Hello everyone! This is just the standard fanfic disclaimer to kick off my first attempt at a fanfic. I'm writing this fanfic because someone had challenged me to do so. I accepted the challenge of course, and here we are. While in the beginning I just wanted to see if I could actually write some- thing worth reading, I'm now writing because I've developed quite an interest in fanfiction in general. Besides, it keeps my short-story writing skills in check; skills that I haven't used since my second year of high school, so many moons ago... This fanfic is set in the Sailor Stars timeframe, but I've changed the plot ever so slightly to allow for one character to come back: Mamoru. I've changed it so that his plane didn't disappear, and that he was just studying in America while Galaxia was harassing the Senshi. Most of the stuff in this first part is just introductory. If you don't know what I'm talking about, this is a SPOILER ALERT, and you should stop reading if you don't want to know what's going on. "Sailor Moon" character names et. al. are Copyright (C) Naoko Takeuchi, Toei Animation, and Kodansha. In other words, companies with big wallets and a collection of high-priced lawyers who aren't to be trifled with. The story I wrote, but everything else (the characters, the names) is theirs, theirs, theirs. Please don't sue me. Anyways, here we go... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars "Together Once More" by: Andre Garde (aj113@torfree.net) Part One: An Unexpected Visit Usagi Tsukino lay awake on her bed, beside the sleeping form of her "sister," Chibi-Chibi. She wondered about Mamoru Chiba, her true love and masked protector of the night. "Where are you?" she said to herself. Unable to sleep, Usagi rose and wandered over to her desk, careful not to disturb Chibi-Chibi from her blissful slumber. She took a pen, and a piece of sta- tionery decorated with bunnies, and started to write yet another letter... -- Dearest Mamo-chan, I've missed you so much since you've been gone. How are things in America? Is school as tough as it is in Tokyo? More importantly, I hear there are lots of great places to eat! Oh, but must've told you that already ne? Everyone else here is doing fine. I've finally convinced Setsuna to be a little more outgoing, even though she's developed some sort of fetish for ice cream bars. Hotaru seems a little lonely with Chibi-Usa gone, but she's made some new friends at her school to keep her company. We've met three wonderful people in particular. They call themselves the Three Lights: Seiya Kou, Taiki Kou, and Yaten Kou. Yaten's got that meanie attitude, kinda like... Rei, but more obnoxious. Taiki's sort of like Ami, he's real smart. And then there's Seiya. He's like you actually, now that I think about it. But he's different... I don't feel the same kind of warmth from him that I feel when you're around. Chibi-Chibi stirred in her sleep. He eyes twitched, yet they were still closed. She tossed and turned around in Usagi's bed. "Hmm... must be a nightmare. Poor thing." She sighed, deciding it was time to finish off her letter. I have to go now, Chibi-Chibi is becoming restless in her sleep. I still wonder who she really is. Anyways, I better check to see that she's all right before she wets my bed. Everyone wants to see you come back soon. I miss you, my Mamo-chan... Love, Usako. -- Mamoru Chiba, a bouquet of fresh red roses in hand, strode happily down the streets of Tokyo. He was on his way to see Usagi Tsukino, after coming back from school in America. Though he only could stay a for a short time in Japan, he had decided to fly back to Japan to surprise his girlfriend. "She'll be ecstatic!" Mamoru thought to himself. The intoxicating smell of the dozen roses he held radiated pleasant warmth through his system. It was only a few blocks to the Hikawa Shrine, Rei's temple, where he was sure the girls were having another study session. He was glad Usagi had made it into Juuban High with the rest of the girls, and was even more thrilled that Usagi had started to pick up her grades (as well as her act). Maybe it was the thought of knowing what her responsibilities were in the future? Mamoru went as far as venturing a guess, but left it at that. "Who cares," he thought. "I like her the way she is." That smile, those looks, so full of life... takes a guy's breath away. Wanting to have the advantage of full surprise, Mamoru went silently up the steps of the temple. Not far away, another was thinking the same about Usagi. Seiya Kou, accompanied by his fellow Lights, Taiki and Yaten, were on their way to the study session to meet up with the girls. Seiya had convinced the other two to come along, despite their protests that they didn't need any help, and that they had better things to do than teach that ditz Usagi. But they came along for the visit anyway. "You remember the last time we were all together," Taiki was saying, referring to the time they spent at Usagi's house. "The girls were there, we were there, then Haruka and Michiru showed up. And then, we get attacked by one of Galaxia's lackey's, I get jumped by three of the Senshi, and..." His voice trailed off in obvious disgust. Yaten looked indifferent, perhaps he wasn't listening or didn't care. But Seiya didn't either. "Look, I promised Usagi and the others that we would help them out. Come on, they're not so bad. Maybe Usagi's a bit of a clutz but the rest of them are okay." Besides, he had to admit it: he liked Usagi. She was cute. Seiya grinned. "What's so funny?" Yaten asked. Damn, gotta learn some self control. "Uh, nothing," stammered Seiya, blushing a shade of red. "Let's just get there ASAP." He picked up the pace leaving Taiki and Yaten behind a few steps. Yaten looked ahead at his fellow Light. He turned to Taiki. "Love, ya think?" "Maybe." "Should we do something?" "Like what?" "Oh, I dunno. Forget it." Both let out an exasperated sigh. They tried to catch up with Seiya as they neared the temple. "YOU GOT WHAT!?!?!?" The ancient timber that comprised the backbone of Rei's temple shuddered, producing a noticeable creak that made even Ami look up from her "Advanced Calculus: Beyond Integrals" textbook. "Usagi, you got 85?! 85% on a test? This is insane! Have the fiery depths of the Earth frozen over or what!?" Rei fumed at Usagi. She knew better than to accuse Usagi of cheating on a test. She was secretly pleased that Usagi had started to get better grades in school, and to take life more seriously. But she'd never, ever, let those thoughts be known by the others. She had an image to maintain, after all. And besides, Rei had gotten a 75% on a similar test at her private school. Minako and Makoto were happy for their longtime friend, though their happiness was one-sided: they both got lower marks than Usagi did! Minako thought back to "the thirties," the good old days. "The thirties" meaning the times when Usagi and Minako always used to get 30's on their tests at school. The times where Rei always used to criticize Usagi for her bad marks and poor attention span. "Looks like those days are far behind us," she thought. "Well, we're all very proud of our odango atama! Just for that, I'm going the make you the BIGGEST desert you've ever eaten!" Mako-chan beamed. She imagined Usagi in front of her, drool dripping down her chin, visions of nikuman and cake dancing through her head. Waitaminute, waitaminute, she IS drooling! Usagi sat happily, despite the saliva creeping out of her mouth and down her chin, with a look of pure rapture on her face. She was thinking of the cavalcade of food that Mako-chan would make for her. Ami and Minako chuckled. Mako-chan was still startled. Rei, as usual, went into her offensive mode. "Can you please wipe that DROOL off your face, you slobbering twit!" Usagi snapped out of her trance, and looked slightly saddened as Rei broke her out from her reverie. "Even Chibi-Chibi doesn't do it as much as you do!" She turned away from Usagi, nose upturned and arms akimbo. Usagi was about to start caterwauling; Ami and Makoto covered their ears. Minako took in the sight of her two friends. Same old, same old, after all. Ami intervened to stop the two from their little melodrama, the usual mediator in times like these. "Now, now, stop it you too. Usagi's been taking some big steps as of late, and I'm sure we all agree that we should be very happy for her." Ami's words made Makoto and Minako nod in agreement. Usagi's face brightened, thankful that Ami was sticking up for her yet again. Rei, however, remained undaunted. "Big steps!? HA! The only big steps SHE takes are the ones that take everyone else down with her!!!" Rei laughed. When in doubt, use Usagi's clutziness to get on her nerves. "You're so MEAN Rei-chan!!! You, you..." Usagi wailed. She stuck her tongue out at Rei, who did the same. "Thlbbbbbbb!!!" "Thlbbbbbbb!!!" Both turned their backs to each other, almost mirroring each other's position. The rest of the girls groaned, sweatdrops forming simultaneously. It didn't matter when Usagi got bad OR good grades, as her relationship with Rei would always be the same. Just then, Rei could feel a shadow being cast on the group. Being skilled in the spiritual arts enabled Rei Hino to sense these things, little occurences that would seem inobvious to the rest of them. She raised an eye- lid, and then another. Wide-eyed, she gazed upon Mamoru, who was motioning for her to keep quiet. The others had seen him come in too, but they kept the secret from Usagi. They knew what he was up to. Usagi couldn't see their smiles anyway, her eyes were shut in defiance. Mamoru cleared his throat meaningfully. Usagi thought it was Rei. "Don't even TRY to apologize Rei! I'll do great on ALL my tests this year, just you wait and see! Hmph!" Mamoru cleared his throat again, but still Usagi didn't notice. When he put his hand on her shoulder, Usagi's eyes blinked wide open. It feels warm... familiar... could it be? No, he was studying back in America. Apparently too busy to find the time to return any of her letters that she sent. Still, it really feels like... she turned around. "Mamo-chan...?" she whispered. For a moment she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her, but Mamoru's smile brought one of her own to her lips. "MAMO-CHAN, IT IS YOU!!!" She rose to embrace him tightly, laughing all the while. Usagi felt whole again; prince and princess were together once more. "85 huh? You're getting pretty smart aren't you, Usako?" Mamoru looked upon at Usagi's own heavy-lidded gaze. He bent down and kissed her softly. Ami blushed, embarassed, and turned her head away. Makoto and Minako smiled. Rei made gagging noises, but was secretly happy for the two. She tried hard not to let it show. A sudden voice from the entrance to the temple broke the spell cast over the group. Usagi and Mamoru released themselves from each other and looked to see who called out. Both were annoyed, especially Usagi. "Oi, odango atama! You holed up in there!? Hey girls, your reasons to live have arrived!" "Oh no," Usagi thought. She forgot that she had invited... "THE THREE LIGHTS!!!" Ami, Makoto, Minako, and Rei all had hearts in their eyes. They rose up to greet them, while the Three Lights braced them- selves for the onslaught of hugs. Mamoru and Usagi held back. Neither of them noticed that Mamoru suddenly clutched Usagi closer to him. Seiya managed to break free from the girls' death grips. He wandered over to Usagi, taking notice of Mamoru for a brief instant. "Hey what's up Usagi-chan! I heard you all needed some help with your schoolwork. Anything the matter?" Ami spoke up. "Well no actually, Usagi got 85 on her test, so it looks like we won't need your help af--umph!!" Makoto, Minako, and Rei covered their hands over Ami's mouth. They V-ed their fingers as everyone looked on. Taiki and Yaten, in particular, groaned. They knew that the girls just wanted their company, and not their study tips. "No, everything is fine. Really." Usagi said. "Thanks for the offer, anyway. Maybe Mako-chan, Minako, or Rei-chan could use a hand though." She tried to shift Seiya's attention away from her. Seiya looked over to the girls, then over to where Usagi was standing. He gazed curiously at the sight of Mamoru, who did the same. Seiya couldn't help but think that he'd seen him before. Mamoru was wondering if this was the guy that Usagi had mentioned in one of her letters. "Who's this?" Seiya asked. "Is he like a cousin or something?" Stupid question, he thought, looking at them holding each other so closely. "Seiya, I'd like you to meet Mamoru Chiba. Mamoru, this is Seiya Kou." Both moved forward and shook hands, silently nodding to each other. They felt something from each other, some kind of force when their hands clasped. Neither could place the feeling, which instantly left their bodies as they released their grips. "Over there are Taiki and Yaten Kou." The brown- haired and silvery white-haired Lights nodded. Usagi walked up to Mamoru and put her arms around his waist. "Mamoru's my boyfriend, Seiya." The words hit him like a freight train would a stationary car sitting on the railroad tracks. Then he remembered: that picture at Usagi's place, the one he had put face down. This is the guy. Strange, he thought, with longer hair and a pony tail, he'd look almost like me... Mamoru realized this was indeed the Seiya that Usagi wrote about. Now that he saw the actual flesh and blood before him, he couldn't help but think that he was staring at some sort of mirror image of himself. Well, not exactly, but something about Seiya made him feel that they were similar in some respects. He shuddered as he reflected upon the events that had taken place with Nephrenia. Mirrors played a role back then too. Makoto spoke up, uneasy at the silence spreading throughout the room. "Uh, so, Mamoru-san, what brings you back to Tokyo so soon? I thought you were supposed to be in school in America?" Mamoru was somewhat relieved. "Well, they're letting us out for about two weeks since they're doing renovations and restructuring some of the classes. I thought I'd surprise you all by coming back here for a little R&R. And of course, I came back for you, Usako..." They smiled at each other. Seiya tried to remain cool, but he could see that he didn't want to stick around with these lovebirds, especially when one of them was Usagi. "Well, it looks like you two have some catching up to do, so I guess we can take off now. Right?" He looked over at Yaten and Taiki. Both nodded swiftly; they were still in the clutches of the other four girls. Ami, Rei, Makoto, and Minako looked disappointed, and reluctantly released their holds. "See you around, Usagi-chan." He turned around and exited, as the other two Lights followed him. -- End of Part One Andre Garde (a.k.a. Veritech) | Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Team HQ! aj113@torfree.net | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/5991 Comments? Any advice that you have to offer is always welcome. My email address is as above.