Title: Split Souls

Author: AriallaZarinth

Chapter Four: The Second Senshi

Email: crystalstarr89@yahoo.com

$$*4/2/03, Tokyo, Juuban Jr. High*$$

"Mizuno Ami has top socres /again/. How does she do it?" Usagi moaned, glaring at her own pathetic grade.

"She actually studies, Usagi-chan, plus I head she goes to an elite cram school." Naru confided.

"Been listening to Umino's gossip?" Usagi teased.

"Did you see Mizuno-san's new scores?" Umino asked, bouncing up to the two girls and adjusting his glasses. "I heard she goes to Crystal Academy every day! I only go two days a week and it's almost too much work for me!"

$$*4/2/03, Tokyo, Juuban Public Park*$$

"I've been informed of odd energy coming from Crystal Academy. I think it deserves some investigation." Luna informed Naru as the two lounged in the park, "Also, I think I've found the second senshi. However, we must procede with care; she is closely tied to that school."

"Who is it, Luna?" Naru asked eagerly.

"I am not entirely sure. She will be revealed in time." Luna hedged before coming up with a more plausible excuse for withholding the girl's identity, "You must remember, she has abnormally high energy levels -- that is why I think she is a senshi -- and is tied to a possible source of dark energy. She could very well be an Enemy not a Senshi."

$$*4/2/03, Tokyo, Crown Game Center*$$

"So, what's this I hear about you asking Usagi-chan out?" Motoki asked, serving Mamoru his coffee with a wink.

"What have you heard?" Mamoru asked warily.

"That you tracked her down the other afternoon and pleaded for a chance to take her to the movies."

"Motoki-kun, when are you going to stop listening to gossip," Mamoru poured his coffee into a styrofoam cup, standing to go, "I'm not going to the movies." He walked out, leaving his counter-polishing friend to puzzle that one out.

"Mamoru-kun? Does that mean you're not taking her out? Does it? Mamoru-kun!"

$$*4/3/03, immediately after school, Tokyo, Juuban Mall*$$

"So, what are we looking for?" Naru asked, eyes sweeping the building.

"Something cute, casual, flirty," Usagi replied, dragging her friend into the mall.

"Usagi-chan, how exactly did you end up scoring a date with an incredibly hunky high school guy who you proclaim hates you?"

"It's complicated." Usagi brightened, "Mama even gave me extra money, since this is my first date an' all."

$$*4/3/03, late afternoon, Tokyo, Crystal Academy*$$

"But I could never sneak in, Luna! Crystal student have special IDs and stuff, plus I'm not even at the right time to go to one of the classes! I'd be way late." Naru protested, hiding around the corner from Crystal Academy's entrance.

"I have something for you, Naru. You can only use this in special situations for senshi business." Luna reached into her subspace pocket, back-flipping to reveal a...pen? "This is the Luna Pen. Call 'Disguise Power' and it will change your appearance accordingly."

"Disguise Power! Change me into a college recruiter!" Naru winked at Luna, opening he rpurse. "Hop in; I'll get you past security." When Luna complied, Naru walked to the front door. "Excuse me? Sir?"

"You're not allowed in without proper ID." He barked mechanically. Naru gulped and tapped the picture ID clipped on her jacket.

"I'm a recruiter for Lunar College. I was told to observe classes at this time. Which way are they?"

"Second floor." He admitted gruffly, letting her pass.

$$*4/3/03, Tokyo, Crown Game Center*$$

Motoki finished the last few drinks waiting to be served, pointing out the new games to his customers.

"Mamoru-kun, handle anything while I'm on break." Motoki winked at his brooding friend and headed to the staff lounge.

$$*4/3/03, Tokyo, Crystal Academy classroom*$$

"Mizuno-san! Why aren't you using our computer program?" The teacher snapped, realizing her prize student wasn't staring at the brainwashing screen.

"I don't need anything like that to help me study. I'd just rather use a textbook like I'm familiar with; I'm sorry." Ami responded calmly.

"No, but you will be sorry!" The teacher growled, one hand clenching around the teen's neck.

"Hey! I'm the recruiter for Lunar College, and your school isn't measuirng up!" Naru yelled from the doorway. "Moon Prism Power!" As Naru transformed, Luna ran to a safer observation point. "I'm Sailor Moon, Champion of Justice! In the name of the Moon, I'll punish you!"

"Class! You have given maximum energy. Awaken and take care of this Moon nuisence." The teacher chuckled, dropping the human illusion. "Final exam time, Sailor Moon! Don't cheat, or you classmates may kill you!" Razor-sharp test papers flew at the young superhero. Sailor Moon managed to dodge most of them, but one caught her fuku, pinning her to the wall. Sailor Moon screamed as the possessed students closed in on her...

$$*4/3/03, Tokyo, Crown Game Center's staff lounge*$$

Motoki whistled to himself, flopping into a chair to watch TV for fifteen minutes, unaware of the battle being fought across town. Suddenly a scream resounded in his head, and the next thing Motoki knew, he was dashing across roofs, hoping his hat didn't fall off.

$$*Back to the fight*$$

An orange rose whizzed past Sailor Moon, impeding her attackers' progress, as another freed her from the wall. She looked up to her savior. Standing in an open window was a tall man wearing a formal white tuxedo. A dark green cape swirled around him; a white top hat was tilted over blonde hair, and a white domino mask hid his eyes. He held another perfectly blossomed orange rose.

"Get away from me!" Ami screamed, forcing her way out of the youma's grip. A symbol shone blue on her forehead.

"Ami! Take this pen, and call out 'Mercury Power.'" Luna advised, throwing a blue henshin stick to the frightened girl.

"Mercury Power!" Ami called, holding the pen between her and the beast like a barrier. "I'm Sailor Mercury! Knowledge is a treasure, and you exploited those who seek it. I'll make you pay for that...Shabon Spray!" The icy fog blanketed the computer lab.

"Now, Sailor Moon!" The mysterious man shouted, knowing she had to finish off the monster.

"Right!" Sailor Moon grabbed her tiara, leaping to throw the discus over the students' heads, "Moon Tiara Action!"

"NO! Garobennn!" The youma shrieked its name as it died, as so many of the creatures tend to do.

"Well done, Sailor Senshi." The man conceded.

"Who are you?" Sailor Moon asked breathlessly, staring up at him with hearts in her eyes.

"I am Tuxedo Kamen." He turned and hopped nimbly away.

$$*Back at the arcade*$$

"Mamoru-kun? Are you listening to me? Mamoru-kun? Are you alright?" The girl from TA Girls' School was back, pestering Mamoru with her flirtation. He clutched his head, wondering if the skull-splitting pain he just had was like what Usagi had described the other day. "Mamoru-kun,"

"Really, Rei-san, I'm fine. Just a headache, that's all." He went back to his thoughts. 'Did Usagi just have another episode like this? I need to talk to her.' He nodded and mindlesly mutterd affirmative noises at whatever Hino Rei was babbling about. Motoki's re-entrance into the arcade caused a stop to his rapid-fire thinking.

"...so here's my number and address. I'll see you Saturday." Rei tucked the paper in Mamoru's hand and left, smirking victoriously at the blond pigtailed girl she passed in the doorway.

$$*4/3/03, Tokyo, outside Crystal Academy*$$

"Ah, Osaka-san," Ami mumbled, eyes on the ground. The poor bookworm was painfully shy; scared to even talk to her fellow warrior.

"Please! Just call me Naru-chan. I can call you Ami-chan, right? I mean, you just don't know how happy I am -- relieved, really -- to have another senshi on the job with me."

"Girls, tomorrow we will meet at the Crown immediately after school. We must discuss Tuxedo Kamen,"

"He was so dreamy," Naru sighed, "The way he just swooped in and saved me; roses, a tuxedo, and a rescuer, what more could a girl want?"

"I'll do a little research too, Luna." Ami supplied helpfully.

"Well I'm glad we have at least one dedicated senshi. We'll also set up a training schedule...though I hear the patch of forest we were using is going to become a butterfly garden very soon."

"Is that all, Luna? 'Cause I think Ami needs some video games...after battle therapy, y'know. Oh, and you can meet Usagi-chan! She's my best friend." Naru smiled at Ami, pulling the girl down the sidewalks to the famed arcade.

(~)(~)(~)(~)(~)(~)(~)(~)

Coming Soon...Chapter Five: Usagi's and Mamoru's First Date (Heaven or Hell?)

/\Yes they finally go on the date.../\

/\Does Mamoru blow his chance? What exactly went on with him & Rei at the arcade? Did he agree to go on a date with her?/\

/\'Serenity' and 'Sailor Moon' meet...maybe. I haven't decided yet. haha! maybe you could review and influence my decision/\