Imperfect Reincarnation

by Serena530

AU. The Guardian Sailor Scouts must be awakened, protect the Earth from a familiar evil, and find and guard the Moon Princess, but what will happen when more scouts arrive and memories begin to surface of a past far different then some remember. Continuation of The Perfect Match.

8. Chapter 8

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or her characters, and have no right to it except as a long time fan.

Imperfect Reincarnation
Chapter Eight

Monday late afternoon found Andrew Foreman looking up from his place behind the counter as the glass door to the cafe he worked at opened. His best friend Darien stepped in behind his other friend Serena as he held the door open for her.

She waved at him with a gentle yet cheerful smile and Darien nodded at him with a small smile of his own before the pair moved further into the cafe to find somewhere to sit.

Andrew smiled after the couple happy for them and the happiness that they had found. He still found it interesting that he had pretty much watched their relationship develop.

He was glad his schedule had changed so he was working the cafe more since he could avoid the after school rush of junior and high school students wanting to play games and eat while they did it at the arcade downstairs. But also because his two friends spent more time in the cafe where it was quieter and peaceful.

He had noticed the differences in them as their relationship progressed. Both of them were happy, smiling more, and subtly growing more and more affectionate in public.

However, he had also noticed a change in Darien that had started at the same time as his and Serena's meeting, but was not part of their developing relationship. It was strange and he couldn't understand where it had come from, but it was very much there and not his imagination.

He wasn't sure how to describe it, but his friend's behavior and personality had become dignified and poised. It reminded him of royalty he saw in movies of the past where Kings, Queens, and Emperors ruled. The slight nod of his head to certain things said, his posture was relaxed yet almost perfect, and even his speech had changed. It was more correct and precise.

Even how he behaved around and with Serena was different than he had seen in other couples in general. He always had his hand on her back, sometimes he offered her his arm to escort her, sometimes standing when she did as if he didn't want to be rude by staying seated.

Andrew just couldn't for the life of him understand why the change happened or where it had come from. He knew his friend hadn't taken any etiquette classes or studied any books on it, and even if he had done those things that wouldn't completely explain his behavior. He spoke and acted as if he had been raised to behave that way.

It isn't a bad thing, but it's disconcerting because it came out of nowhere. I might have to ask him if I ever want to know how or why it happened. He thought with a light sigh as he watched the couple talking and smiling.

Yes. I'm definitely going to ask him, but I'm going to have to find a time when neither of us is busy. He thought before he focused his attention on a pair of young women coming through the door and toward the counter where he stood.

oOo

Serena and Darien sat enjoying each other's company while they talked and looked out at the view from their booth seat next to a wide window in the Fruits Parlor Crown cafe.

They chatted about their day at school and when they exhausted that subject they moved on to planning their next date. As they brought up suggestions they also tried to decide what they wanted to snack on, but as more and more people arrived they decided to leave instead.

They hadn't ordered anything yet, and while it wasn't exactly loud yet there was more people than usual and it was louder than they wanted to deal with that day.

Andrew was busy taking orders so they simply waved at him in farewell before they left the cafe and descended the stairs to street level. It was only the work of a few minutes to make it to Darien's car, and once inside and on their way they continued putting out suggestions on what to do on their next date.

So far they were liking the sound of hiking or bike riding; both on a trail somewhere. They didn't know when exactly they would have their date, but they wanted to have it planned so they would only have to pick a day and go.

Traffic was light so it didn't take them long to arrive at their destination, which turned out to be Darien's apartment. It was the only other place they went when they didn't want to hang out at the cafe and didn't plan on going on a mini date.

Darien parked his car and the two of them made their way to the elevator and up to his apartment. Once they reached the door he unlocked it and pushed it open.

"After you my lady." He said as he held the door open.

Serena started to smile, but suddenly gasped softly as a scene began to play in her mind.

oOo

Sailor Moon stood off to the side in the elegant dance hall in the Jupiter palace watching her princess as she spoke to a young man. The hall was extremely large and made one feel as if they were socializing and enjoying themselves out in the woods with candle light illuminating the area.

She glanced over to her left as she saw movement headed her way from the corner of her eye and saw Prince Endymion walking toward her. She quickly shifted her eyes away and focused back on her princess.

"My lady." Prince Endymion said as he arrived and she looked over in time to see him bow elegantly to her.

"Your highness." Sailor Moon greeted as he straightened before she crossed her arm over her chest and gave a slight curtsy.

"How are you this evening?" He asked.

"I am well." She answered. "And you your highness?" She asked in return.

"I am better now that I am in your presence." He replied.

Sailor Moon blushed and looked away and back to her princess. Her eyes flickered around until she spotted her dancing with a tall young man in green and black with reddish brown hair in a low short ponytail.

"Will you do me the honor of dancing with me my lady?" The Prince asked, and she returned her eyes to him quickly in surprise only to see him smiling at her sincerely.

"Truly?" She asked uncertainly.

"Yes my lady." He answered reassuringly. "I have greatly desired to dance with you for quite some time."

Sailor Moon looked back to where her princess was dancing before she returned her eyes to the handsome prince next to her.

"Yes." She answered with a soft smile.

oOo

"Are you alright?" Darien asked with a slight frown after a few long silent moments. His soulmate's lovely eyes looked as if she was looking pass him off into a world only she could see.

"Y..yeah." Serena said as she blinked back into the present. "I'm..just not used to being called something so...so..."

"True?" He supplied, and watched in delight as she blushed and looked away before stepping inside his apartment. "It is true you know." He added as he followed her inside and closed the door. "You are my lady, and I am very happy for that."

"You're such a gentleman." She said softly, because he was as far as she was concerned. The way he said it wasn't like a possessive 'you're my girl and you're mine', it was more formal; like 'you are a refined woman and I am pleased you are in my life'.

Apparently he was just as much of a gentleman as Prince Endymion had been addressing her as my lady. He'd called her that once before, when he picked her up for their evening date, but she guessed she had been too distracted by the moment for a memory to take effect.

But then again I have no idea if being distracted can stop a memory from coming to me. She thought as she stepped toward the couch in his living room.

The prince was a charmer even when he seemed to only be trying to be sincere with her past self. Something she had noticed Darien was capable of as well.

"Always," Darien said as he joined her in sitting on the couch. "and even more so for you." He added before he kissed her cheek, purposely close to her lips.

Serena blushed at the compliment and gasped at the kiss. They hadn't kissed many times since the first in the gazebo during their evening date, but every time he kissed her since then took her breath away.

It was amazing and made her feel cared for and desired if that made any sense. His kisses were careful, gentle and full of affection, but she could sense he was holding back; as if he didn't want to scare or shock her with the passion that was simmering below the surface.

And she knew it was because of the feel of his kisses. When he stopped he was always slow and hesitant in pulling away as if he wanted to stay and go further.

When is he going to give in to that desire? She wondered, but was also grateful for his restraint so far. She wasn't sure if she was ready for the passion she sensed; regardless of how curious she was about it.

Darien for his part had long since noted the lack of kissing between them. It wasn't because he didn't want to; it was simply because they either weren't in a position to do so or were busy with their studies.

Or transformed and I have to pretend she is only becoming a friend instead of being my soulmate and love. He thought.

Still, he was perfectly willing to rectify their lack of kissing and make out with his Serenity for the first time in this lifetime, because he didn't like that he knew the exact number of kisses they had shared.

He wanted them to share so many that he lost count, and his jaw hurt from the constant motion. He wanted to do his best to kiss the knowledge of who she truly was and who she truly was to him into her regardless of how futile the effort would be.

He was sure they would both enjoy the attempt even if she didn't know that's what it was.

With that thought in mind Darien shifted his face slightly, since his face was still practically pressed to hers from his kiss, and pressed his lips to hers.

Serena hummed softly at the confident gentle feel of his lips against hers. He pulled his lips back briefly before pressing them to hers again, this time more firmly but no less gentle or confident. Then his tongue pressed against her lips, and she had no problem opening for him.

She hummed again at the textured feel of his tongue as it moved slowly against hers. She brought her hand up and lightly placed it on the side of his face as she began to twist her tongue around his and engage in a hidden dance.

Darien wrapped his arm slightly around her shoulders before he shifted his hand up and placed it on the back of her neck. He wished mightily that her hair was loose so he could run his fingers through the long tresses.

He had done so many times in the past whenever they kissed. He just loved the feel of hair. So much so that back then he had begun to have fantasies about what her hair would feel like against his skin when they finally became lovers.

oOo

Endymion sat on the side of one of the back buildings of the palace, on the thick and wide railing of an outdoor balcony with his back to one of the round pillars just as thick and wide as the railing. Another of his rose gardens was just below where he sat, so the fragrance easily drifted up for him to enjoy as he gazed out at the amazing view.

Trees for miles and beyond that the ocean with the sun shining on its reflective surface. It was beautiful and peaceful, and never failed to relax him.

Sensing movement out of the corner of his eye he turned his head and watched his Serenity walking silently up the stairs, the dark green high heel boots of her sailor uniform standing out among the white marble surrounding them.

"Come to join me my little scout?" He asked, although he made it sound like a statement.

"Yes my handsome prince." Serenity said as she reached him, her white cape swaying as she stood at his side.

They looked at the view in silence, enjoying the quiet surrounding them and the smell of fresh roses, before he moved his arm around her waist slipping beneath her cape. The height of the railing and his position put him just a touch higher than she stood, but that didn't stop him from bringing his lips to hers in a kiss.

They were alone and their surroundings were a bit romantic, so he decided to take the opportunity to express his affection for his soulmate.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, her gloved hand going to his hair, and leaned against him as they lost themselves in the feel of each other's mouth and tongue. His free hand went up to the back of her head and immediately tangled in her soft hair, allowing him to deepen their kisses further, before trailing down through the silky tresses.

oOo

Darien smiled internally at the memory, and decided since he couldn't enjoy her hair he would make use of his free hand in another way.

Serena felt him place his free hand on her waist before it slid around her side and to her back, easing her closer to him as he tightened his grip. She leaned into him with a small moan.

Clearly I'm not going to get any homework done while I'm with him today. She thought quietly, but she didn't mind at all. She was getting to experience some of his tightly held passion, and it wasn't as intimidating as she thought it might be.

oOoIRoOo

Tuesday early morning, not long after Monday night had ended according to her clock, found Sailor Moon out patrolling for the third time in almost as many days. She knew she couldn't stay out long since she had to go to school in a few hours, but even just patrolling for a little while would make her feel at ease.

She felt she was accomplishing something instead of just waiting around for an attack to happen or for a girl that turned out to be a new scout to cross her path. Instead of doing that she was out looking for any super natural occurrences, honing her ability to sense dark energy, and watching out for her fellow people that couldn't be saved by police officers.

She paused her run along a rooftop and looked out along the view before she walked over to the edge and looked down at the street below. As she gazed down at the few cars driving by she considered how she was also accomplishing a bit of training.

I'm getting better at running and jumping along rooftops; becoming faster and more confident at various heights. Various surfaces as well. She thought as she looked at light poles, electric power poles, balconies, and fire escapes.

She stepped back from the edge and turned and began to run again, leaping to the next rooftop before continuing on her run; her eyes scanning the rooftops and skyline as she went.

Within a few minutes she suddenly found herself with company. Tuxedo Mask pulled up beside her and gave her smile before focusing back in the direction they were running.

"I'm just patrolling. There's no monster." She informed him. She didn't want him to think they were racing off to a fight.

"Okay." Tuxedo Mask replied calmly.

Both of them now being on the same page they continued on in silence jumping and leaping from rooftop to rooftop, skipping along light poles, and climbing fire escapes to higher buildings. Eventually Sailor Moon slowed to a stop in the middle of the roof of what she thought might be a twelve story office building.

"So, why have you been patrolling if you don't mind me asking?" Tuxedo Mask asked after a few long moments of silence as they looked out at the city around them.

"It's just something I feel I should be doing; you know instinctively. I should be making sure people are safe." Sailor Moon said before she sighed.

"As a scout I'm supposed to be searching for my princess since it's apparently my duty or part of my duty to protect the royal, but I feel I should be ensuring the protection of the people more than spending my time searching for my princess." She explained.

Tuxedo Mask held in a smile. He was pleased with her words since it let him know that some part of her was remembering beyond the memories she had told him of before. She was acting on the instincts of Sailor Earth.

Hmm...I wonder if she has remembered any more memories. He considered thoughtfully. He thought she might have experienced one briefly while with him as a civilian, but he was not entirely sure.

"You know my opinion from before. Follow your instincts. You have them for a reason. I am certain they will guide you true." He said, and watched her nod firmly.

"Can I ask if you have recalled any more memories?" He asked curiously.

"Yeah." She said with a light smile. "I recalled a snippet of a memory just yesterday. I'm pretty sure it was triggered by some specific words the person I was with said."

Tuxedo Mask nodded and listened as she described her as Sailor Moon at an event being held on Jupiter guarding the Moon Princess as the royal socialized and danced. Then he approached her and greeted her as 'my lady' before asking her to dance with him, which she had accepted after his assurance that he really did want to dance with her and had for some time.

He remembered that event. She had been surprised and uncertain of his desire to dance with her, but he had quickly put an end to her uncertainty and she had gifted him with the pleasure of dancing with her.

Although focused on her as they danced, he had been completely aware of his surroundings, and had seen the looks on a lot of people's faces. Including the four guardian scouts to the Moon Princess, and the royal young woman herself. They had ranged from curious, disapproving, indifferent, annoyed, and jealous.

He hadn't cared one bit. All he had cared about was that he was enjoying himself in the presence of his soulmate. That he had his Serenity close and in his arms even if only for a brief time.

And I made sure she enjoyed herself and forgot her duty of guarding that selfish bitch of a princess. He thought in satisfaction.

"It seems you might have had a good time with the prince." He said with a small smile, and watched her blush lightly.

"I don't know about that since the memory ended before any dancing actually took place. For all I know I never got the chance to dance with him." Sailor Moon said as she shrugged.

"I think you did." He replied in a light yet serious tone. "I doubt with him being a prince he would have let you get away from him without actually dancing with him; especially since he seemed to go out of his way to ask you."

"I guess so." She said even as she nodded. She couldn't see the prince being denied what he wanted after going through the trouble of asking.

"I'm curious to know what the next memory will be." He said thoughtfully, and he truly was. Anything to let him know the progress or her returning memories.

"Me too. I'll let you know." She said.

"I'll look forward to it." Tuxedo Mask said. "So how about we add some training to your patrolling tonight?" He suggested, hoping to get started on her training since she had taken him up on his offer.

"Sure." Sailor Moon agreed readily.

It was late, but she had been beginning to think it would be the only time it could happen since she didn't want to miss out on spending time with Darien or fall behind on her homework and studies.

"Is there anything you particularly want to work on?" He asked.

"Well, I want to get better with using my tiara since it's my only weapon, but I've been coming up blank on exactly how to go about it." She said thoughtfully. "And I would like to work on fighting physically since it seems to be the only other thing I have to work with."

"Okay. Then let us start with your tiara." Tuxedo Mask said as he nodded. "You're good at throwing it and aiming it, so how about we find out if you can control it once it has been released."

"Interesting." She said as she nodded. It had never occurred to her that her tiara might be able to be controlled midflight. "It comes back to me and hovers above me until I'm ready to use it again, so I guess we can start from there." She said.

"Alright. When you're ready." He said.

Sailor Moon nodded and reached up and grasped her tiara with her thumb and forefinger at the v-juncture around the gem and pulled it off her forehead. Just as always it began to glow a soft white that quickly grew brighter as the jewelry morphed into a glowing disk before it lifted to float above her fingertips.

"Feel the energy surrounding your tiara." Tuxedo Mask said quietly. "See if you can feel or sense a connection between you and your tiara. If you cannot then see if you can establish one."

She nodded as she kept her eyes on her transformed tiara, and focused on the white energy that was causing her tiara to be a glowing disk floating above her fingertips. This was something she had never done before. Usually her tiara just automatically changed or she instinctively charged it up.

Now that she was focusing on it the energy felt light, bright, and warm; the complete opposite of the dark energy she usually sensed from the monsters they fought with.

Narrowing her eyes at the glowing disk she tried to feel and sense for a connection. Her tiara wasn't sentient; it wasn't doing this on its own. The power surrounding it was hers, so there had to be a connection for it to work at all as it was.

She closed her eyes and continued to focus on the feel of her energy as she imagined a delicate glowing white thread connected to her and drifting off away from her. All she saw behind her closed eyelids was darkness, but within a few long moments she finally spotted the delicate glowing white thread.

Imagining her body along with the thread she felt that it was connected to her chest. She used mental fingers to gently touch the thread and felt a tremble in the energy of the disk floating above her fingertips.

Sailor Moon opened her eyes with a smile. Now that she knew it was there she could feel it clear as day.

"I found the connection." She announced as she looked to her companion.

"Good. Now try it out." Tuxedo Mask said, and she nodded.

Sailor Moon lifted her tiara and threw it off into the distance. It flew straight, like a speeding star, and she aimed her still outstretched hand toward it and willed it to turn sharply to the left. It turned just as she silently directed without a problem, and she willed it to dive down toward the roof.

Just as before it did as she directed, and she willed it to turn right before it hit the roof floor before sailing upward into the air.

Stop. She willed it, and watched the glowing disk stop abruptly in midair like it had hit a glass wall. Come. She confidently willed the tiara to her, and watched as it began to move again; this time in her direction.

The glowing spinning disk sped toward her as she lowered her arm, but slowed the closer it came and stopped right in front of her at chest level. It hovered silently, still glowing and spinning, as it waited for what she wanted to do with it next.

"Congratulations. Now your tiara is a better weapon." Tuxedo Mask said proudly.

"Thanks." Sailor Moon said with a grin as she willed her tiara to lose its charge. It did, returning to a piece of jewelry, and she grasped it before it could fall out of the air and returned it back to its place on her forehead.

"It's nice to know that I'll still be able to use it if I miss, and I won't have to wait for it to return to me." She said, and he nodded.

"All vital things that can possibly end fights quicker." He said, and she nodded seriously.

"Yes; I'll definitely be testing that with the next monster encounter." She replied.

Tuxedo Mask looked around and nodded internally at what he saw. The rooftop was large enough and flat, so they had plenty of room and stability to engage in a spar up there.

"I want us to spar." He announced as he returned his eyes to his soulmate. "I've seen you fight against a few monsters, but I want to experience your ability for myself to better judge how to improve it."

Sailor Moon nodded and watched him back away from her a few steps before he shifted into a position that must have been for fighting even though he still looked relaxed. She turned to face him and focused her mind on fighting him as if she was facing a monster.

She eased forward, watching his calm face, and started with a simple straight punch with her right hand, and Tuxedo Mask instantly blocked it and pushed her arm off to the side away from him.

She ducked under the swinging punch he swung her way with his free hand, and punched him in his chest before twisting around him and back kicking him in his back.

Tuxedo Mask stumbled forward but quickly spun around and blocked a punch headed for him. He kicked out but she side stepped his foot and swung a kick to his side. He caught her ankle and twisted it, and watched as her eyes widened before she kicked off the ground and twisted with her foot and swung a kicked at his head with her free leg. He released her ankle as he ducked under the kick and stepped back for good measure.

Sailor Moon shifted her body and landed in a crouch facing him before she pushed off and ran toward him.

Back and forth they moved, left and right, circling and dodging as they exchanged and blocked straight and swinging punches, front, side, and back kicks, and ducked and jumped over other incoming physical attacks.

As the minutes passed Tuxedo Mask nodded in satisfaction as he gained the knowledge he was looking for. She had the same physical skill and strength she had when he had sparred with her as Sailor Moon in the past, but he still felt that, like in the past, her movements were off as if she was holding back.

And just like then I know that she is not. Her style is the same as it was as Sailor Earth only muted and toned down as Sailor Moon; as if she is incapable of taking her physical ability to the next level. He thought as he continued to spar with her.

The secret prince of the Earth was reminded all over again that the Moon Princess had weakened his Serenity, turned her into a weak guardian scout, so much so that it had continued on into her next life.

She is remembering; her memories as both scouts and her instincts as Sailor Earth. I simply need to be patient and wait for her to figure out that I am here with her as Tuxedo Mask, and then help her remember that I am her prince, her soulmate, and her love. He told himself soothingly before he stepped back and held up his hand to stop her.

"Good. You've done good." He said as she relaxed; and she truly had. It was only that he knew as her true self she could do so very much better. "I think for now we should continue your patrolling and find a park with plenty of trees before we continue."

"Why a park?" Sailor Moon asked.

"I want to see you fight in a location that is outside yet in an enclosed area where your movements will be restricted by the surroundings." He answered.

"Ah. I understand." She said as she nodded. "You lead the way, and I'll keep my senses open for any trace of dark energy." She said.

"Very well." Tuxedo Mask replied before he turned and took off in the direction they had been heading in before they stopped to talk.

Sailor Moon followed and the pair were soon side by side as they ran, jumped, and leapt along and over rooftops. The cool night air swept along their skin and ruffled their hair and clothes as they ran and gradually made their way to ground level.

Tuxedo Mask lead his Serenity down an alley and along two sidewalks before they finally came upon a park that suited his preferences. It was well away from the park he had dubbed his own personal training ground, which was important in case she decided to revisit the park at a later date. It also wasn't overly large, but it wasn't small either; it was just right for being in the neighborhood and district it was in.

He slowed to a stop as soon as his feet touched the grass and Sailor Moon stopped at his side as she looked around.

"Nice park. Looks like it's still in use." She commented before turning to look at him.

"True, but for this time of night it will work for our purposes." He replied as he glanced her way. "Come on; let's head into the trees."

The pair walked along the short cut grass and quickly made it to the tall trees. There were street lights posted around the park that gave just enough light to see while they were among the trees, but not enough not to make what they planned to do a challenge.

"These trees are definitely close enough for what I want." Tuxedo Mask said before he stopped and looked to his soulmate. "I want you to use these trees, use all of this area during our spar." He added.

"Alright." Sailor Moon nodded as she looked up and around at the trees.

She then took a few steps away from him before she turned and faced him and prepared to attack. This time he came at her and started with a simple straight punch, which she blocked and pushed away before spinning around the closest tree and kicking out toward his back.

Tuxedo Mask stepped forward, avoiding the blow, and moved away as he turned around to face her once more.

He had to remind himself that this was a physical spar only, so he couldn't get his rose weapons involved; and definitely couldn't get his other abilities involved. Not only did she not know about them, but revealing them would mean having to explain where they came from.

That could not happen. She was not anywhere near ready to know anything that would be involved in that answer.

He couldn't be blamed though with having to caution himself. This was his soulmate, his little scout, his fellow warrior. He hadn't sparred with her since their previous lifetime, and even then he had to be cautious and hold back because she had been Sailor Moon at the time. A weakened version of herself.

It was only that he remembered her true self, remembered what she was capable of, remembered how it was to engage in a spar with her.

It was exhilarating, entertaining, and exciting. He thought as he watched her cautiously move closer with such an intense focused look in her eyes that he had to remind himself that she did not know who he truly was, so he could not respond the way he wanted to; the way he would have had it been his little scout, Sailor Earth, standing before him.

But perhaps I can respond that way once she figures out that I am her boyfriend. He considered optimistically.

However, that was for a later time. For now his soulmate needed him to train her as a friend and not a lover, so he rushed forward and swung a side kick toward her left side.

Instead of blocking or dodging the incoming strike Sailor Moon stepped toward her companion and slightly swung a fist up at the side of his jaw. He leaned back and quickly pushed her hit away just before it could make contact, and she turned with the motion and swung her elbow back toward him.

He grunted as her elbow collided hard with his chest and she quickly spun back the way she came to back hand him across the face. Unfortunately he ducked under her swinging arm and punched her in the stomach.

She stumbled back and grunted lightly as she felt his foot hit her side. Again she was sent stumbling, this time to the side and toward a tree. She narrowed her eyes and ran toward it, instead of stopping and moving away, as she saw him coming toward her out of the corner of her eye.

As he rushed toward her Tuxedo Mask watched as she placed a booted foot on the trunk of the tree before she ran up it slightly and pushed off into a backflip over him. He tilted his head to watch her progress even as he swung his leg into a back kick hoping to hit her when she landed.

Instead as soon as her feet touched the grassy ground she back stepped, avoiding his foot, and spun around a tree in her momentum before facing him; ready to continue on as if she hadn't been doing slight acrobatics and spins.

He grinned and rushed toward her; proud and pleased with her reactions so far.

Sailor Moon dashed forward and the two began to exchange rapid fire punches. They swung and blocked, pushed aside and tried to go for upper cut punches. After a couple of long minutes of this they added their feet; kicking at each other's legs but also blocking with their legs without dodging away.

It was all so quick and forced them both to multitask, and concentrate so as to not get hit or caught off guard. Gradually they began to move around instead of staying mostly standing in one spot. They neared and rounded trees, used trees as spring boards to get away, and occasionally used a low hanging branch to help get them out of the way of a leg sweep.

They continued to go at it as they exchanged, blocked, and avoided blows for almost half an hour before Tuxedo Mask decided they needed to stop. They both could go on and on but they also both had school in a few hours. The last thing he wanted was to cut their time short when they met up after school because they were both in need of a nap.

"Stop." He called out firmly, and she paused before they both separated. "I believe that is enough for tonight." He added.

"Yeah." Sailor Moon agreed. "I feel like it's getting later, and I know I need to get some sleep before the night is over."

"I feel the same way." He replied as he nodded.

"So how about we head back the way we came." She suggested. "I can continue my patrol, and we can split up halfway like we've done before to head home."

"Alright." Tuxedo Mask agreed with a nod.

With that the two companions began to jog back the way they had originally come to exit the trees and the park altogether.

oOoIRoOo

Tuesday early afternoon dawned for the students at K.O. University as any other day. The morning was just ending and students were walking all around the campus and through the hallways on their way off campus, to the campus library, to find food, or to their next class.

On the third floor of one of the largest buildings students filed into one of the rooms back to back and sometimes sporadically spaced apart. The classroom was large with windows lining the entire wall on the opposite side of the door allowing plenty of natural light into the room.

There were six neat rows of seating with attached desks going all the way to the back of the room allowing plenty of room for all the students attending the class.

As the seats gradually filled up a young man sat at a desk against the wall on the same side as the door. He had black eyes that had a gray tint to them, straight black hair pulled back into a loose ponytail that hung halfway down his back, and wore a dark blue hoody pullover sweater and black jeans.

He sat relaxed leaning slightly on his desk as he gazed around the room before his eyes settled on one of his fellow classmates sitting at the desk directly in front of him. He gazed thoughtfully at his back as he allowed his mind to drift over the realization he had made not many days ago.

He had begun noticing a number of differences in his fellow classmate over the past few weeks and he couldn't help being curious at what was causing them.

The young man, who he knew to be Darien Shields, was quieter than usual, but when he did speak it was almost formal and correct, his posture had greatly improved, he was more polite than was normally necessary, and he had somehow become dignified and poised in his bearing.

He couldn't understand where the changes had come from or why they had happened, but he decided that since class wasn't starting yet he would try to find out without intruding too much.

"Hey Darien?" He said, and watched as he turned sideways in his seat to look back at him. "Are you okay? It's only that you've been different the past few weeks."

Darien raised an eyebrow but wasn't surprised that his fellow classmate had noticed the differences in his personality and behavior. He had observed since the beginning of their acquaintance that Itachi Uchiha was very observant himself.

They were studying different subjects, Itachi studying Law while he was studying Medicine, but in the few classes they had together they usually sat near each other, and talked occasionally since the professors sometimes had them pair up for discussions or some in class project for the class period.

The two of them were similar in personality, which is probably why they had gravitated toward each other in the few classes they shared. Both of them were serious about their studies and focused; something he respected and very much appreciated.

Darien hummed thoughtfully as he gazed at the young man. He decided in that moment to take it as a sign, that he had noticed the changes in him, and befriend him instead of simply remaining as acquaintances. All he had was Andrew as a close friend, but he thought he should probably branch out. The guy gave him a good feeling, and he knew absolutely to trust his instincts.

Yes. This will be a good thing. I need friends. Andrew is not enough, not anymore. Should I be able to get my Generals back that will be a good thing and four friends I can count on who know who I truly am, but I need people who know me in this life who I can learn to trust. He thought.

He knew that he would especially need new friends if he intended to bring his kingdom back from the annals of history. And he absolutely did. It wouldn't happen for a while since he definitely intended on becoming a doctor, but it would happen and it would be best to have friends that could aid him in that goal.

And Serenity would be pleased, will be pleased once she remembers herself, that I am putting myself out there and attempting to make friends. He thought softly.

"I am fine; thank you for asking." Darien finally replied. "Part of the difference is something monumental that I learned about myself. It as well as the resulting changes in my personality and behavior surprised me at first, but I have adapted and become used to it."

His memories coming to the surface was certainly surprising. He would never forget the sharp blinding surprising pain that proceeded them, but he would never regret the pain since it brought him clarity of his true identity.

"The other part of the difference is much simpler." He continued with a small smile. "I managed to get myself a girlfriend."

"Oh really." Itachi said curiously, observant enough to know not to continue questioning what Darien called the first part of the difference in him. Perhaps he would learn over time. "What's her name if you don't mind me asking? And what's she like?"

"I don't mind at all." Darien said, pleased that Itachi had focused on the later explanation instead of the former. "Her name is Serena, and she's a smart, adventurous, and happy young woman. She is absolutely beautiful and has such long hair."

"How long?" Itachi asked curiously.

"I've only seen her hair completely loose once and it went down to her ankles." He said, and watched Itachi's eyes widen. "She normally wears it up, parted into twin buns with the remaining hair streaming down pass her knees."

"Wow. How does she handle that much hair? Doesn't it get in her way? Even up in that style?" Itachi asked with a surprised frown.

"Since I've known her she's had no problem with it. Even the one time I saw it completely loose she seemed to have no problems at all." Darien replied.

"So what school does she go to? Does she go here?" Itachi asked.

"No. She goes to Juuban Municipal High; her last year there." He answered.

"So she's seventeen, eighteen." Itachi said.

"Seventeen." Darien clarified. "She's mature for her age, and the friends she has seem to be just as mature. They are not like a lot of other high school girls; giggly, loud, immature. They have the personality of girls that are already in college."

"Well good for you. She must be having a positive effect on you." He replied.

"She is." Darien confirmed seriously. "I have never been happier in my life."

Itachi smiled, silently pleased for his fellow classmate. Now that he knew looking back he could see that that was also one of the changes in him. Darien smiled more instead of having a more stoic expression on his face. They weren't anything large or obvious, but they were there small and subtle as they were.

As if he would suddenly think of her and couldn't help smiling. He thought as he nodded lightly.

"What about you? Do you have a significant other out there?" Darien asked.

"No unfortunately not." Itachi answered. "There's been a girl here and there, but they were more interested in my looks and what they thought I could do for them rather than any genuine care for me or wanting to get to know me."

"Ah, that is unfortunate." Darien replied sympathetically. "I encountered that same problem before meeting Serena. I'm sure you'll find the right girl without even having to look. That's how it happened for me, because I definitely wasn't looking for her."

And that was the truth. In both lifetimes he had not been looking for her. Although, he had no problem admitting to himself that if he had remembered his past before meeting her he would have certainly gone searching for her.

"Thanks. I guess I'll just have continue living my life, and see who comes along to join me." Itachi said optimistically.

"That's the spirit." Darien agreed. "You know we should start hanging out and studying together. We major in different subjects but that does not mean we cannot study together and help out when we can."

Itachi blinked his eyes slightly wide in surprise at his classmate's words, but it didn't take but a few moments to know that he was all for it. He was a willing loner, an introvert, because most people around his age weren't as serious as he was, and he didn't like doing what most wanted to do; which was drink and party and waste time.

He was serious about his future career, and determined to make it happen. He liked that Darien was the same as well, and thought he would make a good understanding friend. He was sure they would find better things to do rather than get drunk and hungover.

"I would like that. It would definitely be nice to have agreeable company." He said calmly.

"Excellent." Darien said with a small smile.

The two then proceeded to exchanged phone numbers just as the professor entered the room, and agreed to call each other later in the day to plan their first study session.

oOoIRoOo

Sailor Moon sighed lightly as she enjoyed a walk in the garden behind the royal palace of the Moon until she was disturbed by a familiar voice.

"You should stop seeing the Earth Prince. In fact, you need to stop seeing him. It is clearly making our princess upset and unhappy." Sailor Mercury said seriously. "It does not matter if the Queen does not mind; you should still stop seeing him to show your loyalty to our princess."

"Loyalty has nothing to do with it." Sailor Moon countered with a slight frown as she turned around to face her fellow scout. "Selene has feelings for a man who does not care; she is going to be upset and unhappy regardless of what I do. Beyond that my duty is to see to the protection of our princess, even more so than the rest of you considering what I will have to do in certain situations."

"I deserve to be happy any chance I get. I always take any chance I can to be happy, and right now Prince Endymion is making me happy." She continued calmly. "I do not know what the future will bring since I am taking it one day at a time, but I am not going to give up the happiness I have found with him simply because our princess is jealous."

"It is not right! You are hurting Selene; practically flaunting your relationship with the prince in her face." Mercury insisted.

"I am not! I have never sought him out. He has always come to me, and it is usually when our princess is not around or is busy speaking to someone. Selene is simply making a point to know when he is around, and is only hurting herself in the process; especially since she has never even met him." She said.

"She would have met him if you were not monopolizing all of his time." Mercury stated.

"That is a complete fabrication! Prince Endymion can do what he wants, and he clearly wants nothing to do with our princess." Moon countered. "I noticed fairly early on that he was going out of his way to avoid contact of any kind with her."

"He clearly knew of her feelings for him before he introduced himself to me and wanted nothing to do with her. Selene clearly needs to work on getting pass her infatuation with him, and move her attentions to someone who will care about her the way she wants." She continued.

"That is what you should be doing instead of telling me to stop seeing Prince Endymion. You should be encouraging our princess to move on." She insisted. "Even should I stop seeing him, and he suddenly stops having an interest me, that will not change anything for our princess. He is still going to stay away from her."

oOo

"Endymion!" She cried out and hurried toward him, quickly dropping to her knees at his side as she placed a hand on his shoulder and grabbed his hand with the other.

"Why?! Why did you do this?" She asked, angry and sad. "It is my duty to protect my princess!"

"No. It is not your duty and never has been." Endymion said weakly. "You were never supposed to be Sailor Moon. Your destiny was taken from you."

"I do not understand." Sailor Moon said in confusion.

This man had just saved her life, taking a clearly mortal wound for her, and it was clear from his words that he did it for her and not her princess. She had already admitted to herself that she loved him, but seeing him so hurt and knowing he was dying shattered something deep inside her.

They heard a scream and she looked up to see her princess being attacked by an earth soldier. She moved to get up but looked back to Endymion as she felt him squeeze her hand.

Sailor Moon looked frantically between Endymion and her barely struggling princess. She knew she needed to protect her, but her body was already settling back at his side and it made her abruptly aware that his life was more important to her then her princess' was.

"I do not want you to die. You cannot die. I love you too much for you to leave me." She said sadly as she gently ran her fingers through his hair.

"I love you as well my Serenity. I will find you again, and you will remember what we had." He said quietly.

---

Serena's eyes snapped open Saturday morning as her mind released her from the memory dream she had been experiencing.

She stretched as she tried to ignore the sad vibrant feeling coursing through her and sighed. She still felt the unexplainable sadness after waking from each memory dream on top of whatever other emotions the memory inspired.

She still didn't understand that. None of the memories she had recalled so far were sad. Not from the Sailor Moon persona and not from the Sailor Earth persona.

The only thing she was getting from the memories was a slowly growing knowledge of the two sailor scouts, some relevant facts in terms of her fellow scouts and the princess she was supposed to find and protect, and ever growing confusion.

The confusion was the worst. She still couldn't understand how or why she was remembering two different past lives, and it didn't help that the only constant between them was the Earth Prince Endymion.

She recalled Tuxedo Mask's theory that she had actually lived as both personas in one lifetime, and that some power could have made that happen without her knowledge; which would explain why the prince was around both sailor personas and looking exactly the same with the same name.

It was an interesting theory and certainly possible, but she still wasn't so sure about it. How would something like that be possible? Wouldn't others in the past have known she was the same person and wonder why she changed into a different scout?

Or could it have been as simple as switching planets? She thought as she glanced at her clock. No one on the Moon would have known her in her role as Sailor Earth or no one on the Earth would have known her in her role as Sailor Moon.

But I don't even know which identity came first. Was I Sailor Moon first or was I Sailor Earth first? She wondered with a sigh. And none of this answers how the prince could have possibly known if I had lived both personas in the same lifetime. Would he have said anything? Did he, and I could possibly come across that memory at some point?

Then there's the whole issue with the Moon Princess thrown in there. She thought as she turned her mind back to the memory she had just awakened from. The princess apparently liked the prince even though she also apparently had never met him.

He chose Sailor Moon, the guardian warrior, over his fellow royal and apparently Mercury didn't approve of my past self being in a relationship with him. She thought as she shook her head lightly. Mercury saw it as disloyalty to the princess and hurting her feelings.

Part of Serena agreed, but the other part didn't. She thought it strange that her past self had to draw the attention of the one man her princess liked, but the other part thought she had done nothing wrong. Really what was her past self supposed to do? Tell the Prince of the Earth to get lost?

Serena highly doubted that would have happened even if her past self had said something so inappropriate to the man; even if she had been polite and tried to reject him kindly she doubted that would have deterred the man. She thought he would have continued to pursue her; especially if he knew she was only denying him because of her princess.

Still, the memory once again brought to mind what would happen when the princess was found and the prince made an appearance in this life. Would the princess remember the past and not trust her because she had been with the man the royal had wanted in the past?

Already she knew it wouldn't matter if the prince did show up and tried to start something with her again. She was quite happy with Darien and had no intention of giving up her relationship with him for the chance to see if she and the reincarnation of the Earth Prince would work out.

But then she frowned as she recalled that she was also Sailor Earth in the past, and had appeared quite happy with him.

Especially at the engagement musical performance. She thought quietly. She admitted that that could be a problem. If she ended up recalling all of her past as Sailor Earth and those past feelings surfaced when the prince made his appearance she wasn't sure what would happen.

Would she end up having feelings for two men? And if he really was the same prince that had been with her past self as Sailor Moon, and the Moon Princess once again found herself liking him what then?

Ugh! Don't think about it. The prince might not even show up or maybe he'll end up infatuated with the princess, and I won't have to worry about him coming between me and Darien. She thought before firmly turning her mind elsewhere.

Serena had remembered a couple of memories involving Sailor Mercury so far, and with those memories and what she was seeing of her in the present she was quickly finding that she wasn't coming to like her any more than she had before she was awakened as a scout.

I wonder if it'll be any better with the next scout or the rest of them for that matter. She thought as she began to ease herself up into a sitting position.

She wasn't too enthusiastic about her day ahead. Luna had been insistent that she and Amy spend time together, so they could bond and be a stronger team.

Serena wasn't interested. Her decision was made, and she was not going to change it. She would work with Amy as Sailor Mercury when necessary but no more than that. She did not need to be her friend to work with her.

It was like how coworkers that worked together didn't need to be friends to get their jobs done. It would certainly help and make for a better work environment but it was not necessary.

She would go on this outing just to shut Luna up, but she was not about to be buddy buddy with Amy, and she highly doubted she was going to enjoy herself.

I would much rather be spending time with Darien or Molly or Keiko. She thought as she finally pushed her covers back and began to get up to start getting dressed.

oOoIRoOo

Serena and Luna stood at the bottom of the long white concrete stairs leading up to the Cherry Hill Temple waiting for Amy to arrive. It had a white torii gate with a matching short wooden fence at the top with a cherry blossom tree in full pink bloom on either side of the wide gate. They had agreed to meet up at the bottom of the stairs, and go up to enjoy the festival that was happening there together.

As she watched people arriving and heading up the stairs she refrained from shaking her head. She still couldn't believe Luna was trying to force them to bond; to get to know each other better and become friends.

She held back an annoyed sigh. She was adamant it was not going to happen, and she didn't anticipate having a good time at all. Although, she would do her best to enjoy the food and games if not the company she was going to be force to keep.

I wonder what Darien's doing right now. She wondered curiously as she used her senses to scan the area.

She had begun to do that lately. Not waiting for her patrols to try and find dark energy being used. She figured since she could sense it when she wasn't transformed she should try to build up and strengthen the ability when she wasn't transformed as well.

Although, she doubted there would be any dark energy used around the temple it never hurt to be cautious. The last thing she wanted was to be caught off guard.

A few more minutes passed before she finally spotted Amy walking toward her. She was dressed casually in a royal blue sundress with a gray cardigan sweater, white sandals, and a little brown purse hanging from her arm. She herself was wearing skinny dark blue jeans, a purple pullover hooded sweater, white shoes, and had a white purse that hung from a long strap across her chest.

She waved her arm in the air to grab her attention and Amy waved back as she spotted her. She held in a sigh as she prepared to be civil and looked around as she continued to expand her senses to locate any trace of dark energy.

"Hey. Have you been waiting long?" Amy asked she reached her.

"No. We've only been here a few minutes." Serena replied as she gestured to Luna sitting on one of the steps. "So let's go see what's going on up there."

Amy nodded and they turned and began to head up the long set of stairs with Luna following. Once they reached the top they paused to see so many people walking around moving from one booth stand to another, which were spread out across the spacious grounds.

"Maybe one of us should hold Luna so she doesn't get separated from us or stepped on." Serena suggested.

"Yeah." Amy replied as she looked around at the many people. She blinked and knelt down briefly and swept the feline into her arms before she stood back up.

Serena nodded and they moved forward to begin exploring the festival. As they played a game here and there they talked about school, tentative plans for after graduation, and what they did for fun. The subject of their secret lives as sailor scouts wasn't brought up, and Serena didn't mention her boyfriend at all since she wasn't interested in talking about him with Amy.

It was civil talk that as far as she was concerned gave the impression that they were learning about each other, but didn't really give anything away. She certainly didn't need Amy knowing anything about her personal life; especially when she was suspicious of her. Luna barely knew anything personal despite living with her.

"Serena." She heard a surprised feminine voice say and she turned her head away from the side where she was eyeing a food stand, and saw a young woman standing with a couple other young women.

She had blue eyes, and was her height with long wavy black hair with a blue tint. She was wearing a red sweater blouse, a white handkerchief hem skirt that went just pass her knees, and white tennis shoes.

"Kagome." Serena said in surprise as she recognized her friend.

They hurried toward each other with grins and hugged each other tightly and swayed back and forth as they laughed and said how good it was to see each other. It having been months since they had seen or spoken to each other.

"So is Hojo still cluelessly chasing you?" Serena asked as they parted.

"Unfortunately yes. No matter what I tell him he won't give up." Kagome said as she shook her head with an exasperated sigh. "But it hasn't all just been him chasing me. I met a gorgeous guy a few weeks ago. His name is Sesshomaru, and I really like him."

"Really?" Serena said excitedly.

"Yeah." Kagome said as she blushed helplessly. "He's been so attentive and gentlemanly."

"Good for you." Serena said happily. "I actually met a guy too, and we've been dating for a few weeks now; well a couple of months really."

"What's his name?" Kagome asked with a grin.

"Darien." Serena answered. "He's so cute. I'm talking tall, dark, and handsome. And he's a complete gentleman and romantic." She added with a dreamy sigh.

Kagome squealed quietly. "You look so happy just talking about him." She said.

"I am. I am so happy with him." Serena with a soft smile that didn't do her happiness justice, and her friend nodded.

"So who's the girl?" Kagome asked with a subtle shift of her head in Amy's direction; her voice quiet since they were still standing close together away from their friends. She didn't bother introducing her own friends since they had already met her briefly a while back.

Serena pursed her lips. "She's a new friend I'm not entirely happy with, so I'm not going to bother introducing you to her." She said with a slight frown, her voice just as quiet, but then she grinned. "My boyfriend on the other is one I want to introduce you to. I've already introduced him to Molly and he likes her, and Molly approves of him and his treatment of me."

"Has he met your family yet or is it too soon for that?" Kagome asked curiously.

"He has seen my mom when he picked me up for dates, but he only recently formally met my parents when he picked me up for an evening date." Serena said. "I learned later that my dad was surprised that I was going on a date let alone that I had a boyfriend. He hasn't exactly been happy about that since then."

"Was it formal? The date?" Kagome asked curiously, and watched her friend nod.

"Very. I'm talking evening dress, suit and tie, presenting me with flowers, and a fancy restaurant." Serena informed her.

"Wow. I can't wait for a date like that with Sesshomaru." Kagome said longingly, imagining him in a suit and tie before she shook her head. "I want to introduce you to him, because he almost defies words. I'm still having a hard time believing that he actually cares for me and wants me."

"I can't wait." Serena replied with a smile. "Maybe we can all go on a double date."

"I would love that." Kagome agreed. "We should talk about it in more detail later." She added, and Serena nodded.

"I'll call you later tonight. We should both be home by then." She said.

"Alright. I'm looking forward to your call already." Kagome said with a smile.

oOo

Off to the side at a slight distance two young women blended into the gathered crowd at the temple as they subtly watched Serena. They had discovered through the truth mirror that she would be attending the festival, and they decided it was a good time to do some in person reconnaissance.

They had seen her arrive and saw that with her was a young woman with short blue hair and a black cat with a crescent moon on its forehead. The cat had some connection with the Moon Princess or the Moon Kingdom of the past, so the young woman obviously had to be involved.

Michelle subtly summoned her mirror and held it up as if she was using it to look at herself and shifted it to aim at the young blue haired woman. The reflected glass showed the young woman holding the cat and just behind her the transparent yet colorful figure of Sailor Mercury appeared.

With that silent confirmation of her identity Michelle lowered her mirror and the pair looked toward Serena. From the looks of it she was in the middle of reuniting with a friend, one she hadn't seen in some time, since it looked reminiscent of the meeting she had at the museum with the young woman Keiko.

"I wonder if she's getting along with the girl who is Mercury." Amara said as they watched Serena speaking to her friend. "She doesn't seemed interested in introducing the two of them."

"She is not being introduced to that girls friends." Michelle calmly pointed out.

"I guess we will see." Amara said as they continued to watch.

oOo

Amy stood back with Luna in her arms both of them watching Serena hugging and talking to the girl that had called her name.

"Who do you think that is?" Luna asked.

"A friend she hasn't seen for a while from the looks of it." Amy replied quietly, not interested in been seen talking to a cat.

"I wonder what they're talking about." Luna said as she saw the unknown possible friend smiling and blushing. She could even see Serena smiling when she shifted in a way that allowed them to see the side of her face.

That was how Luna thought Serena and Amy should be. Smiling and laughing together and having a good time. She had hoped that was what would happen during this outing. They had talked and smiled here and there, but it was nothing like what Serena was doing with the girl she was talking to right now.

What was worse is that she couldn't tell if it was Amy that was holding back or Serena; or even if it was a mutual unspoken thing. She didn't understand it. Why wouldn't they want to get to know each other better and become friends?

They were scouts, and they would be working together for the foreseeable future. Depending on the enemy they would doing a lot of fighting together, and when the princess was found they would be spending time together while they protected her.

Perhaps the situation will improve with more scouts joining them. Luna thought as she held in a sigh and looked away.

She blinked as her eyes landed on a young woman standing at a distance off to their side. She had long black hair that trailed down pass her back, and was wearing red and white priestess robes. She was too far for her to get a clear look at her eyes, but what she did see very clearly was the symbol for the planet Mars glowing a bright red on her forehead.

She gasped in surprise. "Amy. Another scout has been found." She said excitedly.

"What?!" Amy said in surprise as she looked down at the feline.

"Over there, in the priestess robes." Luna replied as she gestured with a paw. "She's slender with long black hair, and looks pretty calm." She added as she watched the young woman talk to a couple, appearing to be giving them directions.

Amy spotted her and looked at her curiously. She looked a bit stoic in her opinion instead of calm, but she was a beautiful young woman.

Which scout is she? She wondered, and parted her lips to ask when Serena joined them.

"Another scout has been found!" Luna said before Serena could say anything.

"Really?! Where?" Serena asked in surprise as she shifted her eyes all around the immediate area.

"In the priestess robes over there." Luna answered as she gestured with her paw again.

Serena turned and searched, her eyes flickering around for the described clothes, and as her eyes landed on the young woman a scene almost immediately began to play through her mind.

oOo

Sailor Moon walked down the hallway in the late evening as she headed toward her room in the Moon Palace after returning from spending the day with Prince Endymion. As she turned the corner into another hallway she spotted Sailor Mars standing outside of what she knew to be the fire scouts room.

"Good evening Mars." She greeted politely as she went to pass her.

"You should stay away from the Earth Prince." Sailor Mars said. "Stop going off with him, and simply stop seeing him at all."

"Why should I?" Sailor Moon asked as she slowed to a stop. After all she was just getting used to his constant attention even though she was still a bit disbelieving that a prince was interested in her.

"Because you are betraying our princess! He is the man Selene cares for! You had to go after the one man our princess is interested in." Mars said.

"We are not supposed to get close to any man or fall for any man since it will interfere with our duty. And as far as I can see your association with him is distracting you from your duty. I have seen you with him multiple times when you should be guarding our princess." She added.

"For one, I am not going after him; he is coming after me." Sailor Moon said with a frown. "And second, if you have such a problem with it you should speak to our Queen since she is the one allowing him to pursue me and approach me whenever he pleases regardless of the time of day or whatever event is taking place."

"And I am not betraying our princess. Selene has not even met the man, and I certainly cannot help that his interest lay with me instead." She added.

"You should introduce them instead of seeing him yourself and getting in the way!" Mars hissed.

"I am not getting in the way. Prince Endymion seems uninterested in meeting our princess, and I am actually beginning to suspect he is deliberately avoiding her." Sailor Moon said.

oOo

Sailor Mars. She thought as she blinked to focus back on the present. Another scout that didn't seem to approve of my past self seeing the prince. Although, I now know for sure that the princess hadn't met the man, but I still worry about how that will affect the present.

Will the princess not trust her because of the past relationship between her and the prince? And the present Mercury was already suspicious of her simply because she had an ability she didn't reveal to her; what of when she remembered the past? Considering Amy did this mean this present version of Mars would be suspicious of her as well? Even before remembering the past?

Serena didn't know and she didn't know how she felt about it. She supposed she should wait and see if she actually liked the girl before she decided if she would let her possible opinion have any effect on her.

"How do you want to approach her?" She asked as she turned her eyes back to Luna.

"Well..." Luna began, and Amy looked to her as well.

oOo

Among the thick and numerous trees lining the edge of the Cherry Hill Temple, to the left of the long stairs leading up to the property, was a single tree that didn't belong. It looked just as the others around it did, but it was not one of them.

It was in fact a female monster in disguise, and she was watching and waiting for the perfect time to strike.

She had been ordered to pick a location and gather as much human energy as possible. From what she had overheard the festival that was currently taking place would have been the best location. It would provide dozens and dozens of humans for her to drain.

Now subtly looking out from her disguise she could see that she was correct. There was in fact dozens and dozens of humans walking around without a care in the world. All she had to do now that so many were here was to decide when to start gathering energy.

There was so much! They were overflowing with it. Her master would be so very pleased.

Before her thoughts could continue a couple came strolling near her, and practically stopped to stand right in front of her, and began to kiss. That was the word she had heard humans refer to when they pressed their lips together. It was strange as far as she was concerned, but she was there for their energy not to judge their behaviors.

Since they were distracted with each other she chose that moment to strike. Her thick branch limbs reached out quickly and snatched them up; her limbs curling around them as if the wood she was made of was stretchy, lifting them into the air on either side of her, their confused and terrified screams echoing around her.

oOo

Before Luna could continue terrified screams from somewhere behind them briefly silenced the gathering around them. People looked around and shared confused looks before more screaming began to be heard.

Serena frowned as she tried to see over heads, her mind beginning to understand what was happening, and stretched out her senses. As soon as she did she began to feel it. Dark energy began to creep toward her like an invisible vapor of smoke coming from the direction she was looking.

"I'm sensing dark energy. There's a monster, at the least, over there somewhere." She said urgently.

"You're just now sensing it?!" Amy said suspiciously.

"Yes! It either just showed up or it was hiding and not doing anything; which means it wasn't giving off any energy to sense!" Serena snapped.

"Girls!" Luna called their attention to her. "Now is not the time. You need to go transform and deal with whatever it is. Amy put me down; I need to stay close to the reincarnation of Mars in order to awaken her."

Serena turned and dashed away without another word blending and weaving into the running crowd as she looked for a place she could transform without being seen. She soon found herself dashing into the trees that apparently surrounded the property, and outstripping everyone else that thought to do the same.

Deeper and deeper she ran, swerving around trees and leaping over bushes, until all became quiet. She slowed to a stop and ducked down before looking round to make sure she was alone. Once she was sure she pulled her brooch from her purse, and looked around once more before she returned her eyes to the large piece of jewelry.

"Moon Prism Power!" She said and squinted slightly as bright pink light instantly flared from the brooch and surrounded her. When the light cleared she stood up and looked down at herself to make sure she was dressed appropriately.

Since she found she now stood as Sailor Moon she took off running once again; back tracking as she made her way back through the trees toward the grounds where the festival was. She passed people hunkered down and hiding among the trees and bushes, obviously because they couldn't get away or didn't want to chance getting caught in the attempt.

Once she cleared the tree line she jumped up to the roof of the closest building and began to leap from rooftop to rooftop of the small buildings scattered around the temple grounds as she followed her senses to the source of dark energy.

She came to a stop on what she thought was probably the main temple building and steadied herself on the slop of shingles as she looked around for the gathering of dark energy. Her eyes shifted around but stopped suddenly as she spotted the source; a monster standing near the tree line.

It had the figure of a female, what with the shape of its chest and the way it held itself, and looked to be made or modeled after a leafless tree with stems sticking out of its hips and shoulders. It had dark brown bark with arms and legs that tapered off into thin stems where the hands should have been and thin short root-like branches where the feet should have been.

It had a smooth flat face with no nose, solid glowing green eyes, and short branches that swooped back and curled slightly in a mockery of hair.

Looking at it Sailor Moon figured with its appearance the monster had hid itself among the surrounding trees before attacking. She pulled off her tiara and charged it as she continued to look at the monster.

It had two struggling people in its clutches, tree branches somehow wrapped around their middle, holding them up above its head on either side of it.

As her tiara morphed into a glowing white disk and floated above her fingertips she turned her eyes away from the monster and its victims to look around for Mercury. She didn't see her anywhere, and since there were actually no more standing people around the monster, she decided to engage the monster.

She threw her tiara hard as she aimed for the branches holding the victim to her left, and watched as it sped forward and easily sliced through the branches causing the woman to fall to the ground.

Sailor Moon aimed her hand at her spinning weapon to help her better concentrate, and sensed the thread connecting her to her tiara and used that to will it to move as she wanted. Immediately her tiara curved around and streaked toward the branches to her right holding the man.

They sliced through the wood limbs and the man fell to the ground. Both victims scrambled to their feet and took off running as they pushed off the crumbling circle of wood around their waists.

The monster screamed in anger as it narrowed its glowing eyes up at her. It raised an arm toward her and launched a series of short thin pointed branches toward her.

Sailor Moon grasped her tiara as it returned to her and jumped down from the roof, letting the speeding pointed branches pass over her head, before she landed lightly on the ground. As soon as she had her footing stable she threw her tiara at the monster aiming for its chest, and waited to see what more she was dealing with.

The tree monster dodged out of the way and before she could redirect her tiara toward its back it was launching more of those thin pointed branches at her. She dodged to the side herself as she willed her tiara to return to her, and she grabbed it out of the air as it reached her but the monster was already attacking again.

Its mouth opened and a glob of orange gold came shooting out of its mouth at her.

Sailor Moon had all of a few seconds to lean her head to the side and turn her head as she attempted step to the side to start dodging. The glob flew past her face so fast that she felt the breeze of its passing against her nose.

She looked over as she finished dodging and saw it slam into the trunk of a tree and embed itself into the bark. The small view she got before she turned back to face the monster revealing that it had been a glob of amber that clearly hardened on impact; which was sure to make for a better chance at damaging a person.

Alright this monster is dangerous; more so than the previous ones. She thought, and refrained from closing her eyes warily as she eyed the monster. And here all I have is my tiara.

In these first few moments against the monster she had already discovered that it moved too fast for her to even use her tiara, despite learning to control it, without it being distracted. It would easily dodge unless it didn't see it coming, and she couldn't direct it toward its back if she was busy dodging its speedy attacks.

And dodging and being very aware was obviously essential if she didn't want to die from its attacks, so she was going to have to wait for it to be distracted to get in a lethal hit.

Sailor Moon narrowed her eyes and threw her tiara at the monster; knowing it would dodge but needing to do something to create an opening.

Her tiara flew through the air speeding toward the monster fast, but not fast enough since the tree creature had plenty of time to move out of the way. Actually it appeared to have stepped aside like the tiara wasn't speeding toward it.

I wish I could throw faster! She thought in frustration. She was throwing it as hard and fast as she could, but it wasn't fast enough with this monster.

The monster in turn raised its arm and the short pointed branches from before came shooting out from the middle of the stubs that made up the area where its hand would be.

Sailor Moon dashed to her left and glanced toward her tiara as it was making its way back toward her. She raised her hand toward it and willed it back toward the monster; to curve and go at it from the side. She stopped and narrowed her eyes as she focused on her tiara to make sure it went where she wanted it to go.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" Came the familiar loud voice of Sailor Mercury, and she glanced over to see the blue scout coming out of the trees behind the monster.

The potential for the element of surprise was ruined by her calling out her attack, but it also ruined Sailor Moon's attack on it as it caused the monster to spin around. Her tiara missed its side, passing through the area where it would have been, and rapidly gliding through the air just behind its back.

The monster moved out of the way of the quickly moving stream of bubbly fog, allowing them to pass it by harmlessly, and shot a scattering of short thin pointed branches at the new arrival.

Mercury barely got out of the way as she dove to the ground to her left, and as she was doing that Sailor Moon directed her tiara around and sent it toward the monster's side again. This time it slammed into the monster's side and it screeched in surprised pain as it turned causing the glowing spinning weapon to skid off it and away into the air.

The monster again lifted its arm and shot a scattering of short thin pointed branches in her direction as well as parting its lips and shooting another glob of amber at her.

Sailor Moon's eyes widened and she dove to the ground to her left and rolled into a crouch so she was again facing the monster and her back was to the temple building she had jumped from earlier. As she was willing her tiara to return to her the monster again open its mouth and shot a glob of amber at her.

She jumped up as high as she could and saw the glob slam into the ground and embed into the concrete where she had been. She shifted her eyes upward and snatched her tiara out of the air as it reached her and threw it down toward the monster while she was still up in the air.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" Sailor Mercury yelled as she aimed her hands at the back of the monster's legs.

The monster moved out of the way as it turned toward her, causing her stream of bubbles and Moon's tiara to miss it. It opened its mouth and before she could blink it shot a glob of orange gold something at her.

Having seen what that had done to the spot Moon had been crouched in she quickly dove away, almost throwing herself to the side, and then continued to roll as she caught of glimpse of the pointed branches headed her way.

Sailor Moon landed lightly on the ground and sprinted slightly to her right as the monster turned back to face her and immediately started shooting the short thin pointed branches her way.

She snatched her tiara out of the air as it returned to her as she stopped running, and threw it again aiming for the monster's arms this time; hoping to slice them off and take away at least one of its attacks.

The monster quickly shifted to the side, and she was beginning to suspect that it could only move from side to side and front and back. Looking at its legs she didn't think they could bend, and it they couldn't bend then it couldn't jump.

It raised its arm in her direction and she tensed slightly and prepared to dodge what was coming, but blinked in surprise to see the monster's arm suddenly fly up and the short pointed branches went shooting into the air.

She blinked again and finally saw the line that was leading away from the monster's arm and off to the side. She followed it until her eyes landed on Tuxedo Mask, and realized the line was actually his whip which was firmly gripped in his gloved hand.

Sailor Moon looked away from him and found her glowing tiara headed back to her. She lifted her hand and held her palm out toward it and willed it back toward the monster. She guided its movement and directed it until it sliced right through the raised arm taking it clean off as she originally intended.

The monster screamed in obvious pain, but thankfully they didn't have to endure the sight of blood coming out of the wound.

As Sailor Moon willed her tiara back toward her Tuxedo Mask took advantage of the monster's distraction, and raised his free hand with his palm facing the monster and sent numerous sharp red rose petals spraying out toward the monster. They spun rapidly through the air before they riddled the monster's chest and face.

The monster screamed again, and while it was busy screaming Mercury raised her hands toward it.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" She yelled and sent the stream of bubble fog toward the monster's remaining arm.

oOo

Raye Hino was shocked at what was happening at her family temple. One moment all was going well with the festival and the next moment people started screaming.

She did her best to direct people away from the direction people were running from and where the screams seemed to be coming from, and then she did her best to hide when she got a look at what was causing the commotion.

She still didn't know what it was, but it looked like some sort of tree creature. Its green glowing eyes were eerie and it was moving fast. Something that was demonstrated when it caught a couple that was trying to run away, and the very reason she had decided to hide instead of running as well.

The next thing she knew the man and woman were falling to the ground after something glowing cut them free. She followed the glowing object and watched it be caught by a woman dressed as a skimpy scout with extremely long hair standing on the roof of the main temple building.

As the woman jumped down from the rooftop, avoiding what looked like thin wooden stakes, she couldn't help wondering who she was. She was moving fast as she grabbed the glowing object and moved out of the way of the sticks the creature shot at her.

She continued to watch, her eyes slightly wide, and covered her mouth to hold in a gasp as the woman narrowly avoided being hit with some kind of round object the creature spat out of its mouth. She gasped into her hand as she heard whatever it was slam into a tree.

So dangerous! She thought in shock. That could have been her face!

She watched as the woman continued to fight the monster, and then her eyes widened as another woman arrived and started fighting as well. They were dressed the same, but the new woman was wearing blue and white where the first woman was wearing blue, white, and red. She also had much shorter blue hair as opposed to the first woman's long golden blond hair.

The two women were moving around so fast to her eyes, and the tree creature was moving just as fast if not faster. It was surprising and shocking and she couldn't pull her eyes away; especially when the first woman with the long hair managed to hit the creature with her glowing object.

"You could help them you know." She heard a feminine voice say from right next to her where she knelt on the ground.

She jumped so hard that in the process of turning to see who was talking to her she slammed herself against the side of the game booth stand she was hiding against. Her eyes shifted around quickly but all she saw in her immediate area was a black cat with a golden crescent moon on its forehead.

"You can." The cat said, and she gasped in shock as she actually saw that cats mouth move.

"What...what are you?!" Raye asked in shock.

"I am a feline of course; the one who made those young women into the scouts they are." The cat said.

"And you can talk." Raye said, still shocked.

"Yes I can." The cat said calmly. "My name is Luna. I saw you earlier before that monster attacked, and immediately realized that you are one of the chosen ones I have been searching for."

"You are a sailor scout." She continued seriously.

"A sailor scout? That's what they are?" Raye asked as she cautiously looked around the booth stand to see the women still fighting the creature.

"Yes." Luna answered. "Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury."

"And what is a sailor scout exactly?" Raye asked as she looked back to the feline; still shocked that a cat was talking to her.

"A sailor scout is a warrior, one of a group of female warriors, charged with the duty to support and protect the Moon Princess." Luna said seriously.

"A sailor scout." Raye said quietly.

"Yes. Sailor Mars to be specific." Luna said firmly. "The symbol is even now glowing brightly on your forehead."

"And you believe I can help them? You think I can fight like them?" Raye asked as she glanced back to the fighting before returning her eyes to the cat.

"Absolutely." Luna said instantly. "You have been a warrior before, and those instincts will come through."

Raye sighed as she looked away from the cat, Luna, and back to the fight. Did she want to join those women? Did she want to help fight that creature, that monster as Luna had referred to it, and risk her life?

If this cat is to be believed then I am Sailor Mars, so I should be able to do what those two women are doing. She thought as she watched the scouts and monster. I have so many questions though; especially about protecting some princess. Do I want to commit to this without those answers?

Because she knew that if she wanted to help then there was no time to get those answers. She would need to go now and talk more with Luna, and the other scouts she supposed, later.

I need proof though. She decided. She says I'm Sailor Mars, and that I have a symbol on my forehead, but I need to see something.

"Proof. I need proof that I am what you say I am." Raye said, and watched the feline nod.

"Very well. I'll give it to you." Luna said before she jumped up suddenly and did a backflip in the air. There was a brief flash of light and a red object appeared and fell out of the air toward the young woman.

"That is your transformation pen." She said as she watched the pen fall into the young woman's hands. "All you have to say is 'mars power' and you will become Sailor Mars."

Raye looked at the pen and saw that it was red on the bottom half and gold on the top half with the planetary symbol for Mars engraved at the top within a circle. She wondered idly if that was the symbol Luna was talking about glowing on her forehead.

It was a nice, interesting, looking pen. Heavier than it looked but still nice, and more importantly she thought it felt 'right' in her hand. She couldn't explain it better than that, so she took that as a sign that she was right to agree to this.

"Mars Power!" Raye said as she held the pen out in front of her, and blinked and jerked her head back as red light flashed and amazingly fire came streaming out of the top of the pen.

The fire swirled around her before rings of fire formed up and down around the length of her body before tightening close and flashing causing her to close her eyes. When the light cleared behind her closed eyelids she opened her eyes and saw right away that she was dressed very differently than she had been.

She now looked just like the other two scouts except for small differences. Her color was red as opposed to the blue, red, and white, and blue and white of the other two scouts. Instead of knee high boots she was wearing red high heel pumps, the bow on her chest was purple, and she was wearing dangling earrings.

She lightly touched her stomach wear the white fabric of her tight bodysuit stretched over it, and took in her short red skirt that covered the top of her thighs. Her hands and forearms were covered in long white gloves with red borders ending just below her elbows, and she could just see the red collar draped over her shoulders with a white stripe on it.

"Alright. I guess I am Sailor Mars." She said as she blinked her eyes wide and looked to Luna.

"Yes. Yes you are. Now go aid your fellow scouts, and we can talk more and answer any questions you have once the monster has been taken care of." Luna said. "And don't forget to follow your instincts!"

Raye nodded and stood up and took a deep breath and let it out before she stepped out from her hiding spot and ran toward the fighting.

oOo

As the screams started Amara and Michelle exchanged a look before they nodded and slipped away between the buildings before people started running.

They moved quickly and eventually found themselves dashing into the tree line behind a house that was at the back of the main temple building. Once out of sight they quickly transformed and made their way back to the scene that they were positive would involve a fight soon.

Sure enough when they arrived a monster that looked like a leafless dried up tree was sucking energy from a man and a woman. They planted themselves in a high tree that concealed them yet also gave them a clear view of everything happening, and the ability to see anyone arriving or leaving the area.

Within a minute or two they saw Serena, now transformed, running toward the scene and leaping rooftops from their right. After taking in the monster she immediately engaged it with her transformed tiara before avoiding a returning attack.

As they watched they were both once again impressed with Sailor Moon's reaction time. This monster and its attacks were faster than the previous monsters they had seen the reincarnation of Sailor Earth fight, and she was only just avoiding the attacks but what was important was that she was moving at the right time to avoid an injury.

Not long after that Sailor Mercury arrived and it was clear that she still acted like a supporting fighter rather than a front line fighter. She still called out her attack, drawing the monster's attention to her when a silent attack would have been more appropriate.

Not only that but in doing so it caused her attack to be easily avoided, and when Sailor Moon happened to be attacking her attempt missed since the monster was moving to avoid the shouted attack.

"Look over there." Michelle said as she gestured with a nod in a direction away from the fighting.

Amara looked over and spotted a young woman in priestess robes kneeling on the ground, clearly hiding from the action, but what was important was that she appeared to be speaking to the black cat that had been with Serena and the reincarnation of the scout of Mercury.

"She's likely a new found guardian scout." She commented, and Michelle nodded.

They turned their attention back to the fight, but also kept an eye on the young woman and cat, and watched as Sailor Moon avoided an attack by the monster by jumping into the air. Impressively she caught her tiara and launched it at the monster and all while still in the air.

It was unfortunate that Mercury once again called out her attack, which made the monster move. Still, Sailor Moon landed fine and once again avoided an attack, but so did the monster when she retaliated.

Then their attention was caught when they noticed the reincarnated Earth Prince come running out from around the side of a building close to the fight, and immediately produce a flower whip and redirected the monster's attack up in the air and away from Sailor Moon.

Shifting their focus briefly back to the young woman and the cat they saw the area surrounded in red light and fire, which told them that she was in fact a guardian scout; Sailor Mars in fact.

Michelle kept her eyes on the newly awakened Sailor Mars, but Amara turned her attention back to the fight in time to see Sailor Moon's tiara slice through the monster's arm that was being held by Tuxedo Mask's whip and cut it off.

The monster's screams brought Michelle's attention back to it and they both watched as Tuxedo Mask sprayed the monster with rose petals that cut into it, and Mercury follow that up by sending her ice bubble attack at its free arm.

They would have aimed that attack at the monster's head or back to engulf its chest, but they were working with a full set of memories of exactly what they were capable of and how best to use their abilities.

Michelle decided to take that moment to summon her truth mirror. It appeared in her gloved hand and she held it up in Sailor Moon's direction to see if anything had changed since the first time they had viewed her in person through the mirror while transformed.

They looked through the reflective glass as it showed Sailor Moon standing there, and just as before they saw a figure form behind her within the glass. Within moments the figure solidified into the same female scout as before; sailor suit, white cape, and long loose hair hanging down her back.

The figure of Sailor Earth still had her eyes closed, as if sleeping, and was surrounded in a muted white light. Nothing had changed, which meant of course Sailor Moon, Serena, was still unaware of her true identity.

They shared a frown as Michelle lowered her mirror, and looked on the fight scene.

"Do you think that light surrounding her is the power of the silver crystal?" She asked quietly.

"It must be considering what happened in the past." Amara said, her frown still in place as she gazed at Sailor Moon. "I'm beginning to wonder if she will be able to remember herself without it being removed."

"And the only one who can do that is the Moon Princess." Michelle said with a light sigh.

The reincarnation of the royal hadn't been found yet, and who knew if she would even remember the past when found let alone how to use the crystal. Plus, who knew if she would only remember one version of the past or both.

And if she recalls the past where Sailor Moon never existed then she is unlikely to change that since it will mean no competition for the Earth Prince. Michelle considered. Not that it would matter since the Earth Prince knows who he is. He will want no part of her.

---

Everyone watched as the monster's remaining arm began to freeze, and before the monster could react Tuxedo Mask summoned a rose and threw it sharply at the frozen limb; shattering it so it fell to the ground as useless frozen shards of wood.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" A feminine voice shouted.

A fireball came flying through the air toward the monster, but said monster easily dodged it before retaliating with a scattering of globs of amber from its mouth that everyone managed to avoid.

Tuxedo Mask glanced at the new scout having vaguely wondered when she would join the fight. Before he arrived he had of course looked in on the scene because as soon as he sensed his Serenity transform he could tell that he was far from her location. Not as far as when she went on her school field trip, but still far enough away that it would take time to get there.

Naturally he used his connection to the Earth and checked out the location to see where she was and what was happening, so he knew where he could teleport in safely and without being seen.

In the process he had seen her confronting the monster, the girl that was Sailor Mercury transforming, and the cat that made his Serenity Sailor Moon speaking to a young woman. That told him that that young woman was likely another guardian scout that had just been found.

In addition to that he had once again seen the scouts of Neptune and Uranus hanging back concealed and watching what was happening.

He still didn't see or sense any ill will from them, but he was curious as to why exactly they were watching once again. Were they still just observing his soulmate or all of the scouts now? Or were they watching him as well?

Would they eventually join the fights or were they waiting for the Moon Princess to be found?

If they were waiting for that royal then his neutrality and disregard toward them would be over. He would begin to view them just as he did the guardian scouts; as people to watch and protect his Serenity from.

After all, he had never met them in the past. He did not know where their loyalties lay at present nor what it was they wanted. At the very least the two scouts bore watching themselves even as they observed everyone else.

He looked again at the new scout before he looked to his soulmate and then focused on the monster. He would not let any of them harm his Serenity! She had dealt with enough in the past, even if she was unaware of part of it, and she would not deal with it again in this time!

Sailor Mercury looked over to the new scout as the monster dodged the fireball, and took in the red color of her uniform. Unlike her and Sailor Moon the new scout was wearing high heels instead of knee high boots, but everything else looked the same.

What scout is she? Which planet is she representing? She wondered before she focused back on the monster.

Sailor Moon glanced over at the red scout that ran up and stood in the area between her and Mercury. Clearly Sailor Mars' power was fire judging by the fireball that sped by. She hoped her reflexes were good since what this monster had left to attack with was just as dangerous as what it had lost.

The monster started to spin in place somehow on its root-like feet and Sailor Moon immediately ducked. Tuxedo Mask followed suit knowing what was coming next just as well as she did.

Orange gold streaks came shooting out in a circle passing quickly through the air. They were moving so quickly that Mercury and Mars managed to duck just in time to avoid the speeding globs of amber striking them.

The monster stopped spinning and since it was facing Tuxedo Mask it sped in his direction. He quickly spun away, ducking in the process just to make sure he avoided any possibly attacks, wishing he could use his sword at the very least in his arsenal of weapons and abilities.

But I cannot. He reminded himself as he summoned a rose. His sword and energy abilities aside from the ones inspired by his roses were off limits until his Serenity remembered herself.

He threw his rose at the monster and the flower hit it in the side as it turned and exploded causing the monster to scream. The monster opened its mouth, preparing to send another glob of amber, but caught a flash out of the corner of its eyes and sped forward in time to miss the glowing white disk speeding for its face.

The monster continued to speed forward and found itself facing the scout in blue. It parted its lips angrily and shot a glob of orange gold amber at her head.

Sailor Mercury's eyes widened as she realized what the monster was about to do. Her hands were already raised, preparing to attack, but she quickly moved to the side before she steadied herself and attacked.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" She yelled and sent a stream of bubble fog in the monster's direction.

However, her eyes widened in horror as she missed the monster because of its speed and realized her attack was headed straight for her fellow scout since she had been across from her when she attacked.

Tuxedo Mask's eyes widened as he saw the attack miss the monster and head straight for his soulmate. He quickly looked to her and saw that she was distracted by reaching for her returning tiara, likely thinking she was fine since the monster's back was to her.

Already having a rose in his hand, preparing to throw it at the monster's back, he instead summoned his rose whip with barely a thought in his urgent need. It grew rapidly, stretching as thorns sprouted along the length, and flung it toward his right while it was still growing.

It sailed through the air, speeding toward the unaware scout just as she was realizing the danger she was in, before it coiled around her waist. As soon as it was secure he yanked back with all his strength, jerking his soulmate toward him.

Sailor Moon could only gasp as she suddenly found herself speeding through the air. Everything happening so fast that her mind was still trying to register the fact that Mercury's attack had been heading toward her. She had never thought she would be in danger of friendly fire, and could only imagine what would have happened if she were hit with that attack.

She slammed into a solid warm surface and firm arms wrapped around her to steady her. She knew immediately who it was and who was responsible for saving her. She put a hand on one of his arms and tried to take a breath only to realize she was nearly panting and her heart was racing.

"Are you alright?" His deep voice breathed in her ear, sounding as breathless as she was.

"That's debatable, but there's nothing I can do about it right now." She said as she felt him release her from his hold.

"Well, I guess I will have to be satisfied that you were not hit." Tuxedo Mask said as he unwound his whip from her waist.

Sailor Mars stared in surprise at what just happened. Sailor Moon, from the looks of it from the crescent moons on her, was just saved by the masked man from being hit by Sailor Mercury's attack. It was a close call too! If he hadn't reacted when he did Sailor Moon would have been hit. She knew now that she had to be careful of not just the monster's attack but her fellow scouts as well.

Turning her attention back to the monster she ducked down as it shot a glob of orange gold amber her way, and lifted her hands as she knelt on the ground.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" She called out as she aimed at the monster sending a ball of fire flying through the air.

Off in the distance in their concealed perch Amara and Michelle's eyes widened as they watched the happenings. Getting rid of the monster's arms was a good idea since it took away one of its attacks, but after the Earth Prince successfully avoided the monster and attacked it and Sailor Moon unsuccessfully attack it they were then shocked when Sailor Mercury's attack missed the monster and headed straight for Sailor Moon.

They didn't even have time to hold their breath in worry before the Earth Prince was reacting, slinging his rose whip toward her before it was even finished growing and pulling her to safety.

They exchanged a frown at how close that was, and what would have happened had he been any slower. She would have been hit and likely would have had her chest frozen at the very least and at the most it would have spread. They highly doubted this reincarnation of Sailor Mercury had the skill or speed to undo it before it became deadly.

"Do you think that would've been different if she remembered who she truly was?" Michelle asked calmly.

"Yes." Amara answered instantly. "I think she would have been wary and aware enough of her surroundings to have detected the attack coming, and likely would have been out of the way before it even reached her."

The monster dodged the fireball before once again spinning in a circle and shooting out globs of orange gold amber from its mouth. Everyone still standing ducked down, and since Sailor Mars was still kneeling she simply launched her attack.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" She yelled as she sent a fireball shooting out of her fingers and toward the spinning monster. It slammed into the monster where its back and chest were and a screeching scream ripped through the air.

Sailor Moon reached up from where she knelt and grasped her tiara since it had thankfully avoided Mercury's wayward attack and followed her when she was pulled to safety. Then she threw it at the monster as it was still spinning, hitting it in its torso, causing the monster to scream again before it came to a stop.

Tuxedo Mask stood up as soon as the monster stopped, thankful that its back was to him, and flung his whip at the monster's lower legs. The thorny length wrapped around the thick limbs, and he pulled hard on his whip causing the monster to tip forward and fall with a screech.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" Sailor Mercury called out before sending a stream of bubble fog at the falling monster. The bubbles slammed into the monster's face and spread around its head cutting off its screeching abruptly.

Tuxedo Mask kept his hold on his whip and summoned a rose into his free hand and threw it at the back of one of the monster's knees as it hit the ground before he summoned another and threw it at the other knee.

Meanwhile, Sailor Moon popped up and dashed toward the monster, grasping her tiara as it returned to her, and watched as the roses Tuxedo threw exploded, painfully blowing the monster's lower legs off.

As soon as she reached the monster she put her foot on the back of the monster's frozen head as a precaution, and shoved her tiara down into the monster's back. Burned bark and wood chips flew up and scattered as the spinning disk plowed deeper into the creature.

Eventually the slight wood chips stopped and the monster slowly began to turn gray and gradually break down. She stopped her tiara and willed it back to her hand as she stepped back from the dying creature. It continued to break down and crumble until it turned into a body shaped pile of dust.

Sailor Moon stepped back further as she released the charge of power from her tiara and placed it back on her forehead, and watched as Tuxedo Mask pulled his rose whip back toward him. Then she glanced over to see Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury getting back to their feet.

"Well, that's that." Amara said as she began to straighten from her slightly kneeling position, preparing to jump down to the ground.

"Wait!" Michelle said as she grasped her companion's lower arm. "Look!" She said as she pointed back toward the scene.

Amara looked and blinked in surprise as she saw two young men standing on the roof of the main temple building. One had short very pale blonde hair and the other had long wavy maroon hair that reached the middle of his back. Both had on a light gray uniform and black tall boots.

"Who are they?" She wondered quietly. Who exactly were they among the enemy?

"I don't know however we should keep an eye on this, and see what we can learn in case it is important later." Michelle suggested, and Amara nodded in agreement.

"So there's another one of you now." A disgruntled male voice said catching the attention of the fighters.

Tuxedo Mask and the Sailor Scouts turned and looked up to see two young men in light gray uniforms and tall black boots standing on the roof of the main temple building. One had thick wavy maroon hair, dark blue eyes, and his uniform had gold accent lining. The other young man had very pale short blonde hair, gray eyes, and red accent lining on his uniform.

Sailor Moon frowned as she took in the two men warily. They were uniforms like the last guy she had seen at an attack only with different colors lining them. Judging by the words of the man that spoke they knew about Mercury's presence at fights, but they were just now getting a look at Mars.

Let's hope they weren't around to see any of us transform. She thought as she watched them; wondering what they were going to do now that they had announced their presence.

Sailor Mars frowned wondering who these men were, but Sailor Mercury recognized the description of their uniform from what Luna told her. Like that man these men were clearly part of the enemy but above the monsters that had been attacking.

She glanced to Sailor Mars and saw that she looked confused but alert, then over to Sailor Moon and saw that she looked serious, and lastly over to Tuxedo Mask and saw that he looked pretty blank. She couldn't tell what he was feeling, and she didn't know how to feel about that.

Tuxedo Mask refrained from frowning as he looked up to the men. Neflite. Jedite. Clearly they had been corrupted in this life just as Zoycite had been, but at this moment he would not let their appearance keep him from protecting his soulmate should they attack.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Sailor Moon asked firmly, hoping they would give some information that would give them knowledge of their enemy and insight into their motives.

"The likes of you people aren't worth the knowledge." The maroon haired man said with a sneer.

"Well, they can at least know our names before we get rid of them don't you think?" The man with the short pale blonde hair said in a suggestive mocking tone.

"Really?" The maroon haired man said with a raised eyebrow.

"Why not?" The pale blonde haired man said with a careless shrug. "What can it hurt?" He added.

"I am Neflite." The man with maroon hair said sneeringly.

"I'm Jedite." The man with pale blonde hair said with a fake smile before he quickly raised his arms, aiming his palms down toward them, and fired blasts of white light at them.

Tuxedo Mask reacted instantly calling on his chakra he summoned a rose blossom. It appeared in the palm of his gloved hand, its red color standing out, before he launched it at one of the blasts then he summoned another blossom before he threw it at the other blast of light.

The light and rose blossoms collided and exploded in midair causing everyone to squint at the bright light.

As this was happening the man now known as Neflite gestured with his arm sharply down toward them. Sailor Moon caught the motion and tensed, expecting an attack, but nothing happened. She looked around warily and then saw a streak of black slide down the walls of building and speed along the ground like a moving shadow.

She stepped back quickly, her eyes widening, as she realized that was exactly what it was. She reached up and pulled her tiara off before charging it as she kept her eyes on the shadow streaking across the ground.

She didn't know why she took off her tiara since she didn't know how to deal with the thing. She couldn't possibly throw her tiara at it. All she could see happening with that course of action was the glowing disk hitting the ground and leaving herself weaponless.

"Watch the ground!" She called out urgently as her eyes stayed on the moving shadow.

Sailor Mercury and Sailor Mars immediately glanced down to see what she was talking about, but Tuxedo Mask kept his eyes on the two men; trusting his soulmate to watch his back for whatever had alarmed her.

"What the hell is that?!" Sailor Mars said as she finally spotted the black streak moving across the ground.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" Sailor Mercury yelled as she aimed her hands toward the ground where the black streak was. The bubble fog streamed out of her hands, but she unfortunately missed and her attack only froze a small part of the ground.

Tuxedo Mask narrowed his eyes and raised his free hand as he focused his chakra and within moments sharp red rose petals were spraying out of the palm of his hand and spinning up toward the men.

Neflite frowned and disappeared on the spot, teleporting away, but Jedite raised his hands and shot a blast of white light at the flower petals headed his way and froze them all causing them to rain down to the ground.

Sailor Moon saw Neflite appear off to the side of where she stood, and knew he would have been behind her had she not been watching the shadow as closely as she was. She narrowed her eyes at him and decided since he had caused the shadow thing to move his defeat would likely stop it.

She threw her tiara hard in his direction and it sped toward him, but he sidestepped it and smirked at her only to cry out in surprised pain when she willed her tiara to turn around and come at his back.

"This thing is moving too fast!" Sailor Mars yelled in frustration. "All I'm doing is burning up the ground!"

Sailor Moon refrained from rolling her eyes and instead kept her gaze on the maroon haired man. She would give Sailor Mars the allowance of it being her first fight, and not think badly of her for yelling out her attacks and announcing her frustration to all who could hear, which included their present enemy.

But next time she should know better. She thought as she willed her tiara to go toward the man again. Then again Mercury is still shouting out her attacks, and we saw how well that worked with the monster we just defeated. It could have ended sooner had she kept her attacks silent.

Sailor Mercury watched the man who called himself Neflite dodge Sailor Moon's tiara and then looked back to the black streak on the ground. It was moving slower now, and she realized it was because the man couldn't focus on it.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" She yelled as she aimed her hands toward the man sending a stream of bubble fog at his legs. She hoped if they defeated him that black streak would stop for good.

Tuxedo Mask jumped up to the roof in the space that Neflite had vacated and immediately called on his chakra and summoned a rose blossom and threw it at the white blast of light that Jedite was sending his way before he even landed. Then he immediately threw a hand full of his exploding roses through the resulting explosion.

He hated that he was fighting against his general, hadn't even had the misfortune to do it in the past before his end came, but his general didn't know him and he needed to protect his Serenity. She didn't know him either, but she was more important to his heart and soul than his general was.

As they exchanged attacks and moved around the roof he noted how weak the reincarnation of Jedite was. He seemed to only have the one attack. Of course he too had started off with only one attack, but even he had supplemented his roses with more attacks. Then again he had the power to do that; perhaps Jedite didn't have that luxury.

Tuxedo Mask supposed Jedite's lack of variety was good for him at the moment since it meant he could afford to be frugal in how he fought the man. If he didn't have to fight at his full strength, or at least his full strength in his masked persona, then he didn't have to worry about killing Jedite.

He simply wanted to hold him off and keep him from going after his soulmate, and if he could actually drive him off that meant there was a chance Jedite could be saved. Of course such an attempt would have to wait until his soulmate remembered herself since she was his priority.

I have no wish to explain to her why Jedite is dead once she remembers herself, so I will do what I can to not kill him for the time being. He told himself as he dodged a blast of light from the corrupted man's hand.

Sailor Mars looked away from the black thing on the ground, and realized everyone else's attention was elsewhere. Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury were attacked the man with long maroon hair, and the tuxedo wearing man was on the roof on the closest building fighting the blonde haired guy.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" Sailor Mars shouted as she aimed her hands at the maroon haired man, deciding to help the other scouts since she didn't really know the story with the tuxedo man.

Sailor Moon frowned as the man continued to dodge all of their attacks. He was good at evading, she would give him that, and he was still controlling the shadow. They were keeping him distracted enough that he couldn't completely focus on it, but it was still moving around. They still had to be careful because they had no idea what would happen if it touched them.

She released a huff of a sigh as she willed her tiara to circle above the man and considered their options with him. She felt that at this point the best way to deal with him was to engage him in a physical fight, but she doubted the others wanted to do that and she couldn't with them throwing their attacks around.

I'm not interested in getting hit. One close call for the day was more than enough, and by the sounds of it Tuxedo Mask is a bit busy so there would be no last minute save from his direction. She thought as she gazed at the maroon haired man.

So we need another way. Mercury and Mars seem content to just bombard him with their attacks and hope one eventually hits him, but that will likely cause this encounter to go on and on. It already is stretching uncomfortably long in my opinion. She thought as she held back a sigh.

Her eyes flickered all over his figure, trying to see a way to hit him without him seeing it coming, and preferably in a way that will cause him to flee the scene for good.

She narrowed her eyes on his moving figure and willed her tiara to move. It dropped down almost in a dive and zipped in a curve to remain out of his sight before it sped forward and sliced through his lower leg.

He cried out in surprised pain but she frowned at the missed opportunity. He moved at the last second to avoid Mercury's attack, and that caused her tiara to get him in the side of his leg instead of taking it off.

She was sure it would have been gruesome, like with the cat monster, but she would have dealt with it like she had last time.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" Sailor Mars shouted as she aimed a fireball at the man, taking advantage of his pain. The ball of fire streaked through the air and slammed into the distracted man's chest knocking him back.

Tuxedo Mask once again dodged the white blast from Jedite and then flicked the whip he still had in his hand at the man. The tip slapped sharply across his chest, the thorns helping it to cut through his top and reach skin.

As Jedite cried out in surprised pain he flicked it again and directed the tip across the right side of his face, cutting into the skin and whipping it to the side in the process, then he quickly threw an exploding rose at the man's chest.

It landed just below his bleeding wound and exploded causing the man to cry out and fly backward off the roof from the blast.

Tuxedo Mask walked up to the edge of the roof and watched Jedite hit the ground on his back with a loud grunt before he turned his head and looked off toward his right in time to see a fireball blast Neflite back.

In addition to that he saw a black shadow moving across the ground, despite the sunlight, toward Neflite and realized that must have been what his Serenity was talking about earlier.

He jumped down to the ground and moved toward her as he looked back and forth between Jedite and Neflite, determined to keep them both in his line of sight and protect her from the unexpected.

Jedite looked painfully in Neflite's direction before glaring at them and teleporting away. They were all wary that he might not actually be gone, but they still turned their attention to the remaining man.

"Don't think you've won!" Neflite said as he struggled to his feet after seeing his companion leave. "You've been lucky with our monsters so far, but that won't last! You'll meet your end soon enough, and then we won't have to deal with you interfering in our plans anymore."

With those angry parting words the maroon haired man disappeared from their sight.

"Well, that's two more to add to the first man." Sailor Moon said as she looked around warily, wanting to make sure they really were gone.

"At least you have two names now." Tuxedo Mask commented.

"True." She said with a sigh as she finally put her tiara back on. "Now we know that there are at least three of them sending out those monsters, but there are still more questions on who exactly they are and what their motives are."

Of course she hadn't forgotten what he said when the last guy had shown himself. That there was the possibility of someone above them giving them orders, like a leader, which would make sense. They had to be trying to get energy for some reason, and there had to be someone organizing or directing all of this.

"I shall leave you to ponder those questions. Until next time." He said with a nod before he dashed off toward the stairs leading down to the street level. He didn't want to leave her, but since there was a new scout she would have to deal with that situation.

"Let's find somewhere to release our transformations in private, so we can welcome Mars properly and bring her up to speed." Sailor Moon said to her fellow scouts, and they nodded before they all dashed off into the trees together.

oOoIRoOo

Serena sighed lightly as she walked down the sidewalk on her way to meet her boyfriend late Monday afternoon. She had insisted on meeting him outside the Fruits Parlor Crown cafe, where they usually met up, after she got out of school instead of him picking her up from campus, so he wouldn't have to deal with the car and people traffic that was always there every school day.

After reconnecting with her friend Kagome on Saturday and talking on the phone they agreed to hangout on Sunday, and when they did they eventually found themselves considering the idea of having a double date with their boyfriends.

Once they agreed on the idea they called their boyfriends to see if they were up for it. Thankfully both guys agreed, and left it up to them to plan what they wanted to do and when.

They had decided on having the date the next day after they got out of school, and that they would keep it simple and casual. They would do some window shopping at the mall, since that would allow them all to get to know each other, and find somewhere to eat either before, during, or after.

She was excited for it. Not only would she get to spend time with Darien, which she always wanted to do, she would get to meet Sesshomaru. Her friend really wanted her to meet him, and she wanted to know what he looked like and sounded like; why her friend was giddy when she talked about him.

As she crossed a street she decided to turn her thoughts elsewhere to the other event that had happened over the weekend. Another sailor scout had been found. Sailor Mars.

Her name was Raye Hino and the Cherry Hill Temple was actually her family temple so she lived on the property grounds. She had long black hair that went down just above her knees with a slight purple tint to it, purple eyes, and wore red stud earrings. She was seventeen just like her and Amy, but she went to a private school called T•A Academy for Girls.

To Serena she thought the girl was a bit stoic, but thought it was only because they were just getting to know each other. She had seen hints that the girl was likely capable of being out going and a hot head.

After the monster had been defeated, and they had been able to go somewhere quiet, while Luna was explaining the duties and mission of the sailor scouts Serena had focused back on the memory snippet she had remembered of her and Raye's past selves.

She couldn't tell if they had gotten along in the past from that memory alone. They could have been good friends, but Mars disapproving of her dating the Earth Prince could have put a wedge into that friendship.

My past self greeted her civilly, but that could just speak to my character back then. That I would not let myself be rude simply because we had a difference of opinion. She thought, and then sighed. But that's two scouts that didn't like that my past self was seeing the man our princess liked. Apparently it didn't matter what he felt toward the princess; only that I was seeing him knowing how the princess felt about him.

Serena sighed. She knew that now-a-days it was not a good look or a good idea for a friend to date a guy knowing that one of their friends liked the same guy. The same with dating a friends ex-boyfriend whether they had said they were okay with it or not. That would only cause hurt and anger between the friends.

I don't know how it was in the past; if something like that existed back then. But if it did would it have counted between a guardian and her princess? Did they have to be friends for it to count? She wondered. I don't even know if the princess and I were friends. Maybe we were just guardian and charge, and that's why my past self didn't seem to have a problem with it.

The only problem Serena could see her past self having so far from the memories was that a prince wanted her when she was just a warrior. She thought he should have wanted a royal instead. Then there was the fact that dating him meant she wasn't around to do her duty in protecting the princess.

And there's still the chance that I'm not remembering right or that I'm not seeing everything in the right context, because I don't remember everything, and the princess I protected in the past was actually seeing the Earth Prince. She thought as she walked along a sidewalk.

What if he was having a secret relationship with the princess while he was seeing me? Maybe he was with me to draw everyone's attention to our relationship while he was able to see the princess without any interference from anyone? She considered with a frown. That way he could get to know her without chaperones.

Of course it didn't seem like there were any chaperones when her past self was with him, but she was a warrior and not a princess. She didn't think she would have needed one; not just because she was a warrior, but because her reputation didn't need protecting.

Serena shook her head as she reached the block the cafe was on. She was with Darien in this life, so even if all of that was true she didn't have to worry about it this time around. The princess could have the prince. She was happy with who she was with.

Her mind completely ignored her past self as Sailor Earth, and what that would mean for the present.

As she grew closer to the cafe she spotted Darien standing on the sidewalk leaning against his car right outside the building housing the cafe and arcade.

"Darien!" She called as she waved her hand high in the air, and watched him look her way before smiling as soon as he spotted her.

As she walked closer she could see that he was wearing dark gray slacks, a navy blue button up collar shirt with his sleeves rolled up beneath his elbows, and black shoes. He looked dashing; the colors brought out his deep blue eyes and emphasized his dark hair.

When she was close enough he swooped her up into his arms and swung her around lightly before kissing her breathless much to her pleasure.

"Hi." Serena sighed dreamily as he placed her back on her feet.

"Hi." Darien repeated with a small smile. "Are you ready to see your friend?"

"Oh yeah!" She said excitedly. "I really want you to meet her, but then she apparently really wants me to meet her guy too."

"Well, I am certainly curious to meet another of your friends." He said as he finally released her, and stepped over to open the passenger side door to his car.

Serena stepped in with a smile at him before she sat down and made sure all her hair was inside before he closed the door. She watched him walk around the car as she pulled on her seatbelt, and buckled it as he opened the door and sat behind the steering wheel.

"So how was your day?" Darien asked as he started the car and pulled on his seatbelt. He wanted to hear all about her day and even more to simply hear her voice.

---

Serena and Darien walked up to the doors of the mall hand in hand. The couples had agreed to meet just inside the main front doors of the mall, so everyone was on time the other couple should be either already inside waiting or arriving soon.

Darien opened the door for Serena and she stepped inside and he joined her a moment later. She scanned the area as they stepped further inside, and paused as she spotted Kagome standing next to a tall young man off to the side of the doors.

Kagome was still wearing her school uniform which consisted of a white long sleeve button up shirt, a light gray and blue plaid skirt and matching bow tie, a navy blue blazer, long navy blue socks, and brown slip on shoes.

The guy had silver white hair pulled back into a ponytail, so she couldn't tell how long it was, with parted bangs, narrow golden eyes, and wore black slacks, a white collar button up long sleeve shirt, and what looked like a white and red haori over it with black shoes.

"Kagome!" Serena called lightly as they walked over to the other couple.

"Hey Serena." Kagome said with a smile before she looked curiously at the tall dark haired guy holding her hand.

"So who first?" Serena asked as she gestured to the guys.

"You go ahead." Kagome said.

"Alright." Serena agreed. "Kagome this is my boyfriend Darien Shields; Darien this is my good friend Kagome."

"Pleased to meet you." Darien said politely.

"Nice to meet you too." Kagome replied before she looked to her guy. "Serena, Darien, this is my boyfriend Sesshomaru Taisho; Sesshomaru this is my good friend Serena and her boyfriend."

"A pleasure to meet you both." Sesshomaru said as he looked to the couple.

"A pleasure." Darien replied with a nod.

"It's nice to meet you too." Serena said to the silver haired young man. "So what do you all want to do first? Wander or eat?" She asked.

"Can we eat please?" Kagome spoke up first. "I didn't get a chance to eat lunch."

"I do not mind." Sesshomaru said easily.

"I'm all for food." Serena agreed, and Darien nodded. "Are we headed for the food court or somewhere else?"

"Food court is fine with me." Kagome said.

With that decision made the two couples made their way through the mall, up to the second floor, and to the food court where they agreed on where to sit before they split up and went to purchase the type of food they wanted.

The couples eventually gathered at the table with their food and settled into their seats. They all took a couple of bites of their food, the girls having more of a meal as opposed to the snack the guys had, before they began to talk.

"So how did you two meet?" Serena asked Kagome and Sesshomaru.

"Well, his younger brother actually goes to the same school as me." Kagome began.

"Half-brother." Sesshomaru corrected solemnly.

"You don't like him." Darien observed calmly.

"I do not." He replied. "He is immature, spoiled, disloyal, loud, curses, and is vulgar. I am still amazed that he managed to land Kagome as a friend."

"He isn't so bad once you get to know him." Kagome said in good nature.

"That is because you are so forgiving; especially when it comes to him." Sesshomaru countered before he took a sip from his drink.

"I'm glad my little brother isn't like that." Serena said with a frown, partially at what she was hearing. She didn't remember her friend being so forgiving as to accept that kind of behavior from a friend.

"Me too." Kagome agreed, and Sesshomaru lifted an eyebrow at her. "What?! He's a good friend, but I don't want my brother acting like him." She said defensively. "Anyway! It's through his half-brother that we met." She continued what she had originally been saying.

"We're friends, he's loud and has a tendency to curse regularly, but he's a good guy. I was over at his house after school one day with some other friends, and Sesshomaru walked through the kitchen door, since that's where we were at the time, and I ran right into him in the process of turning around because my back was to the door and I didn't hear him come in." She explained.

"I wasn't exactly pleased with her after that. I had only been there to speak with my father, not interact with my half-brother's friends." Sesshomaru said. "My father wasn't in the kitchen so I left to find him."

"After telling me rather rudely to get away from him." Kagome added.

"After I finished with my father she found me before I left the house, and wouldn't leave me alone. She seemed determined to get me to like her." He said.

"He was rude, but I knew it was just because I was associated with his brother, half-brother, and figured he thought I was just like him." Kagome explained. "So I decided that I would make sure he knew otherwise."

"And she did. She said something that sparked a conversation, and I got to see how intelligent she was. We settled down in my old bedroom, and ended up getting lost in conversation for so long that it had gotten late, after dark, so I drove her home." Sesshomaru said.

"We exchanged phone numbers and the conversation continued as soon as he got home." Kagome said with a smile at him. "And we've been having conversations ever since."

"Sounds like you two had a strong intellectual connection." Serena said with a grin.

"We did, and still do." Kagome said before she grinned over at him. "Plus, he's a good kisser." She added and smiled lightly.

"Mm..I know all about that." Serena said as she gave her boyfriend a shy smile.

Darien raised an eyebrow and gave her smile as he lifted his chin slightly in a subtle proud gesture. He was pleased that his soulmate was happy with their kissing, and so was he since he happily couldn't remember how many kisses they had shared.

"So what about you two? How did you meet?" Kagome asked Serena and Darien.

"I unknowingly threw a balled up test paper in his face." Serena said honestly. "I was frustrated with my results and balled it up and tossed it over my shoulder in a huff."

"I smoothed out the paper and after I got a look I insulted her using her test score and hair style. She snapped at me before snatching her paper and storming away." Darien added.

"You can imagine I wasn't very happy with him, but I didn't think I would see him again so I tried to put the whole encounter out of my mind." Serena continued. "Imagine my surprise when I go to a cafe I frequent after school the next day and there he is."

"After thinking it over after I got home I realized how unnecessarily rude I had been and felt bad. It was just my luck that we came across each other so soon, and I was able to apologize and get to know her." Darien explained.

"And we've been together ever since, which I am very happy about." Serena said with a happy smile.

"I am as well." He added, and watched her smile before she took a large bite of her food. "So what do you do? School or work?" He asked curiously as he turned his attention away from his soulmate and to her friend's boyfriend.

"I am focused on my schooling at the moment." Sesshomaru answered.

"Where do you go to school if you do not mind me asking?" Darien asked.

"Not at all. I attend K.O. University." He replied.

"Me as well." Darien said in surprise. "I'm studying medicine. You?"

"Business." Sesshomaru answered simply. "I'm hoping to start my own company, but I am still in the process of narrowing down my interests."

"Ah. That's understandable." Darien said as he nodded. "I'm hoping to work in pediatrics."

"Business owner." Serena said as she looked to Kagome.

"Doctor." Kagome countered with a smile.

"We've got good taste." Serena said with a grin, and her friend laughed lightly even as she nodded. "Now I just have to figure out what I want to study." She said with a light sigh.

"Remember it's alright not to know yet." Darien said as he rubbed her back. "You have ideas, and you'll either narrow them down to one or pick something else entirely."

"Yeah." She said with an appreciative smile toward him.

"Well I'm torn between studying medicine, history, and maybe archeology, so you're not alone." Kagome said.

"In that case, I'm undecided between creative writing, some kind of art, or type of literature." Serena revealed.

"Maybe you can do two of them at the same time." Kagome said thoughtfully. "I've heard of double majors, but that would obviously be double the work."

"True." Serena agreed with a sigh. "Have you applied to any schools yet?" She asked her.

"No, but I've started looking." Kagome answered, and Serena sighed.

"I haven't even done that yet, and you know the months are going to pass fast. They already are, and next thing I know it's going to be summer and I'm going to be rushing to find a school before there's no space left in the good ones." She bemoaned, and Kagome frowned knowing that was true.

Serena didn't want to wait until the last minute to pick a school to go to on the very real chance there would be no space left in the one she chose.

But which school to pick and which one is a good one? She wondered as she stared down at her food thoughtfully. Long moments passed in silence at the table before she looked over to Darien thoughtfully.

He was taking a sip of her drink, but his eyes shifted over to her questioningly as if he felt her eyes on him.

"Is your school any good?" Serena asked her boyfriend, and watched his eyes light up like he was happy about her wanting to go to the same school as him.

She had no idea how right she was. Darien was beyond pleased that she was considering going to his school, because that meant they could spend more time together regardless of them studying different subjects.

He was going to be at the university for a few more years since they actually had a good medical program. It wasn't until students got into what they wanted to specialize in that they switched schools or started their residency at a hospital, so they would be at the school together for a few years.

The only reason he didn't mind them being at different schools at present was because he knew it was impossible for them to attend school together since she was still in high school. However, with her given the chance to choose her school, he would want her with him so they could be together more.

After all, they had spent enough time separated in the past.

"Definitely." Darien answered as he set his drink down. "It is one reason why I chose it, but if you want another opinion there's someone else here who goes there. After all, I am a bit biased with you being my girlfriend."

Kagome looked over to her boyfriend in interest. This wasn't something they had spoken about before, what school she wanted to attend when she graduated, probably because he didn't want to influence her decision.

"I agree." Sesshomaru said as everyone looked his way. "It's a good university. The reason I chose it was because of the quality of teachers and the depth of the business program."

"I chose it because the medical program was spoken of very highly, and so far I have to agree with what everyone has said. I am definitely learning exactly what I wished." Darien said.

Serena and Kagome looked to each other thoughtfully, but they could both see that there was already a spark of decision in the other's eyes. Good reviews by previous students, endorsed by their boyfriends, and their boyfriends attended.

Looks like they were choosing K.O. University.