Walk Through The Fire
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon; how many times do I have to say it?
AN: Sorry this took so long, guys. You've been so good and patient. I'm so sorry I couldn't get this up sooner; my life is so chaotic that I'm about to be declared clinically insane.
Prologue: The Future Changes
"Honestly, Serena! You're even more spaced out than usual today! What's up?" Rae exclaimed.
"Nothing," Serena replied. "Just… thinking."
"About what?"
"Darien," the blonde replied, in an effort to end the conversation. Alas, her hot-headed friend would not let her escape so easily.
"Why are you wasting your time thinking about that creep?" the fiery priestess inquired.
Darien had returned to America to continue his studies, and while there, he'd found someone else. It had taken every ounce of persuasiveness and sweetness and pleading Serena could produce to keep Amara and the others from following the man back to the university and killing him.
"Just wondering how he's doing," Serena replied. She wasn't really thinking of Darien, but she didn't want to upset anyone by mentioning Seiya. Mina and Amy had been depressed since Taiki and Yaten left, and besides, Amara would flip if she heard that the meatball haired blonde was mooning over an alien from another solar system. Actually, Seiya had been all she could think about since he and the other Starlights, along with Princess Kakyuu, had returned to Kinmoku six months ago.
"Don't waste your time thinking about him, Serena. He isn't fit to wipe your shoes," Lita interjected.
"I won't," Serena sighed. Absentmindedly, she began to sketch Seiya's face.
Unfortunately for her, Mina noticed her dazed expression and recognized the likeness. Slyly, the Senshi of Love and Beauty stated, "Serena's spaced out all right, but I don't think it's Darien she's dreaming of. However, a certain raven-haired Starlight doesn't seem too far off the mark."
Serena blushed hotly, and retorted, "I'm not the only one. I know that you're still crazy about Yaten, Mina. And Amy hasn't been the same since Taiki left."
This time, it was Mina's and Amy's turn to blush. They didn't deny it, though, thus confirming the general suspicion that they had been fond of the other two Starlights.
Rae asked softly, "How long have you known you loved him?"
Serena replied, "Several months. I didn't want to disappoint everyone else, though, since you were all counting on Crystal Tokyo. Besides, I couldn't let Rini just fade out of existence."
"Serena, we just want you to be happy," sighed Lita. "Honestly, why didn't you say something?"
"I don't know," the petite blonde answered. "I guess I was scared."
"Well, now you don't need to worry about it anymore," Mina stated. "Darien's made his choice. Furthermore, don't you remember what Trista said? She said that Rini was yours, Serena. That means that you could be with anyone you want."
"Unfortunately, she didn't tell me that until after Darien left," Serena replied quietly. "Now, it's too late to do anything. Kinmoku is light years away, and I have no idea where it is or how to get there."
"Admittedly, that does make things more difficult," Amy stated.
The Inner Scouts sank into a gloomy silence. No one knew what to say or do.
"How did things get so confused and undecided?" Amy wondered aloud. "Not even Trista knows what will happen now."
Rae answered, "You're supposed to be the smart one, Amy. I have no idea how everything got so screwed up. But one thing's for darn sure; the future will never be the same."