Hello readers,

After my long vacation, I'm back and full of new chapters ready to be typed and new sagas to be written. I'll make my notes brief since you are anxious to read. But thanks to all of you who have reviewed all of my stories so far and thanks to the 8 or 9 that have added me to your favorite authors' list. Now on with the next chapter…

Homicide: The Death of Serena

By Crystaldove

Chapter 11

"Stop right there! The agent of love and Justice, Sailor Moon will save you!"

The crowd below cheered. Their missing heroine had returned, in time, to save the day. People watched as Sailor Moon swung down from the adjoining cable of the scaffolding and rescued the shaken man. The man gave his gratitude and she smiled before she jumping off into the afternoon sun.

"Something's not right."

"What are you talking about Amy? She's alive and she better than ever!"

"Exactly, when have you known Serena to swing from buildings like some warrior amazon?"

"I guess your right about that. And now that you mention it, her hair did seem to be darker too…"

"They're right, that's not the real Sailor Moon."

"Well, I guess the time has come for us to reveal ourselves."

'Sailor Moon? Where have you been? I need to talk to you!'

Darien thought as he sprinted from the library and went in the general direction that he saw her heading.

Lita and Amy unknowingly had the same plan as Darien; they also followed in the same direction. Meanwhile, Raye was shopping downtown when all the televisions in the local store windows started broadcasting an incoming update...

"We interrupt our regularly scheduled program with this news break. We go live to Sakura Yamato with the live feed…Sakura."

"Thank you Aiko. Just moments ago, the Heroine of Tokyo, Sailor Moon, has returned from her mysterious hiatus. Just moments ago a local construction worker hung precariously from a scaffolding where the sailor-suited teen saved him. Before she could be reached for comment, she swung into the sky and vanished. Stay tuned to channel 5 for further updates."

Raye's eyes widened in shock… her hand formed into a fist on the shop window as she began to pound it to the point of breaking.

"No! It can't be… I'm supposed to be the leader, she can't have returned…Luna still has her broach!" She whispered this fiercely to herself… those who passed by her just shook their heads muttering things about the crazy priestess.

"Is there a problem Miss Hino?"

Raye stopped her mutterings to see Det. Monroe's green eyes looking at her from the reflection of the store's window. She gasped, hoping he didn't hear her. He focused his attention to the broadcast and raised his brow.

"Sailor Moon huh, she saved that construction worker. So she has returned, that's good, the others were doing horrible without her."

"No we…they aren't! Sailor Moon is just some stupid blond ditz that gets all the glory for doing nothing! It's the others, especially Sailor Mars, that does all the work!"

The detective inclined his head during her little speech.

"I must say, you are passionate about what you believe in Miss Hino. But I wouldn't say that too loudly, the majority of Tokyo doesn't share your sentiments. In fact, they believe total opposite…recent opinion polls show that, even though she was missing, Sailor Moon is the favorite scout."

"Well this so called majority needs to have their heads examined."

"I find it fascinating that you don't like Sailor Moon … from what I have seen Serena wore her hair like her. I guess she was a fan. And they both are blond…what, you don't like blondes or something?"

"I despise that one… uh it's not traditional. Why are we worshipping a hero that can possibly be from this country? We have children trying to be like her, with her blue eyes and blond hair and European features."

Raye's eyes turned dark, to the trained eye you could see a burgundy aura raising off of her. The detective's eyes widen and he stepped back…he could since something from her and his training told him that she was hiding something.

"You really don't like Serena, do you?"

Unbeknownst to Raye, Monroe had turned on his recorder prior to beginning his conversation with her.

"No, my life was fine before I met her. Then I had Darien and she messed that up by always bothering him, distracting him from me…causing him to keep his feelings for me guarded. When she ran away, I thought things would go back to normal, Darien wouldn't be bothered and could have admitted his love for me. I would be the center of attention, like I am at school. But no, the others were actually concerned for her…went out looking for her taking 'my' Darien with them! They made him feel guilty for loving me and for my dedication and loyalty to him…he rejects me, shuns me…denies his love for me!"

Raye leaned her head against the shop window…tears ran down her cheeks. The detective watched her for a moment, judging if her emotions were real before handing her a tissue. She stared at it then him for a moment before taking it. She gasped when she noticed the tape recorder.

"How dare you record me? That's illegal! I'm going to call my lawyer! I'm going to…"

"Continue answering my questions." He pulled out a signed warrant with her name on it. "I was on my way to your shrine to bring you to the station. Now, would you like to continue this someplace else?"

Raye closed her mouth and lowered her head. She nodded and followed him to the station. She was glad her grandfather was out on business, for it would have brought shame to him to know that his granddaughter was a possible suspect in the missing teen.

"Now Miss Hino, if you didn't like Serena, why did you associate with her?"

"I didn't want to, it was forced on me. The others did, so I did too."

"The others?"

"Amy and Lita."

"But don't they both attend Juuban Jr. High, the same school Serena attends?"

"Yes and your point."

"From what I understand, she introduced you to both of them. You would not have met them if she didn't meet you…who were your friends before you met Serena?"

"I kept to myself mostly, but would hang out with the girls from First School Academy."

"Really?"

"Yes, you don't believe me?"

"No, I have researched your background. You attitude there is pleasant, yet you keep to yourself. So why did you treat Serena so poorly?"

"I didn't treat her poorly, I just treated her how she should be treated. She isn't a child yet everyone coddles her. I for one do not have time for children or childish people."

"So why didn't you leave her alone, find some other friends?"

"Why should I leave 'my' friends, she should have left!"

"They were her friends first, remember, she introduced you to them. Besides, the place where you hung out is in her part of town, in route from her house to school. You on the other hand had to go out of your way to get to Crown. And before you say you were there for Darien, since he cared for you, wouldn't he have met you at other places…since Serena got on his nerves so much?"

"Uh…I didn't ask him."

"But since he loves you, he would know what pleases you, yet he still brought you to Crown?"

"He didn't bring me, he met me there. He was afraid of my age, he is 20."

"Yes…he is too old for you. He could be arrested for fraternizing with a minor."

"NO! That won't happen, like I told you before I'm mature for my age and he knows that."

"Mature… who were you talking to when I found you earlier?"

"What are you trying to imply?"

Det. Monroe stood in the interrogation room and started pacing around the table Raye sat.

"I'm not implying anything, but you are living in a fantasy world. You're not what you picture yourself as and this life you have exists only in your imagination. Your illusions of grandeur has made you think that you are the center of your environment; Darien loves you, the others adore you and you are the queen of your school. When in reality, Darien despises you the others tolerated you because Serena was their friend and the girls at your school are afraid of you. You hated that, hated all that she stood for and what she has that you don't. Inspite of her shortcomings, she has friends, popularity and… Darien's heart."

Raye's eyes bulged out of her head at his implications.

"No, Darien loves me, not her…not that blond bitch!"

"Oh can't handle the truth Raye… I'm not making any of this up; and you know I'm right. Serena has everything you don't, which gives you motive…but most importantly…" He stopped and leaned by her ear. "I think you killed Serena!"

"Amy did you see what way she went?"

"No, I need to get out my visor… seems like we need Mercury and Jupiter."

"There is an alley over there."

Lita and Amy ran into the vacant alley and transformed. Darien was having better luck keeping up with Sailor Moon; he transformed a while ago, knowing that she wouldn't stop for a civilian.

"Sailor Moon, WAIT!"

The heroine stopped, but kept her back turned from Tuxedo Mask while he caught up to her. This also gave Mercury and Jupiter the opportunity to catch up as well. He stopped a few paces behind her, trying to catch his breath.

"Wow, you must have been training while you were gone… I could always keep up with you before."

"…"

"Uh, I've been looking for you. There were all kinds of rumors going around about you. Some said that you deserted, or had been kidnapped even killed."

"Hmmm"

"Yeah it's something, gosh it seems like we have reversed roles. You were always the conversationalist and I the quiet one."

"It would seem that way…"

Tuxedo Mask stretched his eyes. He'd never heard Sailor Moon speak like that before. She was sultry, erotic, enticing… and he didn't like it. Mercury and Jupiter looked at one another and asked each other the same question…

'Since when did Sailor Moon NOT faun over Tuxedo Mask?'

"Uh yeah… are you sure you're ok Sailor Moon?"

"Of course…who wouldn't be when you have three of the five pains in my side with me."

The soldiers and Masks' eyes widen before instincts finally told them something wasn't right and that they needed to run.

"What do you mean Sailor Moon?"

"I thought you were smarter than that Tuxie… you should know what's going on here. After weeks of not seeing or hearing from me, I suddenly appear, saving someone no less by swinging from a rope like an acrobat."

"Sailor Moon, were sorry about what happened with Mars and Luna. We should have been there for you… understanding you had a rough day and…"

"Yes, what kind of team speaks against their leader? What kind of team thinks of self first, then others never? There isn't an 'I' in team…"

"Of course there isn't… Sailor Moon…why would you say that?"

"Because I'm not Sailor Moon…"

She turned sharply and looked that the group with green eyes, causing the girls to gasp and Mask to step back.

"WELCOME TO MY TRAP!"

The guise fell, revealing Zoicite of the Dark Kingdom. She looked upon their stunned faces with an evil smirk. While they were shocked by her appearance, she raised her hands and blasted them into a nearby grove of trees.

"Now Tuxedo Mask, you have something that belongs to my Queen. Give me the Rainbow Crystals now!"

"Ne…never, I won't …give them to…you!"

"Well then, it's your funeral…literally. We are going to win and this planet will be OURS!"

She raised her hands again and blasted Mask a few times until he was unconscious. Mercury and Jupiter were knocked out briefly from the first blast and came to in time to see Mask rendered unconscious.

"SUPREME THUNDER"

With her attention focused on Mask, Zoicite didn't see the others come to, so she was caught off guard and Jupiter's attack hit her on the side.

"ARGHHHH! YOU LITTLE GREEN BITCH, YOU WILL PAY FOR TOUCHING ME!"

Zoicite raised her hands again and blasted Jupiter until she was bruised and bleeding. Mercury watched helplessly. All she had were her bubbles and wished Sailor Moon was there. She swallowed her pride; she picked up her communicator and pressed the symbol for Mars. She waited anxiously for a few moments and was shocked that all she received was static.

"I DIDN'T KILL SERENA!"

"Really Miss Hino? What happened the night she vanished?"

Flash

"Where the heck are you Meatball Head, you can't even leave your video game to help us. I don't even know why you are the leader- you're just a klutzy, crybaby that can't even duck to save your own skin. We are supposed to be a team you know…"

"Raye, not now…handle it as best as you can, Serena is in the middle of something heavy right now, we will be there soon."

"Middle of what Luna, dinner…"

"Shut UP! That's it, Raye you wanted to be leader since you first joined, you have been the thorn in my side since I met you...no wonder you and Darien make such a good match…you both are cruel, heartless and insensitive of others feelings! My life is going on a downward spiral and I want to get off before I fall and make myself more of a disappointment to anyone else…here Luna." Handing Luna her brooch, and the crescent wand… "I QUIT…take these things to the person that wants them and stay there too. I don't need a reminder of my most recent failure living under my roof!"

End

"She was supposed to come help us with some work…and she didn't show up. It was hard and I almost got hurt taking up her slack. I called her to find out where she was and she told me that I was a thorn in her side and that she was a disappointment that she quit."

"Quit, quit what?"

"I guess being our friend… she abandoned her friends and Lita and Amy still think the world of her. Well they deserve each other if they prefer being with a insensitive person like Serena!"

"I see…"

"What do you see, all you're doing is accusing me of killing her without proof. So what if I seem to be the only person that hates her, that's not reason enough for me to kill her or for you to say that I did. Unless you're going to arrest me, you can't detain me any longer!"

"Your right, I don't have proof, but you're still one of my prime suspects. I'll let you go for now, but don't plan on taking a trip anytime soon."

Det. Monroe stood and opened the door of the interrogation room, letting Raye go. She walked out of the precinct with an air of smugness when her communicator beeped. She knew it was Mercury since Jupiter would rather die than to call her for help.

"Humph, you blatantly accuse me of killing Serena, yet call me to help save your necks? I think you two need a lesson in who's the real hero here…save yourselves." Raye took off the communicator and placed it in her bag. She turned and headed towards Crown to see if Darien was there. Not seeing his dark head in the window, she fumed and headed back towards the shrine.

Mercury cursed as Raye didn't answer, but she would have to deal with that later. Looking around she picked up a rock and focused her energy on it, covering it with cold shards of ice. Seeing Jupiter sway, she hurled it at Zoicite, cutting her face and bruising her cheek.

Zoicite stopped her attack on Jupiter and raised her hand, wiping blood from her face.

"My face, how dare you mark my face!" Not wanting to cause Mercury's pain magically, she ran at the shaken soldier and began to backhand her.

"You stupid girl…you will learn that you can't win against us. YOU ALL WILL LEARN THAT LESSON!!!"

"Not if I can help it!"

Zoicite turned in time to see a beam of energy strike her in the arms, causing her to drop Mercury and draw back in pain and surprise.

"WHO ARE YOU… tell me so I'll know what to but on your headstone!"

The masked figure walked out into the light, showing her red, white and blue uniform… the others gasped as her blonde hair came into view. Her figured shimmered for a moment changing the colors to orange.

"Gladly…I am Sailor Venus!"

End chapter

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