Chapter 6
"Europa, I did something really stupid," Makenna wailed as she entered the tree house, throwing her backpack on the floor. She sat down in a chair and closed her eyes, trying to remember what had possessed her to reveal that Sayuri had come back to Tokyo.
A dark grey head came into the room, looking up at Makenna and sighing. "Makenna, whatever you've done can't have been that stupid. Just tell me."
The girl bit her lip and quietly replied, "I went to the Chikara Fitness Center today." As Europa gave her a confused look, Makenna sighed and explained, "The people at my school are so mean to me. I needed an escape, and then I saw the sign, plus I had made a promise to visit Chie…"
Europa tilted her head to the side. "Makenna, it's perfectly fine to see someone from your past."
The white haired girl shook her head. "I went as Sayuri though." Looking at Europa, she saw nothing but confusion on the cat's face.
"You went with your natural hair?" Europa asked carefully.
Nodding miserably, Makenna continued, "I just needed to be myself, and do some gymnastics, but my showing up drew a huge crowd to the gym. By the end of tonight, I wouldn't be surprised if all of Tokyo knows that Sayuri has returned. I'm so sorry I've blown cover!"
Europa gave an inward groan. She had been trying to keep the enemies away from them, and now it seemed as though those efforts had been wasted. Glancing at Makenna, she saw the girl shed a couple tears, and instantly regretted thinking harsh thoughts. The girl had been driven to it by the people at her school. She should have thought before she acted, but she can't really be blamed, Europa reasoned. Turning toward her charge, she asked, "Does anyone know that you are Sayuri, Makenna?" When the girl shook her head, Europa nodded. "We should still be safe then. Now, I've completed the task that I needed to do."
"Oh yeah… About that…" Makenna bit her lip again.
Europa heaved a sigh, looking the girl directly in the eyes. "What did you do?"
Releasing her lip, Makenna began to twirl her hair. "Well," she started, "I saw Sailor Moon and Sailor Pluto today after I left the fitness center. We fought a youma together, except I didn't have to do much. I blinded it, Sailor Pluto weakened it, and Sailor Moon destroyed it. I may have told them I would consider telling them my true senshi identity soon."
The cat almost began laughing. "Makenna, that's perfect! I didn't tell you this earlier, but what I did today was meet with the other senshi advisors, Luna and Artemis. They've promised me they won't tell their senshi anything I told them, but I was going to have you introduce yourself as the next step. This is wonderful!"
The girl smiled, eyes twinkling. "Ok, so now I need to tell them who I am? That'll be fun!"
Europa told the girl, "There is one more thing though. You have to start wearing the senshi fuku with the correct colors. I can't keep the color charm on it any longer."
Scowling, Makenna nodded. "Alright. So when do you want me to introduce myself?"
"Next time a youma appears," Europa stated firmly. "However, this does allow me to give you a gift." The cat quickly backflipped, and when she landed she had a brown bracelet in her mouth. Spitting it on the ground, she looked at Makenna. "Go on and take it."
The girl did as she was told and grabbed the bracelet, looking at it carefully. The bracelet was a brown similar to the color of sand, and elastic all around. As Makenna turned it, a dark brown gem on the bracelet caught her eye, and she stared at it for a couple of seconds before turning to Europa. "What is this?" she asked, slipping the bracelet around her wrist.
"It's your new henshin for transforming into Sailor Earth, and the strongest one you can receive. To use it, you need to call out Earth Millennium Power. Go ahead and try it."
Shoving her hand into the air, Makenna called out, "Earth Millennium Power!" She felt her hair raise into the air and bright light appear as her fuku began to appear on her body, replacing her clothes. When the light subsided, Makenna looked down. Instead of the emerald green fuku she had worn for many years, it was now a sandy brown with the deep red bows. Glancing at Europa, she nodded her thanks and detransformed. "Thanks Europa. This is an awesome henshin."
At the Cherry Hill Temple, Luna and Artemis had just finished giving the rest of the senshi their new henshin bracelets. Each girl couldn't help but to stare at the gems embedded within the bracelets before putting them on.
"So, to use these we call out our planet, followed by the words 'Millennium Power'?" Trista asked, admiring the black bracelet on her arm.
"That is correct Trista. These will be the most powerful henshins you receive, and they should lead us into the Silver Millennium," Luna spoke, glancing at each girl to make sure that they all understood the message.
"Oh Luna, why can't I have the pink bracelet though?" whined Serena, casting a glare at the white bracelet she had put on.
Artemis cast a quick glance on the table at the bracelet still lying there, untouched, and quickly replied, "That's for Sailor Mystery, if she ever decides to join us." Phew, that was close. I hope she doesn't realize that the bracelet is for someone who hasn't arrived yet… Artemis thought with an inward sigh of relief.
As the girls walked out, Luna hissed, "When do you think she's going to get here?"
Shrugging, the white cat looked at his companion and shook his head. "I don't know, but that was really close. We can't let them know she's coming until she gets here; it'll be safer that way." Both cats shuddered, knowing what they would have dealt with if Serena knew who was coming.
Darien walked into the Arcade and sat down at the counter. Having followed the girls to the fitness center and seen Sayuri perform, he was sure that she and Makenna were the same person, but he couldn't prove anything. Then, he had gone to a youma battle and seen the mysterious Sailor Mystery in action. She definitely fought well, and had an attitude when people were messing around. What had really surprised him was the was she opened up to his Serena today. Maybe they are on the same side, and Sailor Mystery just needs an attitude adjustment, he thought with a chuckle.
Andrew came over to the ebony haired man with a steaming cup of black coffee. "Please tell me they didn't do anything stupid," he begged his best friend.
Smirking, Darien took a sip of his coffee. "No, they didn't. Since you brought it up though, you can tell me why exactly you're so worried about Makenna."
Andrew fidgeted, running a hand through his hair. "Why are you so curious Darien?" he countered, staring his friend in the eye.
"Nice try, but you know I'll find out. Either you tell me, or I move to plan B," Darien laughed.
Sitting down, Andrew stared into space. "I don't really know," he admitted at last. "She's so different. All the girls that come in here openly flirt with me, except for Serena, Amy, and Raye, but they're more like sisters to me. Lita and Mina flirt, but they do it out of fun."
Darien rolled his eyes. If only you knew!
Continuing, Andrew started to blush. "When she came it, and didn't try to get me to ask her on a date, I felt like I was breathing fresh air. She was so lively and friendly, I don't want to lose that sort of person. I'd like to become friends with her, hang out and get to know her. I think the other girls would really like her too, if they would give her a fair chance."
Darien stared at the blond, mind racing. Finally, he said in a quiet voice, "I think you have a crush on Makenna, Andrew. You want to know her better, and it pains you to see your other friends run her off."
Gulping, Andrew nearly fell off the stool. "What should I do?" he croaked.
"Ask her out. You'll get to spend some alone time with her," Darien nearly shouted, staring at his friend as though he were insane.
"Alright, alright. I'll ask her to her school's winter formal," Andrew said, holding his hands up in a surrendering fashion.
As more people came in and Andrew went to take their orders, Darien brought a hand to his face, resting his forehead in his palm. At least this should be interesting.
In the park, a cloud of pink smoke appeared, giving passage to a young pink haired girl. She glanced around before saying aloud, "Thank goodness no one saw our arrival. Are you ok, Diana?"
The light grey kitten laying on her head nodded. "Of course I am, Small Lady. Where are we headed?"
"Diana, you know I've told you before to call me Rini." The girl closed her red eyes, deep in thought. "We need a place to stay, and Mama's is the best choice. She'll get mad if we stay with Darien and don't go to see her first." Opening her eyes, Rini began walking. "I think home is this way in this time. Do you remember, Diana?"
Diana shook her head, the bell on her collar ringing. "I'm afraid not. This seems like the right way though."
Glancing around from left to right, Rini broke into a run at the sight of a tree. "That's the tree in front of Mama's house! We have to be close!"
Seeing a blond haired girl with a black cat in the front yard of a house, Diana quickly stopped Rini. "Isn't that the queen and my mom?"
Racing toward them, Rini yelled out, "Serena! I'm back!"