No one knows this but I hate my home. There is nothing I can do that makes my mother happy. I would love to tell her that I am Sailor Venus. I would love to tell her about all the times I helped Sailor Moon save the world. How many times I saved England when I was Sailor V. That would get her off my case. But I can't so I have to put up with it. I opened the door to my house and walked in.
"Hello?" I whispered, I hoped I would be able to run straight to my room. It was around eleven o'clock at night. It was a school night. Mom would be angry. Serena, Amy and I were searching for Raye and Lita. Both had disappeared. Serena has been very upset lately. She said that she ran from Lita's even though she knew Lita was in trouble. She said she felt like such a coward. I tried my best to cheer her up but nothing did. I hate seeing Serena sad. I am determined to find out the mystery of the magical family members. I winced at the thought that my mom might have magic.
"Mina!" my mom yelled as I was halfway up the stairs.
"Oh hi mom!" I said half giggling with nervousness. I think I was also supposed to be grounded. I never listened to my groundings. As a Senshi I had be to out whenever danger came.
"Why were you doing out of the house?" she demanded.
"I was on the porch getting fresh air?" I asked. I didn't like lying to my mom. I didn't feel right about that, strangely enough.
"When you are suppose to be in your room asleep?"
"Air is good." I fibbed.
"With your school clothes on? Did you even come home today?"
"Yes!" that was the truth… I came home right now.
"Mina! I don't know what I'm going to do with you. Just go to your room." I think this was the first time mom seemed to have given up on me. I know she thinks I'm some kind trouble- maker how does drugs, drinks and smokes. How I wanted to tell her that I was a Senshi. I walked to my room and sat down on my bed. I looked around for Artemis. He must have gone to Amy's. I'm glad that Amy has my cat, I mean company is always good when one is sad but I wanted my best friend with me tonight. I got up and sat down at my mirror and began to wash my long blonde hair. Taped to the wooden rim of my mirror were pictures of my best friends. I had also stuck newspaper clippings from when I was Sailor V. I plucked the picture of the Inners off my mirror. It was taken after the battle with Queen Beryl; the day we remembered. We were fourteen. I smiled as I realised how much we changed. That we were now at university. I dropped the picture on the table and looked around my room. Stuff animals were everywhere. They were on my shelves, my bed and in my closet. No wonder Artemis hated my room, it was so little girlish. I glanced at my other pictures- the other I snapped when Raye and Serena were having a tongue war; one with Amy studying; one with Lita cooking in the kitchen; one with me and Serena drooling over food; a picture with Darien and Rini; Hotaru and Rini; Amara and Michelle and one with Trista holding her Time Staff. On top of my mirror was one with all of us: the Inners, the Outers, Star Lights, Darien and Rini. I brushed off a couple of tears that were falling off my face. How many friends have I lost because I was a Senshi? This was one of the few times I hated being a Senshi. I grabbed a picture of me and my family. I could have been a model, an actress or a famous singer by now! But no! It was always no.
I laid now on my bed, still in my school clothes. I love my friends and they were leaving. Raye went to be with her dad and Lita went to be with her brother. Who could blame them? Honestly? I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
~~~~~~~
I met Serena in front of the Tokyo U. She looked tired.
"Hey Mina." She mumbled.
"Where's Amy?" I asked. Panic crossed my mind- had she disappeared too? By I covered my feelings from Serena.
"She went ahead. What are you doing after classes?"
"Nothing." Suddenly I spotted this really hot guy. He was standing under a tree, not looking/ looking at me. I smiled at him. He blushed and looked away.
"Earth to Mina!" Serena stood waving a hand in front of my face. I glared at her.
"What?" I snapped.
"Going to come with Amy and I to looked for Raye and Lita?" Think of a lie quick!
"Can't… need to… uh… study!" then I ran up the stairs and entered the crowded hallways of my University.
"Excuse me?" I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around. It was that guy!
"Hi." I said smiling that model smile.
"I'm Evan… I couldn't help noticing you outside." He said.
"I'm Minako- Mina." I turned bright red. Why on Earth did I say my Venusian name… Kinsei Minako.
"Minako?" Evan asked me.
"Mina, just Mina." I corrected him quickly. I didn't want to be called Minako.
"Hello Just Mina. I…" he looked away for a second, "I… what… um… how…" I giggled. I knew what he was trying to do. I tried to stop giggling but his stammering made it all the more funnier. Finally I stop and before he finished the question I said yes. He smiled. We made plans to meet tonight at the Radio Tower. Okay I know. Whoop- dee- do. The Radio Tower but I had a good feeling. Oh I did until I remember Raye and Lita. I hurried to my Psyche class. What kind of friend was I?
~~~~~~~
I removed the big red bow from my hair. I've worn that since seventh grade. It's about time I grew up. Artemis crept into my room.
"Mina! What happened to all your stuffed animals?" As soon as I got home I brought up a bunch of cardboard boxes and put my animals inside. I was a University student now! I was an adult! I threw the red ribbon in the box.
"I'm acting my age." I declared to my feline friend. Artemis made a face.
"Red bows and stuffs are you Mina!" he pulled out my teddy bear. I rolled my eyes and yanked the fuzzy bear from him. I returned to my mirror and began to apply some makeup.
"Makeup for hunting for Raye and Lita?" he asked as he curled up on my bed. I sighed. I wondered if it was too late to get into residence. Then everyone would leave me alone!
"I'm not searching. Geez Artemis! We are acting like fools! Raye and Lita were smart. They got out of here because we are free. There aren't any more enemies! Our fighting days are over and we need to grow up. Sorry Art but we aren't little miss princess planet anymore. We are adults with dreams and futures. We don't want to tied down to some mythical place anymore." I snatched my purse off my bed. Artemis stood up.
"What about Serenity? About Crystal Tokyo? About the real future?" he demanded.
"Find another sap who wants to risk their neck all the time." I put my hand on my doorknob.
"Mina, what's wrong with you? You never use to mind being a Senshi. You know it's a part of you and you accepted it. Why are you fighting now?" he whispered. Why was I fighting it now? I threw my door open and glared at my cat.
"Why don't you go live at Amy's? I'm sure she still loves to play princess." Then I descended now the stairs, blinking back tears. Artemis was right. I wasn't acting like myself. I locked my house door and began to walk towards the bus stop. Why was I fighting my destiny?
~~~~~~
I loved kissing Evan. It felt so right. And when I was with him all my worries and my stress about being a Senshi or about my friends missing were gone. I was at peace. I smiled at Evan.
"Hi…" I whispered as he kissed me again.
"Minako…" Okay, he wouldn't stop calling me that. But it was okay. Everything was okay. We had walked about the park and had a nighttime picnic near the pond in the park. It was so romantic.
"Where's your bow?' he asked me.
"I don't always wear it." I said pulling away from him. I walked closer to the water's edge in my bare feet.
"Yes you do." He whispered as he put his arms around me. I giggled.
"I guess then I realized it was time for me to grow up." I turned around to face him but his eyes weren't on me anymore. A look of terror was on his face. I turned to face where he was looking and gasped. A youma! I didn't understand. I thought they were all gone. Suddenly it didn't matter. I had to transform and Evan had to get out of here!
"Let's go!" I said to him, pulling on his arm.
"No…" he whispered, he didn't look at me. I smacked his arm, hard. He broke away from the spell and turned back to me.
"Run." We began to run as fast as we could, leaving our stuff behind. I knew I had to break away from him. I jumped up on a tree bench yelling, "Keep running!" then with perfect balance I summoned my wand and communicator.
"Sere! Amy! Youma in the park! Hurry!" I cried into the watch like object.
"On our way!" Serena answered. I held up my wand, crying inside. I didn't want to do this again! I wanted to grow up!
"Venus Crystal Power! Make- Up!" Golden light covered me as I felt my clothes disappear and my gold and blue fuku appeared. I pushed my hair out of my face as I poised and then I jumped down from the tree. I ran to the enemy.
"Stop! I am on a mission of love! You broke up a chance for romance and as the Senshi of Love I will punish you! I am Sailor Venus!" I winced as I finished. No more speeches, I sounded like I was a preteen! The youma faced me.
"Venus! Just the one I want to see!" Suddenly the park disappeared and we reappeared in my room at the Venusian Palace.
"What the-?" I exclaimed.
"This is a test." The youma had transformed into my Earthly mother!
"Mom?" I cried, "What is going on?" I heard my communicator beep.
"Don't answer. Mina… help me. Strong magic is taking over me and I cannot fight it. Why are you letting this happen?"
"Me? I didn't…" I stammered. I didn't understand. Suddenly the Venusian Palace disappeared and we were back at home. I was Mina again and my mom was sitting on the couch. I didn't understand.
"Please Mina!" Mom pleaded with me.
"But the youma?" I asked.
"The magic does that." She replied. I sighed. My destiny. To protect Earth was my destiny. To protect my princess was my destiny.
"What can I do?"
"I have talked with Marcus Hino and Brian Kino. Raye and Lita are using their magic to pull ours out of us. It isn't working. Raye and Lita are hurt."
"Hurt?" I cried.
"We are getting stronger."
"Serena and Amy must be warned!" I cried. I turned to move for the door but my love chain tied around my legs and I fell to the ground.
"You can't. This is your new destiny. Your rebirth cursed all those around you and you must pay!" mom cried.
"No!" I began to cry, "I didn't choose this! I didn't want this! Mommy…" she pulled on the chain and dragged me closer to her. This wasn't my duty!
"Mommy!" I cried. My world began to turn black. The last thing I saw was the golden sign of Venus.