A/N: Hi to all the readers out there checking out my story. I'm pleased to say that this is my first written work and first posted on As you read the story you'll notice some "similarities" from an actual anime episode. This first chapter will also be quite short. I'd like to see if anyone has any interest in what might happen next. I welcome any feedback and suggestions after every chapter and will do my best to please.
Disclaimer: I, tjrockrabbit, do not own Sailor Moon or any of it's relating characters or locations. All are sole property of the creator Takeuchi Naoko. (( If Naoko ever plans to sell all rights, give me a call.))
CHAPTER 1: We're Invited!
"Where do you think you're going, Meatball Head!"
Serena paused in mid step, slowly turning back to face the wrath of Rei with her own flames shooting up off the top of her blond head, she replied, "To see Andrew, not that it's any of your business." She turned again to make her exit.
"Get back here! This meeting's not over yet." Rei shouted.
Without hesitation, she raised her voice and replied over her shoulder. "Yes, and I told you I had plans before we started. Besides what's there to discuss. Queen Beryl's sent a new white haired freak on us with a few new youma's. It's in the bag!"
"Serena, these are not the same youma's we have had to deal with in the past. They are growing stronger. We have to be prepared for whatever they throw at you girls!" With a wave of the blond's hands, Luna's words fell on deaf ears.
"If you come up with anything, call me. Bye." with a quick descend down the temple's front steps, and a dash around the corner, she was gone.
"Serena!" Luna barked and was soon swept up into Ami's arms in an attempt to keep the four legged guardian from giving chase and possibly chopping the meatballs off their Senshi leader's head.
"Don't waste your breath, Luna. You know she can't help it." Lita said from her crossed-arm position against one of the many temple columns.
"Yeah, well that meatball for brains needs to start growing up." Rei fumed. "One of these days we may not be there for her and she wont be ready for what comes flying at her." She continued with a gentler tone of voice that led to a softening of her features.
"For a second there it sounded like you were concerned about Serena, Rei." Lita grinned.
"No way!" Rei puffed before turning to march into the temple, leaving the rest of the Senshi in amused silence.
After some time of wishful daydreaming and humming, Serena found herself before the Crown Arcades sliding front doors. Upon entering she was greeted by the sound of her name coming from Andrew who stood behind the restaurants serving counter.
"Hey, Andrew!" she hurried over to the counter and sat on a stool, opposite of him. "Vanilla Shake sound good?" he asked with a smile. The same smile she received from him every chance she got to pass by. A smile special kept for her.
"Oh yeah!" she squealed.
Andrew laughed at her predictability. "Alright." With that he moved down the counter to prepare her drink while Serena occupied herself with a quick game of Sailor V. A game she was finally succeeding in.
At that crucial moment, just before she was a good second away from defeating that evil youma she had been stuck on for the past two weeks, the exact one that held her from moving on to level 7; Serena heard the nickname she dreaded hear from the moment it was thought up.
"Meatball Head!"
And that sure didn't sound like Rei…
A long half hour later, Serena dragged her slump body out of the Arcade in a slow attempt to get herself home.
"Stupid Darien ruining my afternoon with his stupid jokes and his stupid hunky laugh…Stupid!" she clenched her jaw and balled her fists at the image of his gorgeous…Stupid!…face on a punching bag.
Letting out a sigh, she conjured up the one thought that always brought a smile to her face. "Sure hope mom cooked a big dinner." She mumbled down at her shadow cast on the sidewalk.
"I'm home!" Slipping out of her shoes and putting her bag down beside the door, she made her way straight to the kitchen, following her nose. "Mmm. Is that Tempura!"
"Hi, sweetie. It's almost ready." Ikuko smiled, always pleased to know she could make her family happy.
"I'm gonna go change then." Serena made a dash for the stairs and soon emerge shortly after to find her father and younger brother in the kitchen. "Hey dad…squirt."
"Evening pumpkin. I'm glad you're all here. I have some exciting news to share with you three." Kenji said from his place at the dining table, pulling out from his pocket a cream colored piece of paper that was now slightly wrinkled from being stuffed in his pants pocket.
"Oh yeah?" Serena asked.
"What's that, dad?" Sammy asked.
"This, family, is an invitation to one of the biggest events of the year. A costume ball being held by the Aino family and we're all invited to it this weekend." Kenji explained.
"Oh honey! How?.." Ikuko gasped.
"Work asked me to attend in order to take a few snap shots during the night events and told me to bring along the whole family." He said.
"A ball!" Serena screeched. "A costume ball at that! Oh, how romantic…" she said, her eyes glazing over in a daydream.
"Uh, romantic?" Kenji's jaw tightened.
Seeing the possible chaos to come if they continued, Ikuko rushed in to announce the serving of dinner.
Some time later Serena found herself laying on her bed, cuddling a pillow against her chest and sighing dreamily at her ceiling. " A costume ball…oh, the mystery." Giggling, she shut her eyes and let images of the party play over her imagination. " Two more days…"