I do not own Sailor Moon. However, this story along with created characters belong to me. Please enjoy! The revisions are still in progress. Only chapters 9-15 left to fix up and should be up daily (check for updates)!

"Redemption"

Chapter 8

By the time Sabrina had been let off of work, evening had fallen. The streets of Tokyo were alive with people heading home from a long day in the office-most thankful for a breath of fresh air. The late afternoon sunlight caressed the grey sidewalks with its brilliant rays.

Potted plants of red and white lined the streets; the shops were beginning the close up for the night as people streamed out with their purchases. Sabrina adored watching the people of Tokyo, because she loved human nature. Cultures, creations, families, and the world fascinated her. Sabrina's inquisitive and experienced nature was the cause of this.

The heels of her sandals clicked along the pavement as she walked, radiant orange hair sweeping down her back. 'I love Tokyo…though it is hard to believe the sort of things that drew both Eve and I here.' Purse in hand, Sabrina made her way down the street and to the corner where she would await her ride home-the bus. Taking note of a bench beside the street, she sat patiently and took in the evening scene of her home. A few couples passed by her, hand in hand as they spoke in hushed, but happy tones. A mother and two of her small children rushes past her, the shopping bags containing their freshly made purchases in hand. It was out of all of these people that a two caught her eye.

A sleek red car drove by, its driver unfamiliar to Sabrina, but the passenger stirred memories. 'Rini's cousin…I think Serena was her name. The man with her must have been a close friend at the very least. Perhaps the two were out for a romantic afternoon. I wonder where my Prince Charming could be.' Sabrina smiled at this thought and glanced at her watch. Five-thirty…the bus should be arriving any moment. It was at that time the young woman gave the sky another glance. Sunlight showered down and enveloped Tokyo as the sun began to set; it rays caught Sabrina's hair, seeming to light her brilliant hair aflame with its radiance. Closing her deep emerald-eyes, Sabrina smiled pleasantly as the warm rays danced across her face.

"Sabrina, is that you?" a familiar female voice spoke up from behind. The sunlit young woman turned around to face two smiling women about her age.

"Amara, Michelle. So good to see you," she replied, shifting so the two could take a seat beside her on the white bench.

"Heading home after a long day at work?" the taller woman inquired.

"Yeah actually I am, Amara. This may seem like an odd question, but do you happen to know a Serena?" The duo glanced at one another.

"Would you be referring to a Serena Tsukino?" Michelle responded. Her aqua tresses and eyes glistened in the light.

"Why do you ask?" spoke Amara. She rested her elbows on her knees and watched Sabrina intensely.

"Recently I encountered a young child by the name of Rini, who happened to look a bit lost and lonely. I ended up escorting her to Cherry Hill's Temple where she could reunite with her friends. Which is where I met Serena, her cousin. I only wondered because I watched she and a male friend pass by."

"Oh yes, that is definitely Serena Tsukino. And that male companion you saw her with was probably Darien Chiba. He happens to be Old Meatball Head's long time love," Amara exclaimed in reply.

Michelle giggled and grinned at Sabrina. "Darien is entirely devoted to Serena. But despite all, if anyone becomes too close to him, Serena goes in a wild jealous frenzy. I suppose that's what young love can do to you." Sabrina smiled. Finally the bus arrived and after a short ride, the three departed.

When it came to her stop, Sabrina got off and waved. "See you two later!" The duo waved back in reply as the bus headed into town. Green eyes glittering, Sabrina scanned the area and smiled pleasantly as she began her promenade back to her apartment.

* * *

It wasn't until later that night, that the true horrors began. Darien had dropped Serena off at home in the late evening and following he'd gone home. Presumably everyone was settled in at his or her respective home.

It was when the clock struck 7 o'clock PM with a distinctive chime, however, that sent chills up Serena's spine. The phone had begun to ring almost in accordance with the clock as the odangoed blonde quickly answered. She did enjoy the time to herself to be alone in the house for a while but for some reason she was no longer comfortable. "Hello?"

"Serena, hey!" Mina laughed from the other end.

Miss Tsukino let out a little sigh and chuckled lightly. "Hey Mina. What's up?"

"We were going to head over to the movies, wanna come?" Serena could just see her bright blue eyes sparkling idiotically as she readied herself for the night out. Tonight, although, Serena would not be joining them.

"Mina, I'm actually kind of tired from spending the afternoon with Darien." Reclining against the living room couch, Serena propped her feet up on the arm of the furniture piece, her eyes closed peacefully as she awaited Mina's reply. She could almost see her friend's face light up with delight at hearing he'd returned home to Serena.

"Darien's home already? Well I'm glad you two were able to spend the afternoon together. Okay, well you rest up and we'll see you tomorrow at the Temple around 1. We're calling another meeting."

"Alright, bye Mina," Serena replied before hanging up. It was comforting to know that despite all of the recent events life could still be simple and pleasurable. The odangoed future queen although, knew all too well that things were not as they seemed. 'Tonight is such a nice evening; maybe I'll take a walk. I did tell Mina I was too tired…but…maybe a good walk down to the arcade will help me out.' Serena threw on a pale blue jacket and locked the front door behind her.

* * *

By now the strolling blonde was thankful that Rini was away for the weekend and sleeping over at a friend's house. It gave Serena some time to collect herself and put back together the shattered pieces. Besides, the environment, which surrounded them with so much impending doom, was now a terrible place for the child. More so…she could have been a target.

Serena couldn't help but allow her thoughts to fall back to the previous night. 'They could've been killed…and I wasn't paying attention. It is my entire fault.' Even the encouraging words of the four sisters could not shift her feelings on the subject.

"You can't blame yourself! There's no way you could have known, Serena please go home and get some rest. I'll take you myself," Avery echoed in her mind.

"But I can't not blame myself!" Serena shouted out loud to no one in particular. The sound of her voice echoed in ripples down the street and into alleyways. She smiled, almost thinking she had a separate self to talk to. The streets were dead by now and lit solely by the fading sunset and flickering sidewalk lamps. No one was walking the streets or even home, it was summer vacation after all and most people had gone away. A cold wind suddenly swept her away, but she never moved. "Time to go home," Serena whispered almost incoherently.

* * *

Finally Sabrina had reached her front door to her apartment/loft. Sliding the golden key into the lock, the door swung open to reveal a home that was completely spotless. Usually she never had any time to clean in the morning, since she had work and other things to tend to. Eve must have been the one to tidy up. "Hey Brina, you're home!" someone said coming down the hall. Sabrina waved in response to her sister.

"Hello Eve. How was your day?" Eve Jenkins walked into the brilliant light of the sunset that poured through the front door.

"It was all right I suppose," the girl replied. She was tall and slim just like Sabrina, all except for her coloring, which was entirely different-like the distinction between the sunrise and sunset. Eve had hair of deep burgundy wine that fell down just past her shoulder blades. Her eyes were an intense and deep hazel with hints of gold-far diverse from her sunlit sister of orange and emerald.

"Sabrina, you seem a bit distant tonight. You okay?" Eve said, her eyes searching her sister's. Instead of a normal reply, Sabrina turned to the still open front door and look out through the screen.

"Born on the same day, oddly, I at sunrise, and you at sunset. Yet we were born at the same time. How do you explain that Eve?" Sabrina replied.

"We're special, Sabrina. We both always knew we were."

"Yes, I suppose we did," Sabrina spoke softly as she turned from the door and window, proceeding to hang up her things.

"Twin sisters that look nothing alike. How did we get away with that one?" Eve laughed, taking a seat on the living room couch.

"We're twins, not identical, genius. Not hard to that figure out!" Sabrina replied sarcastically. Eve's face turned smug and then filled with delight as she threw a pillow at her sister. She caught it with ease and took a seat in the chair opposite Eve. The large picture window at the head of the room allowed the last remnants of sunset to pour through. Both rose from their chairs and exited the house and came to stand on the front porch just in time to watch the brilliant colors bathe the sky.

"It's so beautiful. Especially here in Tokyo, isn't it, Eve?" Sabrina murmured softly. She ran a delicate hand through her pretty tresses thoughtfully.

"I know…I always loved it as a kid. And now it has more meaning for the two of us than ever before. I'm just lucky…" the wine-haired sister answered.

"Eve?" Sabrina inquired as shimmering pinks, oranges, purple-grays and glowing blues ruled the evening sky.

"Lucky that it's mine." Eve eyed the sky with a thoughtful glance and re-entered the loft. Sabrina remained on the porch, watching as the last light of day faded from her vision.

* * *

Amy sat up in bed that night, unable to sleep. Her thoughts continued to roll back to past events, each more horrific than the next. 'The battle out in the street and that dragon-like creature have been catalysts to our entire cause. We've taken things so calmly, all except for Serena of course. I can see how much pain she bears…and I know she blames herself for most of what has happened. But she has to realize that none of us could have seen this coming.'

The time out with the girls was wonderful, but without Serena there was something missing; like the steering wheel or breaks of a car...however, not as deranged. But it seemed whenever Amy felt sleep tugging at her eyelids, a sinking feeling filled her and she couldn't even close her eyes enough to blink. Oddly enough, the rest of the girls were the same way. Serena being no exception.

* * *

"To fight is to win…to battle is to watch those you love dearly die. I can't let this continue…no I won't! This is between the others, you and me. No better yet, just you and me! Leave my friends out of this! Too many people are in danger!" Serena woke up screaming in her own room. A sheen of perspiration glistened on her forehead, her bangs clung to her drenched skin messily. After a couple of minutes, she regained her bearings, now fully awake. "There's something out there. I have to find it!" But a probing voice at the back of her mind advised against it. Luna.

"Serena, don't. You must go back to sleep. Depriving yourself of much needed rest will only hurt you. Everything in time, Serena. Please try to relax." The cat's ruby eyes looked upon her with concern.

"But, Luna, I can't! I feel so high strung and wound tight like a ball of string! Luna, I'm falling apart! I want my normal life back! Normal school, hanging out at the arcade until past my curfew and missing everything! Even the exams I'd go back for…well not exams…not ever the exams. It's just that…"

Luna mounted the bed and curled up beside the distraught teenager. By the time she finished her sentence…Serena fell asleep.

It was the very next morning that a peculiar event occurred. It was as if a great fog had lifted and clarity had returned to the world. A feeling of a new start and happiness for everyone took the reigns-if not this, than a very deep change in the cosmic energy…and Serena.

The blonde padded down the stairs and took a seat at the kitchen table, thoughtfully pouring herself a bowl of cereal. "Good morning, how are you feeling, Serena?" Luna inquired from the countertop.

"Fine thanks. You Luna?" Serena replied munching her cereal carefully as she seated herself.

"Good, but nevermind that. Are you feeling better?" Luna replied quickly and confused.

"Oh yes. I think I'm going to take an early walk…clear my thoughts. Later, Luna!" Serena cried running out the door, tossing the empty bowl into the sink as she went.

"But Serena! It's only 7 o'clock in the morning? What is she doing up so early? Now there is something going on!" Luna concluded, bounding from the counter and towards the stairs.

* * *

Sky-haired Glimmer was waiting for the perfect moment to drop the bomb on Glacier. Top priority at this time for her was eliminating the competition, namely her sisters. If Glimmer was to succeed in their mission, she must first assert her power over the others-and win Glacier's full trust. Pinning this mistake on Borealis was the perfect way to begin her task in doing so. Not only had Borealis failed, but also she didn't bother to report or to explain what had gone wrong. And because failures without explanation, or betrayal were intolerable among them, destroying the unity of her family would be simple. "Morning sister," Glimmer exclaimed as Glacier emerged from her bedchamber.

"Glimmer, did Borealis report in last night?" she replied fully awake. "There was no log in the central computer. I had high hopes for the success of her mission."

"Report in? Actually…"

"What is it Glimmer?"

"Well you see…" Glimmer drew on, forcing an expression of empathy and innocence.

"I do not have the time for this!" Glacier said becoming impatient.

"If you must know," Glimmer exclaimed with a sigh, "Borealis failed miserably and came crawling to me once I overheard her talking. She begged that I not to say a word to you. But I knew in doing so you'd be ever more angry if you found out yourself. She never reported in and she even lost her demonic headhunter Iris. I'm very sorry." Glacier grimaced slightly and nodded at her youngest sister.

"Thank you, Glimmer. You are dismissed," the platinum haired woman murmured. Lapis Lazuli eyes glittering dangerously, she began her walk to Borealis' chambers.

Glimmer, however, watched in satisfaction and finally ran off down the long black corridors. Her spiked silver heels of three inches high clicked the polished starship floor. Both the black mini-skirt and slinky back-less silver halter top that clothed her swayed as she went. 'I am good…play innocent and it works like a charm…'

* * *

Glacier arrived at the obnoxiously well-polished door to Borealis' chambers. Without warning, the door slid open to reveal a cringing, pink-haired woman by her bed. "Borealis!"

"Glacier!" Borealis exclaimed in surprise, rising from her perch on the floor against the mattress. Her long hair was pulled back in a tight braid that trailed down her back; her clothing was messy, complexion dark and expression foreboding. Her green eyes had lost their light and they refused to meet Glacier's hardened gaze.

"Don't act surprised, because you knew damn well this was coming! Failure is not tolerated without explanation. More so, you didn't bother to report in to at least save me the trouble of having to find out why. Now I am very forgiving, you know that! What happened?" Glacier demanded. Borealis watched her dark-clothed sister and leaned back onto the bed, seating herself quietly. Her eyes finally met her older sisters, and she went on with her story, nervously wringing her hands.

"And that's it…"

"Uh huh…well I can tell you now that the Senshi will be more aware of our presence and the threat we pose. But…not only did you fail…you basically lied. But I am willing to overlook this mistake. Any more of these careless failures will cost us our glory and our mission. We must be successful in the resurrection of our empire! I am very busy today planning for final assaults on the Senshi," Glacier said gently and left.

Stunned and taken-aback, Borealis merely stared at her door. "Wow."



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