Author's note: Well here's the new chapter as promised. Also, a slight
change. They all agreed to meet at Ten am, not One pm.
Chapter Seven: Amy's dilemma or Serena's Uncle's a Baka, or Hey, who cloned Raye?
Serena got A's in school when she was younger? Serena smacked Amy? Her Father had brain Seizures? Who's her Uncle? The Scouts attack Raye? How can this all be in one chapter?
Just sit right there and I'll show you. (I hate that saying.) **************************************************************************** ******************
Irene chuckled at her collapsed daughter. Learning that they knew her secret didn't faze her, but that they told the other families really threw her.
A groan signaled that her mighty warrior was awakening. She dazedly looked around trying to make sense of her surroundings.
As memories of recent events returned, she paled yet again.
Irene pressed the cool washcloth to her face.
"Now dear, now is not the time for fainting again. After all, we have company arriving."
Fear filled her that her friends might be angry with her about this. But it was soon replaced by a greater fear. 'What if Mom finds out about Lita?'
"Mom, what about Lita, I'm su."
"Blast I forgot about her."
She rushed to the phone and called the school. (See chapter six)
Serena eavesdropped on the call, curious as why she didn't try to contact her Aunt.
Noting her confusion, Irene smiled.
"We know about Lita's lack of family Serena. Luna finally told us about it last night." At Serena's gasp, she hurried. "Your father and I have discussed it. She can't stay by herself," And with a slight smirk at her staggered daughter added. "So we thought she might want to live here. That is if you don't minddddd."
She found herself on the ground as she received a Serena special (Hug thrown at a hundred miles an hour).
"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU."
The two laughed together, and looked up at Ken reentering the living room with an unconscious Luna.
"DADDY. What did you do to Luna?" Serena asked as she rushed to her cat, snatching her out of her father's hands. He had threatened to send her to the pound after all.
Holding up his hands Ken pleaded his innocence.
"Nothing. I just told her about the families knowing and she fainted."
Giggle
"I think I'll set her right here. I don't want to be around when she goes off."
"Who goes off?"
The sleepy voice caused all to turn around.
Coming down the stairs in his pajamas was Sammy.
With a wicked grin Serena replied.
"Oh, just Luna. She faint after she found out that Mom, Dad, and all the Scouts' families know about us."
Sammy's eyes, on having an overload of input to his brain, rolled back in his head, and he fell into his sister's waiting arms.
"I'll never let him live this down." Giggle.
They shook their heads at their eldest behavior. Getting another rag to wake up Sammy.
After he recovered, and dressed, grumbling at the time about how scouts shouldn't be so mean, the family eat breakfast. Luna zoned out on the couch the entire time.
As Serena and Sammy finished the dishes the doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of the first family.
Linda Anderson stood at the door with her still nearly comatose daughter. After she awoke her, she explained that Irene had told her the truth and all the families had been informed.
After awakening her yet again, she dressed her daughter, slightly fearful of her lack of response, and led her to the car. With an encouraging smile they set off for the Tsukino's.
One look at Amy and Sammy started to laugh. Laugh so hard he hit the ground.
Serena glared at him and 'accidentally' stepped on him on her way to Amy, embracing her in a tight hug.
The laughter and the hug brought her out of her trance. The information had been too great for her mind to comprehend.
"YOU KNOW WHAT? AND WHO'S BEEN TOLD?"
Despite the racket, Luna failed to awaken.
Serena took her friend aside and explained the situation to her, as Irene, Ken, and Linda became acquainted.
At the fearful stares of her daughter though, Linda made her way over and soothed her in the best way possible. A big hug.
This went a long way in comforting her.
At this time the Hino's made the scene.
Grandpa seemed to change a bit since last time they saw him. He had an air of tranquility and purpose that he rarely showed before.
But he was still met with a hug by Serena, and was He and Raye were introduced to the Rest.
Raye snickered as she found out not only had Luna let the cat out of the bag, but had fainted at the news.
But before anymore could be said, the Heart's arrived.
They took the Limousine of course; their sports car only fit two. But the driver had the day off, as did the butler and maid. Hiring a family to be their staff made one problem when they needed time to for vacation. But they had decided that they could rough it with part time relief for those weeks.
After they awoke their own daughter, and convinced her she was indeed awake and not dreaming. Or in another dimension. And that they weren't imposters. After that they put their foot down and hustled her out to the car.
That had been troublesome as they realized that they only had the Limo and Ferrari. The chauffeur was off with the flu (It was like some force had come together to set things up this way. Or just author's connivance), and the Ferrari was a two-person car.
Embarrassed at the sigh of their neglect for their daughter, Hubert cockily put on the chauffeur's cap and suavely opened the door for his two girls.
Mina giggled as she and to their horror the shedding cat slipped in.
They arrived at the Tsukino's, causing a bit of a stir at the site, and were introduced to the rest.
The introduction of Artemis caused a bit of a problem, as Linda started to hyperventilate.
But Amy sat her down and had Mrs. Tsukino get a brow bag she could breath in.
After a few minutes of convincing her she was indeed sane, and an examination of Artemis, much to his disgust, too much like a vet, they settled down.
As she put him down though, his gaze fell on the sleeping Luna.
He rushed to her in horror, fearful as to what happen, but his fears were easily alleviated.
Irene answered his unspoken question. "She fainted at hearing about the situation."
If Luna ever found out she'd rip him into ribbons, but Artemis laugh out loud at that.
"She always did like to be in control."
With a grin, he nudged her and said. "Wake up sleepy head."
All heard what she said next.
"Oh Artemis. You are so cute and generous. This tuna is perfect."
Arty paled at that, and the girls circled.
"How about you and I go hunting tonight. And maybe be on the prowl for more then just food you white stud you."
Artemis had a nose bleed, while the girls were taking notes. Amy had her computer recording it.
Irene though felt enough was enough and shook Luna awake. Still sleepy, she asked.
"Yes Irene? What can I do for you?"
Then she saw the rest gathered and blanched. And for a black haired cat, that was quite a feat. Memories came back and she turned on Irene and Ken.
"How could you? What right did you have to tell them?"
The rest of the families became upset at this. Who was she to keep this secret from them?
She wasn't blind though; she saw the glares that the others bestowed on her and hastily added, "After all, this could endanger them and the girls."
This went a little way to lessen the anger, and Mr. Heart put on his political hat.
"I'm sure you did Luna. However, the time has come for this revelation. It's best to accept it and move on."
Luna reluctantly realized that to fight the inevitable was fruitless and could be harmful in acquiring the ire of the gathered, nodded.
Linda though was not as happy. She knew the Heart's through their work on charities for the hospital and as members of the board, but was more then a resentful of board members sticking their nose in where it didn't belong. Indeed, he had been one of the ones that insisted that the time Sailor Jupiter was brought unconscious into the Emergency room, the news be informed. The rest of the scouts, having finally defeated that Yoma, had soon arrived and whisked the awaken Jupiter out from under her nose, stating that her healing power wouldn't even leave a scar in a couple of days. That one had been Amy slightly annoyed her now, but that Heart and the rest of the board members had given such information out infuriated her.
Snorting, she shot back; "Spoken like a true politician."
Recognizing the irate doctor, Hubert attempted to calm her, but the lioness in her mate came out.
"What does that mean?"
"Just that politicians should stay out of medicine."
"Now, Dr. Anderson," He said as his wife raged, "I know you thought that revealing the scouts being seen at the hospital."
"What? Serena were you hurt?"
At her shake of the head, the Tsukino's relaxed a bit.
"No Mom,Lita was, but our healing abilities had her back on her feet the next day."
Deciding to ignore her questions on that for a later date, Linda continued.
"Yes I did. That's why I did not vote for you, you glory grabbing dufus."
"WHAT? How dare you?"
"Helena, calm down. Yes, I did agree to let it out. But the main reason was for the charity gala last night. The publicity put us over the top for the new children's trauma center we our adding to the hospital."
This brought Linda up short. She had not thought of that. And, much to her annoyance, he was one of the better representatives that was out there.
Helena, seeing her pause at that, maturely added.
"So there." And proceeded to stick out her tongue.
This did not sit well with Linda.
(Go to chapter six for Lita's story)
Irene finally managed to make peace between the warring clans, reminding them that this was about their daughters. The two women agreed to call a truce, but they knew they'd never be friends.
The girls however were pacing back and forth in worry. They ached to transform, throw Lita over their shoulder and haul her back where she belonged, but had to wait for Ms. Haruna to take care of it.
Hearing the car pull up, Serena barely waited for Lita to get inside, when she tackled the Brunette in a bone-crushing hug.
"I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY. Lita I didn't mean to hurt you. Please don't leave again."
The other three held their breath, awaking her answer.
While Lita tried to regain hers.
Wrapping her own around Serena she sobbed herself.
"I'm the one that should be apologizing for hurting you, you baka (Basically means fool, silly, or dumb)."
She pulled away slightly, confusion on her face.
"But Lita, I was the one that made you run away."
Lita just stared for a minute, then gently ran her hand over the bruised area of her face. Serena didn't even flinch. And still had the look of confusion about her.
"I hit you." She whispered.
With a shake of her head, Serena stated. "You weren't trying to hurt me, just to protect yourself from your fears. You hurt yourself more by doing it."
'She still isn't afraid of me. Still cares."
Crying harder, she pulled her into a deeper hug.
Serena took this as a good sign.
"Does this mean you come live with us?"
The eagerness of her voice almost set her off a gain. She exchanged looks with Ms. Haruna.
This did not go unnoticed.
Squealing, Serena asked, "Does that look mean Ms. Haruna is going to adopt you?"
The silence of the room was deafening.
She continued. "After all, that way you both have the family you want."
'Why doesn't she do well in my classes?'
Patricia grinned at the girls and gave an abbreviated version of what went down (Chapter Six).
After the congratulations, and plans for Representative Heart and Amy's miracle computer to aide on the adoption the meeting started.
Most agreed that revealing the truth was indeed for the best. Luna being the major, Ok, Only exception.
Serena and Amy were the most enthused.
"Now I'll have even more time to study with Mom's help"
Fear crawled up Serena's spine at that. It was a subject she was fearful of. And had put off too long.
Her fear for her friend's sanity reached an all time high. So, despite what it would mean to the scouts, she planned to do something about it. Right now.
She turned to her blue haired friend's blue haired mother.
"Auntie Linda. Can I see you in my room for a couple of minutes please?"
Amused chuckles to the nickname ensured, as well as protest that they had too much important matters to discuss were over ridden.
"NOTHINGS MORE IMPORTANT THEN THIS."
Serena voice held an almost command quality to it, startling all in the room. She usually is, next to Amy anyway, the most respectful to her elders. And though it was asked with great respect, the command was clear.
Linda gazed at her daughter's first friend. Though she knew very little of her, her first meeting stuck clearly in mind.
Flash Back
**********************************************************************
She still recalled the shock she felt when her loner daughter had asked if it would be alright for her to have dinner at her new friend Serena's house Saturday. That Serena wanted to her to meet her family.
The joy and desperate longing in her eyes, nearly made her want to break down herself.
She agreed to this, but insisted that she invite Serena over for dinner Sunday. Amy was astounded at the request, but readily agree.
Dr. Anderson took a rare day off work from the emergency room that night and all Sunday to prepare for the meeting.
Her mind whirled at what type of friend Amy had made. No doubt a studious, calm scholar, much like herself. They most likely spent their time at the library, or museums, or perhaps the observatory.
Amy did mention the Serena had a good appetite, though she failed to understand the giggle that accompanied the statement, which in itself had startled her.
She was in the middle of preparing the main course, when she heard the front door opening, and giggles coming from the living room.
Glancing at the clock, she noted that the girls were twenty minutes late.
'Amy is never late. What happen?'
But the giggling did not stop, so her fears quickly vanished. She wiped her hands on the dishtowel and she made her way into the living room to meet Serena.
The girl she found there was not what she imagined.
The child was the same size as Amy, but there the similarities stopped.
This girl had shining golden hair, very unusual in Japan. Blue eyes, the lit up with laughter that seemed barely held in check, and a curiosity that held wonder of all she encountered. And her smiles seemed to radiate warmth.
No, this was not the image she had pictured.
Amy then noticed her mother, and politely made introductions.
"Mom, this is my friend Serena Tsukino." The joy she said that in was not lost to her mother. "Serena, this is my mother, Linda Anderson."
She smiled gently down at the girl before her and was nearly floored when her smile increased wattage by a hundred fold.
"Hi Dr. Anderson. Thank you for inviting me to dinner."
She smiled at the enthusiasm of the girl. She sure was different then expected.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well Serena."
They sat in the spacious living room, tastefully decorated in a blue hue.
From her recliner she in inquired, "So, did the two of you meet at cross roads, or at one of your cram schools?"
Amy paled slightly at the question startling her mother. But Serena giggled.
"Oh, I don't go to cram school Dr. Anderson. Heck I barely pass regular school. I'm a fellow ender with Amy."
'Barely passed? What?'
"I'm sorry dear. Ender?"
Amy had no idea what Serena meant, but her attempts to alter the conversation was fruitless.
Serena, only slightly abashed answered.
"Yeah. Amy is the top ender on all the scores, and I'm the bottom. I barely passed last year with a C-."
She said this so calmly, as if it were a given in life.
Amy however felt slightly ashamed of her friend's grades, and then chastised herself as she remembered the friendship she had offered her. That was of far greater value then mere grade point average.
Her mother however fought to keep her jaw from hitting the table.
'This girl is the friend Amy wanted her to meet. She seems almost proud of her scores.'
This was an inaccurate assumption on her part. Serena was not proud of it. But after years of ridicule and but downs, she was accepting of it.
Dr. Anderson was about to continue, when her timer went off.
"I'm sorry girls, I have to get back to dinner. It should be ready in about a half hour. I was delayed starting slightly by an emergency call from work."
"Oh, that's ok Dr. Anderson. That's far more important. Besides, now Amy can show me her room and father's pictures."
As Dr. Anderson walked out the room, she felt a slight shock surge through her. Amy never, ever showed off her father's paintings.
As the two girls scampered up into Amy's room, chatting good naturedly, Dr. Anderson considered what she had just learned.
This Serena was nothing like she imagined. She obviously was a slacker, who cared nothing about school. Indeed she may even be a bad influence to Amy.
This track of thoughts continued for the next ten minutes, until she had convinced herself she needed to talk to Amy. This girl was a bad influence and she wanted her to leave her be. After today, she would demand she stay away from her.
Sighing at the disappointment her daughter would feel, but feeling justified that it was the correct course, after all, Amy planned to be a doctor, and that meant applying herself to her studies.
Checking the prime rib one last time, she made her way to Amy's room to inform the girls dinner would be in ten minutes and to wash up.
As she reached the door, she heard Serena gushing over Michael's painting. His legacy to her daughter.
Pain and a rush of sadness hit her again as memories of her love smashed into her.
She didn't even really register that she leaned her head against the door in an attempt to control herself. But what she heard next horrified her even more.
"Your father's pictures are fantastic Amy. No wonder you're so proud of them."
This surprised both mother and daughter. Mother because Amy rarely talked about her father in the six years since his death. And Daughter because she KNEW she hadn't talked much about him.
"Wha.What do you mean Serena. I barely talked about my father or his work."
Serena gave her a sad smile.
"I know, but when you do, your eyes light up with joy and pride. And the handmade frames here, show how much you treasure these."
Dr. Anderson stood stunned. She saw all this and had only known Amy for less then four days?
Amy also stood in shock at her observations.
Serena, seeing her friend's confusion, decided that this would be a good time to ask the questions she had ever since she meant Amy when Luna had 'Attacked' her.
"Amy, can I ask you something?"
Her head still swirling Amy replied, "Of course."
Serena took on a sad pleading look, gazing deep into Amy's eyes. For some reason she was terrified. It was as if she was looking into her very soul.
"Do you promise to answer truthfully and completely? I mean as a friend. No secrets? No lies?"
Amy terror increased.
'Oh no. She's going to ask me something and I'm going to have to tell her the complete truth and I'll loose the first friend I ever had.'
"Serena."
"Promise me Amy?"
Slowly, reluctantly Amy nodded, trying to hold back the tears.
Dr. Anderson however fumed. Who was this girl to bully her daughter? Raising her fist to pound on the door, she stopped short at the unexpected question Serena gave.
"Why is there so much pain, guilt, and self hatred in your eyes?"
Nothing. Nothing could have prepared her for the question.
Dr. Anderson also felt like a boulder had fallen on her head, her fist fell limply to her side.
'WHAT?'
Stuttering Amy replied. "I.I.I don't know what your talking about."
To her horror though, Serena simply pinned her with a knowing stare.
"Yes you do. It's about your father isn't it?"
Franticly she attempted to divert her.
"Yes that's it. I miss him."
Tears had started to fall down her face, but Serena ignored them for now. This was deeper then that.
"No, that's not it. It's something else."
Anger surged. The fight or flight mechanism kicked on in her psyche and flight already failed.
"Serena, you don't know what your talking about. So leave it."
But Serena never could leave a friend in pain and pushed on.
"It's about his death isn't it?"
Amy just glared, refusing to speak. If she didn't speak Serena would never guess.
"You feel guilty for some reason. Like it's your fault?"
Dr. Anderson simply stared at the door, her mind shutting down as she listened to the horrifying conversation.
Amy though was panicking. 'HOW? HOW DID SHE KNOW?'
"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT."
"It wasn't your fault Amy."
Six years of pain. Six years of guilt. Six years of agony came pouring out.
Hollering at the top of her lungs she shouted.
"YES IT WAS."
Dr. Anderson sobbed at this. How could she think that? How had she missed this?
All the pain came rushing out of her then. Unable to hold the tide back.
"HE DIED BECAUSE OF ME. BECAUSE OF MY SELFISHNESS. I WAS IN THE NATIONAL SPELLING BEE AND I BEGGED AND BEGGED HIM TO BE THERE FOR IT. HE WAS OUT OF TOWN AT THE SHOWING OF HIS WORK, AND ALL I CARED ABOUT IS HIS BEING THERE FOR ME. SO I COULD SHOW OFF FOR HIM. HE DROVE THAT NIGHT IN THE STORM TO SEE ME. IT WASN'T THE DRUNK DRIVER THAT KILLED HIM, IT WAS ME. AND I WAS ANGRY AT HIM THAT HE WASN'T THERE."
Dr. Anderson had sunk to the floor, weeping into hands, unable to move and comfort her child as the shock was to great.
Amy continued her rant however.
"THAT'S WHY I STUDY SO MUCH. WHY I HAVE TO BE THE PERFECT DAUGHTER. HAVE TO DO EVERY THING PERFECTLY. BECAUSE I TOOK HIS LIFE. I HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR IT. I HAVE TOO. I'M THE REASON HE'S DEAD. IT'S BECAUSE OF."
SMMMAAACCCK.
The silence and shock were deafening.
Amy, her trembling hand on her stinging cheek, stared at Serena tears streaming down her face as they did down her own.
"Don't you dare. Don't you dare hurt my friend Amy like this."
The passionate demand halted the hearts of the others.
Serena further startled Amy by taking her into a loving hug. Some thing she had received to few times over the last few years.
She recovered soon though and fought to be free.
But despite her struggles, Serena refused to let go.
"It was my fault. It was."
"I thought you said you loved your father?"
"What do you mean? I do love him."
Dr. Anderson was still to shock to even feel anger at the question.
"Then why are you hurting him like this?'
Amy came up short. 'What?'
"I.I'm not hurting him." She said this in a lost whisper.
Serena however refused to let it go.
"Oh? Yet you are hurting his beloved daughter. The one he painted these masterpieces for. The one he so obviously treasured. The one HE choose to come see that night."
"And died because of it. Because I forced him."
"Amy. Amy, my genius, beautiful, special, stupid friend. Think of it. Think of it with your heart, not your mind and guilt. Would you have come to see your daughter's special day if at all possible? Would you have driven that night to see her smiling face?"
Amy stilled her struggles, her thoughts taking an unknown turn.
"And if, heaven forbid, you'd died, would it have been her fault? Would you want her to feel guilty? To hate herself? To punish herself?"
Her mind traveling at a combination of warp speed and impulse she could only whimper, "No."
Smiling through her tears Serena nodded, gently pushing the blue hair from out of her eyes.
"No you wouldn't. You'd want her to be happy and loved. To enjoy life and live it to it's fullest. Not to feel only guilt and blame when she thought of you, but remember the good times, and love. Just as your father does."
Comprehension dawned on her, and the tears continued to come. She cried harder then ever. But these weren't tears of pain and guilt. Finally they were tears of love and release. She rocked back and forth in Serena's arms as her friend murmured encouragingly into her hair.
As her daughter continued to sob in her friend's arms, her mother slowly rose to her feet wiping her own eyes and quietly entered the room. She choked at the sight of the pain and release of her daughter's eyes and knelt next to her.
Serena looked up and smiled at her, knowing by the look in her eyes she had heard it all.
Amy started at the warm hand that lied itself on her shoulder, and looked into the tear-filled eyes of her mother.
She opened her arms and Amy flung herself into them, Serena having released her.
"Oh my precious one. No. No. It wasn't your fault. Your father had already planned to be there for it, before you had asked. But you know what a teaser he was. He wanted it to be a surprise."
Amy sobbed at that as the last of her guilt flew away. The memories of her father seemed to brighten even more.
The timer went off downstairs and Serena went to turn it off. They needed some time alone.
Going to the kitchen, she turned of the timer and removed the prime rib (YUUUMMMM) from the oven and set it on the cooling rack. Even she couldn't mess that up. And the small piece she cut off was just to check to see if it was done. Besides, she was hungry.
Then she went into the living room and waited her hosts' return.
Glazing over the mantel she saw a painted picture of the Anderson's. Later she'd learn that He drew it himself, from a family Photo.
A tall man next to the small-framed females, his green eyes blazed with a teasing sense of wonder. The more serious Dr. Anderson smiled as she had one arm around her husband and her hand resting on the smiling Amy.
Serena was awed at the happiness in Amy's eyes and turned her gaze back to Mr. Anderson and bowed.
As she did this Amy and Dr. Anderson came slowly down the stairs, their energy spent from crying.
So they both heard what Serena next said.
"Hello Mr. Anderson. My name is Serena Tsukino. I'm a friend of Amy's. We've only just met, but I consider her among my three best friends, with Molly and Luna. I promise you sir that I'll take good care of your daughter and protect her heart, and make sure she has fun and not have any brain seizures."
She bowed again as she said this, not noticing the shock in her hosts' eyes.
But then Serena raised her nose and sniffed the air. She smelled something burning from the kitchen and rushed too see what it was, and to her horror realized that the timer was for the pot on the stove as well as the prime rib.
Tears again slid down Amy's eyes, and her mother had a hard time keeping hers in check.
Shaking her head, Dr. Anderson couldn't believe that less then a half hour ago she wanted to forbid Amy from seeing her. Now she wouldn't care if brought down her daughter's grade.much. She'd still be thankful for her.
The cries of Serena as she tried to control the mess elated giggles from Amy and she rushed to help her friend.
Shaking her head, Dr. Anderson made her way into the living room, heading for the kitchen herself as her stare fixed on her husband.
"Was it you Michael? Did you send this angel to heal our daughter? Why do I feel that a higher power sent her here? Why do I feel you had a hand in it?"
Hearing the giggle and shrieks from the kitchen, imagining the mess gathering, she looked at him once more.
"Thank you Michael. Now I know Amy is in safe hands."
The pictures eyes seemed to twinkle at that.
"I love you."
The sentiment seemed to echo through the room, and not just in her voice.
With a sigh of completeness, she headed into the din.
******************************************************************
End Flash Back.
Thinking on this, she followed the champion of love and justice (And if she was shocked at Amy being Mercury, that was nothing on finding out who Moon was) to her room.
'Despite what I learned that day, I still left her alone too much. I should have realized that she needed more then just Serena.'
Following her into a fairly good-sized bedroom, the number of moon decorations there amused her. The blue bedspread with it's moon and stars. The mirror and the pink walls also sported various moon decorations.
Serena turned to her friend's mother and focused on the serious discussion that had to follow. Sure it might mean that the Scouts would be slightly less effective, but this was too urgent.
"Auntie Linda, I'm worried about Amy. She is in a lot of trouble, and I can't believe that you've let this go so long."
Aunt Linda stared at her uncomprehendingly. Had she missed something else in her Daughters life?
"What do you mean Serena? Does this have to do with her being a Scout?"
Serena could not believe the blindness of this woman. Did she want Amy to have a brain seizure?
"What do you mean you don't understand? She could have a seizure at any time!!!"
The child's shout startled her. Amy wasn't prone to diabetes, or seizures. Not any type of physiological difficulties. Her last physical gave her a clean bill of health.
"Serena, what do you mean? She has no history of seizures."
Infuriated she shot back.
"I mean she's thinking to much. She'll have a brain seizure just like daddy did."
Dr. Anderson just stared. Looking at her agonized features, she concluded that Serena was serious, but her words had no meaning to her.
"Serena, what do you mean by brain seizure?"
'I thought she was an Emergency room doctor?'
"You know. It's when you think to much and have to much knowledge upstairs, and your brain fries."
Laughter emitted from Dr. Anderson, and Serena growled.
"How can you be so cold about her welfare?"
That brought Dr. Anderson up short.
'Kami. She really believes that.'
"Serena, I'm a Doctor, and I can tell you that what you just said was not in anyway possible."
Serena's eyes widened. 'Maybe she has had a brain seizure too. After all, she was really smart too.'
"Uhhmm, Auntie Linda, maybe you should sit down. We can take you to the hospital too and have you checked up for brain seizures."
'She thinks I'm crazy.'
"Serena, who told you of Brain Seizures?"
"Uncle Genma. Usually I don't pay attention, because mom said he likes to lie and cheat and tease others, but he showed me a video when I was seven and a half and it showed Daddy having one."
She started to seethe at that. 'What had her Uncle told her.'
Realizing this was a bigger problem then she thought, she opened Serena's door and hollered out, "Irene, get up here, NOW."
Downstairs Amy spit out her drink. Her mother never yelled like that.
Luna glared at her and went about licking herself clean from the soda.
Irene groaned. Getting to her feet, she made her way upstairs and find out what commotion Serena had caused now.
Serena though was freaking. She couldn't bring this sensitive subject up to her mother. Uncle Genma had told her how upset she had been during this.
Desperately she pleaded to the adamant Physician, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.
Irene walked into the room, noting the begging her daughter was doing. Being down on her knees and pulling at her skirt was a bit of an amusing sight, but this was obviously a serious matter that Linda had felt the need to call her.
Seeing Irene enter, Linda said.
"Irene, why don't you ask Serena what her Uncle told her?"
Horror and despair entered into both eyes.
Serena, because she didn't want to hurt her mother or father.
Irene, because she was going to have to beat the tar out of her brother again.
"Serena, I thought I told you never to believe anything my no account brother told you?"
"I know Mom, but."
Her voice trailed off, unsure how to continue.
Linda added, "Don't be to hard Irene. Apparently this was when she was seven."
'Oh lord. This was before I finally convinced her he was not to be trusted.'
"Serena."
The command was there, all heard it, but still she hesitated.
"It's not that important Mom."
"SEREENNNAAA."
"UncleGenmatoldmeaboutdaddy'sbrainseizureandhowhelostmostofhisintelligence.A ndhetoldmenottoremindyoubecauseit'dhurtyou."
(Uncle Genma told me about daddy's brain seizure and how he lost most of his intelligence. And he told me not to remind you because it'd hurt you.)
And expert in Serenaese, Irene steamed.
"What brain seizure Serena?"
'The one on the video tape."
'Videotape. Seizure. Genma you BAKA.'
Gaining control of her emotion, barely, she spoke.
"Serena, are you talking about the one where he was dressed in a blue navy jacket and foamed at the mouth?"
Linda gasped at that. He showed a seven year old this?
At Serena's nod, Irene anger at her brother rose.
"Serena, that was a reaction to the medication he was on. He had been in a car wreck, sustaining a head injury and they put him on Tylenol with codeine. Then my BAKA brother spiked his drink with rum, vodka and gin on our wedding reversal. That was why it was taped."
"What? That could have killed him."
Linda response horrified Serena and brought back painful memories of his hospital stay for Irene. She nearly disowned him for it. If not for her promise to her mother to make sure he was all right, she'd have done just that.
Fortunately. Ken was a strong man and pulled through. But much to his regret Genma had left before he could thank him for the gift.
"You mean if I get A's in school I won't fry my brain?"
Slowly Irene answered. "Noooo. Serena what exactly happened that day. And what did my brother tell you."
Serena turned her toe into the rug, trying to decide if it was ok. This was Uncle Genma after all. She had heard all the stories about him
"Well, it was when he brought Ranma here during that training mission you were so angry about."
"I remember. I was furious with him and his wife. If not for Ranma, I'd have thrown him out. As it was, I was considering forcing him to go back home when he took off that night. With the family petty cash."
"He stole it?"
Linda's remark caused the two to laugh.
"Uncle Genma thinks of it as relocating it."
"Anyway, I had shown him my report card and asked him if he got all A's like I did. He told me no, that he didn't want a brain seizure."
The two women in the room fumed. What a despicable man.
"When I asked what that was, he said that when you were to smart and thought to much, you get brain seizures. You told me not to believe anything he said, but when I told him that, he snuck down stairs and took a tape from your room and played it for me."
Tears ran down her face, and her mother enveloped her in a hug.
"It was horrible, I cried for hours, and Uncle Genma sort of quaked in fear. He said because he didn't want you to find out. That he pitied you, and didn't want you reminded that your husband was mentally impaired."
Fury gripped the elder of the Satome children at her brother's stupidity and jealousy.'
"Serena, he was afraid because he knows what I'm going to do to him for hurting you."
Suddenly a light goes on and she put two and two together.
"Serena. That was when your problems at school started. Are you telling me that you've been intentionally failing at it?"
Shame overwhelming her, she lowered her head and nodded.
Irene hugged her tighter; plans of a painful demise for her brother flashing threw her head. But before she could comfort her child more, Linda interceded.
"Serena, as a doctor I assure you, there is no such thing as brain seizures. Never. What happen was not your fault, but your Uncle's. You were to young then to understand what he was doing to you."
Her mother agreed. "It's true love, Genma was always jealous of anyone better then him. Including me. He never could stand the fact that I was a better fighter then him."
Wide eyed, she stared at here in wonder. "You can fight Mom."
"Yep. Taught your father too. But after seeing what it did to Genma and Soun, we decided not to teach you or your brother until you were old enough. I regret that now, you'd have much greater fighting skills if you had learn the anything goes technique."
"Well, why not now. All the scouts can use the experience."
Irene pondered. 'A wise choice daughter.'
"That had been the plan. In fact we were about to bring it up when you kidnapped Linda."
Blushing, Serena nodded. "I know. I was worried about Amy. But I promise to take my studying more seriously. And not cheat on tests anymore."
"WHAT?"
Two raised voices clashed at this news. She cheated?
Before her mother could recover and lash into her, Serena responded.
"Yeah. I've been marking a lot of the answers wrong. I thought if I did that, I could fool my brain into thinking I didn't know it."
Linda covered her mouth, but still the chuckles escaped.
Irene though thought, 'She may be smarter then she lets on, but she's still the dreamer and innocent she's always been. Thank god.'
"That may be wise dear. Now just to think of a revenge on my brother."
Serena's eyes gleamed, and an idea formed.
Picking up her cell phone, she dialed her Uncle's number. He gave it to her in case he ever needed to use her.err, he meant she ever needed his help.
Listening to the phone, she brightly replies to an annoyed voice that answers.
"Tendo residents. Akane speaking."
"Hi, can I speak to Uncle Genma? This is his niece Serena."
The voice was pleasant and cheerful. Akane wondered as she went to get the Baka how she could be related to him.
Irene however was startled that she had the lowlife's number, and wondered what she was up to.
"Serena?"
Hearing her Uncle's voice, Serena put on a sad, desperate tone into her voice.
"Oh Uncle Genma it's horrible."
Fear entered into Genma's soul. 'Uh-oh what did I do now? Is Irene going to barbeque me?'
"What is dear?"
"I've been THINKING." Serena did this in a high-pitched wail sure to drive the other end of the phone insane.
"Uhmm Serena, what do you mean?"
"I'M GOING TO BE BRAIN SEIZED."
Genma, not the most intelligent of men, barely remembered that incident. But the fear of his sister killing him suddenly returned the memory and sweat rolled down his face.
"Now dear."
"Oh Uncle Genma. It's horrible, but I know what to do."
'When did it get so hot in here?'
"What's that dear?"
"Easy. You told me how the homeless were stupid lazy idiots, not like mom and dad who say their our brothers and sisters and deserve our respect and help."
"Now dear." His voice in a panic.
"I'm running away Uncle Genma and I'll never think again. And I owe it all to you. Thank you soooo much."
"SERENA."
'She's going to kill me. She's going to kill me.'
"I'm leaving now Uncle Genma. That way no one can catch me. Bye. I love you."
Click
"OH GOD. SHE'LL KILL ME FOR SURE. I HAVE TO CALL HER. I HAVE TO RUN. I HAVE TO HIDE. HAWAII IS NICE THIS TIME OF YEAR."
Irene, Linda, and Serena, no longer able to hold it in, collapse in laughter.
"Oh, sweetie. That was priceless."
Her cell started ringing then, and her caller id picks up the Tendo phone.
With an evil grin she answered.
"SERENA. SERENA. Is that you sweet heart?"
"No, it's Genma."
The tiny voice squeaked.
In a tearful voice she wailed.
"Oh Genma, I can't talk now. My baby has run away. Oh what am I going to do?"
Shrinking to miniature size, Genma said.
"About Serena."
"Oh my baby. When I find out what happen to her, I'm going to demolish the one that drove her off. I'll rip them in two, after breaking every single bone in their body."
Bang.
Picking up the phone, Akane looks at the ashen-faced unconscious man in disgust.
"Hello? Whose is this?"
"This is Serena's mother, what happen to my brother?"
Shrugging, she said, "Looks like he fainted."
"He fainted?"
Laughter abounds in the room. They're dying there.
Akane also laughed at this sorry excuse for a man.
Groaning, Genma rose.
Akane, not really knowing what was going on, but sensing his discomfort gave him the phone back.
"Genma, why are you calling?" Irene said this in a harsh tone, letting her anger grow.
Whimpering, he mewed. "I told her that she'd have brain seizures if she thought to much. Please don't kill me."
"GENMA.I already know. Serena is here safe and sound. It was her idea to punish you this way."
Bang.
Grinning, Akane picked up the phone.
"That was great, please feel free to call anytime."
"My pleasure, Akane dear, I owe you one. Tell him not to contact us again for a long while please."
At her affinitive, Irene bid her a warm farewell, and blessings for putting up with the BAKA.
Then she fell on the floor with Linda and Serena.
"That was mean." Serena gasped.
"But well deserved."
The three finally composed themselves and made their way down the stairs.
They're appearance caught everyone's attention. The tears and laughter on their faces caused much confusion amongst the group.
Ken went to his wife, and embraced her. He had heard his brother in-laws name mentioned and fury at the toad caused him to hit the wall.
This caused him to give the audience a brief over view of the toad.
Irene, with more then a little fury and humor told the tale of what she had learned.
Serena, ashamed at her naivety, hung her head down.
Raye snorted at the end of the story.
"Leave it to Serena to let a Baka trick her like that."
The rest of the room glared at the priestess in training, while Serena wailed.
"Raye you're always so mean to me."
Sticking out her tongue, she expected the usual raspberry war. She was wrong.
Raye shook at that. Her conversation with her grandfather coming back to her, and shame filled her that she had broke her pledge so soon.
"Your right Serena. I'm sorry."
The reactions to this were many fold.
Her grandfather looked upon her in pride, while most of the family in amusement.
The scouts though were another matter.
"Huh?"
Serena asked though her still stuck out tongue made the statement garbled.
With a sigh Raye continued.
"I have been mean and unfair to you. Please accept my apology for all the times I've insulted you."
She bowed in respect at the end of the statement. But after several seconds of no response, she started to look up annoyed, only to find Serena lifting her broach, and the other Scouts hollering their transformation phrases.
"Moon Prism Power Make Up."
"Jupiter Power Make Up."
"Venus Power Make Up."
"Mercury Power Make Up."
Stunned, she reflexively reached for her pen fearing a Yoma attack, when she was hit by 85 pounds of raging scout.
Sailor Moon slammed into her with righteous fury, with Jupiter and Venus soon behind, pinning her arms to the ground, the advisors in the background hissing furiously at her.
Dazed as her head hit the floor, she looked into the eyes of Sailor Moon and suddenly realized why the victimizers of the innocent fear this girl in battle. Despite herself she gulped.
"You scum sucking, no good, rotten, slime infested Nega scum. What did you do with her?"
The other scouts raged with fury as their leader laid into her, but she had no clue what she was talking about.
"Meatball head, what the blazes are you talking about?"
"Serena let her go."
Her parents were horrified, after there shock over the girls' transformation had been completed.
But the guardians interceded.
"Calm down Irene, the scouts can handle this. And don't worry Sensei Hino, we will rescue Raye from this scum."
Raye glared at the cats, and attempted to squirm out of the grasps she found herself in, only to be smashed down by the domineering champion of Justice.
"Don't even think it Nega sleaze. We're on to you."
"WHAT?"
"WHAT DID YOU DO WITH RAYE? IF SHE'S HURT YOU ARE SO DEAD."
"YEAH. SO PEANUT BUTTER AND JAM."
"Venus, that's toast." Sighed Jupiter.
"But I like Peanut butter and Jam."
Hubert sighed. 'Defiantly from her mother.'
Helena sighed. 'Defiantly from her father.'
Artemis sighed. 'I don't know her.'
Sailor Moon, ignoring them shouted to the scout of wisdom, "Mercury?"
Amy was typing furiously on her computer. The results made no sense to her.
Shaking her head she called back, "She's not a Yoma Serena."
"What?" Cried out five voices.
"How can that be?"
"What are you idiots talking about? Of course I'm not a Yoma."
Venus perks up. "Of course, she's a clone. The Negaverse cloned Raye and sent her duplicate to take her place."
The rest of the family groan at Mina's stupidity, but the scouts and guardians quickly latched onto the idea.
Mercury smiled. "Of course, why I didn't think to check for that?"
That said, her turned the scanner for medical scanner mode and checked her DNA for the necessary alterations in her genetic structure that would be evident.
As she did this, Dr. Anderson drooled over her shoulder at the power and sophistication of her HAND held computer.
'WHERE CAN I GET ONE?'
"Do it Amy." Looking at steaming Scout, she said.
"Look, we don't blame you. You're just a puppet of the Jerkverse. But your also Raye's twin sister, so we'll free you and welcome you into the family. But we have to free Raye too."
"I'M NOT A CLONE YOU BAKA."
Jupiter chuckled. "Yeah that's Raye's clone alright."
Mercury sighed. "There's only a .000000001 percent change in her DNA structure from last scan. Her natural aging process would apply to the discrepancies."
The cats, scout and family stare at her.
Sigh.
"It's Raye."
"OHHHHH."
"Dang, I was sure she was a clone. Like attack of the clones."
Jupiter turned green.
"An army of Raye's with attitudes?"
Shutters.
"Well if not that, then what?"
Moon's question did nothing to calm the fiery scout.
"I'M RAYE YOU BAKKKKKAAAAA."
With a glare at her Serena proceeded to ignore her.
"Grrrrrrrr."
"I know."
The excited response from the solider of wisdom caught their focus.
"What Amy?"
Excitedly typing on her computer she replied.
"She must be a counterpart of Raye from another dimension."
Moon grinned. "I knew we could count on you for the right answer Amy."
"I thought a clone was a good idea."
Artemis smiled at his charge. "It was Venus. You should be proud of that observation."
"GRRRRRRRRR."
The beeping of Amy's computer and groan of disappointment crashed down the scouts' feelings of triumph.
"No quantum alteration to her bio-matrix. This is our Raye."
The others slowly let go, save for Sailor Moon.
"But what's happen then."
"YOU BAKA. NOTHING HAPPENED SAVE YOU BAKA'S ATTACTED ME FOR ANY REASON. NOW MY HEAD HURTS."
Horror entered into Serena's _expression, again terrifying the scout of passion, but for another cause.
'Kami, what now?'
"Oh god, Raye you have a head injury don't you. What'd you do, hit it when you fell today?"
The girls lift her too the couch, and a wild eyed Mina grins.
"Don't worry Raye, Nurse Mina will get you an ice pick."
Rushing to the kitchen, with her father in tow, Artemis and Helena start to sweat.
Looking down upon the cat, she begged; "Please say she didn't inherit her father's medical skills."
Horrible memories haunt his eyes, of when he had been injured during the battles.
"You mean lack off?"
"Poor Raye. The two of them together."
During this time, Serena had Raye up on the couch, and fawning over her.
"Don't fall asleep Raye, what ever you do. You might not wake up?"
"What? You didn't throw me into the floor that hard."
"Maybe not, but added to the injury earlier, it must be sever."
Amy was running a scan of her head and brain synapses that Doctors over the world would kill for. Her mom was plotting on how to *borrow* the computer for a while.
Raye was about to respond to her friend's sanity, when Mina returned and shoved the thermometer into her mouth, and nearly out the other side.
"OWHGWH" (Translated: Ouch, mina you moron.)
Grabbing her wrist, Mina looked at her own, as if taking a pulse. Problem though was she didn't have a watch on.
"Hey, where do I put this ice pick in?"
Raye nearly fainted at the statement, visions of where she might put the VERY sharp instrument dancing through her head.
Thanking the almighty, she nearly wept with relief as Lita snatched the article from her hands, and Serena pushed her aside.
"Mina, that is not an ICE PACK."
"Oh."
Her father then came in carrying a tub full of ice.
"Can't have to much ice for your head Raye dear."
Then he proceeded to trip and spill the entire load over her head.
Deciding Raye needed rescuing, Helena entered into the fry and latched onto both her CHILDREN'S ears.
"Enough you two. There is a doctor here. Remember?"
The doctor in question was still drooling over the Mercury computer.
"I DON'T HAVE A HEAD INJURY."
"Raye calm down. Yelling not good for the brain trauma."
Lita's statement, the cold ice, which the scout of fire hated with a passion, and the rest of this idiocy had her contemplating a fire soul attack. The ice started to turn to stream rising from her body.
"ARGGHH. I can't figure out what's wrong with her."
Amy's outburst stunned the room. She was the most level headed of the group.
"What do you mean Amy? She's brain damaged."
Mina was lucky her mom stood between them, or she'd be in sooooo much pain right now.
"No Mina, that's just it. My scans show slight swelling from the impact of her fall to the sub-dermis tissue to the anterior of her head, but her synapses are responding appropriately and there is no edema to the brain tissue."
Amy's mother understood.
No one else did.
SIGH.
"She's got a bump to the head and that's it. No brain damage."
"But Amy, how do you explain."
"I can't."
Raye, using meditation techniques that were barely controlling her temper, mumbled.
"I'm nice Raye. I'm Good Raye. I'm Caring Raye. I'm Peaceful Raye."
Serena heard this and put two and two together.
Going over to her, she enveloped her in a hug.
"Of course you are Raye. But we'd like to talk to Mean Raye for a moment."
Two and two equaled six. "WHATTT?"
"Raye, great your back."
The other girls took up the notion.
"Fascinating. I never would have thought it of Raye."
"Wow Raye, how old is Nice Raye anyway?"
"Do the two of you have any other sisters?"
"It's ok Raye. We'll be here for all of you."
"Wow, I never met anyone with multiple brains before."
"That's multiple personalities Mina."
Grandpa Hino, unable to hold it in anymore fell to the ground laughing.
"Grandpa, don't you dare laugh at Raye. That's just mean. She can't help herself. The stress probably got to her."
His laughter increased.
And Raye blew her top.
"THAT'S IT. What is wrong with you people? I'm not a Yoma. I'm not a clone. I'm not from another dimension. Don't have brain damage. AND DO NOT HAVE A SPLIT PERSONALITY."
Serena at the end of her patience retaliated.
"Then what is wrong with you? If your not a denizen of evil or brain damaged, why are you acting so strange?
"What are you talking about?"
"You were nice to me. And apologized. The Raye I know never would have done that."
This brought her up short, and still the laughter from her Grandfather.
'Was I really that bad?'
Hanging her head down, she answered. "I know. Grandpa made me realize that."
This didn't seem to brighten Serena. If anything she looked sadder.
"Oh I see. He made you."
The sadness was not lost on her.
"No. No. I mean yes, but no."
Sigh.
She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to come up with a satisfactory explanation. And all she could think of was the truth.
Sigh.
(Boy, there's a lot of that going on)
"When I was little, my Mom died. I was only four. My father sent me to live with my Grandfather. He couldn't in his words, "Take care of the freak".
"A couple of years later, in first grade, he died. I saw this in my first vision, and screamed it out in class."
She ignored the group hug her friends had her in, lost in the past memories.
"When I came back to school, I was the freak. The few friends I had turned on me and repulsed me, and the rest looked on in fear. I was called names and basically made a pariah in school."
"Then I met you, and finally someone looks at me without fear. Not put off by my powers. And what do I do? I treat you just like they treated me. If not worse. I'm no better then them."
The other three said nothing, for at times they had been mad at her for her treatment of their first friend, but Serena was just mad.
"That's not true."
"Yes it."
"NO IT'S NOT. Ok, maybe you go a bit over board, and can be a bit cruel sometimes, but I've always known that it was to push me to be better. I'm not saying it didn't hurt. They did, but I always knew you cared."
"So that's it. You didn't care at all?"
That she didn't react to the gibes hurt slightly. As if her outlook didn't have any weight.
"No, they mattered. And I have cried myself to sleep sometimes over others opinion. But you're not the worse. Luna, Mom, Dad and Sammy defiantly qualify. And the Zit is most assuredly the worse."
The selected individuals felt not a little guilt at that but listened to her as she continued.
"But I still care Raye. You guys are my sisters in all but blood. Those jerks that called themselves your friends, weren't. Not REAL ones."
"Now, I'm not saying I wouldn't want a bit of a change, but truth is, I'd miss our fights if they just vanished."
She chuckled at that. She'd miss them too.
Looking into the soul of her first friend, she felt the love radiating there, and for the first time in nearly ten years felt herself truly blessed.
"Sisters. I like that."
Lita, herself choked up agreed.
"Me too. You're the first person that ever looked at me with out fear."
With a confused look on her face she asked, "Huh? Why?"
"HA, HA, HA. You did the same thing when I asked you that the first day."
Serena crossed her arms and pouted.
"That's because I still can't understand what you meant."
The giggles of the girls annoyed her quite a bit, but none enlightened her to as too why.
"I know what you two mean. I think I realized it from the moment she slapped me at home."
Her Mother and Serena smiled at that, while the others gasped.
Her parents we're about to reprimand her for it, but Amy gave a short version of what happen.
Her parents by now were bursting with pride, when Mina came up to bat.
"You sure have a way to turn our world upside down Rena. First smacking Amy into shape. Then barreling through the walls of a Shinto Priestess. Then causing an Amazon to cry. Then seeing through to the inner core of a lonely girl."
"When we met, you took one look at my clown act and ignored it. Treated me like a friend and equal right away. Even looked up to me as your hero Sailor V."
"You are one of my heroes Mina."
Choke
"Your mine too."
Wails from five girls.
"GROUP HUG."
Awww. Kawaii.
The family looked on in touched amusement, and some guilt. But this was a time for healing, not self-blame.
"You guys are the best too. I mean, I have had a lot of friends, but the only one as close as you is. was."
The fall of her face told them all they needed to know.
"Now Serena, you know that was necessary. It was for everyone's good."
Luna's lecture had not the effect she hoped. Instead, Serena bolted from the room, a look of anguish upon her vintage, and locked herself in her room, refusing to answer to her mother's pleas.
Down stairs, four guilty and p.o'd scouts berated themselves and a certain cat.
"That was cold Luna."
"Yeah, how can you be so heartless?"
"Right. Serena's very charged about this thing." "Yeah. It really burns her up about this."
(Bet you can't guess who said what. Snort)
"It had to be."
"What had to be Luna?"
At Ken's tone, Luna cringed.
"Well, it was Serena's idea actually."
"Her idea, but we all agreed, even after we realized it was pointless."
Amy's soft whispered statement silenced the rest of the scouts, as they realized how they hurt their friend with there jealously.
"We were jealous, plain and simple. We knew how close she was with her, but we still tried to keep her away."
"Yeah. When ever she wanted to invite her, we used the excuse of possible scout business as a crutch."
"And did we latch on to her idea that she was the reason she was always attacked. Because she was so close to her."
"Logically that was a fairly far fetched concept. But when it was proven wrong, we convinced her that it was better this way. Even when she begged us to let her tell her."
Luna growled at that.
"That was a very foolish idea of hers"
Lita growled, that was going over board.
"As I recall, she also begged us to tell the parents. Was that a bad idea? Now I have a.a new M.Mother to live with."
Patricia Haruna smiled; she knew she had to give her time to adjust to the situation.
"An my parents are supporting me now."
The Hearts blushed.
"So is my mom. No more hiding and lies."
Large grin on Dr. Anderson.
"And now grandpa and I are getting along better."
Gentle smile.
"Well yes, but this is different."
"How so Luna?"
Irene glared at the cat as she came down the stairs.
"The more people that know the more likely that something will slip."
"Even a trusted friend? Even if it scars the person with the lies?"
"NO."
This did not come from Luna, but the girls.
"Serena has always been there for us, now it's our turn."
Raye turned to her friends.
"All in favor of letting Serena telling Molly say aye."
Four ayes ring out, but Luna attempt to regain some control.
"Girls it's too dangerous. We have too."
"Aye."
She twirled around in horror at Artemis.
"What?"
"Luna. Its time to take care of your charge's well being."
This brought her up short. Was this really so important for her well-being? She thought of the girl's caring spirit. Her zest for life. And the pain she saw, and refused to acknowledge, when she let that friendship go.
"Aye."
Irene smiled, she was afraid she'd have to lay the law down.
"This is a good day for it. It's their anniversary."
"What?"
"They met when they we're two years old at the sand box at the park. Every year they insist on going there to renew the oath of friendship."
Smiling, the four walked up to the rabbit's room and pounded on the door.
"Open up or we knock down the door Serena."
At Raye's bellow, the girl trudged over and unlocked the door, but didn't open it.
Then she returned to her bed, hugging her beloved Bunny.
The girls opened the door, and felt their hearts sink at the dejected look on their leader's face. The pain and loss evident in her posture.
Lita, taking the direct approach told her what they decided.
"Serena, we had a vote, and it was unanimous. We want you to tell Molly everything."
For a second hope gleamed in her eyes, but quickly faded.
"It's to late. She hates me."
The lost, little girl quality drove the guilt in deeper.
Mina skipped to the bed and put an arm around her.
"Hey, is this the girl that refuses to give up hope? Who believes in her friends? Are you telling me you don't believe in Molly's friendship?"
She started at that. Molly was the best; she'd forgive anything just about.
"But what about the dangers?"
"Less dangerous for a Yoma magnet to have Scouts around all the time."
Raye's gibe caused a tongue war.
"I told you not to call her that." BRRRPPPPPPPPPTTTTT.
Raye's mature response: BRRRRRRPPPPPPPTTTTT
The girls felt relief pour throughout their beings. These to we're still friends.
"But what if.?"
Amy took her hand in hers.
"Serena. Isn't she worth the risk? And shouldn't it be her choice?"
"Amy's right. We all owe her that much at least."
Giving her friends a watery smile, she nodded.
"But she was to be let out early today to meet her father's plane. We usually meet at the beginning of the day and spend it together. Then at four we meet at our special spot. But not this year."
She buried her face into the rabbit and murmured; "The only reason I know that is because Melvin told me."
"Well you'll just have to meet her when she gets back."
"Melvin mentioned that it would be around two this afternoon."
"You've been listening to gossip Amy?"
"No, not really." Squeaked a red-faced girl.
The ensuring laughter lightened the atmosphere.
Taking the opportunity of the peace, Mina launched into a thought she had earlier.
"Hey Serena."
Serena, recognizing the tone as her, let's make some one squirm tone, started to do just that.
'Uh-oh.'
The others also realize something juicy was up and leaned in.
"You said earlier that the Zit caused you to cry yourself to sleep the most of anyone. And you've know him only a year."
'No.'
"Does that mean you care about what he says? Maybe even like him?"
Like vultures diving in for the kill, the four surround her.
"EEP." ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Cliff Hanger.
I thank my partner Chris for putting up with my insanity. How'd you like it?
See you next chapter.
Chapter Seven: Amy's dilemma or Serena's Uncle's a Baka, or Hey, who cloned Raye?
Serena got A's in school when she was younger? Serena smacked Amy? Her Father had brain Seizures? Who's her Uncle? The Scouts attack Raye? How can this all be in one chapter?
Just sit right there and I'll show you. (I hate that saying.) **************************************************************************** ******************
Irene chuckled at her collapsed daughter. Learning that they knew her secret didn't faze her, but that they told the other families really threw her.
A groan signaled that her mighty warrior was awakening. She dazedly looked around trying to make sense of her surroundings.
As memories of recent events returned, she paled yet again.
Irene pressed the cool washcloth to her face.
"Now dear, now is not the time for fainting again. After all, we have company arriving."
Fear filled her that her friends might be angry with her about this. But it was soon replaced by a greater fear. 'What if Mom finds out about Lita?'
"Mom, what about Lita, I'm su."
"Blast I forgot about her."
She rushed to the phone and called the school. (See chapter six)
Serena eavesdropped on the call, curious as why she didn't try to contact her Aunt.
Noting her confusion, Irene smiled.
"We know about Lita's lack of family Serena. Luna finally told us about it last night." At Serena's gasp, she hurried. "Your father and I have discussed it. She can't stay by herself," And with a slight smirk at her staggered daughter added. "So we thought she might want to live here. That is if you don't minddddd."
She found herself on the ground as she received a Serena special (Hug thrown at a hundred miles an hour).
"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU."
The two laughed together, and looked up at Ken reentering the living room with an unconscious Luna.
"DADDY. What did you do to Luna?" Serena asked as she rushed to her cat, snatching her out of her father's hands. He had threatened to send her to the pound after all.
Holding up his hands Ken pleaded his innocence.
"Nothing. I just told her about the families knowing and she fainted."
Giggle
"I think I'll set her right here. I don't want to be around when she goes off."
"Who goes off?"
The sleepy voice caused all to turn around.
Coming down the stairs in his pajamas was Sammy.
With a wicked grin Serena replied.
"Oh, just Luna. She faint after she found out that Mom, Dad, and all the Scouts' families know about us."
Sammy's eyes, on having an overload of input to his brain, rolled back in his head, and he fell into his sister's waiting arms.
"I'll never let him live this down." Giggle.
They shook their heads at their eldest behavior. Getting another rag to wake up Sammy.
After he recovered, and dressed, grumbling at the time about how scouts shouldn't be so mean, the family eat breakfast. Luna zoned out on the couch the entire time.
As Serena and Sammy finished the dishes the doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of the first family.
Linda Anderson stood at the door with her still nearly comatose daughter. After she awoke her, she explained that Irene had told her the truth and all the families had been informed.
After awakening her yet again, she dressed her daughter, slightly fearful of her lack of response, and led her to the car. With an encouraging smile they set off for the Tsukino's.
One look at Amy and Sammy started to laugh. Laugh so hard he hit the ground.
Serena glared at him and 'accidentally' stepped on him on her way to Amy, embracing her in a tight hug.
The laughter and the hug brought her out of her trance. The information had been too great for her mind to comprehend.
"YOU KNOW WHAT? AND WHO'S BEEN TOLD?"
Despite the racket, Luna failed to awaken.
Serena took her friend aside and explained the situation to her, as Irene, Ken, and Linda became acquainted.
At the fearful stares of her daughter though, Linda made her way over and soothed her in the best way possible. A big hug.
This went a long way in comforting her.
At this time the Hino's made the scene.
Grandpa seemed to change a bit since last time they saw him. He had an air of tranquility and purpose that he rarely showed before.
But he was still met with a hug by Serena, and was He and Raye were introduced to the Rest.
Raye snickered as she found out not only had Luna let the cat out of the bag, but had fainted at the news.
But before anymore could be said, the Heart's arrived.
They took the Limousine of course; their sports car only fit two. But the driver had the day off, as did the butler and maid. Hiring a family to be their staff made one problem when they needed time to for vacation. But they had decided that they could rough it with part time relief for those weeks.
After they awoke their own daughter, and convinced her she was indeed awake and not dreaming. Or in another dimension. And that they weren't imposters. After that they put their foot down and hustled her out to the car.
That had been troublesome as they realized that they only had the Limo and Ferrari. The chauffeur was off with the flu (It was like some force had come together to set things up this way. Or just author's connivance), and the Ferrari was a two-person car.
Embarrassed at the sigh of their neglect for their daughter, Hubert cockily put on the chauffeur's cap and suavely opened the door for his two girls.
Mina giggled as she and to their horror the shedding cat slipped in.
They arrived at the Tsukino's, causing a bit of a stir at the site, and were introduced to the rest.
The introduction of Artemis caused a bit of a problem, as Linda started to hyperventilate.
But Amy sat her down and had Mrs. Tsukino get a brow bag she could breath in.
After a few minutes of convincing her she was indeed sane, and an examination of Artemis, much to his disgust, too much like a vet, they settled down.
As she put him down though, his gaze fell on the sleeping Luna.
He rushed to her in horror, fearful as to what happen, but his fears were easily alleviated.
Irene answered his unspoken question. "She fainted at hearing about the situation."
If Luna ever found out she'd rip him into ribbons, but Artemis laugh out loud at that.
"She always did like to be in control."
With a grin, he nudged her and said. "Wake up sleepy head."
All heard what she said next.
"Oh Artemis. You are so cute and generous. This tuna is perfect."
Arty paled at that, and the girls circled.
"How about you and I go hunting tonight. And maybe be on the prowl for more then just food you white stud you."
Artemis had a nose bleed, while the girls were taking notes. Amy had her computer recording it.
Irene though felt enough was enough and shook Luna awake. Still sleepy, she asked.
"Yes Irene? What can I do for you?"
Then she saw the rest gathered and blanched. And for a black haired cat, that was quite a feat. Memories came back and she turned on Irene and Ken.
"How could you? What right did you have to tell them?"
The rest of the families became upset at this. Who was she to keep this secret from them?
She wasn't blind though; she saw the glares that the others bestowed on her and hastily added, "After all, this could endanger them and the girls."
This went a little way to lessen the anger, and Mr. Heart put on his political hat.
"I'm sure you did Luna. However, the time has come for this revelation. It's best to accept it and move on."
Luna reluctantly realized that to fight the inevitable was fruitless and could be harmful in acquiring the ire of the gathered, nodded.
Linda though was not as happy. She knew the Heart's through their work on charities for the hospital and as members of the board, but was more then a resentful of board members sticking their nose in where it didn't belong. Indeed, he had been one of the ones that insisted that the time Sailor Jupiter was brought unconscious into the Emergency room, the news be informed. The rest of the scouts, having finally defeated that Yoma, had soon arrived and whisked the awaken Jupiter out from under her nose, stating that her healing power wouldn't even leave a scar in a couple of days. That one had been Amy slightly annoyed her now, but that Heart and the rest of the board members had given such information out infuriated her.
Snorting, she shot back; "Spoken like a true politician."
Recognizing the irate doctor, Hubert attempted to calm her, but the lioness in her mate came out.
"What does that mean?"
"Just that politicians should stay out of medicine."
"Now, Dr. Anderson," He said as his wife raged, "I know you thought that revealing the scouts being seen at the hospital."
"What? Serena were you hurt?"
At her shake of the head, the Tsukino's relaxed a bit.
"No Mom,Lita was, but our healing abilities had her back on her feet the next day."
Deciding to ignore her questions on that for a later date, Linda continued.
"Yes I did. That's why I did not vote for you, you glory grabbing dufus."
"WHAT? How dare you?"
"Helena, calm down. Yes, I did agree to let it out. But the main reason was for the charity gala last night. The publicity put us over the top for the new children's trauma center we our adding to the hospital."
This brought Linda up short. She had not thought of that. And, much to her annoyance, he was one of the better representatives that was out there.
Helena, seeing her pause at that, maturely added.
"So there." And proceeded to stick out her tongue.
This did not sit well with Linda.
(Go to chapter six for Lita's story)
Irene finally managed to make peace between the warring clans, reminding them that this was about their daughters. The two women agreed to call a truce, but they knew they'd never be friends.
The girls however were pacing back and forth in worry. They ached to transform, throw Lita over their shoulder and haul her back where she belonged, but had to wait for Ms. Haruna to take care of it.
Hearing the car pull up, Serena barely waited for Lita to get inside, when she tackled the Brunette in a bone-crushing hug.
"I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY. Lita I didn't mean to hurt you. Please don't leave again."
The other three held their breath, awaking her answer.
While Lita tried to regain hers.
Wrapping her own around Serena she sobbed herself.
"I'm the one that should be apologizing for hurting you, you baka (Basically means fool, silly, or dumb)."
She pulled away slightly, confusion on her face.
"But Lita, I was the one that made you run away."
Lita just stared for a minute, then gently ran her hand over the bruised area of her face. Serena didn't even flinch. And still had the look of confusion about her.
"I hit you." She whispered.
With a shake of her head, Serena stated. "You weren't trying to hurt me, just to protect yourself from your fears. You hurt yourself more by doing it."
'She still isn't afraid of me. Still cares."
Crying harder, she pulled her into a deeper hug.
Serena took this as a good sign.
"Does this mean you come live with us?"
The eagerness of her voice almost set her off a gain. She exchanged looks with Ms. Haruna.
This did not go unnoticed.
Squealing, Serena asked, "Does that look mean Ms. Haruna is going to adopt you?"
The silence of the room was deafening.
She continued. "After all, that way you both have the family you want."
'Why doesn't she do well in my classes?'
Patricia grinned at the girls and gave an abbreviated version of what went down (Chapter Six).
After the congratulations, and plans for Representative Heart and Amy's miracle computer to aide on the adoption the meeting started.
Most agreed that revealing the truth was indeed for the best. Luna being the major, Ok, Only exception.
Serena and Amy were the most enthused.
"Now I'll have even more time to study with Mom's help"
Fear crawled up Serena's spine at that. It was a subject she was fearful of. And had put off too long.
Her fear for her friend's sanity reached an all time high. So, despite what it would mean to the scouts, she planned to do something about it. Right now.
She turned to her blue haired friend's blue haired mother.
"Auntie Linda. Can I see you in my room for a couple of minutes please?"
Amused chuckles to the nickname ensured, as well as protest that they had too much important matters to discuss were over ridden.
"NOTHINGS MORE IMPORTANT THEN THIS."
Serena voice held an almost command quality to it, startling all in the room. She usually is, next to Amy anyway, the most respectful to her elders. And though it was asked with great respect, the command was clear.
Linda gazed at her daughter's first friend. Though she knew very little of her, her first meeting stuck clearly in mind.
Flash Back
**********************************************************************
She still recalled the shock she felt when her loner daughter had asked if it would be alright for her to have dinner at her new friend Serena's house Saturday. That Serena wanted to her to meet her family.
The joy and desperate longing in her eyes, nearly made her want to break down herself.
She agreed to this, but insisted that she invite Serena over for dinner Sunday. Amy was astounded at the request, but readily agree.
Dr. Anderson took a rare day off work from the emergency room that night and all Sunday to prepare for the meeting.
Her mind whirled at what type of friend Amy had made. No doubt a studious, calm scholar, much like herself. They most likely spent their time at the library, or museums, or perhaps the observatory.
Amy did mention the Serena had a good appetite, though she failed to understand the giggle that accompanied the statement, which in itself had startled her.
She was in the middle of preparing the main course, when she heard the front door opening, and giggles coming from the living room.
Glancing at the clock, she noted that the girls were twenty minutes late.
'Amy is never late. What happen?'
But the giggling did not stop, so her fears quickly vanished. She wiped her hands on the dishtowel and she made her way into the living room to meet Serena.
The girl she found there was not what she imagined.
The child was the same size as Amy, but there the similarities stopped.
This girl had shining golden hair, very unusual in Japan. Blue eyes, the lit up with laughter that seemed barely held in check, and a curiosity that held wonder of all she encountered. And her smiles seemed to radiate warmth.
No, this was not the image she had pictured.
Amy then noticed her mother, and politely made introductions.
"Mom, this is my friend Serena Tsukino." The joy she said that in was not lost to her mother. "Serena, this is my mother, Linda Anderson."
She smiled gently down at the girl before her and was nearly floored when her smile increased wattage by a hundred fold.
"Hi Dr. Anderson. Thank you for inviting me to dinner."
She smiled at the enthusiasm of the girl. She sure was different then expected.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well Serena."
They sat in the spacious living room, tastefully decorated in a blue hue.
From her recliner she in inquired, "So, did the two of you meet at cross roads, or at one of your cram schools?"
Amy paled slightly at the question startling her mother. But Serena giggled.
"Oh, I don't go to cram school Dr. Anderson. Heck I barely pass regular school. I'm a fellow ender with Amy."
'Barely passed? What?'
"I'm sorry dear. Ender?"
Amy had no idea what Serena meant, but her attempts to alter the conversation was fruitless.
Serena, only slightly abashed answered.
"Yeah. Amy is the top ender on all the scores, and I'm the bottom. I barely passed last year with a C-."
She said this so calmly, as if it were a given in life.
Amy however felt slightly ashamed of her friend's grades, and then chastised herself as she remembered the friendship she had offered her. That was of far greater value then mere grade point average.
Her mother however fought to keep her jaw from hitting the table.
'This girl is the friend Amy wanted her to meet. She seems almost proud of her scores.'
This was an inaccurate assumption on her part. Serena was not proud of it. But after years of ridicule and but downs, she was accepting of it.
Dr. Anderson was about to continue, when her timer went off.
"I'm sorry girls, I have to get back to dinner. It should be ready in about a half hour. I was delayed starting slightly by an emergency call from work."
"Oh, that's ok Dr. Anderson. That's far more important. Besides, now Amy can show me her room and father's pictures."
As Dr. Anderson walked out the room, she felt a slight shock surge through her. Amy never, ever showed off her father's paintings.
As the two girls scampered up into Amy's room, chatting good naturedly, Dr. Anderson considered what she had just learned.
This Serena was nothing like she imagined. She obviously was a slacker, who cared nothing about school. Indeed she may even be a bad influence to Amy.
This track of thoughts continued for the next ten minutes, until she had convinced herself she needed to talk to Amy. This girl was a bad influence and she wanted her to leave her be. After today, she would demand she stay away from her.
Sighing at the disappointment her daughter would feel, but feeling justified that it was the correct course, after all, Amy planned to be a doctor, and that meant applying herself to her studies.
Checking the prime rib one last time, she made her way to Amy's room to inform the girls dinner would be in ten minutes and to wash up.
As she reached the door, she heard Serena gushing over Michael's painting. His legacy to her daughter.
Pain and a rush of sadness hit her again as memories of her love smashed into her.
She didn't even really register that she leaned her head against the door in an attempt to control herself. But what she heard next horrified her even more.
"Your father's pictures are fantastic Amy. No wonder you're so proud of them."
This surprised both mother and daughter. Mother because Amy rarely talked about her father in the six years since his death. And Daughter because she KNEW she hadn't talked much about him.
"Wha.What do you mean Serena. I barely talked about my father or his work."
Serena gave her a sad smile.
"I know, but when you do, your eyes light up with joy and pride. And the handmade frames here, show how much you treasure these."
Dr. Anderson stood stunned. She saw all this and had only known Amy for less then four days?
Amy also stood in shock at her observations.
Serena, seeing her friend's confusion, decided that this would be a good time to ask the questions she had ever since she meant Amy when Luna had 'Attacked' her.
"Amy, can I ask you something?"
Her head still swirling Amy replied, "Of course."
Serena took on a sad pleading look, gazing deep into Amy's eyes. For some reason she was terrified. It was as if she was looking into her very soul.
"Do you promise to answer truthfully and completely? I mean as a friend. No secrets? No lies?"
Amy terror increased.
'Oh no. She's going to ask me something and I'm going to have to tell her the complete truth and I'll loose the first friend I ever had.'
"Serena."
"Promise me Amy?"
Slowly, reluctantly Amy nodded, trying to hold back the tears.
Dr. Anderson however fumed. Who was this girl to bully her daughter? Raising her fist to pound on the door, she stopped short at the unexpected question Serena gave.
"Why is there so much pain, guilt, and self hatred in your eyes?"
Nothing. Nothing could have prepared her for the question.
Dr. Anderson also felt like a boulder had fallen on her head, her fist fell limply to her side.
'WHAT?'
Stuttering Amy replied. "I.I.I don't know what your talking about."
To her horror though, Serena simply pinned her with a knowing stare.
"Yes you do. It's about your father isn't it?"
Franticly she attempted to divert her.
"Yes that's it. I miss him."
Tears had started to fall down her face, but Serena ignored them for now. This was deeper then that.
"No, that's not it. It's something else."
Anger surged. The fight or flight mechanism kicked on in her psyche and flight already failed.
"Serena, you don't know what your talking about. So leave it."
But Serena never could leave a friend in pain and pushed on.
"It's about his death isn't it?"
Amy just glared, refusing to speak. If she didn't speak Serena would never guess.
"You feel guilty for some reason. Like it's your fault?"
Dr. Anderson simply stared at the door, her mind shutting down as she listened to the horrifying conversation.
Amy though was panicking. 'HOW? HOW DID SHE KNOW?'
"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT."
"It wasn't your fault Amy."
Six years of pain. Six years of guilt. Six years of agony came pouring out.
Hollering at the top of her lungs she shouted.
"YES IT WAS."
Dr. Anderson sobbed at this. How could she think that? How had she missed this?
All the pain came rushing out of her then. Unable to hold the tide back.
"HE DIED BECAUSE OF ME. BECAUSE OF MY SELFISHNESS. I WAS IN THE NATIONAL SPELLING BEE AND I BEGGED AND BEGGED HIM TO BE THERE FOR IT. HE WAS OUT OF TOWN AT THE SHOWING OF HIS WORK, AND ALL I CARED ABOUT IS HIS BEING THERE FOR ME. SO I COULD SHOW OFF FOR HIM. HE DROVE THAT NIGHT IN THE STORM TO SEE ME. IT WASN'T THE DRUNK DRIVER THAT KILLED HIM, IT WAS ME. AND I WAS ANGRY AT HIM THAT HE WASN'T THERE."
Dr. Anderson had sunk to the floor, weeping into hands, unable to move and comfort her child as the shock was to great.
Amy continued her rant however.
"THAT'S WHY I STUDY SO MUCH. WHY I HAVE TO BE THE PERFECT DAUGHTER. HAVE TO DO EVERY THING PERFECTLY. BECAUSE I TOOK HIS LIFE. I HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR IT. I HAVE TOO. I'M THE REASON HE'S DEAD. IT'S BECAUSE OF."
SMMMAAACCCK.
The silence and shock were deafening.
Amy, her trembling hand on her stinging cheek, stared at Serena tears streaming down her face as they did down her own.
"Don't you dare. Don't you dare hurt my friend Amy like this."
The passionate demand halted the hearts of the others.
Serena further startled Amy by taking her into a loving hug. Some thing she had received to few times over the last few years.
She recovered soon though and fought to be free.
But despite her struggles, Serena refused to let go.
"It was my fault. It was."
"I thought you said you loved your father?"
"What do you mean? I do love him."
Dr. Anderson was still to shock to even feel anger at the question.
"Then why are you hurting him like this?'
Amy came up short. 'What?'
"I.I'm not hurting him." She said this in a lost whisper.
Serena however refused to let it go.
"Oh? Yet you are hurting his beloved daughter. The one he painted these masterpieces for. The one he so obviously treasured. The one HE choose to come see that night."
"And died because of it. Because I forced him."
"Amy. Amy, my genius, beautiful, special, stupid friend. Think of it. Think of it with your heart, not your mind and guilt. Would you have come to see your daughter's special day if at all possible? Would you have driven that night to see her smiling face?"
Amy stilled her struggles, her thoughts taking an unknown turn.
"And if, heaven forbid, you'd died, would it have been her fault? Would you want her to feel guilty? To hate herself? To punish herself?"
Her mind traveling at a combination of warp speed and impulse she could only whimper, "No."
Smiling through her tears Serena nodded, gently pushing the blue hair from out of her eyes.
"No you wouldn't. You'd want her to be happy and loved. To enjoy life and live it to it's fullest. Not to feel only guilt and blame when she thought of you, but remember the good times, and love. Just as your father does."
Comprehension dawned on her, and the tears continued to come. She cried harder then ever. But these weren't tears of pain and guilt. Finally they were tears of love and release. She rocked back and forth in Serena's arms as her friend murmured encouragingly into her hair.
As her daughter continued to sob in her friend's arms, her mother slowly rose to her feet wiping her own eyes and quietly entered the room. She choked at the sight of the pain and release of her daughter's eyes and knelt next to her.
Serena looked up and smiled at her, knowing by the look in her eyes she had heard it all.
Amy started at the warm hand that lied itself on her shoulder, and looked into the tear-filled eyes of her mother.
She opened her arms and Amy flung herself into them, Serena having released her.
"Oh my precious one. No. No. It wasn't your fault. Your father had already planned to be there for it, before you had asked. But you know what a teaser he was. He wanted it to be a surprise."
Amy sobbed at that as the last of her guilt flew away. The memories of her father seemed to brighten even more.
The timer went off downstairs and Serena went to turn it off. They needed some time alone.
Going to the kitchen, she turned of the timer and removed the prime rib (YUUUMMMM) from the oven and set it on the cooling rack. Even she couldn't mess that up. And the small piece she cut off was just to check to see if it was done. Besides, she was hungry.
Then she went into the living room and waited her hosts' return.
Glazing over the mantel she saw a painted picture of the Anderson's. Later she'd learn that He drew it himself, from a family Photo.
A tall man next to the small-framed females, his green eyes blazed with a teasing sense of wonder. The more serious Dr. Anderson smiled as she had one arm around her husband and her hand resting on the smiling Amy.
Serena was awed at the happiness in Amy's eyes and turned her gaze back to Mr. Anderson and bowed.
As she did this Amy and Dr. Anderson came slowly down the stairs, their energy spent from crying.
So they both heard what Serena next said.
"Hello Mr. Anderson. My name is Serena Tsukino. I'm a friend of Amy's. We've only just met, but I consider her among my three best friends, with Molly and Luna. I promise you sir that I'll take good care of your daughter and protect her heart, and make sure she has fun and not have any brain seizures."
She bowed again as she said this, not noticing the shock in her hosts' eyes.
But then Serena raised her nose and sniffed the air. She smelled something burning from the kitchen and rushed too see what it was, and to her horror realized that the timer was for the pot on the stove as well as the prime rib.
Tears again slid down Amy's eyes, and her mother had a hard time keeping hers in check.
Shaking her head, Dr. Anderson couldn't believe that less then a half hour ago she wanted to forbid Amy from seeing her. Now she wouldn't care if brought down her daughter's grade.much. She'd still be thankful for her.
The cries of Serena as she tried to control the mess elated giggles from Amy and she rushed to help her friend.
Shaking her head, Dr. Anderson made her way into the living room, heading for the kitchen herself as her stare fixed on her husband.
"Was it you Michael? Did you send this angel to heal our daughter? Why do I feel that a higher power sent her here? Why do I feel you had a hand in it?"
Hearing the giggle and shrieks from the kitchen, imagining the mess gathering, she looked at him once more.
"Thank you Michael. Now I know Amy is in safe hands."
The pictures eyes seemed to twinkle at that.
"I love you."
The sentiment seemed to echo through the room, and not just in her voice.
With a sigh of completeness, she headed into the din.
******************************************************************
End Flash Back.
Thinking on this, she followed the champion of love and justice (And if she was shocked at Amy being Mercury, that was nothing on finding out who Moon was) to her room.
'Despite what I learned that day, I still left her alone too much. I should have realized that she needed more then just Serena.'
Following her into a fairly good-sized bedroom, the number of moon decorations there amused her. The blue bedspread with it's moon and stars. The mirror and the pink walls also sported various moon decorations.
Serena turned to her friend's mother and focused on the serious discussion that had to follow. Sure it might mean that the Scouts would be slightly less effective, but this was too urgent.
"Auntie Linda, I'm worried about Amy. She is in a lot of trouble, and I can't believe that you've let this go so long."
Aunt Linda stared at her uncomprehendingly. Had she missed something else in her Daughters life?
"What do you mean Serena? Does this have to do with her being a Scout?"
Serena could not believe the blindness of this woman. Did she want Amy to have a brain seizure?
"What do you mean you don't understand? She could have a seizure at any time!!!"
The child's shout startled her. Amy wasn't prone to diabetes, or seizures. Not any type of physiological difficulties. Her last physical gave her a clean bill of health.
"Serena, what do you mean? She has no history of seizures."
Infuriated she shot back.
"I mean she's thinking to much. She'll have a brain seizure just like daddy did."
Dr. Anderson just stared. Looking at her agonized features, she concluded that Serena was serious, but her words had no meaning to her.
"Serena, what do you mean by brain seizure?"
'I thought she was an Emergency room doctor?'
"You know. It's when you think to much and have to much knowledge upstairs, and your brain fries."
Laughter emitted from Dr. Anderson, and Serena growled.
"How can you be so cold about her welfare?"
That brought Dr. Anderson up short.
'Kami. She really believes that.'
"Serena, I'm a Doctor, and I can tell you that what you just said was not in anyway possible."
Serena's eyes widened. 'Maybe she has had a brain seizure too. After all, she was really smart too.'
"Uhhmm, Auntie Linda, maybe you should sit down. We can take you to the hospital too and have you checked up for brain seizures."
'She thinks I'm crazy.'
"Serena, who told you of Brain Seizures?"
"Uncle Genma. Usually I don't pay attention, because mom said he likes to lie and cheat and tease others, but he showed me a video when I was seven and a half and it showed Daddy having one."
She started to seethe at that. 'What had her Uncle told her.'
Realizing this was a bigger problem then she thought, she opened Serena's door and hollered out, "Irene, get up here, NOW."
Downstairs Amy spit out her drink. Her mother never yelled like that.
Luna glared at her and went about licking herself clean from the soda.
Irene groaned. Getting to her feet, she made her way upstairs and find out what commotion Serena had caused now.
Serena though was freaking. She couldn't bring this sensitive subject up to her mother. Uncle Genma had told her how upset she had been during this.
Desperately she pleaded to the adamant Physician, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.
Irene walked into the room, noting the begging her daughter was doing. Being down on her knees and pulling at her skirt was a bit of an amusing sight, but this was obviously a serious matter that Linda had felt the need to call her.
Seeing Irene enter, Linda said.
"Irene, why don't you ask Serena what her Uncle told her?"
Horror and despair entered into both eyes.
Serena, because she didn't want to hurt her mother or father.
Irene, because she was going to have to beat the tar out of her brother again.
"Serena, I thought I told you never to believe anything my no account brother told you?"
"I know Mom, but."
Her voice trailed off, unsure how to continue.
Linda added, "Don't be to hard Irene. Apparently this was when she was seven."
'Oh lord. This was before I finally convinced her he was not to be trusted.'
"Serena."
The command was there, all heard it, but still she hesitated.
"It's not that important Mom."
"SEREENNNAAA."
"UncleGenmatoldmeaboutdaddy'sbrainseizureandhowhelostmostofhisintelligence.A ndhetoldmenottoremindyoubecauseit'dhurtyou."
(Uncle Genma told me about daddy's brain seizure and how he lost most of his intelligence. And he told me not to remind you because it'd hurt you.)
And expert in Serenaese, Irene steamed.
"What brain seizure Serena?"
'The one on the video tape."
'Videotape. Seizure. Genma you BAKA.'
Gaining control of her emotion, barely, she spoke.
"Serena, are you talking about the one where he was dressed in a blue navy jacket and foamed at the mouth?"
Linda gasped at that. He showed a seven year old this?
At Serena's nod, Irene anger at her brother rose.
"Serena, that was a reaction to the medication he was on. He had been in a car wreck, sustaining a head injury and they put him on Tylenol with codeine. Then my BAKA brother spiked his drink with rum, vodka and gin on our wedding reversal. That was why it was taped."
"What? That could have killed him."
Linda response horrified Serena and brought back painful memories of his hospital stay for Irene. She nearly disowned him for it. If not for her promise to her mother to make sure he was all right, she'd have done just that.
Fortunately. Ken was a strong man and pulled through. But much to his regret Genma had left before he could thank him for the gift.
"You mean if I get A's in school I won't fry my brain?"
Slowly Irene answered. "Noooo. Serena what exactly happened that day. And what did my brother tell you."
Serena turned her toe into the rug, trying to decide if it was ok. This was Uncle Genma after all. She had heard all the stories about him
"Well, it was when he brought Ranma here during that training mission you were so angry about."
"I remember. I was furious with him and his wife. If not for Ranma, I'd have thrown him out. As it was, I was considering forcing him to go back home when he took off that night. With the family petty cash."
"He stole it?"
Linda's remark caused the two to laugh.
"Uncle Genma thinks of it as relocating it."
"Anyway, I had shown him my report card and asked him if he got all A's like I did. He told me no, that he didn't want a brain seizure."
The two women in the room fumed. What a despicable man.
"When I asked what that was, he said that when you were to smart and thought to much, you get brain seizures. You told me not to believe anything he said, but when I told him that, he snuck down stairs and took a tape from your room and played it for me."
Tears ran down her face, and her mother enveloped her in a hug.
"It was horrible, I cried for hours, and Uncle Genma sort of quaked in fear. He said because he didn't want you to find out. That he pitied you, and didn't want you reminded that your husband was mentally impaired."
Fury gripped the elder of the Satome children at her brother's stupidity and jealousy.'
"Serena, he was afraid because he knows what I'm going to do to him for hurting you."
Suddenly a light goes on and she put two and two together.
"Serena. That was when your problems at school started. Are you telling me that you've been intentionally failing at it?"
Shame overwhelming her, she lowered her head and nodded.
Irene hugged her tighter; plans of a painful demise for her brother flashing threw her head. But before she could comfort her child more, Linda interceded.
"Serena, as a doctor I assure you, there is no such thing as brain seizures. Never. What happen was not your fault, but your Uncle's. You were to young then to understand what he was doing to you."
Her mother agreed. "It's true love, Genma was always jealous of anyone better then him. Including me. He never could stand the fact that I was a better fighter then him."
Wide eyed, she stared at here in wonder. "You can fight Mom."
"Yep. Taught your father too. But after seeing what it did to Genma and Soun, we decided not to teach you or your brother until you were old enough. I regret that now, you'd have much greater fighting skills if you had learn the anything goes technique."
"Well, why not now. All the scouts can use the experience."
Irene pondered. 'A wise choice daughter.'
"That had been the plan. In fact we were about to bring it up when you kidnapped Linda."
Blushing, Serena nodded. "I know. I was worried about Amy. But I promise to take my studying more seriously. And not cheat on tests anymore."
"WHAT?"
Two raised voices clashed at this news. She cheated?
Before her mother could recover and lash into her, Serena responded.
"Yeah. I've been marking a lot of the answers wrong. I thought if I did that, I could fool my brain into thinking I didn't know it."
Linda covered her mouth, but still the chuckles escaped.
Irene though thought, 'She may be smarter then she lets on, but she's still the dreamer and innocent she's always been. Thank god.'
"That may be wise dear. Now just to think of a revenge on my brother."
Serena's eyes gleamed, and an idea formed.
Picking up her cell phone, she dialed her Uncle's number. He gave it to her in case he ever needed to use her.err, he meant she ever needed his help.
Listening to the phone, she brightly replies to an annoyed voice that answers.
"Tendo residents. Akane speaking."
"Hi, can I speak to Uncle Genma? This is his niece Serena."
The voice was pleasant and cheerful. Akane wondered as she went to get the Baka how she could be related to him.
Irene however was startled that she had the lowlife's number, and wondered what she was up to.
"Serena?"
Hearing her Uncle's voice, Serena put on a sad, desperate tone into her voice.
"Oh Uncle Genma it's horrible."
Fear entered into Genma's soul. 'Uh-oh what did I do now? Is Irene going to barbeque me?'
"What is dear?"
"I've been THINKING." Serena did this in a high-pitched wail sure to drive the other end of the phone insane.
"Uhmm Serena, what do you mean?"
"I'M GOING TO BE BRAIN SEIZED."
Genma, not the most intelligent of men, barely remembered that incident. But the fear of his sister killing him suddenly returned the memory and sweat rolled down his face.
"Now dear."
"Oh Uncle Genma. It's horrible, but I know what to do."
'When did it get so hot in here?'
"What's that dear?"
"Easy. You told me how the homeless were stupid lazy idiots, not like mom and dad who say their our brothers and sisters and deserve our respect and help."
"Now dear." His voice in a panic.
"I'm running away Uncle Genma and I'll never think again. And I owe it all to you. Thank you soooo much."
"SERENA."
'She's going to kill me. She's going to kill me.'
"I'm leaving now Uncle Genma. That way no one can catch me. Bye. I love you."
Click
"OH GOD. SHE'LL KILL ME FOR SURE. I HAVE TO CALL HER. I HAVE TO RUN. I HAVE TO HIDE. HAWAII IS NICE THIS TIME OF YEAR."
Irene, Linda, and Serena, no longer able to hold it in, collapse in laughter.
"Oh, sweetie. That was priceless."
Her cell started ringing then, and her caller id picks up the Tendo phone.
With an evil grin she answered.
"SERENA. SERENA. Is that you sweet heart?"
"No, it's Genma."
The tiny voice squeaked.
In a tearful voice she wailed.
"Oh Genma, I can't talk now. My baby has run away. Oh what am I going to do?"
Shrinking to miniature size, Genma said.
"About Serena."
"Oh my baby. When I find out what happen to her, I'm going to demolish the one that drove her off. I'll rip them in two, after breaking every single bone in their body."
Bang.
Picking up the phone, Akane looks at the ashen-faced unconscious man in disgust.
"Hello? Whose is this?"
"This is Serena's mother, what happen to my brother?"
Shrugging, she said, "Looks like he fainted."
"He fainted?"
Laughter abounds in the room. They're dying there.
Akane also laughed at this sorry excuse for a man.
Groaning, Genma rose.
Akane, not really knowing what was going on, but sensing his discomfort gave him the phone back.
"Genma, why are you calling?" Irene said this in a harsh tone, letting her anger grow.
Whimpering, he mewed. "I told her that she'd have brain seizures if she thought to much. Please don't kill me."
"GENMA.I already know. Serena is here safe and sound. It was her idea to punish you this way."
Bang.
Grinning, Akane picked up the phone.
"That was great, please feel free to call anytime."
"My pleasure, Akane dear, I owe you one. Tell him not to contact us again for a long while please."
At her affinitive, Irene bid her a warm farewell, and blessings for putting up with the BAKA.
Then she fell on the floor with Linda and Serena.
"That was mean." Serena gasped.
"But well deserved."
The three finally composed themselves and made their way down the stairs.
They're appearance caught everyone's attention. The tears and laughter on their faces caused much confusion amongst the group.
Ken went to his wife, and embraced her. He had heard his brother in-laws name mentioned and fury at the toad caused him to hit the wall.
This caused him to give the audience a brief over view of the toad.
Irene, with more then a little fury and humor told the tale of what she had learned.
Serena, ashamed at her naivety, hung her head down.
Raye snorted at the end of the story.
"Leave it to Serena to let a Baka trick her like that."
The rest of the room glared at the priestess in training, while Serena wailed.
"Raye you're always so mean to me."
Sticking out her tongue, she expected the usual raspberry war. She was wrong.
Raye shook at that. Her conversation with her grandfather coming back to her, and shame filled her that she had broke her pledge so soon.
"Your right Serena. I'm sorry."
The reactions to this were many fold.
Her grandfather looked upon her in pride, while most of the family in amusement.
The scouts though were another matter.
"Huh?"
Serena asked though her still stuck out tongue made the statement garbled.
With a sigh Raye continued.
"I have been mean and unfair to you. Please accept my apology for all the times I've insulted you."
She bowed in respect at the end of the statement. But after several seconds of no response, she started to look up annoyed, only to find Serena lifting her broach, and the other Scouts hollering their transformation phrases.
"Moon Prism Power Make Up."
"Jupiter Power Make Up."
"Venus Power Make Up."
"Mercury Power Make Up."
Stunned, she reflexively reached for her pen fearing a Yoma attack, when she was hit by 85 pounds of raging scout.
Sailor Moon slammed into her with righteous fury, with Jupiter and Venus soon behind, pinning her arms to the ground, the advisors in the background hissing furiously at her.
Dazed as her head hit the floor, she looked into the eyes of Sailor Moon and suddenly realized why the victimizers of the innocent fear this girl in battle. Despite herself she gulped.
"You scum sucking, no good, rotten, slime infested Nega scum. What did you do with her?"
The other scouts raged with fury as their leader laid into her, but she had no clue what she was talking about.
"Meatball head, what the blazes are you talking about?"
"Serena let her go."
Her parents were horrified, after there shock over the girls' transformation had been completed.
But the guardians interceded.
"Calm down Irene, the scouts can handle this. And don't worry Sensei Hino, we will rescue Raye from this scum."
Raye glared at the cats, and attempted to squirm out of the grasps she found herself in, only to be smashed down by the domineering champion of Justice.
"Don't even think it Nega sleaze. We're on to you."
"WHAT?"
"WHAT DID YOU DO WITH RAYE? IF SHE'S HURT YOU ARE SO DEAD."
"YEAH. SO PEANUT BUTTER AND JAM."
"Venus, that's toast." Sighed Jupiter.
"But I like Peanut butter and Jam."
Hubert sighed. 'Defiantly from her mother.'
Helena sighed. 'Defiantly from her father.'
Artemis sighed. 'I don't know her.'
Sailor Moon, ignoring them shouted to the scout of wisdom, "Mercury?"
Amy was typing furiously on her computer. The results made no sense to her.
Shaking her head she called back, "She's not a Yoma Serena."
"What?" Cried out five voices.
"How can that be?"
"What are you idiots talking about? Of course I'm not a Yoma."
Venus perks up. "Of course, she's a clone. The Negaverse cloned Raye and sent her duplicate to take her place."
The rest of the family groan at Mina's stupidity, but the scouts and guardians quickly latched onto the idea.
Mercury smiled. "Of course, why I didn't think to check for that?"
That said, her turned the scanner for medical scanner mode and checked her DNA for the necessary alterations in her genetic structure that would be evident.
As she did this, Dr. Anderson drooled over her shoulder at the power and sophistication of her HAND held computer.
'WHERE CAN I GET ONE?'
"Do it Amy." Looking at steaming Scout, she said.
"Look, we don't blame you. You're just a puppet of the Jerkverse. But your also Raye's twin sister, so we'll free you and welcome you into the family. But we have to free Raye too."
"I'M NOT A CLONE YOU BAKA."
Jupiter chuckled. "Yeah that's Raye's clone alright."
Mercury sighed. "There's only a .000000001 percent change in her DNA structure from last scan. Her natural aging process would apply to the discrepancies."
The cats, scout and family stare at her.
Sigh.
"It's Raye."
"OHHHHH."
"Dang, I was sure she was a clone. Like attack of the clones."
Jupiter turned green.
"An army of Raye's with attitudes?"
Shutters.
"Well if not that, then what?"
Moon's question did nothing to calm the fiery scout.
"I'M RAYE YOU BAKKKKKAAAAA."
With a glare at her Serena proceeded to ignore her.
"Grrrrrrrr."
"I know."
The excited response from the solider of wisdom caught their focus.
"What Amy?"
Excitedly typing on her computer she replied.
"She must be a counterpart of Raye from another dimension."
Moon grinned. "I knew we could count on you for the right answer Amy."
"I thought a clone was a good idea."
Artemis smiled at his charge. "It was Venus. You should be proud of that observation."
"GRRRRRRRRR."
The beeping of Amy's computer and groan of disappointment crashed down the scouts' feelings of triumph.
"No quantum alteration to her bio-matrix. This is our Raye."
The others slowly let go, save for Sailor Moon.
"But what's happen then."
"YOU BAKA. NOTHING HAPPENED SAVE YOU BAKA'S ATTACTED ME FOR ANY REASON. NOW MY HEAD HURTS."
Horror entered into Serena's _expression, again terrifying the scout of passion, but for another cause.
'Kami, what now?'
"Oh god, Raye you have a head injury don't you. What'd you do, hit it when you fell today?"
The girls lift her too the couch, and a wild eyed Mina grins.
"Don't worry Raye, Nurse Mina will get you an ice pick."
Rushing to the kitchen, with her father in tow, Artemis and Helena start to sweat.
Looking down upon the cat, she begged; "Please say she didn't inherit her father's medical skills."
Horrible memories haunt his eyes, of when he had been injured during the battles.
"You mean lack off?"
"Poor Raye. The two of them together."
During this time, Serena had Raye up on the couch, and fawning over her.
"Don't fall asleep Raye, what ever you do. You might not wake up?"
"What? You didn't throw me into the floor that hard."
"Maybe not, but added to the injury earlier, it must be sever."
Amy was running a scan of her head and brain synapses that Doctors over the world would kill for. Her mom was plotting on how to *borrow* the computer for a while.
Raye was about to respond to her friend's sanity, when Mina returned and shoved the thermometer into her mouth, and nearly out the other side.
"OWHGWH" (Translated: Ouch, mina you moron.)
Grabbing her wrist, Mina looked at her own, as if taking a pulse. Problem though was she didn't have a watch on.
"Hey, where do I put this ice pick in?"
Raye nearly fainted at the statement, visions of where she might put the VERY sharp instrument dancing through her head.
Thanking the almighty, she nearly wept with relief as Lita snatched the article from her hands, and Serena pushed her aside.
"Mina, that is not an ICE PACK."
"Oh."
Her father then came in carrying a tub full of ice.
"Can't have to much ice for your head Raye dear."
Then he proceeded to trip and spill the entire load over her head.
Deciding Raye needed rescuing, Helena entered into the fry and latched onto both her CHILDREN'S ears.
"Enough you two. There is a doctor here. Remember?"
The doctor in question was still drooling over the Mercury computer.
"I DON'T HAVE A HEAD INJURY."
"Raye calm down. Yelling not good for the brain trauma."
Lita's statement, the cold ice, which the scout of fire hated with a passion, and the rest of this idiocy had her contemplating a fire soul attack. The ice started to turn to stream rising from her body.
"ARGGHH. I can't figure out what's wrong with her."
Amy's outburst stunned the room. She was the most level headed of the group.
"What do you mean Amy? She's brain damaged."
Mina was lucky her mom stood between them, or she'd be in sooooo much pain right now.
"No Mina, that's just it. My scans show slight swelling from the impact of her fall to the sub-dermis tissue to the anterior of her head, but her synapses are responding appropriately and there is no edema to the brain tissue."
Amy's mother understood.
No one else did.
SIGH.
"She's got a bump to the head and that's it. No brain damage."
"But Amy, how do you explain."
"I can't."
Raye, using meditation techniques that were barely controlling her temper, mumbled.
"I'm nice Raye. I'm Good Raye. I'm Caring Raye. I'm Peaceful Raye."
Serena heard this and put two and two together.
Going over to her, she enveloped her in a hug.
"Of course you are Raye. But we'd like to talk to Mean Raye for a moment."
Two and two equaled six. "WHATTT?"
"Raye, great your back."
The other girls took up the notion.
"Fascinating. I never would have thought it of Raye."
"Wow Raye, how old is Nice Raye anyway?"
"Do the two of you have any other sisters?"
"It's ok Raye. We'll be here for all of you."
"Wow, I never met anyone with multiple brains before."
"That's multiple personalities Mina."
Grandpa Hino, unable to hold it in anymore fell to the ground laughing.
"Grandpa, don't you dare laugh at Raye. That's just mean. She can't help herself. The stress probably got to her."
His laughter increased.
And Raye blew her top.
"THAT'S IT. What is wrong with you people? I'm not a Yoma. I'm not a clone. I'm not from another dimension. Don't have brain damage. AND DO NOT HAVE A SPLIT PERSONALITY."
Serena at the end of her patience retaliated.
"Then what is wrong with you? If your not a denizen of evil or brain damaged, why are you acting so strange?
"What are you talking about?"
"You were nice to me. And apologized. The Raye I know never would have done that."
This brought her up short, and still the laughter from her Grandfather.
'Was I really that bad?'
Hanging her head down, she answered. "I know. Grandpa made me realize that."
This didn't seem to brighten Serena. If anything she looked sadder.
"Oh I see. He made you."
The sadness was not lost on her.
"No. No. I mean yes, but no."
Sigh.
She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to come up with a satisfactory explanation. And all she could think of was the truth.
Sigh.
(Boy, there's a lot of that going on)
"When I was little, my Mom died. I was only four. My father sent me to live with my Grandfather. He couldn't in his words, "Take care of the freak".
"A couple of years later, in first grade, he died. I saw this in my first vision, and screamed it out in class."
She ignored the group hug her friends had her in, lost in the past memories.
"When I came back to school, I was the freak. The few friends I had turned on me and repulsed me, and the rest looked on in fear. I was called names and basically made a pariah in school."
"Then I met you, and finally someone looks at me without fear. Not put off by my powers. And what do I do? I treat you just like they treated me. If not worse. I'm no better then them."
The other three said nothing, for at times they had been mad at her for her treatment of their first friend, but Serena was just mad.
"That's not true."
"Yes it."
"NO IT'S NOT. Ok, maybe you go a bit over board, and can be a bit cruel sometimes, but I've always known that it was to push me to be better. I'm not saying it didn't hurt. They did, but I always knew you cared."
"So that's it. You didn't care at all?"
That she didn't react to the gibes hurt slightly. As if her outlook didn't have any weight.
"No, they mattered. And I have cried myself to sleep sometimes over others opinion. But you're not the worse. Luna, Mom, Dad and Sammy defiantly qualify. And the Zit is most assuredly the worse."
The selected individuals felt not a little guilt at that but listened to her as she continued.
"But I still care Raye. You guys are my sisters in all but blood. Those jerks that called themselves your friends, weren't. Not REAL ones."
"Now, I'm not saying I wouldn't want a bit of a change, but truth is, I'd miss our fights if they just vanished."
She chuckled at that. She'd miss them too.
Looking into the soul of her first friend, she felt the love radiating there, and for the first time in nearly ten years felt herself truly blessed.
"Sisters. I like that."
Lita, herself choked up agreed.
"Me too. You're the first person that ever looked at me with out fear."
With a confused look on her face she asked, "Huh? Why?"
"HA, HA, HA. You did the same thing when I asked you that the first day."
Serena crossed her arms and pouted.
"That's because I still can't understand what you meant."
The giggles of the girls annoyed her quite a bit, but none enlightened her to as too why.
"I know what you two mean. I think I realized it from the moment she slapped me at home."
Her Mother and Serena smiled at that, while the others gasped.
Her parents we're about to reprimand her for it, but Amy gave a short version of what happen.
Her parents by now were bursting with pride, when Mina came up to bat.
"You sure have a way to turn our world upside down Rena. First smacking Amy into shape. Then barreling through the walls of a Shinto Priestess. Then causing an Amazon to cry. Then seeing through to the inner core of a lonely girl."
"When we met, you took one look at my clown act and ignored it. Treated me like a friend and equal right away. Even looked up to me as your hero Sailor V."
"You are one of my heroes Mina."
Choke
"Your mine too."
Wails from five girls.
"GROUP HUG."
Awww. Kawaii.
The family looked on in touched amusement, and some guilt. But this was a time for healing, not self-blame.
"You guys are the best too. I mean, I have had a lot of friends, but the only one as close as you is. was."
The fall of her face told them all they needed to know.
"Now Serena, you know that was necessary. It was for everyone's good."
Luna's lecture had not the effect she hoped. Instead, Serena bolted from the room, a look of anguish upon her vintage, and locked herself in her room, refusing to answer to her mother's pleas.
Down stairs, four guilty and p.o'd scouts berated themselves and a certain cat.
"That was cold Luna."
"Yeah, how can you be so heartless?"
"Right. Serena's very charged about this thing." "Yeah. It really burns her up about this."
(Bet you can't guess who said what. Snort)
"It had to be."
"What had to be Luna?"
At Ken's tone, Luna cringed.
"Well, it was Serena's idea actually."
"Her idea, but we all agreed, even after we realized it was pointless."
Amy's soft whispered statement silenced the rest of the scouts, as they realized how they hurt their friend with there jealously.
"We were jealous, plain and simple. We knew how close she was with her, but we still tried to keep her away."
"Yeah. When ever she wanted to invite her, we used the excuse of possible scout business as a crutch."
"And did we latch on to her idea that she was the reason she was always attacked. Because she was so close to her."
"Logically that was a fairly far fetched concept. But when it was proven wrong, we convinced her that it was better this way. Even when she begged us to let her tell her."
Luna growled at that.
"That was a very foolish idea of hers"
Lita growled, that was going over board.
"As I recall, she also begged us to tell the parents. Was that a bad idea? Now I have a.a new M.Mother to live with."
Patricia Haruna smiled; she knew she had to give her time to adjust to the situation.
"An my parents are supporting me now."
The Hearts blushed.
"So is my mom. No more hiding and lies."
Large grin on Dr. Anderson.
"And now grandpa and I are getting along better."
Gentle smile.
"Well yes, but this is different."
"How so Luna?"
Irene glared at the cat as she came down the stairs.
"The more people that know the more likely that something will slip."
"Even a trusted friend? Even if it scars the person with the lies?"
"NO."
This did not come from Luna, but the girls.
"Serena has always been there for us, now it's our turn."
Raye turned to her friends.
"All in favor of letting Serena telling Molly say aye."
Four ayes ring out, but Luna attempt to regain some control.
"Girls it's too dangerous. We have too."
"Aye."
She twirled around in horror at Artemis.
"What?"
"Luna. Its time to take care of your charge's well being."
This brought her up short. Was this really so important for her well-being? She thought of the girl's caring spirit. Her zest for life. And the pain she saw, and refused to acknowledge, when she let that friendship go.
"Aye."
Irene smiled, she was afraid she'd have to lay the law down.
"This is a good day for it. It's their anniversary."
"What?"
"They met when they we're two years old at the sand box at the park. Every year they insist on going there to renew the oath of friendship."
Smiling, the four walked up to the rabbit's room and pounded on the door.
"Open up or we knock down the door Serena."
At Raye's bellow, the girl trudged over and unlocked the door, but didn't open it.
Then she returned to her bed, hugging her beloved Bunny.
The girls opened the door, and felt their hearts sink at the dejected look on their leader's face. The pain and loss evident in her posture.
Lita, taking the direct approach told her what they decided.
"Serena, we had a vote, and it was unanimous. We want you to tell Molly everything."
For a second hope gleamed in her eyes, but quickly faded.
"It's to late. She hates me."
The lost, little girl quality drove the guilt in deeper.
Mina skipped to the bed and put an arm around her.
"Hey, is this the girl that refuses to give up hope? Who believes in her friends? Are you telling me you don't believe in Molly's friendship?"
She started at that. Molly was the best; she'd forgive anything just about.
"But what about the dangers?"
"Less dangerous for a Yoma magnet to have Scouts around all the time."
Raye's gibe caused a tongue war.
"I told you not to call her that." BRRRPPPPPPPPPTTTTT.
Raye's mature response: BRRRRRRPPPPPPPTTTTT
The girls felt relief pour throughout their beings. These to we're still friends.
"But what if.?"
Amy took her hand in hers.
"Serena. Isn't she worth the risk? And shouldn't it be her choice?"
"Amy's right. We all owe her that much at least."
Giving her friends a watery smile, she nodded.
"But she was to be let out early today to meet her father's plane. We usually meet at the beginning of the day and spend it together. Then at four we meet at our special spot. But not this year."
She buried her face into the rabbit and murmured; "The only reason I know that is because Melvin told me."
"Well you'll just have to meet her when she gets back."
"Melvin mentioned that it would be around two this afternoon."
"You've been listening to gossip Amy?"
"No, not really." Squeaked a red-faced girl.
The ensuring laughter lightened the atmosphere.
Taking the opportunity of the peace, Mina launched into a thought she had earlier.
"Hey Serena."
Serena, recognizing the tone as her, let's make some one squirm tone, started to do just that.
'Uh-oh.'
The others also realize something juicy was up and leaned in.
"You said earlier that the Zit caused you to cry yourself to sleep the most of anyone. And you've know him only a year."
'No.'
"Does that mean you care about what he says? Maybe even like him?"
Like vultures diving in for the kill, the four surround her.
"EEP." ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Cliff Hanger.
I thank my partner Chris for putting up with my insanity. How'd you like it?
See you next chapter.