Love is a Twisted Thing

Warning: Raye-bashers won't like this one.

Disclaimer: Can I buy the rights to Sailor Moon with a Visa card? If so, I can own it. Let me know would you.

Chapter Seven

Early that same morning, Raye woke up in a cold sweat. 'It's just a dream, it's just a dream, it's just a dream." She chanted under her breath as she splashed cold water on her face. She breathed hard and flashing images assaulted her mind. She saw herself kissing Jadeite, the scouts watching her with fearful eyes, him glaring at her the way he had the first time she saw him, back when she first learned she was Sailor Mars. A last image came and he was lunging seductively at her with a sword in his hand, her shrieking "I love you" as he stabbed her. Raye tried to shut them out but the visions still tortured her with their grim expectations. Raye gave up on sleep completely and went out to do her chores, hoping their monotonous routine would soothe her somehow. She was just sweeping the steps when she saw Amy approaching her, looking just as wan and tired as she felt. "What are you doing, Amy?" She asked. Amy tucked her textbook into her bag and sighed. "I couldn't sleep and I can't concentrate on my studies." She admitted. Raye's eyebrows were raised in surprise. "That doesn't sound much like you, Amy; what's wrong?" Amy didn't speak; she simply wrapped her arms around herself as if that alone could keep her together. Realization flooded her friend's mind as she figured out what was wrong. "It's Zoicite-isn't it?" Amy nodded numbly. "Are you thinking about Jadeite?" She asked. Raye gripped her broom so hard her knuckled were taut and white. "I don't know what to do, Amy. It's easy enough for you to say to forget about him but I can't! My body betrays me when I'm around him. It's like I'm fighting myself-and losing. You don't understand!" She said in a half-dead whisper of rage as Amy opened her mouth. "You're lucky! All you have to do is imagine that he's a girl and poof! There goes the attraction! You have no idea what I'm going through!" A hand clamped onto her arm and Raye found it held in the bluenette's surprisingly strong grip. "I understand more than you know, Raye." Amy said coldly, her voice as frigid as any Mercury Bubble she'd ever cast. "You know damn well what my feelings for Zoicite are. I know he used to be a woman. I know he might still be our enemy. But my heart doesn't give a shit about any of that!" Raye looked at her but she was too far gone to pay attention. "I love him; no matter if he's a man or a woman. Am I miserable enough to sympathize with you now, Raye?" She asked bitterly. Raye hugged the emotional girl (A/N: She seems to be a warm and fuzzy kind of girl in this fic, doesn't she? In my defense, you can't really make her mean all the time, you know.) and rocked her quietly. Amy broke down and cried with her and for a long time the sound of grown-up heart breaking sobs filled the air. Grandpa Hino watched the two from a distance. He was crying too, but smiling in spite of his tears. Chad woke up at the sound. He made to walk toward the girls but the old man stopped him. "Leave them alone, Chad." He admonished. "There are some tears neither you nor I can wipe away." He glanced once more at his granddaughter before going back into his. Chad followed suit, a bemused look on his face.

Raye and Amy broke apart, looking sheepish. "Sorry." They muttered. Neither could think of what to say for a long time until the silence was broken by the appearance of a particularly large youma. "Get the others over here, Amy!" Raye said as she flung a charm at the creature and transformed. Amy took out her communicator, inwardly glad for the distraction. Nothing took her mind off things quite like a youma attack.

Serena woke up at 6:30 to the sound of her communicator beeping hysterically. Sleepily she pressed the glowing Mercury button. "Wha?" She mumbled. Mercury looked exasperated. "Serena, wake up! Attack at the temple, hurry up!" The screen flashed and Mercury was gone. Serena got up and made a grab for her uniform. This was not her kind of morning.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" Mars leapt away from the blast of energy the monster had aimed at her as she shot flames at it. Her muscles ached from yesterday's gymnastics training and she was slowing down despite her efforts. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Sailor Moon jumping into action. "What took you so long?" She said angrily, darting away from the line of fire. (sorry, bad irony there.) "I live on the other side of town, Pyro!" She shot back, forgetting that the youma was still there. She gasped in pain as a burst of dark energy tore into her right arm and shoulder. Mars watched horrified as Sailor Moon stood painfully upright and glared at her assailant, who made to target her again. It was stopped by a red rose that struck its hand, rendering it incapable of blasting anymore. Sailor Moon turned to see Tuxedo Mask standing beside her, looking apologetic. "I got here when I could." He said quietly. Sailor Moon struggled to lift the tiara from her head with her injured hand and threw it, feeling herself falling into a blessed darkness.

Tuxedo Mask caught her before she hit the ground. "Was she distracted?" He asked, eyes flashing behind the mask. Sailor Mars gulped and nodded, looking shaken. Tuxedo Mask's voice turned sharp. "Distractions are common in battle, Scouts, however they ought to be directed at the enemy and diverted from your friends." His eyes softened, looking down on Sailor Moon's prone body but he reluctantly set her down on the grass before Sailor Mercury and vanished into the forest. 'I couldn't take her with me, what if she discovered who I am?' He thought, trying to appease the guilt that was threatening to strangle his heart. He closed his eyes and de-transformed in front of his building.

Serena walked slowly into her classroom, on time for once. Amy had tended to her arm and bandaged it but it still stung a little when she moved. She sat down heavily in her seat. Miss Haruna looked taken aback. "Serena, are you alright?" She asked. Serena's mouth quirked into a small smile but she said nothing, worrying Miss Haruna more. The teacher started to call roll, hoping that whatever Serena was going through was just a phase. She'd grown somewhat attatched to the spacey girl.

'Bump.'

Darien turned around to see a short blonde falling backwards. Automatically, he grabbed her wrist to steady her.

Serena's eyes widened in shock, but she couln't bit back her scream of pain. He let go, almost immediately and she fell on her knees, cradling her right arm. Darien knelt to look in her eyes.

"Meatball Head. What happened to you?"

Hey, R&R.