Phantom

Prologue

Notes: This was written to the soundtrack of The Phantom of the Opera. I warn you of Hiiro/Usa/Duo triangle and swearing. That is all.

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or Gundam Wing, nor do I own The Phantom of the Opera. No money is being made from this fic. Please do not use this fanfiction without permission.

Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade . . .
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you!

It had been a simple enough plan, Hiiro thought to himself, watching the small television in his lair in the basement. Disappear mysteriously, so that the world would leave him alone, hide away forever surviving on the superstitions of the common people of Tokyo.

He hadn't counted on a new faction emerging from the political mess that was the United Earth Sphere Alliance. Sighing, he shot a glare at the television. There was nothing for it. The Perfect Soldier would have to reappear to stop this upstart group.

Unless…

Hiiro looked to the ceiling. He had watched the students of this high school, the place he had decided to make his underground home. He spirited around the school, posing as a phantom (after all, what decent school didn't have its ghost story?), learning the secrets of all who entered the front gates. They were all afraid of him, Hiiro reminded himself smugly, a rare show of emotion.

He had been particularly interested in a group of girls. There were five in all, not including the four who came to greet them after school on occasion. It had taken him some time to learn their secret, but he was Hiiro Yui, hacker extraordinaire, and he had eventually discovered that the nine girls were the famed Sailor Senshi.

At the time, this hadn't interested him; he kept himself completely detached, observing from a distance. But now, he needed a protégée, someone he could manipulate, someone he could mold into an emotionless fighter.

The thing about the Sailor Senshi was that they were all good fighters. They were smart, they wouldn't let themselves be taken in so easily. They had but one weakness: their leader was a gullible twit.

Hiiro smirked to himself. It would not be hard to manipulate her, even if he could never make her completely emotionless. Yes, she was the best candidate. He stood, pulling on a jacket.

He had to pay Usagi Tsukino a little visit.

She took a deep breath, calming herself. Her entire future depended on this moment. If she didn't get this right, her world could collapse around her. Everything had to be perfect

There was a ping as the eggtimer went off, and Usagi dove for the oven, opening the door and pulling out the tray of cookies with gloved hands. She inspected the cookies carefully.

"Yes!" she cried joyfully. "They're not burned!" She danced a little jig and waited for the cookies to cool, not noticing as her little brother Shingo walked into the kitchen.

"Wow, Odango, you actually managed to make something without utterly annihilating it. Congratulations," Shingo said wryly, causing Usagi to jump and whirl around.

"You're so mean, Shingo!" she whined.

"I bet they taste awful though," Shingo teased, smirking as Usagi became more and more irritated.

"They taste fine! Here, I'll prove it!" Usagi snatched a cookie from the tray and stuffed it in her mouth, staring at the boy obstinately. After a moment, her face twitched curiously and she ran for the trash can, spitting the cookie out and trying to rid her mouth of the taste. Shingo laughed uproariously and left the room, Usagi glaring after him. When his presence had been erased completely, her glare transformed into an expression of dejection.

"Why can't I be good at something?" she asked herself, staring at the floor.

"You don't try hard enough." Usagi gasped and looked up, not expecting an answer. The speaker was leaning on the kitchen window, which looked out onto the street. He was casual in his stance, but his lean figure carried an aura of conflicting danger and safety. Usagi wasn't concentrating on his aura, however, as she was already trapped in his gaze.

He had the bluest eyes she had ever seen. They were beautiful, in a glacial, emotionless way.

"I apologize for eavesdropping, but I couldn't help but hear you and you brother arguing." Usagi snapped out of her daze, though still entranced by his eyes.

"It's… all right," she replied absently. "Who… who are you?"

"My name is Hiiro. I can help you."

"What, by teaching me how to cook? No offense, but you don't seem to be the cooking type," Usagi said jokingly.

"No, I mean I can help you be good at something," Hiiro replied. Usagi looked at him in awe.

"Really?"

"Quite. Not now, however, as I'm a bit busy. I'll see you around, Usagi Tsukino." Hiiro smirked enigmatically and walked away. Usagi watched him, spellbound, until he disappeared around the corner.

It wasn't until then that she realized she'd never told him her name.

Hiiro allowed himself to keep the smirk on his face for a moment, and then let it drop, still feeling triumphant. Phase one, complete.

Yes, I know, rather short and teaser-ish. Now, however, I must go and write Academy and Chocolate Fixes Everything. Ja!