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To Dance By Moonlight
A Buffy/Sailor Moon Xover
mbsilvana@yahoo.com
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FEEDBACK IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED AND DESIRED.....
This is a little rough- I might be mixing it around a little, but I think it'll stand as a whole....

Part Two: The Girl From Japan- Usagi Starts a New Life!

    When Tsukino Usagi heard that her Aunt Akiko had invited her to stay for a year in America, she had been enthusiastic, to put it mildly.   She had almost hit the ceiling with excitement.
    Then reality hit.   Even though it had been a year since she had redeemed Galaxia, she didn�t feel like it was safe to leave Japan.
    The rest of the Senshi, though, put their feet down and practically packed her off.   It was the chance of a lifetime, Ami had argued, for how many people got to study abroad?   Minako had pointed out that Usagi wouldn�t have to wear the silly school uniforms, while Rei had argued that the Senshi were perfectly able to protect Tokyo without her- in fact, they might be better off without her tripping over her feet!   Michiru and Haruka had promised to be available, and Setsuna had smiled in her usual enigmatic fashion, suggesting that it might be a good idea for her to go.
    All their arguments, while persuasive, almost hadn�t been enough to ensure that she would agree.   It was silly, but she hadn�t wanted to leave her boyfriend.    In a way, it was understandable.    She had been forced apart from him almost too many times to count, and each time it gad felt as though her other half was missing.
    Mamoru. though, took the decision right out of her hands.   He had never gone to Harvard after coming back from the dead, declaring that he�d rather be near his princess.   Now, though, he had a chance to see his Usako by his side, and he wasn�t about to miss it.   He�d applied for admittance to a college near her aunt�s, and with his stellar grades, had been easily accepted.
    Usagi had packed quickly after hearing Mamoru�s decision, aware that she�d be entering half way through her second year (or as a Junior, as the Americans would say) and wanted to get going.   Mamoru had forced her to wait until his spring semester began.   A sophomore now, he refused to enter UC Sunnydale on unequal footing.
    She�d spent the time cramming English, but as anyone who knew her could attest, there had been little use in that.  The night before she had been due to leave, she had been on the verge of tears.   Surprisingly, Luna had a solution for her.
    Usagi sat by her window, staring up at the moon, which was her guardian.   She wondered if it would look differently in America.  Her face was sad as she thought of leaving her friends, and she was terrified that she wouldn�t be able to understand anything anyone said to her.
    Luna leapt up onto Usagi�s bed, looking up at her charge.    �What�s wrong, Usagi-chan?� she asked.
    Usagi turned melancholy blue eyes on the Mooncat.   �I�m not sure I want to go anymore!   I�m going to miss everyone- even Rei-chan!   I won�t be able to talk to anyone, and I�ll be alone!� she said, starting to wail in the fashion she had used in her first year as Sailor Moon.
    Luna put her paws on Usagi�s knees and looked at the girl earnestly.   �Usagi-chan, the battles are done for now.   You must start to learn other thing now- after all, someday you will be Queen.   If you get really lonely, the Seishi can always teleport to visit you, and Mamoru is going to be there.�
    Usagi wiped some of the tears from her eyes.   �I guess.�
    Luna smiled in her cat-like fashion.   �I have a going away present for you.�   Usagi clapped her hands eagerly, always ready for presents.   Luna did a backflip and a pair of earrings landed on the comforter.
    �They look just like the ones I wear as Eternal Sailor Moon!� Usagi exclaimed in surprise.   She put them on quickly, posing in front of the mirror.   It was strange to see herself wearing the earrings as plain old Usagi.
    �Indeed.   I found them yesterday- they have a special ability that you might find useful,� Luna teased.
    �Really?�
    �Yes, really.    They�ll enable you to speak and understand any language.   It�ll be useful where you�re going.�
    Usagi blinked a few times, then it sunk in.   �Really?!� she asked eagerly.
    �I�ve been speaking English since you put them in,� Luna informed her.
    Usagi grabbed the black cat and hugged her, remembering not to squeeze too hard.   �Thank you!�
    Luna purred lightly.   �Every now and then concentrate on saying something in Japanese so people don�t get too suspicious.   I�m going to miss you!�
    �I�ll miss you, too, neko no baka!   I wish you could come with me.�
    �Ami will take good care of me.  You know there�s no way your Aunt Akiko will let you keep me over there,� Luna said.   �But I�ll be worried.  Just remember that you�re only seventeen.�
    �What do you mean?� Usagi asked innocently.
    �Mamoru�s twenty-one.   Without a chaperone....� Luna trailed off suggestively.
    Usagi blushed a brilliant shade of red.
    Usagi and Mamoru�s flight left early in the morning, and Mamoru, like the gentleman he was, let her have the window seat.   He had rather unpleasant memories of his last flight, so held her hand the entire way, not sure if it was for sake or his.
    After the plane landed, and they had cleared customs, Mamoru had escorted his girlfriend to her Aunt�s house.   Kissing her chastely on the cheek, he waved a farewell, promised to call her the next day at four thirty, and headed out to an apartment that the school had arrange for him.
    Aunt Akiko had welcomed Usagi warmly, setting her up in her own room.   Akiko didn�t have any children of her own, so was determined to spoil her niece rotten.   The first day had been a whirlwind of activity- shopping, eating, and gossiping about family.   Finally they stopped, Usagi being exhausted from the long day.   Usagi went up to her new room and collapsed onto the unfamiliar bed.
    The next morning came far too early for her, which was nothing new.   Akiko, though, was as insistent as Ikoku when it came to rousing the young blonde.   Soon the two were at Sunnydale High, enrolling Usagi.   To their surprise, Usagi was told to finish the year up as a junior, then enter as a senior in the fall.   Usagi couldn�t believe it- according to the Japanese system, she would just barely be a junior.  Her, she was almost finished.   She�d end up with two senior years, and get to finish with her friends.   Thrilled was a mild was of describing her reaction.
    The small blonde was bouncing as she enter the first classroom, which happened to be mathematics.   She glanced around at the strange faces that were looking at her with curiosity, trying to push down the feeling of nervousness.   What it they didn�t like her? she wondered uneasily.   It was be a very long year if she had no friends.
    The teacher introduced her to the class, mispronouncing her name.   She gently corrected him and added her desire to be friends to the class, watching for a reaction.   Most of them seemed interested in her, and she felt her spirits lift.   Things would be OK, she assured herself.
    One of the boys in the class spoke out, something that never would have been acceptable back at home, but the teacher here allowed.  He had a slightly scruffy appearance, but the laid back look in his eyes reassured her that he was just a typical American.  �What�re you doing over here?� he asked.
    �I�m staying with family,� Usagi answered, then smiled.  �I�m looking forward to some peace and quiet- Tokyo is a very busy area.�  She thought of all the daimons and youmas and phages she had left behind, and was amused by how ironic her statement was.
    Her good mood wavered slightly as she noticed a blonde who wasn�t much larger then she was staring at her grimly.    Ignoring her, Usagi slid into her seat and started to listen to the lecture.
    For the first time in her school career, Usagi actually felt intelligent.   The material was all familiar to her, and it was amazing that she actually understood everything Parnell-sensei was saying.  With a sigh, she rested her head on her desk, and before she knew it, was out like a light.
    The rest of the day was incredibly boring.   Very few people actually approached her, but rather regarded her like a specimen of something they�d never seen before, watching her out of the corner of their eyes.  It was an uncomfortable feeling, but she felt that it would probably go away once they got used to her presence.
    All of her classes seemed manageable, though she would have to do some extra work in American History and English.   When the last bell rung for the day, she hurried over to the library to get the books the instructors had told her to retrieve.   She pushed into the swinging doors at her usual full-pelt pace, skidding to a stop.
    The blonde who had watched her so warily was sitting on top of the librarian�s counter, talking to the boy who had spoken to her in math.    Usagi smiled at them, and stated her desire to find the librarian so she could get some textbooks after correcting them on her name.  It seemed that everyone was determined to call her by her last name, which she found rather odd.   The boy left to get Giles, as he had called the librarian, leaving her alone with the other girl.
    Usagi didn�t like how to deal with the girls� grim appraisal, so decided to treat the girl like a hostile person- in other words, she turned on her ditzy charm, forcing an introduction out of the girl, who was named Buffy.   Then with a smile she started to ramble on about her favorite topic- Mamoru.  �He�s so handsome!� she told, trying to indicate his height with her hand, which didn�t work so well because of how short she was.   �We�re going to get married someday,� she sighed dreamily.   �I�m so lucky that he loves me,� she said.
    The American girl just listened to her prattle on, not really paying attention, but Usagi, always perceptive to the emotions of others, noticed a deep sadness in her eyes.    Finally the librarian came and gave her books, and she was pleased to learn that she wasn�t the only foreigner around.   The books were heavy, and she was distressed to learn how much time she had taken to get them- she had twenty minutes to get back to her aunt�s house to receive Mamoru�s phone call.  With a hurried farewell, she dashed out, starting to finally feel like things were normal.   Life just didn�t seem right if she wasn�t late for some reason.
    Jogging home, she felt a slight stitch in her side.   She was getting out of shape.   Since Galaxia had been redeemed, there had been no other threats, and she hadn�t had the need to battle the forces of darkness.   Which was good for her safety, but bad for her exercise program.
    The phone was just ringing as she dashed into the house.   Kicking off her shoes by the doorway, she shoved her feet into a pair of slippers and grabbed it.   �Moshi moshi?� she asked, remembering to use a little bit of her native language.  That Xander had made her nervous by pointing out her seeming fluency the first day.
    �Usako?� Mamoru asked, and she squealed in delight.
    �Mamo-chan!� she exclaimed, dragging the portable phone up to her room, remembering to grab a bowl of chips on her way.   �How was your day?� she asked.
    She could hear the tiredness in his voice.   �Long.  I�m going to be doing a lot of work to make sure I understand what�s going on.    But we�ll make time to be together, ne?�
    �Hai!� she said happily, flinging herself down on her bed, stretching out on her stomach.   �Is there any way we could meet today?� she asked.    �I want to tell you all about my day, and hear about yours as well.�
    His melodic laughter rang down the line, and she felt herself shiver with inner delight.   Just listening to his voice set her heart racing.   She wondered if she would ever get used to the knowledge that he loved her.   �Still my Usako,� he said fondly.   �I have some homework to clear out of the way, but how about we arrange to meet somewhere later, say, around nine?  That way we can spend an hour or two together.�
    �Sugoi!� she said, since Mamoru was speaking Japanese as well.   �How about we meet in the graveyard we passed on the way.�
    A beat, then, �Are you sure?�
    �Well, I don�t know anywhere else in this town where we�re as likely to have some privacy!� she laughed.   �I need to make some friends so they can show me around!�
    �I�m sure you will, Usako,� he said soothingly.   �Everyone loves you.  I have to get going, but I�ll meet you there at nine.�
    She listened to the dial tone for a second, a dreamy smile on her face.   Then she groaned and decided to get her homework out of the way.   Mamoru and her Aunt Akiko had made it very clear that there would be dire consequences if she didn�t keep up with her studies.
    She ate dinner with her aunt, then watched a little television, whiling the hours away.  Finally it was close enough that she simply couldn�t wait anymore.   Chronically troubled by tardiness, Usagi somehow managed to never be late for a date with Mamoru.  Explaining that she had arranged to meet her boyfriend, she breezed out the door with a cheery wave to her aunt.
    She entered the cemetery, wondering why she suddenly felt a premonition of EVIL.   It wasn�t her usual territory- that was Rei�s job.   She slid her hand into the light-weight jacket she was wearing, stroking the ofuda charms Rei had forced her to take, saying that she might need them.   Usually she would have called Rei a worry wart, but the miko�s eyes had held the far-away look they sometimes did when they were foreseeing the future.
    Mentally she resolved to take Mamoru and find somewhere else to go as soon as he arrived.   Whistling cheerfully, the sound echoed eerily back at her, twisted and almost sad.   She began to sing the Three Light�s song, imagining that Seiya was around to keep her company while she waited for her boyfriend.   It was really too bad that he had to leave before getting to know Mamoru- those two would have made such good friends, she was sure.
    She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn�t even notice the man who had approached her from behind until he was less then three feet away from her.
    �Hi!   You surprised me!� she exclaimed, whirling to face him.
    The man was surprisingly attractive.    He had deep brown eyes and brown hair to match, and was wearing a nice leather outfit that showed off a lithe, muscled body.    Something, though, seemed a bit off about him, and she touched the broach she wore, taking comfort in its weight.   �Sorry, pretty.   But I was going to warn you- it�s not safe to be wandering around these parts without an escort.   If you want, I�ll walk you home.�
    She was relieved by his seeming concern for her- apparently he was just a kind soul who was worried about a young girl.    Still, a part of her subconscious warned her that he was lying, and she shied away slightly.   �That�s very nice of you, but I�m going to be meeting someone very shortly.�
    His eyes narrowed and for a second she had the absurd impression that this guy was as bad as Queen Beryl had been.   �But they�re not here now,� he practically purred, and stepped closer, his face warping in an amazingly deadly fashion.
    The Usagi of a few years ago would have screamed, but the one who had been Sailor Moon for a few years remained calm.    �Moon Eternal Ma-� she began to call, but was cut off when the monster lunged forward and wrapped his hand around her throat, choking her off in the middle of her henshin phrase, lifting her several inches off the ground.   �So a sorceress?� he whispered, trailing his lips along her cheeks.   �Your blood will taste sweeter because of the magic within it.�
    Usagi managed a strangled scream, kicking and trying to get the creature to let her go.   Her mind was just about to hit panic mode when a half-familiar voice cut in. �Angel,� said Buffy, stepping around a few gravestones.
    What happened next confused the life out of her.   Buffy managed to free her, telling her to run, but of course Usagi wasn�t going to do that.    She agilely rolled to her feet, getting ready to save the other girl if it proved necessary.
    Her worry proved to be unfounded.  Buffy fought with magically enhanced skill, and she had the demon on the run.    With a firm kick she sent the monster reeling backwards, and the monster fixed his sight on Usagi.
    Before she knew what she was doing, she had one of Rei�s ofuda in her hands, smacking it in the center of the monster�s mishappened face.    He shrieked and fell, and Usagi thanked the kami that were watching over her.   �I- I really didn�t think that would work.  I guess Rei-chan owes me I-told-you-so after all.�
    The American girl grabbed onto her arm and made it plain they were to leave.   Usagi started to run, disliking the fact that the monster was still there, but realizing that she couldn�t do anything about it as long as Buffy was there.
    The two girls finally stopped running outside of the school.   After a short conversation, Usagi left again, heading back towards the cemetery.    Mamoru was suppose to have met her there, and she didn�t want to leave him to face the creature alone.    As soon as she was positive no one was around, she transformed, then entered the cemetery grounds.
    To her relief, this time the feeling of evil didn�t assault her.  Eternal Sailor Moon walked rapidly through the rows of graves, crying out when she saw her boyfriend waiting, a pensive expression on his handsome face.
    �Mamo-chan!� she cried, flinging her arms around her boyfriend, �where have you BEEN?  There�s a monster around her!� she said, pressing her face into his chest, totally unconcerned by the fact that at the moment, he appeared as a normal man, while she was in her entire Senshi regalia.
    Mamoru wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her fiercely.   �Hai, I know, Usako.   But there�s something even worse.   The Slayer is here.�
    She blinked a few times.   �Slayer?   What�s that?� she asked, having no idea what he was talking about.
    �A mistake that was made long ago- a mistake which I must correct,� he said grimly, his blue eyes hard with resolve.
    Usagi shivered.   She hated when he spoke like that.   The seriousness in his voice warned her there would be trouble.   Resting her head on his shoulder, she closed her eyes and sent a silent prayer heavenwards, hoping for the best.


Up Next:
Part Three: Apprehension
On the path to a collision, the Slayer seems destined to meet her Maker.... Literally.


Yes, the earrings- can we say �plot device�?  ^_~.  But I though I�d be better to actually acknowledge the language difference then ignore it entirely.
The Japanese School system is much better then the American one- their average students consistently outscore our best students (in other words, we Americans aren�t as smart as we think we are!).


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