Blast From the Past 3

A Blast from the Past-- Chapter 3 Things Unravel

By: Serenity Star

Mina had to use all her super speed and energy that day. It was the day before Serena's departure and everyone was busy helping the two travelers get ready. Even though nothing special was needed except clothes, they were still planning to throw them a surprise party. But right now she had to concentrate, as she was speeding away to Darien's to get some stuff for Serena, or should she say Serenity? As the building came into view she finally let up and slowed down. She took a moment to catch her breath and admire the building. It was pretty tall as far as apartment complexes went, and Darien lived on the top floor. It was surrounded by beautiful trees and flower bed that in the summer blossomed into various colors. Like many other apartment buildings it too was colored white that stood out sharply against the black or blue sky. Finally after a moment Mina made her way up to Darien's.

When Mina rang the door bell she was expecting to see the always handsome face of Darien's with his blue eyes, instead she saw purple eyes set in strong face framed with white blonde hair.

"Wha...who...I am sorry I think I must have the wrong apartment." Mina stuttered. *Nice going Mina a cute guy and the first thing he'll know about you is how ditzy you are.* Mina immediately started to back off once more starting off on her list of apologies. When the poor confused guy closed the door she slumped against the door and took a deep breath. "I really need to get some rest." Mina muttered to herself. Once more remembering her vow to help out Serena she turned to find Darien's apartment. A look to the left another to the right and her eyes fell on the door she had just knocked on. *Wait a minute I did have the right apartment. I wonder who he is. Heck I wonder if he is single.* Mina once more raised her hand to knock on the door but this time it opened on its own accord without her hand even making contact with the door.

"Mina you are here. I was starting to wonder if you had gotten lost or something. Come in." Darien opened the door up wider to let her in. "I have some company over, a friend from school I was working with. Why don't you sit and I'll go get the stuff for Serena."

As always Darien was in his trademark pants and turtle neck but his hair was untidy. It seemed as if he had been running his finger through it the entire day, which in actuality he had been, but Mina didn't need to know about 'that'.

Ami was walking towards the library, on her way to do some research on the Akiko corporation and get some books for Serena's trip. She was just about to reach for the door but before she could her eyes caught sight of the person she remembered who looked like Zoisite. Once more he was dressed in a business suit and once more like before he had his hair in the pony tail. This time he was hurrying towards the business district of Tokyo with a briefcase in his right hand. Forgetting the library for the moment Ami decided to follow him.

As Ami had thought he headed straight for the Akiko corporate headquarters with her as the unknown shadow. Ami watched from behind the trees as he walked up to the front and waved to the security guard. The guard in turn let him through the doors without even checking him for an ID. The information interested Ami a lot for it meant that the guy had to be some important figure in the Akiko Corporate structure. After a moment had passed Ami followed the man to the building. But when she reached the entrance the guard stopped her with a single gesture.

"I am sorry ma'am but you need to have an ID or an appointment in order to enter."

Ami stopped short, trying to figure her way out, and also find out some information in the process. "Actually sir, I was wondering if you could help me out here. Do you know who that man was who just walked in?"

Ami was shocked when the guard burst into laughter. "So you are another one, are you?" At Ami's confused expression he continued. "You know, he may look sexy and he may be one of the most eligible bachelors in Tokyo but he still doesn't go out with a lot of girls, especially as young as you." When Ami blushed at the realization that the guard thought that she was interested in the man, the guard gave off another loud bark of a laughter. "You should know now miss, Mr. Akiko doesn't want to date you, you would be better off with someone who is less of a party animal."

Ami had the information she needed. The name: Akiko, occupation: CEO of Akiko corporation, a party animal, snobbish, egotistical, pure business man... chances of him being Zoisite: none.

Lita had just picked up some clothes for Serena that had been especially tailored for her trip. And she had just finished preparing Serena's favorite food, a chocolate cake. Now all she had to do was get to the shrine before Rei lost her temper and before Serena could get there for her surprise party. She smiled as she thought of all that they had done trying to get some information out of Rei about Jake. Stubborn as always, Rei had refused to yield but Mina would take care of that.

From that thought Lita's thoughts went down, now three of her friends had guys and Mina and her were left alone. She once more wondered what could have made Freddie leave her but once more like every other time, her mind came up with a blank. She wondered if she should look him up, after all they had been pretty close even before they had gone out. It was just that even after all the time they had shared together she still didn't know much about him... yeah Lita, like who his family is. It had been a standing argument for them that he refused to talk about himself and Lita had felt that she was the only one at times who had wanted to keep the relationship... apparently she had been right.

While Lita was trying to figure out her heart a few blocks away, Mina was in front of Darien's door was trying to figure out her eyesight.

The man with the purple eyes once more stood behind Darien. His eyes now clear purple ponds were like a beacon to Mina. *Wow! What a hunk!*

"Hey, Mina! Are you alright?" Darien asked concerned. He had an idea that this would happen if one of Serena's friends saw Michael, but he hadn't expected Mina to go into shock.

It took a while for Mina's mind to finally register Darien's voice and when it did, she blushed bright red. "Oh sorry, for a moment there I thought I had the wrong door." Darien just smiled. This reaction was pretty common around his new friend Michael, it was a bit of a blow to his ego when all the attention went to Michael but he had Serena and that was all that mattered.

"Why don't you come in? I'll be just a moment." Mina walked in still slightly dazed but otherwise ok. "Oh I don't think I have introduced you to Michael, Mina this is Michael Sanders, Mike, this is Minako Aino." With that Darien hurried to his bedroom to get the things ready for Mina.

Great he had been so busy with helping Mike that he had completely forgotten to gather Serena's stuff. But he figured at least Mina would appreciate the time with Mike, if her looks were anything to go by.

Out in the living room, Mina was indeed enjoying herself. Just looking at Mike was a pleasure and the way he was sitting studying right now... no words were needed there. He was dressed in white slacks with a light purple silk shirt that complemented his eyes perfectly. His shoulder length white hair was straight and fell around his broad shoulders and his slightly tanned skin just added to the overall effect.

"So what are you studying?" Mina finally ventured.

"I am a law school student, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to know some physics on the side." He stopped pointing with his head towards Darien's bedroom, "Darien is helping me out there."

"So you like studying?" *Oh no, what am I going to do if he starts to talk like Ami?*

"It is a world of information." He just said in his monotonous voice without even bothering to look up from his book.

Realizing the futility of her efforts Mina went off to the kitchen for a drink. On her way she spied a radio and realized that Jake Sanders' special would be on and turned it on. As soon as the first notes hit her ear she was off. Her feet and hands found the rhythm of the song as if it belonged to her and soon the volume was no longer low.

*Great there goes my studying time.* Rang out in Mike's head. Now he had to stop there was no way he was going to remember anything with music blaring in the back and the beautiful... um girl Mina singing along with it.

"Hey you want to join me?" Mina's question broke through his thoughts. "I don't know what's keep Darien so long but the music is great and you know the saying... 'Party marthy?'"

"Party hearty." Mike automatically corrected. Thinking his response to mean he wouldn't mind dancing Mina grabbed his hands and dragged him to the middle of the living room, dancing even before she got there.

Shocked would be an understatement in describing how Mike felt. Here he had come to get help on physics since Darien had called to let him know he would be gone, and now here he was dancing with this strange, happy, bright, beautiful...WHAT! Where did those adjectives come in? So surprised was he that he stopped dancing and just stood there like a statue in the middle of the room while Mina danced all around him.

When Darien came out of his room with Serena's stuff he stood there as still as Mike staring at Mina, face vaulting he walked up to the oblivious Mina. A hand on the shoulder was enough to bring her back to earth and when she returned, she returned with a THUMP. Abruptly stopping and blushing a beet red, she grabbed the stuff from Darien and ran out of the room. Muttering all the while of inaudible excuses.

***************************************************

Lita had just turned the corner with an armload of clothes so high she was having trouble see what's in front of her. As she turned out of the corner of her eyes she saw what she thought she would never see, long cinnamon red hair hanging down till broad shoulders on a person of a very tall frame, Freddie.

Ami too had just turned the corner and the first thing she saw was what looked like a walking pile of clothes. Ami too had just turned the corner and the first thing she saw was what looked like a walking pile of clothes. Before either knew what was happening, they had run into each other and ended up on the sidewalk.

"Ami!"

"Lita!"

"Gomen, Ami I didn't see you there." Lita started already looking around for the man who looked so much like her lost love.

"Gomen, Lita it was no fault of yours that... she stopped when she realized that Lita wasn't even paying attention, so instead just gathered up the scattered clothes. With a slight nudge from her and Lita's attention snapped back. "Um... Lita... I was wondering... well you know... um... Josh... Mina and you..." Come on girl I know you can do this. "DidyouandMinafindoutanythingaboutJosh?" Ami asked nervous of her answer. If they had, she would be so happy and could go to him and... then what? If they hadn't, well then she could follow her own leads and... then what? Perplexed at this situation she had landed in, Ami's face took on pale a complexion. She was stuck! And she didn't know what to do! This was not a situation she liked.

Lita sighed, once more she reminded herself that even if that had been Freddie, he wouldn't have had talked to her, and besides she had her friends so who needed him?

"Well Ami" Lita began, "Mina and I have talked to ooo about a dozen or so people and this is what we have come up with so far..." Here she started counting off the information on her fingers. "He is very quite, likes to study and analyze. He is an enigma to many people. But we were able to find out that he likes computers and he is very good with them. There is speculation that he works for the Akiko corporation as their computer programmer but that information has not been confirmed. No one knows for sure when they'll see him, he doesn't even have a hangout place. And most of all he has just moved here...we think... because no one has seen him before, oh, a year back." With the end, Lita took a deep breath and studied Ami's face. She knew her smart friend was filing all the information in her brain for future reference, and hoped that her quite friend would finally be happy.

Mina on the other hand, was running, more like breaking the speed barrier. She had to get away. Why was it that she had felt like she was in a dream, as if she was reliving a memory when she had been dancing with Mike. And she had now made a fool of herself in front of him, not once but twice. Mina found herself in the Crown Café, ordering a cup of hot chocolate and reflecting on her life.

She had helped in defeating Beryl, finding the princess, healing the doom tree, banishing the dark moon, destroying wise man, Pharoh 9 had been dealt with, Nepherina, and Galaxia were gone, and here she was still running scared of her dreams. Or was it reality? She wasn't so sure anymore.

Ever since Galaxia had been healed of Chaos she had been having dreams. In all her dreams starred a man with silver hair and the most amazing eyes. Eyes she knew she shouldn't forget but still she did. They were in love and then a monster destroys him. And each time this dreams was the same and each time she woke up after with unexplainable tears streaming down her cheeks.

She stared down into her dark chocolate drink. The soft swirls the soft rising steam and it sent her back to her dreams, which suddenly turned to reality. There she saw, amidst the swirls of steam, her and Mike dancing to a lovely music. In a dance hall that would have shamed the greatest architect of the modern world, while the soft blue glow of the earth lighted the entire place.

"Hey Mina, how are you today? Why look so sad?"

Andrew, sometimes he had the most unpleasant timing. But none the less Mina got out of her dream world. Sending her brightest smile towards him she assured him she was fine and that she really should be heading off to Rei's. But all the while those lies spilled forth from her lips she could only wonder at her dream man and who he was.

Ami on a whim decides to return to Akiko corporation, after her talk with Lita. She had read in the newspaper that morning of their job opening in computer programming. And being curious as why their computer resembled her Mercury palmtop so much she thought it a very good reason to join their team. But deep in she knew one of the reason was because that guy still reminded her of Zoisite, and a stranger from her dreams. She hadn't felt it prudent to tell everyone of her suspicions, yet. Lita had left to go join Mina and Serena at Rei's temple and get information of her date with Jake out, "by foul means or fair" were her words.

Ami approached the building carefully. If indeed Zoisite resided here then she had better be on alert. The guard recognized her from this morning and once more greeted her.

"I see you're back. Are you still curious about Mr. Akiko?"

And Ami felt her stomach churn. "Actually, sir, I came regarding the position of computer programmer that was in today's paper."

"Oh...well...in that case, there are open interviews today, held by Mr. Akiko himself. Good luck."

That's it. That was all it took for her to get in the building? Ami was surprised. So why the guard in the first place? Her mind screamed.

As Ami made her way to the top floor she took stock of all that was around her. It looked as if the people were normal enough. They even seemed to be having a fun time and from the looks of it, they were very close. Interesting.

The building was earthquake retrofitted. It had tall roman looking columns in the front foyer. Very well decorated in soft blues and the high vaulted ceiling had an illusion that they were all under water. Very Interesting.

The computer that the receptionist had, had a virtual port hook up. Flat screen, touch sensitive keyboard, the works. Intriguing.

As she was shown into Mr. Akiko's office Ami noted the surrounding. They were decorated in blues. All blues. Every shade seemed be that much more better than the one before. Ami fell in love with the room. Once more the ceiling was done with the under water décor to it. A large aquarium adorned one of the walls while the one opposite was one large bay window looking out over the top of Tokyo. As for Mr. Akiko, he was currently sitting with his back against her. Busily talking on the phone with some one named Maxfield. That is, he was talking to him, until he turned around in his swirl chair to find company in his office. The phone dropped from his hands and his mouth hung to the floor. Ami gathered he was in shock and idly she wondered if she should go call for help, least the poor man was having some sort of heart attack or something.

Zachary Akiko was on cloud nine since his visit to the night club. It was not everyday that one falls in love on first sight. And the angel he was heads over heels for was truly a sight to behold. Her blue hair and blue eyes, his favorite color, were sunshine bright. Ami, was the name of his angle and even though she knew him not by his real name of Zach, but the alias Josh, feelings, he felt cannot be deceived.

On this happy note he had spent the entire day dreaming of their second meeting. For even as he sat there, he had people looking into the mysterious identity of his lady love. So one can only imagine his shock when his secretary sent in another applicant and it turned out to be the very person he had been dreaming of. Saying that he was shocked to the bone didn't even begin to cover it. Stupefied, was getting closer. But in reality words couldn't describe his sate of being. Now the only problem was in introducing himself as he truly was not his alias. With a welcoming smile he extended his hands to greet the lady in blue. Only to notice the immediately guarded look the took over her face. "Hi, my name is Zachary Akiko..."

Ami realized that this was indeed her chance not only to get a closer look at the Zoisite look alike but also find out more about the place where Josh worked, and hopefully get to know him more. Plastering a bright smile on her face, she too extended her hand in greeting. "My name is Ami Muzino. I came about the opening for a computer programmer." When their hands connecting, a shock rode up her hands. An unknown feeling of familiarity ran through her and she forced herself to take a closer look as Mr. Akiko. His blonde hair fell all the way to his shoulders. Standing tall, but not quite as tall as Setsuna he made a very handsome figure. His body though may look thin, had muscles that could be seen with each slight move. His eyes ere green, almost a mix between blue and green, depending on the lighting. All in all, even the normally oblivious Ami could see, he was a handsome man quite worthy of his title as one of the most handsome men in Tokyo.

Cautiously Ami sat down at the proffered seat. "So Ms. Muzino, I assume you do know a little bit about computer programming after seeing your resume."

"Yes I do."

"Well then, how would you like to start working for our company tomorrow?" There was no way that Zach was going to lose this gift from fate.

"So soon, are you sure?"

"I am, but... if you aren't..."

"No, no that is fine, tomorrow is fine."

"Good, now with that out of the way, we can go on to the finer details. You will find me a man who is driven. Once I decide on a course of action, I don't back down." **And in this my dear Ami, you are going to be my prize.**

It was past seven by the time Ami made it to Rei's temple. Everyone else had already gathered there. Apparently Rei was just about to spill the beans on how her date with the famous Jake Sanders went.

"So did I miss anything?" Ami asked stepping into the room, and seeing the group huddled around Rei. Even Darien to a point was leaning towards the group. Even though he usually preferred to stay out of these matters, this it seemed was a very special event.

"Look all I am going to say is that I got the autograph and it WASN'T A DATE!" Rei's voice rang out in the small room. Mina sent a look towards Lita and Serena that just rang off painful torture. With a nod Serena moved to the left and Lita to the right, leaving Mina to approach the enraged senshi of Mars head on.

"Now, now Rei as the scout of love I do have an intuition for these sort of things, so we'll give you a choice, spill it or be prepared."

Rei noticing her situation started to back off until rudely stopped by an unforgiving wall. The only voice from her was asking in a fearful voice, "What are you going to do?"

"Oh nothing." Lita said following her.

"That is... as long as you cooperate." Serena finished, laughing with glee.

Rei sent imploring eyes towards the blue haired scout of Mercury. "Ami?"

"Sorry, Rei, I am not up to the odd here."

"Darien!"

"Oh, no... this is your fight, besides I have no plans of getting moon dusted by my love." He replied sending an appeasing smile towards his princess. After which the next sound from the room was a loud shriek from Rei, loud enough to wake the dead.

Michael went home dazed. He had never had an encounter more unusual than the one with Mina this afternoon. It wasn't as if he wasn't used to beautiful women, but there was something about her... something that sent his heart pounding. As he approached his home he noted that his brother's car was parked in the drive way... which meant he was home from his busy star schedule.

"Yo, bro, what's up?" Jake called out as he saw his brother's car's headlights cut across him.

"Jake, would you please try to speak proper Japanese. And Yo and Bro do not constitute as proper." Mike replied, annoyed. It had been a hard day as it was, but to come home and have to deal with his overzealous brother... sometimes life was way too hard.

"Sorry, but you're the only one who asks that of me." Jake replied grinning. He wasn't even fazed a bit by the commanding presence of his brother. This of course was not lost on his brother who had taken care of them both since they were sixteen.

"Alright Jake what did you do and how much is it going to cost me to get you out?"

"I am in LOVE." Said a dancing maniac. "I just had the most wonderful date with an angle. A raven hair one with the most beautiful onyx eyes, a body I could look for forever and the voice of the havens." Jake ran up to Mike who was looking at his brother as if he had lost his marbles and it was true he was wondering which doctor he should contact. "Mike, brother, this is serious. Very serious. I know we are meant to be, I can just feel it."

"Jake I think it is time you went to bed."

"NO!" Jake yelled out. "I know what I am doing. Look before you condemn my heart at least hear my story."

"So she wanted my autograph and I purposed to give it to her if she agrees to have dinner with me."

"And she fell for that, oh brother!"

Jake sent Mike a nasty look before continuing. "We went to the Starlight Restaurant, well we met up there anyway. And I wouldn't be lying if I told you, I never even tasted the food, my mouth would acknowledge nothing but her kisses".

"Alright, alright, I get the idea, you are really down on the girl, so what else is new."

"You don't understand Mike, she, Rei, she is really special, she is... I don't know unique."

"Ok, Ok, fine. Now do I really have to listen to this brother, or can I do something else?"

"What is wrong with you Mike, Ok so I am talking to you about a girl and you, as always, is still trying to wrangle out of anything thing that involves emotion, but dammit there is something else isn't there?" Jake turned angry eyes towards his brother, while at the same time slamming his glass on the table.

"Look, Jake, I am sorry, do you want to continue?" Mike finally spoke, in what he hoped was his best appeasing voice.

"Well, like I said, Rei is different. There is an odd aura of power around her, and when I am around her, it just feels so right. You know what I mean?"

Mike didn't answer, just nodded his head. He was thinking of a different person. A young girl with blonde hair and so much energy that it could power the world for a year.

"She is a priestess, a Shinto priestess, at the Hikawa Shrine." He smiled as he remembered his first sight of the fiery Rei. "And boy does she pack some fire power. Anyway, my current problem is with her current 'friend', she refused to even go out with me, I had to BLACKMAIL her! Me, Jake Sanders!"

"Please, Jake, do try and control your ego."

"Humph, any ways, I told her I would give her an autograph copy of my Silver Moon CD."

"So you got a date?" Mike asked, bored. His brother, he knew from experience was an incorrigible flirt, not serious about one girl. His career didn't help him mend his bad habits either, thought the older brother.

"I dropped her home, and asked if she wanted to go for a walk. She agreed." Jake told his brother. Of course he didn't add how he had to bribe her, but that he would keep just between Rei and himself. "We were walking happily, and I had thought that things had even progressed so I tried to kiss her..."

"Then I slapped him across the cheek and left." Rei finished for her friends. Anger still coursing through her blood at the memory.

"You slapped him?" Serena asked, barley able to get the words out in between her laughter. "The hottest star in all of Japan?"

"Take a hike, meatball head. The nerve!" Rei yelled, getting up and shaking a fist in the direction of her princess.

"I thought you liked him?" Lita asked confused. Here she was still lost over her love and Rei was flat out refusing what her heart was telling her, and fate had given her.

"Well I for one would never have thought Jake would do that." Mina commented thinking of her old friend. "I know he can sometimes be... well headstrong, but still he usually is pretty cautious with other people. I wonder what happened?"

Rei turned to the blonde with the red bow in her head. "He kissed me, is what happened!"

"You know there are worse things in life than being kissed by a guy you are head over heel with." Ami said thinking of Josh.

"Who said I love him?" Rei asked, barley keeping herself from yelling.

"You just did!" Serena called out happily right before ducking a flying pillow sent her way.

"Ahem, if you are quite done..." A voice called out from the doorway. Five girls turned in surprise towards the door. There stood a tall girl, mystery surrounding her like a shawl. Long green hair, so dark that it was almost black, hung down to her knees. Her eyes were magenta, set in a face that showed almost no emotions. The eyes were the same color as that of the round crystal that was embedded in her key shaped staff.

"Pluto!" Five voices called out in greeting.

"Is it time?" Serena asked getting up from her place. "Were is Darien?"

"Outside waiting for you, Princess Serenity." She saw the happy mood of the five changed as they realized the time was finally here. The famous five would be broken up to four for the time that Sailor Moon was gone. "It is time princess."

Serena turned to her friends. Friends who had tought her to grow, learn, and love, who had stuck with her through death, twice, helped her save the world, god only knows how many times. "I will miss you." She was finally able to blurt out. It wasn't much in the way of words, but she doubted that any words would be enough to express how she felt at the moment. Tears appeared in her blue eyes, but she refused to hide. She knew she would miss them to death on her trip.

"Hey meatball head, try not to mess up the time line, would ya?" Rei said, crying openly like her friend. She gave Serena a last hug and stepped back so that Mina could say her good byes.

Mina ended up not using any words at all, but she did use a lot of body language. She more or less just jumped her friend and embraced her in a tight bear hug all the while crying. It wasn't until Lita had to pull her off that she finally relented. Only to be laughted at by the rest of her friends.

"You are a true friend, Serena, a princess not just outside, but in your heart as well. Enjoy your trip and could you see about getting me some of those recipies?" Lita smiled at her last bit of statement. Although they had gotten a lot of their memories from the past back, there were still several gaps there. Gaps that haunted Lita to no end, and for no explainable reason as well.

When it came to Ami's turn she approached Serena in her usual shy manner, and carrying a BOOK too! Much to the dissapointment of Serena. "I brought you a book on ancient languages so you would be more comforatable there." And then surprise of surprises, reserved Ami ran to hug her friend good bye.

After the good byes Pluto and Serena walked outside, followed closely by the four girls. Serena knew she would miss them dearly. She had stayed up all night last night, meditating with the crystal. She had with the help of the crystal been unable to unlock a lot of her past memories, but she knew the information she had gotten from them would best be left in the dust of the past. It would be a lost less painfull for the involved party. But last night, when she was meditating, she had been able to see the faces, faces of friends and of soul mates. Faces she had knon and cherished. And she knew what awaited her friends while she would be in the past. She smiled sadly as she realized she was going to miss this important part of her friend's life, but on the other hand she also realized that she would them the first time around in real life. And that was the thrill of the entire trip. Reliving her memories. Good, bad, sad, and happy, all of them.

With the silent whisper of "Dark dome open." Pluto raised her staff and opened the sacred doors of time. A wave and a blown kiss in the wind latter, the three, Serena, Darien, and Sailor Pluto were gone.

As the four girls stood staring at the spot where their prince and princess had been just a moment back, they each could have sworn they heard her voice. "See the truth my sisters-in-arms."

@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@

Well that was it for the third chapter. How did you like it? The good, the bad, the ugly... any comments. Email. I love to hear from people. So EMAIL. Come on, please... :) If you want to do so at:

ixopo1550@yahoo.com

and if you want to check out this and my other stories, along with my collection of Sailor pictures (which I just happen to have tons of) you can visit my homepage:

http://sailorrelam.cjb.net

So until next time. Ja ne! - Serenity Star