AN: Hi, Jadie-chan again! Faking sick is fun! (=Þ) For anyone out there who’s a teacher or parent ready to scold me, it was my first time, I swear! Anyways, I wasn’t about to dissect that poor little pig, or run the mile for the third week in a row. Ick. OK, I kind of played with the personalities of Queen Serenity and Sailorpluto in here. I can’t write about serious people, they scare me too much. I think this fanfic is probably not as good as my last one, I didn’t have an editor this time *HINT*I need an editor and someone to do a joint-fic with me!*HINT*. Disclamer: Yes, I own Sailormoon. If you believed that, then why are you here? Quote of the Day: “You can stay home from school if you don’t feel well,” my dad, this morning. Such lovely words, freeing me from the twin horrors of running and dissection. Mamoru closed his eyes and rested against one of the white walls of the ballroom. It was the annual charity dance for the hospital he was an intern at and he was required to go by some unfair rule. Motoki was supposed to go with him, but had come down with the flu, leaving Mamoru to suffer silently alone at the hands of boring old men and women whose goal in life, it seemed, was to dance with him. For the past half an hour he’d been trying to fall asleep standing up, but he kept getting rudely interrupted. Just as he finally fell asleep, he heard someone yelling his name. “Mamoru-kun! Are you in there? Wake up Baka, would you?” a girl he recognized as the strong girl Makoto, one of Odango Atama’s friends, slapped him none-to-lightly on the side of his head. Behind her were three of Odango’s other friends Rei, Ami, and Minako, all looking at him like he was some kind of madman. He blinked a few times then glared angrily at Makoto for waking him, but she just glared right back at him. “Have you seen Usagi-chan anywhere? We haven’t seen her for nearly an hour, and she said she was just going to the bathroom.” Makoto asked. “No, Makoto, I haven’t seen Odango Atama anywhere. Maybe she’s *sleeping*.” Mamoru said, shutting his eyes again. There was a moment of silence, and then he cautiously opened one eye, to be greeted with the sight of a group of steaming fourteen-year-olds. Rei, the young black-haired priestess, grabbed him by his collar, as they stomped off toward the door, dragging Mamoru unceremoniously across the dance floor. “Now, Mamoru-baka, since you care *SO* much, you’re going to help us look for her,” Rei growled. “Besides, you need to do something. Falling asleep at a dance is terrible - people were beginning to stare!” They got outside, and were greeted by Usagi’s parents and little brother, Shingo, who were looking hopefully at the five teenagers. Rei shook her head, “Mamoru hasn’t seen Usagi either, but that isn’t surprising considering he was *asleep*.” Mamoru sighed, and the Tsukino family shot him odd looks. “I’m so worried about her,” Ikuko said. “She’s been doing this a lot lately - disappearing for an hour or two, then coming back in a good mood. It’s so late though, she might get hurt or something.” “If she’s with a boy, I’m going to have to chop his head off!” Kenji exclaimed, rubbing his hands together evilly, in a way that made everyone step away a little. “Well I’m just glad to get out of that stuffy old room. Maybe that Odango Atama is out here somewhere, we could go look for her,” Shingo said, looking just as, if not more, bored than Mamoru. Everybody agreed to his plan, and the large group trooped off together to search the park that was behind the hotel the dance was at. It was a huge, beautiful park, with three large lakes, each surrounded by dense forests that had a hundred paths leading through them to tiny alcoves, picnic areas, and tiny lakes. Mamoru lead the way through the web of paths, twisting and turning on the search for Usagi. He knew that the sooner they found her, the sooner he could go home and to sleep. After about fifteen minutes, Mamoru spotted a soft glowing light up ahead, in one of the hidden alcoves. Silently he lead the worried friends and family towards the beam of silver light, wondering what on earth could make such a glow. Nothing could have ever prepared him for what he saw there. Usagi sat on a large, flat rock, elbows on her knees with her palms up flat, holding what looked like a tiny gleaming fairy-version of herself, with long lavender hair and thin wings. “...And that was last night’s battle,” Usagi told the fairy. “Luna’s really bossy, you know. She’s driving me nuts with her nagging. She never was this bad before... maybe if I told her she wouldn’t be so awful?” The fairy shook her head sadly. “Serenity, I’ve told you time and again, no one can know of your true identity. Pluto’s mad enough at me already for telling you - it’s messing up the time line, she says - she’d probably dead scream me for letting anyone else know,” she said. “I know, Mother, but can’t you just *ehem* give her a Queen’s order or something? Puuhhhllleeeaaaasssseee?!?!?!?!?” Usagi wailed. The fairy covered her ears and scrunched up her nose, waving her hand in an effort to quiet the blonde. “What on earth...” “Huh?” “Mother?” “Queen?” “At least she’s not with a boy.” Came the confusion from the yet to be noticed group standing in the opening to alcove. “I think I missed something,” Mamoru mumbled. “And I always thought her fairy-friends were imaginary,” Shingo said sarcastically. Usagi finally heard that one, and was shocked to turn and see her family, best friends, and worst enemy gawking at them. “Oh, Kami-sama, have I got a long night ahead of me,” Usagi sighed. Then turning to the fairy, “Just tell Pluto that we didn’t do it on purpose, it’s the truth. At least I get to tell them - although I would have chosen a more subtle approach.” The fairy was examining the group one by one, but when her gaze landed on Mamoru, she gasped and nearly fell off Usagi’s hands. “Oh, Selene! Endymion...” she cried, flapping her wings and fluttering only about a foot from Mamoru’s bewildered face. Her eyes carefully looked over his every feature while he fidgeted uncomfortably. “It is him! Serenity, I thought you said you couldn’t find the present day prince.” “Mother, what are you talking about? That’s Mamoru! He’s a jerk - and he looks nothing like Endy! Endy had black hair and blue eyes and was a total hunk, REMEMBER?!?!? And Mamoru... he’s got black hair and those... exact... same... eyes,” Usagi started backing away, shaking a trembling finger at the tall man. “Oh no... You... You can’t be Endy! Oh Kami-sama...” By this time, Rei was gaining her senses back. “What in the world are you talking about Usagi? Will you and Fairy-lady here please explain to us poor, lost souls who can’t understand?” Rei half screamed, glaring at Usagi, who had fallen onto a large rock whimpering. Before anyone could say anything, an angry fairy was fuming directly in front of Rei. “Excuse me, *MARS*, but would you please not call me ‘Fairy-lady’? I am the spirit of Queen Serenity, and Usagi, as you call her, is my daughter, the princess of the moon, and I would appreciate it if you did not yell at her!” Everyone was speechless, staring uncomprehending at Usagi, while she stared at Mamoru, whimpering still, not even noticing that anyone had spoken since she had. Silence reigned for a few uncomfortable minutes, then there was a loud explosion and angry bellowing. “Highness! I gave you leave to speak with your daughter, but you promised to keep this a secret from everyone else! Do you realize what harm you may have done to the space/time continuum? ACK! I knew I shouldn’t have agreed to this,” a woman in a dark-colored sailor fuku with long green hair yelled. At this point, Shingo was pinching himself to a deep red, trying to make this a dream, Ikuko was clutching to her husband’s arm in a valiant effort not to faint, while Kenji was still thanking the heavens Usagi was not with a boy. Rei, Minako, Makoto, and Ami were gaping at Usagi. ‘Odango Atama, the princess? How the heck did that one happen? That girl has some explaining to do,’ Rei thought. ‘Another senshi, way cool. Seems pretty pissed though... Nice hair, I wonder how she does that,’ Minako wondered. ‘What’s wrong with Usagi? Looks like she’s seen a ghost. Or an old love... Mamoru? NAH!!!’ Makoto thought. ‘The princess was under are nose the entire time and I couldn’t figure it out? I must be getting rusty, I’ll have to put in a few extra hours of studying tonight,’ Ami reminded herself. Mamoru stood in front of them all, staring straight into Usagi’s crystal blue eyes, thinking. ‘Endymion? That’s what the princess in my dreams calls me. She’s a princess, too... Serenity, that’s what I call her. And the fairy called Usagi ‘Serenity.’ But I’m in love with my dream princess... so that means...’ The fairy was now standing in the green-haired woman’s palms, her head sagging. The woman in the sailor fuku spoke, slightly calmer now. “Now, your highness, you know that the senshi and Mamoru would have found out anyway, that’s part of their destiny, but now you have put the Tsukino family in danger. There was no need for that, and it easily could have been avoided. Now I have to explain to them everything - the princess, senshi, and Endymion.” Queen Serenity looked extremely guilty, almost close to tears, as Pluto turned towards the Tsukinos, giving them a blunt and unsweetened version of the story. “I’m sorry, really, for having to tell you this. You were never supposed to know, and the knowledge could easily put you in great danger. Your daughter is Princess Serenity, of the long-dead Moon Kingdom. You know her as the super heroine Sailormoon, and her friends Rei, Minako, Makoto and Ami as the Sailor Senshi, her protectors. This will scare you, but there are countless people out to do your daughter harm, in hopes of retrieving the Silver Imperium Crystal that she will eventually inherit. “The Silver Imperium Crystal is the most powerful object in the universe, controlled by its owner’s heart, with the capability to make or destroy entire civilizations. Can you see why she needs protecting?” Ignoring the shocked looks on everyone’s faces, she turned towards Mamoru. “And you, Mamoru, Endymion, Tuxedo Kamen, are also one of her protectors. Endymion, a part of you yet to be awakened, was the prince of earth at the same time Serenity was princess of the moon. You two are soul mates, and died on the night of your engagement gala, to be reborn on earth with the chance to love again. Now do you understand Usagi’s reaction?” She placed the tiny fairy-queen on a rock, and then moved over towards Usagi, who was still whimpering in a daze. The green-haired woman placed a hand beneath Usagi’s chin, bringing her back into confused consciousness by making her stand on shaky feet. Usagi smiled and embraced the woman. “Oh, Pluto-chan! It’s so good to see you after so long! My family... do they know yet? Are they OK?” Usagi asked, glancing over Pluto’s shoulder. Mamoru was staring straight ahead into nothing, trying to comprehend everything, her mom was weeping and her father struggled to hold back tears as he comforted his wife. The girls were looking back from Mamoru to Usagi, Mamoru to Usagi, attempting to picture them as a prince and princess in love. Needless to say, it was difficult. “I guess you did tell them. I know you have a lot of questions, but I don’t think I can deal with them now. Please understand, I’ll be at home,” Usagi whispered, running out of the alcove towards her home. “Queen Serenity, it’s time to go. Let them deal with everything themselves, alright?” Pluto held the fairy in her palms, and then in another white explosion they were gone. Ikuko collapsed in tears over her daughter’s dangerous destiny, while Kenji smoothed down her hair and Shingo just stood there, thinking about how cool it was to have his sister be Sailormoon. Mamoru continued his staring contest with the nothingness, and girls shivered in worry as they looked off into the darkness into which Usagi had disappeared. “Oh, Kami-sama - this is really complicated now, isn’t it?” Minako murmured. Mamoru then shook his head to clear it, then ran away in the same direction as Usagi. ‘I guess sleep’s out of the question now,’ he thought. Minako sighed, “Dammit, that boy just had to go and make it even more complicated! Where does he think he’s going, anyway?” Minako plopped down on the ground humming a little song while she wondered about the night’s events. “I wonder how the dance went...” ***At the Arcade - Same Night*** Usagi sat on a metal chair in front of the deserted arcade (AN: I’m sick of everyone having her go to the park. When does she ever go to the park in the Anime or Manga, or have her own crying tree?), crying softly in to the pale blue fabic of her dress. Her knees were curled up to her chest as she hugged them tightly, rocking back and forth in the small chair. She was freezing and having her face wet with tears didn’t make her any warmer. “What have I done? I should have been more careful... now Pluto’s mad and my family may be in danger. And Mamoru... Endymion... why does everything have to be so confusing?” she cried, pounding a weak fist into her shin. “He’ll never love me. My soulmate who I’ve been searching for since this thing started, doesn’t - can’t - love me. How can my Endymion, my prince, be Mamoru? He hates me!” Usagi’s voice died down into sad sobs again as a warm suit jacket came onto her trembling shoulders. She lifted her head up to brush the tears away, but a warm hand brushed them away for her. Her eyes gazed hopefully up into the shocking midnight eyes of Mamoru. She looked down, apologizing, “I’m so sorry Mamoru, this must be such a burden on you. It’s alright you don’t have to love, or even like, me because of what Pluto said - just...” Usagi was interuppted when Mamoru placed a finger to her lips. “Usagi-chan, I got my memories back, right when Pluto left. I remember everything, but most of all, our love, so don’t tell me it’s alright, because I know if I ever lost you again I couldn’t live. Usagi, Serenity, Sailormoon, I love every part of you. I know we haven’t always gotten along in this life, but I always felt a connection to my little Odango Atama, and it scared me. Please say you can love me Usagi.” Mamoru looked at her with a pitiful face. “Oh, Mamo-chan,” she said, a new nickname coming unnoticed out of her mouth. “I do love you! Oh, I was so scared that it wasn’t going to be alright. Arigato, Mamo-chan!” She jumped off the uncomfortable chair into Mamoru’s welcoming arms as they embraced in a loving hug. “If you’re ready, Usagi, I think everyone’s waiting for you at your house. I think I’m the only one who got their memories back, so you have a lot of explaining ahead of you.” Usagi nodded and they stood up, arms around each other, as they went towards Usagi’s house. “So...” Usagi started. “You’re Tuxedo Kamen I guess? I have to admit, it never even occured to me that you were the infamous Cape Boy, and I definetly never thought you were Endymion. That’s a lot to take in.” She sighed, running a tired hand through her bangs. “I know Usagi. I’ve been looking for you - for the princess - for a long time now. When I think about it, it’s hardly understandable that I never even considered you. I just want you to know that I did have feelings for you as Usagi, your alter-egos just make me love you more,” Mamoru said, placing an arm around Usagi’s waist. “Same here Mamo-chan. Same here,” she mumbled placing her exhausted head on his shoulder as they made the rest of the trip to Usagi’s house in silence. When they reached her driveway, Usagi stiffened and put a shaky arm around Mamoru to steady herself. They walked up to her door and knocked quietly. Minako opened it, smiling at the sight that greeted her. “Girl, where have you been? We’ve been worried sick - you said you would be here!” the blond girl exclaimed, dragging Usagi inside. Usagi stumbled on a rug by her front door, still attached to Mamoru, and they both collapsed, Mamoru landing with Usagi on his lap. They both blushed, then looked sheepishly up at her family and friends. “Well, that was princess-like Usagi. I’m really doubting what Fairy-lady and Sailorpluto said. I mean - YOU A PRINCESS - with Mamoru as your soulmate and Prince? I think not,” Rei said sarcastically, plopping uncerimoniously in a large blue chair. “Rei, you have got to examine the evidence before you make fun of me next time. If you want proof, you’ve got it,” Usagi said, an evil light shining in her eyes. She took Mamoru’s hand in hers, whispering a quiet prayer as a light from a golden cresent moon on her forehead engulfed the two, so bright that everyone had to look away. When the light died down, Serenity and Endymion stood there holding hands and smiling secretively at one another. “Well there it is. Still doubtful, Pyro?” *Thud* *Thud* *Thud* *Thud* *Thud* *Thud* *Thud* The prince and princess smiled at the fainted people, Usagi mumbled a hushed, “See, I showed you, Pyro,” then turned towards Mamoru and kissed him passionately. In the corner of the room, two women, Sailorpluto and Queen Serenity stood there, beaming at the couple. “I told her not to call me Fairy-lady again. Stupid stubborn Mars,” The Queen said crossing her arms over her chest. “Iie, you deserved it Highness. I told you not to do this,” Sailorpluto countered, interuppting the tiny Queen’s speech of annoyance. “Oh, come off it, Pluto, this is better than it was before anyways. She’ll protect her earth family, you know that, so don’t mope about it. Besides, their relationship really bothered me on YOUR timeline. My daughter and her prince aren’t that dense!” “That’s what you think.” “Pluto, do you want me to give your pot to someone else?!?!? Maybe if you got away from the gate a little more, you’d be less cranky. My daughter IS NOT dense.” “Suuuuuure.” “ARGH!!!!”