Standard Disclaimer: Sailor Moon does not belong to me. It belongs to Takeuchi Naoko, Kodansha, Toei Ltd., and tons of other people. Thank you very much for creating such a wonderful story and please don't sue me. ^_^;;; Hey, minna! Oooh, I've been *so* busy this week that I haven't had a chance to write! I'm rushing my deadline so I'll mention everybody who'd written me in Episode Three, okay? Oh, in next the next episode, I'll post my list of authors to read! (New authors that I've come across, some old favorites . . . and a couple good & talented friends of mine! That means you, Lianne-sama and Sue Mei!) Until then, I'll be seeing you, minna. -Fushigi Kismet In a time of peace . . . In a time of war . . . Two kingdoms lived side by side . . . Two hearts cried out for one another . . . And thus was a legend born. SAILOR MOON IN ANOTHER LIFE: THE LEGEND'S BEGINNING by Fushigi Kismet Darien got up from where he had collapsed on the ground and stared at the shattered remains of his windows. "What happened to me? I don't remember anything. Oh God, I don't remember anything since I blacked out . . . Don't let it be happening again. Please, don't let it be happening again." He leaned weakly against the wall, staring through his broken windows and gently waving curtains at the brilliant night outside. A crescent moon hung golden in the sky. He pulled away from the wall and clenched his fists, screaming at the night. "WHY CAN'T I REMEMBER?!!!!" Tutoring a Junior High Girl isn't Easy aka And Then There Were Two . . . Usa Elaine stared at the fifth failed test that Serena had brought back that week. "There's nothing for it, dear. Serena needs a tutor." "A tutor? I know her grades are terrible, but waste money on a tutor? We tried that before, remember? Four tutors and none of them lasted more than a day!" Usa Kevin, her husband and Serena's father, grumbled a little. "I remember, dear, but I think Serena's grown up a little. We shouldn't have that many problems now." "What you mean is that you *hope* we won't have as many problems now." "Yes, I do. What's wrong with a mother wanting her daughter to do well? Serena doesn't even go to juku! I'm afraid she's going to flunk out of junior high, never get accepted into a decent high school, and never make it to a good college!" Elaine burst into tears. "Aren't your hopes a little high, dear?" Elaine stopped crying immediately. "What do you mean?" "Serena . . . get into a good college?" Elaine hit him with her spatula. "If she tried hard enough she could! Our daughter is not stupid!" "No, she just doesn't try." He sighed. "Go ahead and find her a tutor." Elaine smiled, quickly reaching over to the phone and dialing. "Who are you calling?" "Professor Etude. I'm sure he has some students in his advanced classes who would be more than willing to tutor for a small fee." She was about to say something more when someone picked up the phone on the other end. "Moshi moshi?" "Oh, Professor Etude! Hello! This is Usa Elaine, and I was wondering if you had any good students that would be willing to tutor my daughter . . ." Usa Kevin sighed as he dug out his wallet. It was going to be a long day. The afternoon sun shone brightly. Mamo Darien walked down the street, his hands thrust deep into his pockets. His *empty* pockets. He sighed. He was so preoccuppied with his monetary troubles that he didn't even notice when the bubbly blonde bundle of energy started bouncing along beside him. In fact, the only thing that brought him back to reality was her hand waving in front of his face and a high-pitched, "Moshi moshi!" "Yaaagh!" he cried, stumbling backwards. Usa Serena stood in front of him, hands indignantly placed on her hips. "I take it that you meant to be funny?" "G-gomen," Darien managed. "You surprised me, that's all." "Boy, you're sure jumpy. What did you do? Rob a bank?" Darien sent a sour look her way. "*That* is none of your business." Serena's eyes grew as large as saucers. "Really?" she squeaked. Darien rolled his eyes. "No, Odango, not really. I'm just kidding." She scowled. "Don't call me that!" The remark rolled off her tongue as it it was a reflex action, which it had indeed become. "Well, you shouldn't lie to schoolgirls! High school boys should be trustworthy!" Darien feigned being hurt. "What? Don't you trust me?" "No!" "I'm surprised, Odango Atama. I thought you trusted everybody." "I don't trust *anybody* who calls me names!" "But it suits you." "That's no excuse." "Weeell . . ." "Yes?" "I guess you'll have to go on not trusting me . . . Odango!" he cried, running off. Serena shook her fist after him. "Oooh, just wait till I catch up to you, Darien! Just you wait!" Luna shook her head as she watched. The elegant black cat leapt out of the tree to land on Serena's shoulder. Serena jumped a little, then turned her head to look at the cat and stroke her furry head. Luna purred. After the first revelations that she had imparted to Serena when they had met, Serena had seemed to accept the fact that her cat could talk and that she was a superhero, easily. After all, she *had* always believed in the manga stories that she read. For Serena, there was no such thing as impossible. "So you came to meet me, huh, Luna?" The cat meowed and whispered in Serena's ear. "Not exactly, Serena. You must meet me later at the arcade." "The arcade? But . . ." "It's important, Serena. I have information on the enemy." "All right, Luna." "Now then, it's time that you were getting home, young lady. Your mother wants to see what you got on your math test." Serena groaned. "A *TUTOR*!!!" Serena screeched. Luna covered her ears with her paws from under the table. Elaine sighed. "Yes, a tutor. I've asked Professor Etude to get one of his students to tutor you." "But WHY?" "Oh, let's see . . . Maybe it's because you're FAILING?!!" Serena gulped. "You make it sound like a *bad* thing." "It is, Serena. A very, VERY bad thing. Now, unless you want me to ask Melvin's mother to let him tutor you, I suggest that you give your new tutor a chance." Faced with that unpleasant prospect, Serena could only nod in agreement. "Yes, ma'am." "Good. I've asked Professor Etude to set up a meeting for the day after tomorrow. Until then, I think you should review your math." "Ah, but MOM . . ." "No buts. Get going!" As her mother took on the appearance of Mount Vesuvius preparing to erupt, for once Serena acted prudently and ran up the stairs to her room. Later that night . . . Luna padded up the stairs and through the doorway of Serena's room, expecting to see her hard at work studying. (As if!-Serena) Unfortunately, what met her eyes was a scene that she had *not* been looking forward to. Serena was stretched out on her bed, sound asleep. The black cat sprang onto the bed and began shaking the girl. "Serena! Get up!" Serena sat up suddenly, and startled, Luna fell off the bed and onto the floor with a flurry of waving legs. "Oh no! Am I late again?!" Serena cried springing to her feet and dashing to her closet. "Where is that uniform?!" She began throwing clothes everywhere. Irritated, Luna tried to interrupt. "Serena-" But received a flung blouse in her face for her trouble. Serena began dashing around the room, but ending up tripping on one of her shoes on the floor and landed with a thud, bawling. "Oh NO! I'm late, and I can't find my uniform, and I tripped AGAIN and . . . and . . ." "Serena!" Luna shouted desperately. ". . . Ms. Haruna's gonna give me detention again . . . and . . . Wait, why is it still dark out?" Serena asked suspiciously as her eyes lit on her window. She turned to stare at her clock. "WHAT?!! It's 7:00 PM?" "THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TELL YOU, ODANGO FOR BRAINS!!!!" Serena turned to Luna. "Oh no, it MUST be catching! *Everyone's* calling me that now! It's not fair! It's not!" "PIPE DOWN!!!" Serena shut up. Luna calmed herself, smoothing her fur. When she spoke her voice was very rigidly controlled. "Now then, Serena, as I was *trying* to say, you should have been studying. What do you have to say for yourself?" "I got tired." Luna tsked. "Ah-ah-ah. Not a valid excuse." Serena frowned at her cat. "Don't *you* ever get tired?" "No. Anyway, Serena, I hope you shape up soon once your tutor comes. You know, *I* could have tutored you, *myself* if you had asked." "Why don't you, Luna? You'd save Mom and Dad the money, and I wouldn't have to study with some icky old tutor." "I doubt your parents would be receptive to the idea of a cat tutoring their daughter." "Oh, yeah. I forgot. Hey, you could just turn human, couldn't you?" "No, Serena," Luna said gently. "I told you, remember? Becoming a human . . . is not something that I enjoy all that much." "Why not?" "There are some . . . painful memories involved." "All right. I guess that's out then." "Yes, Serena." "Hey, weren't you going to tell me about the enemy?" "Why, yes, I was." Luna stared at her charge with a pleased expression for a moment. "It's too late now, but meet me at the arcade tomorrow night at ten. I'll tell you what I've learned then." "Why won't you tell me now, Luna? And why do we have to be at the arcade?" "The arcade is a very important place. It is more than it seems." "Whatever you say. I'm going back to sleep." So saying, Serena lay back down on her bed and was out like a light. "Serena!" The next morning . . . Professor Etude gazed over the rim of his glasses at Mamo Darien. He looked like he was dead on his feet, and he wasn't even on his feet. "Mamo-san," he said. "Are you all right?" "Wha-What?" Darien asked, sitting upright with a thud. The students around him hid their laughter. "Oh, uh, yes, I'm fine, Etude-sensei." "Mamo-san, I would like to speak with you after class. Is that understood?" the professor said, shooting him a stern look. "Uh, hai." "Good." The professor turned back to teaching as Darien slunk deeper into his chair. Man, oh man was it going to a long day. "What was it that you wished to see me about, Etude-sensei?" "Mamo-san, have a seat," Professor Etude gestured as he set about erasing the boards. Darien sat. "Now then," the professor said, turning back to face him, "it has come to my attention that you have been falling asleep in my class. Is this true?" "Uh, hai, sensei." "Hmmm, you're still as truthful as always, I see. Is there any particular reason why this is occurring?" "Work," Darien mumbled so that the professor could barely hear him, but years of listening to mumbled replies to questions had made his ears sharp. "I see. And how many jobs do you have, Mamo-san?" "Not many," he said evasively, looking away. "How many?" "Four." That was incredible. But something about the guilty expression on the young man's face prompted the professor to ask, "How many part-time?" "Six," came the barely intelligible reply. The professor hid his expression and slowly paced at the front of the room. "Your schoolwork is suffering." Darien surged to his feet. "I'll make it up!" "Sit." Darien sat. "It worries me that this is happening to one of my best students. It's the money, isn't it? You need it, don't you?" "I'm broke." "You're also doing very, very poorly. In fact, you are the closest to failing that you have ever been." Darien swallowed. "What can I do?" "Quit some of your jobs." "But-" "Listen to me, Mamo-san. I have a proposition for you. I have an old family friend who is desperately in need of a favor. Her daughter is not doing much better in school than you are at the moment. However, it is not because she has too much else to do, though she does seem to suffer from similar maladies of sleeping through class. "My friend needs a favor. She needs a tutor for her daughter. She asked me if I had any students capable of taking on the amount of work that this is going to require. I immediately thought of you. You are my best student, Mamo-san, and a hard worker. "This is what I propose to you: You tutor this girl. Her parents will pay good money and you can quit your part-time work. Despite the amount of effort that you will need to put in to get this girl to pass, it will only require a few hours of you every day, and you can go home and get some sleep. Otherwise, you can continue to work yourself to death, and get washed out of school. What do you say? Do you accept the job?" Darien smiled ruefully at him, shaking his hand. "It seems I must." <> Ann sent urgently. <> his thought was tinged with a hint of impatience. <> <> <> Her thoughts began to fade out. <> there was a touch of desperation in his telepathy. Ann had always been more in tune with the tree than he. It was as though they lived through each other. Ann always knew how it was feeling and whether or not it was in good health. It sent her images, but to Ailan, it remained a blank. Those of the Seventh have always been closer to the Tree than those of the Fifth, he recalled from a dim memory. There had still been no response from Ann. <> All of a sudden, their connection was severed. Nothing but blackness came from her end. Ailan pushed back his seat and stood up, staring at his teacher. "Gomen, sensei, but I have to go." And with that, he ran out the room. 'Porting home was easy, it was locating Ann that was hard. She could be anywhere in one of the alternate Space/Time corridors through the doorways of various rooms in the apartment that they had set up. Ailan figured that the room where the Tree was, their own "Thinking Room", was where she was most apt to be. He was right. Ann was curled up at the foot of the tree, the roots seemingly wrapped protectively around her. "Ann!" Ailan cried, running to her, his human clothes fading as he ran, replaced by his alien outfit. He swiftly knelt at her side. "What happened, my love?" She looked up at him, weakly. "I was in class when I felt the tree . . . I asked to be excused . . . the Tree was in so much pain . . . I went into the hallway and tried to get a fix on our Cardian . . . the Tree needs the energy . . . but everything got so blurry . . . and then . . . I blacked out. When I woke up . . ." she broke off her narrative and clutched Ailan's shirt half in fear, half in wonder. "The Tree," she whispered. "It brought me here . . . It brought me home . . ." "The Tree?" Ailan's eyes widened. "Yes, the Tree. Ailan, it needs energy or it'll die soon! We can't survive without it, Ailan!" "I know. I know. Is our Cardian still out there?" "Yes, Ailan." Ann pressed her hands to her temples. "It's . . . nearing a park. The park." Her eyes snapped open. "Should I warn it away?" "No. School will be letting out soon. A good percentage will be bound for the park . . . ." The Usa doorbell rang. Elaine went to answer it and was faced with the sight of a handsome young man, around seventeen or eighteen. He was holding several schoolbooks in his arms. "Um, am I early?" "Oh. Oh my," Elaine could only stare for an instant at this unexpected development. "Gomen, but . . . I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow." The young man flushed. "Really? My teacher told me today . . ." Making a split second decision, Elaine stepped aside and ushered the young man in. "It's perfectly all right. Have a seat. My daughter will be home shortly. Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name." He smiled. "Darien. Mamo Darien." It was at that instant that Serena ran into view and stopped short, ten feet in front of the door. "Oh good, honey, you're home! This is your new tutor." Serena could only stare in disbelief. "Serena! Just don't stand there! Come in!" Darien turned to Serena's mother. "Actually, Usa-san, I was wondering if we could go over to the park to study. It's quieter over there, and I think she'd get a whole lot less distracted." Elained paused for a moment, considering. "Well, since Etude-san vouched for you, I guess it's okay." "Okay, arigato!" Darien said gratefully. Elaine smiled cheerfully. "Sure. Now Serena, just be home by six, all right? I don't want you to miss dinner!" Elaine walked back into the house and shut the door. Darien turned around, at a half-jog, and grabbing Serena's unresisting hand, he dragged her off with a whispered, "C'mon, Odango." Still in a state of shock, Serena numbly followed. When they were halfway there and they had both slowed to a walk, Serena having regained her wits a bit in the meantime, She finally found that she could speak again. Glancing obliquely at Darien, she said incredulously, "*You're* my tutor?" "Yeah." Serena stomped her foot. "This just isn't fair!" Darien stopped. "What do you mean?" "I mean . . . I mean . . . Well, it's just not!" "I didn't know that you disliked me that much." This time her comment really did sting. Serena looked at him in amusement. "Not *you*, silly! This whole tutoring thing! I want to be at the arcade playing video games! I'm just not smart, so why bother?" Darien put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her tirade instantly. "Serena, *never* say that about yourself. You're smart, even if you don't know it. You just have to try." Serena looked up at him with wide blue eyes. "Darien," she whispered, and her voice was lost and faraway, as though she was speaking from a great distance. Darien looked at her, unable to pull away. What were the emotions swirling in the depths of her eyes? "Yes?" "I know you." Those three words, spoken so innocently, made Darien's heart leap and lodge in his throat. For a split second, he felt as though he might have known her before . . . in his past. A million memories swirled inside of him and he caught a glimpse here and there . . . but only a glimpse before they were gone. "Serena?" he asked, unsure how to proceed. She shook herself, as though coming back to herself. "Arigato, Darien. I think that's one of the nicest things that you've ever said to me. I will try." Realizing with a sinking heart that she was referring to what he had said earlier as though the last moment had never existed, Darien resigned himself to the inevitable. "No problem." Serena smiled, and impulsively, she threw her arms around him and held him tight . . . an instant longer than necessary. Then, flushed, she pulled away and started running off. "I'll race you to the park!" Darien stared after her fleeing form, his whole body hot and his heart thudding uncontrollably. He still felt the warmth of her body, pressed against his, especially at the spot where her golden head had rested, twin odango and all, right over his heart. Once again, freeing himself from those intangible, burning questions, he began running after her. "Hey! I'm not supposed to be racing you anyplace! I'm your *TUTOR*!!!!! Hey! Come back here!!!" Serena laughed. "Serves you right, Darien!" Luna looked after the two of them and sighed. The scream rang out from the park and Serena and Darien ground to a stop. "Wait here, Odango," Darien gritted out between his teeth. "I'll go check it out." He began running off again. "What do you mean, WAIT HERE?!! I'm NOT a baby!" "It could be DANGEROUS!" he shouted back. "Now, STAY, Serena, or I'm going to make you do extra math exercises!" "Wha-" Serena stopped as what he had said sunk in. "MORE math? You MEANIE!!!" Serena glared after Darien's retreating form until he was well out of sight. Glancing quickly around to make sure that no one was watching, she brushed the cover of her broach (now fastened securely to the bow on the front of her uniform) and shouted, "MOON PRISM POWER MAKE-UP!" Luna arrived on the scene just in time to see Serena shout her henshin phrase. Energy flowed from her broach and wrapped around Serena, bathing her in iridescent pink light. Silver light interlaced with the pink and together they solidified and formed ribbons that burst apart in an explosion of light and white feathers. In the blink of an eye, Serena had transformed into the Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon. "Hey, Luna!" she shouted. "I think I've found the enemy! We'll have to go the arcade, later." Saying that, she ran off in the direction of the screams. Luna scampered after her. Darien kept running towards the sounds of mayhem. Darkness began to eat away at the corners of her vision. He lurched forward and fell to the ground, unconscious yet again. A brilliant gold and green light, edged with blue, flickered around his body. From the light, a figure rose up. He was garbed in a strange outfit, a black tuxedo, cape, and top hat. A white masquerade mask hid his features. His eyes were ice blue but as warm as summer. He gazed regretfully at the body. "I *am* sorry, but for now, it must be this way. I must protect my love. Until you are ready to rejoin with me, we must stay apart. I sense that you are nearing the point where you must be made to choose. Choose well, Darien. Choose well." The masked man gazed at the red rose that had formed in his hand. He vanished. Sailor Moon saw the body stretched out on the ground. She bent over his body, feeling for a pulse. "Sailor Moon?" Luna asked. She turned, angry tears in her eyes. "They did this to him, Luna! I know they did! I won't let them do this to innocent people!" Luna looked at him for a long instant, a faint memory stirring within her. "He'll be all right, Serena. It's all those other people that I'm worried about." "You're right, Luna! I've got to go help them! Just . . . watch over him, okay, Luna?" "Hai." The Cardian, Spider, so named for her resemblance to a spiderplant what with her multiple appendages, stood in the center of the park, surrounded by over two dozen unconscious people. Several were couples, most were schoolchildren. "Stop right there!" A high pitched voice called from high overhead. The Cardian turned to see Sailor Moon perched on the top of a swingset. "Ah, fresh energy!" Sailor Moon gulped but continued on in a brave voice. "I am the pretty sailor-suited warrior of love and justice, Sailor Moon! I don't like what you're doing, and I want you to stop! Stealing energy from people enjoying a day in the park and from helpless young tutors is a terrible thing! You should be ashamed. I will *not* allow you to continue doing such things. In the name of the Moon, which is Luna, (That was unnecessary!-Luna) I will punish you!" "I don't think so, Sailor girl! Spiddddeeerrrr!" The Cardian spun around so fast that all of it's tendrils seemed to blur together. They were also as sharp as knives as Sailor Moon was soon to discover. They nearly sheared off her head, and if she had not jumped down quite so quickly, she might have been bald. "That's enough of that!" she shouted. "Moon Tiara ACTION!" She flung the frisbee/tiara, but it simply deflected off of Spider's arms and headed back towards Sailor Moon. Before she could cry out though, a flash of red stopped the twirling disc and she looked to see her tiara wrapped around a red rose. She turned to look at saw the tuxedo-clad man that she had encountered earlier smiling grimly back at her. "Are you all right, Sailor Moon?" "I'm *fine*," she said dreamily. "Then my work here is done." "Matte! Don't leave me here by myself! I can't beat her!" "Do not be afraid, Sailor Moon! Believe in yourself. I am Tuxedo Kamen, and I will always protect you when you are in dire need. However, you can handle this one, so I am no longer needed here." "Will we ever meet again?" "Of course." Then he was gone. Sailor Moon turned back to the monster who had not ceased spinning, but had gotten itself caught in the swings. Sailor Moon picked up her tiara. "Silly Cardian, you've left yourself defenseless. Moon Tiara Encircle!" The tiara expanded and surrounded the cardian, trapping it and stopping its deadly spin. It then proceeded to drain the Cardian dry, and with a scream, devoid of energy, it was reduced to the form of a smouldering card. The tiara returned to Sailor Moon, you blew off its top, and put it back on, with a smile. "Moon dusted." "Blast!" Ann screeched. "We lost Spider, too!" "Relax, Ann. We've got at least one more try before we have to start worrying. This time, just make sure that you choose *carefully*." "I will, Ailan. I won't let you down again." "I'm glad. Now, pick a card, my sweet." Ann smiled maliciously, placing the card on the table. "Blackjack." Ailan's expression mirrored her own. "Game Over." Together, they laughed. "What happened?" Darien asked woozily, as he came too, staring straight into Serena's concerned blue eyes. A black cat sat between them, glancing at him indifferently. Serena helped him to his feet, then wildly gesticulating, she began to explain. "You, uh, ran into a tree and blacked out . . ." "I ran into TREE?" "Uh . . . that's right." "That's funny, I could've sworn . . . Nevermind." Darien smiled good-naturedly at her. "Arigato for not making a big deal out of my stupidity." "It's no big deal . . ." "Good. Now, onto English grammar . . ." Serena sniffed. To be continued . . . Usa Serena/Tsukino Usagi Luna/Luna Mamo Darien/Chiba Mamoru Usa Kevin/Tsukino Kenji Usa Elaine/Tsukino Ikuko Minnow Melvin/Umino Gurio A(i)lan Galaxy/Ail Ginga Ann Galaxy/Ann Ginga Professor Etude (Etude-sensei)/ORIGINAL CHARACTER Odango Atama=Dumpling head Odango=Dumpling Gomen=I'm sorry Hai=Yes Moshi moshi=Hello (said on telephone) Matte!=Wait! Juku=cram school sensei=teacher Henshin-yo!=Transform!