Chapter 16: Come Home, Serena

Kurumi smiled as she watched her mother kissing Seiya, then she got a sad look in her lime green eyes. Why did Serena betray them like that, she wondered? She didn't really know Mozzarella well enough to know her reasons, but it seemed strange for Serena. From what she knew about the Scottish girl, she was fairly non-violent and very accepting, and she never seemed like she had any problem with Haruka and Michiru's relationship until the Love Angels came along. Kurumi also knew that Serena was a fellow fan of magical girl anime, although it seemed like Serena liked other kinds of anime as well. Nevertheless, Kurumi believed that it was something they had in common, and she wished that she had tried to befriend Serena. Maybe if I was her friend, she wouldn't have gone and sided with the enemy, Kurumi thought sadly. Then she got an idea. Maybe it wasn't too late! Maybe she could meet with Serena in a neutral place, like the mall, and convince her to come back to being Sailor Peanut Butter! It was certainly worth a try.

At the Love Angels' house, Serena found that she had an email message from Kurumi. Curious, she read it aloud to herself.

"Would you like to come to the mall with me tomorrow? We can pick out a birthday present for Sakura Mizuno, since it's her birthday soon, on June 4th. I've often wanted to be your friend, since I think we both like magical girl anime, but I just never really got the chance to do much with you since we go to different schools. I honestly don't want to hurt you, Serena. Hopefully your friend, Kurumi Kino."

"What is that? Did one of those evil Sailor Senshi send you an email? I think it's a trap," Scarlett warned, peeking over Serena's shoulder.

"Maybe it's not. Maybe you shouldn't be so suspicious. Maybe I can get her to join us too and we can be all one big happy family," Serena pouted.

"Fine, but don't come crying to me when they attack you with their evil Senshi powers," snapped Scarlett, stomping out of the room. Serena stuck her tongue out at Scarlett.

"I never liked you much anyway! Momoko was always my favorite Love Angel!" Serena retorted, though it was fruitless since Scarlett chose to ignore the insult. Serena decided then and there that she WOULD go to the mall, danger or no danger, and meet with Kurumi, no matter what happened. At the very least, she thought she could buy some new anime and manga while she was at it.

The next day, Sailor Nemesis sat on the roof of the Love Angels' house and watched Serena leave for the mall. A white ball formed in her hands.

"Go, my cute little bunny cat. Make sure that Serena does not go back to being a Sailor Senshi," she whispered as she flung the ball into the air. It twinkled before flying in the direction of the mall.

When Serena arrived, she found that not only was Kurumi waiting for her, but Galaxy Chang, Bridget O'Malley, and Maria Delgado had accompanied her as well. A pang of fear brushed her mind as she wondered if they were ganging up on her, but then she remembered that she was going to be brave. Also, she reminded herself, I don't remember these girls being that violent.

"Hi, Serena! I'm so glad you actually came!" exclaimed Kurumi, running up and hugging Serena, who returned it gratefully.

"Why are you with the Love Angels? You know they were just sent by Sailor Nemesis, like the Magic Knights were, and they'll be freed if we kill them in this world because they'll go back to the world of their anime show," Galaxy pleaded.

"Yeah, I fought Sailor Nemesis myself and you don't want them to be under HER control, do you?" added Kurumi. Serena backed away, shaking her head.

"No way. Sailor Nemesis has nothing to do with it. I refuse to believe that," she protested flatly.

"Galaxy, Kurumi, you two scared her away," chided Bridget.

"EEEK! Come back, Serena! Let's forget about the Love Angels for now and look in this manga store!" Kurumi called. Serena raced over, her brown eyes shining.

"Really? YAY! Manga! Manga!" she cheered as she pulled Kurumi in the direction of the store. Galaxy glared at Bridget when she saw them leave.

"How dare you! Don't you know how much I've missed her!" Galaxy shouted. Maria began to sniffle.

"Please don't fight. It's scary and Serena will just think you're violent," she whimpered. Galaxy snorted.

"I thought we came here to convince her to return! Kurumi just messed up the plan, and it was her own idea!" she ranted.

"No she didn't. By showing kindness to Serena, she can help her want to be a part of the Sailor Senshi again. It'll do no good to force her," Maria pleaded, "Then we'll be no better than the Love Angels. They tried to force Ahmed to join them." Galaxy sighed and headed in the direction of the store to find Kurumi and Serena; Bridget and Maria followed her.

"WOW! I've only heard of this one in history books! It's an older manga, right? It's so cute!" Kurumi squealed as Serena showed her a manga with an adorable cat-girl on the cover, wearing a pink dress.

"Aye, it's Tokyo Mew Mew. It's all about 5 girls who use the power of endangered species to fight these aliens who are trying to pollute the Earth," Serena explained, "There's also a sixth Mew Mew named Berry, and she's got a mix of rabbit and cat in her."

"Is that her?" Kurumi asked. Serena gasped in delight. Standing nearby was a girl with long blond hair, wearing a strange white outfit, and she had rabbit ears and a cat tail.

"It IS Mew Berry! Can I have your autograph!" Serena squealed, pouncing on the blond girl with a big hug. Outside the store, Galaxy spotted Mew Berry.

"Isn't that one of those anime characters? I bet Sailor Nemesis sent her," she growled, "Using such a dirty trick on Serena...I won't forgive it! Popsicle Prism Power, Make Up!"

"Only if it's to protect Serena as well. Cupcake Prism Power, Make Up!" called Bridget. Maria did not transform, as she wanted to remain peaceful, even though her Senshi powers merely distracted the enemy and did not harm them directly. The three girls nearly ran into Kurumi when they charged into the store.

"Woah, what's going on? Do you think Mew Berry is a monster too?" she asked, confused.

"She has to be! It's just like with the Love Angels! I'm sure Sailor Nemesis sent her!" shouted Sailor Popsicle.

"Yikes, really? Okay! Caramel Power, Make Up!" yelled Kurumi.

"See? The Sailor Senshi are evil. They want to fight us," Mew Berry said, holding Serena protectively.

"AWWW! How cute! Are you two in love?" Sailor Caramel giggled at them.

"What! I'm not evil like that! Lesbians are people who sacrifice the whole world for their lovers and they're hypocrites too!" shouted Serena. This made Maria cry, and Sailor Popsicle glared at her.

"That's stupid! And you always told ME not to be prejudiced against Haruka and Michiru! Sure, it's yucky, but it's no reason to attack people!" she retorted.

"Basil may stereotype out of sheer ignorance, but you're only doing it because the Love Angels told you too. What kinds of torture did they threaten?" Sailor Cupcake asked.

"Love Angels? What are they? I was just sent to get your bracelet, Sailor Caramel, but since you're transformed, I'll have to defeat you first. Ribbon Loveberry Check!" Mew Berry called, shooting a pale pink energy beam at Sailor Caramel, who was thrown into one of the bookcases.

"Vines Entanglement!" called Sailor Cupcake, and she tied up Mew Berry.

"Wait a minute! She doesn't even know who the Love Angels are! Then why is she with Serena!" Maria blurted out. Mew Berry suddenly flashed black and then disappeared from the vines.

"Serena, something weird is going on. I think Sailor Nemesis is behind all this. Please come back. I miss you," pleaded Sailor Popsicle.

"No way! You were being mean to Mew Berry!" Serena accused.

"That's because she hit me with that energy thing first! That hurt!" retorted Sailor Caramel, "And she was trying to steal my magic bracelet!"

"I'm not leaving the Love Angels. They clearly need me, and they showed me the truth about Haruka and Michiru," Serena stated.

"Um, Haruka and Michiru are taking care of us here in Japan. Or did you forget that?" retorted Sailor Popsicle. Her effort was in vain, however, as Serena looked back sadly and left the manga store.