Welcome back to my story! Thanks to LunarWitchMEL, Silver Moonlight-81, starlite, Bunnychu, Ellen, and Matakishi hirata-San for reviewing for the last chapter. I'm sorry that these chapters are getting a little shorter with each post. I promise to make them longer in the future.
Dedication: To the men and women who serve in the various US military branches
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon
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Book I: Alone
Chapter VI
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School, homework, fighting, sleep, school, homework, fighting, sleep was seemingly the never ending cycle of my week. Every day started the same, and every day there was a fight, and with every fight I acquired a slightly more noticeable limp.
I know that all work and no play makes Serena a dull girl. But, I couldn't bring myself to follow that advice. It took too much of my energy to do anything other then my normal.
All of the battles were starting to take a toll on me. I had huge bags under my eyes, I could no longer hide my limp, and bruises and cuts were no longer healing as fast as they normally did. I knew that I needed a break from the fighting. Even if the monsters didn't kill me, I knew that in the long run I was going to end up dead from exhaustion.
Clearly other people shared the same opinion as I.
"Serena, wait up," I heard Molly call out to me as I was leaving school Friday afternoon, "Gosh, Serena, no offence but you look like shit."
"Yea, I know. It has been a hard week for me. I've actually been doing my homework, and the thing with the arcade still has me shaken up."
"Oh, I know how you feel. Melvin and I were thinking about heading over the arcade when we heard what happened. It was awful!"
"If I didn't have detention I would have been in the arcade. I was almost there when I heard the screams," I replied keeping my face void of all emotion.
"You were lucky you weren't in the arcade. I suppose that you were actually thankful for detention that day."
"Yea, I guess I am thankful."
"Say, Serena, what are you doing today?"
"Nothing, why?" I considered telling her that I had to help my mom or something like that. All I really wanted to do was sleep; knowing Molly she would have me doing something that would make me worse off for the wear.
"Well, my mom worked out some advertising deal with the spa next door, a pamper yourself then wear the finest type deal, and the spa gives my mom and I free coupons for some of the treatments there. She gives them discounts, and we advertise for each other. So would you want to go to the spa with me?"
I smiled. This wasn't a typical Molly scheme, and a spa treatment sounded really good at the moment. Better than sleep even.
"And since I've been going out with Melvin I haven't seen much of you. We have a lot to catch up on."
"How could I refuse an offer like that? It sounds wonderful."
During the walk to the spa a horrible thought occurred to me – what if a monster attacks while I'm being pampered? I would never be able to get out of the place in time to stop the beast from killing anyone.
I was about to cancel on Molly and head home, but after looking at the ecstatic face of my friend, I lost any will to leave. She reminded me of me before I became Sailor Moon. She was happy, carefree, and in love. She didn't have to worry about innocent people being attacked. She didn't have the stain of blood on her hands.
I was for the first time in my life envious of her. She was able to sit back and relax while someone else defended love and justice. She doesn't know the pain of losing people, not like I do.
I envied her, but I didn't hate her. I caused myself pain. It was my own fault that my life had taken a turn for the worst.
"Serena, earth to Serena," Molly said while waving her hand in front of my face.
"Sorry, I must have zoned out for a while there."
Molly laughed, "I thought you had left this planet. I had been trying to get your attention for a few minutes; we are at the spa, and we've been standing here for the past five minutes."
It was my turn to sheepishly laugh, "I guess zoned out is an understatement then. It has been a long week."
"Well, let's not stand here any longer. It's time for a few hours of pampering."
"Oh, wait I need to call my mother and let her know that I wont be home for a while."
"Sure thing, just go ask my mother if you could call with our phone, and I'll get everything set up inside for us."
I walked next door and greeted Molly's mom. It had been a long time since I had seen her, and I felt guilty that I didn't come by to see how she was doing more often. She had been like a second mother to me when I was growing up.
"Serena, it's great to see you. Why don't you drop by more often? I almost thought that you dropped off the face of the Earth."
"I know I haven't been by in what seems like ages. I've been rather busy recently…"
"Honey, you look awful."
"Molly thought the same thing, so she's taking me to the spa next door. I need to call my mother and let her know where I am."
"Oh, I'm glad that she is taking you there. You know where the phone is, so hurry and call your mom so you can get over to the spa. It's a great place; you'll feel so refreshed after a few hours there."
I assured Molly's mom that I would have a wonderful time at the spa, then I walked into the back room where the phone was. My mother was thrilled at the idea of me getting some much needed relaxation at the spa.
When I finished my phone conversation, I returned to the spa to find Molly standing impatiently outside the changing room doors holding two clean and crisp, white robes. I could only hope that this spa was half as good as Molly and our mothers proclaimed it was.
It turned out that the spa was ten times better then they claimed. I spent three hours in absolute bliss. The warm water and pressure from the hot tub jets relaxed my muscles and helped ease the soreness from them. Next, the masseuse massaged my entire body. I think that I fell asleep during my massage, but I can't be sure. I'll I know is when the masseuse told me that my time was up I felt like an entirely new person.
I was pleasantly shocked to learn that my spa treatment wasn't over yet. Another person came over and rubbed oils into my skin. Then, she applied a facial mask and left me sitting alone in a room listening to some sort of relaxing music.
When I was finally cleaned up and dressed properly once again, I found Molly waiting for me in the reception area.
"Wow, Serena, you look so much better. And you're walking better too."
"Oh, thank you so much, Molly. You must be an angel sent to me from heaven, and that treatment must have miracle somewhere in its name."
"I take it you enjoyed yourself."
"That would be an understatement."
I thank Molly again before I left her to return home. I knew that I was going to go home and eat a wonderful home cooked meal. This would be the greatest, most perfect day of my life if only my enemy would take a break and not attack the city tonight.
'Oh, please don't attack tonight,' I prayed silently though I knew that my foes would not hear me or listen to my request.
I strolled through the front door, and immediately my mother was telling me how much better I looked.
"Honey, you look great, and you aren't limping anymore. I think that I might have to take trip to that spa one day. I worked wonderfully for you. Now come eat. The rest of us have eaten already. Sorry we didn't wait for you, but you didn't tell me when you would be home."
My mother ushered me over to the dinning room table, and disappeared into the kitchen. When she returned, she was carrying a heaping plate of fried rice and pork. I anxiously picked up my chopsticks and began to eat with my usual furry.
After a wonderful supper I said goodnight to the rest of my family and hurried to bed. I knew that I should get sleep while things were still peaceful.
I settled down into the comfort of my bed and flicked off the light. An eerie feeling crept over me as I lay there. I knew that the silence of the night would remain for the current time, but when that silence shatters, I know that all hell will break lose.
For tonight peace shall be kept, of that I was sure. But, I knew by the ominous feeling in my heart something bad was going to happen tomorrow.
I involuntarily shuddered before I fell into a deep sleep in which I was plagued by dreams.
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You like? Drop me a note and tell me what you thought about this chapter.
I'm sorry if anyone got bored. I wanted to make this chapter relaxing for poor Serena. I feel bad for her.
Does anyone think that I should write a chapter/interlude from the enemy's perspective or would you rather know only what Serena knows about them? Your choice.
-The Golden Lady