ESCAPE FROM THE MOON
Book Three of Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon CosmicStars
by Nashie (aka ShadowSamurai)
October 2000 – February 2001
Revised - Winter 2001
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and her friends belong to Naoko Takeuchi. The author takes no credit for any of the original storyline. However, all the new characters belong to me and I'd appreciate it if you didn't take any without requesting permission.
Episode 238: New friends, new students! The adventures at Katsura High
"So, you ran away?" Rei's grandfather asked. He was staring at the girls, frowning. "Didn't you try to fight back? And Rei! Why didn't you use one of your prayers to put the monsters away?" The girls had tried to gather their senses after the battle. Haruka was still unconscious and Michiru sat next to her, waiting for her to wake up. Yuuichirou kept going on and on about the fact that he would have saved everyone if he had been there. Rei's grandfather kept investigating on the attacks.
"I'm sorry, Grandpa," Rei responded. "I was looking after Chibiusa-chan and those monsters were everywhere, so I didn't have time to pray." Yuuichirou took this moment to speak up.
"You know, Rei-san, I would have been able to buy you time," he said. He looked over at Haruka and blushed a little. He still wondered how on earth he had mistaken her for a guy two years earlier. "One of your friends got hurt, right?" Minako frowned. It didn't look like Haruka had gotten hurt, especially after that light…Minako shuddered at the thought of the "light".
"Thanks for the encouragement, Yuuichirou-kun," Usagi replied, smiling. "I'm sure you would have put those monsters into place." Rei's grandfather stood up and put his hands behind his back.
"Come on, Yuuichirou-chan," he said in a serious voice. "Let's get the girls some tea." The dark-haired young man looked like he was about to protest, but finally said nothing and slumped off after the old man. Rei sighed after they had left the room.
"I know he means well, but there's no way he could have defeated those youma," the raven-haired priestess sighed. "They were unnaturally strong."
"So, we have a new enemy after all," Mako said, pounding her fist into her palm. "This will be one interesting battle. I wonder who sent those creepy monsters after us anyway." Ami shrugged.
"My computer picked up nothing after the monsters had been destroyed," she stated. "That attack worked quite efficiently. It was incredibly powerful too. The positive energy was extraordinary." Everyone suddenly fell silent at reminder of the attack and where it had actually come from.
"I've never heard of that particular attack before," Setsuna finally said, breaking the silence. "At least, I don't think so." Chibiusa frowned.
"'Earth Star Ribbon Windstorm'," she whispered. "That's a wind-based attack, isn't it?" Setsuna nodded and Chibiusa became very quiet. She was thinking about something, but couldn't quite place what she was thinking about on the spot.
Haruka suddenly groaned. Everyone turned to her as she began to wake up. Michiru leaned over her and smiled as Haruka's eyes opened. The blonde looked at her, confused. "About time you're awake. You had us worried there for a second." Haruka managed a smile as she sat up. She immediately placed her head in her hands.
"Oh, god," she muttered. "I have a major headache." Michiru smiled and simply gave the girl a hug. Usagi grinned and then looked up. At least she wasn't dead.
Minako and Mako suddenly stood up and faced Haruka. "What is the last thing you remember?" Minako demanded. Setsuna groaned and shook her head. Usagi blushed a little and turned to look at her hands.
"The last thing I remember?" Haruka asked, looking at the two defiant girls skeptically. "The last thing I remember is getting slammed into a wall by that weird youma. Why do you ask?" Mako frowned.
"You don't remember anything after that?" she asked. The blonde shook her head and Mako sighed. "Are you sure?" Haruka turned to glare at her. Her aqua-green eyes were sharp and commanding.
"What happened?" she demanded. The other senshi looked at each other. They hadn't thought about actually telling Haruka what happened.
Michiru sighed and took Haruka's hand firmly. "Well, after you got hit with that blast, you weren't breathing. Then, Rei-chan and Hotaru-chan told me and Usagi-chan to leave you because there was a bomb nearby. We left and the bomb exploded. Then another attack came from the flames, something called 'Earth Star Ribbon Windstorm' and got rid of all the youma. At first, we thought it was some good luck, but then the flames went out and you were standing there with a white light surrounding you. You started talking about the past and some other stuff we didn't understand. When Usagi-chan didn't understand you, you…slapped her." Haruka looked a little surprise.
"I did all this when I was unconscious?" she asked.
"Well, you didn't look unconscious," Hotaru said. "I mean, you were standing and talking to us quite clearly." Haruka shook her head, causing her short sandy locks to sweep across her forehead.
"I don't remember any of that," she replied. Then, she shrugged. "Maybe I was sleepwalking because nothing you've said has alerted any bells in my head." The other senshi frowned and suddenly began talking about the possibilities at the same time. Only Setsuna remained silent. She was staring at Haruka, frowning a little.
During a break in the conversation, Chibiusa heard Setsuna murmur, "Sailor Earth…" She turned to her second best friend and stared at her for a second. She was about to say something when someone popped her in the back of the head. She turned around and saw Usagi hovering over her.
"Baka-Usagi!" Chibiusa screamed, lunging at the girl. Usagi fell backwards and onto Rei.
"Get off me, odango-atama!" Rei yelled, flinging Usagi off of her. She reached for a pillow and hit Usagi with it. The blonde screamed loudly and grabbed another pillow, flinging it at Rei. It missed entirely and hit…
…Setsuna. Everyone suddenly became quiet as they looked over to the former guardian of time. Setsuna stared at the pillow for a second and then picked it up. A mischievous smile crossed her face as she flung the pillow back at Usagi. The blonde was almost too surprised to duck, but managed to move out of the way just in time. The flying pillow found a new target instead: Michiru.
"Hey!" Michiru yelped, flinging a pillow back at Setsuna. The target ducked and smacked Mako in the face. Mako glowered at Michiru for a second and then threw the pillow back. It missed, as always, and hit Haruka instead. The blonde grabbed the pillow and promptly hit Michiru with it.
"Hey!" Michiru yelped. "I'm not the one who threw it!" Haruka nodded.
"Of course not, but you made her throw the pillow at you," she replied. "It missed, so I'm making sure it hits the target this time!" Michiru shrieked as she was suddenly bombarded with pillows. She threw them back and a huge pillow fight ensued.
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"It almost worked," a figure whispered, huddling in a dark corner. The destruction was coming. A girl with short blonde hair came up to her, hands on her hips. Her dark blue dress swirled around her feet.
"Where have you been, Lady Terra?" she asked, trying to fake an inner system accent. It was no use. Of all the princesses, her outer system accent was the heaviest. Terra flipped her whitish-blonde pigtails dramatically and glared blindly into the aqua-green eyes. "The party has already begun."
"I was here, obviously," Terra replied. She was tired. It had taken most of her precious energy to travel to the future…and now, she was paying the consequences. She couldn't believe she had been so stupid! She hadn't told the senshi a thing in which they could decode. She smiled a little. "Aren't you missing the party, Lady Aurora?" Aurora didn't even blush. Instead, an enticing smile appeared on her face. Terra groaned, feeling the smile rather than seeing it.
"Ah, there are too many young men searching for a dance with me," Aurora said. "I want to give them all a chance." Terra stared at her.
"You are such a flirt," she muttered. "I bet someday in the future, you'll finally settle down." She couldn't help adding, "With a girl." Aurora turned bright pink as Terra giggled a little.
"You are disgusting, Terra-chan," she replied before storming off. Terra watched the princess of Uranus leave and then sighed. If only she knew of the evil she felt in her bones, maybe she wouldn't be like she was.
Sighing, the princess of Earth left to join the party.
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After the longest pillow fight anyone had ever been in ended, the senshi began to leave for their own respective homes.
"Ja ne, minna-chan!" Rei yelled, waving good-bye to her friends. The others waved back.
"Bye, Rei-chan!" Usagi yelled. "See you later!" The others waved back too, before leaving the trashed courtyard. They had to pick their way to the front gate. Rei and her grandfather were going to have a lot of cleaning up to do.
Usagi stumbled over a rock and fell flat on her face. Instead of bursting out into tears, she looked back at the rock. It was large with jutted sides. It must have come from the wall, Usagi thought. The dumpling-headed girl frowned as she picked up the rock. Some glittery stuff was on the surface. It looked like…
"Ami-chan!" Usagi suddenly yelled. Everyone froze in their tracks and turned back to the petite girl. "I found some of the leftover of that attack! When the youma turned into stardust! Here's some of it!" The other senshi crowded around Usagi, trying to look at the rock. Ami began typing in her computer.
"Hmmm, this is interesting," Ami whispered, examining the dust on the rock. "There's an area surrounding the dust that seems to capture my attention. It seems as if there's a rip in the stardust. Wherever that attack came from, it wasn't of our timeline."
"Not in our timeline, you say," Setsuna whispered. Chibiusa suddenly remembered what Setsuna said about Sailor Earth earlier. From out of nowhere, another memory arose. They had been in the hyperspace gate, talking about their past. Capricorn had mentioned Sailor Earth, who had powers over wind. Some things began to click into place.
"Um, Pu?" Chibiusa asked, her huge pink pigtails bobbing as she looked up. "I remember Sailor Capricorn saying that another senshi, a soldier of harmony, had powers over the wind and sky. Her name was Sailor Earth."
"Yeah!" Minako suddenly piped up. "The name of the attack was 'Earth Star Ribbon Windstorm'. Do you think we could have another sailor soldier on our hands?" Setsuna frowned.
"That possibility was obvious to me," she said. "I don't remember much about Sailor Earth. She was the soldier of mystery, I guess. Her powers were drawn from the sky. I guess that's why she chose Haruka as a host body."
"Hey!" Haruka interjected. "What's that supposed to mean?" Setsuna smiled modestly.
"Your planet, Uranus, is the planet of the heavens," she explained. "Even though she was born on Earth, Sailor Earth's attacks are wind-based. Her planet is the planet of Earth. Sailor Uranus uses earth-based attacks, although her guardian planet is the planet of the heavens. Get it?" Haruka frowned.
"I think so," she replied. "But, that just made my headache worse." Rei, who had joined them, stared at the stardust.
"She had said that the past was in danger," she said. "What does that mean? The past is over and done with. How could something be troubling the past?" The others looked at each other and shrugged.
"Well, we won't accomplish anything if we just stand here and stare at dust," Hotaru said with a giggle. "We better get home and get some rest. If anything bothers to show up, we'll…try to handle it."
"Good idea," Michiru said. She sighed. "You know the bad things about powers…you don't really miss them until you don't have them anymore."
"Amen!" Mako said with a laugh. Everyone else let out some good-natured laughs as well before returning to their homes for the night.
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Two figures stood outside Katsura High. The girl shivered and pulled her jacket closer to her. It was early morning and very cold, considering that it was late summer. The boy frowned as he looked up at the enormous buildings.
It was more like a college campus than anything. There were three main buildings and four smaller buildings in the back. Each building sported a lush, verdant lawn surrounding them. The three main buildings were the schools. The one in the center, which was slightly shorter than the two flanking it, was the office administration building. It held the teachers' offices, administration, and other paperwork dealing rooms. The two on the side that curved inwards , and were also convered with domes, were that student buildings. They held the classes of the high school students and the college students. Behind all three were the dorms where most of the students lived.
The girl frowned, tugging on her jacket sleeve. "This is the school we enrolled in?" The boy simply nodded as he looked down at a small script of paper. There were numbers written on it, next to his and Himeko's names.
"Hmm, your dorm B-24," Taichi said, frowning. "I'm guessing that would be the dorm in the middle, second floor, room number 24." Himeko muttered something beneath her breath. She leaned heavily against the deep blue Ferrari, sighing.
"I just hope I don't have a roommate," she mumbled. Taichi turned to look at her, his frown even deeper. He looked at the shorter girl quizzically.
"Whether you like it or not, Rhea-chan, this is our new life," he said. He wiped some of the sapphire colored hair from his eyes as a breeze shot through the campus. "For awhile anyway. You'll just have to adjust. Just keep your temper under control." Himeko pouted heavily before crossing her arms.
"Fine," she mumbled, climbing back into the car. "Let's go meet our new life." Taichi sighed heavily and went over to the driver's side. As he revved up the engine, Himeko took a side-glance at him. "Will you be jealous if many boys start flocking to my beauty?" Taichi raised an eyebrow as he started to drive to the back of the campus.
"Well, it depends," he said. "Will you get jealous if you find me surrounded by the female students here?" Himeko stuck her tongue out at him. Her long dark hair flew behind her in the breeze as her silver eyes sparkled softly. She was wearing her school uniform, but it wasn't like the others. The skirt was a little shorter, the neckline lower and the entire bodice was tighter. She was a traffic accident waiting to happen.
The small blue car drove in front of the middle dorm. Taichi pulled out the key and stared up at the four-story high dorm. It wasn't that impressive, really. The schools were much larger making this little building seem like a toy. Himeko frowned as Taichi popped the trunk.
"Where are you staying, Taichi-kun?" she asked, moving a wisp of black hair behind her ears. "Anywhere close?" Taichi gently put one trunk on the ground before removing the strip of paper from his pocket.
"Hmm, I'm staying at A-48 with some guy name Derick Corring," he said. "Some British guy on a foreign exchange program. He seems…" Suddenly, the front door of the dorm burst open. Three female students, chattering excitedly, rushed past the couple and towards the school. Taichi frowned. "Hmmph. How rude." Himeko stuck her nose up in the hair as she fished around in her backpack for something. She finally found the royal blue scarf and tied it in her hair.
"When we finish unpacking, Taichi-kun, I'm changing clothing," she announced. "This outfit does not really bring out my delicate complexion." Taichi rolled his eyes as he carried two of Himeko's tote bags up the stairs. Himeko slammed down the trunk, carefully carrying her backpack and duffel bag.
Taichi was very much out of breath as he reached the second floor dorm room. The long hallways were mostly deserted, except for a few students coming or leaving their rooms. The hallway floor was made of a rosy chestnut linoleum and the walls were gleaming white, with gold plates on each door with the number and occupant name.
"You have your key?" Taichi asked. Himeko frowned and felt around in her pockets. Nothing. Taichi groaned as he saw the confused look on the dark-haired girl's face. "You don't have it?" Himeko whirled around to face him.
"I had it," she snapped. "I am not forgetful, Orion. I think thou has forgo-" The door suddenly popped open. Himeko stopped arguing with Taichi and turned to look at her roommate.
The girl standing in the doorway was very tall, just a little shorter than Taichi. Her long whitish-blonde hair was placed in an ornate braided bun at the nape of her neck, a few strands hanging around her face. She was wearing a black and yellow-striped long-sleeved shirt and black flared jeans. She wore a yellow duster over that and a yellow belt around her waist. A small intricate key on a gold chain hung around her neck. Her aureate eyes twinkled mischievously. "Ohaiyo gozaimasu! Are you my new roommate?"
Himeko was at a loss of words. The girl was absolutely stunning, given her incredible height. Her beauty seemed enhanced, almost like those girls she had run into before the day earlier. The pale-haired girl waved her hand in front of Himeko's face. "Hello? Hmm, they told me to get adapted to my new roommate, but that would be impossible if she's mute."
"Um, my name is Doi Himeko," Himeko was finally able to say. Ugh, this girl is as nearly as beautiful as me! "And this is my brother and guardian, Taichi." The girl flashed a gorgeous smile over at Taichi, but it wasn't a flirty smile. It was just a regular, polite grin.
The pale-haired girl offered out her hand in a shake, American style. "My name is Akarino Kaijin. My friends called me 'Ji-chan. I don't mind if you do the same, 'Me-chan." Himeko flinched a little at the abbreviated nickname.
"I'd prefer if you call me Himeko," she snapped back. "And maybe you can help us with some of these bags, hmm?" Kaijin giggled a little.
"Sure, I'm sorry," she apologized, easily lifting the two tote bags with one hand. Taichi gasped. The bags had been extremely heavy for him, even with both hands. But this girl picked them up easily, without even a grunt, with one hand. Kaijin saw his shocked expression and giggled again.
"I surprise you?" she asked, her clear gold eyes shining radiantly like the sun. Taichi frowned. Something about the girl was very strong, and he didn't just mean her strength. Her aura was bright and heavy, carrying the grace and freedom of the wind, but also seemingly down to Earth. "Come inside, if you like. I bet 'Me-chan would like some help unpacking."
"No, I had better go and find my room," Taichi said, pulling away. The girl was starting to scare him. "I'll see you later, okay?" With that, he walked away. Kaijin smiled softly.
"I think I might've been too friendly," she said, pulling Himeko inside the dorm. The dark-haired girl was about to protest loudly, but stopped when she was the room. It was very large, not as small as she had assumed a dorm would be with lush dark blue carpet beneath her feet. It was also very dark. The blinds were closed and only the tiniest bit of light escape through the slits. A bunk bed was against the far corner of the room, right next to the window. A desk was kiddy-corner to the bunk bed, a laptop and printer sitting on its face. Next to the window sat a small deep blue davenport, fitted with black pillows. Right under the window was a dark nightstand, completed with a small and simple lamp. A guitar case lay on the bottom bunk with numerous music sheets scattered everywhere.
Also on the floor were music books, a closed violin case, and a backpack. The backpack's contents were scattered on the desk next to the laptop. Then, Himeko looked around and saw closer to the door was another nightstand. There was a small glass vase on it, half-filled with burning incense sticks, filling the room with a pungent, but sweet orange and vanilla scent.
"Wow," Himeko whispered, taking a deep breath. "What a nice dorm." Kaijin smiled as she went over to the bottom bunk and started gathering her music sheets after flinging the tote bags onto the top bunk.
"I'm sorry that the room is such a mess," she said. "I didn't know that you were coming this early." She pointed over to nightstand closest to the bunk bed. Next to the lamp was a digital clock. In brilliant pale blue letters, it read: 11:43. "I was practicing my guitar. It's a new song, unfortunately. I've heard it many times, but I can't seem to play it right." Himeko, uninterested, plopped down on the davenport.
"So, what do you do here?" she asked, looking around. "What were you doing anyway? I doubt you just play your guitar all day like some sort of wallflower." Kaijin frowned as she carefully strapped the guitar over her shoulders.
"Well, it's too early to do anything yet," she said, crossing her long legs on the bed. She ducked her head so not to bump it on the top bunk. "The social clubs don't start until 5:00. I'm in a few myself. You should think about joining some. That's what students do on the weekends. Some go and visit their families, but a number stay here for the clubs. I'm in the Music Appreciation Club and the Astronomy Club. Nothing else interests me." Himeko frowned, staring at the girl sharply.
"Nothing else?" she asked. Kaijin shook her head and began to strum a few notes on the guitar. A few crystal notes rang into the air. Himeko stared at the pale-haired girl, a look of irritation on her face. "Would you play something for me?" Kaijin looked surprised.
"Like what?"
"Hmmm? Make something up, if you can." Kaijin grinned and Himeko groaned inwardly. This girl is too difficult to not please. I hope she isn't like this continually.
"A challenge!" the pale-haired girl exclaimed. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, before they fluttered back open. "I have it." Then, a very distant look filled her golden eyes and they seemed to be unfocused, as though she were blind. Her long, slender fingers ran over the various strings of the chestnut colored guitar. To Himeko's surprise, Kaijin began singing in a very sweet and silvery voice.
"When I'm drowning
Will you notice me?
When I'm burning
Will you care for me?
Will I have to wait forever just for you to say
That you want me, you love me?
That's the mountain I'm willing to climb
Those are the stars I'm willing to shoot for
Will you meet me there or will you leave me there?
Alone, as if you didn't care
So tell me you will care, tell me you'll be by my side
And I will sing you a lullaby."
The music ended on a sad note. Himeko stared at Kaijin. The power in the music was nothing like she had ever heard before. It sounded as if the music was being played inside the girl's own soul. Kaijin opened her eyes, and to Himeko's surprise, they were filled with tears. The white-haired blushed a little. "Ooops. Sorry about that."
"Why are you crying?"
"Oh, I don't know," Kaijin whispered, setting the guitar down. "This is nothing. Sometimes I can make songs so sad and depressing, I can't even sleep at night." Himeko smirked. This was perfect. She lived with a depressed person.
Her thoughts immediately changed when Kaijin bounded off the bed and wiped the tears from her eyes. Her gold eyes sparkled like the dew in the morning. "Why don't you get changed? I'm going to meet some of my friends in about an hour and I wouldn't mind terribly if you would come." Himeko simply nodded as Kaijin rushed into the bathroom.
With a heavy sigh, Himeko began fishing through her bags. She hoped to go shopping sometime that day. Her fashions were incredibly low. She frowned, pulling out a mirror in her backpack. She needed to do something with that hair of hers. She pulled out the blue ribbon and whipped a brush out of her purse. She pulled it through the long black hair continuously until it shone.
Taking a deep breath, Himeko looked around in her bag for something appropriate. She was not going to like this new 'life'. To keep her temper down was asking too much of her. The accent would surely rise sometime while they were there. Himeko smiled. At least this new roommate of hers wouldn't cause her any problems. She was as ditzy as one could be.
With that thought, Himeko turned back to her bags.
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"Nice place," Minako exclaimed, looking around. She, Usagi, and Mako were on the pier, looking out over the ocean. "Isn't it gorgeous?" Mako rolled her green eyes as Usagi nodded happily. The three girls had arranged to meet Setsuna there for some sort of meeting.
"Yeah, it's breath-taking," Usagi said, batting her eyes flirtatiously. Minako sweatdropped and then glared at Usagi.
"Usagi-chan?"
"Yes, Mina-chan?"
"You're not my type." Usagi giggled a little and then turned back to look out over the navy blue waters. A swift wind blowing in the salt air raised the hair around the three girls. Minako sighed.
"Hey, are you sure Setsuna-san doesn't know the exact reason we're here?" Mako asked, looking at her two blonde friends. "If she knew the real reason…" Minako waved the thought away.
"She doesn't know," she said, pulling her dark brown jacket around her. "I don't think Ami-chan would squeal on us." The three girls had tried coming up with a plan to get them transferred over to Katsura Academy so that they would be able to meet the cute boy. Since Setsuna was a teacher and student at the school, they were going to try to make her transfer them.
Suddenly, Minako realized that she couldn't see. She let out a little gasp and then realized that someone had put their hands over her eyes. "Hey! I told you Usagi-chan. You're not my type!"
Usagi looked over at the person putting their hands over Minako's eyes and tried to suppress a giggle. Mako also put her hand over her mouth to try not to laugh. Minako heard suppressed laughter and grew even angrier. "Usagi-chan! Cut it out!"
"Guess who," a deep, rich voice murmured softly into her ear. Minako frowned. The voice was much too deep to belong to Usagi. But still…
"Usagi-chan! Leave me alone! This isn't funny!" Minako then realized that three people were laughing, or trying not to. Three? The vivacious blonde had only come here with two! "Okay! I give up! Who is it?" The person holding their hands over Minako's eyes finally let go, chuckling a little. Minako spun around the moment she was free, ready to accuse Usagi.
It wasn't Usagi.
"So, pretty girl," Haruka said, laughing a bit, "who's not your type?" Michiru was standing behind her, giggling. Minako turned bright pink, flustered over Haruka's obvious flirting. The other two girls burst out in peals of laughter.
"What are you guys doing here?" Mako finally asked when she able to stop laughing. Michiru smiled.
"We were just taking a walk," she said. "We saw you guys and came over to say hi." Minako flushed deep red.
"Wouldn't a simple 'konnichiwa' do?" she mumbled. Haruka shook her head.
"No," she stated simply. "It was much more interesting this way." She then winked at Minako. "Wasn't it?" Minako wondered if she was going to set the world-record for longest blushing. No matter how hard she tried, the older girl's flirting always flustered Minako.
"So, who are you waiting for?" Michiru asked, her voice a little accusing. She got pretty jealous when Haruka flirted with other girls. "I doubt you were here just to look out at the ocean." Usagi pouted.
"We could've been!" she insisted.
"Yes, you could have been," Haruka said. "But then we would have to ask what you did with our real friends." Usagi pouted some more, a little upset that the two older girls didn't think of her as a poetic type of person.
"Actually, Haruka, they were waiting for me," a timeless and smooth voice came from behind them. The five spun around, only to see Setsuna standing behind them. Her long, dark-green hair streamed around her as a sudden breeze picked up. "I'm beginning to wonder why they were waiting for me." Mako stepped forward.
"On business matters," she said matter-of-factly. Michiru and Haruka shared a look. Setsuna raised an eyebrow.
"Business matters?" she asked. "What do you mean by that?" Minako cleared her throat, her cheeks still a bit red from blushing.
"We would like to make a deal with you," she said. "We wondered if you could transfer four lovely students from Juuban High, and one from T&A private, to the academically…um…nice Katsura Academy. All the senshi, except for young Chibiusa-chan, would be able to attend one school and you… um, you would…um, Mako-chan, you tell her." But Setsuna held up her hand.
"I see where you're going with this," she said, smiling softly. Her deep garnet eyes sparkled brightly. "You know what? I think it would be nice to have all the senshi at one school. So, yes. I'll transfer you."
"All right!" Minako and Mako cheered, slapping each other a high-five. Haruka turned to Setsuna in horror.
"Are you sure, Setsuna?" she asked. "All of us at one school?" Michiru was also having the same reaction.
"Setsuna!" she hissed. "The only reason we've been able to stand each other is because they go to separate schools! Seeing them practically 24/7 is not my idea of fun." Setsuna smiled as she looked at the three cheering girls.
"There's a catch," she said loudly. The three girls stopped rooting and turned to Setsuna. Minako's face fell.
"A catch?" she whispered. Setsuna nodded.
"One, you have to have your parents' permission," she started, counting off the catches on her right hand. "Two, you must keep up in all your academics. Nothing lower than a C-." Usagi turned very pale. "And three, just because you now attend this school does not mean you can disturb Hotaru-chan and the others. No cutting classes and no goofing off. Is that clear?" The three girls had turned very pale and were staring at Setsuna in absolute horror.
"A C minus?" Usagi gasped out, her blue eyes nearly filling her head.
"No goofing off?" Minako added, having trouble coping with this. Mako shook her head a little.
"Those rules are unfair, Setsuna-san," she said. Setsuna shrugged.
"Not my fault," she said. "You wanted to go to Katsura Academy, then you'll have to live up to that promise." The three senshi turned to look at each other and simultaneously nodded their heads.
"Okay. Deal," they said at the same time. Now Haruka and Michiru were trying very hard not to laugh. Mako got an evil look on her face as she looked over at the three older girls. "That means we get to come on that resort trip with you." Michiru glared at her.
"You wouldn't dare!" she exclaimed. Minako grinned at her sudden assertion.
"Oh, but we're students there so…" The blonde suddenly droned off. She seemed to be staring behind Michiru. Her pale blue eyes were widening in recognition. Michiru gave her a dead glare before looking behind her. A young man had parked his motorcycle on the side of the room and was now swinging off of it. The others turned around too, to see what Minako was staring at. The boy carefully took off his helmet, revealing a very handsome face. His mahogany-colored hair was immediately swept up in the wind. His green eyes sparkled softly, as if not wanting to be noticed by anyone.
Haruka frowned in recognition of the new character. "Hey, that's Derick-kun." Minako turned to look at Haruka, surprised.
"You know him?" she asked. Haruka nodded.
"We used to race together," she replied. The blonde shook her head, her green eyes dark. "Hmmm, that was before that battle with Nephrenia. I thought he had gone back to England." Minako smiled as she suddenly began waving her hands in the air.
"Derick!" she shouted, running towards the young man. He turned at the sound of his name, only to be half knocked over by the lively young blonde. She wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. "I missed you so much! How come you didn't tell me you were coming back to Tokyo, huh? Didn't you miss me?"
"Sure," Derick said slowly. He tried prying Minako away from him. "I missed you a lot. But I don't remember you calling me." Minako blushed as her other friends came up behind her.
"I called you," she mumbled. "You just never answered." Derick grinned again.
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?" he asked, winking at Haruka. Michiru frowned, causing Derick to blush a little. Haruka shook her head.
"Nice to see you again, Derick-kun," she said. Derick nodded.
"You too." Minako glared at him, but her anger quickly left when she realized that Derick didn't know Haruka was a girl. She giggled a little and then began pointing to her friends.
"Derick-san," she started slowly, "these are some of my closest friends. This is Tsukino Usagi-chan, our lovely crybaby princess." Usagi got tears in her eyes.
"I'm not a crybaby!" she hollered. The other young people stared at her for a second and sweatdropped.
Minako laughed nervously. "This is Kino Makoto-chan, our excellent cook in the group of friends. You have to try her tempura shrimp! It's fabulous!" Derick nodded as Mako waved to him. Minako began her introduction of the older girls. "This is Keioh Michiru-san. She's the multi-talented girl, even though she can seem a little prissy." Michiru glared at Minako, sending her death threats with her eyes. "Oh, and this is Meioh Setsuna-san. She's a teacher and student at Katsura Academy." Derick smiled.
"Yeah, I've seen her around," he whispered, smiling politely at the older young woman. "Nice to finally meet you, Meioh-san."
"And this is Tenoh Haruka-san, though I think you've already met," Minako concluded as she turned to face her friends. "Minna, this is Derick Corring, an old friend of mine from London!"
"Nice to meet all you," Derick stated and then sighed inwardly. It must be true that all the senshi stick together. Here was half the group in front of him! He knew that Minako didn't know his abilities to look past secret identities. "Um, are you by any chance going to attend Katsura Academy?"
"Yeah!" Minako exclaimed. "Why?"
"Oh, I was just wondering. I'm attending there too. But, I'm supposed to be going up to a resort this weekend with some other classmates." Minako cheered, grabbing Derick's arm tight.
"Yea! I get to spend my entire weekend with you!" she yelled. Usagi and Mako shared a look. There was Minako for you.
"You are not going on that trip," Michiru said stiffly. "Just because you now attend Katsura doesn't mean you can come up to the resort as a field trip." Haruka nudged Michiru in the side.
"Um, Michiru," she whispered into her ear. "It is a field trip." Michiru blushed brightly while Haruka laughed a little to herself. She turned to look back up at Derick. "Well, nice to see you again anyway. We'll have to race again sometime."
"Hope you've gotten better, Haruka-kun," Derick replied, with a little mischief in his tone. "I want a real challenge this time." Haruka laughed and then waved good-bye to everybody. Michiru also said good-bye and the couple walked away.
Setsuna looked at her watch. "Well, now that that's settled, I think I ought to go back home. I promised Hotaru I'd take her to the mall today." Usagi's eyes lit up, but Mako promptly bashed her on top of the head. Setsuna smiled at their childlike innocence. "I'll see you guys later this week. Ja ne!" With the farewell passed, Setsuna also left the group.
"Oh, Derick!" Minako gushed, refusing to let go of the young man's dark green biker jacket. "You have to spend some time with me, okay?" Derick sighed as he put his helmet back on.
"You want a ride?" he asked, turning to Minako. Usagi and Mako never saw Minako move so fast. She grabbed the extra dark blue helmet and strapped it onto her head. She side-straddled the bike since she had a skirt on and wrapped her arms around Derick's waist. Derick grinned at her. "Is that a yes?" Minako promptly hit him on the head.
"Come on!" she yelled. "Let's see what this little baby can do!" Derick laughed as he revved up the engine.
"Hold on tight, Mina-P!" he shouted over the sound of the engine. Minako closed her eyes and squeezed Derick tightly. "Here we go!" With that, he accelerated that car.
"Wheeeee!" Minako yelled as the couple sped off down the road. Usagi shook her head sadly.
"She's dumping us on the street," she muttered. But her blue eyes went from sad to ecstatic. "But at least we'll be able to go to Katsura now! We get to wear those really cute uniforms and we get to go on the field trip and stay at the dorms and…and…"
Usagi listed all the number of possibilities as Mako walked her back home.
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"Hey, wait up Hotaru-chan!" a voice yelled from behind. Hotaru jerked to a halt as short girl ran up to her side. "Geez, you walk fast."
"No, I'm just not a short sixteen-year-old, Hikaru-chan," Hotaru retorted. Hikaru glared at her school friend. Her yellow curls bobbed as she took a sprinting walk.
"I'm not short, Hotaru-kun," Hikaru mumbled. "You're just tall." Hotaru began to wonder if five foot three straight was tall. Hikaru nudged the girl in the ribs.
"Where you off to?" Hotaru sighed.
"Gym," she muttered. "I hate gym. I'm no good at it." Hikaru winked at her.
"Oh, you just think that," she giggled. Hotaru rolled her eyes. At least she was going to the resort in two days. That was some progress to what she was already going through. She had been surprised when she saw Usagi roaming through the hallways of Katsura, wearing the school's uniform. Setsuna later informed her that all five girls were now attending the school.
"Hotaru-chan, I've got a question for you," Hikaru suddenly interrupted. Hotaru turned to her, her black hair swishing around her face. Hikaru was momentarily stunned by her friend's dark aura, as always. The dark look in her eyes held some sort of secret. An evil secret.
"What's the question?"
"Um, how come none of the girls you usually hang out with are your age?" Hikaru asked nervously. Hotaru giggled a little.
"Oh, we all go way back," she said. Since the dawn of Time itself…but I can't tell her that now, can I? "We've all been friends for millennia upon millennia." Hikaru stared into Hotaru's eyes. It was impossible to tell whether she was joking or telling the truth.
"Sure," Hikaru mumbled. Hotaru sighed. If only the blonde knew that she was walking in the presence of a senshi princess…her attitude would sure change a lot. It was almost funny. All the sailor senshi, except for Chibiusa, were walking around in the midst of the student body, yet no one knew their identities. The famous sailor senshi, protectors of the innocent and constant saviors of love and justice…walking around Katsura Academy without anyone knowing it.
Hikaru glared at her friend, who was suddenly in a fit of giggles. "What's so funny?" Hotaru stared at Hikaru and burst out into more numerous giggles.
"Oh, it's just that…" Laugh. "I was just thinking…" Peal of giggles. "What if…" Laughter. "…the famous sailor senshi…" More giggles. "…were walking among the student body…" A row of near hysterical giggles. "…and no one knew it…?" Hikaru was shocked.
"We would have to know it!" she gasped. "I mean, the sailor senshi! Defenders of love and justice and warriors of all that is right! We would be very, very stupid if we didn't realize the sailor senshi were walking right among us!"
"You're right," a voice said from behind them. The two girls spun around, only to be face to face with Setsuna. Hikaru squirmed a little. Setsuna always had that creepy affect on her, even if she was a secondary mother to Hotaru. "If the senshi were walking around us, they'd have to have a very good reason for hiding their identities."
Hotaru smiled nervously. "Um, hello, Setsuna-mama." Setsuna frowned.
"Hurry on to class," she said stiffly. "I'll talk to you after school. Tell the others." Hotaru nodded quickly and hurried off. Hikaru was right at her heels.
"The others?" she asked. Hotaru blushed.
"The others," she confirmed as the two girls slipped into the girls' locket rooms. They saw Minako already changing, near the back of the room. She was chatting with a tall, blue-haired girl while dressing appropriately for gym. The classes were mixed up enough. After all, Hotaru was in the first year of high school while Minako was in the second year.
"Hey, Hotaru-chan!" Minako waved, trotting up to her. "What's up with the long face?" Hikaru glared at Minako.
"Is this one of the 'others'?" she asked haughtily. Hotaru sighed.
"Don't be like that Hikaru-chan," she said. "Minako-san and I are friends. I can have more than one friend, okay?" Hikaru nodded stiffly and went over to her locker to change. Hotaru sighed and then turned back to Minako.
"Sorry about that," she said. Minako waved the thought away with her hand.
"Don't worry about it," she said. "Anyway, what's up?" Hotaru sighed again, more deeply this time.
"Setsuna-mama wants to talk to us after school."
"Everyone?"
"Yup." Minako groaned and Hotaru had to grin a little. This vivacious and easily excited girl who never seemed to be quiet was the experienced warrior of love and beauty, Sailor Venus.
"Okay, I'll tell anyone I see," Minako finally muttered. A grin found its way to her face. "Well, at least we can practice volleyball today in gym. See you in class, Hotaru-chan!" With that, the blonde rushed off to continue her spirited talk with the blue-haired student.
Hotaru quickly changed into her gym clothes and ran out into the large room. Two volleyball nets were lined up, parallel to each other. The teacher, a frail and tired looking woman, was standing in the middle of the room, holding two volleyballs in her hands.
"Same teams as last week!" she shouted in a high, nasal voice. "We're going to just practice today. Next week will be the competition." Hotaru sighed weakly and went over to join her team. They were supposed to playing against the D team today.
"Hey, Hotaru-chan!" Minako waved from the other side of the net. "We get to play against each other today! This is gonna be fun! I love volleyball." Hotaru turned pale. Minako was one of the best volleyball players in the school. Her team was as good as dead.
"Tomoe-san!" the teacher yelled. "You serve!" Hotaru caught the volleyball in her hands. She stared at the soft white object and groaned. She could barely serve the volleyball, let alone return it.
With a deep sense of regret for her team, Hotaru threw the volleyball into the air and slammed it with her fist. To her surprise, it went over the net. Minako grinned at the serve. A boy with dark hair spiked the ball back over the net.
Hikaru saw the ball coming and smacked the ball with her combined fists. It sailed through the air…backwards. The blue-haired girl Minako had been chatting with saw the ball coming towards her, let out a little shriek and ducked.
Hotaru then realized that her other teammates weren't close enough to send the ball back. With a groan, Hotaru leaped forward and spiked the ball hard onto the other side. Her feet slipped from under and she landed on her stomach. But, people were cheering. The loudest was Minako who went from her side of the net to go to Hotaru.
"Congratulations, Hotaru-chan!" she yelled, helping the dark-haired girl to her feet. "You just scored a goal for your team!"
"Yea for me," Hotaru mumbled. Then the realization sunk in. "I scored a goal?" Minako nodded enthusiastically. Hotaru cheered and pumped her hand into the air.
"All right!" she yelled, slapping Minako a high-five. "That's my first! Maybe my enhanced skills finally kicked in."
"Aino-san! Tomoe-san!" the teacher shouted, turning the commotion. "Back to the game!" The two girls nodded obediently.
"Hai, sensei!" they shouted as they returned to their respective position. The game continued as scheduled.
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"Hey 'Me-chan!" a sweet, tinkling voice yelled from around the corner of the schools. Himeko froze. It was that girl Kaijin again. She was starting to get on her nerves.
Instead of saying something about it, Himeko pasted a smile on her face and turned around. "Oh, hello, Kaijin-kun." The white-haired girl frowned a little, upset that her new friend didn't call her 'Ji-chan like everyone else did. But instead of thriving on it, she smiled.
"So, where are you going?" she asked. "I though you'd like to eat lunch with me and some friends." Himeko frowned.
"I was going to eat lunch with my brother," she said slowly. "Then I have to hurry back for English Lit."
"Oh," Kaijin said, disappointed. "Well, if you don't find him, the offer is on the table." Himeko nodded and quickly left. That girl was getting on her nerves. She was too nice, almost inhumanly. Then again, she hadn't been human that long.
Himeko ran into Taichi on her second turn. Both students fell to the ground from the impact. Himeko shrieked as she fell backwards into the soft grass. "Orion!" The sapphire-haired boy shook his head.
"Don't start with me now Rhea," Taichi mumbled, dusting himself off. "I have a major headache from these classes I'm taking. And then we still have to go up to that resort this weekend…"
"Well, fine then," Himeko mumbled. She stared right into Taichi's crystal green eyes. "I guess I'll see you after school then. Remember, we promised to go out for dinner with Derick and that new girlfriend of his."
"Yeah, she is pretty, isn't she?" Taichi swooned. Himeko glared at him and Taichi blushed a bit. "But no more beautiful than you Rhea-chan." Himeko's look wasn't leaving her face. Taichi just sighed.
"Well, I guess I'll be there if that little wretch 'Ji-chan doesn't make any other plans," Himeko spurted out. Taichi raised an eyebrow.
"I have this strange feeling you don't like that girl."
"I don't! She's too sweet and too nice and…" Before anything else could be said, Himeko found herself on the ground, with some heavy weight on her back. She grunted heavily, trying to push whoever or whatever was using her as a bed off of her.
"Oh, Usagi-chan!" a snappish voice said from behind her. "Why can't you ever watch where you're going?" Then her tone softened. "I'm sorry, ma'am, that this odango-atama is such a klutz." Himeko said nothing as she shoved the blonde girl off of her.
"Thou ought to watch where thy art going!" the dark-haired girl exclaimed. Usagi frowned.
"Gomen nasai," she said. Her bright smile appeared on her face. "My name is Tsukino Usagi! I just was transferred here from Juuban High! Nice to meet you!" Himeko frowned. This was one of the girls who was at the shrine that day they attacked. So was the other girl standing behind her, the one she had argued with.
"Nice to meet you, Tsukino-kun," Taichi said when his 'sister' said nothing. "My name is…wait, I think you know my name. Weren't you one of those girls at the shrine?"
"Yeah," Rei interrupted. She turned to Himeko. "Surprised that we'd run into each other, huh? I can't say that I'm too thrilled to meet you again." Himeko glared at her.
"Thou can say whatever foolishness thou want!" she hissed. Rei looked a little surprise at the sudden accent in the girl's voice. Taichi slapped his hand over her mouth, looking embarrassed and enraged at the same time.
"Forgive my sister," he muttered. "She's taking Shakespeare." Rei nodded and then grabbed Usagi's arm.
"Come on, Usagi-chan," she said. "We're missing lunch." Usagi smiled and then waved good-bye.
"Bye-bye, Taichi-san!" she yelled as Rei dragged her off. "Bye-bye, Himeko-san! See you at the resort this weekend."
"Bye, Tsukino-san, Hino-san!" Taichi yelled. The minute they were out of sight, he let off a sigh of relief. One crisis taken care of. Now, there were around a thousand more to worry about.
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Haruka sprinted out of math class seconds after the bell rung. Finally. School was out for the day. Shaking her head, she groaned inwardly. Math was absolutely awful ever since they got that new substitute. The regular teacher was in the hospital after some car accident.
"Hey, Haruka-kun! Wait up!"
Haruka paused briefly to allow a tall, handsome young man walk up to her. She sighed again. It was that same jerk who decided to bother her everyday during class. She didn't even know his name.
"What is it, baka?" she asked sharply. At least I'm sure he's not flirting with me. If so, I'll have to pound his face into bloody pulp. The young man clucked his tongue at her. Jerk.
"Where are you manners, Haruka-kun?" the boy asked cynically. Haruka shook her head.
"Let's pretend I don't have any," she mumbled and stalked off. The young man was right on her heel. "Would you stop following me?"
"Not until you let me talk to you!" he exclaimed. "Listen. I know I've been an incredible jerk towards you. I was going to apologize." Haruka glared at him.
"Whatever," she replied. "I need to get going. I have some friends to meet." The young man scowled at her as she left. He was getting tired of this guy giving him the cold shoulder.
"Careful there," a voice mused from behind him. The young man spun around, only to find a tall brunette staring back at him. "You mess with Haruka-san, you'll wake up with a black eye." The young man frowned.
"And you are?"
"My friends call me Mako-chan, but you're not a friend. My name is Kino Makoto. Don't mess with Haruka-san." The young man grunted heavily before striding down the opposite hallway. He turned back one more time.
"I was just trying to apologize to him," he mumbled. "Besides, the teacher said if I don't I'll have to cancel the resort trip."
Mako grinned. "I tell her…um…him that, okay?" The young man nodded and strode down the hall. Mako giggled a little. If only he knew who Haruka really was.
With that pleasing thought in mind, Mako raced out the front doors. Most of the others were already waiting on the front lawn. Usagi was hysterically laughing over some new manga she bought and Minako was looking over her shoulder, reading it as well. Ami was going over some of her notes for her Physics class. Hotaru was there, talking to an oblivious Rei about her gym class. Strangely enough, Chibiusa was also there, listening to Hotaru's story. Mako frowned. She was sure Haruka had come this way.
"Hey, Mako-chan!" Usagi called. "You have to read this! This is so funny!" Mako grinned.
"You better not let Setsuna-san see you with that or it's back to Juuban High you go," she joked. Usagi frowned as she stuffed the comic book into her backpack.
"Hey, how did your test go today?" Ami asked, looking up at Usagi. The blonde suddenly turned bright red and turned back to her backpack. She flung it open and began fishing through it. "How did it go?"
Usagi, grinning wildly, brought out a sheet of paper and held it in front of Ami. Ami's eyes widened a little bit. "That's…excellent, Usagi-chan! Minna! Usagi-chan got an A on her math test today!" Everyone crowded around, trying to see if Ami was telling the truth. She was. In brilliant red letters, it read: A-, Tsukino-kun, this is a near-perfect paper. I would like to know if you are interested in our Math Club after-school. See me.
"I'm so happy!" Usagi cheered. Then she blushed. "Well, it was a rather easy test anyway and I think we took it before back at Juuban High." The others smiled at her.
"That's great, Usagi-chan," Chibiusa exclaimed. "Maybe you can learn how to cook now that you're such a math-whiz." She couldn't help adding, "And with all that going on, I'll have Mamo-chan to myself!" Usagi shrieked loudly and lunged for Chibiusa. The pink-haired girl ducked and Usagi crashed to the ground.
"Hmm, do you think they have etiquette classes here?"
"I hope so. This is our future Neo-Queen Serenity. She's needs some desperate etiquette." Usagi looked up and saw Haruka and Michiru standing over her. She grinned at them.
"Hey, minna-san," she said, picking herself up off the ground. "Where were you? You're late!" With that, she smiled. "I'm not late this time! You guys are! Ha ha!" Michiru smiled gently and then looked at her watch.
"We said 3:30, right?" she asked. Usagi nodded. "It's 3:29. On the contrary, you're early, princess." Usagi's jaw dropped.
"You mean, I could have spent more time eating my after-school snack?" she gasped. "No faaaair!" The other senshi looked at each and shook their heads.
"Hey!" Hotaru suddenly piped up. "Are you guys coming up to the hot springs this weekend?" Haruka and Michiru shared a look. Obviously, Hotaru didn't know that these five weren't supposed to come.
"Well, we're students, aren't we?" Minako asked, flipping her golden hair dramatically. "And now, I have a boyfriend to spend my weekend with. And that hotel up there is kawaii and it's so large! And they have pools and hot springs…and hey! What's the point of this trip anyway?"
"Originally, it was a one class field-trip, to check out the mountains near the springs," someone said from behind the group. Everyone spun around, only to see Setsuna standing behind them. "But then, it seemed better if all the classes were to go. Fortunately, the number was limited down to the first 50 students to sign up."
"Does that mean we have to stay here?" Usagi whined. Setsuna shook her head.
"No," she stated simply. "You five are incredibly lucky. It just happens that Tomoe-san has allowed you five to go up. He's going to take you in the van." Chibiusa pouted heavily as the other five girls began cheering.
"What about me?" she whined, copying her mother's voice. "I wanna go!" Setsuna smiled softly.
"The only way you would go," she said slowly, "is if you sat on someone's lap." Chibiusa's cheeks turned as pink as her hair.
"You wouldn't dare!" Setsuna stared at her for second and Chibiusa finally sighed. "Oh, all right. As long as I can go."
"So it's settled!" Minako yelled, grabbing Usagi's hands into her own. Her pale blue eyes sparkled like the starlight. "The sailor soldiers' first cross-country trip!" Haruka and Michiru let out identical groans. Setsuna smiled modestly and shook her head.
It was going to be a long trip…
Author's Note: As if it would be that easy to transfer schools. I must have been delusional when I wrote this. I think I was getting too influenced by Sailor Moon Z. Oi vay.
"You know the bad thing about powers? You don't miss them until you don't have them anymore." – Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: The Movie (I love that line)
And I made Kaijin's song up. It used to be different, but I changed it for update's sake.