Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or Smallville, and I'm not affiliated with either of the two.
Chapter 3 - Secrets
Usagi bounded out of school the next day with Chloe in tow.
Clark raised an eyebrow. Chloe's attitude toward Bunny certainly had changed since yesterday.
"Hey, Clark! Chloe was just showing me this Wall of Weird thing you guys are always talking about. It's pretty cool. Now let's go! I want to see this Talon place Chloe's been raving about."
Clark laughed. "Chloe just likes her coffee."
Chloe stuck out her tongue. "Very funny Clark. I'll meet you there in my car."
Once at the Talon Usagi picked a table closest to the counter. Lana spotted them and walked over.
"Hey Clark, Chloe. Who's the new girl?" she said.
"Lana, this is Bunny."
"Hi, nice to meet you." Usagi said, waving.
"You too." Lana said.
Usagi's eyes analyzed Lana curiously. Was this the girl who caused Chloe so much trouble? She looked over to Chloe who was staring at her coffee, and remaining silent.
"So did you find someone to work Lynn's shift after?" Clark asked.
"Yeah actually I did. He's a life saver." Lana told Clark.
"Oh, well that's great. Who is it? Anyone we know?"
"Actually it's a foreign guy."
With this, Usagi almost coughed up her cappuccino. "What's his name, Lana?"
"Why, going to ask him on a date?" Lana laughed. "His name is Darien."
"Darien?" Usagi thought. "But that's an American name." she said aloud.
"Well if you want to know so bad, why don't you ask him yourself? He should be finishing his shift now." Lana said.
"I think I will." Usagi stated, and walked up to the counter, waiting for the guy to return.
Lana crossed her arms and looked at Clark.
"So, Clark, where did the new girl come from?" Lana asked carefully.
"She's an exchange student from Japan."
"How come you didn't mention her before?" Lana said.
"I...well..."
"Well?"
"It was a fluke. Her host family never showed and we just happened to be the first people she found."
Lana began to frown but quickly smiled instead. Clark saw through her attempt.
"Don't be upset, Lana. She's just a friend."
"I want to believe you, Clark." she said, letting her words hang in the air.
Chloe glared at Lana. "I'm here too you know, and I'm a little sick of hearing about this - whatever it is - going on between the two of you. In case you haven't noticed, Bunny has no interest in Clark romantically." she said.
"Right. That's why she's at the counter trying to hit on the guy covering for Lynn." Lana stated.
"She has a boyfriend." Chloe shot.
"How would you..." Lana began, but was cut off.
"She's right." Usagi said from behind Lana. "Is there a problem?"
Lana paled in shock, then became embarrassed "I...have to go Clark. I'll talk to you later." she said and headed outside.
Chloe looked at Clark. "You owe me one," she said.
"How did you know she had a boyfriend?" Clark asked.
"She told me." Chloe added.
Usagi sighed, stirring her cappuccino sadly. "I've been thinking, you know, and I haven't really told either of you much about me. The man you saw on the ID we found is Chiba Mamoru. He's my boyfriend. The portal we were looking for is how I came here, Chloe. I'm not really an exchange student."
"You're...not?"
"No. Mamo-chan must've come here to find me and bring me home. But now I missed him and he's probably out there looking for me. Oh, I'll never find him now!" she said, frustrated.
Chloe put her hand on Usagi's arm. "We'll find him. Trust me."
"Chloe can find anyone." Clark said proudly. "She has a gift with computers."
"What I want to know, Bunny, is how in the heck did this Chiba guy managed to come through again? The portal's closed, as we found out last night."
"We have a friend who specializes in transport through time." Usagi said. "You wouldn't have heard of her. As far as I can gather, she doesn't exist here. She protects the gates of time and space from intrusion. This gateway was new to her. But she may have been able to control it to a degree, keeping it open for a short period of time."
Clark looked at her with awe. "How is that even possible?" he asked.
"It's just how it is where I'm from." Usagi said quietly.
"Bunny?" Chloe said, putting her hand on Usagi's, "I promise I'll get you home."
"That goes for me too." Clark said.
Usagi laughed meekly. "I wish I could take you two back with me."
Chloe and Clark smiled.
"Ready to go back to the farm?" Clark asked.
"Sure am. Let's go."
"See you guys later." Chloe said.
--
Chloe headed back in the direction of the Torch. She could definitely catch up on some work before dinner. Halfway there she noticed a man that fit the picture on the ID perfectly. She pulled into a nearby parking space and ran after him. But he seemed to realize someone was following him and headed into an alley. Chloe snuck in after him and glanced around.
"Now where did he...ahh! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" she said, turning to find herself face to face with Mamoru.
"Hey, you were following me."
"Yeah, yeah. Just give me a minute." she said. "You frightened the crap out of me."
Maintaining her composure Chloe looked him straight in the eye. "My name is Chloe Sullivan and I think you might be looking for this." she said, handing over the ID.
"Where did you get that?" he asked.
"I found it on the gravel road just outside Smallville," she said. "So how did you get here, Chiba? And why are you here? Looking for someone?"
Mamoru was in shock. "First of all, you can call me Mamoru. And how do you know all that?" he asked.
"Because I know where to find your girlfriend."
"Usagi?" he asked.
Chloe nodded.
"How do you know her?"
"We told her we'd help her get home again." Chloe said. "If you want to find her, she's living with Clark Kent, just outside of town. You have to pass the Smallville sign to get there. She appeared out of nowhere a few days ago and made a cover story about how she's an exchange student."
Mamoru looked surprised. Apparently Usagi was more self-sufficient than he'd thought.
"This guy," he asked carefully, "does he know that she's not from here?"
"He knows about as much as I do. Look, either way, she's been torn up over you since she's been here so please, go to the Kent farm tonight and surprise her. Then we can all start looking for a way for you both to go home again."
"Thanks a lot miss..."
"Chloe, as I said before."
"Right."
"I just have one question. Did you find out what's causing this portal to appear?" she asked.
"Not really. Sailor Pluto said she'd never seen this portal before."
"Who's Sailor Pluto?"
"She's the Sailor Senshi who controls time."
"A sailor what?" Chloe said.
"You've never heard of a Sailor Senshi?" Mamoru asked her.
"No. Should I have?"
"They are pretty well known where I come from."
Chloe shrugged. "Can't say I've ever heard of them. What is a 'senshi' anyway?"
"A soldier, or a warrior."
Chloe's face scrunched up as she imagined a slew of girls with army uniforms saluting Japan's national flag. She smirked.
"So there's an army of girls doing...what exactly?"
"Ha ha. No, not really an army. There are about nine of them, and they protect Tokyo. Each has a different power that they draw upon from their home planet."
Chloe tilted her head. "Interesting. You know it's strange. I feel comfortable talking to you. It's like I already know you. Have we met before?"
"I...uh"
"Right, stupid question, being from another universe and all. I just had this feeling..." Chloe trailed off. She looked up into his eyes in something of a trance, but snapped out of it when his confusion became evident.
"Yeah, well, um, I gotta split," she said hurriedly. "But if you need anything, here's my cell number. Now go find Bunny. She'll be elated."
"Thanks for all your help, Chloe."
Chloe nodded and headed back to her car, deep in contemplation. She just couldn't shake that weird feeling...and where had it come from anyway? She got in her car and sat there, zoning out for a minute before starting it and driving away.
A few hours after dinner Clark and Jonathon were out doing chores, and Martha was doing some cleaning. Usagi was bored and decided to head out to the loft.
"Maybe a look at the stars would be relaxing." she thought.
Sitting down at the telescope she looked outside. It was an incredibly clear night, and the moon was really bright. She subconsciously let the telescope drop down so that its sight settled on the storm cellar.
"It's night," she thought coyly, "perfect to have a look inside."
"No." her conscience said. "The Kents took me in. They've been like family to me. I can't betray them like that."
"It's just a peek." Another voice seemed to say.
"What do I care if their storm cellar is locked?"
"It's not going to hurt to take a look is it? Just a little one and they'll never know."
"If they wanted me to know they would have told me!"
"You don't ever have to tell them that you know!"
Usagi sighed as her curiosity obviously won out over her conscience, and she tiptoed out into the fields, making sure not to be seen. Glancing around to make sure no one was around, she tried to lift up the block of wood. It wouldn't budge. She headed back to the barn to grab a hammer and then managed to smash the lock. The wooden door opened easily and Usagi walked down the steps. She looked around.
"Nothing out of the ordinary." She thought. "But then again, what am I looking for?"
There was a tarp covering a large object in the back. She walked over to it and hauled the tarp off. She couldn't believe it. There, before her, stood a grey metallic object, strongly resembling a spaceship.
Her eyes widened and her face froze in slight fear. "No way. Clark's an alien?"
"Well I can see why he didn't want to tell me anything." She thought.
In her amazement, Usagi neglected to notice as Jonathon walked into the storm cellar.
"What are you doing in here?" Jonathon asked, angrily.
"I...uh...I..." Usagi mumbled.
Jonathon quickly noticed the uncovered spaceship in the back. "Get out!" he yelled. "Now!"
"Something tells me I'm in a lot of trouble." Usagi muttered.
She raced out of the storm cellar in a whirlwind and directly into the one person she was hoping to avoid.
"Hey, everything ok?" Clark asked.
Then Jonathon appeared again, his face was contorted into that of disbelief and disgust. "Bunny just went into the storm cellar, Clark."
Usagi watched as Clark's face went white. "Did she...?" he asked.
"She saw it Clark. She knows." Jonathon was pissed. He looked at Usagi. "Are you working for Lionel? Did you come to separate my family?"
"I don't even know a 'Lionel'!" she said. Usagi grasped the front of Clark's shirt and looked at him with desperation in her eyes. Clark knew that his dad was beyond pissed off.
"Dad, no. I'll talk to her." Clark said suddenly.
Jonathon glared at him and started to move, but Clark motioned for him to stay back. "Dad, no. Look! She knows about me and yet she's more afraid of you than she is of me! Let me talk to her first." He said.
"When you're done, she comes inside and we deal with this as a family. Is that understood, Clark?"
Clark nodded and Jonathon reluctantly headed inside the house. Clark brought Usagi to the loft and they both sat on the tattered couch. Usagi was still clenching his shirt in her hands.
"Hey. It's alright. My dad gets mad but he'd never hurt anyone." Clark said. He put his hands over hers and slowly moved them from his shirt. "It's okay. Are you okay now?"
Usagi nodded and sat quietly.
"So why did you do it?" he asked.
"I...I don't know." She said. "I was curious I guess. I knew there was something hiding down there and I was bored."
"Obviously you must know what I am. How come you're not freaking out?"
"Should I be?"
"My best friend did when I told him."
"Well I was a little shocked at first but now that I think about it, it's not really a big deal."
"No...big...deal?" Clark repeated. He never thought he'd ever hear someone say that about his origins.
Usagi took a deep breath and made a decision. To win back Clark's trust, she'd have to tell him about her true self, no holding back.
"I'm used to it. I'm kind of alien too, and so are all of my friends, just in a different way."
"How?"
"Hmm. What's the best way to explain this? We were all from a kingdom long ago. This kingdom contained the planets you know as Sol's system. We thought we were at peace when the war with Earth began. It was unexpected. We weren't prepared, and we perished. My mother sent us ahead in time where we were born on Earth."
"But that would make you human." Clark pointed out.
"Yeah. And we were born human and have human parents. But inside each of us there's a spirit of the people we once were. They give us powers to use against the threat that destroyed our kingdom. When we call upon our spirits we become soldiers again. So you see, we are alien to our world. We each remember a life we lived here on Earth along with the life we once lived a long time ago."
"That's...amazing."
"It's something I don't think I'll ever get used to."
"Have you met anyone from outside this solar system?" he asked, now curious.
"Other than you?" she laughed. "Many. There are four I know of from the planet Kinmoku, three from Mau, one each from Mermaid and Chuu, and three from Coronis. Six of them are shape shifters. I've also met Ail, Ann and Fiore, who were all from a planet housing a tree of life." Usagi responded.
"And you're from?"
"The moon."
Clark laughed aloud at that one. "The moon's not a planet."
"Well I don't really know why I have these powers but that's where I lived and that's where my powers come from. I can't exactly do whatever you can, but I can do a few things."
Now Clark was curious. "Like what?" he asked.
A strong wind suddenly shot through the loft. There was a flash of light and a spherical diamond-like jewel was suspended in mid air.
"It looks expensive." Clark said.
"More expensive than you realize. It's where my powers come from, and unfortunately the reason so many people have tried to kill me over the years. It's the most powerful gem in our universe, and it's been passed down through my family for generations." Usagi said.
"I can't say I've ever seen anything like this. It really seems..."
"...out there? I know. I feel overwhelmed when I see things in this universe. Nothing's the same here."
After a moment of shimmering the diamond like object vanished back to its home in Usagi's star seed.
"When did you find out about yourself?" Clark asked.
"When I was fourteen. I tried hard to pretend it was a dream, but I eventually had to accept that I had a responsibility far greater than doing my homework and passing my high school entrance exams." She sighed.
"I found out that I was alien about a year ago." Clark said. "Dad showed me the ship and I didn't know what to do. It was like a nightmare come true. I really thought he was kidding at first, I..."
"Where are you from?"
"What?"
"You know, what planet?"
"Krypton."
"It's not near here is it?"
"No. It was light years away."
"Was...?"
"It was destroyed. My biological father and mother sent me here to save me. As far as I know I'm the only one left."
Usagi put her hand on Clark's shoulder and looked directly into his eyes with empathy.
"I can understand that." Usagi said. "I didn't really think about it before, but I'm the last one left too."
"But you can still see the moon." Clark pointed out. "All I have to look up to is the empty patch of sky where my planet used to be."
"It's better than the ruins of a place that once was." she reminded. "Sometimes that hurts even more."
"You know your past. All I have are dreams, and the names of my mother and father." Clark continued.
"But you'll never know what you lost. You'll never have to live through the awful memories, like I did." Usagi said.
Clark looked over at Usagi. "I know what I've lost. Jor-el tells me all the time." He said. "I just can't remember it."
"He tells you? I thought he was dead?"
"There are some Native American caves across town. I don't know how but he's in them, and he's always trying to control my life. He tells me that I'm not Clark, I'm Kal-el and I have a destiny that's too big for this world to comprehend."
"Ooooh...He sounds like such a jerk. I don't suppose he's the reason I'm here?
"I really don't think so. The only way he'd do that is if you were supposed to make me accept my destiny, and you don't seem like a threat, so..."
"You shouldn't rule it out so fast. He might have needed me for something else. I'd like to see this cave tomorrow."
"I'll take you there, if you really want to go, but it's dangerous."
"Isn't it always?" She sighed. "Dangerous or not, we have to go."
Clark nodded.
A moment of silence passed between them before Clark spoke up again. "Have you ever met your biological parents?"
"I met my mom." Usagi said. "When she sent us to the future, she became a spirit and I met her when I found the ruins on the moon."
Clark shook his head. "This is all so strange to hear." he laughed.
Usagi smiled, but then furrowed her brow in thought.
"You know something...?"
"What?"
"Now that I think of it, every night when Mom rocked me to sleep as a child she used to tell me a bedtime story about a planet light years away. She called it beautiful with its amazing sunsets, and colors I'd never seen. A world made of crystal. Their sun wasn't golden like ours, it was red like fire and the planet's people called it Rao and worshiped it."
Usagi turned and looked at Clark. "She once told me that if a person from that planet ever absorbed the rays of a yellow sun, they would be bestowed with powers that mortal men and women could only imagine. They believed it was their gift from Rao. When I was a child, I used to think it was called Kytton. Now that I think about it, Clark, I believe this was your planet."
Clark's eyes widened. "Then that would mean..."
Usagi gaze became thoughtful. "I don't know what it means. But it has to mean something. Maybe we were destined to meet."
"Don't use that word."
"Well maybe we were."
Clark sighed. "Hopefully Jor-el will cooperate tomorrow."
"No one is all bad, Clark. He may be more caring than you think."
Clark looked up into Usagi's comforting face. "Thank you."
Usagi looked confused. "For what?"
"Thanks, for telling me about my planet, for knowing the right thing to say, for listening to me, and just for understanding what it feels like to be alone."
Usagi smiled. "I'm always here." she offered. "You know, just because you're the last of your kind it never means you have to be alone. My friends and I, we're all the last of many races and we find solace in each other. That's what gives us hope."
"We both look sixteen, Bunny, but you are definitely wise beyond your years."
Usagi blushed. "You're the first person to say that. I should get you to write it down so Rei will believe me when I get back." she joked.
"Bunny, I hate to put an end to this conversation but we have to go inside and explain all this to my dad."
Usagi froze. "B-but..."
"He'll need an explanation before he'll calm down and trust you. We don't really have much of a choice."
"Are you sure he won't, you know, shoot first and ask questions later?" she asked.
Clark raised an eyebrow. "Shoot first?" he asked, slightly offended. "We're not rednecks."
"Sorry...it was...ah...just an expression. Your dad is really scary."
Clark stared at Usagi for a minute before he busted out laughing. "With the kind of power you have, you're afraid of my dad?"
Usagi sighed. "Yes."
"Come on and don't be so silly. He's not going to bite you."
Clark went to take her arm and lead her out, but she didn't move.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Can we talk more tomorrow?" she asked.
"Sure. What do you want to talk about?"
"I want to know exactly what you can do!" she said. "It'll be fun. Then I can show you what I can do."
"You...won't be freaked out?" he asked.
"You're being ridiculous, you know?"
"I'm sorry. I just...I don't know what it is. It's new to me that someone would know about me and not freak out."
Usagi mocked punched Clark in the shoulder. "You could never freak me out. Unless you turn green and grow antenna. You're not going to do that are you?" she asked jokingly.
Clark laughed. "No I don't think so."
Both Usagi and Clark headed into his house and straight for the kitchen where Clark knew his dad would be. Sure enough, Jonathon looked up from the table with anger still swirling around in his eyes. Usagi shivered.
"Dad, I know you're upset but..." Clark began.
"Clark, how do you know she hasn't been spying on us the whole time? She could be working on the government! For all we know they could be coming to take you away right now."
Clark's expression changed to slight fear. His dad's comment had really hit home. That was his biggest nightmare. But he had to remember, Bunny wasn't a threat. He took a deep breath to calm himself and faced his dad's gaze with a look of his own.
"Dad, you need to calm down and listen. She's not who you think."
"Then why don't you explain, Clark?"
"No. I think we should let her explain herself." Clark said.
Clark, Usagi, Martha and Jonathon sat down at the table for the next hour as Usagi explained all that she had told Clark. When she finished, Martha looked convinced, but Jonathon looked as if he still had doubts.
"You need proof." Usagi stated. "It's understandable."
She put her hand over her chest and began to close her eyes while Martha and Jonathon watched with curiosity. Usagi's hand began to fall outward, as if blowing them a kiss, and a shimmering crystal sparkled from her palm. With a glimmer it changed and became a rose. Usagi opened her eyes and smiled.
"That's my favorite shape for it." she admitted.
"What is it?" Jonathon asked.
"It's my life," she stated simply, "and it carries the hopes and dreams of my people."
"Bunny described it as the source of her power." Clark said. "Like the sun is the source of my powers."
But Jonathon still looked doubtful.
The glimmering stopped and the silver gem fell into Usagi's hand. She held it out to Jonathon.
"Touch it." Usagi said. "Know that I'm telling the truth. But be careful. When I said it's my life, I wasn't kidding."
Clark looked at her surprisingly. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, if you drop it, I'll die."
"Why?" Clark wondered.
Usagi took a deep breath.
"I have to explain this properly, but tell me if it's too much."
"In my world, everyone has a thing called a star seed, which holds their life force. This crystal you see is called the ginzuishou, which in english translates closely to silver crystal. It's the lunarian royal family's duty to protect this crystal and use it to protect the kingdom. But there's one hitch. When the crystal is used, it begins to bind to that person's star seed. I've used the crystal so much that it's bounded to my own and if it breaks my soul goes with it."
"So you'll always be linked to it?" Clark asked. "Isn't that dangerous?"
"Yes and no. When I have a child, my power wanes and the crystal begins to unbind and ready itself for the next generation. It is dangerous but only in the wrong hands."
By this time Jonathon had finished confirming the gem's existence and was now looking at it curiously. Usagi raised her hand and it found its way back to her and disappeared.
Jonathon sighed. As odd as her explanation was, Usagi was telling the truth. Apologies were in order.
"I'm sorry I judged you, Bunny." Jonathon said. "I guess that you're the real deal."
She smiled.
"No hard feelings?" Jonathon asked.
"No hard feelings," she agreed. "Besides, what kind of a person would I be if I didn't forgive someone for trying to protect their only son?"
She winked. "Anyway, I've had quite enough excitement for one day, so I'm heading up to bed. G'nite everyone!"
Everyone nodded and decided it was a good idea for them to head to bed too.
As Clark lay down, he thought about the day's events. He'd never dreamed he'd find someone who truly seemed to understand how he felt. Even so, he still found a lot of her explanation hard to swallow. He figured it wouldn't hurt to keep a little bit of caution. Turning over, he began to drift to sleep. Tomorrow was a new day, and he was looking forward to actually having fun for a change.
