Title: Overture
Author: Amarylis Cemetery
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: All Sailormoon characters belong to Takeuchi Naoko and Toei, etc.; this piece of fan-written fiction intends no infringement on any copyrights.
Fandom: Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon
Pairing(s): Usagi/Mamoru
Word count: 1813
Feedback: Would be lovely. But I'm not going to hunt you down if you don't.
Summary: AU, U/M Aware of her status but not of her past, Usagi struggles against the Dark Kingdom, unwilling to allow the senshi into her heart. Will she succeed on her own, or will she be forced to accept their help - and their friendship?
Notes: Beta-ed by Nell. This one was fun to write. Really. And there is a reason for the distiction with Usagi/Sailormoon and the lack of one for Ami/Mercury. I promise. But you'll have to wait to find out. Obviously.


Chapter Five:
Spy

The tiara hit its intended target, and the youma dissolved into dust as the weapon flew back to Sailormoon's hand. A small, triumphant smile graced her face, and she returned the jewelry to its natural place.

She turned back to Ami, who was standing behind her, still clutching her wounded arm. With a frown, Sailormoon pulled out her crescent wand, then pointed it at her friend's arm. A familiar power rushed through her veins as silver light touched Ami's gloved appendage. The injury sealed, blood disappearing, though the torn fabric wasn't mended. Ami stared at her in shock, but Sailormoon turned away from her, giving the unconscious students a critical gaze.

Decision made, she raised her wand above her head, and the healing silver light was sent in all directions, sinking into the bodies of the students. Wordlessly, as they began to stir, she vanished the wand and exited into the hall, knowing Ami would follow her.

"How did you do it?" Ami asked softly as they left the building. "I mean, without words."

Remembering the short training she'd received from Serenity after she'd taken the brooch, Sailormoon smiled. "I was taught," she responded vaguely. Without looking, she knew Ami was frowning, but she didn't feel the need to elaborate.

Ami opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by a cat's hissing. Luna jumped out from the shadowed sidewalk and onto Ami's shoulder, startling the young soldier. Sailormoon raised an eyebrow.

"Who's the cat?" she asked brusquely, trying to act less like herself in case Ami had inklings of who she really was.

"Luna," was the response. Curiously enough, the words were not spoken by Ami, but by the cat herself. Internally, Sailormoon smirked, knowing somehow that Luna was no normal cat.

"I wasn't aware that cats could talk," said Sailormoon flippantly.

If cats could scowl, Luna surely did. "What do you want? I've never heard of a Soldier of the Moon before. Why are you here?" Sailormoon raised her eyebrow again at the interrogation.

"What do I want? To stop the Dark Kingdom, of course. That's also why I'm here." Luna's eyes narrowed. "Er. Am I supposed to want something else? Why are you here, kitty cat?"

"To find the Princess, of course!" Luna hissed, indignant. Sailormoon blinked.

"What's she got to do with anything?"

"Everything!" the cat exclaimed, shocked and outraged. "Who do you think is the only one with the power to stop the Dark Kingdom?" Ami silently held the raging cat, watching the exchange inquisitively.

"I'd been planning on doing that myself, actually," Sailormoon replied dryly, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why do you think only she'll be able to stop them, little kitty?"

Luna bristled. "Because," she responded lowly, "she's the only one who can use the Silver Crystal!"

Silver Crystal? Sailormoon's mind asked, the word alien and yet familiar at the same time.

Huffing, Luna narrowed her eyes. "You understand nothing."

"I know more than you do," Sailormoon shot back. "I know where the Princess is. And no, I won't tell you," she continued, halting Luna's eager question.

"Just how do you know that and I don't?" Luna sounded offended.

Ami gave Sailormoon a curious look. "That's actually a very good question, Luna. How do you know where she is?"

Thinking fast, she grasped for straws, unwilling to let the cat know who she was just yet. "I'm, uh, her guardian." Great going, Tsukino. "So of course I know where she is. The Queen woke me so I could protect her while she trained, obviously." She looked away and tried to look annoyed. "Not that it's any of your business."

"The Princess is my business!" She looked back; both Ami and Luna looked hurt. "I'm supposed to be her guardian. I've always been her guardian," the cat mumbled, more to herself than anyone else. "The Queen..."

"The Queen's plans changed." Sailormoon fixed a stern gaze on Luna. "I was chosen to protect her. You may have been her advisor and protector before, but I am now." I don't need a guardian, thank you very much, she continued in her head, hurt that the Queen had wanted someone to watch over her when she was perfectly capable of doing so herself. "Besides, talking to her right now might not be the best. She doesn't really know much outside of the fact that she's the Princess, and I assure you that she wouldn't be able to remember you." She sent the cat a pointed look.

"Now, if you'll excuse me," she dismissed. As she turned to go, she paused, and then looked back to Ami.

"Do you have a communicator?" asked the blonde, taking out her own, neon pink device as an example. To her relief, Ami nodded. "Good. Press the moon symbol to contact me. Oh, don't worry about your identity," she added, seeing Ami's worried look. "You have to press the accept button before anyone's face shows up, so you can transform quickly before answering. That's what I'll be doing." Still, she gave the other girl a small smile. "Maybe we'll talk freely one day, but for now, I think it's best if I stay separate from the rest of you."

I don't need you holding me back, was what she really meant. In battle, she didn't need to worry about the welfare of anyone but herself and the victims - worrying about fellow soldiers might lead her to do something stupid.

Though, she'd probably do that, anyway.

"Rest of us?" Ami echoed, confused. Sailormoon grinned.

"You'll see what I mean, when you meet them. Which I'm sure you will," she said, looking directly at Luna. Before Luna could react, she turned on her heel and bid her fellow warrior a good night, disappearing into the streets of Tokyo.

Leaning back against her wall, Usagi let out a heavy sigh. It wasn't that she didn't like Ami, she reassured herself, but she just didn't trust her enough. Not yet, anyway. Still, she thought wryly, a friendship built on lies isn't the most stable of relationships. Of course, Ami would keep this from her, as well. Frowning, Usagi decided that she'd tell Ami about her secret occupation after Ami did the same.

That Luna was unnerving, to say the least. She wasn't exactly sure what possessed her to lie to someone that obviously knew more of the past than she did. That wasn't to say that she regretted it, because she didn't; not really, anyway. Still, she could've gotten some more information from the cat while she was there. Usagi felt ready for it, now that she was more adjusted to her new purpose.

Sighing once more, she flopped herself onto her bed heavily, bouncing back up from the springs. Unbidden, the image of Mamoru rose in her mind, and Usagi's face turned red. She groaned, and buried her head into her pillow.

"Stop thinking about him," she told herself, voice muffled. "You won't see him again, so stop pining. Besides, you have more important things to worry about, such as your enemies."

Still, when she looked back up at her ceiling, she was frowning. She couldn't get the man off of her mind, and it was driving her crazy. Like anything could happen anyway, she reminded herself. The guy's at least four years older than you. Idiot. Stop thinking this instant.

Except, the image still wouldn't leave her head.

"Arhg!" she cried, shoving the pillow back on her face.

Maybe he'd go away if she saw him again.

Logically, Usagi knew that it probably wouldn't help. In actuality, it could potentially make things worse. Still, with the thought having passed through her mind, she gave serious consideration to it. She knew where he lived, and what room was his. She could probably find his balcony easily.

God, I sound like a stalker! she berated, grumbling as she rose from her bed. I sound like an honest-to-god stalker. What's wrong with me?

For as much as she yelled at herself, Usagi still found herself blocks away, standing in front of the apartment complex.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid," she muttered, glaring at the glass doors, as though her mere thought would make them explode. She walked into one of the alleyways and, with a furtive look around, transformed into Sailormoon.

Even with the added confidence and logic she seemed to gain through the transformation, her desire to see Mamoru was as strong as ever. Maybe even stronger, Sailormoon thought, shuddering. She stood in the alley for some time, thinking of how crazy she must be, how she needed to go home and sleep, how he would definitely call the police on her if he knew.

Gritting her teeth, she glanced up, and jumped onto a nearby building. Once she was high enough, she started looking for a familiar room on the correct floor level, spotting it all too quickly.

With another thought at how creepy she was being, Sailormoon leapt onto the railing of the balcony, carefully hiding herself in shadows as she peered inside the sliding glass door.

Inside, she could see the living room, and the couch where he'd tended her wounds. With a shock of surprise, her eyes found the note she'd left still on the table, unfolded and the edges slightly worn. There was even a tear at one of the seams, as though it had been opened and closed several times.

Though still taken aback, Sailormoon easily spotted Mamoru, who was sitting on the floor. He ate from take-out boxes that were scattered on the coffee table, though none very near the letter. His eyes were fixed on the TV screen, but she could see his gaze sometimes waver and float in the direction of the table.

For quite a few minutes, she stood there, half-cloaked in darkness, watching him. Alone, he was much more relaxed than when she'd met him, though that did make sense. She was sure she was the same. He looked less put together with his shirt half untucked and his hair mussed. His stormy blue eyes were half-lidded, though his brows creased in something akin to frustration.

He looked just as beautiful as when she first saw him, she decided vaguely. When she realized what she'd thought, her face flushed with embarrassment. Thank god no one can read my thoughts, she mused gratefully. Nothing could be more awkward than that.

When he grabbed the note, Sailormoon nearly jumped. He frowned as he reread it, and stared at it for longer than she would guess it would take him to finish. His mouth moved to echo some of the words, and she could clearly make out her own name as he silently spoke.

There was a pang somewhere near the region of her heart as he brought the paper to his lips and smiled.