show had ended, with one hand in front and the other at the back. " Until we meet again," he started to leave.
" Are you always this formal?" Haruka said. Nathaniel looked back, thought for a moment and faced them.
" No." he called back not even tuning and left them standing there in wonderment.
" What do you think of him?" Haruka asked her companion.
" Troubled, somehow."
" Why did you say that?" she was curious of her friend's response. She admits that what she said was true.
" I.. I don't know. I somehow felt it," she said, unsure of herself.
" Is it me," Haruka started, trying hard not to believe her thoughts. " or did he talk and understood that bird?"
" He did." How, she wondered.
*****
Rei was attending her duties in the shrine of her grandfather. When she was done with her work, she fed the birds in the open space.
" Excuse me," came a voice behind her. She jumped up and looked at the man who spoke. All the birds flew away for they were startled, not by the man but by Rei's sudden reaction. He was wearing the uniform of Mugen academy, a raven was perched on his left shoulder. She was surprised because she didn't even hear his footsteps. " Sorry if I startled you, but I was told that I would find help here." The raven squawked softly at his ear, he nodded as if he understood the bird. " I was told that you could help me."
Rei stood up and studied him of a moment, not sure what to make of him. She sensed something she could not understand from him. She felt confusion, confidence, fear, trust and fury. He looked at her and all of the things she sensed were gone. It's like he hid it from her, shadowing it from the light. " May I ask who recommended me?" she was curious to know.
" He did," he jerked his thumb at the raven on his shoulder.
" The raven did?" he nodded. She raised an eyebrow in amazement. Rarely she could meet a person who could understand animals. She smiled at him and said, " How can I help you?"
" I need to find my friends," he said. His voice was full of sorrow.
" May I ask your name?"
" I'm sorry, my name is Nathaniel. Nathaniel Guzman." he bowed formally.
" I'm Rei Hino." they shook hands. She noticed that his grip was strong, but soft and gentle. " Will you come inside?" he nodded and followed her inside the temple. She led him toward the fire and she sat before it. " Why don't you go to a television station and announce that you are looking for them?" she suggested.
" The persons I'm hiding from might find them first," he said.
" Who exactly are you hiding from?" she asked. Before he could answer the door crashed open and a monster came into view. Nathaniel pushed Rei aside just before it sliced her. Its claws caught part of her clothes and was torn. 'I can't transform in front of this guy, but I have no choice.' she thought. She was ready to transform into Sailor Mars when she saw Nathaniel, holding a flute, stood in front of her.
" Stay where you are," he said to her. She obeyed. Nathaniel held the mouthpiece and drew a short sword from it. Rei saw that the blade was white and transparent. The monster attacked, trying to slash him with its claws. He evaded the attack and hacked its arm off. Then he kicked it and it went skidding near the flame. It was ready for the next attack but Nathaniel just stood there.
The flames of the fire went wild, as if some force is making it do that. It caught the monster by surprise. It engulfed the monster in its flames, leaving nothing of it but ashes. Rei looked scared, for she didn't know what was causing it. A few moments later the fire calmed down, returning to its original state.
" Sorry," Nathaniel apologized, like it was his fault the fire went the way it did.
" Did you..?" she couldn't get the words out of her mouth.
" Make the fire do what it did?" she nodded. He sighed, and sat down. Rei sat down beside him, he was hugging his legs, his head down to his knees. " I'm really sorry." Rei caressed his hair, like a mother comforting her child.
" Who are you?" she asked. She knew that there is something mysterious about this man. He looked up at her his face full of confusion.
" That." he started to say. He was now certain that he could trust her. ".. is the other reason that I'm here.
*****
The next day the bell at Juuban junior high rang for the first classes to start. Students are hurrying toward their classrooms. In one of the rooms the door opened and the teacher was looking at the late comer. She did not show any expression of being surprised.
" Miss Tsukino! Take your seat," the teacher commanded. She obeyed. As she sat down she heard the girls talking.
" Have you heard? There is a new foreign exchange student in the next class. And he's very cute. The whole school is talking about him." Usagi strained to hear the conversation but the teacher caught them.
" Girls! If you are talking about the new student keep it down," she said. The girls quieted in their seats. Usagi made a mental note that she would find out who is this man.
***** Class was over. All of the students went out and few had gone home. Usagi found Makoto sitting under a tree with Ami. She went towards them and sat beside them.
" Makoto, have you seen the new student?" Usagi asked her friend in a rather excited manner.
" Seen him? He's in my class and," she paused, giving suspense to the moment. " He sat besides me."
" What?!" Usagi's eyes grew wide in amazement. " Tell me about him."
" There he is. Rei!" she shouted. Usagi was confused. She looked around and saw the cutest boy, save for Mamoru, she ever seen. He was taller than her, his hair was black, long up to his hips and was braided. His eyes were black, like a mirror reflecting the souls of man.
" Hello," he said, acknowledging Makoto for whom he knew. His smile could melt the ice caps.
" Rei, I'd like you to meet my friends. This is Ami," she waved at him, he waved back. " And that drooling all over the place is Usagi." Usagi's was go-go eyed and can't seem to talk.
" Pleased to meet you," he said. He bowed formally with one of his hands on his chest. " I am Rei Michael," he smiled. "It's a pleasure to make you acquaintance."
Ami looked at the student with curiosity. She felt that there was something more than he was telling them.
.
End of 2