What if you knew the next day you would die. Would you do things different? Serena Tuskino did, and when tomorrow comes she'll find love and a reason to live. SD pairing

Ch4: Revelations by the afternoon

Mass pain erupted on my left side when I made contact with the concrete. I looked to my right to see a Negaverse goon. This was just peachy! I flinched when it raised a…tentacle? to strike me, but I never felt the impact as Darien took the hit when he aided to rescue me.

In horror I watched Darien's body travel 20 feet in mid air, to hit the ground with a loud thud. I shouted for him, when he gave no response I feared the worst. With no one in sight but Darien's limp body, I knew it was time for some Sailor Moon action.

During my transformation, I debated about the whole ordeal of contacting the scouts or not. They were in school, and I just fought with them, but I might need their help. The "not" side seemed to have one reason more then the why not, so I caved in. Plus, Tuxedo Mask would come to my rescue, right?

As the monster seemed to become aware of my presence I was making my speech, "I am Sailor Moon, the Champion on Love and Justice, and in the name of the Moon I will punish you!" Corny, I know.

"Ha ha, you silly Moon Twit, you think you can defeat me? Try this on for size." It screeched. I ran a muck, aimlessly trying to avoid the endless flailing tentacles seeking me. When my luck ran short, and one finally tripped me, I looked for Tuxedo Mask's red rose. But…nothing. I waited as one by one tentacles slowly wrapped around my body, still no sign of him. Maybe, he gave up on me like the scouts, and my parents. Was I a useless scout to him, a flawed leader? Maybe the dream I had got a mixed message, and this was how I was supposed to die. Look at me; I'm no hero capable of saving the earth. What a farce.

I was giving up, until I saw a tentacle slowly approaching Darien. Wait, no! Not Darien, take me! I have nothing to live for, but Darien has so much to offer. "Darien, get out of here!" I screamed. But, he laid motionless on the ground. If I die, so does he, no one is else here to protect him. I must get out of this bind.

But it was just too hard, it was already suppressing my breathing, I wasn't sure I could hold on any longer. Yet, I must try. Please Moon Crystal, hear me and aid me. "Moon…Crystal…Power!" I shouted with all my heart, unsure of what results would some of it. Suddenly the air rushed back in my lungs and I heard a die-hard scream from the nega-scum when a bright light appeared to vanquish it. I did it! Well, the moon crystal did. I cut the celebration short and rushed to Darien's side; I was hoping he was not too seriously hurt. Once near him, I knelt by his side. "Sailor Moon?" He asked deliriously as his eyes slid open. Oops, I forgot to detransform. All of a sudden his eyes became huge with worry evident as he asked, "Serena, where is Serena? Oh god, is she gone? I tried to save her, I did. It's all my fault." Tears formed in his eyes before he passed out. He was crying over me?

He thought I was dead? "I'm right-" here. No, I can't tell him. Maybe it's better for him to think that. I don't know what came over me before, but Darien reminded me there is a whole planet depending on me, and I won't let them die. I'm going to die sooner or later in a battle, but I want it to be one of my choosing. And if I die when I fight Beryl, so be it. It's because I want to, not because it is my duty.

Thanks to my Sailor Strength I was able to carry him to a nearby hospital. Before they took him away in a stretcher I whispered "Good bye Darien," then I kissed away one of his tears.

After detransforming, I headed to the park. When I got there, I started to reflect on how different I was today.

I got a 90 on my math test…

"…Serena you are my friend… but a leader needs to be well rounded in her skills. And that includes school, and you've never been the brightest light bulb." Amy commented as she rested her book in her lap.

I fought that monster all by myself and saved Darien. I mean no scouts, and no Tuxedo Mask.

"But I don't think being immature really matters for the most part. Especially when it comes to the battles, which are more important. I think you're too weak to fight in them. I mean if it wasn't for Tuxedo Mask…" Lita stopped.

See, I'm not too worthless. I've already proved myself to be good out of 2 of the four things they down sized me about. Now lets see, what's left? Being mature, and responsible. I don't know when the show down with Beryl is, but I need to make this last day worth it. So I can die knowing for at least one day, I did things right.

Wait, I know how to cover being mature, and responsible at the same time…All I have to do is wait until school gets out.

……………………………..

When it was 10 minutes after when school was released I made a break for the arcade. It was time to finally set myself free. Entering the arcade I noticed none of the other scouts were there, for once I was the first one there. After waiting a good ten minutes in the back booth, I heard the door chime, and watched Amy, Mina, Raye, and Lita walk in giggling. When they were walking towards our spot, I finally caught their attention. They appeared stunned as they stopped and looked at one another for answers. I knew this was my queue.

"Come over here you guys, I have something that needs to be said, and then I'll leave." They hesitantly approached the booth and slid in after I exited and stood to the side.

I drew in a deep breath, and spoke. "After the confrontation yesterday, I admit to you that you were all right in your opinions about me, or should I say facts. We didn't ask to be scouts, and I didn't ask to be leader, but since I am, and it's my responsibility to look out for this team, I know my being here is not the answer. So I resign from being leader, fully instating it to Raye, and I withdraw from being a scout. I trust you will all be happy with my decision. But, I will not give up the Moon Crystal because it is mine by right of royalty. I wish you all well in your battles. Good bye." I heaved, and turned around before they saw the tears the threatened to fall. Maturity, check. Responsibility, check.

I shut the door, and left to go home. I just needed to show my parents my good grade, so they wouldn't think I was completely dumb. And at my funeral they won't be too ashamed to say the little things I've done in my life.

At the Arcade (3rd person POV)

Andrew watched with sad eyes as Serena left, after another-so it seemed- argument. He vivaciously scrubbed the counters with an old rag, but he stopped to see the next customer that walked in as the door chimed. "Darien! What happened to you? You look like hell." Andrew commented taking in his banged up appearance with red puffy eyes. "Have you been crying?" Andrew asked in a low whisper.

"Serena…" Was the only response Darien could muster up, before he buried his head in his hands while taking a seat in his regular spot. "What about her?" Andrew asked curiously.

"She's gone!" He sobbed. Andrew had a perplexed look on his face before he replied back, "I know man, I just saw her leave."

"What?" Darien asked incredulously.

"Yeah man, I think she just had another fight with her friends."

"But the attack!" Darien shouted, so loud the whole arcade could no help but hear his response. That's when the scouts became interested, they didn't remember there being any Negaverse attacks today. Lita was the first to speak up, "What attack?"

Darien turned in his stool to look at the four girls approaching him. "Um, well Serena and I were attacked earlier when walking around-" He started out before Amy interrupted him. "What about her family emergency though?"

"Yeah!" Mina added backing Amy up.

Darien sighed, "there wasn't one, I just needed to talk to her."

"Oh…" Both the scouts replied. Before they could ask why, he went on.

"It knocked Serena to the ground, then when it was about to hit her again, I jumped to her rescue getting knocked out. The last thing I remember is seeing Sailor Moons face, and no one in sight. I assumed it killed her." He finished.

Mina, Amy, Raye, and Lita exchanged looks to one another seeing if one of them helped Sailor Moon out. From the looks of it, the answer was a no.

It was Raye's turn to have something to say, "Was Tuxedo Mask there?"

Darien thought about it, no, of course not! He was Tuxedo Mask after all, so in response he shook his head. All four girls gasped in shock, then look guilty at one another. "So then, Serena isn't dead?" Darien waited on anyone's answer.

"No, she isn't." Andrew replied. Darien gave a small smile of relief to know his Meatball head was okay. But just as soon as that feeling had come, it was gone. He grew angry at Serena for making him feel that way. He was going to find her, and give her a piece of his mind. He said his thanks to everyone, and left the Arcade in a rush to find that blonde scamp who had him cry for the first time since his parents died.

AN: Yes it has been forever, and hopefully there are still faithful viewers out there. I hope to continue this before the year ends. Probably around 3 more chapters to go. Hope you enjoyed, and read and review please!!!