Two Moons

Sailor Moon

fanfiction

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SAILOR MOON OR ANY RECOGNIZABLE EVENTS, PLACES, OR CHARACTERS.

Chapter 1: A Kind Act

Darien walked outside of his building and started to head out towards the parking garage when he saw the thick crowd gathering around. Every year at this time tourists flooded the city. Normally, watching them as they tried to read the signs and street maps would arouse him enough to sit and laugh. They were from everywhere in the world and rarely, could they even begin to understand Japanese. This year, he just didn't have the time to listen to all the different languages and voices. Even after only a few minutes, his mind would no longer be able to sustain trying to translate anything and a headache would set in.

He stepped around the crowd and onto the pathway leading away from the street when he saw her. A brunette girl was sitting on the ground with a large bag by her side and a map in her hand. "Sol, what am I going to do? I'm so lost."

The bag moved and a little orange cat popped out. "Maybe you should try asking someone."

Darien stopped and stared. A talking cat? Wait, no, cats don't talk…Luna and Artemis talk. But there's no way there are any other talking animals in the world, right? He tried to stop thinking about it but something was off. He took another step forward and the cat jumped back into the bag causing the girl to turn her head in Darien's direction.

She staggered to stand up and folded the map in half. "Hi, do you think you could help me?"

He stopped and smiled. If there is any way to find out about that cat, this is it, he thought. "Sure, what do you need help with?"

Her face lit up. "You speak English?! Finally! I'm so lost! I can't find my flat. I had a cab but they told me to come here and I am still not in the right place!" Her words became jumbled as she frantically tried to explain.

"Where do you need to go?"

"Mikanto..but I don't know where that is."

Darien couldn't help but to laugh. Not only was she lost but she was really lost. "That's awhile away from here. Your driver must be new to the area." He paused as the orange cat popped its head back out. "You know what, I'm heading in that direction. How about I take you there? Promise I won't abandon you on the wrong side of town," he said with a smile.

"You'd really do that? I mean, I don't know anything or anyone-"

"I'm Darien. Now you know someone."

She smiled and nodded. "Darien, you're the nicest person I've met yet."

He walked over towards her bag and zipped the cat back inside of it. "Cute cat you have. What's his name?"

"Solaris. Oh, I'm Ally," she said, sticking her hand out and shaking his. "I really appreciate this, Darien."

"It's no problem. Really." Darien walked ahead of her and towards his car. Obviously, his motorcycle wasn't an option with the skirt and heels she was wearing. He opened the passenger door and slid the bag with the cat into the back seat. Ally walked up and sat down before he closed the door. Darien sat down and started up the car. "So, what brings you to Tokyo?"

"It's my treat to myself, I guess," she laughed. "I'm part of an exchange program. Apparently, Tokyo has a great need for English teachers. I signed up to come and see what the fuss was about. Coming here pays for a whole semester of college, includes room and board, and gives me a chance to see the world. Can't go wrong."

"Sounds like a great opportunity. Where are you from?"

"New York, America. You're originally from Tokyo?"

"Yeah." He trailed off for a moment while looking into his rear view mirror to see the cat glaring to the front. Something is off about that cat. It's like it knows something I don't. He shook his head. "How long are you here for?"

"A semester, er, three months. Unless, I get lucky, that is. I could be chosen to stay longer. I wouldn't mind it if I met more nice people like you!" She quickly clasped her hand to her mouth.

Darien laughed. "Hey, why I don't show you around more? I can even introduce you to some nice people!"

Ally turned and looked at him. "You'd really do that?"

"Yup! After all, I am the nicest one so far!" He laughed as he parked his car into the parking garage. He turned off the engine and unbuckled himself. "What do you say, Ally? Let me show you around."

"I'd really love that."

"Good," Darien said opening up the door and getting out of the car. Ally followed in suit and grabbed Solaris from the backseat. "This is Mikanto. You know what room you're staying in?"

"Ah, no…I guess I should find management. Thanks for the ride."

"It's no problem. Let's go find your room. It wouldn't be very nice of me to just leave you without at least getting management first. Not everyone speaks English around here." They walked into the building and Darien followed the signs to the management office and poked his head in. He started to speak Japanese and Ally just stood still. Darien bowed down and grabbed a pair of keys before leading her out of the room. "Level 3, Room 304. Your luggage already arrived. Would you like me to walk you up?"

"No, it's fine," she said taking the keys. "Thank you, Darien. Sorry I've taken up so much of your time today."

"It's fine. How about after work I drop by and we get a bite to eat?"

"Sure. Thanks again, Darien. Have a good time at work," Ally smiled.

"No problem. I'll see you later." Darien walked out of the building and back to his car. Something isn't right about her or that cat. If she was working for the Negaverse, I would be able to tell, right? She doesn't seem like she is but…still…I feel like something is wrong. He shook his head and left the parking garage.

Ally ran up the stairwell and to her room. After opening the door, she dropped her bag and Solaris popped out. "Something is up with him," the cat mewed.

Ally dropped to her knees and stared at the orange cat. "You're kidding. This? Already? He's fine, Sol!" She scrabbled to stand up and walked to the kitchen. "Why do you always think something is wrong?"

"I didn't say wrong. I just said something is up. I have a strange feeling." He perched himself onto the counter and watched as she inspected the cabinets. "I just think you should be careful until we know more about him!"

She leaned on the counter and scratched beneath his chin. "I will. Now, however, I need to go find a grocery store and get you food!" Ally pushed off from the counter and jetted out the door before Solaris could object. Ally walked out of the building and tried her best to memorize what the building looked like. The last thing she needed was to get lost again. She walked down the street slowly, trying to take in all the sights and figure out landmarks. The streets were thick with people but not thick enough to hide the bins of fruits up ahead. Ally made her way right into the small store but an unexpected push from the crowd caused her to loose her footing and bump into someone. "Sorry!"

"You know I said I'd be around after work," Darien laughed as he held onto her until she stood up.

"Darien! I didn't know you worked here." Ally brushed her skirt down.

"Now you know. What are you looking for?"

"Cat food. That's it," she laughed.

Darien side stepped before approaching an aisle. "Right over here. Only a few choices but I'm sure there's more than enough. Shouldn't you be trying to get some rest? I'm sure your flight was long."

Ally picked up a small bag of the dry food and looked up at him. "I should probably but I need to get used to the time difference." She smiled and looked around to be caught by something hanging on the wall. Ally walked over and examined the poster that looked slightly familiar. "Hey, what does this say?"

"Oh that?" Darien laughed and walked over to her. "That's Sailor Moon and the Sailor Scouts."

"Sailor Moon and the Sailor Scouts? They don't look anything like this."

"Huh? You have different ones overseas?"

"Is this one supposed to be Sailor Moon?" she asked pointing to the one standing in the center with the heart brooch in the center of her bow.

"Yup, that's her! She's pretty popular around here. What does your Sailor Moon look like?"

"Not like this," she shook her head, "she doesn't have stupid hair, for starters. Or that big clunky brooch." Ally shook her head again and looked towards Darien. "She's a lot classer."

Darien laughed again and picked up a magazine from the rack and handed it to her. "Yeah, meatball brains is definitely unique to Japan! Here, this is one of the comics. You might get a laugh out of it."

"I can't read Japanese, though."

"Well, I'll help you translate it later. If anything, you can take it home and compare the two."

"You make an excellent point! I'm sure my friends would get a real kick out of this!" Ally popped open the cover and looked through the pages.

"There's a show about it, too. I'll have to ask when it comes on because I don't watch it," he laughed.

"I think I'd actually love to see it," Ally said, rolling up the magazine in her hand. "I really should get going. Sol has to be hungry."

"Right, no problem." Darien took the two items from her and checked her out. "I get off in a few hours. I'll be over when I get off."

"Okay! You know where to find me. See you later." Ally grabbed hold of her bag and walked out of the store as a long haired blonde walked in.

"Hey, Darien. Have you seen Andrew?"

"No, sorry, Mina. I think he had the day off. Why don't you give him a call?"

"I tried," Mina said, reaching over and grabbing a bag of marshmallows. "He didn't answer. He wasn't at his house either."

"Maybe he has a date." She looked over and stared daggers into him. "Or he is doing something else. Why do you need him anyway?"

"Oh, you know…just thought I'd bump into him."

"Sorry, Mina. I haven't seen him. I've been pretty busy today. I don't think I'll see him later, either."

Mina rolled her eyes and jumped onto the counter. "When are you and Serena going to make up already?"

Darien exhaled and walked around the counter and started to move things on the shelves. Serena was the last thing he wanted to talk about. Not even a week ago, he broke up with her again. For some reason he just didn't feel connected to her anymore. It felt like it did before when they first met. He could barely stand her being around. "No, Mina, and we're not going to."

"And why not?"

Darien held tightly onto the jar in his hand. "Does it matter?"

"She's really upset-"

"I don't care, Mina. She'll get over it."

"It's your destiny to be together, Darien."

"If it is, we will. Just not right now." He finally put the jar onto the shelf and turned around. "Just encourage her to forget and move on. It's over."

Mina huffed as she jumped down from the counter. "Darien, I don't know what's gotten into you."

"Nothing. Nothing has changed, Mina. I'm just finally realizing this. All of it."

"I'm worried about you. If any of the others-"

Darien quickly stepped up to her. "Don't talk to them about this. No one needs to worry about me. It's none of your concern." He turned away from her and huffed, "Why don't you go home?" Mina opened her mouth to object before storming out of the store.

Solaris jumped onto the counter as Ally poured a bowl of his catfood. His paws landed on the comic and he tilted his head. "What is this?"

"Believe it or not, it's Sailor Moon." He sat back and pawed the cover until it flipped open. "Darien said he'd translate it for me. It's weird though. He said that one," she pointed to the blonde with the meatball head, "is Sailor Moon. Does she look like her?"

"This is strange. Maybe the Sailor Scouts are just that popular here."

"Maybe," Ally said walking away and sitting onto the couch. She made herself comfortable and turned on the small television in the corner.