*Seven*

"O, I am out of breath in this fond chase!

 The more my prayer, the lesser my grace."

-- A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

            Rini watched forlornly as Emmy and Darien talked enthusiastically. She wished that it were Serena that Darien was talking to, instead of this new woman. Sure, Emmy was nice enough, but it just didn't feel right. She sighed, suddenly wishing that she didn't feel so alone. Looking up into the sky, something caught her eye. Sailor Moon rose gracefully above the green foliage of the great oak tree. On the brave, young woman's face was etched a hard expression of determination and resolve. She sighed, watching as the Sailor Scout soared noiselessly through the clouds and disappeared.

*          *          *

            The battle raged furiously, the youmas of Azure's army rushed like water towards the four Sailor Scouts. The afternoon sun beat down on the small group. They held steadfast, standing in a line. The oncoming army drew nearer and nearer but they didn't falter. They stared determined, into the ugly face of the enemy.

            "Brace yourselves, Scouts!" Sailor Venus ordered.

            Like a great ocean wave, the youmas crashed upon the four figures. The young women were engulfed by the army. Suddenly, a voice broke through the cacophony of battle. "Hold it right there!"

            The army looked up into the sky, looking for the source of the noise. There were murmurs of "Who's that?" and "What's going on?"

            "I am Sailor Moon!" the voice continued. Finally, the small image of Sailor Moon appeared, joining her four friends.

            "We are the Champion's of Justice!" Sailor Mercury declared.

            "We will right Wrongs," Sailor Mars shouted above the noise.

            "And Triumph over Evil," Sailor Jupiter continued defiantly.

            "And that means you!" Sailor Venus finally declared.

            "In the Name of the Moon!" Sailor Moon added, "We will punish you!"

            "We are the Sailor Scouts!" the five yelled simultaneously, their battle cry rising above the sounds of thousands of thundering feet.

            "Impressive," Another voice cut in, "Very impressive."

            The five scouts looked around for the origin of the voice. Finally, they came to see three figures. One had flaming red hair and piercing ruby eyes. The other was a woman, her long flowing blond hair tired neatly back. The last was another man, with flowing white cape and all.

            "I am Rubeus." The one with the red hair declared.

            "I am Zoisite." The woman added.

            "And I am Malachite!" the last added.

            "Malachite!" Sailor Moon stepped up defiantly, "We defeated you and your workers once before. We will do it again! In fact, I do believe I ran into one of them, Jadeite, just last night."

            "Are you so sure you'll win?" Zoisite asked.

            "We will defeat you!" Sailor Mars declared.

            "Yeah!" Sailor Jupiter added, "Where is your other worker anyway? Emerald seems to be missing today."

            "She is busy," Malachite replied, "We don't need her. The three of us can defeat you easily."

            "Is that a challenge?" Sailor Mercury asked.

            "What do you think?" Rubeus replied.

            "All right." Sailor Venus added, "You've asked for it!"

            "Come on, give us all you got!" Zoisite goaded.

            "Ready Scouts?" Sailor Moon asked, looking back at her companions.

            "Ready!" they replied in unison.

            "Attack!" Came the command. Like a crash of thunder, the fire was upon the scouts, engulfing them and burning them.

*          *          *

            The scream carried like a drum through the wind and into Rini's ears. Even she could hear it, though she was still only a child. She looked over at Darien. He was so engulfed in the conversation that he hadn't heard the cry. Again, the scream rang through the air. Rini got up quickly, running towards the young man.

            "Darien!" she called out.

            He looked up at her, confused, "What is it, Rini?" he asked, "Where's Serena?"

            "Listen!" Rini replied. Darien cocked his ear towards the sky. The agonizingly painful cry came again. He got up quickly.

            "What is it?" Emmy asked, getting up as well.

            "I have to go." Darien replied.

            "What?" Emmy asked, surprised, "What are you talking about? Go where? What'd you hear, I didn't hear anything."

            "I can't explain." He replied as a way of apology, "I just have to go."

            "No!" Emmy replied, grabbing his arm, "Not until I get an explanation. What's going on Darien?"

            The young man looked at Rini helplessly. Again, it came, this time the cry was more painful and sharply Serena's.

            "I..." he began trying to think of an excuse, "I'm sorry, Emmy. But I can't explain."

            Emmy's expression became one of pure determination, "You'll have to. I'm not going to let you go until you do."

            "I have to help someone." Darien replied.

            "Who?" she asked, "I'll come along!"

            "You can't," he replied, "It's too dangerous."

            "But that girl Serena can." Emmy said, her voice turning dangerous, "Right? I saw you two come back late last night. Were you guys 'helping someone' or helping yourselves?"

            "That's not it." Darien replied, his eyes begging her to understand.

            This time, the shriek was not just an incoherent scream, but was actually a word, "Help!"

            Rini wrenched her small little hands; the Sailor Scouts were in a lot of trouble.

            "Darien!" she found herself saying, "You better hurry!"

            Emmy looked down at the little girl, her expression purely hurt, "Even the little girl knows? I thought you trusted me, Darien!"

            Darien gave a sigh of resignation, "I'm sorry, Emmy. I didn't want to have to this, but you leave me no choice. I'm truly sorry." With that, he tore his arm from her grasp forcefully. She gave an indignant little cry; surprised at the strength he had used. He ran off quickly, running out of sight.

*          *          *

            Again the fire raged at Serena, scorching her tender skin. She fell to the ground, her hands were held up in defense.

            "Shine Aqua Illusion!" Sailor Mercury, the Scout of Water, commanded, sending the water sprouting again and again at the fire. But it didn't lessen; it didn't go out.

            "I don't understand this!" Ami said practically crying, "Why won't it go out."

            The smoke was choking the other scouts now. Serena felt it clog up her throat. She coughed fitfully, forcing herself to her feet; she rose above the thick layer of smoke. Her eyes were getting teary from the fire as well; she closed them and trusted her instinct. Her legs felt shaky, but she knew she would choke if she collapsed. The other scouts had struggled up as well, realizing the same thing. Serena stepped forward, trying to get through the flames. She raised an arm sending a beam of light out of her fingertips. Suddenly, she was engulfed by flames. She could hear the warning cries of the other Scouts, but it was too late. The flames licked at her body, drying her skin and scorching it. One jumped at her. She pulled back her arm quickly with a yelp. A large red burn mark was on her upper left shoulder. Her legs felt extremely weak now, she fought not to give in. Suddenly, a single rose penetrated the fire, landing at Serena's feet. She cried out in joy. She looked up, searching for that familiar cloaked figure. Finally, Tuxedo Mask appeared through the flames. He had drawn his cape around him; he walked through the fire, unharmed by the licking flames.

            "Tuxedo Mask!" Serena exclaimed, "We were beginning to worry you'd never come!"

            He smiled slightly, "You don't have to worry anymore." He took out a bouquet of roses. He flung the beautiful flowers out at the fire and beyond towards the youmas. Almost as suddenly as it started, the flames went out. The sharp thorns and edges of the red roses struck the youmas, sending them running.

            "Shine Aqua Illusion!" Sailor Mercury commanded again. This time, the effects were devastating. The water washed out the youmas as well. The scouts watched warily as the enemy fled over the trees. Serena coughed fitfully, her throat felt like it was hot on fire, and everything smelled like smoke. Her eyes were beginning to water again.

            "Are you all right?" Darien was next to her, watching her carefully. She nodded. He gave her a small pat on the back and moved onto the next scout. After he had assured himself that no one was very seriously injured, he spoke to them.

            "That was pretty close." He said, "Where are they getting all these troops, and where are they getting the power?"

            "I don't know." Mina replied, "But we're in for a bumpy ride."

            "Yeah." Rei agreed.

            "We should probably get back to our own sectors." Ami said thoughtfully, "Who knows how many more camps like this one there are?"

            "Hopefully not many." Lita replied.

            Serena tried to voice her opinion but found herself choking on more smoke. She began coughing again. Darien quickly laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.

            "We should all return to our sectors." She finally managed to say. Her voice sounded rough and scratchy.

            "Right." Lita agreed; she looked over at Ami. The two of them quickly jumped into the air. Soon, they were gone.

            "We'll be going too." Darien decided, nodding slightly to Rei and Mina. He put his arm around Serena's waist and jumped off into the air as well. Surprised, Serena quickly grabbed onto his shoulders.

            "I'm all right, Darien." She said, her voice was hoarse and she found it painful to speak.

            He didn't reply but instead smiled warmly at her and pulled her a little closer. Soon, they landed behind the same oak tree that had left an hour or so ago. Darien still held her up after they had landed.

            "Are you going to be all right?" he asked.

            She nodded. He let go of her slowly, making sure that her shaky legs could hold her. He transformed back into his original form. Serena touched her hand to her locket tiredly, transforming back as well. There was a gasp from behind the great oak. Both of the young people looked up, suddenly seeing Emmy standing next to the tree. Rini was there too.

            "Sorry," the little girl said, "I couldn't stop her."

            "Looks like our secret's out in the open then." Darien said, sighing.

            "You're," Emmy began to say and then she stopped. She looked at Serena, then back at Darien, "Oh my..."

*          *          *

            There had been a lot of explaining on Darien's part after Emmy had discovered who he and Serena were. Serena had been too tired to explain and had gone off quietly to sit next the stream. She washed her face with the cool, fresh water. She found that she was covered in some soot and ash. She decided that a nice refreshing little bath would be in order. Taking off her clothes and then putting on her bathing suit, she stepped into the stream. She untied her hair again, letting the great golden mane flow on the water's surface. After she had decided she was as clean as she could get, she got out. By then, her eyelids felt heavy with weariness. Her left arm hurt, where she had been burned. She grabbed her shoulder painfully. The muscle was sore, and it hurt to move the arm much. She sighed; trying to find the medical kit that Luna had packed. Finally, giving up on the search, she walked back to where Darien and Emmy were still talking.

            "I can't believe it." Emmy exclaimed when she had seen Serena, "You are Sailor Moon?"

            Serena smiled tired, "Unfortunately, yes." She replied.

            "And you're Tuxedo Mask?" Emmy asked turning to face Darien.

            He nodded.

            "Wow," she finally said, "I always thought that you two were," she looked at them uncomfortably, "you know, like," she crossed her fingers, "Tight."

            "We are." Darien replied, "Just in a different way then you think."

            There was an awkward silence.

            "Let's get begin to set up camp." Darien decided finally. The three walked to the clearing.

            Serena's muscles felt sore from the fight earlier. She found herself tiring very quickly. Darien noticed this to. After they had pitched the tent he came over to her.

            "Why don't you take it easy tonight?" he asked, "Emmy and I can finish pitching the camp."

            She smiled wearily, "Thanks." She replied; her voice was soft from both being hoarse and from her tiredness.

            He gave her a small kiss on the cheek and then pulled her into a warm hug.

            "I should have come earlier." He said, in an apologetic tone, his voice was slightly muffled by her hair.

            "You came just in time." Serena replied, "Don't worry about it." His touch lingered as she pulled away reluctantly. She looked up into his face; her eyes suddenly were filled with tears. She looked away, to hide it and walked away. She could hear him sigh and then he had gone back to putting the tent together.