Hey everyone, I hope you are still tuning in to this story. I love the reviews I have received. I have many other stories I am working on so I would like to know if you want me to finish this first, or to start posting my others. The others aren't as ansty as this one but they all will show Serena as the strong person she is in the manga.
As usual…I do not own Sailormoon, but I am a Moonchild and have rabbits living in my yard… and now on with the story. PLEASE REVIEW! Ja ne.
Can Love that's lost be found?
-Chapter 4-
The droid threw at spear at the unsuspecting princess; as both the spear and Tuxedo Mask headed towards Serena, she leapt in the air doing a flip in the process. When she landed behind the droid… she was Sailor Moon, champion of justice!
"How did she do that?" Jupiter asked and the soldiers turned to Mercury who then proceeded to whip out her computer and after typing for a few moments replied.
"For once I don't even know!"
Sailor Moon stared the droid down and calmly removed her tiara. Trollcata launched another spear while she flung her tiara and sliced through it. She brought out her scepter and dusted it. Suddenly Rubeus appeared above them and sent a blast toward the soldiers. Sailor Moon sensed it before it was able to connect and she hurled her tiara towards the girls, they all jumped out the way; thus Mars began.
"Sailor Moon, you big doofus, ya trying to kill us?"
BOOM!
Mars looked to where she was just stood and noticed a large hole in the ground.
"She…she saved us!" Jupiter stammered.
Rubeus screamed in frustration and disappeared. Sailor Moon walked towards the soldiers and noticed the bruise Mars had on her leg. Bending down she concentrated her energy and a silver light was emitted from her hands. When she removed her hands the bruise was gone, Mars was healed. In the trees Tuxedo Mask noticed this as well.
'So princess, you don't need me to protect you anymore. I should be pleased, but I'm not. Look at you, so withdrawn, yet it seems you've regained some of your past abilities. I will go now, goodbye my Angel…'
With tears threatening to fall, he retreated to the rooftops. After testing Mars' leg for pain Sailor Moon turned and headed towards the shrine. The soldiers followed her all the while discussing the situation.
"Since when could she heal people?"
"Well Mars, she always had that ability."
"Huh, Venus what are you talking about?"
"Oh come on, don't you think with as much as she falls, she would be black and blue with bruises; any 'normal' person would. At times I think she does those things on purpose, anyway I remember from the past, if she fell, she would never bruise."
"You mean she was a klutz back then?"
"Kinda, but she had charm school and all kinds of leadership training that prepared her in being a monarch. She would klutz out at times on purpose to get Queen Serenity's attention…"
"I do remember that, we were training and the Queen had other business. I guess she was lonely and wanted attention, now that I think about it…that's kind of smart of her."
"What is Jupiter?"
"The fact that she's klutzy Mars. For example, have you ever heard of Superman?"
"Superman…that American fictional superhero?"
"Yeah, his alter ego Clark Kent was a pure klutz, he dropped everything and was least expected to be Superman."
"So you're saying that Serena 'stages' her klutziness? But she has always been a klutz."
"Maybe deep down she knew she would resume her title; what enemy would believe a klutz for the Lunarian Princess, not to mention Sailor Moon?" Mercury, who had been quiet during the exchange between the three, spoke.
"And today's performance proved that point."
"Huh Mercury?"
"When was the last time Serena klutzed out? Well true her study habits are still horrid but…"
"That's not true." Mars interjected. "She asked me not to tell anyone, but since she has been in this 'state' I think I should tell you."
"Tell us what?"
"Miss H and Serena have been well…staging detention since her breakup with Darien. She has been staying after school for tutoring. She didn't understand some of the concepts, and Miss H helped her. Now she stays after to do her homework. That's why she never has it in the morning, she already turned it in the previous day."
"That explains a lot!"
"What Mercury?"
"It explains why Serena has had the same marks for the past month and a half. And why I see Miss H slipping a note to Serena every week; that must have her true marks on them."
"She's truly a genius! Think about this, I always thought that she needed us to weaken the enemy 'before' she could destroy it; maybe her klutziness was a ploy to train us in battle. We saw tonight that the enemy doesn't have to be weakened before she can destroy it. But we are a team and she wants us to work as one!"
"Yeah Venus, but what about the crying?"
"Working for the prosecution Mars? Hmm, when she cries, do you pay her any attention?"
"NO, I close my ears and run for cover…"
"Exactly!"
"What are you shouting about now Mercury?"
"It's a distraction. When she has a wailing fit…"
"She's either healing her bruises…"
"Or taking our attention off the fact…"
"She doesn't have any!"
By the time the soldiers concluded the actions of their princess, they had reached the shrine.
"Ok, but what about the battle, how did she know the droid was behind her?"
"I guess she 'can' sense evil like me, but I can only pinpoint a general location, she ran right up to the droid. Where is she anyway?"
"She's here somewhere, let's just run through the intermediate maneuvers."
"Ok Venus."
The soldiers proceeded to practice hand to hand combat and power training. Perched high in a tree sat Sailor Moon. By looking at her, she appeared sleep, yet her head movements indicated otherwise. She watched the battle by sensing their auras.
"SHABON SPRAY"
Sailor Moon decided this was the best time to attack. Jumping from the tree she ran behind Mars. Mars had a vague feeling that someone was approaching, she turned…"
"FIRE SOUL"
As the fog cleared she saw her assault was headed towards her leader who stood motionless.
"Sailor Moon look out!"
Sailor Moon raised and crossed her arms and the attack stopped in mid air. The soldiers, whose attention was grabbed by Mars' scream, watched with a combination of horror and awe. Luna and Artemis just walked in from mission control, held their mouths agape.
"Uh Luna, what's going on here?"
"You're guess is as good as mine Artemis."
Suddenly Sailor Moon uncrossed and dropped her arms and Mars' attacked dissipated.
"How…how did she do that?"
"Maybe she has a force field up." Pulling down her visor, Mercury scanned the area. "I…don't register anything. I don't know how she did that!"
As that final statement was said, Sailor Moon raised her hand to her tiara and placed two fingers on the jewel in the center. Removing her fingers the jewel took on a silver hue, she pointed towards Mars and a blast shot from her fingers. Mars barely leapt outside the range of fire. The blast hit a distant tree leaving a hole in the center.
"Someone please tell me I'm in the Twilight Zone or better yet having an extensive nightmare!!" Mars screamed from the ground. The returning of Lita's old boyfriend wouldn't compare to the shock the girls were in. Mercury came out of it first.
"That was… I think I need to sit down."
"Mercury, do another scan on her!"
"Scan, what's a scan Luna? A talking cat I can handle, Sailor Moon with a vengeance I can't!"
"Snap out of it! Scan her with your visor right now!"
"Yeah, I have a visor. Let me see she's healthy but there is something different about her. It's like she's on a different plane or something; her perception has heightened.
Sailor Moon powered down and walked towards the front gate.
"It must be six." Luna said.
"Serena wait!" Jupiter exclaimed while trying to catch her. Jupiter grabbed Serena by the arm and the next thing she knew she had flipped Jupiter on her back.
"Boy, this keeps getting better and better!" Venus exclaimed. "Watch out Xena, meet Serena Lunar Princess!"
"Will somebody 'please' wake me up!" Mars pleadingly shouted.
"Well Mars you wanted her to be mature, responsible and courageous…"
"Can the chatter Venus, I wanted mature not MERSENCARY!"
"Jupiter are you ok?"
"Yeah Mercury, I'm fine. I guess she 'can' handle herself. Whoa, my butt hurts. Hmm, I would love to spar with her right now!" She said smiling.
The soldiers watched as Serena walked out of sight.
Darien was walking around still in shock from the battle against Trollcata.
'How did she sense where the battle was? And since when could she jump like that? She is so amazing; that's why I love her so much. Oh Serena you just can't fathom my love for you… you gave me life after being alone for so long. All I want is to be with you forever, giving you joy beyond means. Why must I always have love taken from me after feeling it for a little while? First my parents, who I couldn't prevent leaving me, and now you. Why must I be plagued with dreams like this? Why must my love for you cause you harm? Seeing you now places the final nail in my coffin. I wish I could make things easier for you, I wish I could erase your memories of our love so that I could bare this pain alone. I wish I could hold you right now…The sunset is so beautiful, we could watch it on my balcony or the beach. I know this may sound selfish but I wish your heart remains mine, because my heart will always remain yours.'
Darien looked up and saw the first star appearing in the sky. After making his wish, one star twinkled above him. Serena had since arrived home; she still didn't have an appetite so she went to her room. She sat by the window and watched the sunset as well. This was something she used to do with Darien. Tears streamed from lifeless eyes while her thoughts were on him. As the stars appeared, one in particular caught her attention and it began to twinkle. Its joyous look brought a dim smile to her face.
"Oh Darien." She sighed and walked to her desk. She took out her journal and began to write.
Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick
And think of you
Caught up in circles confusion-
Is nothing new
Flashback-warm night-
Almost left behind
Suitcases of memories,
Time after-
Sometimes you picture me-
I'm walking to far ahead
You call out to me, I can't
Hear what you said-
Then you say-go slow-
I fall behind-
The second hand unwinds
If you're lost you can look-and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you-I'll be waiting
Time after time
After my picture fades and darkness has
Turned to gray
Watching thorough windows-you're wondering
If I'm ok
Secrets stolen from deep inside
The drum beats out of time-
If you're lost you can look-and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you-I'll be waiting
Time after time
Time after time
Time after time5
Closing her journal she proceeded to study for her upcoming test.
While at mission control earlier that afternoon Luna and Artemis discussed the situation with Serena and Darien.
"Artemis I'm so worried about Serena. She wasn't this subdued when Darien was kidnapped by Beryl."
"But then she didn't know where he was and his 'hatred' was due to being brainwashed. I really don't believe what's been said."
"What don't you believe?"
"That he loves Serenity and not Serena. How could he love a fragment of his dreams and not the real person? True they were both reincarnated, but he can't remember that much about Serenity. We were just put to sleep and I don't have all of my memories back."
"Yeah, I didn't think about that. Also, have you seen Darien lately? He is not as bad as Serena but he has always masked his emotions. The only time we've ever seen the real him is when they were together. And now that I analyze things, it seems that it pains him to deny her his love and in battle, he has been lingering around more than he used to."
"I think there is more to his denial than he is letting on, but what?"
"I don't know Artemis, but I think you should keep an eye on him. I will watch Serena a little more too. Something about her behavior is very familiar."
"It is, isn't it? I thought I was seeing more into this that it actually was. Ok I will stay with Mina until she goes to sleep, then I will head to Darien's. I don't want to involve the girls in this yet."
BEEP-BEEP-BEEP
"Look there's a huge droid trying to secure another crystal point in the business district, lets go Luna!"
"RIGHT."
Now Luna sat under Serena's window watching the tears fall from her charge's eyes.
'I hope Artemis finds something out.' After making sure that Mina was asleep, Artemis crept out of her window and ran to Darien's apartment. From the fire escape (AN: I know there isn't a fire escape, but how else was he going to get in?) he watched as Darien tossed and murmured in his sleep.
"No…Serena, don't leave me! I love you, please believe me!"
'So he does still love her.' Artemis thought.
"Zoicite let her go! Sailor Moon look out! … I've always been on your side…princess you are finally free…"
'He's reliving the battle with the Negaverse.'
"I'm sorry, I couldn't protect you…protect you…I…can't…protect…you…you'll die because I can't protect you Serena."
'Well that 'is' interesting.'
Suddenly he bolted out of bed.
"Not again, not that dream…why does it have to be this way!"
Darien was drenched in sweat and went to take a shower. Artemis seized this opportunity to look around the apartment. He noticed that on Darien's nightstand there were varying items of Serena paraphernalia.
'And I though Mina was a pack rat!' he thought.
Artemis noticed ticket stubs, pictures, preserved roses and in a frame…her test paper. He also spied Serena's handkerchief
'So that's what happened to that. Look at all this stuff, he's either crazy about her or just crazy!'
He pulled out his paw-top (AN: hey read the manga, he and Luna use computers) and jotted down this information. He then hid under Darien's bed noting all the nightmares and words spoken in his sleep.
Meanwhile…Luna saw that Serena had fallen asleep at her desk. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the infamous journal that she'd hidden from Sammy. Luna read her most recent entry.
'This is so beautiful… I didn't know Serena wrote poetry.'
Luna carefully pushed the journal across the desk and proceeded to the previous entries. Luna then understood what Serena couldn't or didn't want to tell her. Tears were absorbed into her fur as she realized the pain and rejectment her charge felt. After recomposing herself, Luna nudged Serena until she woke up.
"You're gonna catch an awful cramp sleeping like that Serena."
"Huh, oh yeah…thanks Luna. Let's go to bed."
Luna took one last look at the journal before walking to the bed. When she turned back around, it was gone and Serena was rubbing her eyes.
'She must keep it in her sub-space pocket. Not even Sammy could find it there.'
Luna watched Serena while she slept. Most of the night tears trickled down her face. About 4:30 in the morning, Luna was startled by movement by the window, creeping in the shadows, she sat out of view. She was surprised and hopeful by the appearance of Tuxedo Mask sitting on the window ledge. He looked down at Serena with such devotion and love. Luna also noticed that even though Serena didn't awaken, she stopped crying and seemed to be sleeping peacefully. He walked into the room and became Darien once more. He looked around for Luna but didn't see the tiny slits of amber eyes peering from under Serena's desk. He knelt down beside her bed, even in the dark night he could still witness beauty. As if asked, the moon peered from behind dense clouds and giving encouragement to cast Serena in a silvery glow. This was when he noticed the moisture on her face. Stroking her cheek he caught some of her tears. He held them in his hand and as his fingers separated tiny crystals fell. He smiled warmly and brushed a few strands of hair out of her face. She stirred slightly and Darien leaned into the darkness. After she settled he watched her until the first few rays of dawn appeared over the horizon. He leaned in and kissed her ever so gently on the forehead.
"I love you Serena." He whispered before jumping out of her window.
As if aware of his presence Serena replied "I love you too Darien, always."
End Chapter
5) Time after time by Cyndi Lauper
Ok, I hope you aren't falling asleep on me, because I promise it gets better. I put in a little action and some mush and I hope you liked my explanation for Serena's behavior. Well the next few chapters may be kind of slow because I have to type them from the original hand-written copy. But I hope to have at least 2 more out by the end of the week. Stay tune and thanks again for reading.
