Chapter 2: Suspicions

*Michiru*

Filled with frustration, Michiru came downstairs after her shower hoping to get to the bottom of things. As she neared the kitchen she heard Setsuna on the phone thanking someone. Wait, she was thanking their princess. What was going on? She stalked in with her hands on her hips as Setsuna hung up the phone, "What is going on Sets?"

The Guardian of time purses her lips and sets her coffee mug down on the counter, "I am not certain Michi." Something in Setsuna's eyes made Michiru believe her. However, she could also tell she knew more than she was saying. However, Michiru understood the constrictions placed on Setsuna by her position and duties and so she did not press her.

Instead, Michiru sat down and sighed, "I really think that she is avoiding me Sets. She leaves early, almost never answers her phone, and she ALWAYS comes home after I am asleep. I don't like it and I don't know what to do."

Setsuna nodded and poured Michiru a cup of coffee, setting it in front of her, "I know Michi. But I don't think she is seeing someone else or anything." Michiru noticed the way that Setsuna had started staring at her coffee. This troubled her even more. She was about to ask her about it when Setsuna cut her off, "Aren't you supposed to be at the studio… Well, in about ten minutes?"

Looking at the clock, Michiru realized that Setsuna was right. She had been so worried about Haruka that she hadn't kept an eye on the time. She groaned, "Yes Sets, thank you." She turned to leave and then paused, "But we will talk more later." Michiru could feel the discomfort in Setsuna, but she had no choice but to go. Michiru had signed a contract and she had to get all of her recording done before school began.

The Senshi of the Deep Sea took the keys to the other car the Outer Senshi owned, a black BMW, and headed out feeling grateful that she had insisted Haruka teach her how to drive not long ago. Thank Selene for small blessings.

*Usagi*

The odango haired princess sat across from her prince, frowning into her ice cream sundae, "It was so weird Mamo-chan. She seemed so sad."

Mamoru nodded as he drank his coffee, "But she has been down a lot lately, hasn't she Usako?" He looked concerned, but Usagi wondered where that came from. Occasionally her beloved prince still got jealous over Haruka, but not often anymore.

Usagi nodded and took a bite of her treat, "Yeah, she has. I asked her about that too. She said she's been having weird dreams but she wouldn't tell me anything about them. And apparently, she hasn't told Michiru-san about them either. Mamo?" She looked at him with big eyes.

Swallowing hard, Mamoru replied, "Usako?" Then understanding hit, and he frowned, "Usako, she and I are not close like that. I highly doubt she'd tell me something that she won't tell you or Michiru."

Her eyes looked even sadder, "You're probably right Mamo-chan. I just don't know what to do. And you're so good with people, and dreams, and stuff. I was hoping you could help her." Usagi gazed at her sundae, watching it melt a little.

The Earth Prince slash college student watched her, seeing how morose her expression was becoming and he exhaled. He told her, "Fine, Usako, I will attempt to talk to her. Just… Cheer up, okay?" His own expression was pained, but Usagi knew that he would do just about anything for her.

She smiled and began eating her sundae again, "Thank you Mamo-chan! You're the best!" With that matter settled, Usagi enjoyed the rest of her sundae.

*Mikayla*

"This place is AMAZING Mikayla," the exuberant red-head declared as the two of them walked down the streets of Tokyo. She looked all around her eyes still wide and very tourist-like. But that made sense. The two girls and their parents had just moved here from the United States. Everything was so different and Phoenix was in love with it all.

Mikayla smiled and giggled as she listened to Phoenix, her sister, going on and on about the beauty of Japan. She was happy too, it felt comfortable to be here, but she was not like Phoenix. Mikayla had always been the quiet sister.

The two of them kept walking down the street, passing a number of shops and a restaurant as they did. When the duo passed the restaurant Mikayla got these strange vibes and she noticed her sister looking at something or rather someone, but since Phoenix didn't stop neither would she. After the two had gotten a few blocks away from the area, Phoenix stopped out of the blue.

When she looked at Mikayla, Phoenix appeared panicked and that was not like her. Mikayla's brow furrowed, "What's wrong sis?"

She watched as her sister looked around wildly and then said, "Didn't you feel it Mikayla? There was something… I don't know… Weird back there." She kept scanning the area, "You're the one with the weird powers."

Mikayla put her hands on her hips, huffing, "Hey, I don't think it's just me! You're the only one it seems to work with and if you felt those vibes too…" She didn't finish. Mikayla knew that Phoenix didn't like the idea that there was anything unusual about her. Well, anything that involved magic. She had always said that the two of them should be princesses.

Sure enough, Phoenix shot her a look, "Anyway! You felt something though, right?" Her eyes were almost pleading.

Nodding, Mikayla replied, "Yes, I did. When we passed that restaurant. And you were looking at that cute guy." She giggled, unable to stop herself.

However, the flush in Phoenix's cheeks made it worse. Well, until she snapped back, "Cute guy? Seriously. The one in the athletic gear?" Mikayla nodded and Phoenix rolled her eyes, "That wasn't a guy Mikayla. That was a girl. You couldn't tell?"

Mikayla shrugged and sighed, "You're better at reading people than I am. I am just the quiet geeky sister who can enter your dreams… Boy that does sound weird when you say it out loud."

Just then someone with long black hair and violet eyes approached them, clearing her throat before speaking, "Did you just say that you can enter dreams?"

Mikayla looked at Phoenix, unsure of how to respond. Phoenix laughed, "She is just kidding! We're from America, you know American humor! Anyway, I'm Phoenix and this is my sister Mikayla." Mikayla watched in astonishment as she extended her hand to the girl.

The girl took Phoenix's hand and as she did both her eyes and Phoenix's grew wide. Mikayla looked on in confusion as Phoenix yanked her hand away.

The girl looked down at her hand and then at the girls, "No she wasn't kidding and she isn't the only one with strange powers. Who are you?" Her tone had become firm and her posture rigid.

Phoenix looked her straight in the eye, "We just moved here from America and anything else is none of your business…. What is your name?" Mikayla swallowed, knowing that a fight may not be far behind when her sister was this mad. What she did not understand is what about the dark-haired girl had made her so mad in a split second.

The girl flipped her hair back and replied, "Rei Hino. And if either of you ever decide you're ready to tell me the truth of who you are you can come by the Hikawa Shrine." Without saying anything else, the girl turned on her heels and left.

Once she was gone, Mikayla turned to Phoenix, "What was that?" She was utterly and completely lost. However, she knew there was something.

Phoenix looked down at her hand, "When I shook her hand I… I saw something… I saw a castle. It was tall and made of this. I don't know, red stone. I could vaguely see Earth in the distance." She shook her head, "And now my head hurts! I think we should stay away from that girl." Phoenix huffed and she started down the street again.

The quiet Mikayla paused, playing with one of her blonde strands that had escaped its ponytail. She wasn't sure she agreed with Phoenix. Something in her gut told her that they needed to talk to that girl. But could she convince her sister of that? Phoenix could be so hot-headed.