Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters on Sailor Moon.

Chapter One: Black is Back

Darien was just woke up, his covers crumpled loosely around his legs.

He sat up, running a hand through his black hair.

Darien slipped off his pajamas, throwing on a t-shirt and faded denim jeans. He glanced at the clock; it was seven-twenty in the morning.

"No point going over to Serena's," he thought aloud, "She'll definitely still be asleep."

Wandering down the sidewalk, Darien let himself through the silver gates of the shrine where Raye, Sailor Mars, lived.

Raye was sweeping the wooded floorboards that made up the front deck, humming a tune in a distant fashion.

"Good morning, starshine," Darien said, relaxing onto the porch swing.

No answer.

"Raye; Earth, or rather Mars, to Raye. What's up?" Darien asked.

"Hm? Oh, it's you," Raye replied.

"You say that like it's a bad thing," the dark haired nineteen-year-old muttered with a frown. "Do you feel something, Raye?" Darien asked, as if reading Raye's mind.

The dark-haired girl abruptly stopped sweeping the floor, her hands shaking on the stick of the broom.

"I've been having more visions in my dreams," Raye murmured. "I fear for Grandpa's safety this time, Darien! Something is coming, and whatever it is, Grandpa has something it wants.

"Grandpa's energy has been depleting. Sometimes, at night, I hear him screaming. Whenever I go into his room to see if he's all right, though, he's sleeping peacefully."

Darien looked off into the distance.

"What do you mean when you say your Grandpa's energy has been 'depleting'?" Darien asked curiously.

"I mean he can barely carry out any of the chores around the shrine--which, as you know, is very rare," Raye answered, sighing in concern. "His hands shake whenever he tries to even just carry a pot of tea into another room! Honestly, Darien, I'm very worried!"

Darien stood up, and, smiling, comfortingly patted Raye's shoulder.

"You'll make it through this," he said. "You and your Grandpa are very strong people. I don't have a doubt in my mind that you two will be okay."

Raye smiled, and answered, "Gee, thanks, Darien."

"Besides, if anything should happen, you'll always have the Scouts backing you up."

"Haa...I guess you're right," Raye sighed, flashing a faint smile. "Darien, I--"

"Darien!" Rini's high-pitched voice called, and her small body bounced into view as she skipped up the walkway, a big grin on her face.

"Hey there, Rini," Darien answered, holding her hand in a Fatherly way. "Is Serena here with you?"

"No way! Serena's still sleeping," Rini giggled. "I came here on my own."

Darien frowned.

"You really shouldn't be walking all the way downtown by yourself, kiddo," he said. "There's a lot of weirdos walking these streets, you know. Why, just yesterday, a man came up to me and asked if I could walk his PUMPKIN for him!"

Rini laughed, and replied, "Liar, you! That never happened. I can tell, because when you lie, you ruffle your hair, and right now your hair's a mess!"

Darien walked Rini back down towards the street, waving to Raye, who was left standing alone, unable to finish her sentence.