Saved

She watched as the three girls walked off. Hugging her chest, she could feel the pressure build until she could bear it no more. She had told them to go.

She nearly fell to the ground in exhaustion. He mind was on overload. She didn't want to remember what she had seen.

'Malachite..' she thought, 'I will never forget you.'

She stands up, clutching the orange fabric in her hands, above her heart. Slowly, she makes her way out of the park.

--

She could hear the screams around her, even though she couldn't see. Her voice seemed to grow fainter with each passing second, growing more and more like a person she didn't know.

Such was the life of a teenager who lived in these troubled times. With the constant threat of yoma, who could even try to be normal? Sure, the easiest thing to do would be to run away from it all, wouldn't it?

"Hand over the crystal or you friend will die."

'Hm.. I wonder why I'm always caught in the line of fire?' she thinks, trying in vain to feel her hands. 'Why would that witch lock me in here, anyway?'

"All right! You win. Let her go."

'Usagi?'

--

She walks down the street, deep in thought. 'It couldn't be.. But the odangoes.. The acting.. It's gotta be!'

She stops in front of the local television store and watches the screens replay what had been on her mind. Standing in the middle of the screen was a sailor-clad warrior, Sailor Moon, holding out a crystal in the palm of her hand. An evil looking lady stood nearby, reaching out to take it.

'That's all this is. A game of cat and mouse. Well, I won't stand for it!'

"Although there were no reports, the casualties of these strange monster attacks are starting to rise. Who is this teenager who is bent on taking over the world?"

She snorts. 'More like saving your sorry asses.' She walks further down the street, not caring who she bumps into.

--

She watches the stars shimmer in the night sky. Her face is stotic, her stair unblinking. It's as if time had stopped for the girl.

'Why do things have to change?'

She conjures up an image of her friend, Usagi.

'Why can't they be the same as before?'

She sees her clothes melt away into a version of Sailor Moon's fuku.

'Why didn't you tell me?'

She smiles.

'Then I would be able to thank you.'

--

She hears her door open, pulling her from her revere, her silent vigil of the stars. Standing there is her mother, basked in shadows. "You know her secret, don't you?" she asks, the stench of alcohol on her clothing.

"Know whose secret, mom?" Despite her inner torment, she was calm.

"Sailor Moon's! You know her! Tell me!" She lunged for her daughter.

"Mom! I don't know! How could I? You know she never stays around!" She jumps further into the corner.

The woman gets ahold of her shirt. "Tell me!"

"How can I?"

--

She could hear the glass shatter, yet she hadn't the strength to move. She heard a small struggle, then her door slam.

'Why, mom?' she thought desperately, trying to ease her shaking spirit.

"Naru, are you all right?" a voice asks from so very far away.

'Perhaps I'm just imagining things.'

A pair of soft hands gently lift the girl from the floor and lay her gently on the bed. She could hear soft humming, and a strange light seemed to fill her.

"Usa.. I know.." she barely stutters out.

A gasp and the fading of the light guided her into the darkness of sleep.

--

She was walking down the hall, painfully aware of the stares she was getting. Her mother wouldn't let her put on any makeup, nor did she want to cover the hand-shaped bruise.

She stumbled to a halt to see her childhood friend standing in the middle of the hallway, clutching her bag and a note like there's no tomorrow. Her head is bowed, and she's trying to catch her breath.

Not a word is spoken as the blond hands the neatly folded square into the waiting hands, then turns and walks calmly into the classroom.

--

"If you had to choose.. Life.. Death.. Normalcy, uniqueness.. Which would you choose..."

--

Dinner was slow and tense. Mother and daughter said not a word as the clattering of silverware on china echoed through the small dining space. Neither looked nor stared, both concentrating on the task at hand.

Without a word, the girl picks up her dishes and silently excuses herself to the kitchen. Placing her dishes in the sink, she carefully walks up the stairs to her room, softly closing and locking the door.

Funny how one night can change a person so much.

She sits down at her desk and reads the slow and steady handwriting of her friend, trying to make sense of it all.

She smiles. Her friend needn't her help.

She takes out a piece of paper and a pen, and slowly begins to write.

--

'Usagi,

'The manner of which you speak is not for me to decide. Whatever is best, I will conform. Life, I would choose life. Not because it's shelfish, but because it on itself is the most wondrous thing.

'Even if we grow apart, I will never tell your secret. I must admit I was surprised at how long it took me to figure it out, even though we don't talk much anymore.

'Times change, Usagi. I am sorry I was not there for you when you needed it the most. In ways, I wish I could turn back time to help you on this journey, however I know it is not for me to help. You have a guard now, princess. You have my blessing.

'Even if you erase my mind, I will always remember the one that seemed to sparkle with moonbeams as you have these past few weeks. Your toughest challenge is yet to come, and it will start with the finding of the crystal and the Tsuki no Hime. You have my prayers, as well as
my thanks.

'Don't berate yourself now. Even if mom wanted to find out, I wouldn't let her. You saved me, Usagi. If you hadn't been there, I don't know what I would have done. This bruise, it means nothing if it weren't to help a friend. I am eternally grateful that you help the world, as I'm
sure they will someday. Just, don't do anything rash, all right?

'I'll leave the memory thing up to you. The world's in capable hands, princess. Never forget that, for it is your light that will save the
world.

'Naru'

--

Naru closes her eyes as she flips off the lights. She sighs as she
settles in for a night's rest. She smiles softly as she drifts into a
fitful slumber, fit for royalty.

Love Of My Life

There was the sound of an explosion below her. She could feel the arms around her, the wind making her bangs blow around her tightly closed eyes.

'Why is it always like this?' She asks herself as she is lowered to the ground. She cautiously opens her eyes, and blinks back tears.

'Things will never change back to the peace the universe once had. I pray for all those who have lost their lives, their souls, to this pointless battle.'

All around her, she can see the fires. Her once proud home, her life, now lay in shattered remains on the ground.

Her supposed husband raised his hands, and she can see her counterpart, so alike they could be twins, raise her arms in a defensive cross in front of her face. Time seems to slow down as the power from the flames seemed to swirl around the man.

'Iie..' she thinks, starting forward at a crawl. She could barely move, her legs seemed pinned to the spot.

"Star wall," the counterpart says as a shimmering gold field raises around her. The energy from the flames grew thicker.

'Iie!' She willed her legs to move faster, her heart pounding in her translucent chest.

A torrent of flames leapt from the man's open palms, stretching out to take control of the girl behind the field.

"Iie!!" she screams. She feels an arm wrap around her waist before she can go any further, a hand clamps over her mouth.

"Serenity, don't move! All will be lost!"

The flames give one final burst of light, then fade to nothing. The girl who was behind the field stood proud, her hands clasped at her chest.

"I must be brief, for the future is at stake," she whispers, a few scarce tears making her way down her cheeks and collecting on her hands.

"Give it up, Serenity! You can never protect the child!" The man made a mad dash toward the now shimmering girl, a dagger forming in his hands as he runs.

"Though it is night, a new dawn will come," she replies, just as soft as before. The tears start to swirl and form her own dagger. She closes her eyes, and allows the song of life to pass through her before she strikes out.

"However hard it may be, Sere, you must let this scene play out. It is for the future, for she must grow," she could feel his words vibrating through his chest and through her dress. She spins out of his arms and stares into his eyes.

"What choice do I have? I only wish to accept karma, to allow my faults to be corrected." She turns to the battle. "I remember hearing about this battle from my long journey. How am I to stand by and watch as my daughter is claimed by the darkness?" She shakes her head, the tears making their way down her face. She hears a scream and shuts her eyes.

"No matter what happens, we cannot change the past. You of all people know this, Serenity. Why deny it?" The men behind her reaches out a hand and places it on her shoulder. "This scene, it should give you hope. One day, things will be brighter. There will be peace."

"You're wrong," she replies, starting to shake with uncontrolled emotions. "No matter where the being of Light is, agents of the dark will follow, hoping to cast the world into shadows of fear, of doubt."

She opens her eyes and sees her counterpart has fallen. "They will rule the world, until the prophecy comes to pass. Until then, I shall accept what fate and destiny shall give me."

"He still loves you," the man continues behind her. "As long as love exists, then nothing shall bind you."

She sniggers. "The one I truly love, I cannot have. The hands of fate are very persuasive." His hand falls from her shoulder and she sighs, unaware of the tears that still flow from her eyes. "I just want to sleep."

She watches as her husband, still feeling the victory of supposedly killing his wife, starts to stalk to a hidden cove, behind a burning building. Serenity's eyes open wide as she lets out a frantic plea.

"Leave her alone!" She starts to run, aware the man behind her is following her. She tries to get to the child before her husband can, only to be held back once again.

She blinks as more tears start to fall, trying to break out of the iron grip of the man behind her. Somehow, she can feel his sadness as she reaches out, screaming.

The man turns back, holding a small girl of no more than eight by the wrist. The child is struggling to break free.

"Endymion! How could you!" she screams as the world starts to fade to black, forgotten images of the past making their way before her eyes.

--

"It's in these times that the soul can truly remember what it is like to have lost something dear, to truly reach out to the one it loves with all it's being..."

--

She slowly opens her eyes, blinking back the tears of the forgotten dream. She looks over to the clock and sighs. It's another day, and for once she is early.

Her cat watches, numb in shock, as her charge stands and starts getting ready for the day. The alarm clock starts to chime, and the blond stares for a moment, then turns it off.

"Luna, don't look at me like that," the girl says, zipping up her skirt and grabbing her homework.

--

She's sitting in the classroom, second only to her new friend, Ami. She is deathly quiet, thinking of the strange things that have been happening.

'Why now?' she finds herself asking. 'Why me? Why do I have to be the one?' "Who am I?" she asks to the air, her sight going blurry, composing a second image above the first.

The blue haired girl, Ami, turns and gives her a strange look.

She smiles, trying to hide the fact that she was confused.

Love of my life don't leave me You've taken my love, (all of my love) and now desert me

The man, her personal trainer, is standing in front of her, his face hidden by shadows. She can feel the light bouncing off her skin, off the pure white of her dress. She was confused.

"You wished to see me, Andrew?"

He smiled. She didn't know how she knew. It was a smile that both warmed and chilled her heart.

"I have to leave for awhile, Usagi. We shall meet again. Remember all I have taught you." He starts to fade as Usagi rushes forward.

"No wait! I haven't even seen your face! How will I know it is you?"

"You will when the time is right. Farewell, princess." His words are soft as he is fully gone.

The tears seemed so right now. 'Why?' she asks, falling to the ground. 'Why?!' To her, the world was bleeding, her manner of life was gone. 'After all these years, why now?' She pounds her fist on the ground, breaking the skin, staining her pure white dress. Everything starts to fade away.

--

She could feel the soft hand on her shoulder. Looking back, she stares into the cool blue of Ami's eyes. An unspoken question hangs there.

"He's gone," she whispers. The words catch in her throat. She reaches up to wipe the tears away, and hears Ami gasp.

"Come on, Usagi-chan. We must take you to the infirmary. You're bleeding."

--

They were late to class, but they had a note. Haruna-sensi gave them the assignment, and they sat down and quietly did their work.

--

a few years later

--

She sighed in contempt. Behind her, her Mamoru, her Endymion, sat, holding her close.

'If this is so right, why does it feel so wrong?' she asks in her head.

'You love him..' a voice replies in the back of her mind.

She slowly stands, stepping out of Mamoru's arms. She could sense his quizzical glance, but she didn't care. She slowly stepped out into the water, lifting her skirts so they wouldn't get wet.

'I remember, training here, in this very lake.' She closed her eyes as a lone tear fell. 'So many tears. Will Hell never freeze?'

--

She's running late to a senshi meeting. Her mother almost didn't let her go, with the increase of negative energy.

She didn't realize where she was running. She ran into a soft body, and before they could fall, the person caught them both. She gasped as she stood, looking up into her savior's eyes.

"Thank you, kind sir. I am sorry that I didn't watch where I was going." She gave a short bow, fighting the familiarity of the situation.

The man above her smiled and bowed as well then walked on his way. She stood there, transfixed, as he disappeared in the crowed.

She sighed and shut her eyes, trying to figure out where she had felt that energy pattern before. With a start of surprise, she snapped open her eyes and ran at break-neck speed to the temple.

--

It was the eve of her 21st birthday. She shook her head. Nobody knew.

Her mother had died when she was still an infant. The rest of her family didn't want her, the child being born a bastard because her father was lost to war. It took years, but she was adopted as Usagi Tsukino.

Only she and her foster parents knew her real birth date. She had asked that they change the date for specific reasons, and they had helped without question, accepting her request as a noble cause.

She was scared. Standing in front of the door to the man she once loved, she couldn't put into words what she wanted.

She knocked. He answered.

--

She walked home in the dark. The meeting had gone terrible. Mamoru had denounced his love for her before she had a chance to break it off.

She stumbled into the park, attempting to heal the rift in her heart that made her feel vournurable.

She made it to the lake, and dropped to her hands and knees. She didn't have the strength to carry on.

A splash was heard, and she felt the dark energy increase thrice fold, but she did nothing but kneel there.

'I just want to sleep,' she thought, shutting her eyes.

Something hit her in her temple. Without sound, she fell into the darkness.

Ooh, back - hurry back

She groggily opened her eyes, blinking back the blurriness. "Where am I?" she asks in a voice that was not her own.

"You are safe, princess."

Her eyes snapped open.

"Andrew?" She tried to sit up, but his hand held her shoulder to the bed.

"Not now. It's not quite midnight, and you've still got to recover."

--

She felt the tears sting her eyes as she reached to touch his face. "Is it really you?

He smiled the bittersweet smile from long ago. "Hai. We don't have much time. After tonight, I must return home." He reached and took her hand into his own.

"Please, take me with you?"

Because you don't know what it means to me

He gave her hand a little squeeze. "Are you sure? We must leave tonight."

The tears fell from her cheeks in a slow stream. She nodded her head and brought his hand to her lips and kissed it, closing her eyes.

"I know. There is nothing but heartache here for me."

--

Somewhere, a clock struck midnight. Usagi's body glowed a faint silver as her eyes and hair changed color.

Andrew's eyes grew soft. "Welcome back, princess."

"I'm finally myself!"

He chuckled, bending down and kissing her, their bodies fading into another time.

Spiral - Epilogue

Title: Spiral
Chapter: Epilogue: Spiral
Rating: PG
Author: Melody Brooke
Warnings: Manga Names used.. some changes.. see chart in the Author's Notes
(previous part)
~* *~
Today is Thursday, November 1, 2001. I am sitting in my chair
during band rehearsal. Practice has been canceled for today. We are playing
my favorite song, Greensleeves. I don't see the music, all I see is Her.

I can hear the music going on around me, and I know when to back
out and when to come back in. I feel as if I'm trying to tell a story about
the past few months. I get very emotional when we play the chorus. I see
only Her.

By now I realize that I am in another state of being, just like I
always get when I play my music. I've only realized it recently, though.
Around us is darkness, but it is a comforting dull black. The music swells
as we hit the climax of the piece, my favorite melody. I reach out a hand
while I am in this place, knowing what I am to do. She smiles.

She mimics me, and we touch, palm to palm, just as the music hits a
long high note. Put in a little vibrato. I close my eyes, like I do when we
get to this part. I feel the wind blow my bangs. I open my eyes. She looks
into my soul.

I ask her a question with my eyes, to take care of everybody for
me. She replies with a mental, 'I will.' She is me.

I am no longer Serena Tsukino. I am still Sailor Moon. She is now
Serena.

I am now Princess Serenity of the Silver Millennium. She is dressed
how I was, and I am now in a flowing white satin dress with silver
embroidery. I smile and send a, 'Thank you,' and start to fall.

I close my eyes one more time, and a lone tear falls. "Please take
care of Andy for me. I shall return.." I say, as I continue on my decent.

I open my eyes and giggle. Sailor Pluto is not going to like this.

I reach the space where I know there is no turning back, the music
hits the last few bars. I start to get scared, but I know that nothing can
hurt me.

Just as I hear my flute hit the last note, She disappears, and I
hear her last thought. 'What am I going to do?'

I smile once more, then shut my eyes. Everything swirls into a long
tunnel, and I am at the mouth of it. I am pulled backwards, towards my
destiny.

"Andy. ." I said aloud, "I will always love you. ." The whole world
crumbles beneath me, and I am sent in a long spiral.
~* *~

Spiral - Chapter Six

Title: Spiral
Chapter: Chapter 6 : Halloween pt. 2
Rating: PG
Author: Melody Brooke
Warnings: Manga Names used.. some changes.. see chart in the Author's Notes (previous part)
~* *~
Lita noticed where I was looking, and asked me if I wanted him to sit with me. I asked if it was OK, and she said she'd find a seat near us. Being in the position I was in, I asked the person in front of us if she could sit with her. She said yes, and then Andy got on the bus.

The whole ride to the football game was one big party with the three of us. We played all sorts of games, with the last being Truth or Dare. I warned Lita not to ask about *that*, and Andy asked me what it was, and I said he'd find out soon enough.

Just before we got to the place where we were going to eat, Lita asked him how he felt about me. I buried my head in a pillow I was holding for someone, so I couldn't hear a thing they were saying. I knew that if I hadn't have, then they would have teased me about how red my face had gotten.

When we got to the chicken place, Andy was led off by Rei. I was nervous about telling him, and I told Lita that as soon as Rei broke up with him, she could give me that truth. They came back, and she went on ahead, and I answered that I liked Andy. Hope hooked us up.

That whole game was like a dream. The band did well, I got jealous of the other drum major's uniforms (theirs were white, ours were black), and our team lost. Again. On the way home, I had another one of those dreams about how someone would hurt me, but they were in black and white, which was strange for me, since I dream in color. Everything flashed n color, and I saw the world how it should be, just like when Queen Serenity ruled over the Silver Millennium, and how I had my prince.

Everything was perfect.

The next Friday, it was Halloween. Our school had a Halloween
Spirit Day thing, and we were to dress us in some strange costume. I
dressed up as, you guessed it, Sailor Blonde. All my friends got a kick out
of it, mainly, those who knew I am Sailor Moon. I didn't see Andy that day,
which was a real bumper.

That whole month was quiet, until the end. I wish I could go back
and relive it, but I can't.
~* *~

Spiral - Chapter Five

Title: Spiral
Chapter: Chapter 5 : Halloween pt. 1
Rating: PG
Author: Melody Brooke
Warnings: Manga Names used.. some changes.. see chart in the Author's Notes
(previous part)
~* *~
October was a quiet month. I walked to the exit where Andy and the
other managers came out every day after school, and Rei always stole him
away, which I didn't mind too much.

Everything was going well, until Homecoming came along.

I swear, I will never drink that punch again. *Somebody* had to put
something in it that made me get drunk. Thank Spirit, I wasn't the only
person that made me that way. Rei decided that she was going to take
advantage of how I was and partnered me up with Andy for nearly every slow
song. Heck, she tried to get me to swing dance with him. Thing is, I can't,
so I got to watch them dance, with me trying to sort my thoughts out. My
mind kept going back and forth between 'Tell Andy you like him,' and
'You'll get hurt if you do.' Needless to say, I heeded the last thought and
didn't tell him a thing.

I got caught up in a dance with this guy named Melvin. Let me tell
you, he's way taller than I am, which made it really strange for me. Heck,
he was taller than I was without my high-heeled shoes on, which made me
"shortie" to him.

At the end of the dance, the punch had worn off, and I was talking
to my friends. I can't recall what Andy told me, but all I remember is
that he was going up against what I was that night, and that he might not
be coming back. Thinking back, I realize how nervous I was.

The night ended, and I went home.

The following Monday, I asked Amy, who rode his bus, if she had
seen him. She told me she had, and asked why. I explained that I had
feelings for him.

The worst thing happened after that. She told me to tell Rei that I
liked him.

I mulled over it from then until band practice, when I finally came
out with it, as blunt as I could be. She smiled and told me that she knew
the whole time, and that she knew that Andy liked me too. Of coarse, I
didn't believe her, and she said she'd prove it, but she was going to break
up with him first.

Shocked, I told her to do it as gently as possible. By then we had
gotten to the doors where the managers come in to get to practice. He
didn't show up.

So I waited. He didn't show up on Tuesday, either. He wasn't
outside where we normally meet on Wednesday. I was staring to get worried.
He didn't come to practice on Thursday.

We didn't see him for another week. It was almost as if he had
disappeared.

But on the following Friday, we had an away game. I remember
sitting with Lita, and we were talking about the situation. Meaning, how
was I going to tell him? We had it nearly all figured out, when he came
walking out of the woods toward the bus.
~* *~

Spiral - Chapter Four

Title: Spiral
Chapter: Chapter 4 : Birthday Blues pt. 2
Rating: PG
Author: Melody Brooke
Warnings: Manga Names used.. some changes.. see chart in the Author's Notes (previous part)
~* *~

Keep in mind that I am no where near a morning person. I walked into
the school though, eyes trying to shine bright, and my head held high.

I was asleep in twenty minutes.

I still don't know what made me wake back up, but I know that I had a
group of people staring at me and laughing. Andy wasn't there yet. I sat up,
and then went out and bought some Starburst from the candy machine. Blast
that school, always putting something so tempting outside of *BAND* class. .
They're trying to kill us, I tell you!

When I walked back in, Andy had arrived, and he was talking to Rei.
Getting all the managers that were around them to come with me, claiming that
I needed *all* their help. Only Lita knew what I *really* wanted them away
for, so I explained to them the whole deal, and they agreed that they should
have some time together.

Before I knew it, Ami, who was a clarinet player, came over to give her
two younger sisters some money for the day. Our band director called for us
to get on the bus, and we all filed on, Rei and Andy beside Lita and me. We
were listening to some strange things on our CD players, mostly old marching
songs, since we couldn't play them this year because they were too easy. To
be blunt, Danger Zone, Sweet Child O' Mine (believe me, the version that is
in our library is really easy..), Cary On Wayward Son, etc..

We stopped for lunch. Stake N' Shake. That's a good place to eat,
except that it took us nearly an hour and a half to get our food, and only
had about fifteen minutes to eat it in.

They didn't want to bring me my milk shake. Darn those people. I wasn't
the only one that they did that too. Most of the people at my table wanted
one. It took us up until we left, but darn it, they gave it to me.

Ha. They wondered why I got so hyper just thinking about one.

The whole time we were there, I kept bouncing in my seat, repeating
over and over, "Gotta have my Mikkie Shake.." with Andy and Rei sitting on
either side of me, while I was sitting at the head of the table. I could
tell that they were getting annoyed, until they brought out the cheese fries.

Darien's group decided that it would be funny if they started chanting
to the "little fat man" that would bring us good luck at the competitions.
They would chant it at all the foot ball games.

"Or-ee-o.. OOOOOOOOORRRRR-ree-o.."

Let's see if you can figure out what they were saying..

We headed on to the school where everything was at, and we listened to
the Beatles, mainly, "Hey Jude," Rei's favorite song.

We got there, and then I left to change with the flag line, which was a
real task alone. Hey, it is! You try wearing a three-piece suit that zips in
the back, hidden by sequins.. Ooh.. sparkly..

We were the first to go on that day, and we did rather well, it being
our first time being at one of those things. That's when they started to do
the messages over the loud speaker.

"We have some telegrams for the bands that are in the stands right
now," they said, saying a few funny messages. "The people at John County High
School wish to say Happy Birthday to their assistant Drum Major, Serena
Tsukino." I turned beat red, and tried to hide in the corner of the fence
that surrounded the bleachers we were at. The managers and my friends
wouldn't let me.

They did that a total of three times throughout the day, and i could
have killed them. But then we got the scores.

We brought home trophies. That made me really proud.

On the way home, we slept. Well, most of the way, at least. I talked to
Lita about some shows that we watch, and then we finally drifted off
somewhere between the marching festival and the state capitol.

When we got back to school, I had successfully taken off my top to my
uniform and put back on my new top that I had gotten from my sister. Now,
that was a real treat. It was hard to do. Remember, I didn't let anybody see
me.

When we got back, most of the people had their rides there already.
Andy, Rei, and I were walking into the band room while we were telling our
life stories.

More or less, I had a great time. Maybe my birthday wasn't so bad after
all.

Except for the fact that I like Andy.
~* *~

Spiral - Chapter Three

Title: Spiral
Chapter: Chapter 3 : Birthday Blues pt. 1
Rating: PG
Author: Melody Brooke
Warnings: Manga Names used.. some changes.. see chart in the Author's Notes (previous part)
~* *~

The next part in our little trip into memory lane is my birthday. It
made me mad, I mean, my birthday was on a Friday this past time around, and
we had an *away* football game that night. Although, now that I think about
it, it was the best birthday since. . ever. Oh dear, I'm getting off-topic,
aren't I?

Told you I was scatter-brained.

So, here we are, riding the bus to the game of the week. I was sort of
depressed, but who wouldn't? I mean, football game, Friday night? Not to
mention that Marching Festival would be the next day. Did I get a chance to
have time alone? No! Well, the game was, for the most part, during the
day-light hours. That was the day we peaked, meaning that it was the best
performance that we put on.

After half-time, we were told that we were chosen as "Band of the
Week," and that was pretty cool. It's like, yea! Best B-Day present! All right!
But, from then on, things were different.

During third quarter, a.k.a. break, I was talking to Andy. Rei was mad
at me, and one of my friends from school told me to quit flirting with Andy.
I was confused, because I had never tried to flirt with someone, much less in
my sparkly uniform. So, I broke off talking with him to find out why Rei was
mad at me, which took some prompting, and me nearly going into tears.

That's when my worst fears were confirmed. She had a crush on Andy, and
had since she had met him. Truth be told, I liked him since the week after I
told him that I could fall for him, but, being the friend I am, I didn't tell
her. Instead, I told her that I was trying to get him to go out with her,
trying to play "Cupid." She had started crying somewhere in my little speech,
and I started to wonder if I had said the wrong thing.

I'm proud to say that I didn't. We rode the bus back home, and I told
Andy my whole story, about how I was a normal 15. . no, scratch that, now a
16-year old teenager by day, and Sailor Moon by night. He looked at me, with
a strange look in his eyes, and said, "I know." I think he was glad that I
had told him the truth, since I had been hiding it from him for over a month.

We started walking into the band room, when Rei said something. I said I
couldn't stand it anymore, then asked both if they liked each other in a
romantic sense. They both said yes. Then I said that they were now dating,
then Rei said she wouldn't go out unless the guy asked her out. Andy did, and
they got hooked up.

For the umpteenth time since we had met, I fell asleep with his eyes
flashing through my mind, and had dreams of the day to come, that started way
to early in my eyes.
~* *~

Spiral - Chapter Two

Title: Spiral
Chapter: Chapter 2 : Walking Through the Doors pt. 2
Rating: PG
Author: Melody Brooke
Warnings: Manga Names used.. some changes.. see chart in the Author's Notes (previous part)
~* *~

I had gotten into the habit of waiting at the front door of the school
to wait for the managers, since they had all had somehow gotten into my
little clique, much to my delight. Hey, the more the merrier.

The first of two busses stopped, as it always did, and a new guy got off.
He carried a clarinet case in one hand, and held the strap to his 'clear or
mesh book bag' with the other. He stepped onto the bottom step, and I asked
if he was here for the marching band. He said yes, and I led him inside. I
didn't greet the managers from my clique.

We talked, and then we had to go down to the field. While walking, we
met back up with Rei. I introduced them, and I could see some sparks fly from
Rei's eyes. It took me a little while, but I finally learned his name (and if
you're wondering, I'm extremely bad with names), which was Andy. Talking,
walking, and then stumbling down the hill. I dread to think about what his
first impression was of me.

So, I did my thing, standing on the sidelines in front of Rei, while he
just sat and watched, not really having a job for the day. Then the rest of
my clique showed up with some water. Hey, it was really, really hot for an
August day.

Practice ended, and we started on the trail to get back to the band
room. I had a bass drum on my back, and just before we started up the hill
that I had stumbled on, I turned to Andy and said, "You know, you are just the
type of person I'd fall for." He looked surprised, then gave me a smile and
started up the hill.

I was shocked that he would have that reaction. I just stood there,
gawking, I believe, that I could say something like that so. . calmly. Then
the jerk, Darien, saw the look I was "supposedly" giving to the hill, and
said a few choice words, and I got really mad.

That night, I couldn't help but to think of those eyes, and how they
seemed to be able to read through my soul. Sure, I do have secrets, but I
think that with that one glance, he was able to read the journal that seemed
to be my life. With this thought flashing by, my eyes closed and I drifted
into another battle.
~* *~

Spiral - Chapter One

Title: Spiral
Chapter: Chapter 1 : Walking Through the Doors pt. 1
Rating: PG
Author: Melody Brooke
Warnings: Manga Names used.. some changes.. see chart in the Author's Notes (previous part)

~* *~
I can remember how it all began, walking through those double-doors
for what had to be the millionth time since I had hi high school, the smell of
the freshly-shampooed carpet, and then the feeling of mirth when I opened
the extremely polished doors of what was to be my home-away-from-home for the
next few months. That's when I thought that I couldn't do this, and that I
really wasn't cut out to be in the position I was in.

Yes, dear reader. I was the assistant drum major for our high school
marching band.

The try-outs had nearly guaranteed my position, with there only being
three people to try out. One I knew would get it, because the students got to
vote you in, and, well, she was best friends with everyone in the whole
school. Don't let that fool you, she had experience over me, having tried the
previous year, only to loose because someone stole the music she was going to
use.

The other, he was slightly inspired to get the highest position he
could get in the band, but not enough. Granted, he did have a way cool
salute, one better than mine, but he didn't make the cut. Perhaps it is best
to keep your wrists straight while conducting.

As for me, I was a total nervous wreck. I mean, my hands were shaking
during the total of four minutes that I was directing the music from the
tape, and for the three that I directed the band in the playing of the
national anthem, in B flat, which is a really bad score. It still haunts me
in my dreams at night, and I can still play it on my flute to this day. My
salute was weak, and the voice commands even worse, earning my the nickname
of "Rabid-Chihuahua".

But here I was, having beaten the guy that had gone just after I did.
Gulping in some air, I prepared for my first day of camp. It was a promising
day, which ended at five in the evening.

The next day was the same as before, and I won't bore you with the
details, except for this one: I had to face my fear of high places. I shudder
at the thought. The whole week went on that way, until that Thursday night.

I was on my way out the door, when our new band director asked me to
stay. Since I was to direct the drum line, he wanted me to stay and test my
teaching skills and help someone who was a rookie and had never picked up a
drum stick in her life.

Needless to say I did. I don't regret it. The drummer's name was
Rei. I had heard a lot about her from our mutual friend of Mina, but didn't
know that this was the same girl. Mina always called her Ralina, as that it
was her first name. I taught her how to read her music, and got her to say
'crash' every time she had to use the symbols, and then we got off topic.

If there is one thing about me, it's that I am about as
scatter-brained as our band director admits he is. I let it slip that Mina
was a good friend of mine, even though she was in a lower grade, and how we
would talk on the phone a lot during the day, and she talked about how she
had a friend named Mina too. That's when I realized a connection, but kept it
to myself.

That's when we started talking about special abilities that we could
do, and what we dreamed about. We talked for hours, and around eight, I
finally confronted her about her real first name.

We became best friends after it all, and every dream I had screamed
that It wouldn't last and that I would end up being hurt, but I didn't listen.
My dreams have been wrong before, and I have blocked most of them out. I am
happy to say that they have yet to come true.

As the weeks went by, so did Band Camp. I was mortified that our band
had shrunk from the strong 60 members, to the lesser 30 that we had at the
time, most of which were rookies, and the flag line.

But, we did well through the whole camp, even though at the last
minute the BOE decided to yank our trip to an out-of-town camp, which led us
to stay at the school. It was all fun.

The first practice that was after the camp was when I met all the
managers. School had started, and our football season was about to head off
to a roaring start. That's when I met him.
~* *~

Spiral - Teaser/Notes

Title: Spiral
Chapter: Author's Notes
Rating: PG
Author: Melody Brooke
Warnings: Manga Names used.. some changes.. see chart below

Short Teaser: Serena is the assistant drum major at her local high school. Told in he pont of view from her memory.

Alrighty.. This little story is something that I thought up as I was listening to my favorite CD.. which just so happened to be on my favorite song. Any who, this might be confusing, but then again. .

Also, this story is really short. Be forewarned.

I know what Bunny is going through. Please don't flame me, this will have a strange turn of events, and I thought that you might flame me for it. Just to give you a heads up: It has to be this way, otherwise the sequel, IF there is one, will, in its self, have an even stranger turn of events. This is not for those who are faint of heart. .


Bunny>Serena>Serenity>Sailor Moon>Tsukino Usagi. . etc. .
Ami>Ami>Sailor Mercury>Mizuno Ami. . etc. .
Rei>Rei>Sailor Mars>Hino Rei. . etc. .
Lita>Lita>Sailor Jupiter>Kino Makoto. . etc. .
Mina>Mina>Sailor Venus>Sailor V>Aino Minako. . etc. .
Darien>Darien>Tuxedo Mask>Prince Endymion>Chiba Mamoru. . etc. .
Andy>Andrew>. . Can't remember his Jap. name. . etc. .
Sammi>Bunny's bro. . sorry, I can't remember his name either. . etc. .

Note to all the Chibi-Usa fans out there:
She's not in this story.

For those who enjoy magick, who live for the mother, and those who believe. .

Let the story start.

Chapters

1. Walking Through The Doors (1)
2. Walking Through The Doors (2)
3. Birthday Blues (1)
   
4. Birthday Blues (2)
   
5. Halloween (1)
   
6. Halloween (2)
   

Epilogue