I'm sorry that this chapter took so long to get out! The past school year has been really hard on me. This chapter is dedicated to Pern and Darkcradle, who have inspired me to finish the damn chapter and get it out for my fans:winks:

Perfection: Is It Real?

Chapter 10

by samisweet

Usagi zoned out of the class, boredly staring out the window. She hated school with a passion. Shaking her head, she caught the glare of the Yumi girl, whose forehead was wrinkled in a frown. Usagi flashed a cocky smile and Yumi fumed even more. The blonde shook her head. This school was so much more, well, dramatized than her other school. Sure, there had been youma and stuff, but there weren't girls obsessing over some guy and practically killing anyone that was some sort of threat to her relationship. Usagi sweatdropped. Other than Minako, that was…

But, forgetting those things, she went back to her first thought. She was bored. Her eyes slowly began to droop and she struggled to stay awake. Blinking rapidly, she let her head fall onto her desk with a small thud and fell right to sleep. Suddenly, something slammed on her desk, and she shrieked something with the likeness of "Hand out of my underwear, ecchi!" The class laughed and Usagi turned red, only to see the teacher glaring down at her.

"I will not tolerate this rude behavior!" the sensei glared down at her. Usagi could have sworn that she was related to Haruna-sensei.

"Gomen, sensei," Usagi sat with her back straight and Risa giggled beside her. "It won't happen again."

"I'm letting you off because you are new, but if it occurs again, I will make sure that you receive the proper punishment!" the teacher glared down through her black rimmed frames. Her hair was brown and frizzy.

"Arigato sensei," Usagi bowed her head and the teacher went back to math. Risa winked at her while Riku patted her back.

"It's alright, Usa-chan, she's not really that bad," Riku gave her a small smile.

"I hate school," Usagi mumbled miserably, trying her best to pay attention.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Usagi stretched luxuriously as she sat down next to Riku under the shade of a large tree. The day was beautiful, no doubt, an expanse of thick, fluffy clouds marring the pure blue of the sky. Riku sighed happily, pulling out her lunch. Risa did the same and Usagi gasped.

"Oh no! I left my lunch on the counter!" she moaned, leaning against the tree. "Can this day get any worse?"

"It's alright, Usa-chan, okaa-san always packs too much," Risa comforted. She gave half her lunch to Usagi and Riku did the same.

"Yeah, Usa-chan, we don't eat that much anyways," Riku confirmed. Usagi beamed at them before digging into the food.

"Hey, Risa-chan, Riku-chan," Daisuke's unmistakable voice interrupted Usagi's eating and the blonde glared at him. Daisuke, oblivious to the look, seated himself in-between Usagi and Riku. "Hello, Tsukino-san."

"Ohayo Niwa-san," Usagi replied. "You know, I really think that I met you somewhere before. It won't hurt to tell me where so that I can stop my brain from having a stroke trying to find out."

"Iie, we haven't met," Daisuke shook his head.

"Usagi, you came from Tokyo, ne?" Riku said. "He's never been there and I doubt that you met him after you came here. Maybe it's someone else you're thinking about."

"Maybe," Usagi replied. Shrugging, she went back to devouring her meal at record-breaking speeds. When she finished, Daisuke was looking at her with something akin to awe. "What? I'm a growing girl."

0o0o0o0o0o0

"Phantom thief Dark is allegedly going to be stealing Moon Princess and her Court tonight at 10, according to police reports," the newscaster's voice was abruptly shut off. Risa stood there with a determined look in her eyes.

"I'm going to meet him there!" she declared. Usagi sighed and Riku rolled her eyes. "Please guys, can you help me? I love him! I want to meet him tonight. Ri-chan, Usa-chan, please?"

"Fine," Riku grumbled. Risa's declarations of love were starting to grate her nerves. "How can you love him when you don't know anything about him? Besides, he's a criminal for heaven's sake!"

"Yeah, Risa-chan. That Dark is nothing but trouble," Usagi put her two cents in. "You don't know what you could be getting yourself into."

"Nonsense, he loves me, I just know it," Risa stuck her nose in the air and Usagi giggled at her face.

"Fine, but don't cry when he breaks your heart," she said. Moon Princess and her Court sounded awfully familiar to Usagi. In fact, she hardly doubted that it was a painting of her and her nine senshi. She wouldn't let Dark steal something so precious to her. She didn't even have the chance to see it yet. Usagi had a feeling that Sailor Moon would need to make an appearance tonight.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Usagi grunted as she pushed Risa over the wall. Two hands appeared and she accepted both. Riku and Risa hoisted her to the top of the wall before falling down to the other side. Usagi landed in a perfect crouch position before launching herself after her sisters, grumbling the whole time. They reached the museum, where a huge crowd and multiple police had gathered. Risa began to push herself towards the front and Riku followed diligently. Usagi, of course, managed to get lost, but she wasn't afraid. It would be a perfect excuse to transform. She hurried towards an empty alleyway beside the museum and threw her hand up in the air, broach clasped tightly in her hand.

"Moon eternal power, make up!" she whispered harshly and her pajamas melted into her uniform. She hadn't bothered changing when the trio had left late that night. Riku had changed into comfortable jeans and a messy tee-shirt, but Riku was fully dressed, with a pretty blue halter-topped dress that reached a little past her knees and matching earrings and flats. She was made up and Usagi had to admit that she looked gorgeous.

As soon as her wings burst through her back, she sent herself into the air. A glass panel on the ceiling was already removed and Usagi dropped through it, wings flapping quietly. She called her wings back into her body and followed her instincts, finding herself in front of her target. Her breath was caught in her throat. It was gorgeous, and flowery writing on the right corner told that it was by Michiru. All ten women were in their princess dresses, with Serenity in the center. Their respective symbols glowed proudly on their foreheads. Sakura blossoms and petals were practically moving across the painting and a soft glow surrounded everything. They were resting on a hill underneath a sakura tree, laughing merrily.

Usagi wouldn't allow Dark to steal the painting. It was more of a valued memory than anything else. She stationed herself a few feet away, warily observing everything around her. A shadow crossed the hall, and she straightened, positioning herself in a defensive stance. Someone was about to touch the painting.

"Stop right there!" Usagi shouted, pointing a finger Dark. Startled, Dark stopped in mid stride. "I'm Sailor Moon, champion of love and justice! I right wrongs and triumph over evil, and that, means you!"

"I'm touched," Dark purred, stepping closer. "That Sailor Moon would come all the way from Tokyo to protect this painting."

"I'm Sailor Venus!" Minako's familiar voice caused Usagi to grin in delight. "And on behalf of the love planet Venus, I refuse to let you take that painting!"

"I'm Sailor Mars!" Rei shouted. "The sacred fire tells me that you are unworthy of that work of art!"

"This painting holds precious memories for us all," Usagi declared, more confident now that two of her senshi were with her. "And we will not let you take it."

"Serenity-hime deserves better treatment than that," Minako shouted, winking secretively at Usagi. Dark laughed.

"Wow, I get to fight three gorgeous ladies tonight. Are you sure you wouldn't rather do something a bit more… productive?" Dark grinned as Rei turned red.

"Ecchi! How dare you talk to Sailor Moon like that? She is way too young to be hearing those things!" With that, Rei leaped forward, throwing punches haphazardly. Dark dodged easily.

"Venus love-me chain, encircle!" Minako cried out and unhooked the chain from her waist. It glowed brightly as it caught Dark. He disappeared out of it and Minako gasped. "How- how did you do that?"

"You guys aren't the only magical people out there," he replied, smirking as he danced closer to the painting. Rei pulled her hands together.

"Mars fire, ignite!" a beam of flames headed towards Dark and hit his back, effectively knocking him down.

"You guys are rude," he grinned as he leapt back up, unscathed. "Is this any way to treat guests?"

Usagi bit her lip, feeling helpless as ever. Even with her senshi's gifts, she wasn't able to fight effectively. She wasn't useful unless it was a finishing attack. Usagi felt tears prick the corners of her eyes. It wasn't fair. Suddenly, Dark darted towards the painting and managed to pull it off in one clean sweep. Black wings burst from his back as he took flight, laughing.

"Later, ladies!" he shouted. Usagi clenched her fists angrily. Michiru had created that painting in her memory. She wouldn't let it be ruined. She called her wings forth and took off after him.

"No, Sailor Moon, come back!" Mars cried out and tried to grab her legs, but missed. Venus' jaws dropped. This was not good. They both knew that Usagi wasn't prepared to fight, let alone someone as dexterous as Dark, but they were both helpless. They couldn't fly and prayed to Selene that Usagi would come out of this unscathed.

"Oh, good luck, hime," Venus whispered. Mars began her trek outside and Venus followed, feet padding softly on the ground.

Break

Usagi's wings were beating hard behind her as she tried to keep up with Dark. Her breath came out in short puffs in the cool night air and her cheeks were tinged with pink. He hadn't noticed her following him persistently yet, but she was glad. She gained on him; his black wings were no match for her large, experienced pure white ones. Her back began to ache from the flapping but she assiduously pursued him. He weaved and twirled through the air, hair flying behind him and Usagi observed. He was carelessly holding the painting. He suddenly dropped and landed on a building, face breaking into a wide smile. She landed a little ways away.

"That painting is not yours!" Usagi shouted. Dark looked up, completely startled, and then scowled.

"You sailor brats are so annoying," he drawled, balancing the painting in one hand. "I can see why those Nega-freaks attacked you so often."

"Negaverse," Usagi snapped, eyes flashing. "Stealing is wrong and you should be ashamed! Taking other people's belongings without their consent… what if some of these have sentimental value?"

"Oh, please," Dark rolled his eyes. "These have no sentimental value whatsoever."

"They do to me! That painting was by one of the best painters and depicts my family. They are all I have left of my past and I won't let you take them away!"

"God, Odango Atama, you really need to practice your speeches," Usagi immediately tensed at the new voice, her face paling. "You're so useless, all talk and no action. I don't get why the senshi even indicted you in the first place; I'd be such a better leader!"

"What are you doing here, Chibi Moon?" Usagi asked quietly, turning her face away so that the pink-haired gakki wouldn't see her tears.

"I'm here to finish what you were unable to even start," Chibi-Usa replied, her wings gently closing behind her. Her face was in a mean scowl and she glared at Usagi before glancing at Dark. "Since Sailor Moon is obviously handicapped and can't even walk on her own two feet, maybe you'd be better off giving that painting to me." Dark watched Chibi-Usa with narrowed eyes and observed Usagi's reactions. The blonde was trying desperately to hold back her tears and remain strong.

"Sorry, Chibi Gakki, but I believe this was between me and Moon," he prepared himself at an offensive stance. "Maybe you should leave."

"Oh please, I'm a much more worthy opponent. That girl couldn't fight you to save her life," Chibi-Usa smirked when she saw Usagi's eyes glittering with tears. "Moon, you couldn't even hang on to that stupid boyfriend of yours, you're so lame. He's parading around with your ex-best friend, Naru."

"Wh-what?" Usagi's eyes widened. "H-he wouldn't! He loves me!" This time, Usagi's eyes were wide and tears were leaking freely from the corners of her eyes. Her heart was wrenching in her chest and it hurt so bad that she couldn't hold back a sob. Mamoru was her future. How could he just leave her like that? He was her strength, her love, her everything. Chib-Usa pulled out her wand and aimed it at Dark.

"Pink Sugar Heart ATTACK!" she cried out. Pink energy hearts began to hit Dark's middle. His eye twitched and he winced as heart after heart hit him. It wasn't painful, just… insanely annoying. Without a warning, he launched himself at her and sent a dark blue blast of energy. It grazed Chibi Moon's side, leaving a torn and bloody wound.

"Stop it!" Usagi cried out. Her eyes were dark and furious. "Chibi Moon, I think it's time you got your annoying little butt back into your bed. As leader, I order you to do so."

"You have no power over me," Chibi-Usa growled. Her eyes flashed in annoyance of Usagi's use of rank.

"Order. Now. You. Go," Usagi tried her best to keep her anger in check. Chibi-Usa glared lividly but left all the same. The minute the pink-haired brat turned, Usagi dropped her act, her face becoming tired and lined. She allowed herself to cry a few tears before catching herself and taking in a deep breath. She turned to face Dark but tears stained her cheeks and her face was flushed. She was desperately trying to hold on to her emotions. "I-I need that painting back."

"Sheesh, is that brat always like that?" Dark asked, scowling. Usagi smiled a little and nodded. "She's horrible."

"I know," Usagi replied. She stepped a little closer. "She doesn't like me."

"That's apparent," Dark remarked. Usagi stepped even closer.

"Thank you for defending me. None of the other senshi really do that kind of stuff," she smiled softly and Dark's breath was caught in his throat. She looked simply beautiful with the moon beams washing over her body and illuminating her tear-stricken face. She wasn't 'hot' or 'sexy' like other girls and that was what he definitely looked for, but she was cute in her own way. Definitely not the prettiest or most gorgeous girl he had seen. He smirked. "But I'd really like that painting back."

"You'll have to catch me," he grinned broadly but Usagi was prepared when he launched himself into the air.

Yeah, it wasn't that great. If you guys want me to, I'd be inclined to rewrite it, so just let me know. The next update is Hope for SachiNyoko and Serene Amethyst! I know I haven't reviewed at all the past few months, but I promise I'll try harder once finals, IB examsand school is over. Sophomore year is tough. I hate thinking of next year!