Legal Disclaimer- All of the characters named- with the exception of Brandie Usagi Chang- belong to their respective companies. We lay no claim to owning them. The excepted character is the property of Brandie-chan, and you need her permission to use them.

        Authors' Notes- This is the first of a new series of cosplay stories titled Unusual Heroines. The main characters are drawn upon from real people that we know on the web while the anime characters are the sideliners... enjoy the tale.
        p.s.- words contained in //Dialogue// are interpreted Japanese, for the convenience of our American reading audience.

        An Unusual Meeting
        By Dale-chan & Brandie-chan

        Michiru Kaiou was visiting Anime Expo, an Anime Convention in the U.S. Inside the dealer room, she saw whole bunches of Japanese Merchandise and she was perusing through the aisles... although she didn't want any of it.

        Michiru was born in Tokyo, Japan to Japanese Parents. Although she was named after a character in a Japanese Anime- and looked exactly like the character she was named after- she was born before it was ever created.

        She had sea-green hair and eyes that shone of a lovely marine blue, her favorite color. Most of the guys at this convention were drooling over her, for she had a body any of them would die just to have a single date with her.

        Even though she was 18 years old, she had the body of a young lady a few years younger than her... but it was here that she felt all alone.

        Shifting her hair a tall redhead came through, moving quickly she was looking for surprise treasures in the dealer rooms. Her aunts sent her things from japan all the time, so she knew the wealth of treasures that could be found.

        Within a moment she spotted a girl cosplaying Michiru of Sailor Moon- so she walked over. "Excuse me?" she said softly.

        Michiru heard a voice coming from behind her, and she turned around to see a brilliant redhead with hair that stretched past her ankles and the bluest eyes opposite hers. "Nani?" she asked her.

        Brandie looked at the girl before her in complete surprise as the word registered to her ears as being 'What?' in Japanese. //Do you only speak Japanese?// she asked, waiting for the girl's answer.

        //Yes, I can only speak my native language,// Michiru replied back to the young woman standing before her.

        //Ok, I can speak that,// she replied as her blue eyes twinkled, //What brings you to the states?// But neither young woman realized that they were being stared at by the other convention goers for their use of Japanese.

        //My parents wanted me to get to know the world around us,// Michiru replied, //and so they wanted me to first visit the United States.//

        It was after a few minutes of conversation that Michiru said, //I almost forgot something... Here we've been speaking to each other like we were friends, and yet I don't even know your name.//

        //I am Chang Brandie Usagi.// Brandie said softly while bowing in the polite Japanese way, //And your name is?//

        //My name is Kaiou Michiru,// the young woman replied to her.

        //Beautiful name, Michiru-san,// Brandie answered her, knowing that until they truly got to know each other it was best to be very formal.

        //It is a pleasure to meet you, Brandie-san,// Michiru replied to her.

        As they spent time together, Michiru found out that Brandie was born of a Japanese father and an IrishAmerican mother. //It has to be amazing where you live,// she said to the young woman.

        //Well, I'm not really amazed by living in San Diego,// Brandie replied, //If nothing else, I would like to live in Japan... especially with a lovely young woman like yourself.//

        //Why would you want to live with me?// Michiru asked her.

        //Well,// Brandie said, //I have 2 aunts who live in Tokyo, and they send me all sorts of neat stuff- and in their letters, they've expressed an interest in finally seeing me. But my father doesn't want them to, because he thinks that they'll somehow corrupt me.//

        //How old are you now, Brandie-san?// Michiru asked her.

        //I just turned 18 a few weeks ago,// smiling lightly Brandie sighed.

        //So you just turned 18?// Michiru asked her, //Congratulations.//

        //Yes I did.// Brandie said with a bright smile. //Would you like a tour of the city after the con?//

        //Yes, I would like that,// she replied with a soft smile before checking her watch and seeing it was nearing her customary time for tea. //Would you like to join me for tea in my suite?// she asked her companion.

        Michiru studied her companion with a trained eye that an artist uses and thought, //This young woman could be a nice subject for me to either draw out using colored pencils or paint. With the exception of her hair being a flaming red, she could be the character depicted in her middle name.// She figured that once she got Brandie in her suite, she could interest her in having a sketch or a painting done.

        //Of course I'll come for tea.// brandie smiled softly. //Lead the way.//

        So Michiru led her companion to an elevator and they rode it all the way to the top, where it opened onto the living room of the uppermost penthouse suite. After seating Brandie, she called room service for tea to be sent up to her room for 2.

        //beautiful rooms you have.// the redhead said before she spotted the artist's easel and paints. //what do you paint?//

        //My father and mother were very wealthy,// Michiru said, //and so they reserved the penthouse suite for me. As to what I paint- anything or anyone that comes to me, and I was hoping that you would enjoy having your portrait painted as you are a lovely young woman, Brandie-san.//

        //ah.// she said before looking at Michiru. Brandie spoke again, this time with surprise in her voice, //You want to paint me?//

        Michiru heard the doorbell ring and went to answer it. After being given the tea service for 2, she tipped the young man and took it over to Brandie. //Yes, Brandie-san,// she said, //I would consider it an honor to paint your portrait, as you are a very lovely young woman.//

        The hostess then went into her bedroom and brought out something else... a notebook computer with the Japanese Edition of WindowsXP. After powering it up, she showed Brandie what she also did using it, and Brandie watched her host in fascination. //Computers are not really my thing,// Brandie told her, //I can send and receive e-mails and use my messagers and surf but thats about it....//

        //I've taken digital pictures using my camera,// Michiru told her, //and, using a software application, turned them into pictures that look like they were painted.//

        //Beautiful.// Brandie smiled. //I could never do something like this.//

        But Michiru's expression then turned serious when she said, //You must have thought that I'm a cosplayer, playing a character out of anime when you heard my name.//

        Looking at her, Brandie said with a slight smile, //Not with your age. I had a feeling you were not just cosplaying. I sometimes get a sense of people.//

        //And you are wise in your account,// Michiru said, //For I'm not cosplaying anyone- I'm also 18, and I was given my name by my father and mother.//

        //What is the family name of your ancestors?// Brandie asked softly, hitting on something even though she did not know it yet.

        //The family name I belong to is 'Senkei',// Michiru said, //But I don't understand why I wasn't given the name of my ancestors?//

        //Farther back, your family name was changed.// Brandie had a far away look in her eye. //Changed to hide those with the gift.// She blinked and then added, //Oh I hate it when it does that..//

        //Gift?// Michiru asked her, //What gift?//

        //Hide the talented in your family.// Brandie said with a deep sigh. //artists..seers.. people like that. Like you.//

        //But my name in Japanese means 'King of the Seas',// Michiru said, //It would mean that I would be a ruler eventually. But why didn't they name me 'Senkei Michiru' in favor of 'Kaiou Michiru'?//

        //I am not sure?// brandie sighed. //My visions dont give great answers. they usually leave more questions.//

        Michiru then looked inwardly at her birthday- March 6, 1976. //Can it be that it has something to do with my birthday?// she then asked aloud.

        //It could be.// brandie sighed. //I dont know. They could have been granted a vision to name you what you were named.// The young woman then shrugged her shoulders.

        Michiru then explained that her birthday was March 6, 1976. //Somehow, I don't understand how my birthday signifies what they named me with,// Michiru said.

        But the hostess then drew a deep sigh and then said, //Ever since I arrived here I've been alone- no one would talk to me because of the reason being that I'm Japanese and that they couldn't understand what I was saying. But you- when I said 'what', you understood my word and fluently went from speaking english to my native language.//

        //My Father taugh mother and I his native tongue, and I speak Gaelic as well,// Brandie said with a smile. //Quite a few languages acually. It seems that once you know one you can pick up so many more...//

        It was then that Michiru's face softened as she said, //I know we've only known each other for a few hours, Brandie-san. But I consider you to be the closest person who isn't a formal friend of mine... and was hoping that you would be my friend.//

        //I would be greatly honored.// brandie smiled softly to her newest friend. //I dont have that many friends either. every friend is a special gift. I will treasure this gift you have just given me.//

        Michiru then leaned over and gave her new friend a heart-felt hug while saying, //Thank you, Brandie-chan.// It finally felt good saying that.

        //You're most welcome Michiru-chan.// Brandie smiled. //after tea i will show you the city. It will be great fun. I'll show you my place first. I need to change.// Laughing a little. //Can't go around town like this.//

        Straightening herself back up, Michiru said, //Did you see the faces of those in the Dealer Room when we started conversing in Japanese?//

        //Yeah.// Brandie giggled. //You think they be used to stuff like that. Not everyone speaks English in the conventions.//

        //Hai, I would believe so, Brandie-chan,// Michiru replied, then offered her new friend some more tea while filling her own cup.

        Brandie acepted her tea sipping just the way her father taught her. she smiled. //You will have to meet my parents. Dad should be home from his business trip to Japan.// she smiled softly. //Mom always has the most wonderful things baking. she owns a wonderful Irish-Japanese bakery. People come from miles around just to buy bread and treats from her.//

        Thinking fondly of her years in Japan, Michiru wondered about why her parents never let her get into Cosplay. //I guess I'll never understand that at all,// she said aloud at the end of her thought.

        //I would not know either.// Brandie shrugged. //Might be because you look so much like the character you appear to be?//

        Explaining that her parents didn't let her become involved in Cosplay in Japan, Michiru said at the end, //I never knew why they didn't let me become a cosplayer... so I can't answer my questions until I get back to Tokyo.//

        //Yes very true.// Brandie smiled. //do you want to meet my parents. I have my own place now. We can visit them after I go home and change.//

        //Hai, I would like that,// Michiru replied.

        Brandie nodded and they chatted and finished off their tea. //Did you need to change?// she asked,

        //No,// Michiru replied with a smile, //I can wait until I get back to change out of these for dinner.//

        //All right. then let us depart for my apartment so I can change from my costume.// Brandie smiled. //I get strange enough looks with my hair.// brandie laughed softly.

        //Oh!// Michiru said with a thought, then ran into her bath and got out a brush and combs. She then set about to brushing Brandie's hair out- and suggested that Brandie call her mother and arrange for a change of clothes to be brought to the hotel where the convention is at.

        //ok.// Brandie called her mother and spoke to her quickly in Gaelic. Laughing as she hung up. //mum is coming Michiru and she is happy to bring me an extra change of clothes.// looking at her friend. //what do you have planned?//

        //Well,// Michiru said, //my parents wanted me to get into being a hairdresser because then, they thought, I could color my hair any other way I wanted. But why would I want to do that?//

        //I like your hair color.// brandie smiled. //As much as I like mine.// she giggled.

        //Exactly!// Michiru said, //but I did as they said- and it helps in the long run, as I can cut and style any person's hair.//

        //that is cool.// Brandie smiled. //what did you want to do with my hair?//

        Michiru then said that even in Japan, she saw Sailor Moon- and knew that Usagi's hair wasn't as long as Brandie's. //Without it being in it's familiar dumpling shape,// she added, //her hair fell to about her ankles. If you want me to, I can cut and style your hair like hers.//

        //I am not sure. I like my hair this long. but it could use a few inches trimmmed off it.// Brandie giggled. //I have been told its the length that neoqueen serenity's hair is.//

        //But you're only about 5'5"// Michiru said, //Serenity's about 6' in her final growth.//

        Brandie giggled and nodded. //I know.//

        Michiru said that her hair was dragging some 3ft. behind her ankles. //And from what I saw in the convention hall,// she added, //people were keeping their distance from you so that they wouldn't trip over your hair//

        Giggling again Brandie sighed. //I guess I keep forgetting how long it truly is. i am so used to its length it does not bother me. I guess I could loose three feet and be none the wiser to it.//

        So Michiru brought out her vanity chair and some barber's scissors and had Brandie sit down with her hair straight behind her and away from the back of the chair.

        But before she could start, the manager came up with a rather severe looking woman. "She said she was asked to bring some clothes for Brandie," she said to them.

        //Brandie-chan?// Michiru asked.

        //hello mom/ Brandie said speaking in Japanese. //this is my friend Michiru-chan. The girl I told you about//

        Brandie's mother broke in a smile softening her sever features. Michiru could tell where the red hair and blue eyes came from. //Well meet Michiru and welcome to America.//

        //Thank you,// Michiru replied, //Now I know where Brandie-chan gets her looks from.//

        She then said that she was going to cut some of Brandie's hair off and then style it into a familiar character's hairdo. //She never knew she was being kept distant because of her hair's length.// Michiru finished.

        Brandie's mother laughed softly. //we are all so used to it. None of us really noticed.// She looked at her daughter. handing her a small duffle bag. //Here is one of the outfits you left. Your black pants and that anime shirt you love so much.//

        //My senshi Saturn shirt. Thanks mom.// Brandie grinned and set the bag at her feet. //I'll change after I get my hair cut. it will still be really long.//

        //Before I go, Michiru-san,// the woman said, //there's one thing I need to know.// At Michiru's nod, the woman asked, //Did your father and mother name you?//

        Michiru then laughed gently and said, //Yes, they did name me Kaiou Michiru. And this was all the way back in 1976, when I was born.//

        //So they didn't name you after the character on Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon,// Brandie's mother answered, //because it wasn't yet created.//

        //I think its more then just a strange naming mom.// Brandie said softly. //I think it was a fated name.//

        //Like somehow,// her mother replied, //she is destined to become Sailor Neptune?//

        //Or to bring hope to a world that seems to lack it.// Brandie sighed. //I dont know mom. why did you give me the middle name of Usagi?//

        At Michiru's curious look, Brandie's mother said, //Yes, we do watch Sailor Moon-Super here in the U.S., so we know of your Anime Counterpart's secret identity. And as to why I gave you the middle name of Usagi- it came to me in a dream.//

        //A dream mom?// brandie looked at her courisity in her blue eyes. //a dream?//

        //Please don't make me explain it to you, Brandie-chan,// her mother said, //If I remember, you was getting your hair cut from your new friend so I left my credit card in the bag- I figure you could do something nice for your friend.//

        //thank you mother.// Brandie dropped it. Not wanting to press her mother for the girl knew better. //you have to go?// Mother and Daughter hugged and Brandie's mother nodded to Michiru and then she left he two girls alone.

        But before she left, Brandie's mother said that she had to go get her father from the airport. //If you bring Michiru-san to our house,// she added, //I'll do my best to make a traditional Japanese dinner.//

        //You don't really have to do that, miss,// Michiru said.

        //I would be most honored to do so for you.// Brandie's mother smiled. //we usually eat a fusing from japanese and irish.// she winked at the girls before completely disappering on them.

        //If we're going to make dinner at your home, Brandie-chan,// Michiru said, //you've had better sit down so that I can get your hair cut.// She already had the curtains and blinds closed and the main doorway locked so that they wouldn't be bothered.

        Brandie sat down once more and waited for Michiru to start her work on her hair. //this is going to be so odd not to have three feet of my hair.//

        Once she brushed the last 5ft. of hair, Michiru then measured out the last 3ft. and cut it with the barber scissors. Admiring her work, she then asked Brandie to rise to her feet.

        //ok,// Brandie stood up. she giggled looking at the three feet of cut hair. //Wow.//

        And as she stood up, Michiru noticed that Brandie's posture improved dramatically. //How does that feel to you, Brandie-chan?// she asked while directing her to a full-size mirror in the corner.

        //feels good.// Brandie giggled again as she looked at her self. //Not too bad. Its still long. I like it.// she turned a dazzing smile on Michiru. //thank you michiru-chan.//

        She then explained that before those 3ft. were cut, Brandie's back was leaned excessively behind her due to the weight of the extra hair. //I cut it so that your full height could be realized,// Michiru ended with.

        //wow. I did not realise.// Brandie smiled. //well i should change.//

        //Why don't you shower here?// Michiru said, //As they say here, 'My home is your home' Brandie-chan.//

        //ok, I'll shower and change and we'll hit the town.// she smiled warmly at her friend and disappered into Michiru's bathroom to do just that.

        Thirty minutes later and completely refreshed with her red hair braided behind her, Brandie walked out wearing black flare jeans & her dark purple Senshi Saturn baby t-shirt. A pair of black boots completed her look along with a silver chain that ran to her back pocket. //I am ready to go. How about yourself?//

        Michiru smiled as she said, //I should have you just brush my hair out after I get out of these clothes. As it is, I also need a shower before we leave.//

        //ok you shower and I'll wait.// Brandie smiled warmly. Finding a seat on one of the sofas.

        Before undressing, Michiru looked through her closet and found a light blue sundress and the other needed materials for it. She then prepared herself for what lie ahead... and then appeared in front of Brandie some 45min. later. //What do you think, Brandie-chan?// she asked.

        //Beautiful.// brandie said smiling. //You look so elegant. You make me feel plain.//

        //Ah,// Michiru said, //we can change that. Come into my bedroom with me.//

        Once there, she took out a light violet-colored sundress and held it against Brandie's body. //That looks wonderful on you,// she said.

        //It would.// then she giggled again. //oh i giggle too much my shoes will not match..lol.// pausing she laughed this time. //i thought that was strange.// she looked at Michiru. //Mum packed my tan dress sandles in there too. Not that I have anything that goes with them.//

        But Michiru got out a similar colored pair of low heel shoes and showed them to Brandie. //Oh that look better.// Brandie giggled again.

        //Then get changed, Brandie-chan,// Michiru said, //and also undo your hair from that braid or call me back in- that is, if you want to have your hair done up like Usagi's from the television series.//

        //Oh that rocks.// she said with a smile and went to quickly change and return.

        Michiru went through her hair supplies while Brandie changed and found 4 elastic hair ties that would serve their purpose. Once her friend was back, she brushed out Brandie's hair before tying it into 2 ponytails with 2 of the ties and then creating knots at the top of them with the other 2 ties binding them into place. //Now that looks like an equally elegant companion,// Michiru replied while Brandie looked at herself in the mirror again.

        //Yes it does.// Brandie stood up. //I think the two of us will cause a stir.//

        //Hai, that we will,// Michiru replied, //Oh, I took the liberty of hanging your other costume gown in my closet, and you can get it back at any time.//

        //alright and thank you.// Smiling again. //Let us depart. what would you like to see first?//

        //Well,// Michiru said, //why don't we test our theory back at the convention?//

        //Let me make a phonecall. I'll see if some of my buddies will be willing to meet with us. I dont have many friends but the few I do have I cherish.// brandie stated softly to her newest friend.

        //Hai,// Michiru said.

        TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT STORY...

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