Chapter 5: Friendship and Battles

Serena woke up to the sound of her mother pounding on her door. Groggily she looked over at the clock that was shaking with its buzzing alarm. It read 8:00. She blinked sleepily, and lay her head back down on the pillow. "It's a Sunday." She muttered. "This is an ungodly hour to wake up." Then Luna pounced on her.

"Serena wake up!" She snarled. "You'll be late for school!"

"Luna! It can't possibly be time for school…" Serena mumbled. "It's a Sunday." Sleepily, Serena yawned and rolled over.

"Sunday was yesterday meatball-brain!" Luna said, digging her claws into Serena's back.

Serena screamed, leaping out of bed. "Why didn't anyone wake me up!" Pulling on her sailor uniform, she left the bow undone, hopping on one foot she attempted to pull on her socks before running down the stairs. Bag tucked under one arm. She slipped down the stairs. Landing at the bottom, she slipped into her shoes and grabbed a piece of Sammy's toast. "I'll be back later!" She yelled, as she rushed out the door. Running down the street, she wasn't looking where she was going. Turning down the street, she ran into the crosswalk. Thankfully it was green, but all the cars were honking at her. "Sorry! Sorry!" She yelled. "I'm late!" Her lungs felt like they would collapse as she neared her school. Her breath was coming out in heavy gasps. She heard the bell ring, once, twice. 'I have to get there before the third one!' She thought, and sprinted faster. Then the third bell rang. She skidded to a stop in front of her school. The gate was already closed. Hands on the cold iron bars, she cried. "No…no…" Sighing, she closed her eyes. "This isn't happening. My mother is going to kill me!" 'Not to mention Luna won't let me live it down…' She leaned against the fence. "What now? I can't go home." 'Then they'll know that I skipped.'

"You look ready to die."

Serena whipped around to face another girl. She was standing hands on her hips, in jeans and a gray sweatshirt. Short white blonde hair fell around her heart shaped face; she was slim, but not extraordinarily skinny. She was striking, but not beautiful with her high cheekbones and large icy blue eyes. Hers met Serena's, and she smiled. It was warm. "Who are you?" She asked.

"Sayuri Tanaka." The girl said, extending her hand. "You?"

"Serena Tsukino." Serena said, taking it. "What are you doing here?"

Sayuri laughed. "I'm just taking a walk."

"You don't have to go to school?" Serena asked, impressed.

"Not right now." Sayuri said, letting go of Serena's hand. "I'm not starting school until this term ends. The high school that I'm attending thought that would be best. That way I could get a fresh start with all the other students." She shrugged. "That was their thinking. But the truth is I'm really bored. What about you?"

"Me? Oh I'm just late." Serena said, noticing for the first time the girl's strange accent. "You're not from Tokyo?"

"Too late apparently." Sayuri said. "Yeah, I'm from America. International student. I passed the high school entrance exams…but it's too late to start right now."

Serena nodded. "You speak good Japanese."

Chuckling, Sayuri said. "I speak it well. My parents have been talking to me in Japanese since I was little. I've been taking courses since I was five, learning to read and write. I'm a Japanese American, my parents thought it would be good if I learned about my heritage."

"I can understand that." Serena said. "It sounds difficult, I couldn't imagine coming here all by myself."

"It's not that hard. My brother's here with me. So, what are you doing outside?" Sayuri asked, indicating the junior high building with her thumb.

"I'm late."

"Can't you just go inside?" Sayuri said. "I don't want to hold you up."

"I can't, I was so late that they already locked the gate. There's no way for me to get in." Serena said, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "When my mom finds out, she's going to kill me! My grades are already bad! This just confirms that I'm a huge flake! What am I going to do?"

"Hop the fence?" Sayuri suggested thoughtfully, looking at the wall. "I could give you a boost. It wouldn't be that hard."

"You're kidding." Serena said. "That's not possible. I'd end up hurting myself or you."

"Really?" Sayuri asked. "That doesn't sound good." With a shrug, she turned and walked away. "I suppose there's only one thing to do." She shouted over her shoulder.

"What's that?" Serena called back.

"Come with me." Sayuri said, sticking her hands deep into her pockets. She walked to the nearest light. Serena hurried after her.

Meanwhile…

Katsu was busily carrying his boxes up from the moving truck; he had opted to take the stairs, since at the time it had seemed like a better work out. Now he was regretting it. The boxes wobbled in his arms. Slowly, he felt out where the next step was with his foot. "This was a bad idea." He muttered, as he climbed. "Where's 'Yuri anyway? She said she'd help me move in." The truth was she'd stuck around just long enough to convince the manager to give him a key. Then she'd made her excuses about needing to get food, and vanished. Leaving him to unload all by himself. 'At least this way I get to decide where my stuff goes.' He thought merrily. She wouldn't be able to complain this time. Not this time. 'She's not completely unpacked herself.' He thought. It was a perfect opportunity, and he wasn't going to wait to pounce on it. "That's if I ever make it to the top of these stairs." He said. Katsu felt out the next step, and cautiously made it one higher. He agreed with himself, it had been a horrible idea to try to carry up two boxes at once. "Where's 'Yuri?" He wondered again. It was just like her to avoid any heavy labor. Despite the heartwarming talk they'd had last night…they didn't seem any closer. He sighed. When he finally made it to the landing, his arms screaming, and his legs on the verge of collapse, he put the boxes down, and sat. Staring down at the stairs. '83 steps.' He thought. 'There are 83 steps between the second and third floor. 80 steps between the first and second... 79 between the garage and first.' He looked up at the spiraling staircase. It was endless. 'That's it.' He thought. 'I'm taking the elevator.' For the fifth time that day, he wondered why Sayuri had chosen to live on the 20th floor. Then his cell phone rang. "Moshi moshi? Oh, Obaa-san. Yes it's good to hear from you too! No Sayuri isn't here. Yes, I understand. No, everything's fine. I'm just moving in. What?" He paused. "No. This apartment complex is fine. Yes, they're taking good care of me. No, I don't need anything. Sayuri is just out in Tokyo, she's exploring. You know 'Yuri, Obaa-san. She never stays still. What? No, I haven't heard from Ojii-san yet. Yes, I expect to hear from him soon. You do? No, I don't think dinner tonight will work. Soon? Yes, we will get together soon. Very soon, I promise. No, Obaa-san, I'm not favoring Ojii-san over you. Yes, I promise. I do mean it. No, I don't need help moving in. Yes I know your company has strong men. I can do it by myself. Obaa-san? I have to go. I will talk to you later. Yes, I love you too. Matta-nee! What? No. Sayonara. Goodbye." He shut his phone. "Man." He looked over at the boxes. "You're just lucky you don't have to deal with that." He said, fingering the amulet in his pocket. He sighed. "Get back soon 'Yuri." Then he picked his boxes back up, and pushed the third floor door open. He decided he'd make it to the 20th floor if it killed him.

Back to Sayuri…

In an ice cream shop, Sayuri and Serena sat in a booth across from one another. Each had ordered something from the menu; outside the city streets of Tokyo bustled past them. "You sure eat a lot." Sayuri said, staring as Serena put away yet another hot fudge sundae. She sipped her milkshake. Smiling, amused, she leaned on her elbow. "It's amazing how you don't gain any weight. You're so slim."

"Me?" Serena asked, in between mouthfuls. "That's not possible." She gulped down another spoonful of ice cream. "Everyone says I'm a cow."

"Well you are. I don't get it. You've eaten three of those already. Don't you get brain freeze?" Sayuri asked. "I mean you eat it so fast."

"Nope." Serena said, almost choking on another scoop of ice cream. "Not usually. Ouch!" She grabbed her forehead. "Brain freeze." She looked over at Sayuri, who was still sipping on her milkshake. "Are you sure you don't mind paying for this?"

"I've got some cash to burn." Sayuri shrugged. "Besides, this has been entertaining. I didn't think anyone could eat that much ice cream in one sitting. Glad I was proven wrong." She laughed, rubbing her thumb on the sun pendant around her neck. "It's been a pretty hectic last few days. It feels good to relax."

"Uh huh." Serena nodded. "This ice cream is really good!" She glancing over at the wall, she saw the clock ticking. One hand was on the three, the other on the twelve. "Wow! It's three o'clock already!"

Sayuri checked her watch. "Yeah it is. Surprising how time flies." She motioned the waiter. "I should get going. I promised my brother I'd help him move." She checked her watch. "Three hours ago." She smiled. "It was nice meeting you Serena. We should do this again sometime." 'I wonder if she's the same Serena that's Darien's friend…ex… whatever…' The waiter walked over, and handed her the check. She looked down at it, and blinked. Then she looked up at Serena. 'Did she really eat that much?'

"What?" Serena asked. "How much is it?"

Sayuri waved her hand. "It doesn't matter, I'm paying for it." From the back pocket of her jeans, she pulled out her wallet. 'I should have brought my purse.' Opening it she pulled out a few bills and put them on the table. "How are you getting home?"

"Walking…of course." Serena answered. "Why how are you?"

"Walking." She said. "I have to get going, I'll see you." Sayuri stood up, and with a smile she walked out of the shop. Her hands stuck deep in the pockets of her jeans. The sun glanced off of her silvery blonde hair, which she tucked absently behind her ear. 'Oh Katsu is going to be so mad!'

"Hey wait!" Serena yelled, but Sayuri was already out of earshot. "Don't you want your change?" Looking down at the table, she picked up the bills. '7500 yen?' Serena gasped, the bills falling from her fingers. They fluttered to the table, and she sat back down. "That's…way too much…" 'Who is she?' Serena rubbed her forehead; this was too much thinking for her brain. "I better get home." Then she stood, and walked out of the shop. Once out on the streets, Serena stared up at the sky. "Who was she?" Serena asked aloud, looking in the direction that Sayuri gone. Then she shrugged. "Mama will be wondering where I am…" 'And nagging me about my homework…I don't want to go home.' She thought. 'I know! I'll go see Darien!' Serena went running off towards Darien's apartment building. 'He'll be happy to see me!'

Meanwhile…

Katsu had finally gotten his stuff up to Sayuri's apartment. 'I should have rented my own.' He thought. 'It would have been easier.' Grimly, he stuck the key into the door. Pushing it open with his foot, he gazed glumly into the cramped space. 'I know she wants to live like a normal Japanese woman…but…' He looked around at the unpacked boxes randomly scattered over the hardwood floor. The rug still wrapped, in the far corner. The couch was the only part that seemed to be lived in. All the floor lamps were plugged in. But still, there was bubble wrap and packing popcorn strewn everywhere. An unused coffee cup was sitting on the table in the center of the room. Cooking utensils, none of them put away, cluttered the countertops and bar area in the kitchen. He decided that he didn't want to know what her room or the bathroom looked like. 'Slob.' He thought. Setting the box down as a doorstop, he wiped his brow. "I can't leave all this in the hallway." He said. Grimly rubbing his hands together, he took a deep breath. "Okay. Next phase." 'Maybe I should have taken Obaa-san up on her offer.' He thought, bending over to pick up another box. 'I don't get why Sayuri is living like a pauper…'

"Can I give you a hand?"

Hiking the box up to his chest, Katsu looked over his shoulder at a man around his own height. Standing next to the man, was a little girl with pink hair and red eyes. "Yeah." He said. "I mean yes, please. " The man leaned over and picked up a box. The two walked in, setting down the boxes, and then went back out into the hallway for more. The little girl with pink pigtails, attempted to help by pushing some of lighter boxes. The black kitty head floating behind her like a pet. Soon everything was inside the apartment, making it look even more cramped. "Crazy to think that two people are going to live here…" He said, glancing around.

"Two people?" The little girl sniffed. "There isn't enough room for one!"

"Well that's all Sayuri's fault." Katsu said. "She's a real slob." He laughed, not noticing the black haired man stiffen. "She doesn't know how to clean up after herself."

The little girl nodded. "This place is worse than Serena's room."

"Really? Well, excuse me!" Sayuri said from the doorway. "I didn't realize that we were having guests." She walked in, eyes narrowed. "What are you doing Katsu?" She asked, grabbing his cheek. "I've barely lived here for a week, you expect me to be unpacked?"

"Well normally, you would be!" Katsu snapped. "Just because you want to be "normal" doesn't mean you get to live like a slob!"

"A slob!" Sayuri snarled, pulling his cheek. "I'll show you who's the slob!"

"Maybe we should go." The man said taking the little girl's hand.

Surprised, Sayuri glanced at him. "No! I'm sorry Darien…I got so mad at the idiot…" She glared at Katsu. "I forgot that we had company." She looked around the room. "I know it's a bit of a mess, but please make yourselves comfortable." Then she looked down. "So who is this Darien?"

"I'm Rini." The little girl said, sticking out her hand. "And this is Luna P."

Sayuri knelt down, and took her hand. "It's nice to meet you Rini, and Luna P, I'm Sayuri." She smiled warmly. "Would you like something to eat?"

"Yes please! Do you have pancakes?" Rini asked.

"I think I have a mix in the cupboard. I was saving it for a special occasion." She said with a wink. "Would you like to help me?"

Katsu snorted. "You want to cook? In this kitchen? Why don't we just eat out?"

"Are you saying you don't like my cooking?" Sayuri growled, glaring at him. Tucking a few stray strands of hair behind her ear, she said. "Don't listen to him Rini."

"Why?" Rini asked, holding Sayuri's hand. She gazed up at the older girl. "I'd like to eat out."

"Then we can go out." Sayuri said.

"As long as the restraint makes pancakes!"

From the door, Darien took a few steps forward into the room. Seeing Sayuri and Rini looking so comfortable with one another, made him happy. 'At least, they're getting along.' Darien glanced from Katsu to Sayuri. 'Just who is this guy?' He wasn't sure he liked how close he was standing to Sayuri. "Are you sure this is okay Sayuri? You two didn't have plans?"

"Plans?" Sayuri asked, glancing at Katsu, surprised. "Why would we have plans? Do we have plans?" She checked her watch.

"Well, there was that thing…" Katsu said, nudging one of the unopened boxes with his foot. Crossing his arms peevishly across his chest, he stared at her, and then indicated the window. '. "You know…"

'What's going on?' Rini wondered, looking from one to the other. 'Were they gonna go on a date or something?' Her hand tightened around Sayuri's. "I don't want to be in the way." She said.

The older girl looked down at her and smiled. "You're not."

"If this is a problem, we can go." Darien repeated. He glanced from Sayuri to Katsu, once again wondering what their relationship was. 'She said she was living by herself. Who is this guy?'

"And that…" Sayuri said, rolling her eyes. "It can wait. We should go out to dinner. Everyone's hungry Katsu, and I can't feed them, because I'm not a very good cook." With a wink to her brother, she and Rini walked out of the apartment. Hand in hand, with Luna P floating obediently behind them.

Katsu sighed. "It's the hygienic issue…this place isn't clean." He glanced over at Darien. There was a strange tension between the other man and him. Stretching out his hand, he said. "We were never properly introduced. I'm Katsu, Sayuri's…"

"Yes, I understand." Darien responded gruffly. "I'm Darien Shields." He felt a familiar spark from Katsu; it was the same as the feeling when he and Sayuri touched. But different, this was more brotherly. 'It's strange, I feel like I know you…' He thought.

"I gathered that." Katsu smiled. "You're the one Sayuri talks about, her first friend in Japan. I wanted to thank you for taking care of her." Letting go of Darien's hand he indicated the door and he added. "After you."

Darien nodded and followed the girls out into the hall, walking over to Rini. He asked. "Will your family be okay with you staying out late, Rini?"

"Sure Darien." Rini smiled. "I don't think Ikuko-mama will mind me skipping dinner." 'Serena won't care, it means there will be more food for her.' Rini thought darkly, again she looked up at Sayuri. 'She's so nice. I wonder if she has the silver crystal! It doesn't make sense, giving it to someone like Serena. Besides, she reminds me of…'

Down the hall the elevator bell dinged as it opened. Serena stepped out, she was still dressed in her sailor uniform, wearing black shoes, and her long pigtails hung arouond her waist. Her eyes were wide with anticipation, then she stopped, staring down the hall. "Hey Darien!" She yelled, running over. "Rini? What are you doing here?" She glared at the little girl. "I bet you're trying to sneak some extra time with Darien, aren't cha! You sneaky little brat!" Then she saw who's hand Rini was holding. "Sayuri?" She asked, suddenly confused. "What are you doing here? How do you know Darien?"

'So she is his girlfriend…' Sayuri thought, smiling broadly she answered. "I live here, silly." However the lump in her throat wouldn't go away. 'This is silly.' Angrily, she persecuted her inner feelings. 'It's not like I like him or anything…'

Katsu glanced from one girl to the other. 'What's going on here? Meatball head knows 'Yuri? She knows 'Yuri's friend? When did this happen?' Rubbing the back of his neck, he said. "Hey meatball head." Stepping up beside Sayuri, he put a hand on her shoulder. Squeezing, he muttered. "If we're going to go eat, let's go." Sayuri nodded silently.

Serena's mouth formed a small "o". 'That's Sayuri's boyfriend?' She thought, disappointment writhing in her stomach. 'Why do I feel this way?' She wondered, glancing from Darien to Katsu. "You live…here?" 'She must be living with him…' Serena thought, stomach sinking all the way downn to her shoes. "With him?" She pointed to the blonde guy.

Darien's eyes narrowed. 'They must be serious.' "If we're going to go eat…" He began peevishly.

"Yeah I'm hungry!" Rini said, tugging on Sayuri's arm. "When are we gonna get food?"

"Yeah." Sayuri said to Serena, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Yeah I am." 'You'd think people could see the obvious.' She thought. "Katsu," She said. "I think it's time to go." She said. "You want to get the car started?"

'So his name is Katsu…' Serena thought, she liked the way it rolled off the tongue. His accent was very american, she decided, like Sayuri's. 'He must be from America too.' Which was interesting, because it meant that they must have been dating before, they came here. 'Maybe he followed her to Japan because he couldn't live without her.' It was incredibly romantic, but somehow it didn't make Serena any happier, though she loved romance. 'I wonder if Darien would do that for me?'

"Why don't we just call Obaa-san?" He said, disgruntled. "She'd be more than happy…"

"No." Sayuri snapped. "I don't want to talk to her." 'He's so pushy when it comes to Obaa-san.'

"There aren't any restraunts around here that'll serve breakfast at this hour." Katsu said. "Unless we go…"

"Which is why you should have let me cook!" She growled. "But no, the kitchen isn't clean enough!" Glaring at him, she said. "Make up your mind!"

"We should go to the Maple Hotel."

"Why?" She hissed.

He leaned close, and whispered into her ear. "Because you own it, and they'll make anything you want."

"It's a four star restraunt…" She muttered under her breath. "And I don't own it until my 21st birthday. Ojii-san manages the chain for me." 'He just wants to expose us, I'd rather Darien, Rini, and Serena didn't know about our…money issues.' She'd had enough with hangers on in California. She just wanted to be a normal teen.

"The Maple Hotel? You guys can get dinner reservations there?" Darien asked, shocked. "I've heard that you have to make reservations months in advance. How would we get in?" He looked at the way they were dressed. "Especially looking like this?"

"Don't worry about stuff like that." Katsu said. "We have connections." He clapped Darien on the back. "Leave this to us."

"You guys are going out?" Serena asked, suddenly catching on. "To the Maple Hotel?" She'd heard her mother talk about it, it was a newly built four star hotel chain that competed directly with the Hilton and others. The building was one of the tallest in Japan, nearly 150 stories high. It was complete with a shopping mall, spa, indoor swimming pool, casino, and five star restraunt on the top floor. Her mother had said that the Maple Hotel chain made each of their hotels uniquely different, so that you never had the same experience at each hotel. She said the closet way to describe the Maple Hotels was that they were on par with those on the Strip in Las Vegas. Serena had to ask what Las Vegas was, and her mother laughed. She'd just said it was in America.

"Yeah meatball head, you wanna come?" Katsu said, flicking her on the forehead. Serena flushed, and was about to retort. When Sayuri stepped between them.

"That's enough of that." She said. "I'll take Serena and Rini with me in my car. Katsu, you go with Darien."

"But how are we going to get in?" Darien asked, looking at Katsu in distaste. He didn't want him driving with him. It would be just as uncomfortable as if Serena was with him. 'Why did I agree to this? This is going be some daring adventure.'

"Don't worry." Sayuri said. "We know the manager." She grabbed Serena's other hand. "Let's go." She led the two girls towards the elevator. 'I hope Ojii-san isn't going to ask me to move in…again.'

"Not to mention the owner." Katsu muttered, watching her leave. He turned to Darien. "So, where's your car?"

Darien gave him a long look, his icy blue eyes piercing. "It's down in the garage." He said, and the two started off after the girls. "How long have you known Sayuri?" Darien asked.

"We've known each other our whole lives." He said, looking over at the other man. His blue eyes mischevious, and seeing the startled look on Darien's face, he couldn't resist hammering another blow. "We were even born on the same day, in the same hospital." 'In the same room, to the same mother, but I'm not going to tell you that.' He smiled. "We're very close."

"I see." Darien said. 'They must have been dating for a long time.' "You're mothers must be great friends."

"Those two are so close they could almost be the same person." He grinned. "Come on, we don't want the girls to get there ahead of us. If I know Sayuri, she likes to drive fast." The two headed for the garage after the girls.

In space a sinsiter plan was developing…

Four sisters sat around in a five mirrors, staring out at the quietly sleeping city of Tokyo. Each bore a dark upside down crescent on their brow. One of the girls was unwrapping the bandages on her arm. Her raven hair bunched in two ears on the top of her head, and trailed down her back. She was wearing a pink leotard and tights with black stripes, and a blue feathery tutu. Her name was Catsie. "I'll get that Scout." She snarled. "She'll pay for ruining my precious skin." Wincing as she pressed her fingers against the coin size burn hole in her upper arm, she added. "I'll kill her."

"It doesn't help that those tricky Scouts have defeated us at each and every turn. We've come so close to conquering a negative point!" Bertie said. Her long white braid hung down her back. Wiping powder over her already alabaster skin, she added. "But those pesky Sailor Scouts always show up."

"Bertie dear, you've been defeated at every turn." Prizma said, leaning over her. Her moss green hair was tied up in a bun at the back of her head. Her skintight green body suit, clung to her body sensually. Green feathers plumed out over her shoulder. "Maybe it's time to let somone else take over."

"Feeling cooped up, Prizma?" Bertie laughed. "Sorry can't help you there. I want my own revenge on those Scouts."

"Especially the new one." Catsie added, stretching out her arm. "She's mine."

"Those two are trouble." Bertie nodded. "Sailor Sun and Sailor Sol."

"Who?" Avery asked from the far side of the room. "I haven't seen them."

"That's because you haven't gotten out enough Avery, darling." Bertie said. "Those two destroyed my last Yoma. It was suprising."

"Why?" Prizma spat. "Your Yoma have always been the weakest. It's not suprising that two Scouts could easily take them."

"Yes but they did it without Sailor Moon." Bertie said, looking out at the city. "That makes them unique. The others have yet to destroy anything on their own." She sighed loudly. "If they team up with the other Scouts…"

"We'll waste them just like the others, we'll capture Rini and claim the Silver Crystal." Reubeus said, stepping from the shadows. "We have to destroy the Sailor Scouts faith in each other, and these new soldiers. The wiseman said this would be the best way to handle these Scouts. We'll let them do our work for us." He laughed. "The Legendary Soldiers of the Sun, you'll feel our wrath. Bertie, Prizma, Avery, Catsie, I want you to start releasing Yoma at separate times. We'll flush out these new Scouts, and let them do our work for us. They'll fracture the team, you'll see." Staring down at the city of Tokyo in the glass. Rubeus, ran his fingers through his ruby red hair. 'Soon, Sailor Moon. Soon you'll see what your so called friends truly think of you.' Touching his cheek, he could still feel the heat from the burn that had ripped across his skin. It had happened in their first attack on the planet. When he'd stood in battle against the Soldiers of the Sun. He still remembered 'her' face. Those icy cold eyes glaring at him with such disgust. Then she'd released her deadly attack, driving Rubeus and his minions back. They'd never reached the planet's surface in that first assault. It was all thanks to 'her'. He'd kept the burn scar as a souvenir. It was a promise that one day he'd destroy her. His lips curled into a cruel smile. 'So Sailor Sun, we're about to meet again.'