Sept 2002
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, but the story is mine.

Chapter 7


	Ami was leaning against the wall of the park when Usagi came running
 up, her hair flying wildly behind her.  "Get everything you need, Usagi-chan?"

	Usagi nodded, bending over, her hands on her knees, to catch her
 breath.  "Hai."

	Ami waited patiently, glancing at her watch, as Usagi regained her
 normal breathing pattern.  "So, why did you have us meet at the park?"

	Usagi shrugged, leading the way inside and feeling the sense of
 familiarity that always nagged at her, "I thought it would be secluded enough.
  This isn't exactly something we can just go tell the world about, right?"

	"True.  Who would believe a talking cat, transformations and magical
 powers anyway."

	Usagi slanted a glance at her.  "Well said, Ami-chan, well said.  So
 did you find anything else out about the vial you had?"

	"Not a thing.  I analyzed it for a while, but until you give me a
 chance to check it with the rest of the things you've collected, I can't
 really give you much of an answer."

	Usagi blew her bangs out of her eyes, collapsing on the bank of the
 lake, the waterfall nowhere in sight.  Why was it she couldn't seem to find it
 when Mamoru wasn't with her?  She shook off the disturbing thought and looked
 at Ami as she settled next to her, the clear blue eyes of the water senshi
 looking out across the lake.  "This is beautiful."

	Usagi smiled, wrapping her arms around her legs and resting her chin on
 her knees, "I feel like I've been here before, but I used to live in Canada. 
 I'd never been to Japan, and yet, this," she waved her hand at the lake and
 the gardens surrounding it, "is familiar.  Like something from a dream."

	Ami arranged her skit around her crossed legs, her hands folded in her
 lap, "I wish I could say I know how you feel, even inside this beautiful
 place, I don't think you could have seen it elsewhere.  Tokyo is known for its
 unique attractions."

	Usagi's smile was tinted with humor, "Guess what we're going to end up
 being.  Here." She reached for her bag and placed it next to Ami, "That has
 the rest of the vials.  Whatever connection they've got, I hope you can figure
 it out.  I don't know if I could stand to have another ingredient added to
 them."

	Ami opened the bag after taking a careful look around and carefully
 pulled out the vials, placing them in a row in front of her.  She paused,
 looked around, and then placed them into her own bag.  "This probably isn't
 the place to do this, anyone could walk up and see us.  If you don't mind, I'm
 going to take these home and study them there.  My mom's never home, and I
 study a lot of strange things, so they shouldn't arouse her suspicions."

	Usagi nodded, "Sounds good to me," she stretched out and stared at the
 lake, "Are you in my grade, Ami-chan?"

	Ami nodded, "Hai.  Though my mom says I'm supposed to be in University
 with my marks." She sighed, "I just don't want to be pushed beyond my teenage
 years too fast.  I don't want to grow up yet, does that make sense?"

	Usagi nodded, "Trust me I know.  When I was first approached about this
 whole heroine thing, a part of me didn't want it.  I just wanted to be normal,
 ya know?  And then I realized I don't really have a choice, it was destined-"

	"Drugs are never pre-destined, Usagi-chan."

	Usagi and Ami whirled, their eyes widening as Mamoru watched them both,
 his hands in his pockets.  "Mamoru-san!"

	He reached up and pulled his sun glasses from his eyes, his gaze never
 leaving Usagi's.  "If you were in trouble with drugs, heroin of all things,
 why didn't you tell me?  I would have helped."

	Usagi was speechless.  She'd been careless, talking about being Sailor
 Moon with different words and now Mamoru thought she was a drug addict?  She
 couldn't help it, she laughed.  "Drugs?  Me?" she grinned, "Mamoru-san, you're
 imagining things... I am the last person who would ever consider using drugs."

	"But you just said..."

	She waved a hand at him, not daring to look at Ami, as she got to her
 feet, "I know what I just said.  I mean a female hero, not the drug.  Sheesh,
 didn't you know I was asked to be a role model for my brother?  I mean it's
 kind of like being a hero."

	He was still skeptical, she could tell, but he replaced his shades with
 a curt nod, "Good day, Usagi-chan."

	"See ya, Mamoru-san." She watched him walk away, letting out her breath
 with a loud whoosh when he finally disappeared.  She looked down at Ami
 finally to see her new friend looking at her with a baffled gleam in her eye. 

	Usagi held up her hand, "Don't ask, just listen.  I feel terrible about
 lying to him.  Mamoru has been nothing but nice to me since he's been my
 tutor, but we can't let people know who we are.  We don't know who our enemy
 is yet and until we do, nobody can know about us.  As for Mamoru there's
 nothing going on between us besides the tutoring so don't look at me like I'm
 his girlfriend or something, I mean, we're just friends!"

	"I was only going to ask who that was, he's awful cute."

	Usagi blushed, feeling mortified.  Fighting the urge to duck her head
 she met Ami's gaze.  "Oh.  He's Chiba Mamoru, a university student who's a
 friend of Motoki."

	Ami cocked her head to the side.  "Motoki?"

	Usagi nodded, "The student with the part time job at the arcade."

	"I've never been to the arcade.  I have too much work to do."

	"No?  Well, I'll have to introduce you to him, Motoki is great."

	"Do you have time to play games, Usagi-chan?"

	Usagi shrugged, "I'm passing my courses, besides, everyone needs time
 to unwind and enjoy themselves.  Don't you ever do that?"

	"Of course.  But I go to the library or curl up with a good book.  I
 don't see why anyone would want to play video games."

	"Really?" Usagi looked shocked, "You've never played a video game?"

	Ami shook her head, "Not outside of Solitaire.  I don't have time for
 them.  They don't seem very challenging or entertaining."

	"You have no idea what you're missing, Ami-chan!  Come by the arcade
 tomorrow with Naru and I, and we'll show you how much fun video games can be."

	"Are you sure we should be seen together, Usagi-chan?  No one will
 think it's odd you've acquired a new friend?"

	"Why should they?  Don't you want to be my friend, Ami-chan?"

	"Hai, but-"

	Usagi shook a finger at her, "No buts.  Either you want to spend time
 with me or you don't.  I'll understand if you don't."

	Ami smiled shyly, "You're certainly different from any other girl I've
 met, Usagi-chan.  I'll accept your challenge.  I would really like to be your
 friend, but I hope you don't think that's just because we work together."

	Usagi laughed, "Of course not!  I should be getting home, Ami-chan,"
 she said, standing and brushing at her skirt, "my mother trusts me now that I
 know the city but I have chores and homework to do.  If Luna could only hear
 me say that," she shook her head, grinning.  "Naru and I walk to school
 together every morning, would you like to join us?"

	Ami shook her head, "Iie, I have to decline.  Mom drops me off every
 morning since she doesn't want me walking to school in the dark."

	Usagi cocked her head at Ami, "In the dark?"

	Ami nodded, "I'm in the library before it opens for most people.  The
 computer lab is open to me too.  It's a special arrangement with my mother and
 the school so I can stay fifteen chapters ahead of my class."

	"Fifteen?!" Usagi looked as if she'd swallowed something foul tasting,
 "You're kidding I hope.  Why would anyone want to be that far ahead of their
 class."

	"So I'm never behind, of course." Ami shrugged, "I know it's a little
 strange, but I want to keep my marks as close to perfect as possible.  By
 staying so far ahead it keeps them that way."

	Usagi shook her head, "I'll take your word for it.  See you at school
 tomorrow Ami-chan."

	Ami waved her off as Usagi turned to go.  Skipping down the path, she
 looked around, gazing at the flowers and the animals.  She was so absorbed by
 the sights and sounds that her paced slowed.  Her foot lifted to take a step
 and caught on an uprooted tree root.  With a shriek her arms began to pinwheel
 as she fought for balance.

	She began to fall and a strong hand grabbed hers, pulling her back to
 her feet, "Careful, koneko-chan."

	Her eyes flew up in surprise, "Haruka?"

	Haruka's smile was rakish, "You were expecting someone else?"

	Usagi had the grace to blush.  She'd been expecting to see Mamoru, but
 she wasn't about to tell Haruka that!  "Not really.  Thanks for the save,
 Haruka-san."

	"Anytime.  Headed somewhere special?"

	"Just home.  Mom will be expecting me for dinner."

	Haruka nodded, releasing her hand and gently clucked her under the
 chin, "See you, koneko-chan, thanks for introducing me to Michiru."

	Usagi's jaw dropped as Haruka walked away whistling.  "Koneko-chan?"
 she asked herself softly, "Where the heck did that come from?" She shook her
 head before heading off at a run again, her feet light on the pavement, her
 hair flying wildly behind her.

	
	Mamoru watched as Usagi was saved from an unpleasant meeting with the
 ground by a woman, at least he thought it was a woman, who seemed to be well
 acquainted with her.  He shook his head.  Was Usagi really using drugs or was
 she telling the truth?  Her simple explanation could easily be the truth.  He
 turned and walked away from where Haruka and Usagi had encountered one
 another, heading out of the gardens.  Usagi's little friend had left in the
 direction he took to go home.  Maybe he'd catch up with her and ask a few
 discreet questions.  

	His pace was quick as he closed on the boyish character, following her
 for a block before stopping, looking at her closely. Did he really want to
 approach that?  He wasn't even sure it was a woman!  He watched as Usagi's
 friend entered a café and took a seat near the window with an aqua haired
 beauty.  He blinked.  The strangest sense of deja-vue came over him as the two
 leaned in close, exchanging a few words and then smiling together.  He shook
 his head to clear it before turning on his heel.  He'd ask Usagi about them
 later, for the moment his stomach was making its demands for food known.


	Usagi flipped the latch on her door and leaned against it.  What a
 night so far!  Shingo hadn't gotten any better at school, at least, not yet. 
 She could tell he was still frustrated, but at least he was trying now.  He'd
 actually asked for her help with his homework.  Her help with his homework,
 now that was a laugh.  She grinned.  Maybe she'd help him tomorrow, but she
 had her own to do first.

	"Usagi-chan?"

	"Hai?"

	Luna was sitting on the windowsill, her red eyes gleaming in the light
 of the setting sun, "Ami-chan should have those pieces analyzed by now,
 shouldn't you give her a call?"

	Usagi shook her head, "Oh no, I have to get my homework finished. 
 Whatever they were going to be used for, they're safe with Ami for the night.
  She can tell me tomorrow.  Besides, I only left her an hour ago." She grinned
 suddenly, "Guess who overheard us talking about heroines today."

	Luna shook her head in silent question.

	"Mamoru-san."

	"Chiba Mamoru!  Usagi-chan, I told you to stay away from him, he's not
 normal!"

	She blinked, "Pardon, Luna?  Did you just say Mamoru-san's not normal?"

	"Hai."

	She laughed.  "And I am?"

	Luna shrugged, looking back out the window and refusing to be amused as
 Usagi grinned like an idiot and began to pull her books out of her bag. 
 "Something's coming."

	"So you said before."

	"It's getting closer, Usagi-chan, be serious."

	"If I was as serious as you, Luna, I'd be a lemon.  Sour.  Relax would
 you, Ami-chan and I can handle whatever the bad guys throw at us.  Now, what
 was I saying about Mamoru?  Oh, right, he thought Ami and I were on drugs."
 She laughed, throwing herself back on her bed and grinning at her cat, "Can
 you imagine?  Ami-chan and I on drugs?  That's a laugh, right?"

	"Hai."

	Usagi grinned before sitting up, "I wonder if he bought my story about
 being like a hero for my younger brother.  Ah well, let me know if things go
 all funny Luna, I need to tackle these legends for history class."

	Luna simply nodded, but her charge had already turned to the text book. 
 She sighed.  For the moment, there was little to do but watch and wait.


	A few hours later, across the city, Mamoru dropped into his bed,
 exhausted.  His martial arts class had left him feeling depleted.  He closed
 his eyes warily, hoping for a night’s undisturbed rest, but somehow knowing it
 was too much to ask.  He cleared his mind as he drifted off to sleep and hoped
 for the best.


	He was sitting by a pool of water in a loose black shirt and black
 pants.  His boots were on the ground next to him as he trailed his feet in the
 water.  His armor was in a pile underneath the same tree as the night before,
 the weeping willow's branches falling towards the earth in an almost
 protective embrace.  Wait a second, armor?  He looked around, seeing a garden
 that looked very familiar.

	The fading light of the sun illuminated the grounds and the rising
 light of the moon.  The contrast between the yellow and gray was so clear in
 the reflective pool that he had to close his eyes to avoid being blinded.  He
 looked around again as the sun finally faded, only the faint light of the moon
 casting shadows in the garden.  He’d been here before and yet he hadn’t.

	He waited patiently, for what he didn’t know, his gaze on the rising
 orb that was beginning to shine with a soft, yet sharp, light.  The beams
 faded as they hit the canopy of the trees and closed his eyes again as the
 light breeze ruffled his ebony hair, causing it to brush against his closed
 eyelids.  The familiar sensation was almost soothing.

	He felt a presence suddenly in the clearing with him and didn't move,
 almost dared not to breathe as it knelt neat him, the whisper of silk against
 the moss covered rock his only clue.  Who was it?  Surely his dreams weren’t
 going to be about her again, were they?  A soft voice caused him to open his
 eyes after a few minutes, light fingers brushing his bangs off his forehead,
 "Endymion?  Are you awake?"

	"Angel?  Is that you?"  His ocean blue eyes connected with her sky blue
 ones and it was then that he noticed the brilliant crescent moon on her
 forehead.  It shone bright gold in the light of the moon, "So I was right. 
 You are from the moon." How had he known she was from the moon?  He was
 feeling very disoriented. 

	She nodded, her eyes sad as one of her fingers reached up to touch the
 symbol of her heritage, "Yes, Endymion."  


	Mamoru awoke with a start, his eyes flying open as that voice echoed in
 his head.  The sadness echoed through his mind as he fought to breathe.  She
 was so memorable, those eyes so tauntingly, achingly familiar!  Who was she? 
 He pushed himself from the bed, feeling as if he’d been reliving something
 from his life, and yet, it was so long ago, the clothes more than anything
 else telling him that, so it wasn’t possible was it?

	He stepped out onto the balcony and inhaled sharply, trying to calm his
 racing heart.  He felt an acute sense of loss, almost as if he’d lost
 something more than just the dream.  If it was a dream.  Why did she always
 call him Endymion, was it some kind of sign?  She seemed like an angel, he'd
 even called her that, so he didn't even know her name.  He bowed his head,
 knowing the light of the moon shone down on him as he stood there and took
 comfort in the soft beams of light.  Somehow, he had to find this angelic
 woman who haunted his dreams and beg her to stop.  Only then would he know
 peace.


 Author's note: Wow that took a while to write!  The Endymion scene is from
 chapter 5 of Secret Garden. Oh, on that note, I'll be revising Secret Garden
 in the coming months as I have to re-read it anyway to make sure I keep this
 story on track  I never had a beta-reader for that one so it's in need of some
 fine tuning.

 Questions, comments, flames, critiques, heck, anything at all you want to tell
 me, e-mail me at:

Jademax@hotmail.com

I'll do my best to respond promptly.  Thanks for reading!

Jade_Max