Chapter 8

Exposed

"Has she said anything yet?" Mina asked Serena as she sat down next to her with two steaming cups of tea. She handed one to Serena who accepted it gratefully.

"No. I didn't expect her to." Serena commented as she sipped. The tea was soothing and warm. It trickled down her throat, instantly sending warmth seeping through her veins.

The two girls fell into silence as they sipped their tea just outside of the temple under the covering of the roof overhang. It was still raining. The ground outside of the temple had transformed into a muddy field, sending their early morning trainings indoors. Luckily their session had been cancelled that morning on account of the previous night's developments.

"Hey." Darien joined the two girls just under the covering. "How is she doing?"

"She won't talk to anyone." Mina answered as she set her tea down. "We're thinking that we'll all just keep to the temple right now and give her support."

"That's smart." Darien said, while casting a long look at Serena whose lips were pursed into a thin line. "Serena… I know what you're thinking…"

"Do you now?" She snapped instinctively.

"Serena, this isn't your fault." Darien insisted.

"Yes it is!" She set her tea down and stood. "It's all my fault. Everything that has happened is my fault! I'm the one that left! I'm the one who didn't follow our 'stay in groups' rule. I'm the one that was taken! I'm the one that couldn't transform and help you all. Do you know how hard it was to watch all of you fighting and getting hurt and not being able to do anything? Darien, this is all my fault! Now everyone is hurt and Amy… poor Amy…" She trailed off as tears filled her eyes.

"Serena, don't you understand that this is what they want? They want you to feel this way so you'll do something stupid and turn yourself over—" Mina began. Her eyes widened in realization.

Serena cast her a long, painful look.

"No Serena, don't! That's stupid!" She protested.

Darien stood and took a step towards her. "No you're not giving yourself up to the enemy. Serena, if we lose you we lose this battle."

"What other choice do I have? You were there! You saw how they fought! You heard what they wanted. You and twenty million other people saw the news broadcast. You saw what they did to Amy!" Serena could hold back her tears no longer. They trickled down her cheeks, falling to her shoulders just as the rain trickled down the edge of the roof to the saturated ground below.

Powerless. That was how Serena felt. It killed her that she could do nothing to help her friends, nothing to save or protect them. What was she now if not Sailor Moon? What power did she have now?

"How is Amy?" Amara asked as she and Michelle walked under the covering of the temple, interrupting the silence. Michelle shook her umbrella free of the loose droplets of water that clung to it as Amara sat down next to Mina.

"She's not talking to anyone." Mina answered.

"She must be taking it really hard." Michelle noted. "It's best she stay here and keep a low profile."

"She's a pediatrician. She has clients to see still. How can she go out there and face them all? Her career is ruined. Her life will never be the same. It's all my fault…" Serena answered, on the verge of tears once more.

"Stop it right there!" Amara snapped as she stood. "You didn't expose her to the world Serena! The enemy did that. They're the ones that put her face on TV and showed everyone who she truly was. Now everyone knows that Amy Mizuno is Sailor Mercury."

Serena cringed at Amara's words. It killed her that Amy had to suffer on account of her actions. "Look, Serena, this isn't your fault. We all knew the risks when we started fighting against evil, we've known that from the very beginning. We knew that with our powers we had to hide our identities but the threat of being exposed always lingered. How many years did we fight without anyone knowing who we were?" Michelle asked.

Serena hesitated before answering. "A lot…"

"Exactly." Michelle stated. "Serena, this was going to happen one day, be it now or next year or on our deathbeds. It just so happens that the time has come that the world learns who the sailor scouts are."

Mina, Michelle, Amara and Darien all fell into a stoic silence as Serena hugged her knees. She didn't know what to say. How could she? They were all about to face exposure just as Amy had. It was if they were mentally preparing themselves for the onslaught ahead.

Behind them the temple door slid open. All five heads turned to see a pale Amy dressed in a deep blue dress underneath a gray sweater.

"I'm going to work." She stated simply as she grabbed her umbrella.

"You're insane!" Mina scoffed. "You don't know what will happen out there with … with…"

"I'm Sailor Mercury but I'm also a doctor and I have patients to see." Amy said as she shouldered her purse. "I don't expect any of you to hide if or when you are faced with your past as a sailor scout coming to light. I am going to be the example. I'm going back out there." She said firmly.

Serena stood and laid a hand on Amy's arm. "Would you like me to come with you?"

Amy almost looked relieved. "I would love to have you come along." She said. "But it may implicate you too and arise suspicion."

Serena nodded solemnly.

"I'll go." Zoisite offered as he and Nephrite joined the group outside.

Everyone's eyebrows lifted in surprise.

"The world doesn't know who I am." Zoisite added quickly. "And it doesn't matter if they find out. I won't be putting anyone at risk and I can help protect Amy if the enemy attacks."

"That's very sweet Zoisite but you can't protect me… you no longer have your powers." Amy stated.

"They do." Darien answered for Zoisite. He gave the scouts a guilty look before standing and shoving his hands in his pockets. "I gave them their power crystals back. We need the extra help and these guys are hell of fighters. They've proven themselves useful and if they want to help who are we to ignore them?"

Amara solemnly nodded but the others didn't seem as convinced.

"They did save me." Serena said out loud. "Why not?"

Mina sighed at the thought of Kunzite having power again and just as quickly remembered the kiss he planted on her so unceremoniously the night before. Her cheeks flushed at the thought.

"Let's go." Amy said to Zoisite. "You're holding the umbrella."

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"I don't know if anyone properly thanked you for saving Serena… but thank you." Amy said, breaking the silence as she and Zoisite walked to the Juban District Hospital. The streets were mostly empty due to the rain and in most places severe flooding was visible. Both Amy and Zoisite had on high rain boots to wade through the water and an umbrella to keep their heads dry.

"You're welcome." Zoisite answered as extended his hand to Amy to help her cross a particularly flooded street.

She gratefully took his hand and allowed him to guide her across. "You guys don't talk much."

A smile tugged at the corner of Zoisite's mouth. "There isn't much to say to you scouts… you're all living in your own world… mind you it's a world that we tried to destroy last time we were here… it's just… tough."

"I suppose we haven't been entirely welcoming either. I apologize for that. Kunzite said that you were all trying to learn how to be human again. We should make more of an effort to make that transition easier." Amy stated as she hopped over a deeper part of the flooded street. The small heel of her boot caught the end of a sidewalk but Zoisite caught her before she fell into the water.

"Are you okay?" Zoisite asked as he held her above the water.

Her cheeks flushed as he continued to wade through the water, holding her tightly against his chest. Amy found herself gazing into his deep green eyes. His hair, a wavy mass of blond strands, fell against his face making him appear almost angelic. She grinned sheepishly. "I'm not the most coordinated."

"Better than some of your friends." Zoisite commented as he set her back down onto the sidewalk. His hands reluctantly left her sides.

"Maybe." Amy commented as they continued to walk. She caught herself staring at him. He'd been hanging around the scouts for days yet she had never noticed how… handsome he was. Her cheeks flushed again at the thought.

"Something wrong?" Zoisite asked as he held the umbrella a little higher to get a look at her.

"No… I was just thinking." She stated as they neared the hospital. She paused at the end of the street, sighing as she gazed upon its glassy structure, reflecting back the flooded streets and empty sidewalks. A cold dose of reality washed over her as easily as a wave. Through those doors waited an onslaught of people she didn't care to see while her patients needed her help.

"I'm here for you." Zoisite commented. "Just say the word and I'll clear a path… or cause a distraction… or—"

Amy giggled uncontrollably. "No… no… none of that will be necessary."

Zoisite nodded and gave her a grin.

"Alright… let's go." She slipped her hand into his.

Zoisite found himself puzzled at how small and warm her hand was in hers. He suddenly felt a strong desire to protect her, something he hadn't felt for another human in a long time. Amy squeezed his hand and together they walked into the hospital.

"Miss Mizuno! Miss Mizuno!"

Flashes of light greeted them as they walked in. It seemed as if hundreds of reporters, camera men, and photographers were waiting in the lobby. Each person was screaming Amy's name, taking pictures, asking questions, and pushing their way towards her for a picture or quote.

Zoisite pulled the damp umbrella down to cover Amy's face and pushed forward with his arm around her, yelling at everyone that blocked them. "Get out of the way! Move it! She has a job to get to! MOVE!"

Amy held onto him gratefully as they charged forward to the elevators. Zoisite got them to the elevator in record time, shutting out all the noise from the lobby.

Amy sank to her knees, breathing deeply as the elevator rode up to the sixth floor. Zoisite closed the umbrella and got down next to her. "You okay?"

She looked up at him with a wide smile. "I'm great... really… thank you."

Zoisite grinned as his wavy blond hair fell onto his face. "I'll wait by the elevators until you get off. I'll keep them out, you just do what you need to do and don't worry about anything else."

Amy leaned forward and brushed his hair out of his face, tucking it gently behind his ear. Her lips then skimmed the top of his right cheek. "Thank you." She whispered as she retreated.

Zoisite froze when he felt her kiss. He hadn't anticipated that she would make contact again with him so soon. It was odd that her small gestures of appreciation felt so energizing to him. He could almost feel himself swelling with courage and power. Could it be that human contact was what the generals needed to regain their humanity? Maybe Kunzite had been onto something. It hadn't escaped their notice that he had been following Mina around like a lost puppy, whining about love. Nephrite and he had laughed just the night before at their once powerful leader's actions. Now all Zoisite could think of was his burning desire to touch Amy again.

He extended his hand and laid it on her shoulder. "You're welcome," were the only words he could muster.

The elevator dinged as it arrived to the fifth floor. Amy got to her feet and extended her hand down to Zoisite to help him up.

He took her hand and got to his feet in one quick movement. Almost too quick. His balance was thrown off, sending him stumbling into Amy who squealed as they fell against the wall of the elevator.

Both of them stood still for a moment. Amy was against the elevator, her back pressed against the cold wood paneling with her chest right against Zoisite's. Zoisite still held Amy's hand but his other was planted firmly against the wall beside her head. He could feel her breath on his skin, feel her heart beating wildly against his chest. Her hand suddenly felt sweaty in his.

"Z...Zoisite..." She whispered. Her dark blue eyes bore into his his.

He couldn't read her expression. Her eyes were wide but she wasn't scared. Her stance was relaxed against his. Her heart still raced wildly as if she was afraid but somehow he knew that she wasn't. He couldn't understand it.

Behind them the elevator dinged once more. The doors spread apart revealing a bustling lobby. No press. No cameras. No one screaming for an interview. Just the life that Amy knew. Her life apart from Sailor Mercury.

Zoisite moved away from Amy, letting go of her hand reluctantly as she rushed out of the elevator and down the hall.

He watched her form disappear as a sinking feeling overcame him. What had just happened?

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As the rain finally retreated for the day, leaving the soggy city to dry under a blanket of heavy clouds, Serena found herself looking longingly out the window of the temple. She was dressed in a white strapless sundress underneath a brilliant blue shrug. Her hair was long and loose, held back only with a small blue butterfly pin that had been a gift from Amy.

Blake watched her as she watched the birds flying by. He approached her quietly and tugged down the corner of her shrug to kiss her bare shoulder. His lips skipped across her skin, sending tiny fireworks along her shoulder to her neck.

Serena giggled and pushed him away. "Stop that…" She said coyly.

From across the room Darien watched them with narrowed eyes.

"Why don't we go out? Show me the city." Blake said as he took a seat next to her.

"Great idea!" Mina piped from across the room. "Why don't we all go?" She cast a look at those in the main temple room: Kunzite, Nephrite, Jadeite, Darien, Raye, Michelle and Lita. Amara and Trista had gone to work for the day.

"Sure." Darien grinned.

Serena shot him a questioning look but his grin only widened.

"Won't this be interesting?" Lita whispered to Michelle who erupted into a fit of giggles. Neither of them had missed Darien's sneer.

Twenty minutes later all of them were walking down the streets to Juban shopping center. Now that the rains had stopped the streets were crowded. Serena didn't mind. The city felt more alive with the rain gone for the day. She welcomed the sight of other people milling about, reminding her of her true home.

She held Blake's hand as they walked, wanting him to keep near her as she pointed out different places. Her mouth was running wild as she recalled several hilarious stories to go with each new street they walked on. Blake laughed heartily as each story mainly involved Serena's clumsiness or her desire for delicious food and treats.

Kunzite watched them with an increased interest as Blake continued to lavish affection on Serena who shyly met his advances with either fits of giggles or blushing smiles.

Despite Mina's best attempts Kunzite stayed close to her as the group navigated through the crowds.

"Why do they hold hands?" He asked her.

Mina huffed in annoyance. Now that the sun had come out the summer air had an uncomfortable stickiness that only made her feel more irritable. To make matters worse her long blond hair kept falling onto her face and sticking to her sweating cheeks. "I'm not going down this road with you again. Last time you kissed me and it was uncalled for!" She began to walk even faster.

"I'm sorry." Kunzite stated as he took longer strides to keep up Mina. "I'm just having trouble adjusting to human life. I don't want to be an emotionless robot like Queen Beryl had me. I want to experience life again."

Mina was surprised at his words. Was she actually feeling guilty? The thought nearly infuriated her. Somehow, she was surprised at how kind his ice blue eyes, eyes that haunted her dreams so many years ago, now flashed a gentle brilliant lilac. She opened her mouth to respond but Kunzite suddenly stopped.

It was almost as if he could sense something was wrong. He stopped and rested a hand on her shoulder.

"What is it?" Mina asked as she looked around them. She didn't shrink away from his touch.

"Something is here…" Kunzite remarked.

Ahead of them Nephrite and Jadeite too had come to a stop causing the other scouts to sense a growing alarm.

"What's happening?" Serena asked shakily as she held onto Blake. Her smile had faded. If it was the enemy the generals were sensing she would have to come clean to Blake a lot sooner than she anticipated. The thought sent a cold chill crawling along her spine. Blake didn't miss it. He sent her a questioning look.

"There!" Nephrite said as he pointed to a dark shadow crossing the top of a nearby building.

Before the others could respond a loud explosion rocked behind them, throwing them all to the ground and sending a shower of debris falling on top of them.

Mina screamed as an uprooted streetlight came crashing towards her but Kunzite was fast. He rolled to her and caught the light easily in one hand as if it were no heavier than a tree branch. Mina gaped at him as he casually tossed it aside. Kunzite then sheltered her with his body as more debris fell onto them. Mina watched him grimace as each rock, broken piece of glass, and shredded metal bombarded his body mercilessly. She could sense his pain but yet he held firm, protecting her.

All around them people were screaming as the debris continued to rain down on them as more and more explosions rocked the street. Chunks of nearby buildings flew towards the street, prying from their foundations as easily as if they were toys. Cars and buses were flipped over, tossing their screaming occupants onto the street or trapped within their seatbelts. Street lights and power lines fell to the ground, snapping like brittle pieces of twine and yarn onto the citizens below.

Amidst it all Blake shielded Serena as best he could but the original explosion had sent a jagged piece of glass into his arm. He remained over her, protecting her as blood seeped through his shirt and down to a pool on the concrete.

It was all over in a matter of minutes but it felt like hours to those on the street. The explosions stopped leaving five streets of the Juban district in near ruins. All of the people, still stunned, remained on the ground, anticipating more carnage that did not come.

Michelle and Lita were the first back to their feet. They were scratched and bruised but more angry than injured. "Over there!" Lita called as the shadow jumped down from a nearby building, casually strolling towards them. Lita pulled out her pen to transform but Michelle caught her arm. "Not here!" She hissed at her as she dragged her down a back alley. Raye ran after them, clenching at a nasty cut on her cheek.

Serena watched them go, thankful that Michelle had stopped Lita from exposing herself. All around the street the people were slowly getting to their feet, assessing the damage and tending to the wounded. It was then she noticed the pool of blood near her knee.

"Oh my gosh! Blake!" She sat up underneath him and pulled him down next to her.

Blake collapsed onto the ground, breathing deeply. He pulled out the piece of glass with a grunt and threw it aside. "It's fine… it wasn't too deep."

Serena pulled off her sweater and ripped it into a long strip. She bound his wound as screaming and scared people ran about them. She didn't hear anyone or notice anything else around her. Her focus was on Blake and keeping him safe from a secret she should've told him. Guilt wrenched her insides as she saw him wither in pain as she tightened the sweater around his wound. She should never have involved him in this. Now whatever was to come next was her fault.

Blake was amazed at how unbelievably calm Serena was in that moment, completely oblivious to the chaos around her. His eyebrows raised as he noticed her friends, some even injured from the first explosion, were also unnerved by the activity around them.

The generals got to their feet quickly as the street emptied. Jadeite and Nephrite stood before their prince, shielding him from harm while Kunzite weakly got to his feet. He reached down and lifted a completely intact Mina to her feet and stood before her, blocking her from the shadow's view.

Sailor Neptune, Mars and Jupiter ran to join them, freshly transformed.

Blake's jaw dropped. "Those… those are sailor scouts!" He gaped.

Serena ignored him as the shadow approached. It moved slowly, taking more of a human form with each step it took until finally a figure appeared. It was a girl. She had fair blond hair that hung in loose ringlets above her waist. Her eyes, a fierce green, flashed dangerously at the scouts before her. She wore a sea green dress that flowed from her small frame, pooling at the floor. She looked as harmless as a girl scout, selling cookies to the neighborhood families. It couldn't possibly had been her that had destroyed the area.

"Who are you?" Darien asked as he pushed aside Nephrite to be seen.

"Femi." The woman answered simply. Her voice was light, almost child-like. "But I didn't come for you dear prince…" She trailed off and turned towards Serena. "Sailor Moon." She said, looking directly at Serena. Her green eyes narrowed, transforming her features into a sinister sneer.

Serena's face drained of all its color as Blake turned to look at her. Thankfully he didn't say anything but Serena rose to her feet, never breaking eye contact with Femi. "Leave these people alone." Serena said to her. "Your fight is with us, not these innocents."

"You're right." Femi answered. "And you can save them all if you come with me." She extended her hand to Serena. "All Prince Nikko wants is you."

Serena was tempted, more than tempted. She thought of Amy in that moment, Amy who was no doubt fighting off hundreds of reporters, photographers and camera crews while trying to do her job. Her life was forever changed. There was no going back. The rest of the scouts were in jeopardy of the same fate. She could stop that. She could still save them. Sailor Moon was gone. She couldn't transform. This was all she could do...

Before she could respond Blake rushed forward, tackling Femi with a ferocious yell.

Femi screamed as she fell to the ground with Blake looking positively rabid atop of her. He gripped her shoulders and held her to the ground. "You will leave my fiancé alone!"

Her eyes widened in surprise as Serena felt a sharp sinking feeling within her. She hadn't told anyone about that yet, but this wasn't the time to worry about it.

"Blake stop!" Serena screamed as fear overcame her. Blake didn't know the power of the Shadow Warriors. Not even the scouts knew how powerful they were. Femi was capable of anything and Blake was only a mortal. If she attacked him now she could seriously injure or kill him.

Femi pressed her hands against Blake's temples, sending black waves of energy from her fingers. Her features curled into a grin as Blake's screams filled the air. He fell off of her, gripping his head in agony.

"STOP!" Serena screamed as tears filled her eyes. She ran for Femi but Darien caught her around the middle, holding her back.

"No." He said in her ear. "That's what she wants… remember Serena, we lose you … we lose this fight!"

Serena thrashed against Darien in vain. She watched her fiancé wither in pain on the ground. The veins in his neck bulged as he screamed and hollered. His skin turned a sickening gray as his bloodshot eyes darkened.

"Please, I can't just let him die!" She pleaded to Darien as tears gushed down her cheeks. She punched at his chest, beating him with closed fists to no avail. He endured her every attempt to free herself.

"Nephrite… Jadeite…Kunzite…" Darien nodded to his generals. "Go ahead."

All three of the generals nodded to their prince and pounced as one, jumping towards Femi.

Femi turned her attention from Blake just in time to get tossed to the ground by a wave of energy from the generals.

She screamed as her concentration broke, freeing Blake from her dark energy.

Serena ran towards him, finally free of Darien while Kunzite put the heel of his boot on Femi's stomach, preventing her from getting back to her feet.

"You aren't welcome here." He said darkly. "Go back to your master and leave these people alone."

From the ground Femi gave them a cold sneer. "Don't meddle in our affairs…" She stated as she put her hands on Kunzite's boot. "You should've stayed asleep." With those last words she sent forth a blast of dark energy that rippled from her like the impact wave of a meteor.

Everyone standing was sent flying to the ground, as the dark energy plunged forward towards the scouts.

Serena fell over a still gaping Blake as the generals collapsed onto the ground, their heads spinning. Darien fell to his knees quickly behind them.

Sailor Mars, Jupiter and Neptune were ready though. They dodged the attack easily and sent back their own reply.

"Supreme Thunder —"

"Deep Submerge—"

"Fire Soul—"

Femi screamed as she was simultaneously shocked, doused in water and then kissed by fire.

Sailor Jupiter wasted no time. As Femi was distracted she jumped up, sending a flying kick at Femi's face. Her heel connected with Femi's chin, sending the blond girl flying to the ground with a shriek.

"You hit my face!" Femi screeched as she clutched at her bleeding chin. She gaped at Sailor Jupiter in disbelief.

Jupiter smirked as Neptune and Mars joined her side. "Go back to your master Femi. Tell him we're not handing over Sailor Moon."

Femi shakily got to her feet, still holding her chin. "You fools! Prince Nikko will not give up so easily. I'm not through with you." She turned on her heel to face Serena who was holding an unconscious Blake. "And you… our prince will have you if it is the last thing I do."

"Femi..." An eerie voice called. "Enough."

Femi turned back around to see Fabian, dressed in his dark armor with his blood red cape thrown across one shoulder, stepping out of a dark portal near Serena. She bowed to him and quickly disappeared as quickly as she had come.

All of the scouts watched, motionless as he reached forward towards Serena and ran his fingers down the side of her face. Dark power trickled from his fingers, sinking into her skin. Her eyes turned a brilliant blue before rolling back into her head. She collapsed onto the ground just as Fabian retreated back into the dark portal, laughing. "Sweet dreams princess."