Cinderella: A Sailor Moon Story


The next day came all too quickly for Usagi. She spent the entiremorning rushing around washing clothes, airing potential dresses, buyingbroaches and hair combs and being a fashion consultant to her sisters.

They finally emerged fully dressed. The girls exchanged nervouscomments, while Beryl fretted over their appearances one last time. "Time toleave," she told them. "We wouldn't want to be late."

"What kind of impression would that make to the prince?" Reishuddered.

"Gomen, Usagi. It's too bad you have to miss this," Ami apologized. "Don't worry about me. You just have fun." She gave her stepsisterabrief hug. "I'll see you late!" Usagi called as they left.

After the front door slammed, an empty feeling suddenly overtookUsagi.The house was no longer cheery and inviting, but now held a sense ofloneliness.

Not being able to stand the emptiness, Usagi made her way to thebackyard. She sat down on a bench in the courtyard and buried her faceinher hands, salty tears gliding down her cheeks.

She really did want to go, but she was confined to the house. Shewouldnot get to dress up, to eat great foods, to dance, to see the prince... Herweeping sounded steadily through the trees.

"There's no need to cry, Usagi," a gentle voice said.

Usagi's head jerked up. "Who said that?" she asked fearfully.

"Why, I did." A hazy glowing cloud formed in front of Usagi. Shewatched in amazement as the cloud dissipated and revealed a woman. "Whoareyou?" she wanted to know.

"Who am I?" the woman laughed. "Why, I am your fairy godmother, ofcourse!" She tossed back her long mane of golden hair, sending itbillowingaround her pale pink dress.

She held such an aura of beauty and mysticism that Usagi had tobelieveher. "My fairy godmother?" she choked out.

"Hai. But you can call me Minako. Fairy Godmother makes me soundsoold! Now, where in the name of all magic is that girl?" Minako lookedaround expectantly.

Sure enough, another cloud of sparkles appeared and produced anotherperson. However, this one was hunched over and coughing. "I'll nevergetthe hang of this appearing thing," she complained, straightening up.

"How rude you are being, not introducing yourself to our newfriend,"Minako scolded the girl. "Makoto, this is Usagi. Usagi, I would likeyou tomeet Makoto, my apprentice."

"You have an apprentice?" Usagi glanced curiously at Makoto.

The young girl was brushing off her green dress and adjusting herponytail of wavy brown hair. "My mother made me do it," Makoto toldUsagi,obviously annoyed.

"All you need is more experience," Minako assured her. "Now, we'vewasted enough time." She took a seat beside Usagi on the bench. "Whyareyou crying?" she asked her gently.

"You know my name, yet you don't know why I'm upset?"

"I'm a fairy godmother, not a psychic."

"Right. Gomen. You see, there's this party-"

"Say no more, Usagi," Minako interrupted, standing up. "You want metobring a party to you, right? No problem!" With a wave of her hand, amagicwand appeared in the air. Minako grabbed the wand. "Now, how did thatspellgo again?"

"I don't want to throw a party," Usagi insisted. "I just want to gotoone."

"Oops, sorry about that." Minako gave an apologetic smile beforesittingback down. "Now tell me about this party."

"Well, the party is being thrown in honor of Prince Endymion, and heinvited me to go. But my stepmother has me swamped with chores so Ican'tattend." Usagi sighed sadly.

"I can solve that one. Stand up," she commanded Usagi, who obeyed."Close your eyes." She raised the wand, and, with a flick of the wrist,astorm of silver glitter surrounded Usagi.

She could feel her body being molded with the shiny sparkles.

"All done!" Minako smiled proudly.

Usagi looked down in disbelief. She was now in a long straplessgown ofpale blue satin. Gloves of the same color adorned her hands and touchedjustbelow her elbows. Woven into her hair were two crimson roses on eithersideof her odangos. "Oh, wow," she breathed, twirling around. She pulledup ahandful of fabric and gasped as she caught a glimpse of her shoes. Herfeetwere enclosed in slim-heeled glass slippers that shone when they caughtthelight.

"You look radiant," Minako beamed. Even Makoto was smiling.

"How can I ever repay you?" Usagi asked, on the verge of sheddingtearsof gratitude.

"Your happiness is thanks enough. Now, how are you going to get tothatball?"

"Leave it to me," Makoto interrupted. With magic wand in hand, sheraised it high above her head and muttered words occasionally.

Both Minako and Usagi watched as a beautiful silver carriageappeared infront of them, complete with driver and footman.

"Not bad, huh?" she winked.

"This is so unbelievable!" Usagi gushed as the footman helped herintothe carriage.

"Believe me, it's real." Minako's tone grew serious. "There aresomethings you should know, though. All this," she gestured to the dressandcarriage, "is magic. You must leave the party by midnight."

"I have a curfew?" Usagi sighed in disappointment.

"Magic doesn't last forever, dear. Just make sure you're gone bymidnight. Oh, and one other thing."

"Hai?"

"Have fun."

Usagi smiled. "I know I will. Arigato!" she called as the carriagepulled away.

"You did a great job," Minako complimented Makoto.

"Well, I wasn't too sure about this in the beginning, but afterseeinghow happy we made Usagi I can see that being a fairy godmother wouldn'tbe sobad."

"That's the spirit!"

Both watched as the carriage grew smaller in the distance.



"I want to dance with the prince!" Rei whined to Ami and Beryl.

"Patience, darling. Your turn is coming," Beryl reminded herimpatientdaughter. I just know he'll take a liking to you."

"Oh, Mother, he's coming this way!" She was practically jumping upanddown.

"Calm down! Be more ladylike."

"Good evening, ladies," Endymion bowed before them. "Arigato forattending my party."

"Arigato for inviting us. My daughters and I absolutely adoreparties,"Beryl gushed.

"I'm happy to be of service." He turned to Rei. "May I have thisdance?"

Rei could barely keep from jumping up and down. "Of course." Shelinkedher arm with his as he led her to the dance floor.

Their hands clasped firmly, they joined the rest of the dancers.

"Are you enjoying the party?" he u\inquired conversationally.

"Oh, definitely! It's such an honor to be invited."

"Think nothing of it. I've noticed your sister does not socializemuch."

"Ami? She would rather spend all her time with her nose in a bookthantalk to people." She shook her head in disgust.

"I know how she feels," he replied thoughtfully.

"Me, too!" Rei replied quickly. "I love books. I read all thetime."

He only smiled, the entire time wishing the night would be over.

Endymion looked up sharply as the band stopped playing and thecouplesstopped dancing. 'What's going on?' he wondered.

And then he saw her.

Even from a distance he notices her nervous expression. She slowlydescended the tall staircase, holding her head regally.

Endymion was unable to take his eyes off of her. He stepped forwardundecidedly, then proceeded to break through the crowd. He left behindafuming Rei, who was consoled by Beryl.

As Endymion approached she stopped, just reaching the floor.

He stood in front of her. Without a word, he took her hand and ledherto the middle of the dance floor, the couples parting for them. Thebandstarted p again, and they danced. No words were exchanged; none wereneeded. Both were lost in each other.

Usagi couldn't believe she was actually at the ball. And if thatweren'tunbelievable enough, she was dancing with the prince!

Endymion could sense that there was something special about her. Sheheld a familiarity that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

They danced in slow motion, the other people fading into a mass ofblurred colors.

As the song came to an end, they were snapped out of their littleworld.

"Lets go someplace quiet so we can talk," Endymion suggested as heledher outside to the balcony.

"The view is breathtaking," Usagi sighed.

"It's not half as breathtaking as you," he commented.

She blushed. "No one has said that to me before."

"You're kidding! I would think someone as beautiful as you would becomplimented all the time."

"I must be hanging around the wrong people," she murmured.

"Must be," he agreed, stepping closer to her. He took her hand,pressingtheir palms together, his long fingers curling around the tips of hershortfingers.

Usagi stared at their fused palms, her heart racing.

"I usually can't stand these ridiculous parties my mother throws,butyour presence has made this one most enjoyable."

"You don't like parties?" Usagi asked incredulously. "But they'resoelegant and beautiful and-"

"Boring to no end," Endymion interrupted, sighing. "I take it youdon'tattend many of those parties. Otherwise you would know how each onebringstogether the same music, the same food, the same people who converseaboutnothing to people who don't listen anyway. As a prince, I've attendedtheseballs my entire life. One can only take so much festivity."

"I never realized how businesslike these parties are," Usagimurmured,sinking onto a marble bench.

"Gomen, I ruined the glamour of the party for you," he apologized,sitting beside her.

"Don't apologize. You're entitled to your own opinion. Andbesides,I'll still carry with me the memory of this ball always. It's amemorableexperience. It's not every day I converse with royalty."

"Royalty," he repeated the word with disgust. "I don't see howbeingborn of a king and queen makes me royalty. I'd just as soon give it allup."

"What are you saying? You don't like being a prince?"

"To tell you the truth, I would like nothing better than to benormal.For once in my life, I'd like to wake up without knowing what the restof theday held for me."

"I know what you mean," Usagi muttered. "Every day, day in and dayout,my routine is the exact same. I don't mind my life, but sometimes themonotony gets to me. Today was special," she smiled. "I've never beento aball. Who would have thought I'd be here right now?"

"I, for one, am grateful you are here."

"Really?" Usagi stared at him, surprised.

"Hai. If you weren't here, I'd be stuck inside dancing with moreuncoordinated, annoying girls. Also, I enjoy your company. You werethefirst person who has actually listened to me. I don't know why, but Ifindit easy to talk to you. I guess that sounds odd, ne?" he grinnedsheepishly,looking away.

He turned back when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Arigato," she told him softly.

"For what?"

"I know it must have been difficult for you to tell me yourfeelings. Ijust... Arigato."

"I just vent frustrations. You listen. Talking to you is sofamiliar,like we've met before. Have we met before?"

Usagi fidgeted nervously. 'Should I tell him who I am? Would hestillfeel the same way? Or would he cast me off as the ordinary girl he metatthe wishing well?'

Her thoughts were interrupted by his answering his own question.

"If I had met you before, I'm sure I would have remembered." Whensheonly smiled in reply, he added, "There's something special about yo. Whenyou entered the ballroom, everyone noticed. You just have that sort ofpresence."

"Like a magic spell had m\been cast," Usagi smiled sadly.

"Look at me." Endymion gently cupped her cheek and turned her facetohim. "That was all you. It was your radiance, your aura, that awedthem.And me."

"And you?"

"Especially me." He moved closer to her. "You're not like thoseothergirls. You're-"

"Different?"

"Special," he corrected. "Wonderful."

"Oh, I'm not-"

"But you are." Endymion's face slowly moved towards hers.

Usagi panicked. She was all too aware of his closeness, of bodysitingnext to hers, of his strong hand still cupping her cheek. She closedhereyes. As his lips brushed softly against hers she sighed, her handsabsentlyclutching his shirt. When he pulled away her eyes flew open.

"Gomen, I don't usually let my emotions get the best of me," he toldher,his face slightly flushed. "I just felt I had to do that."

"Who am I to stop your emotions?" Usagi asked softly.

Endymion looked at her, surprised. He smiled briefly, then leanedin foranother kiss.

Before their lips could meet, the bells on the clock began to chime.

Usagi jumped back. "What time is it?"

"It's only midnight."

"Midnight?" she screeched, jumping up. "I have to go!"

"Go? Already?"

"Hai, I must. Gomen nasai!" Usagi dashed across the balcony andbackinto the crowd.

"Don't go!" Endymion rushed after her. He pushed through the crowd,running up the tall staircase and outside to the landing. He paused atthetop, seeing her descending the stairs. "Matte!" he called.

Usagi slowed briefly, glancing back at him.

"Onegai! Tell me your name!" he asked of her.

"I really must go!" She turned and continued her escape.

Endymion tore down the stairs, watching in defeat as she disappearedaround the corner. "Now I'll never know who she is," he muttered sadly. Hehung his head.

A glint of light caught his eye. He knelt down and picked up theobject,a tiny glass slipper. He looked up. 'She left a shoe in her haste! Imustfind the woman who fits this shoe.' "Do you hear that?" he called into the darkness. "I will find you."



Trudging home in her usual blue dress, Usagi carried with her onlythememory of the evening. She reached the house finally, closing the frontdoorbehind her and leaning against it. She looked around in wonder. 'Thehouseis... Clean! Demo...' Then it hit her. 'Minako and Makoto. Howsweet!'

She sank into the armchair, exhausted from her walk home. Bendingdownto rub her swollen feet, she discovered that one was still encased in aglassslipper.

"My slipper..." she murmured, carefully slipping it off. "Whathappenedto the other one? I must have lost it when I ran away from the party."Usagi took the slipper to her bedroom, hiding it in her dresser drawerunderneath a lace shawl.

'It will be safe there,' she decided, collapsing onto her bed. Withtheday's events behind her, she instantly fell asleep.


Go back to Part 2

Go on to Part 4 and the END