Hello,

I wrote this fanfic several years ago during my college days, when I should have been studying (heh heh). This was my first attempt at fan fiction and based on the responses I've received so far, and a suggestion that I should post it, I'm going out on a limb and exposing my humble little story. It takes place in the SMR series just about after the episode about the curry party and is based solely on the North American dubbed version, since at the time I had no access to the Japanese version. Also, when I wrote this, they hadn't dubbed the rest of the series, so bear that in mind. As usual, all rights are reserved by Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha Ltd., etc.

Only Human

Chapter 1: Shattered Dreams

Updated on 4/2/01

Serena sat alone outside the house with her arms around her knees, her chin resting on her hands. She sighed pensively, trying to figure out what had gone wrong with her relationship with Darien. Luna had suggested to give him some time to sort out his feelings for her, but every day that passed by, Serena became more and more convinced that he really didn't care for her anymore.

Maybe he never cared for her in the first place. She couldn't tell with his recent behavior. One minute as Darien, he would give her the cold shoulder and tell her buzz off, and then the next minute as Tuxedo Mask he was saving her skin. She didn't know how much more she could take. Contrary to popular opinion, there WAS a limit to her endurance.

'Stop wasting your time thinking about Darien. He's mine now,' a familiar voice taunted from behind.

'Oh no, it's that annoying flamingo head (to coin a phrase),' she muttered to herself. She wasn't up to another shouting match with Reeny. The leprechaun always managed to beat her every time.

'Buzz off spore. Can't you tell that I want to be ALONE?'

'You don't have to be so rude. I'm just telling it as it is. It's not my fault you couldn't hold on to him, or that you drove him crazy.'

'That's it! I'm outta here!'

Serena stalked off in the direction of Raye's temple with her fists clenched tightly to

her sides. Reeny waited until Serena was gone before turning her attention back to business. The local metropolitan museum was showing an exhibit on ancient precious gemstones from all over the world. Maybe the crystal was there. It was a long shot, but she didn't have much choice. She couldn't find the crystal anywhere in the house and time was running out. Those weird ladies with the black crescent moon weren't playing around. She needed to find the Silver Imperium Crystal before it was too late.

'Don't worry Mommy,' Reeny whispered, holding onto the time gate key. 'I won't let you down.'

'Serena, where you going?' Luna demanded, catching up to Serena. 'You're supposed to take Reeny to the museum today, remember?'

'What for?' she whined. 'Can't somebody else take her?'

She was not about to waste a perfectly good afternoon babysitting an ungrateful brat who gave her as much respect as a turnip. Anyway, with her luck lately, Darien might show up again and completely ignore her. She wasn't giving up on him...but he certainly wasn't making it easy for her.

'Somebody else could, but you promised your mother. I know she's difficult and a little spoiled...'

'A LITTLE?'

'Okay, a lot. But you should set a good example. Besides, we still don't know much about her and this might be a good opportunity to do some investigative work.'

'Do I have to?'

'Just do it Serena.'

'Fine. I'll pick her up after I talk with the girls. Satisfied?'

'Not really. But I guess beggars can't be choosers.'

'Very funny.'

A while later at Raye's temple:

'I can't believe you're so wigged out that you're actually jealous of a little kid Serena,' Raye commented as soon as Serena finished venting steam from her latest encounter with Reeny.

'Darien's probably being nice to her because she doesn't have a lot of friends. That's the way he is.'

'HEY, you'd freak out too if a little kid stole YOUR boyfriend.'

'Raye doesn't need to be jealous. She's got Chad remember?' Mina teased.

'Stop it Mina! He is NOT my boyfriend. How many times do I have to tell you that?' Raye replied hotly.

'A-hem, could we get back to MY problem?' Serena interjected.

'Why doesn't he just tell you why he broke up with you?'

'I've been asking myself that same question, Mina. I don't know. Maybe it's a guy thing.'

'Well, we've got more important things to think about than your love life, Serena. I've been getting majorly bad vibes lately. Those creeps from the Black Moon Kingdom are up to no good, so we'd all better be on guard.'

'Right,' Mina agreed. 'I'll spread the word to Lita and Amy.'

'Maybe if I make him his favorite dish, he'll talk to me again.'

'SEREEEEENA!' Raye and Mina yelled in unison.

'What?'

She had no idea what was going on as usual.

Rubeus rubbed his chin in contemplation, as he looked over the map of Crystal Tokyo. This time, his plan was going to work. It couldn't possibly fail.

'I hope this plan works better than the last one Rubeus,' Prisma complained putting the finishing touches to her lipstick.

'Putting Birdy in charge of the last crystal point was a true brainstorm. She couldn't even take care of an ice cream shop.'

Birdy flipped back her long braided plait over her shoulder and retorted, 'YOU should talk Prisma. You can't even handle a klutz like Sailor Moon.'

'I would have if, it wasn't for that meddling cape boy with the mask.'

'You shouldn't cringe like that sister, you'll get wrinkles.'

'Is that so?' Prisma yelled.

'Enough! You sisters are giving me another headache. The point is, those Sailor Scouts have managed to defeat us only when Sailor Moon is there with them. If we break them up, they'll be powerless to stop us.'

'And how do you propose to do that Rubeus?' Birdy asked skeptically. 'They look pretty united to me...at least when it comes to fighting us.'

'Besides, we don't even know who Sailor Moon is or where to even begin looking for her.'

'We won't have to Prisma. The pink rabbit will lead us straight to the Sailor Scouts. And that's where you sisters come in. Crystal Tokyo WILL be ours for the taking!'

Serena hungrily eyed the precious jewels inside the glass showcase,

completely forgetting her purpose for coming to the museum with Reeny. Her hands were pressed against the glass.

'Oh Reeny, aren't they the most beautiful jewels you've ever seen?'

'Not really. This place is so boring. I wanna go home.'

'But Reeny, YOU were the one who wanted to come here in the first place.'

The entire afternoon had been a complete waste of time. The jewels turned out to be nothing but worthless pieces of glass. She would never find the Imperium Crystal at this rate.

'I don't need a babysitter. I'll go by myself.'

'Wait up, I'll go with you.'

'You don't have to, you know.'

'Why do you insist on being so difficult and annoying all the time?' Serena asked exasperatedly.

'Being with you, it's easy.'

Serena was about to blow her top, but suddenly remembered Luna's advice about giving the kid a chance. 'I'm cool,' she kept telling herself. 'Remember, you're older and BIGGER than her.'

'Reeny, I know you don't like me very much, but believe it or not, I can help you. Remember how I made curry for your party? That wasn't so bad was it?'

She DID remember. And it was good.

'Why do you care anyway?'

'Because in a way, I know what it's like to feel alone and scared. I've been there before,' Serena replied solemnly.

Not a day passed by that she didn't forget that final battle with Queen Beryl and the Negaforce. Whenever she thought about it, she would shiver involuntarily. She had buried that part of her past behind her...or so she thought. It was something that she couldn't talk about. Not even to her friends, who had given her the strength to make it through.

Reeny stared curiously at her, noticing the sad empty look in Serena's eyes. Who would have thought that Serena of all people, was capable of such emotions? Most of the time she was either eating or sleeping when she wasn't acting ditzy.

'Look Reeny, we didn't get off to a good start. I admit that it's partly my fault. But I'd like for us to try to get along. We have so much in common, don't you think?'

'What are you trying to do? Insult me?'

Serena had to smile at her quick response. In a strange way, she reminded her of Darien.

'Didn't mean to, honest. If you ever want to talk or just hang out, just remember that I'm always here.'

'Well don't hold your breath...but thanks anyway Serena.'

Serena smiled in response.

'What a touching little scene. I'd cry if I had any emotions for you silly simpering fools,' another woman's voice taunted. It came from behind them.

Serena whipped around to find one of the strange sisters from the Black Moon Kingdom who had attacked them before.

'You! You're the one who tried to kidnap Reeny at the temple. I never forget a face, or a bad hairdo.'

'Excuse me, but who does those meatballs? A hairdresser or a chef?'

'Let's not get personal shall we?'

'Out of my way blondie, or I'll blast you into the next century!'

With lightening speed, Catsy blasted them with her dark fire.

'Watch out!' Serena screamed knocking Reeny out of the way with a flying tackle.

She received the brunt of the fall, protecting the kid from the shards of glass that shattered to pieces behind them.

'That's it lady! You're gonna be eating moondust!'

She was about to transform when she suddenly remembered that Reeny was there with her.

'Reeny, get out of here while you can.'

'What makes you think you can handle her?'

'Just do it. Trust me.'

Once the girl was out of sight, she transformed in Sailor Moon.

'Moon Crystal Power!'

'Come out, come out wherever you are. You can't hide forever.'

'Don't you sleezeballs ever learn?'

Catsy turned around to find Sailor Moon. Rubeus was right. This was too easy. Prisma had better do the job right this time.

'So we meet again Sailor Moon. Think you can fight me all by yourself without your little friends to bail you out? Take this!'

Another ball of fire came straight for her. In her typical wail, she ducked at the last minute and landed right on her bottom.

'Owie! That HURTS!'

'It's supposed to, you twit. You've interfered for the last time Sailor Moon. Feel the power of the Dark Moon!'

'Not today creep. Moooon...sceptre...elimination!'

Sailor Moon aimed her sceptre at Catsy, but before it could work, the other girl vanished into thin air.

'Well that was easy enough.'

'Somebody help me!' Reeny screamed. Sailor Moon saw the bright flash of light shooting upward from outside the window. She was releasing her energy again.

'Reeny!'

While Sailor Moon was busy fighting with Catsy, Prisma had ordered one of her finest and most dangerous droids to take care of the rabbit. Her orders from Rubeus had been to capture the child, but she didn't care. Now was the time to get rid of her once and for all. Reeny held her Luna ball close to her as the monstrous droid continued to approach closer and closer, laughing menacingingly. It had eight long tentacles attached to its ugly misshapen body that fired acid from its suction disks.

'Droid Octavia, I command you to destroy her,' Prisma ordered mercilessly.

'It shall be done.'

Reeny screamed in sheer terror as the droid fired a stream of acid at her. The burning liquid caught part of her leg when she tried to move out of the way.

'You're toast, kid.'

'Mars, fire ignite! Venus, crescent beam smash!' came two voices out of no where (as usual). The combined power of Mar's and Venus' attacks temporarily disabled the droid, giving the other Sailor Scouts a chance to rescue Reeny.

'Sailor Mercury, is she going to be all right?' Sailor Jupiter asked in concern.

Mercury tore a strip of cloth from the hem of her skirt and used it as a bandage to wrap around the wound on the child's leg. Reeny had been knocked out from the last blow.

'I think she's going to be okay. The acid only grazed her leg. She's one tough little kid.'

'Grrr. That octopus is gonna pay.'

Jupiter rushed over to join her comrades while Mercury stayed with Reeny. Where in the world was Sailor Moon? She was supposed to be with Reeny. The droid had Mars and Venus wrapped up in her tentacles and started to tighten her grip, squeezing the breath out of them.

'Hold it, you reject from a sushi bar. You'll pay for hurting innocent kids. Jupiter thunder...'

'Don't even think about it Sailor brat. One more move out of you and I'll crush your friends here,' Octavia warned. 'I'm not bluffing.'

Jupiter stood by helplessly. She couldn't risk hurting them.

'Don't listen to her Jupiter,' Venus gasped raggedly, 'Do what you have to to save yourselves.'

'No!'

Out of no where, two red roses flew past Jupiter's head and sliced the tentacles holding Mars and Venus prisoners. The droid screamed in pain as a blue fluid oozed from her severed tentacles. Jupiter turned around to find Tuxedo Mask perched on top of a statue.

'Tuxedo Mask! Thank goodness you showed up.'

'Sailor Jupiter, where is Sailor Moon?' he demanded, leaping towards the ground.

'I don't know. She wasn't here when we came. Serena was supposed to be here with Reeny.'

'Reeny's here? Is she hurt?'

'Just a little graze. Sailor Mercury's looking after her.'

Tuxedo Mask gritted his teeth angrily. This time Serena had gone too far. Her flakiness had put Reeny and the other scouts in danger.

Octavia recovered quickly and reached out again for the scouts, who were too weak to get up and fight.

'Oh no you don't. Supreme Thunder crash!' Even after Jupiter's attack, the droid wasn't finished off yet. 'This girl won't take no for an answer. We could use Sailor Moon right about now.'

'You've got it. Moon sceptre elimination!'

The droid promptly crumbled to a pile of dust. Prisma vanished, irritated that the scouts had once again foiled her plans.

'Sailor Moon, just what do you think you're doing? Lita asked brusquely.

Serena stared in bewilderment. She couldn't understand why everyone was so mad at her. She came as fast as she could after taking care of Catsy.

'I don't understand. What's the matter?'

'You really outdid yourself Serena,' Raye chimed in. 'You were supposed to be looking after Reeny remember? Where WERE you all of this time?'

'But guys, you don't understand. If you would just let me explain...'

'There's no excuse for ditching us like that. What's going to happen to one of us the next time you decide to play hooky again?'

'Amy? she pleaded. This was fast becoming a living nightmare.

'I'm sorry Serena, but this time I have to agree with Raye. This has happened once too often. It can't go on.'

'Would somone please tell me what's going on? Why are you all ganging up on me?'

'Because you let us down,'Mina answered softly.

Serena could not believe what she was hearing. They were so quick to judge her actions and believe the worst. Even Amy, who always defended her was ready to believe that she was capable of putting her best friends in danger. Before, she might have whined and cried like a baby, but this time it was different. The pain of their rejection was too deep for tears. She never wanted Reeny to get hurt. She was only trying to protect her.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tuxedo Mask walking towards her.

Darien! He would believe her, even if he did hate her. She remembered his

promise that he would always be on her side.

'Tuxedo Mask, you're here.'

'Sailor Moon,' he replied coldly. 'You let down your friends today when they needed you, and disregarded your responsibility. And in the process, you allowed an innocent child to get hurt. That is inexcusable and unforgiveable.'

Serena was trembling uncontrollably. 'Darien, you don't believe me either?' her voice broke.

Darien forced himself to ignore the tears glistening in her eyes. His face was stone cold, showing a mixture of contempt and disappointment, giving away his answer. Her sceptre fell to the ground in slow motion. Her fingers had lost all the feeling in them. She stood frozen at her spot, not noticing the cut on her arm she had received earlier while fighting Catsy. Blood was slowly trickling from the wound. Serena couldn't feel any pain. She couldn't feel anything.

'Don't you have anything to say for yourself?' he demanded.

Serena couldn't speak for the life of her. Darien's eyes wandered over to the cut on her arm and finally realized that she was hurt also. He took out a handkerchief and began cleaning the wound in mute silence. Serena looked down at his hands and then suddenly, as though she gained a surge of energy, jerked her arm out of his grasp and backed away from him. Everyone had a breaking point and she was well past that point now. She had nothing to apologize for. If they

didn't want to hear the truth, that was fine with her. They were going to believe what they wanted to believe anyway.

'Don't touch me!' she shouted angrily like a mad woman. 'Don't ever touch me again!'

Darien hid his surprise at her sudden outburst behind a stern, grim expression. She had never spoken with such intense hatred in her voice before. As far as he was concerned, Serena didn't have a vindictive bone in her body. The other Sailor Scouts were just as shocked at her outburst and stared in amazement. This was definitely not one of her normal hissy fits.

Serena turned her back on Tuxedo Mask and began to walk away. As she disappeared down the street, she began to transform back to her normal street clothes.

'I don't need this grief,' she thought to herself. 'Maybe I SHOULD retire from the Sailor Scout business. The girls obviously don't want me. Well, they won't have Sailor Moon to kick around anymore.'

to be continued...