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Senshi Chronicles 1 Aki by Loki

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Aki had taken the first shower. She put on a short green dress Usagi had found for her along with a pair of lemon stockings and comfortable leather sandals. After Usagi had dressed, both she and the cats were about to follow Aki downstairs when she paused on the threshold.

"Oh, but your parents, they will see my crystal hair and face!" she remembered, not having mastered the ability to shape shift just yet.

"No problem," Luna said, "Usagi, the Luna pen!"

"Now why didn't I think of that?"

Usagi skipped into the kitchen, pulling Aki along by the hand.

"Mom, this is my new friend Aki, she stayed last night, she had gotten here late, called me on my iPhone, and she caught a cab from Tokyo airport."

"Pleased to meet you young lady," Ikuko said, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Hi, I'm Shingo!"

Aki batted her eyelashes, feeling a little shy as she took his hand. They stood like that for a few moments, just staring into one another's eyes. Words seemed unnecessary at that point. Something had passed between the two Usagi observed and her interest was piqued.

Shingo felt his heart skip a beat and saw the face he'd dreamt of since he was a small boy looking back at him.

‘Wow, it's her, she is real. I don't believe it.'

"Hey squirt, you okay, Aki, you guys are freaking me out, something going on here?" Usagi said, as Luna and Loki exchanged knowing looks.

Ikuko coughed. "Well, I think you must be hungry. I will set up an extra place at the table for you."

"Arigatou, Ikuko-sama," Aki stammered, a goofy smile plastered on her face as she dropped Shingo's hand and turned to Ikuko, who showed her to her seat at the table. Shingo and Usagi soon joined her. Meanwhile, Luna and Loki shared a large can of tuna and a saucer of fresh cream at the other end of the kitchen.

"So, young lady, what are you doing this year?" Kenji asked from behind the shelter of the morning paper.

"I'm enrolling at the university with Usagi and the others. I'm looking forward to it," she said, scooping fruit into her bowl, adding yogurt.

"Very good, do you have family in Juuban prefecture?"

"I have a cousin here in Tokyo. His name is Chiba Mamoru…"

Both Ikuko and Kenji's eyes widened in surprise as Aki offered her sweetest smile. Kenji's upcoming cuss of the young man who had successfully wooed his daughter despite his opposition, died on his lips. He relented, for there was nothing he could do about it now as Ikuko supported the pairing.

"Yes, he is a good lad," he managed before retreating behind his newspaper.

Aki continued, "I had applied for student accommodation, but I haven't a place yet. I need to see them this morning."

"Oh sweetheart, can't we let Aki have the guestroom, at least until she finds something more solid?"

"Um, all right, But if you don't find anything, you're welcome to live with us as you are a friend of Usagi's and related to young Chiba Mamoru. We don't want to see you on the street. Do you have many belongings?" Kenji asked, folding the paper and starting on a cup of coffee.

"No Kenji-sama, only my clothes and a few small personal items is all."

She was thrilled she was offered a place in Usagi's home. She hadn't expected this boon; Aki was all smiles as they discussed her contribution to the household. She agreed to help Ikuko around the house and help look after the garden. It was the perfect arrangement for everyone.

"I am doing English and Asian literary studies and art history," Aki explained.

Kenji nodded his approval and excused himself from the table, realizing he was running late, "Good luck young lady and we will see you home later, today?"

"Yes, Kenji-sama," she smiled as he rushed with his coffee and a muffin in hand out of the kitchen.

Ikuko spoke up then, "Good for you, I remember my study days, dating, and… Ah, memories," she sighed, as all around the table laughed.

After breakfast, they said their goodbyes -- Kenji, gulping down the last of his cup of coffee, munching a muffin while putting on his suit jacket, and climbing behind the wheel of his car. He did all this with practiced skill, as was his ritual each morning with aplomb.

Ikuko stood waiting and took the empty cup from her husband, chuckling to herself and shaking her head. He saluted -- a half-eaten muffin in hand -- mumbling his farewells to his children and Aki as Ikuko kissed his bulging cheek. They all laughed and waved as he backed out of the drive and the car disappeared down the street.

---

Usagi contacted the others on her communicator. They'd agreed to meet at the bus stop. Aki waved to Shingo as he hopped onto his mountain bike had headed off to college.

"Catch you later, Aki!" he called as he sped along the road.

"Bye Shingo!" she called after him, grinning with a dreamy expression not lost on Usagi who winked at her new friend.

The girls moved at a pace along the sidewalk, as Mamoru caught up, he took Usagi's hand. He leaned over to kiss her forehead and tugged her odango. This made Aki giggle.

"Mamoru I presume?" Aki said as his beaming face greeted her.

"Yes, I am, and you are…," he said, tilting his head in puzzlement, recognizing the girl but unable to place her.

"I am Aki. You may not know it, but I think when you hear what I and Usagi have to tell you, you will be most surprised," she said, as she touched his hand, a flash of pink light enveloping him.

His eyes widened in surprise. "Okay, I'm game. What gives, girls? Let's duck through Azabu Park. I want to know what you have to say as it sounds important," Mamoru said, looking at Usagi as she took Aki's hand and squeezed it as the three young people strolled along the path and found a suitable place to talk.

"Mamoru, I am going to be staying with Usagi at her house. I have come a long way to meet you," she smiled as he looked first at Usagi, and back at Aki. "I live on a world that had once been the Earth's sister planet. After a great cataclysm, Orpheus was thrown out of her orbit and set adrift into deep space, this due to a dark alliance that had been fighting the Celestial Senshi and Shitennou for almost 20000 of your Earth years. The Alliance had in recent times sponsored Lord Chaos and his descendants, some of these you and Usagi as Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen had battled for years now."

Mamoru's eyes doubled in size. He stiffened. She knew she had his full attention. "But how…" he gasped, and Usagi pressed her finger against his lips.

"I know, because we are related, you are my cousin, Mamoru. We are family and I am the only female heir to the throne of Terra, at least that I know of, there may be others but I've not encountered them. There is a lot more I have to tell you, and I will explain it to you in time. There was a good reason for your isolation as a child. Now is not the time or place, but I promise Mamoru, I will tell you everything when it is time for you to know. You're just going to have to trust me and be a little patient with me. We are of one blood and our bond is eternal…" she broke off, taking his hand, and the light of the Kinzuishou enfolded all three as Aki's corona of pink coalesced with it and Mamoru saw it all. He smiled and hugged her.

Mamoru pulled back and smiled at his cousin, his joy overflowing, as were the tears in both their eyes. He cleared his throat, "I am speechless. I have so much to say to you, so much to share Aki. I am looking forward to getting to know you better, my cousin."

Aki felt the power of a love she had always longed for with her celestial relative as she smiled at Mamoru and Usagi, her thoughts then turning to Shingo. The wide-eyed seventeen year old boy with the sandy shoulder-length hair and smiled to herself, a sigh moving past her lips as they glided along the sidewalk.

The others were waiting at the bus stop. When they saw the new girl, they looked at one another and exchanged curious glances. They waved and ran towards them. Soon a gaggle of questions, hugs and giggles ensued as the flaring light of the crystals washed over the group and all were surprised and anxious to learn more about the new girl.

"Guess things are going to be quite interesting from now on around here, eh Loki?" Artemis commented winking at his new friend as Luna also nodded her silent agreement.

"You bet, Artemis!"

Mamoru turned to Usagi, kissing her open lips, while she was halfway through saying something, and forgot what it was. Grinning from ear to ear, blushing while the girls giggled at the love-struck couple.

Mamoru looked deep into her eyes, "I love you so much, Odango Atama. Now I have a cousin. I have family!" he smiled, and Usagi, looking back over her shoulder, pulled a face at Rei.

Rei groaned, rolling her eyes before giggling with the others. Mamoru and Usagi slipped their arms about one another and walked to the waiting bus as everyone chatted with Aki. After they'd found their seats, Mamoru placed his strong arm around Usagi, pulling her closer. They kissed before she set her head upon his shoulder as the bus stirred to life and everyone smiled at the contented couple. Usagi felt safe, secure and very much loved.


It was orientation day, and formalities gave way to a long languid sun-splashed afternoon. Everyone agreed to meet later in Mamoru's apartment.

Mamoru and Usagi were taking a long stroll through the resplendent campus gardens. Aromatic flowering plants assailed their senses and added to the euphoria each felt in that blissful moment. This botanical wonderland, for the time being at least, was theirs alone to enjoy. Usagi turned to face Mamoru and slid her arms about his neck, kissing him as he too wrapped her in his strong embrace and deepened the kiss. He lifted Usagi off her feet, as he always did whenever they locked lips.

---

Aki sat on a comfortable sofa in Mamoru's apartment. She had dropped the disguise for the moment and smiled at her new friends. Usagi re-introduced the crystal girl. Each gasped, blown away by her beauty and strangeness. They all began chatting like old friends.

Usagi made a funny face at Rei to get a rise out of her. She enjoyed Rei's teasing. There was a time when she hated it. Now, it came as naturally as breathing. The laughter continued as she passed around a plate of sandwiches and munchies, of which Usagi took her usual fistful and for this, she received a frown from Rei. The raven-haired woman had trouble keeping a straight face after the delivery of Usagi's elongated raspberry, much to the delight of the Earth Princess.

The decor was quite remarkable: indoor plants strategically placed at the front door and throughout the apartment. Cool posters featuring popular bands and stunning contemporary Japanese artists like Ayumi Hamasaki and Bonnie Pink, making their contribution to the amazing atmosphere within the comfortable accommodations.

Usagi coughed and stood up, gaining the attention of those present. "Everyone, I think it is time for Aki to explain her reasons for coming to live with us on Earth."

Makoto coughed. "What, huh… I mean, who and where?"

Aki smiled at the tall and beautiful Amazonian girl. "Like you all, I am Senshi, and like Usagi, I am a monarch, the lost princess of Earth and Mamoru is my cousin."

"Oh!" Ami exclaimed.

"I saw your image within the flame of prophecy, a month or so ago, but I thought you a future evolution of Sailor Moon... You're a Senshi princess! I am so happy Mamoru has found you. We all are, Aki," she said, eyes bright. "Odango, looks like you're not the only crown princess in the galaxy, Lady Neo-Serenity," Rei teased, unable to resist the temptation to stir Usagi, who growled and giggled, as she did whenever sparring with Rei.

"Thank you everyone for your warm welcome. But I have dire news. I must warn you all, a dark enemy far greater than any you've fought before shall soon be upon us. These nemeses span almost the entire galaxy, their alliance of worlds, millions strong with devastating weaponry and dark magic at their disposal. It is part of my job to prepare you all for what lies ahead!" Aki said, as a soft golden light flared about her pretty form.

"Are we talking about a war, Aki? I get the feeling we've only just cut our teeth on the enemies we've encountered thus far as formidable as these were. But please explain this to me, Galaxia, how and why-"

"Ami, I and The Celestial Senshi and our Shitennou, were immune to Galaxia and the Star Seed assaults. We're different somehow. I barely understand it myself. But it has something to do with my ancient ancestress, a Senshi Goddess by the name of Lady Sule, my grandmother. Unfortunately, the Senshi and Shitennou of the Terran Star system you refer to as the Solar System lost its connection with us long before your Silver Millennium had fallen due to a kind of biogenic curse leaving you isolated and vulnerable to Lord Chaos and his minions."

All fell silent as something primordial stirred within their hearts at Aki's words. Even Mamoru felt the surge of power pulse within his heart at the very mention of Sule's title.

Minako stroked Artemis, shook her head and then broke the silence, "Wow! I have the feeling life's about to get a whole lot more interesting from now on," She smiled, looking down at Artemis, who nodded as his sapphire eyes flashed with wonder.

"Minako… You don't know the half of it," the golden furred Mauan commented, his eyes aglow with soft golden light as he purred upon the lap of the crystal girl.

Usagi imagined looking down upon the silvery moon she loved so well, and the Earth, hanging suspended like a shimmering blue pearl against the backdrop of space within her mind's eye. At that moment, she felt a new sense of adventure fill her heart.

Mamoru squeezed her hand. They all knew things were going to change and change they would.


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