Title: Dark Serenity – Betrayal of the Soul

Author: Queen Serenity

Fandom: Sailor Moon

Chapter: Two – These Are Your Friends

The Inner Soldiers were gathered at the Shinto Temple, having a Sailor Soldier meeting. The reason that the meeting had been called to order was because they had a big problem, and a big decision to make, and it was one which they would need to make together, as a team.

It was Luna who started the meeting. "Listen up, Soldiers, we need to figure out what we will do about Rini."

…what did I do wrong…?

"Well," said Ami, "Let's start off with what we know about her."

…is it because of that one time, when I told him I wanted to wait…?

"One thing we can be sure of," Rei said, "is that she's not evil. If she was, I definitely would have sensed it by now."

…is it because I'm not really good at anything, except eating and video games…?

Ami spoke again. "Last time she started releasing that energy beam, I analyzed it with my Mercury Data Computer, and it came to a strange conclusion: Rini's energy signature is very close to Serena's, and it radiates Lunar power… so I was thinking, is it possible that she could be someone important reincarnated from the moon during the Silver Millennium?"

…is it because he's found someone better than me…?

Mina tapped her chin for a moment in thought. "We know now that she wants the Silver Crystal, but there's no way we can give it to her; we need it… but still, I think we've got to find some way to help her with her problem, whatever it is…"

…why? Why doesn't he want me anymore?

Lita nodded in agreement, her ponytail bouncing slightly. "If only we could find out exactly why she needs it… Serena, do you think maybe you could talk to her?"

No reply.

"Serena?" Lita reached over to tap the pigtailed-blonde, who had her head buried in her arms on the table, on the shoulder.

Serena looked up, and the other four girls waited expectantly for her answer. Luna noticed that the girl's eyes were red and a bit puffy, as though she'd been crying a lot recently. When they all heard what she said next, her voice tinged with sadness, it became painfully obvious that she had not been paying any attention to the conversation at hand.

"Guys, why doesn't Darien love me anymore? What'd I do wrong?"

They all sweatdropped.

"Serena!" Rei cried out, irritated. "We're not talking about you, we're talking about poor Rini!"

"Yeah, Serena!" Lita put in. "Right now Rini's problem is a lot more important that your love life! Think about something else for a change."

Mina was next. "You need to stop being so selfish!"

And Ami put in her opinion last, sounding rather stern. "Try to concentrate on Rini, the subject at hand, instead of yourself right now!"

"Serena…" Luna started to say, but she was interrupted by the girl, who looked rather hurt, tears filling her eyes.

I shouldn't even have come here…

"Some friends you are!"
Before anyone could reply, she had bolted from the temple, crying, and, by the time the Soldiers and the cats got outside to go after her, she was gone.