Episode 1: Nani? Usagi-chan Has A Twin?
By: Hikari Miraino
===============================================
*Beepbeepbeepbeep...*
	?*Groan* Seulment dix minutes, maman! Only 10 minutes, Mama!]? 
A blue haired girl smacked her hand on a small, blue digital clock in the shape of a rabbit. She stubbornly buried her face into the pillow as she glanced at the time.
	?Ah! Cinq heures du matin! Je me reveille trop tard![Ah! 5:00 in the morning! I slept in!]? 
	She got up quickly and got into a bathroom that was attached to her room. She picked up a blue micro miniskirt, and a green tube top with a little jacket that went with it. She put the clothes on the bathroom counter and took a shower. 
**{Au. note: For the remainder of this fic, all languages will be English so those who don't know French or Japanese won't be confused. ^_^}
	?Himeko! HIIMEEEEKOOOO!?
	A voice from down the huge staircase yelled up at the girl.
	?Coming, Mama!? 
	Himeko bolted down the stairs after putting on the outfit she put together. She skidded in just in time to see her little brother trying to steal her breakfast. 
	?Ouji!? Himeko said menacingly. ?Put...the egg...down.?
	The small, pale-blue haired boy put down what he was about to devour and backed away slowly with his hands up in the air. Himeko smiled defiantly and sat down in her usual seat. 
	?You better hurry, Himeko! The shuttle bus will be here soon.? Her mother said softly.
	?I know.? She mumbled. ?I barely know Japanese, mother! Neither does Ouji. He's even worse! Remind me, again, why are we moving to Japan? Isn't France enough? *Sigh* It took me long enough to learn French!?
	?Please understand, Himeko. Your father has taken over the family business because your grandfather passed away, and he's an??
	?Only child. I know, Mama. Sorry, I...? Himeko was cut off by the beep of a loud horn from outside. 
	?It's the shuttle bus, everyone!? Her father was trying to sound enthusiastic for the family. ?C'mon, Hime! It'll be a new experience for you. I'm sure you'll get to meet loads of new people...?
	?I suppose...? Himeko grumbled while lifting as many suitcases she possibly could at once {barely managed two! ^_^}.
	?Well, let's go then!? Himeko's father said a little bit too enthusiastically.
	?Yay. Off to some foreign country I know absolutely nothing about except that I was born there.? Ouji muttered while grabbing the little carry-on bags for the trip. 
		*		*		*
On the plane?

	?Okay, Gen. Are you sure that all our furniture and everything is with us or already shipped to Tokyo?? Himeko's mother fretted.
	?Yes, Anki. Don't worry. Everything will be fine. We won't have any trouble. Everything's fine.? Himeko's father seemed as though he was trying to reassure himself more than his wife. 
	Meanwhile, Himeko was testing Ouji on his Japanese.
	?What is the word 'gaki' ??
	?Um...? He thought for a moment, then shot a mean glance. ?Hey! I'm not a brat!?
	?Very good. Next word...?
	?I don't wanna play anymore! You're mean!? Ouji pouted.
	?Okay, okay. Sorry. *Sigh* Are we there yet, Mama??
	?Hmm?? Her mother was gazing out the window. ?Yes, just a few more hours.?
	?Well, how am I supposed to occupy myself 'till then??
	?Why don't you start writing in the new diary you bought for yourself??
	?I think I shall.? Himeko stood up to get her carry-on bag and almost tripped over one of the stewardesses that was passing by with the dinner cart. She quickly regained her balance, and shuffled through the various amounts of stuff in her bag. She grabbed a pen from a side pocket in the bag, then finally pulled out the glittery-blue diary that hadn't even been opened yet. She returned the bag to the top compartment and sat back down, opened the diary and began to write.
	Dear Diary:
	This is obviously my first entry, so I'll start with introducing myself (as if I'd forget what I look like 2 years from now or something). My name is Hoshino Himeko, and I am 16 years old. I have deep blue hair, and emerald green eyes. I am 4'11(yes, I know I'm short, but I'm Japanese--deal with it), with a gorgeous body that I like to show off with the latest fashions. 
	We're moving to Japan from France, and it sucks. I mean, I don't mind that we're going, but I just recently made some friends, and now I have to leave them behind and start all over. It's probably going to take me another 16 years to make new friends. 
	Anywayz, there's just one thing that's bothering me. The closer this plane gets to Tokyo, the stronger this feeling I have gets. It feels as though I'm supposed to go there. I know my parents are forcing me to move, but that's not it. Well, what I mean is that it feels like...something's going to happen that's going to drastically change my life. Oh well. It?s stupid, though...
	I'm done now. 
	Sincerely, Himeko August '99
		*		*		*
A couple of hours later...

	A voice crackled over the intercom as a beep resounded throughout the plane.
	?We are now 30 minutes away from our destination Tokyo, Japan. We request that you fasten your seatbelts and put your seats in the fully upright position, and please refrain from smoking, or using any electronic equipment. Thank you.? There was another beep, and silence.
	?Are we really almost there, Mama?? Ouji was bouncing around, upset that he was being restrained by the safety belt.
	?Yes. Only half an hour, dear. Just sit still.?
	?Who are we meeting there, Mama?? Himeko inquired. Her eyes sparkled as she looked out the window and noticed that she could see the earth again.
	?Your Aunt Yuri, and Uncle Otaru. They are anticipating our arrival greatly. You have never met them before, but I know you'll like them.?
	?What side of the family are they on?? She asked.
	?Yuri-chan is my sister, Hime. Since when did you start asking so many questions??
	?Since there was a reason for me to. I just realized how little I know about our family and background. I'd like to know more.?
	?Later dear Hime, later. We are about to land.?
	Ouji and Himeko watched through the window as the plane got closer and closer to the ground. They could actually make out the details of buildings and cars, and even some masses of people. Suddenly, they saw an airport, and they felt the jolt of the plane as it skidded and bounced in an attempt to land. It stopped, and another intercom message told them to exit in an orderly fashion. Ouji and Himeko bolted to the exit. They met their parents at the baggage claim, getting a lecture about how Tokyo is one of the most populated cities in the world, and they could be easily lost. Himeko got another lecture from her father about how she's supposed to be mature because she's 16 years old, and that she has to get used to the Japanese customs of respect towards everyone. 
	The family found all their baggage, and feebly made their way towards the crowd of people with signs that had all kinds of different languages on them trying to identify the newly landed bunch. They spotted Yuri and Otaru and received a hearty welcome, hugs, and bows. 
	Dear Diary...
		*		*		*
Meanwhile, in Juuban-ku...

	?Hey, minna! Did you just feel that?? Hino Rei suddenly snapped back to reality from reading one of her manga. 
	?What're you talkin' about, Rei-chan?? Tsukino Usagi lazily replied.
	?I just felt a strange new energy. It was so strong, I'm sure you must've felt something...?
	?Nope. Sorry, Rei-chan. I didn't feel a thing.? Kino Makoto nonchalantly kicked a rock across the temple grounds.
	The three girls were waiting for Mizuno Ami and Aino Minako to arrive. They were getting together for the first time since July when they fought Neherenia. There had been such a long period of peace that the five of them had lost all communication with each other. They were all trying to spend more time with family and other friends. Usagi had been hanging out with Naru and Umino a lot, along with Makoto. Rei had been busy with the temple, trying to keep her grandfather from coming up with more crazy ideas that might attract some sort of evil force, and denying to Yuuichirou any positive feelings towards him. Ami was busy helping her mother at the hospital more fervently than ever, and Minako shopped a lot and chased after boys. The outer senshi had all but disappeared from the girls' lives. Haruka and Michiru decided to go on a summer concert tour, and just recently returned. Hotaru spent a lot of time with her father, and Setsuna continued to be a sort of mother figure to her. 
	?Maybe you're just getting restless, Rei-chan. This is our first time together in a month and a half, and there haven't been any crazy energy-sapping monsters or revenge-thirsting sorceresses lately.? Usagi grabbed a doughnut that was sitting on a table among many other sweets.
	?Yes...maybe I'm getting restless. Maybe...? Rei closed her manga and went to pray to the fire. 
	Usagi gave Makoto a strange look, and Makoto just shrugged. 
	?Usagi-chaaaaan! Mako-chaaaaan! Konnichiwa!? 
	Minako ran towards the two, and tripped over a crack in the ground. She fell flat on her face, got up, and laughed, trying to save herself from embarrassment, and gave a SailorV sign. She got up and walked the rest of the way, just as Ami arrived from the other side.
	?Ohaiyo, minna! Where's Rei-chan?? Ami looked around.
	?She's praying in the fire-room thingie.? Usagi hopped up and hugged Minako and Ami tightly, while bringing Makoto into it, too. ?It's been so long since we?ve been together like this!? She giggled, and soon the girls were in a pointless giggling heap.
	Not that it mattered, of course. They were just enjoying each other?s company. Just when they had calmed down, Rei stepped into the room sullenly. 
	?Hello, minna?? She walked over to a cushion and sat down.
	?Rei-chan? What?s wrong? What did the fire tell you?? Usagi looked perplexed.
	?Nothing. The fire told me nothing?Except?? She looked outside and saw her crows Phobos and Deimos pecking away at the ground. 
	?Except what? Rei-chan! Don?t look so sad! We haven?t been together in so long, and you just have to depress us!? Minako was concerned.
	?Except that our lives are going to change drastically. It could tell me no more??
	?Well, then! Let?s go get some ice cream, and forget about the whole thing!? Usagi grabbed Ami and Rei by the arms and led them out of the temple, with Minako and Makoto trailing behind. 
	*		*		*
On the other side of Juuban-ku?

	?Himeko?are you listening?? Himeko?s mother looked concerned. 
	?Hmm? Oh. Yes, mama.? She looked up at her mother with sad eyes. 
	?You?re nervous?ne?? Himeko smiled at her mother?s Japanese. Ne?that is a sort of ?hmm? sound?
	?Yes, mama, very nervous. Tomorrow is the first day of school, and neither Ouji, nor me know Japanese very well, but we?re Japanese! It will be humiliating for you, papa, and me! And??
	?Hush, Hime, hush.? Her mother began brushing her hair out of the usual ponytails. ?Maybe you?ll actually make some friends here. I assure you it won?t be as difficult as in France.  Now, dear Hime, maybe it is best if you went to bed early. Like you said, tomorrow is the first day of school.? She smiled gently, and left.
	?Goodnight mama.? Himeko decided that her mother was right, and got ready for bed.
	*		*		*
The next morning?

	?*Yawn* Good morning, mama! Good morning papa! Hello, Ouji.? Himeko ruffled her little brother?s hair and sat at the table.
	The table, of course, was the only thing that was unpacked in the kitchen, not counting a few boxes of cereal and a pan. 
	?Mama! It?s not fair! We just got here yesterday, and we have to go to school today! ? I have the worst case of jetlag in the world!?  Ouji huffed at his mother.
	?We know, Ouji. Your mother and I, and Himeko, all have jetlag too. You don?t see us complaining, do you?? A rather miffed Gen looked up from his morning paper. 
	?Sorry, papa.? Ouji mumbled into his plate. 
	Meanwhile, Himeko was hurriedly finishing her breakfast. She couldn?t wait to get to school, yet at the same time, she wished that she wouldn?t have to go. *Just one more day?* She begged silently. 
	?Himeko! Time to go to school! I?ll drive you today, but tomorrow, you?re finding some other way of getting there. If you manage to get friends today, you can ask them to help you get home.? Her father?s voice was half-serious half-joking. Then, it became one big joke to him because he started chuckling. 
	?Yeah, yeah, yeah?? She grumbled, grabbed her stuff and waited by the door. In minutes, her father was ready, and they were both out the door. 
		*		*		* 
At the school?

	?Have fun, Hime-chan. And don?t get into any trouble!? Himeko?s father smiled at her.
	?Very funny, Papa. ?Bye!? She got out of the car and jogged up to the front doors of the building. 
	She looked back at her father and waved, straightened up her school uniform and opened the door to the building. She was surprised that her parents had planned so well as to get her a school uniform on time. Nervously, she stepped in and looked around. The school seemed unusually clean, and she noticed a few students sheepishly looking at a teacher as she scolded them. Himeko noticed a sign that said ?Principal?s Office?. Or at least she hoped it did. She carefully knocked on the door and a plump young blonde woman opened the door.
	?Can I help you?? She said pleasantly.
	?Um?yes. I?m a new student, and I have no idea where I?m supposed to be.? Himeko smiled back at the woman, proud of herself that she didn?t stutter over her Japanese.
	?Ah! New student on the first day of school! How wonderful!? The woman suddenly became bubbly. ?I?ll take you to the principal!? She ushered Himeko inside the office, and into another room within. 
	There sat a stern-looking old man. He dismissed the blonde woman, and motioned for Himeko to sit down.
	?Why have you been brought here? I don?t remember ever seeing you?? He looked at Himeko suspiciously. 
	?Well, actually I?m a new student.? The bell that signaled the start of classes rang. She lowered her head a little.
	?I see?What is your name?? He began sifting through a pile of papers that sat on his desk.
	?Hoshino Himeko, sir.? 
	?Ah! Found it! You?re in Room 21C first class. Here is the rest of your schedule.? He handed her a piece of paper with more Japanese writing on it. He looked at her strangely. ?You know, Hoshino-san, you have the most peculiar hairstyle?I think I?ve seen it somewhere before.?
	? Very unlikely, sir. I have never seen anyone else with the same hairstyle as me, before. That?s why I wear it this way.? She smiled.
	?Are you sure? Hmm?? He shrugged and stood up. 
	He led her out of the office and walked her down a long hallway almost to the end. He opened a door labeled 21C, and let her in. He walked up to the front of the room where a young woman was lecturing a class, and faced the 32 students seated in the middle. 
	?Class, this is Hoshino Himeko. She has just moved here yesterday from Paris, France.? He glanced at the sheet he was holding. ?I hope that you welcome her. She is not very fluent in Japanese because she has lived in France for quite some time.? He nodded at the teacher, handed the sheet to her, and left.
	Everyone just stared at Himeko after the principal had left. She looked around nervously. ::Why are they staring at me?:: She wondered. 
	?Uh?um?yes, well?Hoshino-san. Why don?t you?uh?tell us a little bit about yourself?? The teacher stuttered relentlessly over her words. 
	Himeko was even more confused. Just as she was going to begin speaking, the door burst open, and two apologizing blonde blurs whizzed by and sat in two empty seats. 
	?Sorry, we?re late, sensei!? The two said in unison. 
	?Ah! Aino-san, Tsukino-san! We have a?uh?new student, and her name is Hoshino Himeko?? Her voice trailed off as she looked back and forth at Himeko and one of the blonde girls whom the teacher addressed as ?Tsukino-san?. 
	Himeko?s eyes widened in bewilderment as she realized why she was getting strange looks. The blonde ?Tsukino-san? looked exactly like her! Except for their hair and eye colors, of course. They stared at each other in utter disbelief. Finally, the blonde spoke.
	?Hi! My name is Tsukino Usagi! Love the hair!? She giggled and smiled sweetly.
	?Hello?? Himeko smiled back. ::Usagi?I wonder why MY parents didn?t think of that?:: Himeko turned towards the teacher. ?Well, now that we have that cleared up, I think I?ll begin my introduction.? She smiled at the teacher as if nothing happened.
	?Um?sure, Tsuki?I mean?Hoshino-san.? She looked around, then sat down at her desk. 
	?Yeah?Anywayz, you already know my name?Um?Well, up until now, I was the only one I knew that had this hairstyle *giggle*. I was born here, but I?ve lived in Paris, France most of my life. I like to read comics, collect anything collectible, and hang out at the mall. I love wearing the latest fashions from Europe, and daydreaming, too. Oh yeah, I?m 16.? She folded her arms and stood there waiting for further instructions from the teacher.
	? *Ahem* Sensei??? She startled her teacher who was engrossed in the sheet that the principal had given her.
	?Oh! Um?you can sit next to Tsukino-san.? She pointed next to Usagi. ?And now I?m gonna get myself confused.? She muttered under her breath.
	Himeko made her way towards Usagi and smiled at her as she sat down. Usagi smiled back.
	?Well, Himeko! Looks like we?re gonna have fun not paying attention in class, huh?? She beamed as she pointed to an incredibly badly folded origami rabbit.
	Himeko sweatdropped and smiled a little. ?Yeah, we can pass notes?? She turned her attention to the chair in front of her because her mouth began to hurt from smiling too much.