Chapter 9: The Day We Parted Ways

The three scouts faced the monster, power pounded through their veins, and in that moment they felt united. This was different from the power they had experienced before, and for the Solar Senshi it felt like they had come home. Serena looked at them, as she too was swept away in their new strength. "You guys…" She said in shock. "You guys are Sailor Scouts!" The Youma was in front of them, but Sailor Moon was oblivious to it, instead, she could stop staring at her two friends.

"Look…" Sailor Sun said she waved her hands in front of her. "This isn't…"

"That's so amazing!" Sailor Moon said, excitedly. "Now we can prove to the Scouts that you guys aren't evil!"

"They're not evil?" The Youma said, her voice echoing around the little playground. "Who said that they were evil?" Wind swirled around her. "I'm the evil one!" It released a swirling blast of air at the three soldiers. Serena screamed, as Sailor Sol grabbed her and hauled her sideways, as Sailor Sun dodged in the opposite direction. "I plan on sucking you three down into hell!"

"Is that so?" Sailor Sun said, from where she knelt by the slide. "I guess it's a shame then. Cause I have no intention of going. I'm Sailor Sun." She stood, her deep purple skirt swirling around her thighs. The ruby stone on her tiara glowed.

From where he stood by the monkey bars, holding Sailor Moon, Sailor Sol continued. "Instead, we'll send you in our stead." He winked. "That's a promise from Sailor Sol. Saving the world."

"By destroying Youma, one at a time." Sailor Moon said, shrugging away Sailor Sol's hands. "We'll punish you!" She pointed at the monster, which looked up to the sky and laughed throatily.

"You destroy me?" The Youma said coldly. "Please, I expected the full complement of Senshi. The three of you together aren't any match for me." She raised her arm again and fired off two consecutive blasts of wind, each directed at the Sailor Soldiers.

Sailor Sun leapt into the air, she twisted, and landed on top of the jungle gym. "Really? Is that all you've got?" She said, raising her hands towards the sky. "Now Sol!" Her brother joined her, and lifted his fingers. Balls of light and fire whirled around them, as they pointed their hands towards the Youma. "Twin Solar Blast!" They yelled together. The two balls converged together forming one pillar of fire that shot through the Youma, engulfing it. Then Sailor Sun looked down at Sailor Moon and yelled. "Now Sailor Moon!"

Twirling her scepter around her body, swinging it from side to side, Sailor Moon cried. "Moon Scepter…" And pointed it at the Youma. "Elimination!" A burst of ping light and tiny glittering moons shot from the end of the scepter. It barreled into the monster, and the Youma disintegrated. Leaving only a pile of dust and a small black crystal behind. Lightly, Sailor Sun leapt down from her perch on the jungle gym. Picking up the black crystal, she brushed it off and put it into her pocket.

"Ah ha!" Sailor Mars shouted as she pointed at Sailor Sun. "I caught you at the scene of the crime!" Raven hair blowing in the wind, Mars jumped off of the wall and ran to the sandbox. The red jewel on her tiara flashed in the fluorescent light, and her purple eyes narrowed as she stared at a confused Sailor Sun. "I knew that you were the enemy! Now you're gathering the crystals of the fallen Youma!"

"What this?" Sailor Sun asked, holding out the black crystal. "I've been using these to improve my ability to sense Youma." Rubbing the back of her head, she added. "I have no idea why collecting these makes me an enemy…who put such a crazy thought into your brain?"

"You did!" Sailor Mars yelled. "Weeks ago! But enough talk, I refuse to be subverted by your smooth words!" She pointed at the other Scout and snarled. "Mars Fire…" Flames gathered as she pointed her two index fingers at Sailor Sun. "Ignite!" The fire roared towards Sailor Sun, who quickly dodged out of the way.

From where Sailor Sol held her, Sailor Moon screamed. "Mars! Stop it! They aren't the enemy!"

"They're confusing you!" Mars snarled. "They have to be destroyed!"

Crossing her arms to block the flames, Sailor Sun yelled. "I don't want to fight you Mars!" She flipped onto the monkey bars, struggling with her balance as the bars shifted back and forth beneath her weight. "We're both Scouts, what makes you think I'm your enemy?"

"I've had enough of this talk!" Mars snapped. She drew a circle around her body. The flames rippled into five different rings. "Mars Celestial Fire…" She cried, and pointed her hands at where Sailor Sun was flailing on the monkey bars. "Surround!" Sailor Sun looked up, but there was no time for her to get out of the way. The rings all struck her in the stomach, and she went flying. The sand proved to be a hard landing, as she skidded through it, finally coming to a stop at the sandbox's wooden guard.

"Sailor Sun!" Serena screamed, and attempted to run to her friend. Sailor Sol, however, held her back. Shaking his head, he looked on, however Sailor Moon could see the worry in his eyes. 'He's concerned for her…' Biting her lip, she yelled. "Mars that's enough stop it!"

"Not until you see sense!" Sailor Mars responded, her voice harsh and cold. "It's becoming clear where your allegiances lie!"

"How can you say that!" Sailor Moon cried, tears leaking from her eyes.

Sailor Sun's entire body ached, and after sitting up, she coughed. "That was it? I was expecting more. You know, you are one of the Inner Scouts…" She smiled, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth. "If you think these pathetic excuses are enough to destroy me then…" She glared at Sailor Mars. "You're grossly mistaken."

"Really?" Sailor Mars snarled, brushing her ebony hair away from her face. "It should have been enough to take care of a weakling like you. Why don't you fight back? Unless your afraid." She taunted, hands on her hips. "Is the poor little Sailor Sun afraid of the big bad Mars. Don't worry, I'll give you peace soon enough."

"No Mars!" Sailor Moon screamed, attempting to pull away from Sailor Sol. But he held her tight, his strong fingers dug into her shoulders, and she glared up at him. "We have to help her."

He shook his head. "No, this is her fight."

"That doesn't make any sense!" Sailor Moon said, as she tried to pull away again. "She's going to get killed!"

"Scared?" Sailor Sun raised an eyebrow. "Hardly. I'd take you with one hand tied behind my back. The only problem is..." She nodded towards where Sailor Moon stood with Sailor Sol. "That I promised myself I'd never hurt Serena." She laughed, brushing the sand away from her face. "And since you're Serena's friend, I guess I can't hurt you either."

"How do you know Sailor Moon's identity!" Mars snarled, stalking over the Sailor Sun. She lifted her up by her collar. "How the hell did you figure it out!"

Sailor Sun spat. "Not telling." Mars punched her again, and then tossed her to the far side of the sand box.

"Okay, if that's how it's going to be." Mars said, she drew another circle of fire around her body, and chanted. "Mars Celestial Fire…"

"NO!" Serena screamed, jerking out of Sailor Sol's hold. She ran across the ground, towards Sailor Mars.

"Surround!" She pointed her hands towards the glaring Sailor Sun. The rings of fire again shot at Sailor Sun, just as Sailor Moon stepped in front of her. The fire hit Sailor Moon in the chest leaving long fiery burn marks and ripping apart her bow as her brooch flew onto a pile of sand. "Serena!" Mars yelled, and she ran towards her leader.

Sailor Sun stood just in time to catch Serena as she hurled through the air. She caught her in arms, and glared at Sailor Mars as she approached. "Is this your way of proving your point?" Sailor Sun asked, as her brother ran up to her. Pained, he gazed down at an unconscious Serena.

"Serena…" Sailor Sol whispered, as he stroked her hair. Carefully, Sailor Sun handed Serena over to her much stronger brother. "I'm sorry." In agony, he shut his eyes, but when he opened them again, they were filled with fiery anger. "Let's get out of here." He said, Sun nodded, the two turned and began to walk away.

"Wait!" Mars yelled, running towards them, as the other Sailor Scouts jumped over the wall. They saw Sailor Sun and Sailor Sol holding Sailor Moon in his arms. "Give her back!"

Shaking his head, Sailor Sol walked away. He vanished into the darkness, and as the Sailor Scouts tried to follow, Sailor Sun stepped in the way. She walked with a slight limp, and there were burn marks on her arms. Her silvery blonde hung limply around her face, but her eyes were determined. "I'm sorry." She said. "I can't let you guys follow." Light and flames rose up around her body, and her eyes began to glow. The fire flickered from her skin, licking up off her gloves. Crimson blood dripped down her cheek from the shallow cut above her eyebrow. Crossing her arms across her chest, Sailor Sun glared at them.

"Sailor Moon is our friend!" Mars yelled. "You can't take her!" The other Scouts nodded in agreement. "We won't let you hurt her!"

Sailor Sun raised an eyebrow. "I forgot…" She said, thinking back. "I thought you were the one who hurt her." She turned, and walked away. "I'm sorry, but Serena has to make her own decisions. Away from you." Then she too disappeared into the fading night, leaving only confused Sailor Senshi behind her.

"Mars…" Sailor Mercury asked. "What's going on here?" Grabbing her friend's shoulder, she watched the retreating Sailor Scout. "What happened?"

"I…" Mars said, looking at the other Scouts. "I…"

"Did you really hurt Serena?" Jupiter asked, glancing from Mercury to Mars. "Were those burns your fault? You attacked…" She trailed off. "Are they really our enemy?"

"I…I don't know." Mars said, staring after them. "But we have to find them. I don't know what's happening with Serena, I want to make sure she's alright." Still the image of her attack hitting Serena, and seeing her leader flying through the air…the look of shock and betrayal on her face. Mars shut her eyes. Still it replayed, over and over behind her eyelids. 'I can't believe I…no…it's too…' She thought, shaking her head. But it wouldn't go away. Her heart froze in her chest. Sailor Moon had trusted her. 'I attacked a Sailor Scout.' She'd betrayed her. Now, everything she'd thought, everything she'd believed about Sailor Sun and Sailor Sol was called into question. 'Maybe they really were the real deal.' Mars looked around at her friends, they nodded, and ran after the other two Sailor Soldiers.

Meanwhile…

On the bed Serena stirred. A warm hand touched her shoulder, holding her back. "Where am I?" She murmured, opening her eyes. Looking around a white room, and at the hospital bed, then her eyes flickered to the side. Katsu sat in a rickety plastic chair; his dark blue eyes were filled with concern. He was leaning forward, and his hand was on her shoulder. He smiled. "Katsu?" She whispered.

"Yeah, meatball-brain." He said, rubbing her head. "The doctors took a look at your burns while you were out. They said the damage wasn't bad, but you might have a few scars. They prescribed you this cream." He held up the small box, it was red and white, with a long stripe down the center. Putting it into his jacket pocket he added. "And a good night's sleep." Chuckling, he leaned back in the chair. "Sayuri was extremely adamant that they attend you right away…of course…they wanted to look at her too." He sighed. "Her burns were a little more severe, unfortunately." At that moment, Sayuri slid through the door. Serena could see the bandages peeking through her red long sleeved shirt. The other girl lifted her finger to lips, and Serena smiled. "There was a lot the doctors weren't able to salvage…" Katsu continued, and looked mournful. "Namely her face." Serena giggled, as Sayuri stepped closer, a wide grin spreading across her face. "Sadly, there are a few things that even medicine can't fix."

"But the world's best experts have looked at you." Sayuri said, tapping him on the shoulder. "And they've all agreed that not even plastic surgery will save you from your deformities." She leaned on him with her good arm, as Serena burst out laughing. "You came out of this whole thing without a scratch. How does that make you feel?" She asked. "On the manliness scale of one to ten?"

"Shut up, 'Yuri." Katsu muttered.

"Oh my, we're testy this morning." Sayuri laughed, tapping his forehead.

"Morning?" Katsu asked. "What time?"

"Round about 3 o'clock." Sayuri said. "Why?"

"Because we're flying to Milan in three hours!" Katsu snapped, standing up. "You remember what Ojii-san said."

"Oh no! Just because you agreed to go…doesn't mean that I…" Sayuri snarled, sitting down at the end of Serena's bed. "I'm not leaving Japan." She said. "We haven't completed our mission."

"Oh that's rich coming from you, miss run away! Admit it, you just want to stay because you like it here. Well, I say screw the mission. It's obvious that these other Scouts don't want us here. Look what they did to you…and they're own comrade." He yelled, pointing at Serena. Both girls glared at him.

"They were just confused." Serena said from the bed. She clenched the bed sheets between her fingers. "That's all, they'd never really attack me. Mars thought you guys were subverting me. But I know that's not true!"

Katsu snorted, looking at from one girl to the other. "I'm not going to stick around here waiting to be attacked again." He stood, and walked to the window. Looking out across the city he said. "It's a good idea to let them cool off. Besides…" Leaning against the glass, he added. "I need a vacation."

"And you think that going to Milan will be a vacation?" Sayuri asked, touching the bandages on her arm. She winced as she stood. "The fashion shows, appearances, galas, Grand Openings…that's hardly what I call a vacation. Besides we can't go. We have duties to fulfill here." She stopped, and looked down at her hands. 'It's strange how the tables have turned.'

"By now our apartment is already cleared out. I'm certain that Ojii-san saw to that. Obaa-san is expecting us to get on that plane in three hours. We have a responsibility to our family. There will be hell to pay if we don't go." Katsu said, punching the wall. "I can't watch you get hurt again. Either of you." He turned around.

"What about Serena?" Sayuri said, looking down at her. Serena's baby blue eyes met Sayuri's icy ones, and both girls sighed. "We can't just leave her here. We have no idea how the Scouts are going to respond. They might think that she's a traitor. We can't take that chance."

"How about including me in this conversation?" Serena said, peevishly glancing from one friend to the other. "Right now…I don't think that I can face my friends. If they really are my friends... I need time to cool off." She glanced over at Katsu. "Do you think I could go with you guys." 'If you guys left, I don't know what I would do.' She glanced over at Sayuri, and she knew despite the pain medication that her friend was in obvious pain. After all, she'd been hit by three of Mars' attacks. Serena had only taken the brunt of one. Beneath Sayuri's clothes, Serena could see the imprint of the bandages. There were several patches and band aides on her face, one above her eyebrow and the other on her cheek. A few of the more shallow cuts were left exposed. Serena could see the purpling bruise on her collar, where Rei had held her. 'She didn't fight back for me.' Would any of the other Scouts have done the same? A few weeks ago Serena would have said sure, certainly, and of course. But now…Rei's attack shook her to the bone. To think that one Scout could turn so easily on another, it was shocking. It would be a long time before she could face Rei and the others again. Biting her lip, she added. "If you guys leave I don't know what I'll do."

"But what about your family?" Sayuri said. "It's okay if we just pick up and go, but you have a life here. With people who love you. We can't let you run away with us." She glared at her brother. "And that's what it feels like, running away. You can be such a coward, Katsu." He smiled.

"We can leave them a note saying that she got accepted for a modeling job in Milan." He patted Serena on the shoulder. "Didn't you say that you've always wanted to be a model?"

"There's no way that they'd buy that." Sayuri snapped. "And what about Rini?"

"She can come with us if she wants to." Katsu said, as Sayuri rolled her eyes. "She already knows about us, and she might even know about Serena. She'd be a big help."

"Doing what?" Sayuri said walking over to the door. She peeked out into the hallway, noting the evening nurse walking by and checking in on patients. It looked like their room was next. Turning around, she shut the door with a soft click, and then glanced at Serena and Katsu. "I mean…what could she possibly do?"

"Distract our grandparents?" Katsu said. "We could tell them, that these two are our very good friends from Japan. They'd welcome Serena and Rini as members of the family."

"Ojii-san probably." Sayuri said. "But not Obaa-san, you know how snooty she can be." Crossing her arms, she leaned against the door. "We can't just…expect you to blend into our lifestyle." She said apologetically to Serena.

"Like being a socialite is all that hard!" Serena said, swatting the air. "If Paris Hilton can do it, so can I!" 'Though I'm not sure that I want Rini tagging along.' Serena sighed, for some reason she could never escape that little kid. Then, she looked up and Sayuri who was chuckling behind her hand. "Um…what's so funny?" Then she glanced at Katsu, he was smirking. "Katsu? Sayuri? Tell me!"

"Well, we are socialites…but maybe we should let you experience the high powered life style. But it might send you for a doozy." Sayuri said, sitting next to her. "We can check out of the hotel whenever we want. Ojii-san will send us a car; we'll stop by your house on the way to the airport. Actually, you and Katsu will be going alone. I have something that I need to take care of." She smiled. "Try to not wake everyone up. Okay?" Then before her brother or Serena could stop her, she slipped out the door, and vanished down the hallway.

Katsu shook his head, and looked at Serena. "What did I tell you?" He said. "Pushy." Serena nodded silently in agreement. 'How did I get pulled into this?' She wondered, looking at Katsu. "Hey, you do have a passport right?" Katsu asked, suddenly concerned. "I mean, this whole plot is a no go if you don't. We'll never get you out of the country."

"I do!" Serena snapped, sliding out of bed. She stood gingerly, as Katsu tossed her some clothes. "I mean it's not like this is my first time going abroad!" She looked at them; there was a tan shirt, jeans, and a jacket.

"I hope they fit." Katsu said. "I guessed your sizes."

"You went shopping for me?" Serena asked, touched. She admired the jacket, as Katsu walked behind the barrier between Serena's room and the door. "That's sweet."

"Me? No." Katsu chuckled. "Can you imagine me shopping? Really…" He turned and looked towards the door, wanting to give her as much privacy as possible. "One of the clerks at the hotel did it. I called them after we brought you in. She's one of the hotel's personal shoppers, and I gave them a promise of a huge summer bonus." He laughed. "When you're family owns the hotels, they're willing to do anything for you."

"Well it is their job." Serena said, pulling the tan scoop neck top over her head. Admiring herself in the window's reflection, she tucked a loose strand behind her ear. She slid her arms through the black jacket's sleeves and tugged it on. "You can come out now."

Katsu touched his chin and said. "I never thought of it like that." He stepped around the corner. "I'd never follow someone for…whoa." He paused, looking at her. He liked the way the top was tailored to her hourglass figure and accentuated her small waist. The jeans were fitted and hugged her skin. The black shoes didn't go with the ensemble, but the black jacket perfectly set off the brown tan of the top. Katsu smiled. "You look great."

"I feel great." Serena said, again admiring herself. Then she blushed. "We better get going."

"Yes." Katsu said, pulling his cell phone out of his pocket. "Moshi moshi? Yes is this the front desk? Thank you Maori, this is Katsu Tanaka. Per my grandfather's request, I am requesting a car. No, not at our apartment. At the um…hospital…yes the hospital on the corner of Nii Street and San. Yes, twenty minutes? Yes, I'm sure that Mr. Hitsugaya knows where it is. Thank you very much Maori. Yes, I hope to see you again soon. When? Oh yes. I had heard. Thank you, and Maori? Could you put Ojii-san on the line? Yes it's important." He winked at Serena, covering the mouthpiece he said. "This will only take a sec. Moshi moshi? Yes, Ojii-san? Yes, Ojii-san there's been a change of plans. I'll be meeting you at the airport with a friend of mine, possibly two. Yes, Ojii-san Sayuri is okay with this. She'll be waiting for you at her apartment. You're already there? You've got stuff for us? Okay. Could you arrange for two more plane tickets? Not a problem? We'll be flying later anyway. First Class? Yes I hope so. Yes Ojii-san, thank you. I'm looking forward to seeing you too. Yes, my friend is too. Normal? Yes I'd say she's normal. What? I didn't catch that?" Katsu said Serena stepped a little closer, breath catching in her throat. "Oh really? Yes, I'm glad I've made friends too. You'll take care of all the arrangements? You're a lifesaver Ojii-san. Yes, yes, I love you too. Talk to you soon. Mattanee!" He looked at the anxious Serena. "What?" He asked.

"This whole thing is okay with your grandparents?" Serena asked, thumbing the button on her new jacket. "You're sure?"

"Completely." Katsu said, taking her arm. "Come on, let's get you checked out. Trust me. Sayuri's already beat us too it." Gingerly, he took her arm, and helped her out of bed.

"Katsu…" Serena began. "Who's paying for the hospital bed?"

"That's a stupid question." Katsu said, pulling her down the hall with him. "I am. You should have realized that." They came to the elevator and Katsu hurriedly pushed the button. "It's okay though." He said. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll pay me back one of these days." He grinned. "You shouldn't start thinking you're a freeloader." He chuckled, and the elevator doors pinged as they opened. Katsu pushed her inside. "We'll have to figure out how to make you unrecognizable." He muttered. "If you want to avoid the Scouts, we can't have you popping up on the cover of People, or whatever the magazine is called here. The Scouts would be on us in seconds." He sighed, muttering. "Then I'd have to deal with a very angry Darien." Glancing down, he was again surprised by how well the clothes fit her. Sayuri had dictated her sizes, and the styles to him, which he had then relayed to the Hotel's personal shopper. But he didn't have the heart to tell Serena that. Still, he didn't want her to think that he was good at shopping. 'Ugh…Shopping, it's like having your teeth pulled.' Katsu had yet to understand what the appeal was. You walked around the store oohing and awing at the different styles. Then you tried it on, swiped a credit card, and went on your merry way. How was that fun? "I just don't get it." He said.

"Don't get what?" Serena asked from beside him, curious. She peered up at him with her wide baby blue eyes, forcing Katsu to swallow.

"Why 'Yuri was compelled to return to the apartment." He said shortly, and then he looked away. Flushing slightly, he mentally began counting the seconds before they were back on the first floor. 'Man, I'm grumpy today.' Katsu thought, as Serena raised an eyebrow in his direction before she returned to staring at the chrome doors.

Thirty minutes later, a limousine pulled up in front of Serena's house. Katsu practically dragged the awestruck Serena out of the car. He was very careful about not scratching the interior of the doors. After that hospital bill, he had a feeling that his parents would be putting him on a leash. A very constricting and short one. 'How does one hospital visit cost so much money?' He wondered as he and Serena walked up to the door. 'I guess that's what happens when you go in without insurance.' They'd had to say Serena was Jane Doe, and nobody bothered to ask any questions. It probably had to do with the fact that it had been one in the morning. Katsu sighed, as Serena quietly opened the door. The two snuck up the stairs, and quietly slipped into Serena's room. "Where have you been?" Asked a very angry voice at Katsu's feet. He looked down, and stared dumbstruck at a little black cat with a crescent moon bald spot.

"At the hospital Luna." Serena snapped. "Getting my burns tended." From beneath her bed, she yanked out a duffle bag. Then proceeded to fill it with things.

Katsu looked around her room for the first time, and he was stunned. He'd always called Sayuri a slob, but this…this was a masterpiece. There were clothes strewn across her bed, comic books sliding off the stack in the corner. Her bed was a mess. The sheets were tangled and the comforter was slumping on the floor. He found he was standing on forgotten homework…or perhaps it was returned. Maybe both, and he was too preoccupied to notice the battle developing between Serena and the cat. Katsu whistled, his eyes dancing with merriment. "This is amazing." He whispered, kneeling down. There was something sticky beneath his fingers, and he jerked away quickly. "Simply amazing. I don't think I've ever seen this much mess before." He grinned in the gloom, as he glanced over at Serena. She was glaring at the talking cat. "You done packing."

"Almost." Serena said, throwing in another few pairs of underwear. "What did you say I needed?"

"The bare essentials." Katsu responded. "My Obaa-san will probably burn any clothing you bring. Don't worry." He grinned. "Sayuri will jump at the chance to go shopping in Milan." Then he saw the cat had begun glaring at him.

"And who, may I ask, are you?" The cat hissed, giving him the once over.

"I'm Katsu Tanaka." Katsu said, cocking an eyebrow. "Who are you?"

"Luna!" The cat snapped. "I'm Serena's guardian. Where are you taking her?"

"Well, we've all decided to take a break from Scoutly duties." Katsu said, running his fingers through his curly blonde hair. "Actually, we're going to Milan. Our treat. You can tell Serena's Scout buddies that."

"You're going to Italy?" Luna asked, shocked.

"Something like that. We might take Rini with us too. If she wants to go…" Serena said, trailing off. If Luna could have raised an eyebrow she would have. "What?"

"You in Italy?" Luna said skeptically. "I'm sorry Serena, but it's a little tough to swallow. And why would you want to take her there? We still have enemies to fight, and the Negamoon to defeat. Serena, you have a job to fulfill as Sailor Moon."

"You know what Luna?" Serena snapped. "I've had enough of you bossing me around. If you want to know what happened tonight, go ask Mina or Rei. I'm sure they'll have a complete report. But we're short on time." She picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. In the other hand she held her passport, and then she stalked out the door. Katsu shrugged and followed her. Luna was close behind them, protesting the entire way.

Serena knocked on Rini's door. "Okay she's not there, let's go." She said, after there was no answer.

Katsu caught her arm. "No." He said. "We're going to talk to her. She has the right to decide whether she wants to come with us or not."

"She's not going to want to." Serena said. 'The Scouts can protect her…they don't need me.' But Katsu was already inside Rini's room. He was standing next to her bed, and Serena couldn't help thinking it was cute. The way he looked down at Rini was so caring, that Serena was a little warmed by it. Then she was jealous. 'Why is it that every man in my life pays more attention to Rini?' She wondered, kicking the pile of clothes that was closest to the door. "Hey, you gonna wake her?"

"No." Katsu said. "She seems happy here. It wouldn't be right to ask her to leave." He took Serena's hand, and pulled her out of the room. "You have a letter for your parents." Katsu asked, and then he glanced at Serena. "You do have one, right?"

Serena nodded, and pulled the envelope out of her pocket. "Of course I do."

"Okay, let's put it on table." Katsu said, and he checked his watch. "We're running low on time. You don't feel bad about this?" He asked for a second time. "Maybe Sayuri was right, maybe you shouldn't come with us." Serena glared at him, and he shivered. "Of course you're coming." He muttered. "Let's go."

"Serena!" Luna cried.

"Luna…I'll be back soon. I'll even call tomorrow. But I'm not staying here, I need to get away for a while. I have to go." She grabbed Katsu's arm and yanked him down the stairs and out the door. From her perch on the window, Luna watched as the two got into the limo and vanished into the early morning light. Angrily, she wondered who that boy really was, and just what had happened. Her tail flicking angrily back and forth, Luna jumped out of the window and headed towards Mina's house. She needed to have a chat with Artemis.