A Different Path

By Magellan*Princess

Serena Tsukino sat, looking out the window of her New York loft. She missed those days…sure, she could still turn into Sailor Moon, champion of justice, but what was the point? She had no scouts and no Tuxedo Mask. What was the point? It had been 10 years since…since she left Tokyo. She cut her hair so it was now layered, streaked and shoulder-length. She was pretty now. She had the perfect life. Why would she need any of that…senshi business? She was an actress now, and very successful. She was famous. Why did she still think about Darien? He dumped her! She didn't need him!

"Serena?" Julietta Amadis, her roommate and best friend came in to her room. Julietta was an aspiring model and singer, and the two girls sung at awards shows together sometimes, for fun. "Sere, can you take a call? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Julie. Who is it?" Serena turned and tried to smile. Apparently she didn't fool Julie, because Julie went out, told the person Serena wasn't available.

"What's wrong, Sere?"

"I was just thinking…about home."

"Oh. Tokyo?"

"Yes." Serena said, drifting off again.

"Well, that was your agent. He said it wasn't important and he'd call later."

"Thanks." Serena said, smiling a little now.

Julie sat down next to Serena on the little sofa. "Is it Darien?" she asked softly. Serena had told Julie everything about her past-except for the fact that she was Sailor Moon.

"Yes. I was just wondering, well, what I did wrong. I mean, guys want me now, but only because I'm sort of famous."

"Sort of famous?! Sere, you are SO incredibly famous…how many awards have you won for best actress?"

"7, maybe? Look, it hasn't gotten Darien back."

"Sere, I don't mean to sound, well, inconsiderate, but you need to get on with your life. Darien Shields is just an asshole for dumping you."

"I'll try, Julie."

"That's a girl. Now, what do you want for breakfast? I'll call up Kailyn." Julie smiled. Kailyn was their chef-she was great with ANYTHING.

"Just toast, Julie. Thanks, though."

"Just toast?! Don't tell me you're going to go DIET again."

"Yeah…so?"

"Sere, you are SO, like, PERFECT! You don't need to diet. Now. Pancakes or waffles?"

"Toast, Julie."

"But…Sere…"

"Toast." Serena said again, more firmly.

"You don't need it…" Julie went off, grumbling.

Serena turned back to the window. 'How are they now? Does Darien regret it? What about the girls…I miss them. I wish Julie could meet them.'

The phone rang shrilly in Serena's ear. She popped on her headpiece and pushed the 'PHONE' button. "Hello?"

"Hello, Serena?" her agent said.

"Hi, Michael. What's new?" Serena tried to sound cheerful.

"Not much."

"And the kids?"

"Great. Andy really liked that Tuxedo Mask doll—I didn't know they still made those."

"Yeah, well…I grew up in Japan, Sailor Moon stuff was pretty huge." Serena said.

"And speaking of Sailor Moon…"

"Yes?"

"You have a new movie gig."

"Where?"

"Japan. You're playing Sailor Moon."

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Ironic, huh? Well, review and if you like it I'll write more!

Love Always,

Magellan Princess