January 2002

 Disclaimer: I don't own the characters I'm only borrowing them.  The
 story however is mine.

Family Secrets						
by Jade_Max



Prologue

	The guardian of time watched as time flashed by in the time gate. 
 Damien, her charge, was long dead, having grown into a responsible young
 man who had ruled his kingdom with a fair and firm hand.  He was talked
 about to this day, almost two thousand years later, as the man who'd
 rebuilt Earth after his father's war had torn it apart.  Most stories
 about him were now legends and few outside of the royal line knew them for
 the truth's they were.

	Red eyes watched as the sun set and rose on centuries, patiently
 waiting for the time she knew would be coming.  For the rebirth of that
 noble line, those noble descendants, of an age old royal blood.  As the
 time drew near she watched for the tell tale signs.  The flaring of the
 planets as their powers were released towards Earth.  As she watched, the
 maelstrom was reflected in her cold eyes.  No emotion registered in her
 features as each planet released its energy towards that small, distant
 orb.  As the moon, the final planet of them all completed its circuit she
 stepped away and turned her back on the gate.  From here on in she knew
 exactly where she was to be going, and when.  The silent senshi, the
 guardian soldier, bowed her head and closed her eyes as the time slowed to
 a crawl, the energies of the planets combining on Earth...


	*			*			*

	The Earth flared brilliantly under the sun's eclipse, the brilliant
 light masking the energies of the planets, aligned for the first time in
 two thousand years, as they shot towards Earth.  The energy swirled and
 combined, two such streams merging for a brief moment, as if in a caress,
 before disappearing towards the surface and the inhabitants.


	*			*			*

	A young woman with a waist length mass of black curls smiled wanly
 at her husband, her sweat soaked hair plastered to her forehead, her eyes
 glowing with pride and love.  Cradled in her arms was a sleeping baby,
 "Endymion," she told him softly, "Chiba Endymion Mamoru."

	Her husband, Kenjo nodded his head and smiled, "A stong name, for a
 strong young son." He kissed his wife on the forehead and gently removed
 the infant from her arms as her eyes drifted shut.  He had a fine young
 son, he was never going to endanger her life again.  His family was now
 complete.

	*			*			*

	Chiba Endymion was seven when his parents were killed in a car
 crash.  He was thrown from the car on impact and somehow survived massive
 head trauma.  He was placed in the rehabilitation in Tokoyo General before
 being placed in an orphanage.  For the next eight years he struggled to
 put together the blank pieces of his life.  He went to school, did his
 homework and got top marks.  He skipped ahead in school, passing the
 eleventh grade at the age of 14.  By his 15th year he was in his last year
 of high school, and looking into going to college.  Working three jobs, he
 was saving his money, hoarding it like a miser.  By his 16th year he was
 out of the orphanage and on his own.  It was then, that strange things
 started to happen.

	*			*			*

	Endymion... the whisper slid through his dreams like a caress, the
 musical tone of the voice sending shivers through his body.  He knew that
 voice, somehow.  

	Endymion... he tossed his head to the side, hearing it call him,
 hearing -her- call him.  Who was she?  Where did she come from and why was
 she calling him Endymion?  
	
	Endy, please... find me, I need you...

	I'm coming!  I'm coming, tell me who you are and I'll find you!

	She slid through clouds at a distance, too blurred for him to make
 out, slipping away at the moment where he felt he could identify her.  His
 eyes flew open as he gasped for breath, clutching his chest.  Who was that
 girl and why did she haunt his dreams?  

	Mamoru threw the covers back and ran for the balcony doors.  He
 tossed them open, and stepped outside, taking in deep gasping breaths.  He
 was big for his age, standing about six feet tall, just a hair over,
 though he had yet to fill out.  His frame promised great power in the
 years to come.  He clenched his hands in his hair.  For the past six
 months, ever since he'd turned 16, this same dream had been haunting him.
 This mystery woman just wouldn't let him sleep!  

	He had a girlfriend, or at least, he did, why couldn't he ever
 dream about her?  Just one erotic dream about his current flame wasn't too
 much to ask for, was it?  He groaned, yes it was, this mystery woman
 always came back, taking over his sleeping hours.  How could he find her?
 All he knew was the way she sounded, and that wasn't nearly enough.


	Staring up at the stars, a young Mamoru made a single wish.  To
 find the mystery lady so he could sleep at night again.  The same wish he
 made every night.  Maybe one day, it would come true.

	*			*			*

	Mamoru stared out across the city from his balcony, a cup of coffee
 in hand.  Four years had passed since the dreams had started, and they had
 yet to disappear.  In fact, they were getting worse.  He sighed, brushing
 his bangs out of his eyes.  He was into his third year of university and
 well on his way to becoming a doctor.  All of his professors said he was
 the most promising student.  If only they knew the kind of torture he went
 through each night, maybe he should take psychology and figure out where
 this type of dream came from.  

	He smiled humorlessly as he watched the sun come up, sipping from
 the mug.  His body had been conditioned in the last few years to last on
 very little sleep and a few cups of coffee.  Dawn was always spectacular,
 though he loved dusk better.  For some reason, the night brought
 disturbing dreams, but the moon soothed his soul afterwards.  Almost as if
 the two were connected.

	Mamoru shook his head to clear the thoughts away.  He'd filled out
 over the years.  Strong, and well muscled, he was wirey and fast.  The
 kind of man who was well diciplined, both in mind and body, and relied on
 speed and cunning more than brute strength.  His gaze fell on the gi
 hanging on his wall.  He was a fourth degree blackbelt in karate, though
 you wouldn't know it by looking at him.  In some ways, it had helped him
 contol himself, to find the strength to burry his dreams and get on with
 life.  If nothing else, they made long term relationship impossible and
 short term always lacking.

	Mamoru pushed away from the balcony rail and stepped back inside
 his apartment.  It was time to get ready to start his day.  He made a
 short detour to the kitchen to pour a fresh cup of coffee before walking
 into the bathroom and kicking the door shut behind him.

	*			*			*

	"Serenity, dear, it's time to go to school, are you ready yet?"

	"Call me Usagi, mom, Serenity is just too odd.  You know the kids
 would tease me if they found out!"

	Her mother chuckled, "It's your name, dear, be proud of it."

	Serenity, or Usagi as she prefered, slipped into her flat shoes and
 scooped up her lunch bag before heading out the door to join her parents
 and brother in the car.  "Did you lock the door, Bunny?" asked her father,
 smiling.

	"Yes dad.  I like it here, though the language is a little awkward.
  I suppose I'll get used to it, though, if I have to use it at school
 everyday."

	Her father smiled, "I'm glad you do honey.  Now you know why I had
 you taking Japanese as your language option instead of French or Spanish."

	Usagi buckled herself in next to her brother and sat back in the
 chair.  Tokyo was different than her last home.  It was more crowded for
 starters, though her parents had managed to get a lovely two storey home
 on the outskirts of an upscale neighbourhood.  She sighed as she thought
 of all the friends she'd left back in America.  Hopefully she'd make a few
 new ones pretty quick.  

	"Shingo!"
	
	Usagi blinked.  Her brother was being his usual annoying self.  Or
 so it seemed.  She smacked him up side the head, "Behave," she hissed,
 enforcing her mother's sharp command.  The upside was that her parents
 didn't mind when she smacked her bother on the head to get him to listen.
 

	Shingo stuck his tongue out at her and turned back to the window. 
 He refrained from whistling at the women they were passing, casting the
 occasional dark glare at his sister.  

	Usagi shook her head.  Shingo wasn't taking this transition too
 well and she was half expecting trouble... something along the lines of
 fights, bad marks and hostility towards everyone.  It figured.  Not that
 she was a stellar student, but if she had to help him through it, if he
 let her help, she'd probably drop her marks down to a C or D average.

	The car stopped near the entrance to a large white building four
 storeys high.  Usagi shaded her eyes against the glare of the sun and
 inwardly felt her spirit lift.  The place was gorgeous.  It has a rooftop
 patio where she could see a few students playing some kind of game, a
 large courtyard with outdoor tables for lunch and a small wooded area in
 one corner.  A smile split her face as she grabbed her bag, "I'll see you
 after school mom, dad.  Don't bother to pick me up, I'm going to find my
 way home by walking, alright?"

	"Be careful honey," her dad called.  Shingo slumped down in his
 seat as they pulled away, Usagi winking encouragingly at him.  She finally
 turned and took a deep breath.  Hopefully, she'd be able to make it
 through her first day of school with her less than stellar Japanese!

	*			*			*

	"Tuskino Usagi?"

	Usagi looked up as she took her seat and blushed.  She quickly
 stood and bowed to her teacher, "Gomen, I'm sorry, I'm new at this Haruna
 Sensi."

	Her teacher, Miss Haruna, laughed, "It's alright.  You'll learn
 real quick.  Class, this is Tuskino Usagi.  She's from America.  Usagi,
 tell the class a little about yourself."

	Usagi blushed shyly as she walked up to stand in front of the
 class, her teacher's soft smile encouraging her, "I come from a city in
 North America called Calgary Alberta.  I'm 14 years old and my birthday is
 on June 30th.  I have one younger brother and love to play video games,
 read good books and play sports." She glanced at Haruna, "And my favourite
 subject is home economics.  I like science and history almost as much.  I
 also like to go to ice cream shops when I have some free time, so if
 anyone knows of any good ones..." she trailed of as the class laughed.  

	Haruna chuckled, "Thank you, Usagi." She motioned for her to retake
 her seat and stood, "Now that you've all been introduced to Usagi, I'll
 leave it up to you to make your own introductions."

	Usagi spun in her chair as she was poked from behind.  A smiling
 red headed girl offered her hand, "Osaka Naru."

	Usagi shook the proffered hand, "Pleased to meet you, Naru-chan."

	Naru grinned, "Can I show you around after school?  I know of the
 best video spot and the best ice cream shop."

	Usagi smiled widely, "Arigato, Thank you, I would like that very
 much."

	Naru cocked her head to she side, "For an American, your Japanese
 is pretty good."

	"Canadian.  But Thank you."

	"Oh.  Well, it's still good."

	"Naru!"

	They both looked up, Naru grinning, "Gomen Haruna Sensi."

	Haruna shook her finger at her, "Introduce yourself after class,
 and pay attention."

	Naru nodded as Usagi faced back forward.  This first school morning
 had gotten off to a rather good start.  She couldn't wait to see what the
 rest of the day would hold.

	*			*			*

	Usagi laughed with Naru as they walked out of their last class, "I
 can't believe I have every class with you Naru-chan!  That's very... er.."
 she paused searching for the word in Japanese, finally settling on,
 "neat."

	Naru grinned, "You'll get used to this.  Your accent is a little
 strange, but other than that you speak very well.  Want me to show you the
 best arcade in town, Usagi-chan?"

	Usagi grinned, "Maybe tomorrow, Naru-chan, I'd like to see
 something of the downtown.  This place is amazing, so many people!"

	Naru giggled, "Ok.  You know, we can check out the downtown on the
 weekend and I can show you the most gorgeous park!  The lake is
 incredible."

	Usagi's face lit up, "There's a lake?  Here, in the middle of
 Tokyo?  Wow, yes, I'd love to see it."

	Naru grabbed her hand and dragged her along, away from the school,
 "So where are you living Usagi-chan?  Do your parents have their own
 place?"

	She nodded, "Hai.  Yes, they bought the two storey house from the
 family we traded places with.  My father got his job and he got my
 father's job.  They got our old house in Calgary." she sighed, "I miss it,
 Naru-chan, and all my friends are a world away."

	Naru squeezed her hand, "We'll be best friends, Usagi-chan, you'll
 see.  You're so easy to get along with and outgoing, I have no doubt
 you'll make a dozen new friends in no time!

	She laughed, "I hope so.  So what's with this park, anyway?  I
 thought Tokyo didn't have green, just concreate and paint."

	Naru grinned, "It's the memorial park, from World War 2.  Every
 city has one, to remind us of what pride and overconfidence can cost us. 
 It really is very beautiful though."

	They'd been talking for a few minutes before Usagi felt she was
 being watched.  "Naru-chan, is there someone watching me?"

	"Hm?" Naru glanced around a couple of times, before looking at her
 friend and grinned, "If they are, they're probably staring at your hair."

	Her hand went defensively to her hair and style, "What's wrong with
 it?"

	"Nothing's wrong with it, Usagi-chan, it's just blonde.  If you
 haven't noticed, most people have black or brown hair.  You're a rareity."

	She blushed, "Gomen, I thought you meant my hairstyle was funny. 
 Most people make fun of me for it."

	Naru shrugged, "It's different, I don't mind.  I like it."

	Usagi smiled, "Arigato."

	Naru tugged on her hand as they neared a stone archway, a sign
 proclaiming it the Tokyo Memorial Gardens.  They stepped inside and Usagi
 froze, her eyes glazing over, she knew this place.  An image long
 forgotten flashed thought her mind.

	The walls encircled the area but were overgrown with vines and
 weeds.  Tall trees blocked out the view of the outside worlds, save for
 the view directly above.  The moon was peaking over the trees causing the
 little pond at the center to gleam silver.  The grass underfoot was long
 but bent in the breeze and only grew around the base of the walls; the
 rest of the area was covered in moss.  Beneath the moss was rock.  The
 waterfall lent a very private air to the area, a tall birch to one side
 it's branches low enough to climb onto without difficulty.  Seated on
 those low branches was a showeded figure, obviously male, obscured by the
 leaves... 

	"Usagi?"

	Usagi shook her head, shaking the vision away with difficulty,
 "Gomen, Naru-chan, what were you saying?"

	Naru was looking at her funny, "Just wondering what planet you were
 on, you got this funny look on your face when we stepped inside the
 walls."

	Usagi blushed, "It reminds me of somewhere, that's all." she looked
 around again.  The similarities were still there.  The walls were
 overgrown with vines but the weeds were trimmed away, artfully arranged
 instead of the haphazard growth of an unrefined mother nature.  The sun
 shone from above, birch and weeping willow trees in abundance.  The
 occasional Oak was in view and she smiled.  It held a certain familiar
 air, alright, but not close enough to match entierly.  A large lake was at
 the center of the park, the birds and animals chittering and making noise
 as they went about their daily business.  

	All around the grass was a shade longer than it should have been,
 soft to the touch as she knelt to run her hand through it.  No moss, not
 large rocks for shelves near the pool and no waterfall.  She found she was
 oddly disappointed by the lack of the last, "It's beautiful, Naru." she
 breathed softly, "So very beautiful."

	Naru grinned as he new friend stood again, "Want to walk around the
 lake?  There's a path, and a bridge at one point, that goes out over the
 water."

	Usagi nodded, "I'd like that very much.  Do people come here
 often?"

	Naru nodded in return, "It's a santuary of peace in the city. 
 People tend to come here to relax." 

	They spoke about various things as they walked around the lake. 
 Usagi was facinated by the area, the trees, the lake, the rose gardens. 
 She felt as if she'd stepped into a dream, and yet as if something very
 important was missing to make that dream come back.

	Naru showed her the red rose bushes, and one, final bush that was
 silver.  Usagi gasped, "Silver?"

	Naru nodded, "They're the rarest in the world, people come from all
 over to see this.  Beautiful, aren't they?"

	Usagi nodded, reaching out one hand to gently stroke a nearby bud.
  Soft like satin, the petals trembled at her touch, almost as if wanting
 more.  The stems were thornless, tightly interwoven.  If there had been
 more, they would have made an exquisit arch.  "Gorgeous." She turned away
 retluctantly and glanced at her watch, "Oh no!  I have to get home."

	"Something wrong, Usagi-chan?"

	Usagi looked both ways, "I have gymnastic practice tonight,
 Naru-chan, mom signed me up and I can't be late."

	Naru grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the garden.  "What's
 your address?"

	"3569 Minkrose way."

	Naru grinned, "Come on, this way."

	They passed several people on their way out, barely avoiding
 coliding with a tall, dark haired college student.  As Usagi shouted an
 apology and disappeared his gaze followed her.  She seemed familiar, that
 voice struck a chord in him.  He shook his head to clear it.  He had to be
 imagining things.  Walking through the gardens, he made his way to the
 silver rose bush and the elusive memories it had to offer.




 Author's Note: End of the Prologue.  The long awaited sequal to the Secret
 Garden Trilogy has finally begun!  Well, I hope to get Chapter 1 out
 shortly.

Comments, questions, suggestions and flames to:  Jademax@hotmail.com

Thanks for reading!

Jade_Max