Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon, nor do I think I ever will, rats.
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Serena was a bundle of emotions as she followed Amy and Rei back to the temple. She was so completely excited that they had found Rei and that she indeed was Sailor Mars. Having back yet another of her senshi was almost like finding a lost child. She felt they were technically supposed to be responsible for her, but she knew that she really was responsible for them. She was the leader, and with that role came specific obligations that only she had to bear. But she somehow knew she would let the girls believe that they protected her, like it was some mission they had in the past. Only she would realize it really was the other way around. She knew there was something more important, some hidden piece to her past that would shake things up. She knew that it had something to do with dreams.
Even through all this happiness, Serena was crushed. She had missed her opportunity to have a date with Darien. Granted, it wasn't really a date, but they were going to be together. It could have lead to something more, or just something. Now he was going to hate her because she didn't show up. Or worse, he was going to think that she was a coward because she ran from those idiotic youmas. Why did this all have to happen today?
Serena saw they were in sight of the temple. "Girls, we need to loose the makeup." Serena called to Amy and Rei. She couldn't think of a better way to tell them to revert to their human form. Everything else sounded like it was right out of a silly comic. She slowed to touch her broach, with a whir of magic, she was plain old Serena again. Somehow that was comforting, yet empty as well. It seemed that her whole life was tied up in a little broach, and it was changing everything in and around her. What power that trinket had.
Serena walked straight up to Rei and pulled her into a big hug. "Welcome to the group."
Amy was watching Rei as Serena pulled her into the hug. Her eyes seemed to almost tear up. Her movements seemed stiff too, like she hadn't been hugged that much. Serena didn't seem to notice though, just holding on tight. 'She has so much love,' thought Amy while watching the two.
"Calm down Serena!" voiced Rei, as soon as she got over the shock of being hugged. It wasn't a normal occurrence, as she didn't have any girlfriends and her grandfather really didn't just hand out hugs. "You are squeezing the life out of me."
Giggling, Serena let Rei go. "As if I would have the strength to do something like that. I wanted you to know how happy I am to have found you, and know that you are again one of us. I missed you."
"Serena, you didn't even really know I existed before." Rei said, giving Serena a strange look.
Serena looked dumbfounded. She realized it was true. She didn't know that Rei had existed as Mars before. She had only recently met Rei herself. It wasn't until the connection was made, and Mars was back, did Serena know that she was missing something. "Well, Sailor Moon knew that you were missing and she is very excited to have Mars back. And you know that I valued you as friend prior to any magical connections that we may have." replied Serena, proud of her answer.
"Alright you two," said Luna. "We have much to discuss."
"Oh no!!!" remarked Serena, as her hands flew to her face. "I have to get to the Crown. Darien and I have a meeting scheduled and I'm so late already. Can we continue this there or maybe meet afterwards? Those nasty people won't attack again in one day. Please Luna?" whined Serena, trying to give the cat puppy dog eyes.
Amy felt bad for the girl. "Serena just go. The three of us will sit here for a bit and discuss the minor things while you are there. I have a feeling that it won't take long, as you are so late already. Be sure to come back here within an hour."
Jumping for joy, Serena grabbed Amy and twirled. "I'll be back quick. Darien probably will hate me, but I have to try. Ta ta for now." And with that, Serena was off.
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As Tuxedo Mask left the Crown, he felt like he was leaving something behind. He wasn't sure if it was something undone, or just that he was again leaving Sailor Moon. He couldn't describe the pull that she had, the desire to be with her was almost overpowering. The desire to make sure that nothing touched her, not even the pain from a hangnail, was completely irrational. He knew the girl to be able to take care of herself, even though she looked like a clutz half the time that she was fighting. Why the draw? There had to be more than just the fact she wore her outfit very nicely. As he arrived back at his apartment, he was again Darien. As he looked to his watch, he knew he was in trouble. Serena was at the crown. He felt a sense of panic, 'What if she had been there when the youma attacked? Was she ok?' The thoughts just keep racing through his mind. He just grabbed his jacket and was out the door.
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Serena and Darien arrived at the Crown at the same time, almost colliding. "Serena!" "Darien!" both exclaimed, and then just as suddenly, looked down, as though embarrassed that they were late, running to be there, or just for the fact that they wanted to be together so much. "Sorry I'm late Darien," whispered Serena, the first to break the uncomfortable silence. Darien's head snapped up. "What are you talking about? I just got here myself. I couldn't seem to get here…"
"Because of those monsters?" Serena interrupted, eyes wide, either with terror or a secret hope, Darien couldn't decide which. "I know that I tried, but wow, those are enough to scare anyone off until those superheroes came through and wiped them out. That Tuxedo Mask sure is a hottie."
Darien just smiled. He knew that he couldn't tell her about his identity as Tuxedo Mask, but to hear her compliment him was nice indeed. "Yeah, that was reason I was late. What do you say we skip the arcade and just go for a quick walk through the park?"
Serena grinned. "I suppose that could be arranged. But this is the deal, you call me Meatball Head again and I cut and run. Deal?"
"You cut a hard bargain."
"Deal?" Serena stated again. She knew that he would never stick to this, he enjoyed egging her on to much, but she wanted an excuse to have him chasing her.
"I'll try."
"All right, but you know what will happen."
Darien just looked at Serena. 'Why do I think that she has some sort of plan forming in that complicated brain of hers?' He took her arm and off they went.
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Back at the temple
Amy watched Serena as she raced back the direction they had just come. "Well, we know she's a good runner," remarked Rei. Amy snapped around and saw that she had been looking in the same direction. "No problems there," Amy agreed.
"Alright girls, down to business," decreed Luna. She loved being in charge. "Rei, what do you remember now that you have unlocked Mars?"
"Well," started Rei slowly, "it's very hazy. I remember the feeling of love and loyalty. I remember being fascinated with fire, which I suppose carried over into Rei now. I remember feeling sad that I couldn't spend more time with parents. I know that there is a few people we are missing, Jupiter and Venus. I was best friends with someone…" Rei stopped, looking as though the memories just stopped.
"Do you remember anything near the end?" questioned Luna.
"Not really," whispered Rei. "It's more feeling than anything else. I feel terror and pain. I think that I saw something I never wanted to see. It hurts too much to try and figure it out." And with that Rei sat up straighter, trying to block out something.
Amy knew they needed to wait for Serena's influence and calming presence. "How about we get some ice cream and calm down? I think that we need Serena here before we do much more. She'll be here soon, I can't see her spending all that much time with Darien. The two will kill each other."
Luna giggled, as only a cat can, "You are right Amy. Let's wait for a bit. There is a few more things that you all should know. Ice cream sounds like a great treat."
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Lita decided that a nice walk through the park would be nice on her way home. She was still trying to figure out so many things. Why did she know when evil was coming? Why had she felt compelled at the age of four to force her parents to allow her to learn different martial arts? She wasn't sure why all of a sudden that seemed so odd to her, that it was connected with something not yet there. All she knew was that something big was coming, something no one was ready for. She wanted to be able to help, to be able to do something. She only could pray that she was in time. She knew that this move to Tokyo was a good thing, that it would lead her exactly where she needed to be. As she looked up, she saw Serena from school. She was with an older man. How did she get all the luck? He was very nice too look at. None of her old boyfriends had looked so good. "Hey Serena!"
Serena's head snapped around. "Lita!" Serena said as she ran over to give her a hug. Lita was so surprised that she almost didn't catch Serena. "I wasn't expecting such a production," laughed Lita. "And who is this?" she asked as Darien came strolling over.
"Oh, this is just Darien," answered Serena, kinda swatting a hand in his direction. "We're just wandering around. You weren't at the arcade when those monsters were there, right?" Serena suddenly had a very worried look on her face.
"No, I wasn't there, but I was nearby. I saw most of what happened. It was awesome what those sailor scouts do."
"They aren't much," said Darien, feeling a little left out. He was there too, darn it. "They always need that guys help."
"You're mean Darien." wailed Serena. "Those girls are great, and could save themselves if they need to. He just always shows up to help."
"Wow, you two sure seem to know a lot about the sailors and Tuxedo Mask." remarked Lita, somewhat curious to see how they would respond.
Both started to just stammer, like they goofed big time on something. "They are just cool."
Lita laughed. "Good answer." With that response both Serena and Darien started to smile. "Well, I best get home. I have to get dinner on, and find something to make for lunch tomorrow."
"You bringing some to share Lita?" asked Serena, almost noticeably drooling at the thought.
Lita laughed even harder, this time joined by Darien. "Of course Serena, I would never forget you or your appetite."
Serena smiled. Even though she could take that as a criticism, it was much better as a compliment. "Good answer. See you tomorrow Lita," answered Serena.
"It was nice to meet you Lita; have a good night," said Darien.
"Bye," and Lita was off. What a pair those two made. 'Hmm,' thought Lita, 'I wonder if they know something about those heroes that they aren't letting on.' But then she stopped to think. 'Serena as a superhero, not really likely.'
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Sorry for the delay, I'm hoping to get this updated much faster. I have a new job that should allow me more time to work on it. Everyone have a good break!! Please review!