Usagi grinned as she surprised her teacher once more. She was really starting to enjoy this; getting praise from her teachers and starting to do well in her classes. Usagi didn't know why, but she began to do her homework for all her classes. Something that sincerely shocked Luna. Usagi only grinned wider at the thought of the shocked expression on her feline's face the previous night.

But that wasn't the only thing that shocked Luna; what also shocked her was her ability to write. Usagi had never really done her homework or put any effort into her schoolwork. Which led her to believe that her teachers were just passing her to the next grade level because they didn't want to deal with her. That she had no ability to do anything. . .

She felt a pang. Usagi remembered quite vividly how many times her teachers had kicked her out of their classroom, how many times they had said that she would never amount to anything, how many times they said she was simply worth nothing. . .

The blonde haired girl felt her eyes begin to water as she recalled the memories. But, then she looked at her teacher. Haruna-sensei had never called her worthless or said that she would never amount to anything. Haruna-sensei had always seemed to have a naive kind of belief in her. Perhaps that was why she was providing these assignments for her.

Startled by the idea that her teacher might not be testing but actually believing in her, Usagi's eyes widened. Not many people believed in her. Sure, she had lots of friends, but few actually believed in her.

Seiya did.

A happy smile creased her lips. Seiya believed in her. That was all she needed. He was so different from Mamoru. . .

Mamoru, she had not doubt that he loved her, but he didn't believe in her the same way she wanted him to. He believed that she could do more, but didn't have the full belief that she actually would. That was where he was different from Seiya. Seiya believed that she could do more and that she would do it. He knew that was inside of her, and she was proud of that, proud that he could see it.

But the thought still startled her that her teacher actually believed in her. She wanted to know, she wanted to know if the teacher she had known for so long actually believed in her.

"Haruna-sensei, do you. . ." She paused, suddenly wondering if she should ask. Shaking her head, she decided to. "Do you believe in me?" Her blunt question caught her teacher off guard.

"Do I. .believe. .in you? What do you mean?" Haruna asked uncertainly.

Usagi steeled herself, maybe Haruna didn't believe in her. "I mean exactly what I said, do you believe in me? Trust what I do, have faith in my abilities?"

Haruna looked at the floor before answering her. Usagi also looked way, suddenly fascinated by the windows on the far side of the room.

Haruna looked up but Usagi didn't see as she slowly became immersed in her own thoughts.

"I believe in you," She said softly, her voice barely audible.

Usagi's eyes widened before turning back to her teacher.

"I believe in you," She repeated. "You are different, different from any other student I have ever taught. That surprised me, Usagi. You are far more genuine than the other students. Though you do seem to hold many secrets." Usagi paled. Did she know about her secret identity? Did she know of any of her other secrets?

"But it is a shame you can't be more open with them. I'm sure many would be more keen on befriending you if they saw more than the bubbly exterior."

Now it was Usagi's turn to look down. "How did you know? That I had so many secrets?"

Haruna smiled gently, "It was written in your eyes. All I needed to do was look at you, and I saw everything I needed to know. I may not know your secrets, but I do know you have them. And that I can sometimes see shadows beside an odd light in your eyes."

Usagi froze. She could see the shadows? She suspected the light, but she thought only the other senshi could see the shadows because they had them too. The shadows from the past. . .

"And that's why I believe in you," She continued, "Because of that light in your eyes. It always seems so bright - even when the shadows are visible." Haruna abruptly walked behind her desk, shuffling through the papers.

"But Haruna-sensei. . .how can. .how can you see them?" She asked, bewildered.

"See what, Usagi?" She asked sweetly, her eyes on the papers.

"The shadows. Only a few of my friends can see them and that is only because they have them too. . ." She trailed, realizing what she was saying.

Haruna looked at her, a sad smile on her face. "Please take your seat and learn a new lesson today," She said before speaking once more, but more quietly. "Your lesson is different from others though very necessary. You are to learn that not everyone is what their appearances suggest."

Usagi silently made her way to her seat before gazing at her teacher.

"Yes, that is a worthy lesson, Haruna-sensei. Arigatou for teaching me it." The words barely escaped her lips before the other students started coming into the room.

Several minutes later the bell rang, and thus began a new day of teaching.

But, sometimes, the best lessons don't come out of a text book.