Standard disclaimer I do not own Sailor Moon never did, never will thank you!

Author's Note: I would like to thank all who reviewed your feedback really inspired me,

so please continue to send your wonderful reviews. To answer some

questions I did get Serena cut herself on the palm not her fingers. When I

wrote that seen I didn't have it in mind for her to start cutting herself but

I'm not sure exactly where I'm taking this story yet so she might start.

Please send me your reviews on this topic and what you think. I also agree

the end paragraph was my favorite one too; it really showed you Serena's

thoughts and feelings at that point and time. Once again thank you to

everyone who reviewed and as always please read, review, and enjoy! Thank

you Mars Light.

After Dark

Chapter 5

Serena awoke the next day as she heard knocking coming from down stairs, she got out of bed and walked down the hallway as she stood at the top of the stairs and watched her friends talking to her mother. It was difficult understanding all they were saying, but from what she was able to make out her friends came over because she wasn't in school today and they were worried about her. Her mother told them she wasn't feeling well and that she would be back in a few days.

Serena watched looking at her friends facial expressions not sure if they believed what they heard but then nodded and walked away as her mother closed the door.

After she knew her friends were gone and they wouldn't be coming back, Serena walked downstairs and into the kitchen where she saw her mother preparing what would probably be tonight's dinner.

Ilene turned around and smiled at her daughter as she told her "good morning did you sleep well"

Serena not paying attention to her mother walked over to the fridge and took out the orange juice and poured herself a glass as she asked "what were the girls doing here"

Ilene continued chopping the meat as she told her "they came by they were very worried about you since you weren't in school today"

Serena put her juice on the table as she turned to her mother and asked "what did you tell them"

Ilene walked over to her daughter as she told her "don't worry I didn't tell them a thing. I just said you weren't feeling well and that you would be back to school in a few days"

Serena looked to her mother as she told her "I'm sorry, I'm just not ready to tell everyone what happened to me and I don't know if I ever will be"

Ilene put a comforting hand on Serena's shoulder as she asked her "darling what about the psychiatrist the doctor recommended maybe she can help you"

Serena pushed away her mothers hand as she backed off telling her "no, I just want to be left alone to deal with what happened to me. I don't need a psychiatrist, I don't need anyone, so just leave me alone" with that Serena left and went running upstairs to her room slamming the door behind her, and then falling to the ground in tears.

Serena tried to lift herself up but couldn't as she fell down to her knees and started hitting the ground as she screamed out "why? Why did this have to happen to me? I haven't been that bad of a person. I just want to go back in time, but I can't this is it. They took something I can never get back and I hate them, I hate them all. I wish they would all die or at least have to live through the pain that I do each day. Why am I punished and they get to walk away as free men to do the same thing to some other helpless girl's why?" without realizing it Serena's mother stood in the doorway as she walked in the room and helped her daughter to her feet as she told her "there not going to get away with what they have done to you Serena. They will be caught and punished I promise you; and each day the pain will lessen. I know its hard now, but it will get better I promise."

Serena lifted her head up to look at her mother as she asked her "how do you know? How do you know they'll be caught, you don't it's only wishful thinking. You can't promise me that so don't"

Ilene brushed a hair from Serena's head as she told her "you're right I can't be sure, but I do know your father and I will never stop trying until the men that did this to you are behind bars"

Serena looked away from her mother as she focused on all that was going on outside. Ilene came walking up to her daughter as she told her "it's okay for you to move on in the mean time, no one is going to judge you. There's a whole world going on outside Serena and I know you want to be apart of it."

Serena walked away from the window as she turned to her mother and told her "I can't, I'm not ready yet"

Ilene turned to her daughter as she told her "you know you do have four good friends Serena. I'm sure if you told them what happened they would be very understanding, and maybe they can help you. Sometimes it's best to get back into a normal routine again"

Serena looked to her mother as she told her "no I don't want them to know, I don't want anyone to ever know"

Ilene walked up to her daughter as she told her "okay then how about Darien. He already knows and I know he's worried about you. Serena won't you at least speak to him"

Serena turned away from her mother as she told her "I don't want to see him or speak to him, alright"

Ilene walked up to her daughter as she told her "no that is not alright. If that is how you feel then you tell him. I'm getting tired of lying for you Serena, that boy must call at least four times a day to see how your doing and I'm running out of excuses to tell him. I felt so sorry for him that day at the hospital; if you don't want to see him again then you tell him that"

Serena walked away from her mother as she told her "I will, but I can't right now, please just tell him that I'm fine and not to worry"

Ilene looked to her daughter as she told her "alright I'll tell him, but you have to make a decision Serena and do it soon. Just remember whatever decision you make you can't go back on it. If you decide to let him loose any other girl can walk in and have him for there own, just remember that"

Serena looked to her mother as she told her "I know" then the phone started to ring again as Ilene walked over to pick it up already having a good idea of who it was as she said "hello"

Serena watched as she saw her mother talk to who she now knew was Darien. Her mother told him that she couldn't come to the phone because she was resting, not to worry because she was fine and then hung up the phone; as she looked to Serena and told her "you need to make a decision and do it quickly because he won't wait around forever" and with that Ilene turned around and walked out of the room.

Serena watched her mother leave then walked over to the picture that was sitting on her dresser as she picked it up and stared at the photo of her and Darien as her mother's words repeated through her head "If you decide to let him loose any other girl can walk in and have him for there own". Serena put the photo in one of the drawers of her dresser as she said to herself "then so be it" as she sat back on her bed and looked out the window.

End Chapter 5

Author's Note: I hope everyone enjoyed Chapter 5. Please stay tuned for Chapter 6 where you'll see more of Darien and how he's dealing. Please let me know of any ideas or thoughts you might have for this story and also your opinion on Serena to start cutting herself. As always please read, review and enjoy! Thank you Mars Light.