Lita awoke to the smell and sound of someone making breakfast. She smiled at the thought that one of her friends cared enough to give her a break from cooking for everyone else. She inhaled the sent of eggs, bacon, pancakes and fresh orange juice. Wow, whoever is cooking is going out of their way!
Deciding to get up, she stretched her arms and legs and stepped onto her fuzzy blue rug. Grabbing her robe, she threw it on and walked to the kitchen. Her eyes widened as she saw Serena, setting the table and placing the food in the center. She glanced at the clock then back at her friend, letting the shock fade from her face and replacing it with a smile. Serena turned to her and smiled, placing the last item on the table.
"Hey Lita," she greeted. "How are you feeling this morning? You looked a bit worn yesterday." Her smile faded. "In fact… All of you did. I can't help but think it had something to do with me and what happened at the library," she stated bluntly, turning back to hang the apron she borrowed on a hook by the stove.
Lita was somewhat surprised by her friends rationalizing. She's right. Lita shook her head sadly. Oh Serena. We haven't been fair to you at all… We're acting like you're a stranger to us. She moved over to the table and sat down. "I'm sorry."
Serena walked back to Lita and hugged her friend tightly. "Lita. I know all of you were surprised by what happened, and I don't blame you at all. There's no need to apologize, but thank you anyway."
"Serena?" Lita hesitated. "How much of the Serena you've shown us all is actually you?" Serena released her and headed to the living room.
"I think everyone will want to be present when I answer that, Lita." She walked into the room and stepped up to the closest two people. Shaking them slightly, she gently woke them before waking the third. "Breakfast is ready guys. If you don't get some now I can't promise I won't eat it all myself!" she giggled.
The three girls immediately got up and headed into the kitchen. Serena sat down and waited for everyone else to finish putting their food on their plates before she stacked things on her own. Amy watched her friend in silence and smiled. "At least her appetite is the same," she laughed.
Mina laughed as well. She had had time to think things over last night and had decided that Serena was always going to be her best friend. She trusted her with her life. The giggles around the table died down as Lita repeated her question, deciding to get that out of the way first. Everyone kept their eyes on their plate as they waited for an answer.
Serena sighed and set down her fork. "Well, everything about me that you know is who I am. Small things were hidden or exaggerated, but that's it." She reluctantly turned her eyes to her friends. "I'm not a klutz or a ditz or a cry baby. Those things were… roles I acted out to hide the core of my true self – the deepest part of me – from you no matter what." She raised a hand to silence the upcoming questions. "Please. Don't ask me why. Just trust me." She waited until they nodded before she continued. "As for some of the things I hid… All I can tell you is that I am more than I appear. I won't hide anymore. I trust you guys."
Rei and the other girls looked at each other, sharing an unspoken agreement. They trusted her as well. All of them hugged Serena tightly.
Breakfast passed with the usual chatter for the girls; occasionally compliments on Serena's cooking were voiced. Her food was actually quite good.
Luna walked the streets, searching for a clue as to where Serena could be. She knew something was up, but couldn't seem to find any of the scouts. Every single one of their usual hangouts led to a dead end. Turning the corner to Jubaan Park, Luna's eyes flashed in relief as she saw Artimis walking down one of the various paths scattered around the area.
Artimis turned to look at the breathless feline quickly approaching and stopped in his tracks, waiting for her to catch up. As soon as she had, the two hid behind a bush. "Luna? What is it?"
"Have you seen the girls lately Artimis?" Luna asked.
"No, not since yesterday." He frowned. "Why? What's wrong?"
Luna looked around nervously. "I need to find them. I feel like something important is happening. I looked everywhere."
"Did you check their homes?"
Luna blushed and put a paw behind her ear. "Uhh… hahaha… I guess that slipped my mind," she laughed, nervously. Artimis just smiled and shook his head. Wordlessly, he headed toward Amy's house, since it was the closest.
Lita opened the door and let in the two exhausted felines. The giggling in the living room ceased as they entered and all eyes turned to them. Luna and Artimis sat in the middle of the group and glared at the smiling faces around them.
"Finally!" Luna yelled. "Do you have any idea how long we've been searching for you guys? You know, if you really took your duties seriously then you would inform us of your whereabouts at all times. I mean the nerve of…" She was cut off as Serena began to giggle.
"Luna." Luna stopped her ranting and stared up at her charge, not seeing what was so funny. Serena placed a closed fist in front of the feline and slowly opened her hand. Luna gasped as she saw the crystal.
"How did you…?" She was shocked.
Rei smiled and picked up the crystal. "You should have seen her Luna. Serena did great. She pretty much got this on her own." Luna looked up at Rei, startled.
"You can't be serious! On her own? What of the enemy? How did you get it away from them?"
Amy explained the entire story to Luna, making sure not to leave anything out. When she finished, Luna was looking up at Serena with a mixture of confusion and hurt. "Why wouldn't you tell me Serena? I may have been able to help you practice your techniques." Serena picked up the cat and placed her on her lap.
"I'm sorry Luna. But at the time I just wasn't ready." Serena hung her head and fought back the tears. "Please forgive me?" It was a request to them all, not just Luna. Why should they forgive me? Serena felt a lump rise in her throat. I've done nothing but be dishonest to them since this whole Sailor Moon thing started.
Mina, who was sitting beside her, reached over and hugged her friend. "Of course Sere. We forgive you." The others nodded in agreement.
After a few hours of talk and planning, mostly done by Luna, Serena and Rei, the chatter went to matters of who would make what for lunch. The others all decided to test out Serena's new found cooking abilities (or so they said) and sent her into the kitchen. Although, Lita did have to drag her half way there and make her feel guilty enough to comply. As Mina went on about some movie she wanted to see, Rei got up and went to the kitchen to get a drink.
"Rei." Serena beckoned her friend over to the table and sat across from her, also grabbing a glass and some juice. Rei waited for whatever it was Serena wanted to say, but after waiting a few moments became impatient.
"What is it Meatball Brains?" she joked, half in fun and half annoyed.
Serena had been waiting to come up with the right words, but decided she may as well get it over with. "I saw your vision." Rei stopped halfway through taking a drink and set her glass down. Fear was evident in her face. Serena quickly continued. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"I was scared." Tears welled up in Rei's eyes as she remembered the vision. "What good would it have done to tell anyway?" She shook her head and suddenly rushed to her friend, hugging her tightly. "Oh Rena, I don't wanna lose you! That vision was so horrible!" Serena hugged her friend back.
"I know Rei. I saw. Now that we know, we'll be ready. The vision was only a possible future, not a definite one. Besides, our plan is full proof. You yourself came up with the defense tactics." Rei nodded.
"But are we ready? I mean, tonight just seems so soon."
"We have to be."
Serena turned the corner to the arcade. It was only 1:30 and the group had decided to have a few hours to themselves before the big battle. They had all split up and gone their separate ways, happy to have time to relax. The arcade doors slid open and Serena walked to the counter without even looking up. Slipping onto a stool, she decided to wait until Andrew finished checking on the games before ordering.
"Why so glum Meatball Head," a voice beside her chuckled. She turned to face Darien. A faint blush spread across her cheeks.
She had always thought that she hated Darien, but his latest actions had caused her to rethink all the times they had fought. After some time of puzzling through the matter, she had noticed a few things she never would have considered before. Every time they had fought, Darien had been smiling. That may not sound big, but if you think about it, who smiles when they're truly in a fight? Thinking back to the kiss at the park, she remembered how gentle and sweet it had been. And the kiss after that in the arcade also provided things to think on. It was like he didn't care who saw, and was actually daring someone to say something. She had also realized that she hadn't pulled back either time. Not to say she'd responded, because she hadn't, but it wasn't like she had discouraged it either. As she watched him, she also thought back to the night before. The things he had said had really helped her pull through some of the more conflicting emotions she was feeling. She was curious as to how he knew all of her identities, but grateful for the fact she no longer needed to hide them from him.
It hadn't been until she had almost reached Lita's apartment that she had realized he was Tuxedo Mask. After thinking all these things through, she finally knew how she felt about him. After denying it for so long, she was ready to admit to herself that she loved him. In a way, she always had, even before she'd met him. When they had run into each other for the first time, she had felt so complete. Like nothing could ever hurt her again. Now, as she watched the grin on his face spread, she knew she would never love another person this much. He had somehow found a way into her heart, and he was there to stay.
Deciding to change the subject, she turned to fully face him. "I think we should talk. In private." Serena made a point of looking around at the people in the crowded arcade. Darien nodded and took her hand, leading the surprised blonde out of the arcade and into the alley. Transforming into Tuxedo Mask, he wordlessly lifted her into his arms and jumped onto the roof, heading towards his apartment. He smiled as Serena reflexively threw her arms around him in fright at the sudden distance between her and the ground.
He loved playing the mysterious type.