Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon but simply borrow the characters for my own enjoyment.
Okay, I just wanted to thank everyone that reviewed. I have never gotten so many reviews on one chapter in my life (well I only have one story on here so it's not been that long I guess). Sorry about the note, I was feeling discourage and with so little review I guess I should have thought it was because my chapter was so great that no one thought I could improve it (see how well I can build myself up hehehe) instead of thinking that no one was reading it. Because of the overwhelming response to my note, the story will go on. I hope you all like this installment! Happy New Year to all of you.
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Serena was floating around on cloud nine. She had gotten up the courage to ask Darien to do something with her and he actually said YES!! Her day couldn't get any better. Sure, he still seemed slightly perturbed that she hadn't called him back when he left the message, but she'd make sure he understood it was an accident and that it wouldn't happen again. He'd understand she was sure. Suddenly Serena remembered that she was supposed to meet Amy and Rei also. Darn it, that just wouldn't work. Of course they could join Darien and her, but that would take half the fun out of the afternoon. Oh well, sacrifices had to be made for friendship, and since she got up the courage this once, she should be able to ask Darien to do something with her again, this time alone.
Serena looked for the nearest payphone to give Rei a call. It was just to bad that they hadn't figured out if she was a scout yet, those communicators were great devices, cutting down on the quarters going to phone calls, leaving them to be used for those great games in the arcade. She had written Rei's number in her "black book" that she carried everywhere. She thought it was funny how guys were stereotyped to have them filled with girls names that they called for last minute flings or whatever they called girls for, so she decided to break the stereotype and use one for her everyday use. The one change she had allowed was in the upper left hand corner there was an embossed crescent moon ~ her favorite symbol. She didn't know why she liked the moon so much when she had purchased this book, but she supposed that it made sense now. There was also a small rosebud embossed in the lower right hand corner. It was blood red, her favorite kind. Now it just reminded her of her champion, Tuxedo Mask. She placed her money and dialed the number.
"Cherry Hill Shrine," answered a pleasant voice.
"May I please speak with Rei Hino?" responded Serena.
"May I tell her who's calling?" The voice sounded more strained, as though it didn't really want the answer. Serena couldn't figure out why it would be bad to call Rei. "Serena" she replied hesitantly. She didn't really feel like being yelled at or denied talking to Rei by this strange voice answering the phone.
Suddenly there was a giggle at the other end. Serena was so confused why her saying her name would cause such a reaction. "Serena, this IS Rei."
Serena let out a long, loud sigh. "Whew! I thought that there was some mean lady hired simply to answer the phone and scare of solicitors or something."
Rei, still giggling, told Serena that she was kinda right. "I use my most stern voice when I don't know who's calling. We don't get many calls here because most people just come. You can't do very good counseling over the phone so we don't give out the number often. That means that the most people that call us are telemarketers and solicitors. I'm glad it was you this time though."
Serena, who was also giggling by this time, replied that she understood. "Say Rei, the real reason I was calling is that I'm going to be getting together with Darien Chiba at the Crown. I know that I told you and Amy that I'd meet up with you this afternoon. We have some stuff to discuss, but I was hoping that you two could meet us here and we could all eat some ice cream and visit for awhile."
"Serena, isn't this the boy you think is hot? Why would you want me and Amy to intrude? How about this, I'll call Amy and we'll get together without you and meet up with you at the Crown in a couple hours. That will give you time alone with Darien and still get us all together. You know that we have to meet him and approve before you can continue with your crush."
Serena smiled. Rei and Amy had only been her friends for a couple weeks, but they all acted like they had been best friends since they were in diapers. "Whatever you say Rei. I'll be at the Crown. You both can come as quickly as you want. I know that there will be more time with Darien if I was able to get up the courage this once."
Rei just laughed more at that statement. "Ok, we will probably show up soon. You have a good time!"
"Thanks Rei. See you soon!" And with that she hung up the phone and started to walk back towards the Crown. She loved that place, filled with junior high and high school kids. There was always some game to play or someone to talk too. It just made you feel welcome. Suddenly, that horrible familiar feeling took over. She felt like the world was spinning away from her and she was focused on one spot. THE ARCADE! Quickly she grabbed her communicator and sprinted to the nearest hiding place to transform. 'Damn it, this happens every damn day! Why can't they take a day off already!' thought Serena. She was getting tired of these stupid predictable drones. It was as though they were sent simply to keep Serena's attention on the Negaverse, as if Serena could forget their presence.
"Mercury here"
"Amy!" Serena yelled into the communicator. "I need you now. I feel a very strong evil presence near the arcade. I guess it's time to find out if Rei is Mars because we are going to need her. Transform and grab Luna from home. She should be napping."
"You got it Moon."
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As Amy closed the connection with Serena, she didn't know what to think. She somehow knew that Serena was right that they needed Mars desperately for this battle, but she was apprehensious how to get Rei to come with her incase she wasn't Mars. Could they trust her with this secret? Could they put her life in danger by knowing the identity of the scouts should it ever be found out? There wasn't time to worry about that now, and Rei's fate was already sealed. She was needed and that's all there was too it.
As Amy arrived at the temple she found Rei waiting for her, but her eyes held a vacant stare. Amy had seen this once before, although Rei still did not remember the incident. "Mercury, we are needed," was all Rei said as she quickly turned towards the arcade and started to run. As she chased after Rei, Amy realized that she had not yet transformed. She had no idea how Rei knew who she was but she knew she could only keep up with her was as Mercury. She called her trigger phrase and transformed in the trees of the temples as they ran to the arcade. Hopefully Luna would realize the danger and be there waiting. She always seemed to know she was needed.
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Luna was jarred awake but some unknown force. She quickly realized that Serena had transformed and that she would be needed. She immediately jumped out the window and raced towards the pull of Sailor Moon.
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Darien was so excited about seeing Serena. She seemed different from anyone he had ever known. For some unknown reason he felt as though he was almost whole with her. He had felt as though part of him were missing for as long as he could remember. He had always chalked it up to the fact that when he was six he had been in a horrific accident and had lost his memory and his parents all in the same night. Maybe Serena was the key to unlocking his past. Or maybe she was something else, something he had been searching for to make his future bright. The only way to figure it out was to spend time with her. Suddenly he keeled over in pain. He was needed. Evil had entered his world again, because he could tell that Sailor Moon had arrived. She needed him. He felt a sharp pain of loss at the thought of missing the afternoon with Serena, but this took precedence. Quickly he transformed into the mysterious Tuxedo Mask and followed the pull on his heart.
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Lita was busy trying to find a new cookbook. She figured that if she could find some new recipes that she could try them out and bring them to school. The more things that she brought to eat, the more she could get to know that Serena girl. She seemed very friendly, but possibly ditzy. But ditzy wasn't always bad. Lita knew somehow that she would be a great friend, someone to rely and confide in. Lita had never had that before, always feeling like she was an outsider. Somehow with this Serena girl she felt like she had come home, had found where she was supposed to be. Food would be a good excuse to get to know her better without looking desperate. Suddenly she felt that she needed to go in the other direction. She looked back and saw the Crown Arcade in the distance. Something was pulling her there. She had always followed her instincts, and she would this time too. She quickly turned around and started walking towards the arcade in hopes of finding what was pulling her.
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Okay, I know this is a bad place to stop, but I want to make sure all of this makes sense before I continue. I have decided to bring everyone together (if that isn't obvious) and get on with this story. It seemed to be lagging a bit. Please continue to review, I really need your input. Happy New Year!!