A/N: Wow, seventeenth chapter. I can't believe it. I've hardly even scratched the surface of the storyline, and the story's already almost twenty chapters. I really need to get my rear in gear. Not much humor in this chapter, but there's some forthcoming in the next, I promise.

I'm trying to make this a longer chapter than usual because the last, like, eight pages if this chapter are replies to reviewers – hey, I'm long-winded, and there's a LOT of you (a fact which I am extremely grateful for)! So let's not waste any more time on my babbling!

Disclaimer: What! Naoko Takeuchi sold the Sailor Senshi to an exotic dance club? NOOOOOO! (Ooh, I'm gonna get a lot of flak for that one…)

Subject to Change

Serena climbed the stairs robotically, exhausted by the effort of convincing her mother that yes, she was completely fine, no, she had not been hurt, and that yes, the next time she was involved in a youma attack, she would come straight home to assure her mother that she wasn't dead.

Serena's shoulders were slumped, her head hanging so low that her hair dragged on the carpet. She failed to notice, though. Her mind, to use a cliché, was a million miles away.

Weariness pervaded her body. A bone-deep yearning gnawed at her, a yearning to just lie down in the middle of the stairs and go to sleep for ever and ever. Let the Dark Kingdom take over the world; she was too tired to care.

But then she felt shame. How could she think such a horrible thing? After all those things Darien had said about Sailor Moon being selfless…

Darien. A sense of longing constricted Serena's throat. She wanted to go back to that secure, sheltered moment in the car with Darien. He understood her. He understood Sailor Moon. He called me Odango. It had felt good, hearing his voice say "Odango" again. It made her feel more secure, took her back for a moment to those simpler days, when all she had to worry about was whether to call Darien a jerkwad or a creep. He has changed. But so have I. She had been crazy to think that Darien wasn't her friend. That she couldn't trust him. God, at this point in time, she trusted him more than anyone else in the universe. He was the only one who had faith in her – in both of her identities.

But longing drifted into dread. Dread of the coming night and the coming day. Darien believed in her, but no one else did. The next day was Sunday – a double-edged blade, because while it meant that she wouldn't have to face people immediately, it also meant that she wouldn't have classes to distract her. And no matter what, I'll eventually have to face Ami and Rei…and Luna.

This thought led to fear. Fear of Luna, and what she had threatened. I will take your brooch and your pen, and you will be out…

But then came confusion. Would she really care all that much if she didn't have to be a Senshi anymore? Without youmas to worry about, Serena would be able to get a decent amount of sleep, raise her grades, get back together with Molly, spend more time at the arcade, stop stressing over the princess and her stupid crystal –

But according to Zoicite, that wasn't possible. According to Zoicite, she had already sold her soul for this princess.

Here returned confusion and fear, mingled with anger. Zoicite had been so cryptic – and so vague. Trusting the words of a Dark Kingdom general didn't seem like the smartest thing to do, and granted, the general HAD been trying to recruit her, but Serena was still forced to conclude that Luna had been keeping a few things to herself. Wasn't it common courtesy to inform a girl that if she became a Sailor Senshi, she was selling her soul? Growing indignation filled Serena, not only on her part, but on Ami and Rei's. What kind of scam was that cat running?

Serena reached the head of the stairs, a few steps away from her closed door. In her distracted state, she almost didn't notice the soft yellow glow of lamplight shining out of the crack between the door and the floor. A frown creased her dusty, tear-stained face. It felt like a thousand years had passed since she had sprinted out of her room that morning, but she was pretty sure she hadn't left a light on. Of course, she had been in a huge hurry, but still…

Serena's hand slipped into her skirt pocket and clasped the brooch within. Then she swung open the door. A faimiliar black cat looked up disinterestedly from a newspaper that was spread out on Serena's bed.

"I was wondering when you'd finally come home," Luna said severely. She nodded towards the window. "Is that what you've been doing all those times you were late to battles? Riding around with boys in Mustangs?"

Serena grimaced. Thank you so much, Luna, for besmirching the memory of my totally G-rated car ride with Darien. Well, G except for a couple of curse words…okay, maybe it was PG. But still.

"No," she said instead. "Darien gave me a ride home."

"From where?"

"Weren't you supposed to be staying at Ami's house?" Serena deflected Luna's question with one of her own.

"I am," replied the cat, licking a paw nonchalantly. "But I thought that maybe you and I should have a more in-depth conversation. We didn't get to talk much at the temple."

"Because you kicked me out, you mean?" Serena plopped down on her vanity chair with her back to Luna, instead watching the cat in the mirror.

"Yes, because of that." Luna moved on to the other paw. "I hope that little breather gave you a chance to get yourself together and realize the consqequences of your actions."

"I…" Serena's mind drifted to Darien and his determined expression. Those seven people were killed instantly when rubble from the youma's arrival crushed their skulls. Sailor Moon couldn't have stopped them from dying. "I think I still need to sleep on it."

"I see." Luna leapt down from the bed. "After you left, I spoke with Ami and Rei. Ami was, as usual, quite neutral. She agreed to follow whatever my decision might be. And Rei – well, I hardly think I need to tell you that Rei greatly covets your position as leader. And I won't hesitate to tell you that I think she is far more qualified for it than you are. However, I have decided to give you one more chance, Serena. You must understand the extreme of leniency I am showing to you - "

"Luna," said Serena abruptly. 'When were you planning to tell us that we've sold our souls for the princess?"

Luna froze. "What are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about!" shouted Serena, jumping to her feet, fury mixed with disbelief. "You knew what we were doing! And you never told us?"

"Who," Luna gritted her pointed teeth together with scraping sounds. "told you?"

"I had a little chat with Zoicite," bit out Serena. "Kinda sad when a Sailor Senshi has to depend on a Dark Kingdom general for information, isn't it, Luna? Have you told them? Have you told Ami and Rei?"

Luna glared at Serena for a moment, her whiskers quivering. She seemed torn between clawing Serena's eyes out or running away. She darted forward, swiped one clawed paw across Serena's leg, and then disappeared with a bang and a poof of glittery, choking smoke. Serena's mouth dropped open. Okay, that thought she had had that Luan was keeping a few things to herself? Scratch that. Luna was keeping a LOT of things to herself. She had just…teleported, or something! How was that even possible?

I have to call Ami, Serena realized. I need to tell her and Rei what Zoicite said – She plunged a hand into her pocket – yet again – for her communicator, then remembered that it was broken. Argh! She yanked open her door and raced down the stairs. As she pounded down the steps, the phone rang. Her heart leapt; she heard her mother's calm voice answering: "Hello?"

She skidded into the kitchen. Her mother glanced up at her and beamed, holding out the phone to her. "Serena! What timing! You didn't tell me about a painting! Oh, I'm so proud!"

"Painting?" Serena smiled blankly at her mother and took the phone. Please be Ami… "Hello?"

"Matin, darling! Iz zat you?"

Miss Lanai?

"Um – yes." Get off my phone, lady! I really need to call Ami!

"Ah, chouette! You are doing good? And your famille, yes?"

"Um – yeah. We're doing great. Look, Miss Lanai, I've really got to call someone, it's urgent - "

"Oh, oh, I will be quick. I would not want to keep Matin from her 'ot boy, hein? D'accord, Matin, I 'ave…euh…finished ze painting, and I, euh, wish for you and 'ot boy to come see it tomorrow. At…euh, eleven o'clock. You can come, oui?"

Miss Lanai sounded slightly strained. Serena wondered if she was okay – maybe she had been working on the painting nonstop and gotten stressed out – but didn't have the tiem to ask. She was on a mission, for heavens' sake!

"Yeah, I'll be there." Serena shifted from foot to foot. "Is that all? I really need to go – "

"Zat is all, Matin! Bon nuit!"

"Uh…yeah. Same to you." Serena quickly hung up, then dialed Ami's number. "C'mon, Ami, please pick up, pick up, pick up – "

The answering machine picked up. Serena left a garbled message – "Ames, it's Serena, it's really important, I know you're mad at me, but please, please, please call back quick." – then dialed Rei's. After several rings, Chad picked up.

"Hikawa Shrine, holy-guy-in-training speaking. What can I do for you, dudette?"

"It's me, Chad, Serena. Can I talk to Rei, please? It's really important."

"Uh – well, she's holed up in her room with Ami… you know how she really doesn't like me to bother her…"

"But it's really important, Chad!"

"Fine, but if she burns off my hair again, you're buying me a wig," Chad grumbled and set down the phone. Serena fidgeted impatiently until he came back a few minutes later. "Hey, Serena? I'm sorry, but, uh, she kinda said she never wants to talk to you again. Ever. Uh…no hard feelings, right?"

Serena's heart sank to her toes. "Um…no." She sighed. "Thanks, Chad. I…um… I'm sorry to have bothered you."

Click.

Serena stared at the phone. Despair licked at her mind, like the ocean tide lapping at a sandy shore, washing it away. She felt herself detached, anchorless, floating in it, felt it consume her and drown her – No! She shook her head frantically. No. It wasn't over. She would find Ami and Rei tomorrow, after she went to see that stupid painting. She would tell them what Zoicite had said, and what Luna had said, and they would listen to her. They had to listen to her.

The next morning:

"Why don't I ever sleep in on the weekends, like normal people?" grumbled Darien as he shuffled sleepily down the sidewalk. "I need the sleep more than anyone, but no, I'm always too busy stalking teenage girls and surveying pieces of art…" He swallowed another scalding mouthful of the coffee he'd picked up at the arcade before heading for school. The coffee was good, but he wasn't sure if it was worth the torturing he'd suffered at the hands of Asanuma and Motoki to buy it.

(EightofSwords, too lazy to write a flashback, pulls out a script.)

Darien: dragging himself into arcade Motoki…need coffee…

Motoki: plopping steaming mug down on counter, then taking a sip of his own orange juice Wow, you look smashed, Dare. Why are you so tuckered-out?

Asanuma: popping up behind Darien, who has pulled himself into a stool Because he and Serena-chan had a looooooong night, that's why.

Darien: spews coffee

Motoki: grinning widely at Darien When's the baby due?

Asanuma: You're gonna name it after me, right?

Motoki:to Asanuma Idiot, what if it's a girl?

Asanuma: Asanuma is a perfectly bisexual name!

Darien: spews coffee

Motoki: spews orange juice

Asanuma: What?

(end of script)

Nope, the coffee definitely wasn't worth it. Especially when it was so hot this morning. Wow, spring already…

Darien rounded the corner and reached the school gate. And what should be bobbing three feet in front of him but a pair of blonde buns.

Serena, he thought. Right on cue, the little blonde spun around.

"Darien!" she said in a tone Darien couldn't quite interpret. He gave her a tentative smile, watching her closely. "Are you – um – did Miss Lanai call you, too?"

"Unfortunately," he said, still watching her. Her skin was pale, but that was nothing new; there were bags under her eyes, but again, that was normal for Serena as of late. Argh, her stupid happy mask! How was he supposed to tell if she was doing any better than last night?

Serena chewed on her lip as they walked into the school. Why was he being so quiet? All her certainty from last night drained away. Maybe he had just said those things to her last thing to be nice. Maybe he had really been annoyed to listen to her sniffle and cry. He must have been annoyed, because otherwise he would be talking to her right now instead of walking along silently.

"Dari – "

"Matin! Matin!" Miss Lanai waved zealously at them from a few doors down. "Vite, vite! Come faster, mes chers! Zis painting is worth 'urrying for!"

Serena sighed and obligingly quickened her footsteps. She missed the look Darien shot at her. I'll hurry, alright. I've got to get out of here so I can track down Ami and Rei…

They entered the room. The chill, air-conditioned air was a welcome change from the springtime humidity outside. Serena tugged at the collar of her t-shirt, peeling it from the skin of her neck. She suddenly wished that she hadn't dropped her handkerchief yesterday. She could have used it to mop some of the sweat from her forehead.

"Are you ready?" questioned Miss Lanai as eagerly as a kid at Christmas. She was bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet next to an easel that had been draped with a white sheet. "It is magnifique, I tell you. Parfait! Ze best work I 'ave ever done! In fact, I am zinking of making it into a series – "

"Can we see it now?" interrupted Serena timidly. I hate to rain on her parade, but I've really got to get going… "Please?"

Miss Lanai blinked at her, rubbing at her penciled-on mustache. "Such impatience, Matin. Is it zat you are as eager to see ze masterpiece as I am to show it to you?"

"Yes, that's it," said Serena, nodding in fervent agreement. "Can we see it now?"

"Oui! Stand back, s'il vous plait! Preparez-vous…VOILA!"

She yanked the sheet off of the easel with a flourish that could have put Tuxedo Mask's cape to shame, and the product of Serena and Darien's tortuous detentions was revealed.

It wasn't the rather…ahem, intimate position that she and Darien were in in the picture that drained the color from Serena's face, nor was it the fact that painting-Darien was dressed in a tuxedo that looked ever-so-familiar, nor was it the absolutely gorgeous gossamer dress that painting-Serena wore.

It was the background. It was the citadel-like building, the one that resembled the Taj Mahal, that painting-Serena and painting-Darien were in front of. It was the building that Serena had seen in her dreams.

"That…that…" she heard herself whisper. What does this mean?

Darien took a step toward her. "Excuse us a minute," he said to Miss Lanai, then led Serena over to the couch where they had sat during those detentions. He pushed her gently into a sitting position, then hunkered down on his heels in front of her.

"Serena, are you okay?" He tentatively passed a hand in front of her glazed eyes. "Odango?"

Serena snapped her eyes to Darien's. Pull yourself together, Serena! They'll notice! "Huh?"

"Are. You. Okay?" he repeated slowly.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine."

Darien didn't look convinced. Serena fumbled hastily around in her mind for a different answer, any answer!

"I – uh – I mean – the painting just kind of shocked me, cause, uh – " She swept her eyes across the painting. "Because…because that painting really makes you look like Tuxedo Mask!"

Darien's eyes bulged. Serena winced. Now he probably thinks that I think that he looks hot because everyone knows I have a crush on Tuxedo Mask – or used to, anyways, who knows now – oh, God, I'm screwed. Great job, Serena! You and your big mouth!

"Me?" Darien finally stopped choking long enough to speak. "Tuxedo Mask? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That's, uh, really funny, Odango – "

"Yeah, yeah, isn't it?" inserted Serena quickly. "Wow, I don't know what I was thinking – "

"Me neither - "

"Cause, you know, you're not as hot as Tuxedo Mask – "

"No, no, of course not – "

"And he, uh, has hair that's WAY darker than yours – "

"Exactly– "

"And, you know, he's…really…sweet…" Serena trailed off. But he's probably in league with the Dark Kingdom.

"Hey," Darien said softly, "Really. Are you okay? After yesterday and everything, I mean."

Serena looked down at him, her dark eyes slowly lightening again. A smile touched her lips. "Yeah," she said in a voice equally soft. "I'm fine." Her hand reached out, as though to ruffle his hair, then she quickly snatched it back again. What in the heck were you about to do, Serena!

She stood up quickly. Walk away. Walk away quickly. Maybe he didn't notice.

Serena was lucky. Darien hadn't noticed. At least, not the emotion behind the intention. He had noticed Serena's hand lifting, but hadn't devoted any particular brainpower to why. (Such is the mind of a man.) Instead, he attempted to lower his blood pressure back to normal levels – this was the second time in two days that Serena had come within an inch of finding out he was Tuxedo Mask!

He stood up and turned to watch her again. Once they left the school, he decided, he would grill her on why she was afraid of Tuxedo Mask. And why Ami and Rei were mad at her. And then he would go home, finish his physics paper, and pray that a youma showed up. He wanted to confront Sailor Moon about what Zoicite had said.

It's time to get some answers.

It's time to get some answers, Serena thought determinedly as she dragged Miss Lanai back to the couch to sit with her and Darien.

"'ow is it, Matin?" pressed Miss Lanai anxiously, sinking into the couch between Darien and Serena. "I zought it was parfait, but you are not 'appy?"

Serena blanched, then pasted on a smile. "Oh, oh, I'm happy! I'm sorry, Miss Lanai, I didn't mean to go all drama queen on you like that, I was just kind of, um, shocked."

"Iz zat so?" Miss Lanai cocked an eyebrow slyly. "Dit-moi…why?"

"Because of, um, the, um, position you painted me and Darien in," fibbed Serena. Although it wasn't actually a whole fib; she had been rather scandalized when she saw painting-Serena and painting-Darien. It seemed like something one would see on the Paris metro, or perhaps a Spanish soap opera. Not that Serena had watched any Spanish soap operas, or anything. "It's kind of suggestive."

"Oh, please, Matin!" Miss Lanai rolled her eyes. "I told you, on ze Paris metro – "

"Yes, I know," interrupted Serena. "But Miss Lanai, I have a question. Um, where did you, um, get the idea for the painting?"

Miss Lanai's eyes glittered behind her spectacles. "Ah. I am glad zat you asked, Matin. You see, in my 'omeplace, there is a story about a kingdom on ze moon."

Serena's eyes went wide as dinner plates. Darien's brows knit together as he focused intently on Miss Lanai. Apparently pleased with her rapt audience, Miss Lanai went on dramatically.

"Zere was a princess zat lived in ze kingdom wiz 'er mozzer. Togezzer, zey ruled over ze kingdom, which encompassed all of ze planets, from Merucry to Pluto. Except one. Zis planet, ze earth, was ruled by its own roi and reine, and ze earth's people did not communicate wiz the ozzer planets' people because of a prophecy."

"What did the prophecy say?" breathed Serena.

Miss Lanai shrugged her shoulders, looking away from Serena to pick a piece of lint from her shirt. Serena could see the silver chain of a necklace leading below the scooped neckline of Miss Lanai's shirt and remembered the crystal she'd seen after detention on Thursday.

"Ze prophecy was only known to a couple of very high-up people. What all zat is said was a secret."

"So you're telling me that this princess you're talking about is the one you based on Serena? The one in the painting?" Darien nodded towards the canvas. This whole story sounds like a second-rate sci-fi novel to me. But if I can find out something about the Moon Princess or the crystal…

"But of course!" exclaimed Miss Lanai. She grabbed Serena's face in her hands and thrust it at Darien. The rest of Serena stumbled along after her. "Matin est la princesse parfaite! She 'as ze 'air, ze face, ze body – she is PARFAIT !" Miss Lana, in a burst of ehthusiasm, threw her hands up in the air as though thankign the heavens for such a "parfait" model. Of course, this meant that she dropped Serena's face, which promptly fell on Darien's kneecap.

"OW!" yelped Serena, clutching her jaw.

"Parfait!" raved Miss Lanai again. "Comme une princesse! But of course, 'ot boy, already knows zat, non?"

"Um – yeah, yeah, of course I do," said Darien distractedly, preoccupied with Serena, whose eyes were watering. "Aw, c'mon, don't be a crybaby, Odango – "

"But it hurts," Serena sniffed, "and you were the one I shouldn't bury all my feelings inside."

"How do you always manage to turn my words back on me, huh, Odango?" He grabbed her by the crook of her elbow and lifted her from the floor. So much for finding out about the princess. "C'mon, we'll go to the arcade. I bet one of Toki's milkshake'll fix that jaw right up."

"But – " Serena tried to protest. I still haven't found out how Miss Lanai knew what that Taj Mahal place looked like! Although maybe she just based it off the Taj Mahal… "Miss Lanai hasn't finished her story!"

"Oh, I will finish ze story anozzer time, Matin." Miss Lanai waved a hand negligently. "Go on wiz 'ot boy, you would nto want some ozzer girl stealing him if you are not zere!"

Serena opened her mouth to protest, but Miss Lanai would have none of it.

"Out! Out!" she chirped, ushering them both out into the hallway. "'ave fun, but not too much! Remember ze metro!"

Serena flushed. Darien colored slightly and raked a hand through his hair.

"So – to the arcade?"

"I guessh sho," said Serena, voice slightly slurred as she clutched her mouth. "I need to find Ami and Rei, though."

"What?" Darien spun on her. "Why? Did they call and forgive you?"

"No, but I've got something really important to tell them – "

"Tell them what?" Darien spat angrily. Serena had better not be about to go and grovel at their feet for forgiveness – "To go screw themselves?"

"Darien Shields!" gasped Serena.

"Honestly!" called a voice down the hallway. Serena and Darien spun around to face Principal Waishatsu striding down the hall. "The two of you are incorrigible! It's a SUNDAY! School is OUT! Why are you still here squabbling? Can't you just leave me ALONE!"

"Because – uh – "

"Never mind, I don't want to hear it. Don't ruin my good mood."

"Why are you in such a good mood?" asked Serena curiously. "Did they let you out of the hospital early?"

Principal Waishatsu sent Serena a very dirty look. He obviously had not forgotten last week when he had been taken to the hospital in an ambulance after having a heart attack because Darien sat at Serena's lunch table – an unheard-of occurrence. "No. Because I just got off the phone with a very rich stockholder who has said that she would like to sponsor a school trip to the museum to see the new geological exhibit!" The prinicpal rubbed his hands together. "Isn't it wonderful?"

"Geological exhibit?" Serena supressed a yawn. Boooooring. I need to get out of here and find the girls… "Sounds like a blast." She rolled her eyes at Darien, but he seemed quite intent on the principal.

"There's a new geologic exhibit opening?"

"Yes." Principal Waishatsu nodded, adjusting his tie. "Funny thing is, I hadn't even heard about it until this sponsor told me about it, but it certainly fits perfectly with the sophomores' Earth Space unit on minerals!"

Ugh, minerals. I forgot, I still have to finish that worksheet on metamorphi rocks for class…AH! WAIT! BAKA!

"Wait! Geology – isn't that rocks?" blurted out Serena. "Like – crystals?"

"Duh, Odango Atama," said Darien absently.

Serena's eyes went, if possible, even wider. Principal Waishatsu cringed a bit, expecting her to lash out at Darien with some ear-shattering screech for calling her Odango Atama. But she didn't.

"So – only the sophomores are going?" asked Darien, a bit too nonchalantly.

"Oh, no!" replied Principal Waishatsu enthusiastically, relieved that Serena hadn't unleashed one of her wails. "The sponsor was quite insistent that all of our students be given the opportunity to have this wonderful experience! Sophomores, freshmen, seniors, and juniors alike will go!"

"When?" Darien demanded.

"Ah – Wednesday, I believe," replied the principal. "Since the sponsor is paying for everyone, all we need to do is collect permission slips. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to be going. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Mr. Shields, Miss Tsukino."

"Zoicite – you have set the trap?"

"It is laid – and the school has walked right into it, My Queen."

A new figure stirred from the shadows, gazing balefully at his queen and the female general who kneeled at her feet. "I do not like it."

"Since when has My Queen required your approval?"

The male tore his glittering eyes from Zoicite. The veins in his neck stood out like cords for a moment before they were covered by the sheet of bleached hair that fell to his shoulders. "Sailor Moon dropped that handkerchief. It may have belonged to her, it may have not. Assuming that it was her name embroidered on it, there is still nothing to say that Tuxedo Mask attends the same school as she does."

"They are allies, you fool. It is what allies do. They stick together."

The man's jaw tensed. "What is there to say that they are allies? He stood by and watched you beat her for information, Zoicite. That does not sound like the behavior of allies to me."

"It was one occasion. If you have a better plan, you should have relayed it to My Queen."

Queen Beryl watched her two remaining generals quarrel. A smile curved her lips. She ran her tongue across her fangs in satisfaction. The knowledge that she held the power to reduce two lovers like Zoicite and Malachite to this pleased her immensely. If she could do this to them, imagine what havoc she would wreak with Serenity and Endymion, when she found them…

A/N: Okay, we're finally getting into some of the plot. Um, several things to address in this author's note:

a.) I feel as though Serena's character is not steady enough. One minute she's weepy, one minute she's tough. Is anyone else noticing this, or am I just paranoid?

b.) I AM going to – eventually – explain all that stuff Zoicite spouted off about hell and resurrection. So don't worry.

c.) The whole Spring Fling thing. Um, I feel really stupid, I must not have explained clearly. The Spring Fling I was talking about was the one that took place in Serena's freshman year, the one that happened before the events of STC. It was referred to a couple of times in the first chapters as the place that Serena gored a hole in Darien's foot for the first time. Um, so – now that that's cleared up, what are your opinions on a Spring Fling fic?

d.) Thank you SO MUCH, you guys, this has been such a horrible week for me, but all your reviews have been such a help. I wrote replies to most of you…look for your name!

Cold Fate: Daniel Radcliffe is sizzling. More sizzling even than Anakin Skywalker with a scar and long hair. However, I am glad that you prefer Johnny Depp, as it means less competition for me. I am also pleased that you think my story is twisty and dark. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

FluffieGirlie: I love your review. It's great.

Revolutionnaire Rouge: WAIIIIIII! ONIGIRI-CHAAAAAAAAAN!

I HATE YOUR LAPTOP! I HOPE IT TRIPS AND STUBS ITS TOE! (snicker, snicker) We – by which I mean me and all the people who live in my head – WANT TO READ THE REST OF YOUR NEW CHAPTER! (Wow, use capital letters much, Fai-chan?)

I am very depressed by this new turn of events. Now, not only can I not read your new chapter, but I am also not married to Daniel Radcliffe OR Anakin Skywalker OR the Yellow Ninja Storm Power Ranger. AND I haven't had any Diet Mountain Dew in over two weeks! We've only had regular, so to compensate for the extra calories, I have been chomping down on celery, and I'm convinced that it's adversely affecting my creativity. (That's my excuse for my less-than-pleasing chapters, anyways.) Anyhow, I'm going to have to work on Numa and Toki. My favorite character and fourteenth-favorite character (Numa and Toki, respectively) MUST NOT GET annoying! I would rather kill them off first! (Although I would hate to get rid of a great kisser like Asanuma – haha! Just kidding! Oh, man, I wish I hadn't made that joke now…)

Neonlights: Never worry about embarrassing yourself in front of me. ESPECIALLY over hot guys. I have fallen on my butt in a pile of leaves, fallen on my butt on a gym floor while clutching a basketball, tripped over my own foot while running the track, fallen on the bleachers, and been hit – TWICE – in the kisser with a soccer ball, and all of these events took place RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY CRUSH. So you don't need to worry about embarassing yourself. Believe me, I know all about it.

Anyways, as I was saying (Just shut up already, will you 8ofSwords? I'm sick of yer yappin!) I am totally willing to concede Tuxie to you if you give me Daniel Radcliffe. Serena might have a problem with it, though.

MoonBunny777: ALWAYS!

Inufire: Sweet name. I'm glad you liked Asanuma's line. He's such a ham. Too bad he's not real. I would SO have a crush on him.

Wizardemon: Babbling is fine. There's nothing wrong with babbling. Serena does it all the time. Anyways, if you've seen Star Wars with your "girlfriend," I hope you enjoyed it. (YOU BETTER HAVE!)

Ishq: BREAK! BREAK! BREAK! WOOOOHOOOO! I'm trying to update faster since it's summer, but I have to go back for a physics class in a couple of days, darn it! Stupid school. I'm glad you were affected by those people's deaths. I wasn't sure how it would work. And, um, sorry, but it's gonna be quite a while before Sere and Dare finally get together. I like the looong, drawn-out romances.

the nadja: it sucks when you do all the work and other people get the credit. I'm trying to put more angst and real life into the series than the anime or manga usually has, and I thought the best way to do that was with a.) death, and b.) more friction between the characters. Thanks a ton for reading!

IssaLee: I guess, since you're such an awesome writer and all, that I will be willing to share Daniel Radcliffe with you. When I wrote the chapter, I realized that Luna seemed uncharacteristically harsh, but this is a slightly A/U story. All shall be explained – I hope. As to your question…I wanted to explore the fallibility of the Senshi in this story. They ARE supposed to protect people – but people are going to die anyways. If the Dark Kingdom is really that great a threat, there's no way that they'r enot going to kill SOMEONE. Do I sound too full of myself?

Um – Jupiter hasn't joined Negaverse. Venus…well, we'll see.

Eternalsenshicosmos: I swear, you are, like, one of the most faithful readers EVER! I love you to death. I really get what you're saying about the story being so dark…I feel that way, too, and seventy-percent of the time, I don't like it, but like I said to the nadja, I want to make the series more realistic. When I started the series, I wasn't planning it as a comedy, it just kidn of evolved that way. Now it's returning to its roots – but you're also very right when you say Star Wars affected my brain. I came home, and I was like, "Ooh, I want to write something depressing!"

Um, okay, to your other review…I don't think you're rude at all. Pain hurts! (Wow, didn't that sound intellectual.) I hope you feel better soon. Um, when I was talking about the Spring Fling, I actually meant that it would be a fic from BEFORE STC, not later on in STC. I feel really stupid; I should have said that in the AN. But never mind. You'll see what I mean.

Sailormoonhannah: as soon as I am able, I will review your story. I read it the other day, and tried to review, but my PC was being stubborn…I'll have to re-read it, but at the moment, what I remember I was going to put in my review was that the story would be even more awesome if you put it in past tense instead of using present tense.

CharmedSerenity3: Love ya. Will upd8 ASAP. Thanx!

MysteryLady-Tx: Luna sux. I'm not sure quiet yet WHY, but I know she does. (S. Wright's magnificent fics have influenced me greatly) Thanks you so much for all yoru faithful rveviews; you don't know how much I appreciate them.

Fleur the First: I adore your name. It makes me think of Fleur Delacour. Are you taking French? I'm thrilled you're so worked up about Luna's treatment of Serena – it makes me feel like my story's having an impact.

BLiberalQuestionAuthority: LOOOOONG name. Arigatou for the review! Um, I wasn't really thinking that Serena was hearing Darien's subconscious thoughts. That's an intriguing idea, though…have you read the SM manga?

Becx: Thanks you SO MUCH for all your reviews! They're always so nice and long! My friend Jade-Eye and I had a conversation about how in the heck Luna gets off threatening to kick SM out. We think it's stupid and impossible – but you'll see what happens. My excuse for Sere not noticing her comm. was broken is that she didn't need to use it in the days between dropping it in the toilet and needing it at the movies. I'm glad you like Sere w/the guys. It's sad, but I feel like Numa and Toki – who are SUPPOSED to be the most minor characters in the fic – have more personality than Sere and Dare, who are SUPPOSED to be the main characters. Does it seem like that?

Poisonmoon: I know I've already said this, but I really, really, really like your name. I'm glad that you think my story's dramatic-ness is cool. I often worry that it comes out soap opera-ish.

Bera-Moon: Sere and Dare's identities will soon be revealed – although to whom, I will not tell. Seiko's annoying, I agree, but also essential for some plot progressions. Sometimes I feel sorry for him – I mean, he's an okay kid, just not Darien. But Numa has no mercy!

Serenity-hime: I must check out your new story POST-HASTE. I keep seeing it, then getting called to dinner, or forced to do homework (blech). You noted that I used subtlety to point out the casualties – you are a GENIUS. I just finished reading Lord of the Flies for English, and I was wondering what it was about the novel that made it so much more wrenching and realistic than other things I've read, and I realized that it was because Golding uses such understatement. So I decided to try it…still not very good, though. As always, can't say thanks enough for your reviews. You're my mentor!

Moonmore: Thanx 4 being so understanding!

Il0verice: thaaaaaaaaanks!

Rose Zen: I HATE SM ACTION! It's so annoying to try to write a romance between Darien and Serena, and then realize, "Oh, I've gotta have a battle scene," and have to puzzle out all the awkwardness and uncertainty between Moon and Mask. It SUCKS. But it will soon be better, I promise…

I totally took what you were saying to heart about Serena believing she was worthless overdramatizing the chapter. I have to admit that I'm not as in touch with her character in this fic as I was in "His Grin," and it feels like I'm recycling a lot of the same stuff. But I AM attempting to fix it.

Jojodacrow: Love getting a review from you. You're always so professional – no offense to anyone else. Glad you don't think it's TOO dark. I WAS going to have the person Dare uncoverd be Seiko, but I realized that the guilt Serena would feel from that would take the story in a direction that I, as a writer, don't have the maturity to take. Wish I could, though.

Whitey9h: I can't wait either!

Meg-of-the-Moon: (sigh) I know. I'm returning to the Dark Side. It's horrible. All that hot Anakin Skywalker's fault. I'm tossing around the ideas for a new story in my head though. It won't be extremely depressing, it'll be more like "His Grin," but with a slightly different premise and direction. What do you think?

I'll hafta check out your homepage and rate Baka. Hope your cold goes away soon!

Starlit Warrior: The infamous handkerchief. Da da daaaa! I know, I use it way too often as a plot device.

Lady of Masbolle: Why, thank yuh kindly, mum. I shall.

Sirenic Griffin: Yay! You approve! Thank you soooooo much!

Lost Inside: Splendid!

Hidden Sovereign: Score!

Digitaldawn:You're so sweet… (wipes away tear)

Red-Rose18: Finally! Someone who understands!

themonekychow: I get what you're saying. The juxtaposition IS a little too intense.

SeleneA: I was talking about House of Wax. It was the only horror movie I could think of at the moment. I like your word – changbang. Changbang. Ooh, it's fun to say! May I use it?

Lucious: Wow, you're so NICE! (Flattery will get you EVERYWHERE with EightofSwords.) Um, basically everything I've written of any literary worth is on so if you wanna read my other stuff, check out my profile. Thank you very much!