Yay! Another chapter! n__n This took me awhile to write. Writer's Block. . They're annoying. I'm still in a … half writer's block. __ So this chapter is not as good. I dun think anyway. Oh, yea. In my story, the evil generals are all still alive. Also, I made a mistake when I typed in Jadeite in the last chapter. I apologize for that. Serena just knows him as Jed. And Kunzite/Malachite and Zoisite are not lovers. I also had to use different names … well … you'll see why. Hehe. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Me no own Sailor Moon. ;____;
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"What do you mean she's not coming, Malachite?" Michael winced at the quiet voice on the other end of the phone. Running his hand through his long silver hair, he plopped down on to a chair, loosening his tie.
"That's exactly what I mean. She's not coming. She's changed, Jede. She's looks more like you now." Guilt ate away at his heart as silence followed. As soon as he had come home, he had called Jed and now he regretted it. The man had missed his sister and had done everything in his power to find her. He had been ecstatic when they had located the Tsukino family, practically bouncing with joy …
"I've found her, Malachite! I found Serena!" Jed came running into Malachite's house, rushing past the confused butler. He was still dressed in his business suit, but his tie was loose and he was wearing different colored socks.
Michael looked up from his work on the desk, glancing at the clock. The man's words had not sunken in yet, and all he could think about was the time. "For heaven's sake, Jed. It's mid-night. What are you ranting about now?" Tiredly, he stood up and walked over to his elated friend.
"What am I talking about?! Didn't you hear me?! Serena is in Japan! I found her!!" Michael froze, staring at his friend, not wanting to get his hopes up.
"Are you telling me the truth, Jed? Because if you aren't, this isn't funny."
"No, no, no! I'm not! It's the truth! Come on! We don't have time to discuss this, the plane leaves in half-an-hour!" Jed was about to run out the room when Michael grabbed his arm, frowning.
"We can't rush this. It's not logical to just fly away in the middle of the night." Always the practical one, he forced his friend to sit down and sat down in his own chair.
"But..."
"No, buts. We have to discuss this…."
Michael blinked as he heard Jed ask something on the line. "Huh? What'd you say?"
He heard the blonde man sigh in exasperation. "I said … how is she?" Michael blinked again and rubbed his eyes, jet-lag hitting him all of sudden.
"What can I say? She's fine. Fine enough to refuse going back. She's BLONDE and BLUE-EYED, but fine."
"I'm going over there tomorrow morning. Zachary and Nephlite are coming along too."
"Fine. She's going to say no anyway. She's changed, Jed. Physically and mentally. "
"…Yea…"
"Anyway, how is Sere doing?" A small smile crossed his stern face as he thought of the small girl. Serena's small girl.
"She's fine. Loves staying with her Uncle Jed but she misses her MALLY." He knew the Jed was trying to lighten up the mood, but somehow Michael knew that it wasn't working.
"Are you going to bring her?"
"…"
"Jed? Are you going to bring Sere or not?"
"…Yea. I'm bringing her."
"I hope we're doing the right thing."
"Me, too, Malachite. Me too."
"Well, I'm going to sleep. I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yea, bye."
"Bye."
He hung the phone, closing his eyes. This was getting too complicated. But of course he knew that it was going to be complicated. He had insisted that he be the one to try and bring Serena home because Jed would have been too emotional, but now he knew that he was just as emotional. Sighing, he stood up and walked over to the balcony, looking up at the moon. Maybe, it would get better soon.
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"Sailor Moon, watch out!" Serena sighed and jumped out of the way of the blast, getting annoyed. Halfway home, the communicator had gone off, dragging her all the way to the park.
"Mercury! Don't you have a stat, yet?!" She jumped up towards monster, kicking it successfully in the face, but that didn't help any. It grabbed Serena by the leg and threw her a few feet across the sidewalk. "Shit!" Moaning in pain, she stood up. This monster was powerful. Too powerful. It looked like a huge dragon with a scorpion tail. Blowing out fire, it counter-blocked Sailor Mars' own fire attack.
"I've got it! It's tail! We have to get to its tail!" Sailor Moon sighed in relief as she heard the water scout's announcement.
"Mercury Bubbles Blast!"
"Mars Fire Ignite!"
"Jupiter Thunder Blast!"
"Venus Love Chain and Circle!"
The three of the attacks hit, stunning it long enough to have the Venus chain hold it still. "Hurry, Sailor Moon! I can't hold it for long!"
With a nod, Sailor Moon stood up, ignoring the pain running though her body. "Moon Prism Power!" The energy burned her hand as it gathered energy and flew towards the tail. It howled in pain as it turned to dust. "Moon Dusted."
"So, you managed to defeat another one of our youma's. Don't think that you'll be so lucky next time." The four generals appeared before the scouts, floating a few feet in the air.
"Get over it, Kunzite …" She trailed off as something occurred to her. Looking up into the harsh lines of the white-haired general's face, she could have kicked herself. It was Michael. It had to be. Why hadn't she noticed it before? They looked exactly the same. With a sigh, she realized that she had blocked that thought from coming to her and what would Michael be doing floating around as a general?
"What Sailor Moon? Nothing bravado to say today?" The four generals grounded on the cement floor, smirking.
She looked at Jadeite and frowned. It was her brother, Jed. Looking towards the other two, she groaned. It was Zachary and Nehplite. What the hell was going on?
"Until next time …" With a grin, Kunzite sent a huge energy blast towards Serena and disappeared with the other generals.
"Sailor Moon!" Serena closed her eyes, stood there, frozen with fear. Bracing herself for the impact, she gasped as she felt warm arms grab her and lift her towards the sky. Without opening her eyes, she knew who it was. Tuxedo Mask. Her mysterious guardian. She opened her eyes and looked at his striking face, feeling herself blush.
"You're late today, Tuxedo Mask." Deciding to quite acting like Usagi, she smirked and snuggled into his arms. It felt so familiar.
He blinked in confusion at her strange words and smiled slightly. "You did not need my help until that moment." Placing her on the floor, he held her until she regained her balance.
She smiled brilliantly and looked up. "Are up ever going to remove your mask for me?"
Somewhat unnerved by her boldness, he took a step back. Hardening his face, he looked at the heroine in front of him. "I don't know what you're trying to do, Sailor Moon. But what I'm after are the crystals. And I don't plan on taking my mask off for your or anybody else." With that he walked away, leaving a saddened scout.
With a sigh, Sailor Moon turned towards the scouts. She smiled nervously and waited for them to speak.
"Sailor Moon, are you okay?" It was Jupiter who spoke, taking the first step.
"Of course I'm okay, Jupiter. Except for the wounds I received tonight." She smiled sadly, wanting to tell them the truth, but she, herself, was not ready.
"I mean today. With that man and …" She trailed off, a loss of words.
"Don't worry about that, Lita."
"How are you able to speak English so well?" This time it was Mercury.
Bowing her head, Serena frowned. "I've always been able to speak English. It's easy. As are the classes that I take. That's why I sleep during school. I don't even bother to try there." She had received a college degree when she was thirteen and so forth. Being a genius.
"So we really don't know who you are, do we?" This was spoken by both Mars and Venus, almost breaking Serena's heart.
Shaking her in the negative, she looked up. "I'm sorry, you guys. I … I just …" She stood there, unable to explain herself. "I have to go." With that last whisper, Serena bounded off. The other scouts were left behind, hurt and confused.
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"Serena." Irene walked through the door, a heart-broken expression on her face. She had left the girl alone last night, knowing that the girl had needed some time by herself. When she saw the girl, she almost cried out in shock. There she stood, Serena, still with her blonde hair, but she had taken out her contacts. Now soulful violet eyes stared back at her.
"Irene, where's Ken?" She refused to look at the woman, looking anywhere but at her. She was sitting at her vanity table, had been looking at herself since she had woken up. Last night, she had sent Luna towards Lita's after coming home.
"Ken went to work. He … he said that he'll talk to you tonight." Irene's throat was thick with emotion, breaking at a point.
"I see …" Gently, picking up a brush, she started to run it through her silky strands, remembering a time when they had been a beautiful silver color.
"Serena … what are you going to do?"
Yes. That was the question that everybody was waiting for. What was she going to do? Turning, she looked at the woman, a sad smile gracing her lovely features. Tears filled up when the blue-haired woman looked away, away from her violet eyes. "Do they disgust you so, Irene?"
Shame struck her heart as Irene heard the question. She was silent, looking out the window. "…"
"I'm sorry." She dropped the brush, letting it clatter against the strong sides of her vanity.
The older woman winced, not at the sound, but at the sorrowful tone the apology had come in. "It is not your fault … please put on your contacts." Her hands gripped her dress, wishing that she could accept those eyes. Those mysterious eyes, who held so much power and wisdom.
With a sigh, Serena slipped the contacts on, stepping into the world of Usagi. It hurt her that the woman could still not accept her for who she was, but understandable. She had put them through so much so long ago. Ken and Irene, the kind couple who had taken her in and cared for her. But she realized today that she still was alone in the world.
Irene turned and smiled slightly as she saw the clear, crystal eyes that gazed back. "They suit you much better anyway, Usagi." Maybe all this can be forgotten and they could go back to being a happy family. Maybe.
Plastering on a fake smile, Serena hid her pain and sorrow at the mention of the name Usagi. No one wanted Serena Thompson. They wanted Tsukino Usagi, the fun loving girl who never did anything wrong. She will be Usagi for a little longer. Just long enough for her to understand what it feels like to be loved by everyone.
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Michael stood in airport, towering over everybody. His icy gaze wondered over the milling people, searching for four certain people. His eyes darkened as they appeared out of the door, joy and sorrow mirrored in them. Jed came in; his blonde hair messed up, probably not even brushed. Wearing a suit, he looked like a man who had just come from a funeral. Behind him, were two other men. One with long brown hair waving down his broad shoulder…Nephlite. As tall as Michael, he towered over everybody as well. He, too, looked exhausted and worn-out. Next, came a slender man with a blonde hair tied in a loose ponytail. Glasses rested on his feminine features, almost slipping off the tip of the nose of Zachary. His slumped body practically screamed out weary, making Michael wince. Then, a wide smile graced his masculine face as a small girl trailed behind Zachary. Gripping the small man's hand, she skipped and smiled, brightening Michael's mood immediately.
"Mally!" Her blue eyes widened in joy as she let go of Zachary's hand and ran over to the tall man. Bending down, he grabbed the girl in a huge hug, tears threatening to come. Letting her go, he looked at her. She seemed to have grown over the week he had been gone. Silver hair framed her petite face as blue eyes shined with delight. "I miss Mally so much!" The three-year old girl smiled widely, reminding Michael so much of Serena. "Hungry!"
"Well, how about we go get some food?"
"M'tay!" With a smile, she wrapped her arms around his neck, laughing as he lifted her up in his arms.
"Hello, to you too." Zachary grumbled, crossing his arms. Glaring at his twin brother, he frowned and let out a deep breath. "Do you have any idea what time plane Jed had us on? It took off three o'clock in the morning!"
Michael was about to say something when the girl giggled. "Uncle Zap funny!" Sere had never been able to pronounce Zachary or Zack. It always came out "Zap".
"Yes, you're right. Zap is pretty funny, isn't he?" He laughed as his brother looked ready to tackle him. Whenever Sere was around, she seemed to brighten up the mood, erasing any pain.
"Where is she?" He turned to Jed, watching as the man glanced around frantically.
"She's not here. She didn't even know that you were coming." He sighed softly as the man's face seemed to fall. Hopelessness reflected in his blue eyes, making Michael wish that none of this had ever happened.
"I guess I was hoping that you had somehow managed her to …" He trailed off, a single tear trailing down his face.
"Uncle Jed cry! Oh, no!" The girl jumped out of Michael's arms and into Jed's, trying to comfort him. "No cry, Uncle Jed. Me here!" She planted a sloppy kiss on his cheek and smiled. Usually this would have cheered up the man immediately, but it didn't work. He hugged the girl but his eyes were empty.
Nephlite, who had been quiet this entire time came up behind the blonde man and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Jed. With Sere here, I don't think Serena can resist coming back to us. She can't."
The small girl blinked and looked at the tall man, confusion etched into her innocent eyes. "Uncle Nep? Sewena? Toy?"
"No, not toy. A beautiful girl that is special to all of us, especially you, little one." He tousled her silver hair, smiling at the innocence that radiated from the girl. Serena had to come back. She just had to.
Michael watched them, frowning. He didn't want the girl knowing who Serena was unless that girl planned on returning. It would be too painful on the girl to know that her mother refused to come to her.
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What do you think? If you don't like, just e-mail me and maybe we can work something out. He he. Thank you so much for all the reviews! Really those reviews mean a lot to me. ^__________________^ I'll get the next chapter out as soon as I can.