Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and all it's characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi, I am only borrowing them. The same goes for Ranma ½ and it's characters, which belong to Rumiko Takahashi, when they show up later on.

This fic is set in an alternate universe, where things appear to be the same on the surface, but the reality is quite different.

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Chapter 2 - "Something's Different"

'Finally! I have got to remember the trigger for the conditioning. It's so frustrating to know the answers, yet be unable to voice them, or write them down, or even seem to pay attention in class!' Usagi thought as she left school, having had to stay after for detention...again. 'Now I need to go to the shrine and talk to Rei-chan about the fire-reading I need her to do.' Usagi decided to walk to the shrine, rather than take the bus, able to justify it to the conditioning by 'planning' on doing some window shopping. As she walked, she continued to think about her situation. 'It's rather ironic, in a way. I am imprisoned, and no one knows except for me, because I am my own captor. Well, Mamoru knows, as we've discussed how we truly feel for each other, and some about my memories. We were both so afraid of hurting the other that it took us a good four hours to get it out that we feel as brother and sister, not as lovers. We maintain the pretense in public, as we don't know yet how to free me. Once we do though, we can finally stop pretending, finally be true to ourselves...and our friends.'

Usagi looked up from her musings to realize that she had reached the steps leading to the shrine proper. "Well, here goes." She muttered under her breath as she began to climb the many stairs. As she reached the top, she could hear the rhythmic sound of the stones in front of the shrine being swept clean. Sure enough, Rei stood there in her miko's clothing , sweeping the stones.

"Rei-chan!" Usagi called as she climbed the last step. "I need to talk to you."

"What now? You going to try to get me to loan you my manga collection again?" the dark haired miko said in response, pausing in her sweeping. "I have chores to do. I can't take the time to gossip with you, Usagi-chan." She said as she returned to her chore, clearly indicating that the conversation was over.

"Senshi of Mars." Usagi said in a smooth, regal voice, as her symbol slowly began to shine on her forehead. "You will attend to me. This is a serious matter." At the first word, Rei glared up from her sweeping, then froze, the broom clattering to the ground, her retort dying unspoken at the sight of her princess' forehead.

"Yes, Serenity-hime." Rei said quietly, inclining her head out of respect.

"Let us go to the shrine, this is a sensitive matter, and it would not do to be overheard."

"As you command." Rei led the way to the shrine, opening the door for her princess, then sliding it shut behind her.

"I need you to do a fire-reading for me, Rei-chan." Usagi said in her usual voice. "It is very important, and deals with a very delicate matter. It will probably take you some time to find the answer I require."

"And what would that be, Usagi-chan?" Rei inquired.

"You must locate the one who is to be the next Sailor Pluto."

"What!? But Setsuna is Sailor Pluto!"

"Yes, she is, but she has been at her post for far to long. I have remembered some more from the Silver Millennium. One of the things I have remembered was that no Sailor Pluto was allowed to remain at her post for more than a thousand years. It is a hard, lonely, thankless job. Many cannot bear it for more than a century. Setsuna, even though she has done remarkably well considering the amount of time she has witnessed, has begun to fail in her primary duty."

"What do you mean? I thought her duty was to ensure that Crystal Tokyo was the future."

"No. The primary duty of Sailor Pluto is to guard the time-stream against all interference, to make sure that the future is determined by the people of the past and present, and that no one sets the future for them. By trying to ensure Crystal Tokyo, she has broken part of her oath. I do not blame her for it. With her future sight, she could easily see many of the futures of the world. And, over time, gave into temptation to nudge things away from the dark futures, and towards what she thought was the best future. I can understand that, but that does not mean that I will allow it. Thus, it is time for Setsuna to retire, and the post of Sailor Pluto to be passed on. Which is where you come in, Rei-chan."

"I understand Usagi-chan. I'll do my best."

"Thank you, Rei-chan. I knew I could count on you." Usagi rose to her feet, and headed for the door. "I have to go home now, Mama's probably wondering where I am. Contact me once you have an answer. Until then." With that, Usagi left the shrine, and headed for home.

"Until then...." Rei said softly, her mind awhirl with thought 'She's different somehow...more mature. It's not just that she's growing up, it's something more. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I know I am willing to believe that this Usagi could be the Queen of the world. I wonder if the others have noticed anything. I'll have to contact them and find out. Odd how when there's no threat, we drift apart some, I haven't talked to any of the Senshi aside from Usagi outside of our weekly meetings in weeks, yet we used to be so close. Usagi truly is the heart, and the soul of the Senshi. Without her, we are lost.' With those thoughts on her mind, Rei returned to her chores, determined to finish them early so she could get started on the fire-reading her princess wanted.

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End Chapter 2

Ok, so no Ranma in this chapter. It took longer than I thought to do the scene with Rei. Next chapter, I promise. Reviews are always welcome, flames with be laughed at, printed out, and used as kindling.

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