In the dark 3

Rei slammed around her room angrily. They had no right to treat her the way they were. She was the leader. She was to be privy to everything but they were being insubordinate. She looked in the corner at Luna. The stupid cat was supposed to advise her but since Serena left the stupid thing here, it hadn't moved. She scoffed at it.

"You could do something useful like help me figure out Beryl's next move." Rei said.

"I am an advisor to the court of the moon. Sailor Moon is of the court – somehow. I am not loyal to Mars." Luna said simply.

"Then you can find someone else to mooch off of."

"Sailor Moon placed me here and I must stay here."

"Well, Luna, if she left you here, it means that you're supposed to help me." Rei said simply.

"Serena is much nicer than you. I don't know why she even bothers trying to be your friend." Luna said.

"Retract your claws Luna. Or I will burn you to crisp. Ally or not." Rei said then walked off leaving a fuming Luna.

Jadeite paced. He just knew Beryl would be calling him soon. He knew what he wanted to say but she was unpredictable. She could kill him just for the fun of it. Just as an example. He glanced at the orb and saw his prey. She was ripe for the picking. She was a fiery one. Just his kind of girl. And with her on his side, he could be rid of Beryl and the senshi for good. Or maybe he'd just run away with her. He smiled. He liked that idea.

He felt the tingle at the base of his skull which meant Beryl was summoning him. He teleported himself to her.

"My queen." He said bowing low. He swallowed the bile rising in this throat. How he hated this woman. Maybe he should let the senshi kill her and be over with it. Even if it meant dying with her.

"Jadeite, I am not pleased with your efforts. Do I need to make an example out of you?"

"No, my liege. I am currently about to engage in a plan destined to deliver the senshi into our hands. And their energy with them." He said, his head still bent.

"What sort of plan?" she asked boredom saturating her voice.

"I don't want to go into detail just yet but it involves the simple tactic of divide and conquer." He said cryptically.

"Sounds devious." She said. "Very well. But I am sending Nephrite to help."

"As you wish." He said.

He didn't want Nephrite on his back. He was an interfering barbarian. He teleported back to his room where he feasted on the image of the girl. "A millennium and you're still a temptress that makes my blood boil." He said running a hand over the orb. "Tomorrow." He said and turned away to put his plan together.

"Rei?" Lita called. No answer. "Pyro!" she yelled.

"What?!"

"Wanna go get some lunch?" Lita asked.

"Why? Serena and the others ditch you?" Rei said smirking.

"Uh-no and I resent that you're implying I need to be ditched to go out with you." Rei narrowed her eyes.

"Trying to suck up to the new leader?" Rei questioned.

"What the hell is your problem?"

"Are you denying it? I haven't seen you or the others since I deliberately burnt myself so Sailor moron could have an alibi."

"First of all, I was out of town for a while, not that you cared to ask. Second of all, it is your duty as leader to make our identities are kept hidden. Serena would do no less. Thirdly, where do you get off throwing my friendship in my face like that? I thought we were friends. But obviously not. Since I'm not welcome, I'll just find my way back to town and have lunch by myself." Lita turned to go.

"Wait!" Rei sighed. "I'm sorry. It's just, I haven't heard from you guys in over a month. It's like you abandoned me."

"Would it have hurt to call us? This isn't a one way thing, you know." Lita said lowly. "Serena's lost her eyes. I would think you'd want to be there for her. I would think you'd wanna help her find a new way to fight with us. Or were you trying to kick her out for good?"

"How can you say a thing like that?"

"Baseless accusations hurt, don't they?" Lita said then smiled. "Come on. Let's go to the Arcade. The girls might be there." Lita said.

"Okay." Rei said. "Let me just change my shoes." She ran back in and then they headed to the Arcade.

Rei walked in and saw the girls sitting around a sad looking Serena. "Why the long face?" Rei asked coming up the table.

"Rei!" Serena cheered her face breaking into a smile. "Where the hell have you been for the past month?" she stood up and fumbled her way into a hug with the girl.

"Moping at home." Rei said.

"Why? Did you think we cast you off or something?" Serena asked then slapped the back of her head. "Idiot." Serena said with a smile.

"Don't hit me, you brat." Rei said hitting her back.

"Hey, be kinder to the blind kid." Serena said with a laugh.

"Kinder? I'll show you kinder." Rei said a she started tickling the girl.

This was the scene Darien saw when he came in. Serena's laugh sent a chill down his spine. He hadn't been able to get her off his mind. He'd cursed himself into oblivion for that challenge he issued to her. The girl had every right to want to stay away from him. He looked over at her again and she was looking in his direction. He was shocked. Could she see him?

"Serena? You okay?" Ami asked.

"D-did Darien just walk in?" she asked.

"Uh-yeah." Ami said after looking to the door.

"Is he standing by the door?" Serena asked.

"Yeah. Ca-can you see him?" Ami asked excited.

"Uhm-no. I can't. Isn't that funny? All I can see is darkness. My friends are sitting right here and I can't see them. But Darien, the bane of my existence for the past two years walks in and I know it's him. I know exactly where he's standing."

"Yeah. That is funny." Rei said. If the girls looked at her they would have seen the dark look that came over her face. "Let's invite him over."

"I don't think-"

"Too late. He's already coming over." Lita interrupted.

"Ladies." Darien said.

"Hi." They all chorused.

"How are you today?" he asked.

"Fine." They all said.

"Good. Is it okay if I steal Serena for a little bit?"

"If you're gonna pick a fight -"

"Not at all." He laughed. "In fact, it's more likely that I'll-well, let me just keep that tidbit to myself." He looked at Serena and he knew Serena caught this meaning.

"It's okay. I'll go with him."

"You make it sound like you're going with the devil." Rei said.

"I think I am." Serena said seriously.

"You knew it was me who came in just now?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because I was looking at you girls and you were staring straight at me."

"So? I could have just been deep in thought." She lied.

"Am I really supposed to believe that?" he said as he helped her up onto the stool then took his seat beside her.

"Why would I lie?"

"So that you don't have to admit that you like me? So that you don't have to admit you want me to kiss you again." He said.

"Would you stop bringing that up? It was just a kiss." She said angrily but softly.

"Was it?" he said. "Any luck kissing Tuxedo Mask?"

"What is the matter with you? Just leave me alone." Serena said.

"Serena, if that was remotely possible-" he said then paused. "That perfume you're wearing, it's intoxicating."

"I don't wear perfume. It affects my sinuses." She said.

"Then I must say you smell really good." He said.

"You're a pervert." She exclaimed.

"Hmmm. It seems I only exhibit these characteristics when I'm around you." He said. "Look, I was hoping to call it quits between us but it seems almost impossible."

"You never had a problem before." Serena said.

"That's what you think. How about I take you out sometime?"

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes." He said and kissed her before she could answer.

"I really hate you right now."

"See you around, meatball head." He said and collected a coffee before swaggering out.

"Did Darien Shields just kiss you?" Rei exclaimed.

"He's been doing that lot lately. It's annoying the heck out of me." Serena responded angrily.

"How is it that I've been trying to get his attention and you manage to swipe him from me?"

"W-what? You think I made a play for the guy when I knew you liked him?"

"I wouldn't put it past you." Rei accused.

"Sure. On my sick bed, with my head wrapped up in gauze and bandages, I seduced Darien Shields away from you." Serena said. She carefully slid off the stool and Mina was at her side in a second. "If you want him, go get him. Use all your wiles on him for all I care." Mina glared at Rei before leading Serena off.

"Are you sure you're up to it today?" Mina asked stretching her arms above her head.

"I need to work off that anger. Rei had some nerve."

"Well, let's use that energy for some good." Mina said. "Now that you've learnt a new technique, let's work on finding the enemy."

"I've been wracking my brain and I can't come up with a thing." Serena said frowning.

"Let's warm up first." The fired off some shots and ran around to get their muscles warm then they practiced Serena's new technique.

"Okay. Let's try the sight thing. Let's sit down." They sat on the ground and breathed deeply to slow down their racing hearts. "Close your eyes. You won't be needing them."

"Then how-"

"Just trust me."

"Okay." She said and lowered her lids.

"Now think about me sitting next to you. Use your mind to figure out why I'm a certain side of you." Mina said.

"What?"

"You know, using your hearing that I'm on your right side. Now use your other senses." Serena tried it and found that she could smell the slight difference on her right side. She could feel the difference on her skin.

"Now turn your head and try to see me." Mina said. Serena did as she was told but after a few silent minutes, she cursed heavily and slammed her fist into the ground. The result was a quake that startled the two girls. "Did I do that?"

"I don't know. Try it again." Serena nodded and recreated in her mind her emotions then slammed her fist into the ground. The ground shook.

"You can do what I can do." Mina said in shock. "You reflect what I do."

"Reflect." Serena said thoughtfully "The moon reflects light. It doesn't have light of its own."

"But you have your own power."

"I reflected your power. Like light. You have your own light." They were silent for a second then Serena exclaimed. "That's it! Light. I need to look for your light." Serena said.

"Give it a shot. I guess." Mina said.

Serena went silent. She searched the darkness around her with her senses and when she found Mina she looked at her. She opened her eyes and there she was.

"I can see you. Well-your light anyway. I did it."

"Now all we need is a battle to test it out."

"Yeah." She said. "Won't the others be surprised." Serena said. "Let's go home. You staying over?"

"If you want me to."

"I need the company. Besides, you're like my sister."

"I am?" Mina asked surprised.

"You sound surprised."

"You always seemed to prefer Rei."

"Rei? Mina, I love Rei but you've been there for me whenever in needed you. I told you all my secrets."

"Yeah. You did."

"And you still haven't told me any of yours."

"That's because I'm an open book."

"Yeah right." Serena said and they both laughed.

Serena was just climbing into bed when her communicator went off. "Oh, why now? I need to sleep!" she wailed.

"Serena! In the park!" Jupiter shouted into the communicator.

"Is it ever anywhere else?" Serena complained before donning her costume and flying out the window. It wasn't easy picking her way across town to the park. In fact, she collided a few times with a few trees. She finally landed in the park, rubbing her sore nose. She had called Rei after colliding the last time.

"Great! You're here!" the monster said. "Now the party can start." It fired off a few shots at them, Serena narrowly missing some of them. She hadn't even settled down to find her friends yet. She scampered off for some cover and then she sought them out. She picked up Mina first. It was easy. She new what Mina would look like. She searched some more and then she picked on Ami. Ami was currently casting a fog over the area. She realized she could also feel the water vapor in the air. She found Lita next and had she steel herself against the charge that went through her. She looked around for Rei and when she found her, she had to look a second time. It was blurry but it was definitely Rei. The fact that the light surrounding Rei was dimming made her worry about her friend. The lights around her other friends was bright. Almost blinding. They got busy fighting the monster. When Ami sent a dagger of ice at the youma and it exploded, everyone stood in shock.

"Anyone else feel like this was too easy?" Lita said.

"Anyone feel like this is a trap?" Mina asked.

They all lowered into a fighting stance when Tuxedo Mask swung out of the shadows yelling. "Look out Sailor Mars!" But it was too late. Serena watched as dark energy surrounded Rei. She searched the energy for an identity and found none. She dug deeper and saw a tiny point of light. It flickered and Serena furrowed her brow in confusion.

"J-Jadeite?" she asked and the energy laughed.

"So the Sailor Brat can see after all. There was a nasty rumor going around that you'd gone blind." He said smugly. "Pity."

"Let Mars go!" Ami demanded.

"I don't think I will." He said seriously. "You see, Mars is going to help me defeat you." He said.

"You're demented." Rei said as she struggled against him. He shook his head at her attempts.

"I don't think I want you struggling all the way back to your new home." He conked her on the bag of her head and she slumped forward.

"Sailor Mars!" the girls yelled.

"Now, I won't be staying for a fight. The next time you see your precious Sailor Mars, she'll be totally and completely loyal to me." He said and then they vanished into a vortex. Serena jumped at the swirl of energy but Tuxedo Mask secured her to by grabbing her waist.

"No! Let me go! I've got to get her back!"

"It's foolish to dive into that, Sailor Moon. You don't know what could happen to you." He protested as she struggled against him. He was surprised at her strength. The vortex closed and Serena screamed at agony, slumping in defeat against her captor.

"Sailor Mars." She mourned softly as the tears flooded her eyes.

"We'll get her back." Mina said though her words were squeezed out around sobs.

"Sailor Mars." Serena repeated.

"W-what do we tell her family?" Ami said. The coolness of her tone did nothing to hide the emotions she was holding at bay. Serena was past words. She hung like a limp doll in Tuxedo Mask's arms, who was looking increasingly uncomfortable.

"Sailor Moon?" Ami said.

"Don't talk to me!" she screamed at Ami. "He stole her and I just stood and watched. I didn't do a damn thing! And you-" she swung around to face Tuxedo Mask to tear into him and had to cough to prevent herself from choking to death. She wasn't sure on what. "Oh my go-you're-I-Da" she couldn't formulate what her brain was trying to say but the startled look on his face, then the fear made it obvious her jumbled message came across loud and clear to him.

"What is it?" Lita asked confused by the abrupt change in her friend's emotion.

"He's-mmmm." Tuxedo Mask slapped a hand on her mouth and then cast a wary eye on the girls that looked ready to attack. Rather than stick around to find out what Sailor Jupiter could do to him, he took off…with an extra passenger. He knew they were giving chase but he was good at evading them. They used to chase him so they could find out whom he was before giving up and just accepting that he was there to help. After a few minutes, he had lost them. He hurried to his apartment then deposited the furious Sailor Scout on his sofa.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she asked.

"Trying to prevent my secret from coming out. I worked hard to keep my day life separate from this life. I want to keep it that way."

"And you think that I won't still tell them once I'm out of here?"

"Then I'll just have to keep you here." He said.

"And my family will wonder what happened to me. Plus they'll be doubly worried when they find out Sailor Mars didn't come home either." Serena said logically. She watched him and realized she could see his moods change as his thought process about this whole affair changed.

"Well, I'll just have to make sure you keep my secret in another way." He said advancing on her.

"What are you doing?" she said.

"I'm going find out who you are." He said.

"No!" she vaulted over the back of the sofa and faced him. "You won't like what you see, Darien." She said. He paused and looked at her.

"Say that again." He said and she frowned at him.

"S-say what again."

"My name."

"Why?"

"I like the way you say it."

"Look, tux-boy, I'm gonna go home now and you're going leave me alone." She said moving cautiously to the window. She screamed when he launched himself at her and tackled her to the ground.

"Now-"

"No. Please don't. You'll regret it." She pleaded as he fought him. She was trying to tamp down the arousal coursing through her bloodstream.

"How?" he asked leaning over her. "It's only fair." Then he frowned. "How did you know it was me under this mask? More importantly, how do you know me? Its obvious we know each other outside of this whole affair."

"Okay, look, I promise to keep this to myself if you'll just forget about exposing me."

"Hmmm. I have your word you won't tell your friends?"

"I-I-promise. You have my word. If anyone finds out about you, it won't be from me." She said. She watched him.

"Fine. I accept but I want something in return."

"What?"

"A kiss." He said. She thought for a moment.

What harm could a kiss do? She nodded her acceptance of the terms. "But not on the lips." She said.

"On the lips." He insisted.

"No."

"Then-"

"Fine. But no tongue." She said. She knew that if the kiss went too far, she'd possibly never get out of here with her identity – and virginity – in tack.

"Let's just see where it goes." He said before claiming her lips. She stiffened against him and resolutely kept him out of her mouth. He was amused at her attempts. He bit her bottom lips and earned the expected gasp. It was downhill for the both of them from there. He pulled her up off the floor and into his arms as he stood with her. He molded her to him even as she protested against the intimate contact.

Serena was pushing against him because she knew in a second it would click for him. He would recognize that the person he was kissing was his opponent in war. She pushed hard but her weakening limbs worked against her. He was kissing her neck when he stopped. The only thing she could hear was his ragged breath and she knew it was over for her. She closed her eyes but she couldn't shut out the image of him moving to stare at her face. She cursed her new abilities.

"Serena?" he said incredulously. She angled her head away from him but a forefinger forced her face back to him. "Open your eyes." He insisted in a harsh whisper.

"Why? It's not like I can see." She said opening them anyway.

"But-you could see-"

"What a little training can do." She stated angrily. "Let me go."

"No." He said. "I've been fighting along side you for the past two years and never knew. Why?"

"You also picked on me for the past two years."

"And you were in love with me for the past two years."

"What? Did you hit your head today?"

"You deny being in love with Tuxedo Mask?"

"Absolutely. I will admit having a mild crush on him but it was never in anyway associated with you." She bit out. "I do not like you. And since I made this startling discovery, I do not like Tuxedo Mask. Now release me." She said.

"Back to that. How did you recognize me?"

"How did you recognize me?" she retorted.

"You have a unique, intoxicating smell. Didn't I already tell you this? I recognized it immediately. Now, answer my question."

"No."

"Then I'll kiss you again."

"That's not exactly torture, Darien." She said knowing how wrong she was. His kisses burned her to the core, killing her with each stroke of his tongue.

"So you like kissing me?"

"No. I like kissing. The other boys I've kissed seem to like it too."

"You're lying."

"Am I?" she asked. She blinked trying hard to sink back into the darkness of her mind.

"What's the big deal? Is it some big secret?"

"Yes. Leaking it might put the scouts in danger. Now let me go."

"No."

"If you don't want the scouts finding out who you are, you had better let me go because they are on their way here."

"How?"

"Our communicators can be used to track each other. Right now, mine is telling them where I am." He released her and stood away from her.

"We will need to talk about this again."

"No. I want you to stay the hell away from me, Tuxedo Mask and Darien Shields."

"I don't think I can do that."

"Then be warned. If you get in my way, don't be surprised if you get hurt." With that, she jumped from his balcony and disappeared into the night.