Moving Changes

Author's Notes: Konnichiwa Minna-san! A big thank you to all who reviewed- Marni, DiamondAngel, Selenity L.W. Rogue, Lena Sauran, MoonWriter, Stef, Minako, Stace, ShinigamiU and Ms. Anonymous. Arigato! To continue…Diamond Angel asked, "How does he know about the planets thingy?" It will all be revealed in time… In the meanwhile, think where someone said "the answer lies in the stars" or something similar… Forgive some of the minor moving details… I've never moved in my life…Anyway, on with the show, Minna!

Usagi sat in her new home, in her not- quite empty, not-quite full room with Makoto, in a new country, new language, and with a new fear. She had always been liked in Tokyo, would she still be here? She would be different…

"Relax, Usagi-chan," Makoto said, sensing her unease. Makoto was leaning back in Usagi's chair, rocking back and forth on its hind legs, a chocolate stick in her mouth. Usagi sat apprehensively on the edge of her window seat, trying to figure out what to wear on her first day of school the next day.

"Easy for you to say, Mako-chan! You still have a uniform to wear! It even fits you well, like the old one! But I have to deal with first impressions now! What if they don't like me because I'm Japanese? What if I do something that goes against the grain of their culture?" Makoto raised an eyebrow at that. All the Americans she had met were rather easy going, save the customs people, "What if they think my hair looks stupid? What if their hair is all short, and mine is the ONLY long hair in the school?!" Makoto sighed, smiling a bit. I should have known that all of Usagi's problems came down to her hair-do.

"Now Usagi-chan, you know as well as I do that NO one has the same hairstyle as you except Chibi-Usa. I don't think any American is going to have super-long hair like yours, much less odango. And you're blonde! How much more western can you get? Not to mention, if you cut your hair to, say, your chin, you know as well as I do that as soon as you use your crystal again, it'll grow out and rewrap itself in odango! Now how would you explain it to the folks at school that one day, your hair is chin length, the next, ankle length with odango? I don't think they'll buy a story about hair-extensions." Makoto winked.

"Mako-chan…"

"Usagi! Have some faith in yourself!" she paused a moment, considering the outfits displayed on the floor. Looking up, she grinned, "And don't bother looking at those old outfits any longer, Usagi-chan! We're going shopping!" Makoto sprung up, grabbed a shocked Usagi by the wrist, grabbed her wallet with exchanged money, and ran down the stairs and out the door. I may not be as good at shopping as Minako, but darn it, I'm going to find Usagi a killer outfit, and she's going to like it!

About 2 hours, 67 dollars, and 3 new outfits later (Makoto was a quick bargain hunter), Usagi and Makoto sat exhausted at a bench in the indoor mall. They re-learned their key English phrases and translation for prices quick enough to do a good mall sweep, end to end, every store, and find only the best bargains. Usagi could have sworn that Makoto went back about five times to return something so she could buy something better at a different store. She was completely satisfied with the result. Usagi now had three all American outfits ("Which will go well as separates mixed with your other clothes as well!" Makoto added), a manga in English to help her pick up the language faster, ("If you don't like studying, but you like manga, why not combine the two for something that's informative as well as fun,") and a new sense of confidence. Makoto had given her all sorts of information on meeting new people and becoming friends- having moved schools a lot in her life, she was an expert.

Usagi sighed happily. "Mako-chan, thank you for helping me out. Shopping really helped a lot, especially when we got the ice cream!" she giggled, "Still, I find it hard to believe that I'll fit in…"

Makoto grinned ruefully, "And who said you NEEDED to fit in, Usagi? Remember, you're above the rest," she winked, "You're a princess." The girls giggled, before Usagi's eyes wandered to see a boy with long blonde hair in a ponytail, bangs framing his bright green eyes, and a petite nose, walking by.

"Hey, Mako-chan!" she whispered, "Check him out! Does he look like your old sempei?" she giggled. Makoto smiled wider,

"No, I don't think so, Usagi, but he could be a new sempei just the same! Come on, let's try out our English skills!" Usagi shook her head in embarrassment.

"No! Makoto!" Makoto boldly walked up to the boy, grinning as if she had a secret, Usagi trailing behind her.

"Hel-lo," Makoto grinned.

"Hey," the boy replied. A bolt of familiarity struck him, "Have we ... met before?" It wasn't a pick-up line, it was an actual question. Makoto cast a significant glance at Usagi. Whenever someone they didn't know met them before, they figured it was most likely from another life.

"No, I don't think so, we just moved here from Japan," Makoto continued, "This is... Serena, and I'm Makoto."

"My name is Simon, but my friends call me Si," he introduced himself, allowing a large and sincere, smile to appear on his face. "Pleased to meet you."

"Pleased to meet you too," Makoto continued. A man with short wavy brown hair walked up to Simon. "And who is this?" Makoto inquired lightly, athough Usagi could clearly see that Makoto liked the newcomer- Makoto was getting more subtle with her flirting, unlike in 8th grade when they first met each other and would openly swoon over any cute boy.

"I'm Nev, don't ask what it's short for, it's embarrassing," the newcomer smiled. Turning to the blonde, he asked, "And who are these lovely ladies?"

"This is Makoto," she smiled and nodded, "and this is Serena," she nodded also. "They just moved here from Japan." Nev seemed to pause for a moment in thoughtfulness.

"Interesting. They have rather interesting- different- culture there, don't they?" Usagi and Makoto felt a little sheepish at the immediate bringing up of culture. "Do they do much astrology there? I'm into that sort of thing. I'm interested in local lore, too. Bunny of the Moon, for example. Tsuki no Usagi." Usagi and Makoto looked up expectantly, startled, which caused Nev to laugh a little, a small, but true, grin on his face. "Well, ladies, would you mind if we all sat down someplace to talk? Maybe over some ice cream?" Usagi, who had been a little nervous at meeting new people, especially meeting them in a new language, brightened up immediately at the mention of Ice cream. It was one of the few vocabulary words that she remembered.

"Sugoi! Er-great! I love ice cream!" Usagi exclaimed, a cheerful smile on her face as she grinned up at the boys.

"Great!"

Simon, Nev, Usagi, and Makoto made good conversation at the ice cream parlor- haltingly at first, because of the language barrier, but Nev knew a little Japanese, and Makoto (thankfully) knew more English than Usagi, so they were able to get along rather well. They discovered that they all lived in the same general area, and Si and Usagi were going to go to the same school. Usagi was glad to meet someone who went to the school before it started, and said so in as many words as possible as Si started to try to explain the ropes to her. He also said it was his pleasure, and made some comment about "hot" sophomore girls that wasn't completely understood. Makoto bristled at the implication that he might find Usagi attractive (knowing her marital status), Usagi, figuring out it had something to do with her being "kawaii," according to Makoto, blushed madly, and Nev chuckled looking at the expressions on their faces.

"I'm sorry, don't get upset, I didn't mean to embarrass you," Si commented, grinning a little. Nev was still laughing boldly, but Usagi was a little less red, and Makoto bristled a little less and settled down. In Japanese she asked Usagi if she was going to tell them about IT, but Usagi replied that she didn't want the whole school to know she was (nearly) a married woman on the first day, so Makoto let it slide. Curious as to what the girls' Japanese conversation consisted of, the boys started asking more about their Japanese lives. Usagi perked up a little since the conversation had material that she had actually retained when she hadn't slept through class.

An hour passed, and, still talking, the cheerful group had left the parlor and was wandering. Nev and Makoto were arguing in a semi-japanese/ english mix about something Si and Usagi couldn't quite understand, when Usagi suddenly stiffened and clutched her brooch in her pocket. Makoto picked up on her distress almost immediately, and quickly asked, "Where's the ladies' room?" She and Usagi left the boys standing bewildered while they rushed off in a mad sprint. They began talking in Japanese again.

"Usagi, what's the matter? What's happening?"

"I don't know, Mako-chan. It feels like something's about to happen..."

"What is it? Is it a youma? Is something wrong with Mamoru?"

"I can't tell... oh I wish Minako was here! V-chan always knows what to do!" she paused right inside the bathroom door, "Well, Makoto, let's just try and reach with our senses to check things out. I'll try the crystal." Her face was set and determined as she took out her brooch and had it transform to the crystal. Stepping into a stall, Makoto took out her henshin pen, held it to her forehead, and concentrated. Usagi's mouth turned into a petite frown. "All I can see is Mamo-chan with a blonde haired man, then those two out there, and four shadows. I don't understand. Are they youma?" Makoto shook her head.

"I didn't see anything, but I did get the feeling that something was missing- not the usual Let's-Go-Kick-Butt youma feel." Both girls sighed. "Back to the boys..." they smiled. I hope nothing bad will happen, Makoto thought.

The boys had just been mentally congratulating themselves on such a great catch of girls- without Ned or Kent, too- when the smaller one stiffened abruptly and got a frown on her face. The brown haired one, Makoto, briefly got a protective look on her face before asking where the restroom was and rushing off full speed. Nev and Si were completely baffled. The girls zipped around the corner, Serena's long ponytails whipping madly behind her, and Si said slowly, as if just processing what he saw,

"O.K..."

Nev cursed under his breath. "Dammmn, did they just sprint away from us? K, that NEVER happened when Jed and Kent were here!" He shook his head, "and they were really hot, too—'specially the blonde."

Si smirked, "Yeah, the blonde was hot, but she had absolutely NO interest in you whatsoever—so get over yourself. And if they come back, go for the brunette. She seemed at least mildly interested."

"And leave the blonde to you?" Nev raised his eyebrow, and Simon shook his head, hands in pockets.

"No, didn't you notice she didn't have any interest in either of us? Just followed the other around."

"Too bad. Hey, look, they came back! Guess we aren't so bad without Jed and Kent here after all." The two girls reappeared walking around the corner, looking a little agitated, but lightening up a little when they saw the boys. The four talked a little longer, but stopped when Makoto looked at her watch and exclaimed,

"Ah! Look at the time! Sorry guys, I have to get U-Serena home before her parents flip!" She bowed apologetically, "Maybe we'll see each other again?" Nev smiled and put a piece of paper in her hand with his and Simon's phone numbers on it.

"Count on it. Ja ne, Makoto, Serena!" The girls rushed home, arms full of shopping bags.

Standing in the middle of the mall, watching them leave, Nev turned to Si and questioned,

"So, was I the only one who felt déjà vu?"

Mamoru stared at Kent blankly. Very blankly. "Ooohhhhh, Kami." This is bad, this is VERY bad, where did he hear that WHERE DID HE HEAR THAT!? What am I supposed to do? I'm supposed to know what to do! Why am I being PUT in this situation ANYWAYS!? Hey, wait a sec... Who is this guy that he knows so much in the FIRST PLACE??! ARGH, this is frustrating. Selene grant me patience. Mamoru just stared at him some more. Blink. "O.K... O.K. First off, who are you?" Breathe, Mamoru, "Secondly, what have you done with Kent?"

The long blonde-haired, silver-eyed man in front of him blinked a few times and then leaned forward and said, "Your Majesty? Are you feeling alright? Don't you recognize me?" Pause. "Who is this man 'Kent' you speak of? I don't recall him..."

Mamoru let out an "Ugh" of frustration, leaning back in his chair. Why is it that I always have to deal with all these spirits and aliens and Bad-guys who know me but I can't remember? Why can't the other senshi have something haunt them for a change? He sighed. No use complaining about it now...

"Your highness, what seems to be the matter? That horse kicked you off rather hard... It's funny, the animals always liked you until that Beryl woman started making moves on you. She's rather ugly, too, I can see why you didn't respond! Besides having that relationship not be 'beneficial to the Kingdom.'" Not-Kent grinned teasingly. My Kami... Beryl?! BERYL?! Making moves on me?... and I got kicked off my horse? Oh, Kami, this is confusing. Mamoru placed his head in his hands, trying to prevent the headache that was rapidly growing in his head. Not-Kent kept on talking uneasily, looking at Mamoru concernedly. "Do you think she put a curse on the horses?" he chuckled a bit, then stared. "But what IS the matter with you, anyways? I have never seen you look this put-upon except when you turned down the marriage proposal from Beryl! And even then you lightened up when I started to attempt light conversation, for you know how horrible I am at that! My highness, what is the matter with you? Ever since I mentioned Beryl," Mamoru winced, "you seem to be in great pain. Do you know what ails you?" Mamoru lifted his head up, and decided to play the part with half-truths, not revealing anything until this Not-Kent man said more.

"Besides a killer headache," a small smirk at that comment, "I fear I may have lost my memory briefly. I do not recognize you. However, I am...reasonably sure I will recall you, and certain memories, if you would kindly just tell me your name and mine?" Mamoru inquired. The man looked shocked.

"Prince Endymion!" he exclaimed. "Are you sure you'll be alright? It's me, Endy, Kunzite!" Mamoru blanched.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no... Not Kunzite, the most powerful of the Dark Kingdom Generals! Oh, and I've been rooming with him all this time...Why is he acting so friendly, anyways? Endy...Think, Endymion, he called you Endy- it sounded familiar, the way he said it. What are the possibilities here? Is it really HIM? Is it possible he is good now? Is his spirit pure? Why do I not remember him from the Kingdom, excepting the part that he played in its destruction? Think... Think, Mamoru, if this is some form of reincarnation, why didn't you figure it out before? Bright Light... Forget a girl, that's his attack! His attack is based on light, like Venus's. The things he knew he took from his limited memory of the Kingdom, or at least that's the only explanation I can think of for them. Not to mention, now that I know who he is, the resemblance between Kent and Kunzite is rather apparent. The others he mentioned... Of course his friends would be in a 'quartet'! There was Jed, maybe he's Jedite... Fire, that makes sens—then there was Nev-, Neph-, Nephrite! Perfect, and he was the one who said "The answer lies in the stars" when he was doing a youma attack...Si-, Si-, Zoi- SI te! Zoisite! Flower to be heard... Zoisite's weapons were flowers, and Kami, did they hurt! It all makes sense now... Now, Mamoru, Endymion, all you have to do is stay calm and let him do the talking. Oh, damn. Why do I always get this job? He inhaled…

"So, Kunzite..." Mamoru couldn't help but let a little bit of spite into his voice- Kunzite was responsible for his death, twice, by the Dark Kingdom. Trying to sound a little bit more peaceful, he continued, "Why is it that I know your name but barely anything about you? Do you know where we are? Do you remember the last thing that happened before you came here? Could you tell me a few things about myself?" Kunzite looked thoroughly concerned.

"Well...I don't know why you don't remember me, as I am the head of the Generals and your guard. I- wait a minute-" he paused and looked around, "I don't know where we are. The last thing that happened was that the five of us were sitting around the table in your study room, and then you mentioned something about you getting engaged to the Princess. I swear, Endymion, you're headed for trouble. Does that bring back any memories?"

Mamoru paused thoughtfully for a second. "Any memories of you or myself? No. However, I do recall your speech about the... Princess..." his words drifted off. "Isn't there anything more you can tell me?"