Sailormoon Zodiac: #2 - Arashi ga Hajimaru // The Storm Begins
By: Janelle Jimenez (miaka@bishounen.org)
Official Webpage: http://www.sailormoon-millennia.net/ [http://bishounen.org/smmillennia/]

	
	"That's the girl from Okinawa...Nakayama Ameko." whispered a girl
as Ameko drew closer. She looked down quickly so she wouldn't have to look
the girls in the face as she walked by,
	"I heard she and her family moved because she did weird things at
school."
	"Hideko! You're TERRIBLE! She might have heard you!"
	Ameko sighed heavily, it was her fourth day at Juuban Koutou Gakkou
and already she was unpopular it seemed. She didn't understand why all
these rumours were being spread about her, she was a nice girl, really she
was. In Okinawa, there were tales that her mother had an affair with a 
foreign man, which explained her very Anglo-Saxon appearance, but she knew
it wasn't true. She was a medical oddity, it was unexplainable.
	"Na-ka-ya-ma-san!" exclaimed a musical voice, behind her. Ameko turned
around and saw four friendly faces,
	"Hi! You know me, ne? I'm Tsukino Usagi. I'm in your English class."
Usagi said. Ameko smiled brightly, 
	"Hai! I know you. You sit beside me and fall asleep alot." she answered.
	"Usagi-chan! No wonder you're getting a C in that class!" Ami exclaimed
in horror. Usagi glanced at Ami,
	"Uh..hehe..yeah...well anyway, this is Nakayama Ameko, the girl who
just came from Okinawa. Nakayama-san, these are my friends Aino Minako, Mizuno
Ami, and Kino Makoto." Usagi introduced. The girls all bowed slightly to 
Ameyo who returned the gesture.
	"Oh, Okinawa must be so nice and warm. I've never been there, I bet the
beach is beautiful..." Minako began warmly. Ameko smiled brightly as she stared
into Minako's vibrant blue eyes, perhaps she wouldn't be so lonely after all.

		*		*		*		*

	Zan Tien-Lei stared closely at Joanna McMahon and Hayashino Mihana. The
other night after the battle, Tien-Lei and the girl named Jessica Taylor
escaped to Jessica's house, it was there Tien-Lei learned the truth:
'You two belong to the legendary Zodiac Senshi, the strongest Senshi in
this galaxy. But, you are only two of twelve. You have been reborn on Earth
with the mission to find the Seven Stars. It won't be an easy task. When
you have recovered more Zodiac Senshi, I shall tell you what the importance
of the Seven Stars is.' said Estrella, a wise advisor who was in the form of a cat.
That night, Estrella had taught Tien-Lei and Jessica how to see the auras
of the other Zodiac Senshi. Tien-Lei thought that she could see them around the
two girls, but she wasn't positively sure. Another problem was that she didn't 
know how to approach them about their true destinies. Perhaps I should go one
person at a time, Tien-Lei thought to herself. She glanced at Joanna, for some
reason--she felt an urge to befriend this westerner.
	"Hello, Joanna. My name is Zan Tien-Lei. Nice to meet you." she said in
English. Joanna looked up from the book she was reading and smiled slightly,
	"Nice to meet you, Zan-san. You don't need to talk in English, I can
speak Japanese." Joanna replied with almost no accent. Tien-Lei wasn't Japanese,
but she certainly knew it much better than English. Tien-Lei fiddled with the
green pinstriped bow of her Shin Mugen Gakuen uniform,
	"So, I heard you come from London, what brings you to Japan?" she asked,
trying to make small talk. In the corner of her eye, she could see Mihana watching
them intently for a moment, then leave the room.
	"My father is a professor at Tokyo University. He's lived here for several
years and we decided it was time to follow. I wanted to finish grade school in
England." Joanna replied, Tien-Lei thought Joanna had such a cute British accent.
"And you?" Joanna asked.
	"Oh, well, we moved from Beijing because...well, actually, I don't know
why we did. I think my parents just wanted to live here." Tien-Lei shrugged, the
school bells chimed that it was time for class to end. Joanna stood up,
	"Well, Zan-san, it was a pleasure to meet you. Perhaps we can talk again
some other time?" Joanna asked, she sounded like she was in a hurry. She glanced
at her watch,
	"Sure, any time..." Tien-Lei began, but before she could finish, Joanna
had run off.

		*		*		*		*		*

	Ameko walked quietly back to her home. It was interesting that her next door
neighbor was an American who looked more Japanese than she did. It was very bother-
some being a Japanese girl who looked like a gaijin [foreigner, has a somewhat
negative connotation.] All her life she had been excluded from groups merely because
of her appearance. She had no one to share her jovial personality with.
	"Nakayama-san!" called a voice behind her, Ameko turned around. Coming towards
her was Jessica Taylor, that beautiful raven-haired American girl. She had a radiance
around her that made everyone like her, she was very charismatic, although a bit 
arrogant. She was dressed in the uniform of the elite T*A Academy, which Ameko thought
had cuter uniforms.
	"Hello, Teiroro-san [Ameko's mispronunication of Taylor]..." Ameko greeted,
not even realizing she had mispronounced Taylor. Jessica did not seem to notice or
care.
	"Hello, it's a nice day isn't it?" Jessica asked, she was staring at Ameko
intently. Ameko began to feel self-conscious and wished that Jessica would stop
looking at her. Jessica's smile grew slightly as she seemed to discover something
about Ameko.
	"Nakayama-san, do you ever...have strange dreams that you've lived before
somewhere else? Some other time? That you are a part of the universe in some
way which is more special than others?" Jessica asked seriously. Ameko didn't know
whether she should take Jessica seriously or not. What kind of question was that
to ask someone who was practically a stranger.
	"Sailoraquarius.." whispered a voice. Ameko looked down, there was a black cat
with a star-shaped white scar upon it's forehead.
	"What...I..." Ameko stammered, she was confused, not so much afraid as
confused.
	"Take this, Nakayama-san." Jessica said and thrust a beautiful blue pen in
Ameko's hands. Ameko looked down, 
	"How'd you know that I am an Aquarius?" Ameko asked,
	"Nevermind that." Jessica snapped, her friendly demeanor melting away
and being replaced with impatience.
	"I've got a story to tell you, Ameko-chan." Estrella began, "But first
let's go someplace more secluded..."

		*		*		*		*		*

	Rei stared into the large fire before her, she concentrated on an o-mamori,
"O-honou...teki o misete onegashimasu...teki o misete onegaishimasu.." she chanted.
The fire burned brighter and rose higher. Rei continued to chant these words under
her breath.
	Usagi leaned against the wall, watching Rei in a trance. She didn't want
to look ungrateful, but she was incredibly bored. Only Ami and Mako-chan were
watching Rei, Minako was looking down at her nails.
	Finally, Rei sighed.
	"Nothing."
	"Nothing? How can there be nothing? Did you ask the sacred fire the 
right question?" Usagi asked,
	"Of course I did Usagi no baka. You heard me chanting, ne? I asked it
to show me the new evil ones...but I found nothing." Rei said in frustration,
"How can there be nothing? We know Jessica is Sailorleo!"
	"Well, actually, Rei-chan..." Ami began looking upwards, "We don't
know that. My Shabon Spray blocked our vision for awhile. Sailorleo could
be a protector of the innocent, like we are."
	"Ami-chan always the voice of reason." Minako grinned,
	"That's true, but I refuse to believe that. Jessica IS Sailorleo!
How can you explain the fact that fire came from her hands and then
Sailorleo did the same thing?" Rei demanded, "Besides...every day she 
gives me little smiles like she knows she beat me."
	Usagi burst into laughter and rolled her eyes, she picked up 
a copy of a stray manga which was laying on the tatami floor,
	"I think Jessica is just being friendly. How would she know
that you're Sailormars? Besides, the fire could have come from Leo
who was behind the bushes." Usagi commented as she flipped through
the manga, "Hmm, so Sana-chan and Hayama-kun are a couple now..."
she murmured as she read the pages.
	"I am NOT that petty! Stop saying I'm jealous of Jessica!
I'm NOT!" Rei exclaimed, she reached over and grabbed the book out
of Usagi's hands.
	"I was reading that! Why are you being so mean to me? It's
not my fault we got beat by Senshi with better fire and deadlier
lightning." Usagi wailed,
	"Thanks for your vote of confidence." Mako-chan replied dryly.
	"That's not what I meaaannnt!" Usagi whined, she gave Mako-chan
and Rei a teary look, "Why are you taking what I say so seriously?"
	"Usagi! Stop being such a child!" Luna shouted. Usagi instantly
stopped, it was like turning off a water faucet.
	"Hmm...so what do we do now?" Ami asked, taking off her glasses
and chewing on the ends. The girls were silent as they glanced to
Luna for advice. Finally, she sighed,
	"I don't know..."

		*		*		*		*		*

	Ameko stared at the girl looking at her. She had the same short blonde 
hair and blue eyes, but she was dressed in a black sailorfuku with a bright 
blue skirt and light purple bow. She had a silver brooch with the sign of 
Aquarius engraved on it. Around her neck was a blue choker with the symbol 
of Aquarius in silver. Upon her head was a silver tiara, sitting in its 
center was an amythest in the  shape of a star. look at herself in the mirror 
she had in her room. 
	"This is what happens when I say, 'Aquarius Cosmic Star Power, 
Make Up?'" she asked herself. She was given the wand and told the story,
then Jessica and Estrella left her to let the truth sink in. Curiosity
had gotten the best of Ameko and now she was transformed into a Zodiac
Senshi. Needless to say, Ameko was perplexed at the entire situation.
	"Well...it looks nice with my eyes." she commented after a 
brief moment. Ameko then decided to go outside to get some fresh air,
the entire situation was so strange she had to take a breather. She
walked down her stairs, opened the door and stepped outside, still in her
Zodiac Senshi uniform. 
	The moment she stepped outdoors twenty points of light from the 
heavens shot down and converged on Ameko, the sign of Aquarius appearing
on her forehead.
	"Sailoraquarius! What are you doing?" Estrella shouted, jumping
from the bushes and staring at her. 
	But Sailoraquarius was too awestruck by the beauty of the light
to respond.

		*		*		*		*		*

	The Inner Senshi were all watching the sun set outside of Hikawa-jinja
when they saw the light from the heavens come down about a quarter of a mile
away.
	"It's them!" Rei exclaimed as she jumped up,
	"Don't say that. For all you know it's Jessica again. And hey, she 
could be your daughter from the future, stranger things have happened." 
Usagi giggled.
	"No. It's not Jessica, it's someone else. Look at the color of the 
beam. Its blue, not orange." Rei said, ignoring Usagi's comments.
	"Mars Crystal Power, Make UP!" Rei shouted, throwing her henshin
wand into the air and transforming.
	"Moon Cosmic Power, Make UP!" Usagi cried,
	The remaining three girls called out the magic words to make them
transform into the Bishoujo Senshi.
***
	"I will never forgive those who hurt innocent people in the guise 
of a saviour. I am the Pretty Suited Sailor Soldier of Love & Justice! 
In the name of the Moon, I shall punish you!" shouted Sailormoon.
	Sailoraquarius turned around, a fearful look on her face as she
stared at the Inner Senshi.
	"Another one?" Sailorvenus whispered to Sailormercury. Sailormercury
looked at her computer and punched in a few keys,
	"She's certainly human." she replied.
	"You want to punish me? What did I do?" Sailoraquarius asked innocently.
Before the Sailor Team could answer, two flashes jumped down from the trees
and landed by Sailoraquarius.
	"I see you're all healed up from the last time we met." Sailorleo snickered,
she arrogantly tossed her beautiful black hair over her shoulders. "Since we had to
listen to your little speech, allow us to introduce ourselves."
	"I am the Keeper of the Silver Arrow, Sailorsagittarius! In the name of
my Celestial sign, you will be conquered!" said the green haired Senshi proudly.
	"And I am the Radiant Senshi of the Sun, Sailorleo! I shall destroy you
in the name of the Heavens which house the Great Lion!" Leo replied, giving a 
slight, sarcastic bow. "Oh, and you've met Sailoraquarius." she said, waving
her hand to Aquarius.
	"I..I...don't have...a speech." Aquarius said sheepishly, she blushed
slightly. What was she doing anyway? She didn't know how to fight.
	"Enough with the small talk. Answer our questions first, then we'll do
YOU the honor of fully introducing ourselves." Sailormars replied snidely.
	"That's quite alright, we don't need to be bothered with such...
pathetic creatures." Leo said coldly.
	"Venus! Love and Beauty...SHOCK!" Sailorvenus suddenly shouted, blowing
a kiss to the Zodiac Senshi and sending it towards them.
	Aquarius stared at the golden heart which sped towards her, a strange
feeling began to overcome her body. Courage...Words which came to her lips.
	"RAIN FLOOD!" she shouted, raising her hands to the sky with her
palm open. She closed her hands into fists and brought them back to her side,
as she did so a small blue cloud appeared above her as the wind picked up 
speed around them. Sailoraquarius directed the cloud over to the Sailor
Senshi and it began to rain. The rain disintegrated Venus' attack and
confused the Sailor Senshi.
	"Freezing Mist Vaporization!" Aquarius chanted, a gust of freezing
mist hitting the Sailor Senshi and freezing them into blocks of ice.
	Then.
	A red rose.
	It cut through the ice, freeing the Senshi from their icy prison.
	"Strength through determination is the only way to defeat this
enemy. Do not allow the villains from the Dead Moon to get the best of you."
said Tuxedo Kamen from the roof of Aquarius' house.
	Sailorleo shot him a dark look,
	"Get a clue. We aren't from the Dead Moon, whatever that is, nor are
we poser Senshi. Don't try and rationalize the fact your little pets are
weaker than we are." 
	"Then...tell us...where are you from?" Sailormoon asked,
	"Are you on our side?" Sailorjupiter chimed.
	Sailorsagittarius glanced to Sailorleo, who was silent. All of a 
sudden she shouted,
	"Sun Rise!" and with a flash of golden light, the three Senshi had
mysteriously disappeared.
	The Sailor Senshi were left dumbfounded. They had never been in such
a situation before. There were no youma, no fights to the death. Just blacksuited
Senshi who made snide comments.
	"This is a battle you cannot win on your own. Call the Outer Senshi."
said Tuxedo Kamen coldly before disappearing into the night. Sailormoon stared
after him, why was he being so cold to her?
	"Call the Outer Senshi?" Sailorvenus repeated, "Why would we do that?
We can fight them on our own!" she called after him.
	Sailormoon didn't say another word. She shuddered. The way that Mamoru
had just spoken to her angered her. Didn't he have faith in her or the Inner
Senshi? Why didn't he suggest they fight themselves? Why did he run away
so quickly? These thoughts raced through Sailormoon's head. Why? Why? Why?
Suddenly, Sailormoon decided that she hated the Outer Senshi.