Those deep blue eyes, strong arms, and that rich voice.... Ahh... Tuxedo Kamen....

Having a heavenly smile on my face, I rolled over in my sleep, and then kept on dreaming; the mysterious count had me in his arms, carrying me across the rooftops of Tokyo. The scent of roses surrounded me and kept me feeling safe as we stopped and he set me down on my bare feet.

Curious as to why we stopped, I turned to see a strange scene. We were nowhere near the bustling, sleepless city of Tokyo.

I felt Tuxedo Kamen's gloved hand rest on my shoulder. Placing my own hand on his, I asked him, "What is this place?"

We were standing in an endless field of red roses that surrounded and stretched far beyond a grand building. It was beautiful! Arch ways and columns of white marble; domes and towers of elegant carvings and designs. I felt almost natural standing there. Where were we?

As if to tell me something, a silver figure appeared in the field. An eerie feeling came over me as I watched the body of light walk solemnly through the fragrant flowers. Who was it?

A thought crossed my mind as the figure stooped down near us to pluck a rose from the endless bushes, "Is that the Moon Princess?"

My masked hero was silent as before, making me feel unnerved. Why didn't he answer me? I turned to see if he was still standing there. Ack! His face was now that of a clock's! Without warning an obnoxious sound omitted from the clock face.

"What?!" I shot up in my bed, looking around frantically.

"Finally! I had been trying to wake you up for ages!" My guardian cat, Luna, said as she sat on my chest holding my rooster shaped clock in her paws.

Looking at the red hands, a wave of adrenaline rushed through my body. Luna catapulted (hee, no pun intended) through the air with a yowl as I rocketed from my bed. No surprise to myself and others who knew me¼ but I was running late-- again! Haruda-san was going to throw me to sharks, without a doubt.

I streaked around my room, dressing myself frantically and erratically-- long sleeved uniform shirt in closet, pleated skirt on vanity stool, sock... sock?! Wait, where's the other one? I turned around in a panic, finding no mate to the one I had in my hand. Then I saw Luna. She had it in her black paw, waving it with a menacing look on her face, taunting me with it. I'm sure there was a reason for that look I was getting, but I had no time to guess; I snatched it from her and ran out of my bedroom and into the bathroom.

My hair seemed to know I was late and refused to corporate as I donned my usual bun-pigtail style. Quickly brushing my teeth with one hand, I nearly fell over putting on my other sock with my other. My shaky hands found the lily body spray I had bought last week shopping with my best friend Naru-chan, nearly knocking it over. After I sprayed a faint amount on my wrists I blazed down the stairs and snagged a piece of toast on my way through the kitchen.

"Bye, love you Mom!"

Shoving the sustenance in my mouth, I grabbed my book bag, lunch box, and slipped on my shoes in one wild move. Then, my figure disappeared out the door. Please, oh please don't let me be late!!

*=====
Clock: 7:20 AM
Countdown: 112: 40: 16
POV: Mamoru
-

My whole body ached with deprivation of proper rest; there was another massive youma attack last night, and of course, I had to be there. It wasn't because I didn't believe in the Sailor Soldiers' ability to handle such situations, but it was just that I didn't want them getting a lead on the Silver Imperium Crystal before I. That and every time they went into battle, a sickening feeling in my heart would hit, nearly causing me to double over. I had figured that that reaction was motivation enough to be there to help out.

Absentmindedly, I reached into my pocket but found it empty, "Sailor Moon...."

One of these days, she was going to get me killed with her carelessness in battle.

I had probably dropped my pocket watch last night during that youma attacks. Oh well; better my watch than my life. I shrugged and just hoping that I was on time I turned the corner and was reward by a blunt object slamming into me.

As if by instinct, I reached out and caught the slender figure in my arms, keeping them from falling to the pavement.

"I'm so sorry," they began to apologize, but then they tore away from my arms, "Mamoru...!"

"Running late again, Dumpling Head?" I asked nonchalant, pulling on my emotionless mask to keep her from finding the truth in my eyes.

The truth was that I knew this girl for who she really was.

"Don't call me that!" Tsukino Usagi shouted, standing before me like a fire popping with anger.

"Okay, how about Cow Tails?"

The fire turned into a bonfire, "Mamoru, you idiot! They are called PIG tails and why would I prefer one rude name over another?! I have a real name, or have you forgotten?"

'No, I haven't forgotten, Usagi-chan,' I thought with a strange kindness that would not break through my routine mask. "Maybe I have. So, did you stay out late or something?"

My question made her jump, unknowing to her I knew why. She stammered and fidgeted, "Uh. N-no. Why would you say that?"

"Because you seem to always sleep in late," I stated as if I were making a comment on the weather.

"So what? There's nothing wrong with that!"

Something rang in the distance. It sounded like a series of bells and I knew exactly what it was, "Say, isn't that your tardy bell?"

The anger on Usagi's beautiful face faded into absolute horror, "I don't believe it.... I'M LATE AGAIN!"

And with that, she tore down the road without looking back.

I sighed. For some reason, no matter what, I always had to tease her when she was near. Perhaps it was because I knew her secret....

Once when I so happened to be walking around the corner, I saw her raise a hand into the air and shout something. Before my very eyes she transformed into the lovely Soldier, Sailor Moon. That was probably the reason for my strange behavior around her; I didn't want to give away anything that hinted I knew who she was or let slip any of my own secrets.

"Oh well," it was no use thinking about it, so I continued walking in the direction of my own school.

*=====
Clock: 12: 24 PM
Countdown: 107: 36: 05 hours
POV: Ami
-

I tried to keep from giggling when Usagi-chan, talking vividly with her arms flaying in all different directions, spilled into the story of why she was late earlier this morning. If her enthusiasm that she poured comically into her speech wasn't funny enough, her facial expressions were classic. It was strange to me how she seemed to try so hard to hate Chiba Mamoru....

"The nerve of him! He's just so... so...!" Usagi stuffed her mouth with food in frustration and chewed angrily.

Usagi-chan, Makoto-chan, Luna (who was sleeping in my lap at the moment), and I were sitting on the school grounds under an oak, eating lunch.

Handing out snacks that she had made the night before, Makoto laughed nervously, "Pig headed? Asinine? Selfish? Rude?"

"Yersh!" Usagi mumbled and swallowed, only to stuff another mouthful in.

She had always complained about the high school student. He teased her and she yelled back. It was an endless cycle. It was always painful to watch Mamoru-kun; in his eyes flickered deep emotion for Usagi, who was blind to it. It broke my heart to see them fight so. Perhaps one day, hopefully, they will put the past behind them and become friends.

"Usagi-chan, did you see the shooting stars last night?" I asked, trying to avoid another 'why I hate him' rant from our blonde friend.

"Shooting stars?" She said, perking up at once.

"Oh, yeah! I saw them. They were pretty," Makoto smiled, "Like falling pieces of silver."

"Yes," I agreed, but something was nagging at the back of my mind, worrying me.

"I didn't get to see them. I was too busy running from the youmas," Usagi pouted.

In a thoughtful way, I said, "It's been that way for the past two nights-- thousands streak across the sky."

"I wonder why there are so many? Maybe debris from a lager meteor passing by?" Makoto said hopefully.

"I don't think so. There have been no reports in the news about it."

Usagi looked at us in wonder, filing away the data in her head. Even though she could seem dense at times, she was bright and a very good Soldier, "Maybe it has something to do with the youma attacks?"

Makoto and I looked at her, stunned. It was as if someone had turned on a lamp in a dark room. Youmas, hideous monsters that worked for an unknown enemy, had always attacked in very limited numbers, but for the past few nights they had come in waves-- just like the shooting stars.

Our leader looked at us, with a slightly afraid expression on her face, "What?"

"That might be the key...." I said, chewing on my thumbnail.

The black ball of fur on my lap moved. It stepped off my knees and stretched in the cool grass. "Such a nice nap!" It said, yawning.

Usagi bent over slightly and asked her kitty intently, "Luna-chan, why do you think there have been so many shooting stars lately?"

The cat sat on her bottom and yawned lazily again, "It's because of the anniversary--" Luna stopped abruptly with a look of shock on her face.

"Anniversary? Of what?" Makoto asked, puzzled like the rest of us.

"Er... nothing." And that was the end of that.

*=====
Clock: 4: 16 PM
Countdown: 103: 44: 55 hours
POV: ?
-

Watching the people of Tokyo bustle by, thinking nothing of what might be beyond their worlds of normality, I sighed. I have been in this business for, it seemed, quiet a while now, but never had my job been more tiring or stressful.

My faceless boss ordered us to find the Moon Princess... and fast. The cosmic bodies in the galaxy are taking shape, just like that fateful day so long ago. But where should we start looking? Tokyo is so huge. Can we find her in time, or fail and have history repeat its self?

*=====
Clock: 5: 35 PM
Countdown: 102: 25: 49 hours
POV: Rei
-

"Thousands, if millions, of tiny falling stars streaking across the sky at night. Is that natural?" I asked my friends and fellow Soldiers.

On a once a week bases the four of us (Usagi, Ami, Makoto, and myself) held Sailor Soldier meetings at my family's shrine, but in certain points in time, unusual and dangerous circumstances called for more frequent get-togethers. The current surplus in the enemy forces and strange natural-seeming wonders were valid reasons for our meetings that occurred everyday now.

"We don't think so. Usagi thought that they might be linked with the youma attacks," Makoto explained.

I choked on my tea, nearly sputtering it everywhere, "Usagi thought...!"

"What?" She jumped, "You don't think so?"

I felt the color in my face drain, as I looked at her, wide-eyed, "An intelligent thought. I don't believe it!"

"Rei!" Her face grew red with anger, "That's not funny! I've said intelligent things before!"

"It was a compliment," I said, wiping up my spilt tea.

She just ignored me, "But do you think there is a link?"

"I'm not sure," I said sincerely.

"Youma numbers have increased by folds," Ami said.

"We are out numbered," Makoto said grimly.

Ami pulled out her hand-held computer with a look of determination and began to type away madly on the keypad. That was a very handy computer. Having created most of the programming herself, it was one of our strongest weapons on the battlefield. Ami gasped. She had found something.

"What is it, Ami-chan?" Usagi asked her inattentively.

"I had no idea...." She said, still typing away, "It seems that on this very Friday, a planetary alignment is going to happen at exactly midnight."

"Planetary alignment?"

"It means that all of the planets will line up in straight line," Makoto clarified.

"Perhaps this has something to do with the shooting stars and the anniversary?" Ami pondered as she closed her computer.

"And maybe the youmas as well?"

I thought about it. It did seem possible that all of it was connected some way or another. The girls had told me about Luna's strange behavior and how she had mentioned, or let slip rather, an anniversary. The cat had refused to comment on it. If it were something important, then why wouldn't she tell us? She WAS our advisor, right?

"I could ask the fires," I suggested.

"Oh! Would you, Rei-chan" Makoto asked, happy to have some sort of plan.

I smiled at her, "Of course. We need to figure this out, right?

*=====
Clock: 6: 23 PM
Countdown: 101: 37: 32 hours
POV: Makoto
-

I was almost frightened of what Rei, the priestess of Hiwaka Jinja, would see in the fire that sat before us. However, it did seem to be our only hope of finding anything out. The strange events that had been happening seemed to be falling into place in bizarre and awkward ways, leaving us in the dark. I didn't like being clueless anymore than I did being afraid, so naturally, I was very agitated.

Rei's intense chanting broke through my thoughts as Usagi, Ami and I sat behind her waiting for her visions. She provoked the intense sacred fires to send forth a message yet still.

The priestess gasped and the flames leapt forward, as if beckoning her. She was finally seeing something. The girls and I leaned forward in anticipation, looking closely, acting as if we concentrated enough, we would be able to see it as well. We waited, but Rei just watched the flames intently, holding her breath. Was the vision really this long? Usually she saw a minute's worth in an instant, and if she didn't breath soon she would pass out!

Usagi's eyes darted nervously towards Ami and I, then back to Rei. She licked her lips and quietly spoke, "Rei-chan?"

The priestess cried out, then fell forward, catching herself with shaky arms and sweaty palms. The flames, just as suddenly as they had rose, they fell to normality.

"Rei! Are you okay?!" We all sprung forward to help her, but she put out a hand, telling us to leave her be.

When her ragged breath grew steady, she sat up straight and with jaw set firmly, she began to chant again, more fiercely. I exchanged worried glances with Ami and Usagi, but knowing Rei's determined personality, we set back waiting.

Finally, after a half hour, she stood and walked out of the room into the cool, night air. We followed.

"Did you see anything, Rei-chan?" Usagi asked timidly.

"I saw nothing. There was no vision at all." Rei picked up a broom and started to sweep; something she did when she was upset. "Something doesn't want me to see it."

"You must have seen something the first time?" Ami tried to help.

The priestess leaned broom against the wall again and thought, carefully pressing her lips together in a thin line. She let out a frustrated sigh and ran her hands through her violet hair, "It's disappearing. The more I think about it, the more it fades from my memory."

"Something powerful is interfering...." I frowned and looked up at the sky.

"Yes," Usagi said in a small whimper.

Ami chewed on her lower lip, "That only seems to confirm our suspicions a little further."

"And complicate things," I said.

Luna spoke, "Well, whatever the case, you girls need to be careful."

- Later....
Clock: 11:47 AM
Countdown: 97: 13: 22
-

The air was cold and thick, sending chills up my spine and causing my stomach to churn uncomfortably. Looking around, I saw that I-- Sailor Jupiter-- Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Mars were standing on a barren plain of ice and dust, which was lit up by an abnormally huge moon rising before us; it's silvery gray craters were visible to us, it being so close to where ever we were. It was an unnatural night with thousands and thousands of shooting stars running through the sky in endless waves.

"Where are we?" I asked my fellow Soldiers, but my voice sounded strange as it echoed as if I had been talking on a cliff.

They ignored me, so I implored them again to answer me, but it seemed that their attention was fixed on something before us. My own eyes swung in the direction of their apt expressions and gasped.

There was something I hadn't noticed before, or hadn't been there before in the foreground of the eerie, monstrous moon. On a pillar of blue stone and cold ice was a figure, standing on the jagged, flat top. I took a few steps forward to get a better view and saw that the figure was not standing, but being held up by vines of sharp glass growing upward, clinging to their body.

But that was only half of what was bothering me. I recognized the limp figure immediately to be Sailor Moon... Usagi! Her eyes were shut tight with silver tears pouring down her cut and bruised face as the vines slowly grew, spiraling all around her, holding her painfully in place as the glass sliced into her flesh. She stood there, looking ever so fragile and strangely regal, barely breathing. Our friend was dying! Her tattered Soldier uniform barely covered her scratched, bruised, and battered body, showing that she was prisoner of some battle we were fighting.

I tried to will my legs to run forward and save her, but I was glued to where I stood only allowed to look upon this horrific scene.

Usagi-chan whispered a single, pained word so quietly and with such weakness that I could not hear what it was that she said. As if on cue, a shadow-like figure appeared in front of the pillar. It was like a ghost, speaking so softly that I was sure I could not hear, but their words rang loud and clear in my ears.

"Listen as the wind blows. Let the night be your companion and follow the Silver Moon. It is coming, the Judgment day."

"Who are you?!" Mars shouted, her voiced echoing just as mine had before.

The figure didn't respond, but kept on repeating it's abstract message over and over again.

I felt the cold ground beneath our feet shudder and without warning, a huge explosion erupted and consumed the pillar, shadowy figure, and... Usagi!

"No!" I screamed as I felt my body fly backwards without difficulty, as if I were made of nothing heavier than straw. I knew it was the same for Mercury and Mars.

We landed hard onto rocky, icy land painfully. After a dazed moment passed, we inched our way excruciatingly to our feet. My eyes panned the land frantically, searching for Usagi, but she was nowhere to be seen. I found, remarkably enough, the pillar to still be standing and instead of an imprisoned Sailor Moon standing there and angel in a long, flowing silver dress with white, glistening wings stood in her place with another figure. From what I could see, it was a tall young man and he was wrapping his arms protectively around the angel as she wrapped her wings around him in return. I couldn't quiet make out who they were... forbidden lovers....

"What?!" I shot up in my bed, drenched with cold sweat.

Fog clouded my mind and I tried to remember where I was. Looking around in a slight panic, I realized that I was in my apartment. I pressed my cold, clammy hand to my forehead, breathing heavily. My heart pounded painfully in my chest with speed, "A dream...."

More like a nightmare. I looked at the glowing red numbers on my clock, "11:47? Ug...."

I fell back into my pillow and instantly fell into a visionless sleep.

*======================================================
11-6-02
5: 55: 43 PM
Tokyo Rabbit
[email protected]
(unedited)
-

"Carry on Dancing" by Savage Garden

The moonlight...
Shines down interstellar beams
And the groove tonight
Is something more than you've ever seen
The stars and planets taking shape
A stolen kiss has come to late

** In the moonlight
Carry on, keep romancing,
Carry on, carry on dancing
In the moonlight
Carry on, keep romancing,
Carry on, carry on dancing **

You're never safe `till you see the dawn
And if the clock strikes past midnight
The hope is gone
To move under... **

Move. Closer. Passion. Stronger.
There's a magic only two can tell
In the dark night
Ultra violet is a wicked spell
The stars and planets taking shape
A stolen kiss has come too late

** Moving on... Moving on all night