A/N: Please read and review. How am I expected to grow and change as a writer if i don't get any input? And to those who reviewed the first chapter, thank you. Enjoy.
:":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":";":":":":";";";";":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":
It had been raining for two whole weeks before Serena caught a glimpse of sunshine. She was sitting on a bus, her head resting on a window, watching towns and cities drive by her. After two weeks of bus rides, hitch hiking, and hotel life, she was ready to finally find some work, find something that could possibly help her become the person her friends wanted her to be.
She missed everyone. She missed her mom, her dad, even her little annoying brother. She missed her friends, even Rae, who more often then not was critizing her. She missed Darien, his sad blue eyes and gentle grin. She missed the security of her friends and family, and she missed not being able to talk to anyone. She missed the ever demanding Luna, her soft and warm comforting body.
'When I become more mature, more responsible, less clumsy and more reliable, then maybe they'll learn to respect me, learn to love me,' she thought to herself. Maybe she could learn to love herself.
Ever since Serena had been little, she had been critized. For not being smart enough, pretty enough, not mature enough. She was always clumsy, forever tripping over her own feet, and she was an airhead, becoming the stereotypical blonde that everyone figured she was. Gradually, because no one ever stopped to think, she became all of those things. Never an encouraging, positive word. Sure her parents told her they loved her, of course, but that's what parents were supposed to do. However, if a child is told she's stupid enough times, then she'll start to believe it.
With a deep lonely sigh, she turned her attention back to the outside world and watched, more than a little depressed as fat droplets fell from the sky. She could see a little sunny patch form in the sky and she felt better. It would be today. Whatever she was supposed to do, whatever she was supposed to see, it would happen today.
Her bus stopped next to a woman's shelter and Serena picked up her stuff and got off. Her instincts told her that this was the place that she was looking for. There was a sign on the door window, saying help wanted. Serena didn't know what kind of qualities one needed in order to work in a Woman's shelter, but she was sure she would be able to help somehow.
:":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":";";":":":":":":":":";":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":";":":":":":":":":":":":":":"
"What?" Leta wispeared, her face pale in shock, "What do you mean she's gone? She can't be gone."
The Scouts that sat around the table were silent, still stunned and not really believing. Rae's face went horribly white, and she dropped her face into her hands. Mina and Amy just stared at Darien, as if not believing, or not understanding what he was telling them. Rini was in tears, silently sobbing her heart out in dispair. Setsuna, Haruka and Kaiou were in a half circle, heads together as they talked in low urgent wispears.
"I never dreamed she would actually leave," Rae wispeared, slowly raising her head from her hands, "I thought she might have just decided to go on a vacation or something, thats what Serena would normally do. She would normally go up to the Hot Springs with her family. She would always come back, relaxed and just as happy as ever."
Darien looked over to Rae with huge bags under his eyes and more than two weeks worth of a beard on his face. His clothes were wrinkled and he looked like someone had beaten him with a stick. He look lost. "Yes well, she's gone now. She said she would be back, she just doesn't know when though. Whenever she finds what it is that she's looking for I guess."
"Someone needs to be with her, to guard her, to protect her. I have to find her." Leta murmered standing up, a determined look in her eye. "She was there for me when nobody else dared to. I have to be there for her."
"Wrong, Jupiter. We will go to her, we will find her and will protect her." Haruka stood up, her eyes firm. "You girls will remain here and protect this city. This is the future Crystal Tokyo. It must remain that way, you must keep it that way."
"Bullshit, Uranus! Its Crystal Tokyo because Serena and Darien made it that way. There can be no Crystal Tokyo without Serena. Besides, I am more a friend to Serena then you ever were!"
"Leta, Haruka, fighting right now is not helping anyone, especially Serena." Michiru spoke calmly from her seat. "Its obvious that Serena left for a reason, and the reason was probably they way we treated her. She just needs time. Time to find herself, to find what it is that she wants for herself. She's not a baby, and that is exactly what we have been treating her like." Sailor Neptune spoke with soft wisdom that fell upon everyone in the room.
Leta sat down once again, "She still needs someone with her incase she gets attacked. Incase something happens."
"As of yet, Serena is fine. I'm not exactly sure where she is because my powers have not been fully restored yet. However, I do know that she is alive and well, if not a little depressed." Darien murmered, his eyes closed.
"I say we vote on it. All in favor of sending someone to watch over Serena, raise their hands." Mina spoke up for the first time, her hand held up high in the air. All of the inner scouts raised their hands. Michiru and Haruka raised their hands as well. Only Hotaru, Setsuna and Darien didn't raise their hands.
"You guys will only anger Serena even more if you interfear." Hotaru spoke firmly, though never raising her voice. "You made her leave in the first place by treating her like a baby."
"You three have been out voted. Someone will find Serena and keep watch over her." Mina spoke authoritively.
Leta stood up once again, "I will go. Even if she sees me, she won't be angry with me." She folded her arms across her chest and with her eyes, she dared anyone to disagree with her.
"I agree with Leta. You've always been her protector, the one most patient with her." Rae spoke up, standing with Leta.
It was settled then, Leta would pack up her things and leave immediatly on her quest to find Serena.
:":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":"
Haruka was pacing infront of the fireplace in Michiru's large apartment suite. A large Queen sized bed lay directly across from the fireplace with a large comforter the exact color of Michiru's beautiful blue hair. The window's were drapped in a light blue curtain and were pushed aside to let in the bright moonlight.
Michiru sat in the middle of her bed and watched her best friend and lover pace back and forth in her room. It was more than obvious that Haruka was a little more than agitated. Worry lines creased her forehead, her sweet beautiful lips were pulled down into a firm stiff frown and her golden eyes were stoney and troubled. "You're making me dizy, all that pacing." Michiru finally spoke and met Haruka's stoney gaze, "Why don't you just sit down and tell me whats wrong. You'll feel better." she promised.
Haruka stopped her pacing for a moment while she decided, then walked hesitantly over to Michiru's bed and sat down on the edge. Michiru slid over to Haruka untill she sat just behind her, then brought her soft, delicate hands up to Haruka's stiff, knotted shoulders.
"You always know what I need, Michiru." Haruka wispeared softly, leaning into the blue haired woman's touch.
Michiru dropped an indulgant kiss to Haruka's neck and allowed a little smile to grace her lips, "Of course I do. Remember that." she said playfully and started to kneed her fingers into Haruka's stiff muscles, "Now, tell me what is bothering you."
Haruka frowned, "Serena. She never should have left without telling us," she growled, "she never should have been able to leave without us knowing."
"She is growing up, Haruka. Just like you and me, she has the need to experience freedom, and to develop her own mind." Michiru spoke softly.
"She is the future Neo Queen Serenity, present and past day Princess Serenity. She needs to be protected at all times, she needs to be ensured a safe future so that all may have a safe and happy future. That is her destiny. Just like mine is to protect her with my very own life. To assist her in whatever she calls on me for."
Michiru decided her lover was being very stubborn, which is half of the reason why she fell in love with Haruka. "Was falling in love with me part of your destiny as well? Was it firmly written in the stars that you and me would be together like we are? Nothing is written in stone, my love. Serena is writting her own destiny, and we are powerless to stop it. Besides, how would you feel if I told you that you can't race your care or motercycle anymore because I'm scared you are going to get in an accident and kill yourself. Would you stop?" she asked.
Haruka froze and looked back at Michiru, "My racing scares you?" she asked, suprise evident in her voice.
Michiru shrugged her right shoulder carelessly, "Of course it does, but that doesn't mean i'm going to ask you to stop. I know you love that more than anything, that is your means of escape, its what you do when you want to find freedom. I would be selfish to ask you to stop doing anything that you love."
Haruka sighed heavily and pulled Michiru onto her lap and wrapped her arms around her, hugging her close. "I love you so much. Thankyou." she wispeared into Michiru's neck.
"Your welcome," Michiru replied and was about to kiss her lover when a knock fell upon her apartment door. Sighing she kissed Haruka's forehead and slowly got up, "I'll get the door."
Michiru opened the door to her apartment and raised an eyebrow when she saw Leta, along with Luna and Artemis. "You three are up a little late aren't you?" she asked, but stepped back and allowed the three to enter her private sanctuary.
"I can't leave the city." Leta growled, throwing herself onto Michiru's ocean colored couches.
Michiru closed the door leaned up against it, "What do you mean you can't leave? Did you try taking a bus?"
"I have my own car. I managed to make it to Tokyo city limits, then my car died on me. I attempted to take a bus, but that broke down too, same place my car did, I attempted to walk across city limits but I hit some sort of force field that keeps me inside. I can't break it, not even with my powers." Leta informed Michiru.
"Artemis and I have also tried to go pass the city limits but we hit the same problem. Something is keeping us in."
"Hmm, interesting. A force field keeping people in? Or keeping people out...I wonder." Michiru asked the question outloud as she sat down, gracefully onto the loveseat across from Leta and the two guardian cats.
"No, normal people can leave, thats not a problem. Just us three so far can't make it out." Leta replied.
"Whats going on?" Haruka asked as she walked out of Michiru's bedroom. She was quickly given the situation by Michiru. "Alright, I'll go and see if its just you three or whether its all of us." she decided grimly.
:":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":":
Alrighty then, what do y'all think? Review pretty please and let me know.