Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or her characters, and have no right to it except as a long time fan.

Imperfect Reincarnation
Chapter Twelve

After their enjoyable make out session Serena and Darien decided to go hiking in the woods. They briefly paused to inform Kagome and Sesshomaru, and continued on into the trees at an easy pace.

Serena enjoyed their surroundings more than she had earlier now that her mind wasn't distracted, but as she glanced back the way they came she saw that they were almost out of sight of the cabin.

"What if we get lost?" She asked as she looked to Darien warily.

"We will not." Darien assured her. "I can get us back to the cabin without a problem regardless of how far we go or how many turns we make. I have a very good sense of direction."

He looked at his Serenity and could still see the wariness on her face, which really wasn't too much of a surprise to him. The woods did become denser and more wild the further in they went. Without her true memories fully in place she would be seriously worried about getting lost.

But she trusts me to keep her safe, which is all that matters to me. He thought quietly. Still, it would not hurt to distract her with something useful.

"How about we take advantage of the area and do some light training." He suggested, and she looked at him curiously as he gestured around them. "There are old downed trees, bushes, and rocks making the terrain uneven and unpredictable beneath the grass. We can run; maybe practice jumping high into the sturdy looking branches up there."

Serena hummed as she looked around thoughtfully. It did look like the perfect area to practice such things, and she could use all the training she could get to be the best she could be.

"Sure." She agreed with a smile. "And this is definitely something we can do without being transformed."

"True." Darien agreed in return. "Well, how about it my lady?" He added with a raised eyebrow.

"Just like if we were in the city leaping rooftops?" She asked as she glanced around taking in the different paths she could take.

"Yes." He confirmed.

Serena nodded and took off sprinting to her right skirting around a rather large rock before she took a few more quick steps and jumped over a long bush before continuing on without slowing her pace. She twisted around a tree in her path, and leapt up high toward the branches of a tree as she realized her path was starting to slope downward.

Darien smiled as he followed his Serenity, and saw that she was really starting to get into it. So he jumped up into a tree adjacent to hers and began to carefully leap from tree branch to tree branch.

Serena looked over and saw her boyfriend and began to keep pace with him as she carefully yet quickly picked sturdy branches to land on. Tree after tree after tree they traveled jumping on various branches and thankfully landing every time without incident.

"I'm headed down." She called out after a considerable time.

She narrowed her eyes and looked at the trees in front of her and below her and tried something she thought was extremely reckless, but she wanted to test her reflexes and instincts.

She jumped and angled herself toward the trunk of a tree in front of her and landed with her feet against it. Then she pushed off, jumped backward, and stretched her arms back so she was in an almost arched position as she moved through the air, and shifted her body until her feet were under her before she landed just in front of a small bush.

Darien smiled from his position on a tree branch. He had had a perfect view of her acrobatic move and it all looked very graceful and expertly done. He jumped down to the forest floor less dramatically, and stepped toward her with a smile on his face.

"That was perfect. Good job." He said proudly. "That move would definitely get you out of attack range of someone closely following you."

"Thanks." Serena said with a light blush.

"Come on! Let's keep going." He said, and she nodded.

The couple took off running in the same direction they had been heading in, jumping leaping, and occasionally rolling when the situation called for it, and managed to have fun as they trained.

oOo

A couple of hours later as the day was growing longer Serena and Darien returned to the cabin. Kagome curiously asked how their hike had gone, and Serena answered for the both of them that it was fun and energizing, and that she was just happy for the time they got to spend together. After that the two couples began to discuss what they would eat for dinner.

Once their decision was made they washed their hands and began to make their dinner. In the middle of preparing they decided to eat outside since this would be their only chance before leaving, so Sesshomaru went out and started a fire in the fire pit so it could be ready when their dinner was finished cooking.

Dinner finished cooking and they all grabbed their full plates and drinks and went outside and sat in the chairs surrounding the fire pit. They talked lightly about school, their hobbies, and interests as they ate and enjoyed the warmth of the crackling fire and peace of the evening.

About an hour after they all finished eating Kagome and Sesshomaru decided to call it a night and head inside. Serena and Darien on the other hand decided to remain outside and do some stargazing. They moved away from the chairs around the fire pit and settled in the hammock to relax as they gazed at the sky.

They enjoyed the view of the dark sky with its twinkling lights and pointed out interesting shapes to each other as they cuddled together.

"Mm...we need something else to do." Serena said quietly as she continued to gaze up at the sky. "Maybe we can play Truth or Dare or something." She suggested.

"Truth or Dare?" Darien said as he chuckled; he wasn't sure he had ever actually played that game, but then again he hadn't had many friends close enough to play that game with.

"It could be a fun game, but it also requires a level of trust." He said, and she nodded.

"Yeah." Serena agreed. "It also helps to have self-assurance and common sense to know when not to do or say something."

"It will help us get to know each other better than we already do; at least if we pick 'truth'." She added.

"Okay. Let's play." He agreed. "Truth or Dare?" He asked, getting the game started.

"Truth." She said instantly, not quite ready to get up and actually do something with the choice of 'dare'.

"Do you like being a scout?" Darien asked curiously. He truly wanted to know the answer to that. In the past she had been happy and proud to be a scout, at least when she was Sailor Earth, but now all he knew was that she took her role seriously and was frustrated with her lack of abilities.

"I do for the most part." Serena answered. "I actually like the responsibility of fighting to protect people even though I'm surprised and shocked at the way I fight sometimes."

"Truth or Dare?" She asked.

"Truth." He said, and wondered what she would ask.

"Do you like being your masked persona?" She asked curiously.

"I do." He answered easily. "The only time I use it is when I'm with you, so of course I enjoy that time. The fighting itself just feels like another responsibility I've chosen; just like going to school." He explained, and she nodded.

"Truth or Dare?" He asked as he idly stroked a hand up and down her back as she lay against him.

"Truth." Serena said yet again.

"What do you not like about being a scout if anything?" He asked, and she was quiet for a few long moments.

"I don't like that I don't like most of my fellow scouts so far." She eventually answered. "It's a combination of their current attitudes and what I'm remembering of the past. I also don't like that I'm remembering two different pasts at the same time."

Darien nodded. He knew that for her it was frustrating and stressful, because of all the relationships that were being revealed. He was just glad that she seemed to accept that it was two separate lives, and not that she was twins. At least he hoped she was no longer considering such a theory.

"Truth or Dare?" She asked.

"Truth." He said easily.

"Have you been remembering your past like I have?" She asked curiously.

"No. I'm not remembering." He said simply. It was the truth, but what he left unsaid was that he had already remembered everything. "Truth or Dare?" He asked.

"Truth." She said.

"Are you excited about this being your last year of high school?" He asked curiously.

"Yes I am. I'm especially pleased that I won't have to wear a uniform anymore." Serena answered with a light grin. "Truth or Dare?" She asked.

"Truth." He said after a few moments of thought.

"What are you most scared of?" She asked curiously.

Darien was idly amused that they seemed to be sticking to truth and ignoring the dare part of the game, but he didn't mind since the things he could think of to have her do were related to their secret life and they couldn't do such things while they were in sight of the cabin.

Or have to do with furthering our physical relationship, and that is a no go at this point in time. Not out in the open as we are. He told himself, before he focused on her question.

It was not a hard question, but he would have to be careful with how he answered it. Obviously he was afraid of losing her to death and secondary to that was her never remembering her past.

He knew that wouldn't happen since she was already remembering, but he feared she would never fully remember her true self so that it felt like her actual life and not simply dreams of another life she had lived.

"I am most afraid of losing those I care very deeply for." He answered simply. It was the only thing he could say that was as close to his actual fear as possible without lying to her.

"How about we simply call our little game Twenty Questions since we seem to be skipping the dare part of Truth and Dare." He suggested after a few moments, and watched her face redden lightly.

"Okay." Serena said as she tried to ignore her blush. "Your turn to ask a question."

"Very well." He replied with a thoughtful hum. "What are you afraid of?" He asked, wondering what her answer would be.

Serena hummed thoughtfully as she tried to come up with an answer. When she first heard his question she thought it would be easy to answer; especially since she had just asked him the same thing, but she was coming up blank.

"You know…I don't know." She said slowly as she turned her gaze toward the starry sky. "I suppose I could say the usual things most people afraid of. Dying, pain, heights, bugs." She said, and then paused. "Actually with becoming a scout, and with the memories I've been recalling, I would say I'm afraid of losing my identity."

"I mean here I've become this scout of the Moon, who is supposed to be this guardian to a princess, I'm having memories of being the same scout in a past life, and having separate memories of being a completely different scout in the past as well. Possibly during the same lifetime where I was Sailor Moon yet possibly during a different lifetime altogether." She explained softly.

Darien grimaced at her words. He could actually see that possibly becoming a problem if she continued to remember as she was, and if she continued to worry about the past relationships she was recalling; if she let herself spiral in those worries.

"If you feel yourself becoming even the least bit confused don't hesitate to speak to me about it." He said seriously. "I'll keep you grounded and remind you of who you are."

"And who am I?" She asked with a little smile.

"Serena Tsukino, a sailor scout, soon to be high school graduate, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and my girlfriend; my lady." He answered with a smile of his own. My Serenity, my soulmate, my love, my little scout, my princess to be, and my future Queen. He silently added.

"Thank you." Serena said softly before she kissed his cheek. "Umm…have you ever wanted to tell any of your friends about your secret, of being Tuxedo Mask?" She asked.

"Yes. I wanted to tell Andrew. I thought he would handle it well." Darien answered honestly. Of course he had already told Andrew, and his friend had indeed handled it well.

Will she pick up on the way I worded that? It certainly does not sound like I have not told him. He thought before he considered what he wanted to asked her next.

"Have you ever thought of telling your friends and family? Or perhaps only your parents?" He asked.

"I honestly haven't thought of telling anyone." Serena answered. "I don't know if I would tell any of my friends, and I think if the situation called for it I would tell my parents." She said with a light shrug.

Darien nodded thoughtfully as he wondered if that would change once she remembered her true self. After all, he hadn't wasted much time in telling Andrew, and he was already planning to tell any friend that made his personal cut that would see them becoming a permanent fixture in his life.

"Do you like any of the sailor scouts so far?" She asked curiously.

Darien smiled at the question. It was an easy question, and yet one he couldn't be completely honest about. He of course liked her best of all, but he didn't like that she was the scout of the Moon. He wanted her to be who she really was; the proud scout of the Earth.

"You." He said simply, and she blushed.

"That one calls for further questioning. Do you like any of them personality wise?" She elaborated, but he still found the question easy.

"I still like you." He answered with a smile and listened to her huff. "I don't really know those girls enough to have an opinion, and that honestly is on purpose. I'm not particularly interested in getting to know them. I don't need to in order to do my self-appointed job, which is to aid you in any way I can."

"I suppose if I had to make a choice beyond you then it would have to be Sailor Venus, because she seems to be the most aware of her surroundings." He said, and she nodded.

"She would be my choice too; at least so far." Serena said.

"Do you know who is left to join you and the others?" He asked, wanting to know if she actually knew because he already knew.

"I believe it's Sailor Jupiter; the green scout." She answered, and he nodded.

"Alright. What is the worst injury you have had?" Darien asked.

"Just a sprain or two." She answered easily.

"So no broken bones or anything like that?" He asked, and she shook her head.

"Nope. Just a twisted ankle from stepping on something wrong while running." She said, and he nodded. "What's the most compromising situation you've been caught in?"

In the present or in the past? He wondered silently, but of course he could only answer for the present.

In the past all of his compromising situations had involved his Serenity, and most of them had been just the two of them alone or a maid had come upon them on the rare occasion they were witnessed. On one of those rare occasions he and Serenity had been in one of the family sitting rooms with the door closed.

He had been in his full uniform but without his armor, and Serenity had been transformed in her sailor uniform. He was sitting on a couch, his sword within its sheath resting on the cushion beside him, and she was seated sideways on his lap with her back facing the door as they practically made out.

Her arms were loosely around his neck his right arm was around her back and his other hand was on her thigh beneath her skirt. Their lips had been sealed together, their tongues twisting around each other, when they heard the door open.

They broke apart and looked to see a maid standing in the doorway staring at them in shock before she practically ran away and slammed the door shut.

Being witnessed sitting on a man's lap wasn't an issue now, but back then it simply wasn't done in public. They hadn't been in public but they had been in a public family room. Such things were usually saved for their personal suite of rooms, but he had been unable to help himself that particular day.

However, that was then, and now in the present there had been only one compromising situation so far.

"That would be the time at the clock store when you returned to your normal age and size from that of your infant self." He answered.

Serena blushed as she remembered finding herself wrapped around his tall form with his arms holding her. He had been holding her as respectfully as he could given the situation, but the fact was he still had a hold of her.

Yeah that was the most compromising for me as well, especially since at the time I didn't know he was Darien. Although, I wonder if our actions last night count as a compromising situation. She thought.

"What is your favorite flower?" Darien asked.

"I didn't used to have one. I just liked the pretty ones that smelled good." She said.

"And now?" He asked as he tilted his head slightly.

"Now my favorite is roses." Serena answered, and he smiled.

"Did I have anything to do with that?" He asked knowingly.

"Yes. I'm not afraid to admit it." She said.

"Good." He said with a proud nod. "I like that about you. Honest and bold."

Serena blushed and smiled before she pressed her face into his chest as she tried to think of what to ask him next.

"What are your biggest pet peeves?" She asked as she lifted her face from his chest.

Darien hummed thoughtfully at the question. He had a lot of them and he could say that they all stemmed from the past and continued into the present.

"I would have to say having my choices taken from me, being told what to do, and being denied what I believe to be mine." He said as he remembered back to the past. If he was being honest with himself, and he always was, then he would admit that those things hadn't become an issue until the Moon Princess decided to alter reality to suit her desires.

"Well, really those are things that simply make me angry, and don't answer your question. So I would say my pet peeves are people who are late, people who feel entitled, and people who are judgmental; and mostly all when it directly involves me." He answered.

Serena listened closely to her boyfriend's words. She hadn't gotten around to asking him what made him angry, it actually hadn't occurred to her yet, but now she knew the answer without having to ask him.

She couldn't help wondering why those things made him angry. They didn't seem to be general things, but very specific and something he must have experienced to feel that way. Although, she supposed she could understand why they made him angry. She thought she might be angry too if she experienced those things.

"What was your favorite thing about growing up?" Darien asked.

"Ummm…I would have to say the lack of responsibility and being able to play whenever I wanted." She answered, and he chuckled lightly.

"You can play with me whenever you wish." He replied.

"I'll definitely remember that." She said with a grin. "What is…what's your proudest moment?" She asked curiously.

Darien closed his eyes and the first thing that came to mind was the day he asked his Serenity to marry him, and her happy positive answer. It was the proudest he had ever been, the happiest as well. It likely would have been second only to his wedding day.

If only we had been given the chance to experience it. He thought solemnly, and held in a sigh. It will happen this time around. I will make sure of it. He thought firmly before he tried to come up with an alternative moment.

"It is between asking you to be my girlfriend and kissing you for the first time." He answered. After all, both instances were steps in furthering their relationship; the first and second step in making it permanent.

Serena's eyes softened. Her boyfriend was so sweet. She could easily take what he was saying as him just saying what he thought she wanted to hear, but she knew by now that he was incredibly honest.

If nothing else this tells me how serious he is about our relationship. If his proudest moments are of making our relationship official and our first kiss. She thought before she stretched slightly and kissed his cheek.

"What was your first kiss like?" Darien asked. He knew he had given her her first kiss, but he wanted to hear her thoughts on that experience.

"It was amazing." She answered softly as she recalled their first kiss. "Romantic and passionate. It was…it was just really really nice."

"I am glad for that." He said gently. That meant he did good. Her words now matched the expressions on her face that night.

"Okay, so…what's the most dangerous thing you've ever done?" Serena asked, and he instantly thought of all the things he had done in the past.

But again I cannot say any of those things. He thought with a light sigh.

"Everything dangerous I have done you have seen. You have been there. Ever since I became your Tuxedo Mask I have been doing dangerous things. All the jumping rooftops, fighting monsters, and dodging their attacks." He answered, and she nodded.

"Alright, can you tell me something no else knows about you?" Darien asked.

"Umm…" She hummed as she tried to think of something. "I don't think there's any…hmm…" She began to say but trailed off as something came to her.

But do I want to tell him this? Admit this worry to him of all people? She wondered as she lowered her eyes from his face.

Darien watched his soulmate curiously and wondered what she was thinking. He thought she would tell him something simple since he already knew about her scout life, but from the sound of it she didn't have anything like that.

However, something has occurred to her that she seems unsure about sharing. He thought quietly.

"There's only one thing that absolutely no one else knows. My friends and family don't know about my scout life, and you and the girls obviously do. I've spoken about relevant details from my returning memories with the girls and I've obviously told you about them in full detail." Serena said as watched her hand stroke across his chest.

"But what I've never mentioned is a concern I have." She added slowly.

Darien listened intently and frowned slightly as he wondered what concern she could have about her returning memories.

Does it involve her time as the scout of the Moon or as Sailor Earth? He wondered worriedly. What could it be that she would not mention it since she has been so forth coming about everything else?

"It's about the relationship those past versions of me had with the Earth Prince." She said with a sigh.

"What about it exactly?" He asked softly when she was quiet for long moments.

"Sailor Earth was engaged to the prince and he was courting Sailor Moon. Both of those versions of me look and sound happy in the memories I've remembered so far, and so does he for that matter." She explained.

"I wonder what will happen if he suddenly shows up and he remembers the past. What if he wants to…to pick up where we left off in the past? To continue the relationship?" She said worriedly.

"I'm still unsure of exactly how both of those relationships could be if they happened in the same lifetime, but he cared enough about Sailor Earth to want to marry her and cared enough about Sailor Moon to court her over the Moon Princess." She continued.

"What if…I'm remembering these memories, but what if I start remembering the emotions as well? What if I start to feel them?" She added.

Darien hummed thoughtfully as he understood what her concern was. It was of course a nonissue since he was the prince from her memories, but she didn't know that and was worried about having to choose between the two of them.

"First, I think it would be interesting, even good, if you begin to feel the emotions along with the memories. Second, I know you will continue to worry about this regardless of what I say, because you are still remembering and dealing with new details with every memory, but I am not worried. I know you will follow your heart, and do what is best for you. You will be happy either way, and your happiness is what is important to me." He said.

"Really?" Serena asked as she finally looked back up to him. "You're really not worried?"

"I am not." He assured her. "You will be happy, and that is all that matters to me."

"Okay." She said as she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Okay umm…have you ever been in love before?" Serena asked quietly.

"I am sure I must have been in love in a past life." He answered honestly. Obviously he couldn't tell her that he had been in love with her in the past, but what he did say was still the truth.

"Do you have any secret talents?" He asked thoughtfully.

"If I do they're still a secret to me." She answered easily. "Unless I count the instinctive use of a staff and bow and arrows."

"I believe you can." He replied with a nod.

"Boxers or briefs?" Serena asked, and there was a long silence.

"Are you trying to tell me something my lady?" Darien asked with a smirk. "Do you want to see with your own eyes? I am sure that can be arranged."

"Quiet you!" She said with a blush as she pushed him lightly, and he laughed. "It was the first thing I could think of!"

"I didn't say there was anything wrong with it." He said reassuringly. "I can show you later tonight."

"I think that's enough questions for one day." Serena said, her face still red. "How about a story? Do you know anything good? It's been a while since I've heard any stories."

Darien blinked and looked up at the sky as he tried to think if he knew any stories at all. And realized right away that he didn't know any, but he had the story of their life.

I can tell her about our first meeting, growing up together, and on; even add in my Generals. He thought as he opened his eyes.

"I do have a good story. Are you comfortable?" He asked as he looked back to her.

"Yes." She said as she wiggled a little, causing the hammock to sway.

"Once upon a time, since that is how these types of stories start, there was a little girl who lived in a large golden kingdom." He began making his voice soothing. "She was a bright, happy, cheerful child, but she did not have friends. Children were happy to play with her, but when play time was over they did not want much to do with her. As a result she was often lonely, but put on a bright smile and a happy face so no one would know or worry."

"She was an orphan so she did not even have her parents to soothe her through such times. Not even adopted parents." He added, his tone slightly melancholy as he remembered learning that sad fact.

"One day she sat playing in a large garden playing by herself, though there were other children about, when she looked up and noticed a little boy standing in front of her. She was so focused on her solitary play that she did not see or hear his approach. You can imagine how surprised and happy she was when he asked her to play." He continued quietly.

"They played in a nearby garden together for hours, but eventually play time came to an end. While the boy had introduced himself before their play began she did not learn until it was over exactly who he was. He was the prince of the golden kingdom." He revealed.

"Though only a little girl she was old enough to know of his importance, and was shocked and happy that he chose her out of all the children to play with. It was more than that, however, for the little prince had a power inside him that picked the little girl. She was picked not just as a new playmate, but as a new warrior for the kingdom." He said softly.

"However, she was not simply a new warrior, but a special warrior. Her duties were not only to protect the kingdom but the very land the kingdom sat on." He continued and glanced down to his soulmate.

Darien blinked, his lips parted to continue the story, but paused to see her eyes closed and her breathing steady. He lay there for a few long moments watching her and when she didn't open her eyes to find out why he stopped he was sure that she had fallen asleep.

He smiled softly at the sight; not entirely surprised she had fallen asleep. It was very dark out; the only light being the fire in the pit and a little from the cabin. The hammock was comfortable and she had had a bit of a stressful day; mostly because of the feelings brought on by the memory she had dreamed and the knowledge that she instinctively knew how to use yet another weapon.

I will simply have to put her to bed, and I will not deny that I will enjoy the process. He thought quietly as he gently caressed her soft cheek.

oOoIRoOo

Serena sat on the side of her bed taking out the clothes she had worn during the weekend and tossed them to the floor in preparation for taking them down to the washing machine.

She had only been back for almost an hour and had spent that time talking to her parents about her trip. She told about the long drive, the amazing cabin house Sesshomaru's family owned, hiking in the surrounding woods, getting to use Kagome's bow, sitting around a camp fire, and stargazing.

What she didn't explain to them was how last night ended and this morning began. She remembered listening to Darien's voice as he told her a story, but she didn't remember falling asleep. She had been very surprised to wake up and find herself in bed, curled up with Darien, and in her pajamas.

She hadn't said anything beyond a thank you to Darien for getting her to bed and making her comfortable, because there wasn't a doubt in her mind that he was the one to carry her and change her clothes.

He even took my hair down. She thought as she remembered her hair being loose when she woke up.

After making that discovery she and Darien readied themselves for the day and went down and began to make breakfast. Eventually Kagome and Sesshomaru joined them and they all enjoyed breakfast together.

They cleaned up the mess they made and returned to their rooms to gather all of their things together and straighten up. Then they brought their things downstairs and gathered the remaining food they had brought with them, and left the cabin to begin the long drive back home.

Serena sighed as she began to put away the toiletries she had brought, and thought about how she had told her parents she wanted to go camping again. She'd love to go back to Sesshomaru's cabin house, but she also wanted to do the whole camping out in a tent and trying to cook over an open fire.

Gotta talk to Darien about that. Maybe next weekend or the weekend after that. She considered as she picked up her pile of clothes.

Before she made it two steps to her closed door she heard her communicator going off. She sighed and dropped her piled and grabbed the little device from her backpack where she had yet to remove it. The dark pink button with the red Mars symbol was flashing, so she pressed it as she placed a hand on her hip.

"Serena here." She said, wondering where the attack would be this time.

"Hey. We need to have a meeting right now. It's important." She heard Raye say.

"Alright. Where at?" Serena said. Important? I wonder what's going on.

"Well we can't have it at anyone's house because everyone's guardians are home, so I was thinking we could transform and talk at a park." Raye said before giving the directions to the park she had in mind.

"Alright. I'm on my way. Serena out." She said before she pressed the button with Mars' symbol to end the connection.

She slipped the communicator in her pocket and dug her brooch out from her backpack and put it in her other pocket before she went and opened her door and grabbed her pile of clothes. She stepped out of her room and moved along the hallway then she skipped down the stairs. She dumped the pile in the small room with the washer and dryer. She'd deal with them when she got back and add what she was wearing to the pile.

"I'll be back soon." She called on her way to the door as she passed the living room. "I want to visit a friend before dinner." She added, and was out the door before anyone could say anything.

As she jogged down the sidewalk away from her house she wondered what was so important that they had to have a meeting as soon as possible.

Maybe the princess has been found or another rainbow crystal has been found. She considered. Although, she found that last one unlikely since the wand was supposed to be the only way to find those. Still, the princess being found is likely.

The sky was in the process of darkening when she slipped into a windowless alley and pulled out her brooch. She transformed quietly in a swirl of bright pink light, and as soon as the light cleared and she stood as the scout of the Moon she took off running.

As she ran she couldn't help being curious. If the Moon Princess really had been found she wasn't sure what she thought of that happening considering what she remembered of her from the past, but she couldn't help being curious about what the reincarnated royal would be like in this modern life.

I hope she's different than the way she was in the memories I've remembered. I have no wish to spend the rest of my life protecting an arrogant selfish woman who feels she's entitled to everything. She thought with a light sigh.

Serena shook her head and decided to move her thoughts elsewhere; specifically to her boyfriend. She wished she could contact him, so he knew she was just going to a meeting and not a fight. That way he wouldn't have to waste his time.

Not that I wouldn't mind seeing him after such a short time since our parting over an hour ago. She thought with a small smile. I just don't want the others to see him and wonder how he knew we were meeting or rather together without there being a monster around, but of course I think he's more than smart enough to get a look at the situation before letting himself be seen.

Maybe I'll be able to see him after the meeting if he sticks around. She considered with a mental shrug as she continued to run.

At the pace she was running it was only a few more minutes before she spotted her destination. It was a park just as Raye said, but it was actually more of a playground than a place for gatherings of any sort. There was a colorful jungle gym that looked like a child's climbing paradise, a swing set with four swings, and cement benches where adults could sit and watch their children.

It was not the type of place she would have picked for a meeting, a place to meet up maybe, but definitely not to have a meeting.

Regardless of her thoughts, however, this was the meeting location since her fellow scouts were all there standing, transformed just as she was, in the area between a bench and the swing set.

"Hey you guys." Serena called out casually, waving slightly as she slowed and walked the rest of the distance to them.

Her eyes flickered over all of them as she took in their positions. Raye and Amy were standing closer to the swing set and Mina was off to the side with a few feet of space between them. She couldn't help wondering if that meant anything, and because she wasn't sure she decided to hold her judgement back.

"Hey." Mina said with light smile and a short wave.

"Glad you made it so quickly." Raye said.

"Of course." Serena said as she came to a stop. "So what's up? What are we meeting about?"

Amy and Raye shared a look before looking back to Serena, both wishing that Luna and Artemis had been able to speak to her beforehand, and Mina looked to them and then to Serena before once again returning her gaze to Amy and Raye.

Mina decided to remain quiet during the whole thing since she didn't think what they were going to say was reasonable for the most part. She was only there because she was a scout and this was a group meeting. Plus, she didn't think it was right for them to have these concerns about Serena and yet not speak to her about them.

"So we've had some concerns that involve you, and decided it was time to say something." Amy began, and Serena raised an eyebrow. Judging by the looks on everyone's faces only Amy and Raye had concerns.

"I've started to remember the past and one of the things I've recalled is that you were in a relationship with the Earth Prince; knowing full well that our princess liked him." Amy continued seriously. "I know you have a boyfriend now, but you barely talk about him, so who's to say you won't dump him to be with the prince."

"Then there's your ability to sense dark energy and to seemingly know where fights are taking place before you can be told where they are. I don't like that you didn't inform us that you could do that." She said with a frown.

"Aside from that we also think it's suspiciously coincidental that you go camping for the weekend, and Tuxedo Mask suddenly doesn't show up at a fight for the first time." Amy said.

Serena stared at Amy in disbelief before her eyes skipped to Raye, then Mina, and back to Amy. She couldn't believe this! This "meeting" seemed to be nothing more than airing suspicions, accusations, and assumptions about her.

"What the hell is your problem?!" She said to Amy angrily, because she was sure that most of it was coming from her. "You become a scout and suddenly you're questioning and suspecting everything."

"So what if I didn't immediately tell you about my ability to detect dark energy. You didn't tell me about the little computer you have, but no one's heard me complaining! I don't know when you got it or what it does, and I don't care because that's for you to know not me." She continued.

"And so what if I had something with the Earth Prince in the past?!" She said incredulously. "That was the past and this is the present, and in the present I happily have a boyfriend. I'm not going to leave him for some reincarnated prince that may or may not show up!"

"And of course I don't talk about my boyfriend. I don't want you to know about him! Our relationship is none of your business!" Serena continued firmly. "You are not my particular friend and don't deserve to know any details about my private life. Just because we're scouts doesn't make us friends, and it certainly doesn't entitle you or any of you to know anything personal about me." She said as she looked from Amy to Raye and Mina; making sure they knew she was talking to them too.

"Let the princess worry about the prince if she cares to." She said as she looked back to Amy. "You aren't the only one remembering the past, and what you should be worrying about is if the princess once again finds herself infatuated with the man instead of if I'm going to be competition for the princess."

"Because from what I've remembered so far I'm beginning to suspect the princess was a bit obsessed with him, and that the man knew about her feelings and didn't care. Not just didn't care, but didn't seem to want anything to do with her." She continued.

"She may be the Moon Princess, but she's a reincarnated princess, and there are laws against such behavior in this day and age. Her former status certainly isn't going to save her if she crosses the wrong line, and neither can we! You should be worrying about that instead of if I'm going to want the same guy the princess liked again." She said as she shook her and turned away.

"And what in the world do I have to do with Tuxedo Mask arriving to a fight or not?!" Serena asked in irritation as she turned back to look at them. "I don't have control over him! Did it ever occur to any of you that just like us he has a way to find out when a fight is happening?"

"He's always close to you, speaking with you and fighting close to you, and this last fight he just happens to not show up the same time you're away." Raye pointed out with a raised eyebrow.

"So?" Serena said as she looked at Raye with a frown. "Maybe he feels more comfortable with me since I was the first scout when he came along. Did it ever occur to you that he was at the fight and simply chose not to reveal himself and help because I wasn't there?"

"Maybe if one of you had been awakened first then he would have attached himself to you, and felt more comfortable with you. I don't know; I don't know what he's thinking; I don't know how his mind works!" She said in frustration.

Of course she knew now that he was her boyfriend, but before that revelation she had no idea who he was. No idea why he took a liking to her, why he had no interest in speaking to the others or even being introduced to them, or why she was singled out for his particular help. She had just known that he was a good companion to have in a fight.

Mina nodded along silently with Serena's words, loving everything she was pointing out. She hadn't spent very much time with them getting to know them, at least with Amy and Raye, since she had become a scout, but from what she had seen those two were people she wouldn't normally want to know.

Amy was quiet but she was a bit arrogant when it came to her intelligence. So much so that no one really wanted to be friends with her. She had learned from Serena that long before they became scouts she had tried to befriend Amy, but she hadn't been interested or welcoming. She supposed Amy with all her smarts had forgotten about that and just expected them to instantly be friends and get along just because they were scouts.

Raye was quiet as well but she was also a bit rash and had a temper over things that shouldn't matter. There wasn't much more she could tell about her since she went to a different school then them.

They both took being a scout seriously, but not in the way she thought they should. No one had mentioned training, no one had mentioned how they were going to find the princess aside from the rainbow crystals that Serena had been tasked with finding, they were suspicious of Tuxedo Mask seemingly for no reason other than that he was there, and Amy at least was suspicious of Serena just because she didn't broadcast her abilities for all to know.

And apparently because she was in a relationship with the Earth Prince in the past even though the princess had a crush on him. She thought as she shifted her eyes to look at each of her fellow scouts. Apparently she should have spurned the prince's affection just to please the princess. She thought as she rolled her eyes.

It was ridiculous. It would be one thing if the man had already been seeing the princess, but judging by the one memory she recalled so far on the subject it looked like the prince hadn't been interested in her and had been entirely focused on Serena's past self.

Mina sighed lightly. So far the only thing she liked about being a scout was having met Serena, and maybe the felines or at least Artemis; she didn't know yet. Dealing with Amy and Raye, and a princess they had yet to find, didn't seem to be worth it.

oOo

Darien, in his Tuxedo Mask persona, crouched down kneeling on a rooftop of a building across the street from the park watching the scouts in anger and disgust. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

He had teleported to a rooftop close to his soulmate when he felt her transform, and then followed her as she made her way to what he thought would be a monster attack. Imagine his surprise when he found himself attending what appeared to be a Scout meeting.

He may have been across the street up on a rooftop but the distance wasn't as far as one would think, and in that neighborhood with the time of day that it was it was quiet enough that he could hear them talking clearly.

He was proud of his Serenity for standing up for herself, but he couldn't believe the trivial petty "concerns" they had confronted her with. At least Mercury and Mars did. Venus was silent and appeared to be staying out of the confrontation.

Why did it matter that she didn't tell them she could sense dark energy? They didn't bring up such a fuss because of her ability to use her tiara as a weapon.

But of course that is different. Her ability to sense dark energy lets her know about the monsters ahead of them; the monster and its location. He thought quietly.

Darien pushed that thought aside and focused on the concern they brought up of him as Tuxedo Mask, him as her boyfriend, and him in the past as Prince Endymion. It wasn't surprising that they would put together his absence at the same time his Serenity was away so he ignored that; especially since she had handled that well enough.

As for her barely talking about him as her boyfriend he wasn't surprised about that either. Nor was he worried. His Serenity talked about him to those she considered her friends. Kagome and Molly knew about him, and they both had met him. As far as he knew there was one more he had yet to meet.

And Venus may be another. Only time will tell. He thought as his eyes shifted to the scout in orange.

That aside it appeared that Mercury at the least was starting to remember the past, at least the past in terms of his Serenity being the scout of the Moon, and knew that he and Serenity had been in a relationship. Now because of that it seemed she thought she would once again be in a relationship with him.

She would be right of course. At least for the most part. My Serenity and I are already together, but my lady does not know that. Darien thought. No my love; there will be no breaking up with me. There will only be remembering and continuing what we had.

There was nothing here to worry about in this little meeting. He was disgusted and displeased by it, but it was nothing for him or his Serenity to lose sleep over. The concerns expressed so far were inconsequential. They were meaningless and said more about the ones bringing them to light if anything.

I would not be surprised if they were upset with her for not alerting them to the fact that she would not be available to fight this weekend. He thought idly. In fact, judging by the reactions when they contacted her yesterday he would say they had in fact been upset by the unexpected revelation.

Whether they mentioned that fact or not he would continue to watch the little meeting and keep an eye on his soulmate. If he was lucky there may be an opportunity for him to see her once all was said and done.

oOo

"Is that it? Do you have any other "concerns" to bring to my attention?" Serena asked as she looked at them. "Then this meeting is over." She added when there was nothing but silence, disgruntled looks, and head shaking.

"I don't have anything to add and you all obviously don't. You got what you wanted to say out in the open. I'm glad that you all, or at least Amy, is starting to remember the past, but you should remember that it is just that, the past, and we live in the present." She continued firmly.

"So far I've remembered nothing that would dictate the way I live my life in the present, and I caution you all against allowing past memories to have such an impact on your lives without a serious reason." She finished seriously.

Serena was serious about that. She was remembering the past left and right, but so far she wasn't allowing it to change the way she acted and lived her life. She worried about it and was concerned, but that was all.

"Whatever." Raye said as she rolled her eyes and began to jog away.

Amy simply shook her head and huffed before following her out of the park.


Serena and Mina watched their fellow scouts disappear before looking at each other.

"I'm sorry about that." Mina said, breaking the silence. "I don't agree with them and I didn't want to have this meeting, but I thought you deserved to know what they were thinking and talking about behind your back."

"When did you learn about that stuff?" Serena asked as she turned and stepped toward the closest bench. She sat and winced at the coldness against the skin of her thighs.

"After the monster fight yesterday." Mina replied as she joined her on the bench, grimacing slightly at the cold. "We had a meeting afterward and that's when they voiced their concerns. Me and Artemis thought they should speak to you about their concerns. Luna was the one to insist on having a meeting as soon as you were back from your trip."

Serena sighed and shook her head slightly. "Well they said what they wanted to say. I doubt what I told them will make a difference. I think they'll just continue thinking what they're already thinking." She said.

Mina shrugged. She didn't know; she was just glad that Serena now knew what they had been saying behind her back.

"Anyway, since they didn't think to tell you in their single-minded pursuit of confronting you I think you should know that another of those men in the gray uniform showed up at the last fight." She said.

"Is it one of the guys from before?" Serena asked.

"Not based on what the others said." Mina answered. "He didn't give a name, but his uniform had dark gray lining and he wore a cape. He had long white hair that stretched pass his shoulders and blue eyes."

"He definitely doesn't sound like one I've seen before." Serena sad with a frown. "Did he do anything?"

"Yes. He placed a dome of transparent white energy around the others that they were unable to break through. I wasn't caught in it because I was watching him for any sign of movement and dodged out of the way just before it appeared." Mina said.

"He teleported away when I attacked him and when he reappeared he used energy blasts that came out white gray. If he had anything else he didn't use it or at least didn't get the chance to use it before he was driven away." She added.

Serena nodded thoughtfully as she idly looked at the play structure.

"And Amy and Raye were trapped inside the dome; likely because they weren't paying close enough attention." She stated, and Mina nodded in agreement.

"Either that or because of slow reaction time, but I suppose that could be lumped in with not paying attention considering how quickly it happened. They would have needed to be watching him closely to know when to move. I was able to tell from his facial expression and the way he held himself alone that he was stronger than the last guy I saw, so I was especially watchful." Mina said.

"And if they hadn't noticed then it was because they simply noted his general appearance and nothing else." Serena said disappointedly.

"Yes, which brings me to something that's been on my mind for a while; training. I didn't say anything, wanting to wait and see if it would be mentioned since it hadn't when I first agreed to be a scout, but it hasn't and I thought I would ask you first." Mina said.

"Training's never been mentioned to me either." Serena said as she looked to Mina. "It hadn't even occurred to me until weeks after I became a scout, and even then I still hadn't started actually training until after Mercury was awakened."

"Since then I haven't bothered to mention it to them or even bring up the subject. I quite honestly don't want to work with them any more than I need to; especially after this meeting." She added.

Mina hummed as she nodded.

"Maybe they think they don't need training and that's why they haven't mentioned it." She said thoughtfully.

"Either that or it hasn't occurred to them, but in my opinion they need it." Serena said.

"How so?" Mina asked curiously.

"As far as I'm concerned they need to learn how to launch their attacks without shouting them out and alerting the monsters and those men to what's coming, and they need to be aware of their environment and who is around." Serena said seriously.

"If it wasn't for Tuxedo Mask I would've been nailed one time by Amy's ice bubbles, because she was so focused on the monster that she wasn't paying attention to where everyone was around her." She said as she shifted and crossed her left leg over her right knee.

"At the time I was busy reaching for my tiara as it returned to me. I had been standing directly behind the monster, thinking I would be fine because its movements were restricted because of the way it was formed; a tree monster, and it simply hadn't occurred to me that I needed to worry about friendly fire. I thought, wrongly, that they had the common sense to know where everyone was standing and to be careful." She explained, shaking her head.

"Amy at least needs to be more firm in her fighting, to get closer to the enemy and attack. So far she's mostly been attacking from a distance and acting like back up without ever saying that was what she was going to do or even if her instincts put her in that position." She continued.

"They also need to learn to keep their composure and their emotions in check in front of the enemy. It's okay to be surprised or shocked about something, but not to loudly announce it so the enemy is aware and can use it against them." She said.

"And they need to learn not to hesitate in fighting people who are being controlled by the enemy; not just push and shove them out of the way. Not to kill them obviously, but to completely incapacitate them so they're no longer a threat or in the way." She explained.

"True." Mina agreed. "I noticed the same things. As bad as it was it was probably a good thing that Amy and Raye were the ones to be possessed or who knows what would have happened."

Serena nodded. "They probably wouldn't have done what was necessary to stop us if we had been possessed. And we might have had to rely on Tuxedo Mask to fight that Neflite man." She said, and Mina nodded.

"Beyond that I don't understand why Amy is so concerned about your ability to sense dark energy, and Raye trying to make a connection between you and Tuxedo Mask." She said.

"Neither of them seems willing to put in the effort to talk to him so they can find out anything about him, and I haven't forgotten Luna's warning about him possibly being a danger. I haven't gotten that impression so far, and Raye just seems determined to link you to him somehow just because you both didn't show up to the last fight." Mina continued.

"And I see nothing wrong with your ability to sense dark energy. I actually think it's a good thing. You can know without a doubt that the enemy is active and up to something and be able to track them down." She said before pausing.

"Based on the last meeting I've actually been wondering if Amy is jealous of your ability." Mina added, watching her friend to see her reaction.

Serena's eyebrows rose in surprise. "I didn't think jealousy could be what her problem was." She said in surprise, and Mina nodded.

"I can't think of anything else as a reason for her unreasonableness." She said.

"Well if jealousy is truly the issue then there's nothing I can do about that. Amy needs to accept the abilities she has." Serena said with a huff. "I'm frustrated more often than not that I only have my tiara as a weapon, but that doesn't mean I'm jealous of Amy or any of you for your attacks. And I'm certainly not jealous of her little computer. If nothing else I know without a doubt that I'm a fighter and not an analyst."

Mina nodded. "It doesn't take any thought for me to know I can't see myself pulling out a computer, no matter how small, in the middle of a fight. I definitely know I'm solely a fighter." She said, and Serena nodded.

"As for Raye's issue I think she will just watch and see if there's any other instance of me and Tuxedo Mask not being at a fight at the same time. There's nothing I can do about that, because like I said I have no idea why he does the things he does." Serena said.

"Although, I'll be interested to know Raye's reaction if I'm at a fight and he isn't or if you or Amy aren't at a fight and he doesn't show up. Where will that leave her argument then?" She added curiously.

Mina shrugged. "It'll probably be the same, but a new argument would form on top of that one." She said as she rolled her eyes at the thought of that happening.

Serena nodded and then sighed heavily.

"Anyway, I'll be happy to train with you if you want. The very fact that you brought it up to me lets me know that you're taking your development as a scout seriously." She said.

"I very much want to train with you." Mina said enthusiastically. "I'm still unsure about this reincarnated princess business, but I want to be the best I can be."

"Me too." Serena agreed. "I usually train while I'm transformed and in the middle of the night, but training with you will allow me the chance to train during the day."

She was careful with how she worded her little explanation. She wasn't lying to her still fairly new friend, and if Mina was smart and looked deeper she would realize Serena could just as easily train while transformed during the day, so there was a reason she did it during the night.

If she figures it out and mentions it I'll deal with it then. Serena thought calmly before she and Mina began to talk about what day they could have their first training session, and if they would be transformed or not during the session.

oOoIRoOo

Soft slow musical notes drifted and floated through the large bright room heightening the soothing design.

The floor was covered in large square gray marble tiles streaked with white, the walls a soft sky blue with white flowers flowing up from the white borders along the edges, and a white ceiling. Large arched windows allowed plenty of daylight in, and a crystal chandelier hung in the center of the room from the ceiling.

Directly below the glittering chandelier Sailor Earth sat at a beautiful bright shiny white and gold grand piano. The matching bench was comfortable, and allowed her to sit for hours without complaint. It wasn't as big as the ones she had seen at musical performances, but it was large enough to be the center piece of the room she sat in.

Blue eyes were hidden behind closed eyelids as her fingers moved quicker across the ivory keys and sent a soothing rhythmic melody sailing faster through the room. There was no sheet music set up as she played; her chosen melody being something she created and was now playing from memory.

Large warm hands suddenly slid and settled on her shoulders, and she smiled softly as it was followed by the presence of a man standing behind her.

Endymion. She thought.

She could feel his warmth seeping through the material of her cape and sailor uniform, even through his own uniform, and thoroughly enjoyed it. She didn't mind his presence at all. Many of the songs she created and played were inspired by him. Either her feelings for him or their love story.

A soft sigh escaped her lips as her melody changed from soft and soothing to romantic and passionate.

She was glad for his presence, as she always was, since he was a comfort to her. He always made her feel more confident in herself, self-assured, and secure in the knowledge of his affections.

Endymion had no problem showing her and everyone else who knew them personally that she was his preference, his choice, and exactly what she meant to him. He liked her for who she was: a messy, cheerful, book reading, nature loving, serious warrior.

It was a great feeling; to know that her feelings were returned and he trusted her in return. He knew that she saw the man beneath the royal facade, but also accepted that facade because it was part of who he was. Two sides of a coin.

Sailor Earth felt her love kiss the top of her head and she corrected herself. He didn't like her for who she was; he loved her for who she was.

oOo

"Endymion!" She cried out and hurried toward him, quickly dropping to her knees at his side as she placed a hand on his shoulder and grabbed his hand with the other.

"Why?! Why did you do this?" She asked, angry and sad. "It is my duty to protect my princess!"

"No. It is not your duty and never has been." Endymion said weakly. "You were never supposed to be Sailor Moon. Your destiny was taken from you."

"I do not understand." Sailor Moon said in confusion.

This man had just saved her life, taking a clearly mortal wound for her, and it was clear from his words that he did it for her and not her princess. She had already admitted to herself that she loved him, but seeing him so hurt and knowing he was dying shattered something deep inside her.

They heard a scream and she looked up to see her princess being attacked by an earth soldier. She moved to get up but looked back to Endymion as she felt him squeeze her hand.

Sailor Moon looked frantically between Endymion and her barely struggling princess. She knew she needed to protect her, but her body was already settling back at his side and it made her abruptly aware that his life was more important to her then her princess' was.

"I do not want you to die. You cannot die. I love you too much for you to leave me." She said sadly as she gently ran her fingers through his hair.

"I love you as well my Serenity. I will find you again, and you will remember what we had." He said quietly.


Serena's eyes popped open at the sound of her alarm going off, and quickly turned it off before sighing and laying back against her warm pillow. She thought the memory she had just seen was a rather peaceful one aside from whatever had caused her to feel sad.

It seemed her past self as the scout of the Earth wasn't just a warrior. She was at the least also a musician; a talented pianist.

I wonder if I can play the instrument based off of nothing but that memory. She wondered. And instinct I suppose; like how I can use weapons instinctively that I've never even held before. If nothing else it would be further proof that Sailor Earth was indeed my past self.

Because while at this point she had come to believe that she truly had been both Sailor Earth and Sailor Moon in the past she still didn't have much proof aside from her returning memories and instincts that she actually had been this talented scout of the Earth.

Being Sailor Moon in this life hasn't exactly helped with that growing belief either. She thought with a silent sigh. If I was truly both scouts in the past does that mean I have the potential to be both in the present? Or did circumstances in the past cause me to have to be or end up being both scouts instead of just one?

Serena shook her head and switched her thoughts to the other subject of the memory. It was the first time she got a glimpse into the thoughts of the Earth scout's feelings for the prince and how she saw his feelings for her.

Clearly she loved him very much and was very pleased that he accepted her for who she was and didn't try to change her to be someone else. She especially liked that her past self had accepted the prince for who he was; a normal man who was also a very important royal.

They didn't let the different sides of them get in the way of their love. In fact they embraced those sides and incorporated them into their relationship from all I've remembered so far. She considered. It's very sweet to know, and definitely inspires me to aspire to that with Darien. Maybe we can have that type of relationship what with me being a scout and him being Tuxedo Mask.

With that last thought Serena got up and began to get herself ready for school all the while wondering if she could possibly be a pianist and if her relationship with Darien could reach the intensity and passion that apparently existed between Sailor Earth and Prince Endymion.

oOo

Serena walked down the sidewalk Monday afternoon after school on her way to meet up with her boyfriend to spend time with him. Her school day had gone the same as usual and she was definitely ready to spend time with him.

Twenty minutes later found her reaching the building housing the arcade and cafe, and she calmly walked up the stairs and pulled open the glass door to the cafe. She immediately spotted Andrew behind the counter, and waved cheerfully to him which he returned with an easy smile.

She looked around and spotted her boyfriend sitting at a booth seat next to the window, and headed for him with a smile already on her face.

"Hello my lady." Darien said as he looked over to see her walking toward him.

"Hi there." She greeted as she watched him stand up. He hugged her and they shared a kiss before they both slid into a sit facing each other across the table.

"How was your day?" He asked her.

"It was the usual. Nothing extraordinary." She replied. "What about your day?" She asked.

"The same." He said with a smile. "A lot of note taking." He added, and she nodded.

"Did I disrupt anything when I transformed last evening?" Serena asked with a concerned frown.

"No." Darien assured her as he shook his head. "Although, I was surprised that there was no attack happening."

"You saw the meeting." She stated, having wondered if he would be in the area because of her transformation.

"I saw and heard it." He confirmed, and watched as she grimaced.

"I'm sorry you had to hear all that." She said apologetically.

"Don't worry about it." He replied. "I thought you handled yourself and the situation very well. Your arguments were spot on and as far as I can tell there is nothing for you to worry about with anything that was said."

"I agree and I'm glad you think so too." She said and then sighed. "I still can't believe them. Coming at me like that just because I have a unique ability, Mercury's remembering the past, and Mars doesn't like that we both happened to not show up at a fight."

"You know Venus told me after that meeting that she thought Mercury was jealous of me." She added.

"Really? I guess that's when you looked surprised." Darien said thoughtfully. He didn't know if he should be surprised or not about that revelation. He didn't know this Mercury, and he hadn't known her beyond sight in the past.

"Just how long did you stay yesterday?" Serena asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I stayed with you until you reached your neighborhood, and then I went home." He answered. "After the meeting you and Venus talked more quietly, so I contended myself with simply watching you."

"You're so sweet." She said with a smile. "And yes that was when I was surprised. I hadn't thought that would be what Mercury's problem was, and I don't know why she would feel that way if it's true. I'm certainly not jealous of her or any of them for their abilities."

"And Mars' issue seems to be more with you then with me." She added quietly as she glanced around. "It's just a coincidence that I happened to find out you were you recently, but before that I had no idea and certainly didn't know why you talked to me and not the others or why you stayed near me."

"But she's making it you're problem because she can't or won't talk to me." Darien said.

"Yes." Serena said as she nodded. "And don't get me started on the issue of the princess and her feelings for the prince and him courting me."

"I definitely agree with what you told them." He said seriously. "There are laws against the behavior you mentioned, and the scouts definitely would not be able to protect her if she acts that way."

Darien was very serious about that. He would not put up with that, and he would not rely on the authorities to handle her. He would deal with her himself. Especially if she became a threat to his Serenity.

But then I think my Serenity will be able to handle the princess herself. He told himself as he looked at her.

"I guess we'll just have to see what happens when she's found and if the prince is around at the time." Serena said with a shrug. "Since you couldn't hear us Venus also informed me that another of those guys in uniform showed up at the fight we missed. She said he had long white hair, blue eyes, and his uniform had a cape attached to it."

Malachite. He thought quietly. So all of them have now made an appearance.

"He's not one we've seen before." He commented.

"True." She agreed. "She said he placed a transparent white dome around Mars and Mercury, he could teleport to avoid attacks, and use white gray energy blasts."

"That's good to know." Darien said as he nodded. "At least we can be prepared if he shows up when we are at a fight."

Serena nodded in agreement.

"Anything else you want to share?" He asked curiously, and she hummed.

"Oh! We talked about training. Venus said she had waited to see if anyone would mention it, but obviously no one did so she decided to mention it to me." Serena said.

"Why you?" He asked.

"I think she's about as fond of Mercury and Mars as I am, which is not very much." She answered. "She wants to be the best scout she can be and she's seen how I am during a fight. And of course she's seen how the others are as well, so she decided to approach me about it."

"So are you two going to train together now?" Darien asked.

"Yes. We're going to start sometime this week." She admitted. "Oh! That reminds me. I wonder if we can do some training together today. It occurred to me last night that we can do that now without being transformed."

"Absolutely." He agreed instantly. "We only have to get changed, and we can get started. Hmm..how about I take you home first and wait for you to get changed, and then we can go to my place and I can change and we can find a place to train from there."

"Alright, let's do it!" Serena said with a grin.

The couple got up and left the cafe and headed to Darien's car. Once inside he drove them to her house and she quickly went inside and dropped off her school bag and changed into a pair of sweatpants and a shirt. She made sure to have her brooch, communicator, and keys in her pockets, but left the Crescent Moon Wand behind.

Once back inside the car they made their way to his apartment and when they arrived she followed him up to his apartment unit and waited in his living room while he changed. Within a couple of minutes he came out dressed exactly as she was; in sweats and a t-shirt.

They left the apartment and once outside the building they ran and stopped at the first park they found, which was a park in the area with a baseball diamond that wasn't currently being used. They moved forward and settled themselves in the outfield grass and began to stretch.

"Okay, so we're going to do this the same way we would if we were transformed. No holding back." Darien said seriously as they stood up.

"Right!" Serena said firmly as she moved a few steps back to create some distance between them.

She stared at him taking in his stance, which was ready and yet relaxed as he stood waiting. So she knew she would be the one to attack, which was not surprising. These physical spars were for her benefit since he seemed to know how to fight.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she imagined he was one of those men in the gray uniform. She would use what she had learned so far, and whatever else came to her as she moved.

Don't forget to listen to what he says, and pay attention to his movements. She told herself as she dashed toward him.

Darien watched his soulmate as she watched him. Her face was serious and her eyes were intense as she readied herself to attack him. She was so beautiful standing there dressed casually and comfortably, her blue eyes bright, her long golden blond hair shining under the sun. The only thing to throw off the picture was her unfortunate hair style.

Focus Endymion. She needs this training. What she learns here will help to keep her safe and alive until she remembers her true self. He told himself firmly as she moved toward him.

She quickly launched a straight punch toward his face, which he blocked and pushed to the side as he returned the punch. Serena blocked it and brought her knee up, intending to kick him, but he grabbed her knee and pushed her back.

Serena stumbled back but righted herself before she could fall, and twisted to swing a round back kick at him. Darien leapt back to avoid the hit before running at his soulmate and snapped a front kick at her. She grabbed his ankle, stopping his leg, and pushed up even as she pushed him back.

Darien moved with the way he was falling back and turned it into a back flip and tried to kick her with his other leg. Serena moved to the side to avoid the kick, and ran toward him to punch him as he righted himself. Instead he quickly grabbed her hand and twisted her arm behind her back and used his free arm to wrap around her neck.

"Oh damn." Serena breathed as she panted, and listened as her boyfriend quietly laughed.

"How do you plan to get out of this?" Darien asked curiously before he took the opportunity to kiss her cheek.

She closed her eyes and tried to think. She could try to move his arm from her neck, but that would still leave her trapped behind her back. Trying to move or twist to her left or right wouldn't do anything because he would still have a hold of her arm.

Jumping wouldn't help either. We would probably fall because he's so close, and I would still be trapped. She thought with a sigh.

"I believe you know how to get free, but you do not want to do it." Darien said quietly as he continued to hold her firmly.

Serena sighed. Now that he said it an idea had come to her, but that would hurt him and this was just training. This wasn't the real deal.

"Wouldn't that be going too far?" She asked reluctantly.

"This training is to prepare you to face such situations." He told her. "If I am hurt then I get hurt. I'll heal, but at least I'll know that you can react and get out of these types of situations."

"Alright." She said with a sigh as she shifted her eyes down. Satisfied with what she saw she tugged sharply on his arm as a distraction before she lifted her foot and stomped down on his foot.

He cried out in pain loosening his hold on her, and that was all Serena needed to quickly move his arm away from her neck and pull her arm free from his grip. She turned around and swung her fist at his face, slamming it into his nose, before she kneed him in the groin and then kicked him in the stomach.

Darien cried out as he was sent flying back and landed hard on the grassy ground. He groaned in pain as he brought his hands up to cover his face and pressed his thighs together as if that would stop the piercing pain between his legs.

He knew generally what his Serenity would do, expected it after his words and the position he had left her in, but he hadn't at all been prepared for it. Of course, one couldn't prepare for something like that. All they could do was take it, which was exactly what he did.

This hurts, but I am proud of her. He thought painfully.

"Darien!" Serena called worriedly as she ran forward.

Despite his pain he opened his eyes and kicked his foot out and kicked her feet out from under her. She fell onto her back with a cry of pain, and he moved as he quickly as his pain would allow him to and shifted his legs before he twisted and rolled toward her.

He quickly turned her onto her stomach and pulled her arms behind her back, and held her wrists with one hand before he leaned against her back until his face was next to hers.

"It's okay to show concern, but do it at a distance in such situations." Darien said before he kissed her check.

"Right. Concern at a distance." Serena said with a huff as she watched him slid his free arm in the grass.

She hoped she didn't have to try and get herself out of the position she was in, because she didn't think she could. His face was next to hers, so a head-butt was out since doing it from the side likely wouldn't have the necessary force to it. She couldn't lift herself because he had her arms behind her back, and trying to twist and roll over wouldn't work either because of his weight on her back.

"I don't have to try and get out of this do I?" She asked with a sigh.

"No." Darien said he released her wrists and rolled off her onto his back in the grass. "Let's take a break before we start again." He added as he closed his eyes and continued to recover from the assault he had invited on himself.

They both lay there in the grass for a few long minutes before Serena sat up as she twisted to sit, and began to stretch her legs; grimacing at the ache from where Darien had kicked her legs. They hurt but she knew he had it worse. She had stomped his foot, bashed him in the face, kneed him in the groin, and then kicked him in the stomach.

She stood up slowly and took a couple of steps, walking in a circle to make sure her legs were okay to hold her up, before she knelt down next to her boyfriend. She leaned over him and kissed his nose where she hit it, and watched as his eyes opened as she leaned back.

"Did that help?" She asked with a light smile.

"No." Darien answered honestly. "But it made me feel better." He said with a small smile.

"Well, whatever works." She replied before she started to gently rub his stomach where she had kicked it.

After a while she stopped and looked to his foot, and easily figured she couldn't rub that without taking off his shoe. The only other place she could rub was not one she was about to. She looked back to his face and saw that he was staring at her.

"What?" She said as her cheeks reddened, and he laughed as if he could read her mind.

"It is alright. It is the thought that counts my lady." Darien said, proving that he had some notion of what she had been thinking.

"I think I'm rested enough to start." He said after a few more moments of amused laughter as he sat up.

They both stood up and stood across from each other, closer than they had when they first started, before Darien swung a punch at Serena's face.

She swatted his arm back with her hand as she stepped back, but he stepped forward and swung again with his other arm. She did the same with that swing, swatting it away with her hand as she stepped back, and he retaliated by bringing his leg up in a front kick. She used both hands to push it down by his ankle and stepped back.

Darien's foot came down and he swung a side kick at her that she blocked before he swung his fist toward the side of her head. She quickly dropped down into a crouch and swung her leg at his, but he jumped over it.

She stood quickly intending to give him an uppercut punch to the chin, but he avoided it and pushed her arm back. The force of the push caused her to almost fall back, so she turned it into a backflip hoping to kick him in the chin. She didn't feel anything against her feet, so she knew he had avoided it.

Serena landed back on her feet, but found her boyfriend already coming at her. He swung his fists at her intently but she backpedaled to avoid each one; not having the time or footing to try and block them because of her landing and momentum from her backflip.

Suddenly Darien grabbed her right forearm with his large hand, stopping her backward motion, and she automatically pulled her arm back.

Let go. She thought as she continued to pull; as if that was going to make him let go.

"Are okay miss?" She heard a male voice call off to their side at a bit of a distance, but she ignored him as she shook herself internally.

She twisted her arm in his grip and grabbed his forearm and then reached forward with her other hand and grabbed on with that one before she pulled sharply and hard as she twisted her hips and upper body and shifted her legs.

She cried out slightly from the exertion and launched him over her shoulder and through the air. She didn't bother looking to see who the male voice had come from, since it was obvious that she didn't need help, and ran forward toward her boyfriend before he hit the ground.

Darien hit the ground and rolled before he twisted and stood, but he quickly found himself on the defense. He backpedaled to avoid his soulmate's swinging fists before he blocked one and swung a straight punch toward her face.

Serena tilted her head to the side to avoid the hit, but cried out in surprise as his arm wrapped around the back of her neck and held her in a headlock.

"Aw man!" She said as she grabbed his hips since she found herself near his waist.

"I'm sure you'll figure out what to do next." Darien said encouragingly as he rubbed her back with his free hand.

Serena huffed and considered her options. She couldn't pull away since he was holding her pretty securely and would expect that anyway. She could try and knock his feet out from under him like he had done to her.

I could knock him backward but then he would still have a hold of me, and if all went well I could end up falling on my face or head. If I knock him forward I would fall on my back, and he might loosen his hold on me. She considered thoughtfully.

Yeah that could work, but he's likely watching to see what I'll do. I'll need to distract him. She thought before she started to struggle in his hold.

She pulled back, pushed forward, and pulled erratically from side to side. He of course tightened his hold on her and moved with her but she continued to struggle. As she pulled back again she watched his feet and then stuck out her leg tripping him up as he stepped forward.

He grunted and just as she thought might happen the momentum of his fall pulled her back, but thankfully he released his hold on her as well likely to brace himself so his face didn't hit the ground.

As soon as Serena hit the ground she quickly rolled on top of him and tried to pull his arm back to pin his arms like he had done to her, but he pushed her off him and she landed on her back.

Darien pushed up until he was on his knees and looked to his soulmate, but she rolled away clearly not wanting to wait and see what he would do to her.

They both got to their feet and eyed the other for any sign of unexpected movement in their direction.

"How about we have one more go before we change location?" Darien suggested.

"Okay." Serena agreed without taking her eyes off him.

She was already tired of the flat grassy baseball outfield, and wanted more obstacles around them to use. Maybe with more obstacles around there would be less of a chance she would get caught in his hold as she had twice now.

Yeah. That would be nice. She thought before she ran forward intending to attack him first. Maybe later we can transform and I can train with my tiara.

oOoIRoOo

Thursday came quickly and found Serena, Mina, and Artemis walking around randomly as the two friends hung out.

It had been a little over two hours since school let out. The two of them had gone to Serena's house to do their homework together and when they finished they decided they had enough time to hangout. Since Artemis had been there they had offered him to tag along since they didn't mind his company, and he easily agreed.

"So, how are things going with you and your boyfriend if you don't mind me asking?" She asked slightly cautiously, remembering Serena's clear statement during the last scout meeting.

"They're great. He's such a gentleman, kind, caring, and confident." Serena answered with a smile. "I won't go so far as to say he's perfect, even though it feels that way, because I doubt he is. After all, I haven't seen him angry yet or annoyed, irritated, or sad."

"No he's not perfect, but he's turning out to be the perfect match for me. We have so many things in common and our personalities mesh well together." She said.

"He also gets along with my friends; at least the ones he's met." She added.

"Who has he met?" Mina asked curiously even though she knew she didn't know all of Serena's friends.

"He's met Molly, and my friend Kagome." Serena answered. "I still need to introduce him to another of my friend's, Keiko, and I also want to introduce him to you."

"Really?" Mina said in surprise.

She understood right away that this was serious for Serena to even think of doing this, and that she really did consider her a friend. After all, she had made no mention of Amy and Raye meeting him, and had just gone off on Amy days ago for basically trying to say she had the right to know about her boyfriend just because they were scouts.

"Yes." Serena said with a nod. "I think you two will get along well. I'll try to arrange it for next week. What day are you free of your other friends and volleyball practice?"

Artemis listened to the young women's conversation from his position in Serena's arms. Even he was aware of the significance of Serena wanting to introduce her boyfriend to Mina, and was glad the two of them were getting along and becoming close friends.

He would admit that he was curious about the young man. She spent a great deal of time with him, mostly when she wasn't with her friends, so she obviously got along well with him and enjoyed his company.

I wonder what he looks like. He thought curiously. He knew that Luna had seen him one time when he had picked Serena up for a date, but he had never asked for a description. She had only said he looked like he was polite and a gentleman from the little she had seen of his behavior.

I doubt I will be meeting him any time soon. He thought idly. He and Luna were still unknown to her family, so he doubted she had said anything about having pet cats.

Serena walked alongside Mina, waiting for her response, as she idly stroked Artemis' warm white fur. She wondered what Darien would think of meeting Mina. Would he like her as he did Molly and Kagome?

I think he will. She's easy going and cheerful, but can also be calm and serious. She thought as her fingers moved over Artemis' fur. And I really do need to set up a time for him to meet Keiko. It's just hard with it being senior year. We're all busy with homework and college applications. Plus, she has her own set of friends she has to work around as well.

We'll figure it out. I'm determined… Her though trailed off and her hand stopped moving over Artemis' fur as she began to sense dark energy.

The disturbing sense was not weak but it wasn't strong either, so she knew it wasn't too far away but not in the immediate area.

"I'm sensing dark energy." She said, and both her current companions looked to her.

"Which direction?" Mina asked seriously.

"Off to our right. It's not strong but it's not weak either, so we'll have a bit of distance to run." Serena answered.

"Then we had better find a place to transform." Mina replied as she looked around.

They hurried to a subtle location, one that was deserted and had no windows, and looked around to make sure they were alone as Serena put Artemis down.

"Venus Power!" Mina said firmly as she held up her transformation pen, and squinted her eyes as bright orange light came flaring out of the top of the pen and swirled around her before surrounding her completely.

"Moon Prism Power!" Serena said clearly as she touched her brooch, and squinted her eyes as a bright pink light flared from it and surrounded her.

When the light cleared both young women stood in their sailor uniforms as Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus.

"Come on Artemis. Hang on to my shoulder and we can go." Sailor Moon said she knelt down.

"Right!" Artemis said before he leapt up and clung to her left shoulder.

Once he was in place she stood up and nodded to Sailor Venus, who returned the gesture, before she took off running; following her senses to the source of the dark energy.

Artemis carefully dug the claws of his front paws into the fabric on Sailor Moon's shoulder and just as carefully did the same with his back paws on her back as she leapt up onto a fire escape and sprung up off it and landed on the roof of a three story building.

This was definitely different from the last time he had been carried by her, which was when they first met. That time had been casual and there had been no rush, but this time there was a monster to be stopped.

This was also the first time he was with her when she used her ability to sense dark energy, and from what he was seeing she seemed to be doing it well. There was no hesitation in her movements whatsoever; just her running, leaping, and jumping in the direction she clearly intended to go.

This will also be my first time seeing any of the girls in action in this lifetime. He thought quietly as he glanced over to see Sailor Venus keeping up at her side.

Artemis clenched his body as Sailor Moon jumped off the roof of a six story building and landed lightly on the top of a telephone pole before she leapt over to a light pole and then jumped down and landed lightly on the sidewalk.

He could hear the gasps of people surprised at seeing her but she didn't stop. She ignored them and continued onward running down the sidewalk before she reached the corner. She turned and continued down the sidewalk and only slowed when she reached the end before she began to walk across the street to what looked like a park.

"It's in there." Sailor Moon said as Venus stepped up to her side.

They both looked at the view of what they thought was a large flower garden, that looked more like a park, with a greenhouse in the distance. The look of the garden and the location let them know that it was a public garden, which wasn't a surprise since the monster was obviously there for a reason.

"However, I'm sensing two separate sources of energy; one weaker than the other. That's never happened before." She added with a frown. "I'm sure the stronger one is the monster, but I need to find out what the weaker one is first."

"Can you tell if it's two different sources of energy?" Sailor Venus asked. "It might be two different monsters."

"They both feel the same, but that doesn't mean there aren't two here." She answered. "Like I said, this has never happened before, so I've never had to sense for dark energy in two different locations."

"Alright. I guess we should find out what we're dealing with then." Venus said.

"Yes." Sailor Moon said seriously as they began to dash forward.

The two scouts easily leapt over an elegant wrought iron fence and, respecting the numerous varieties of flowers visible, they kept to the pathways as Sailor Moon guided them toward the weaker source of energy.

As they ran she began to realize that they were headed for the greenhouse, and she couldn't help wondering what they would find. She hoped it wasn't a second monster, because that would likely mean she would be forced to contact the others.

But then again I'm sure Darien will show up soon, and with three of us we might be able to take them on. She considered as she ran.

"Here." She said as she slowed outside the greenhouse. "The energy is stronger now, but still weak if that makes sense."

Sailor Venus slowed as well and they both stopped to look at the glass and steel building. It was larger now that they were up close, and very elegant looking. It matched the wrought iron fence surrounding the garden.

She looked at the glass as they walked toward the door, and frowned as she saw something that didn't make sense to her. There were large long oval like shapes that were almost evenly spaced out and looked like they were stuck to the glass.

She shot Sailor Moon a look and from the confused look she got in return her fellow scout had noticed them as well.

They reached the door and Sailor Moon grasped the handle and carefully pulled the door open. All three of them looked inside and gasped uncontrollably at the sight that met their horrified eyes.

There were various kinds of flowers and different breeds of those flowers all over the place, some that they had seen outside and others that they had not, but that was not what had caught their attention.

It was the long oval shaped objects which they realized now were cocoons. They only realized that fact because there were numerous ones hanging from the ceiling and they could see peoples heads or in some cases just their faces.

On top of that the cocoons were glowing lightly with a dark red light that they hadn't been able to see from outside the building.

"Their energy must be being absorbed." Artemis said quietly.

"Yes. Whatever those cocoons are made of came from the monster." Sailor Moon said as her eyes flickered around. "That would explain why I can sense them."

"There are almost thirty of them." Venus said quietly as her eyes flickered around.

"Come on. Let's head to the monster. Getting rid of it is the only way to save these people." Sailor Moon said as she let go of the door, and let it swing close on its own.

They turned and began to run as Sailor Moon focused on the direction she sensed the stronger dark energy in. They continued to stick to the pathways and eventually they began to hear the slight sounds of yells and screams.

Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus shared a concerned look before they increased their pace.

They realized quickly that the park was larger than it looked, especially since they were staying on the paths, but they eventually reached the source of the dark energy Sailor Moon sensed along with the attack scene.

There were people scattered around on the ground, unconscious and partially encased in the beginnings of a cocoon, and others were standing around. They were clearly afraid but seemed to realize they wouldn't be able to get away if they tried to run.

Standing in the middle of them all was a female that was clearly the monster they were there for.

It had long ink black hair slicked back, solid black eyes with black veins snaking off along the skin around its eyes, and it wore a black leather looking long sleeve bodysuit with a red hourglass marking decorating the chest.

"Ladies." Came a quiet masculine voice a little ways behind them.

Sailor Venus looked back sharply, she hadn't sensed or heard him, but Sailor Moon didn't even flinch; recognizing her boyfriend's voice instantly.

"Welcome Tuxedo Mask." She greeted without taking her eyes off the monster.

Tuxedo Mask walked up nodding politely to the scout of Venus, and eyeing the white cat hanging on his soulmate's shoulder as he stopped next to her. He had looked through the Earth as soon as he sensed his soulmate's transformation and monitored her progress through her journey to and into the flower garden.

He had seen the victims in the greenhouse and he had seen the victims in front of him now. He had also seen the white cat's presence, but ignored it and teleported himself to his soulmate when he knew she was about to confront the monster.

"Time for you to find somewhere else to sit Artemis." Sailor Moon said quietly as she slowly knelt down, not wanting to attract the monster's attention yet.

Artemis leapt off silently and went and stood at the base of a thin tree next to Venus as he looked toward the masked man. His appearance had been as much of a surprise to him as it had been to Venus judging by the look on her face.

But not to Sailor Moon. He thought as he glanced to her as she stood back up. She hadn't flinched at all, he would have felt that, so she had either sensed his arrival or was just used to his sudden appearances.

Well, either way now I will get a chance to observe him and see if he really is a possible danger to the princess or any of the scouts for that matter. He decided as he looked back to the man.

"Should we contact the others?" Venus asked softly.

"No." Sailor Moon said firmly yet just as softly, her eyes never leaving the monster. "We can handle this; and Mercury's got her little computer so she should know about this." She added as she glanced to Venus with a slight gleam in her eyes.

Sailor Venus pressed her lips together and looked back to the monster to hold in her amusement. She knew exactly what Moon was thinking as she recalled her theory of Mercury being jealous of Moon's ability to sense dark energy.

She is right. Mercury has a minicomputer to alert her to this attack, but I get the feeling Moon just doesn't want her and Mars around to fight with us. She thought as she focused on the monster. Although, I will admit that I'm a bit curious to see how this fight will go without Mars and Mercury here.

"Time to move." Sailor Moon said as she saw the monster start moving toward one of the people standing. "Spread out, so we can give the people a chance to get away."

Tuxedo Mask and Venus nodded and they all moved forward with the two of them veering off to the sides while Sailor Moon continued forward. She reached up and removed her tiara from her forehead and charged it until it was a glowing disk hovering just above her fingertips.

The monster narrowed its eyes as it saw Venus enter its line of sight. It parted its lips and opened its mouth and shot out a thick stream of white substance at her.

Sailor Moon quickly threw her tiara at the stuff and sliced it in half before it could get anywhere near Venus. Sailor Venus seeing this lifted her hand and aimed her finger at the monster.

Crescent Beam! She thought and watched as a beam of light shot out of her finger and streaked toward the monster.

The monster dodged the light and, seeing a flash of light out of the corner of her eye, quickly ducked down, and neatly avoided the glowing disk that had been headed for her. She stood up and jumped high as she sensed something coming at her from behind, and looked to see roses sticking out of the ground.

She landed and quickly spun on her heel as she released a continuous stream of silk from her mouth.

All of them quickly backed away to avoid the substance and Tuxedo Mask threw a handful of his exploding roses up at the monster. They hit and the monster went flying into the air and came falling down, but landed on its feet without any problems.

Venus launched her Crescent Beam attack once again at the monster, and hoped it did some damage since it appeared Tuxedo Mask's exploding roses didn't affect it.

Meanwhile, Sailor Moon moved toward the white substance that had fallen to the ground. She knelt down and looked toward the monster to make sure the monster wasn't paying her any attention before she looked at the white stuff.

She cautiously touched it and when nothing happened she picked up a small portion and stared at it in the light. It was shiny and looked silky, and she frowned at it as she tried to figure out what it was.

Silk…web! She suddenly realized, and just as quickly she understood what they were dealing with.

"It's a spider!" She called out as she dropped the webbing and stood up.

A spider! Why?! Why did it have to be a spider?! Venus thought with a grimace as the monster once again avoided her beam.

Sailor Moon looked to her tiara and began to guide it toward the monster's chest, but it twisted away and in the next moment ducked down to avoid Venus' light beam almost to the point of lying on the ground. Sailor Moon quickly changed her tiara's direction and it streaked down toward the monster's back, but it seemed to be aware it was coming and rolled away.

Tuxedo Mask stepped to his side as he focused his chakra and shifted his position, so he wouldn't risk hitting his soulmate or Venus, and lifted his hand as he willed his attack to come forward.

Instantly numerous red rose petals came spraying out, spinning rapidly toward the monster as it rolled. They hit and the monster cried out in pain as it stopped.

Sailor Moon took advantage of the distraction Tuxedo Mask had caused and willed her tiara back toward the monster. She hoped to incapacitate it so it couldn't move like it was, because it had been easy to realize the monster was fast.

The glowing white disk streaked through the air at an angle and sliced through both the monster's legs as it lay on the ground. The limbs separated from the monster just below the knees, and it screamed in agony.

Crescent Beam! Venus called out in her mind as she aimed her finger at the screaming monster.

oOo

Artemis watched the scouts but kept his eyes on the masked man as well, and what he saw puzzled and surprised him.

The three of them moved seriously and without hesitation to confront the monster, and they also seemed to work well together. None of them seemed to be in danger of accidentally hitting each other with their attacks, and it was clear they were also paying attention to what the other was doing since none of them attacked at the same time.

None of them have even spoken to the other while they have been confronting the monster. How is it that they can work so well together? He wondered.

He could understand Sailor Moon and the masked man since she had been the first scout awakened and Tuxedo Mask had apparently been appearing since her first fight. Presumably he had been at every fight she had been at since then, but Sailor Venus was still fairly new and wouldn't have the experience of fighting alongside him.

Artemis pondered this oddity as his eyes looked around. The people that could had taken the chance to run after the fighting started, but he found his eyes landing on a young woman who was still there.

She was tall and slender with her brown hair pulled up into a high ponytail, and she wore a familiar school uniform; the same school uniform that Serena, Mina, and Amy wore.

She was standing a ways behind Venus, well out of the way of an attack, but still too close to the fighting as far as he was concerned. Looking at her face he could tell that she wanted to help, but must know that she would only be in the way which is why she hadn't gotten closer.

Wait a minute. He told himself as he moved to his left to try and get a better look at her face, having caught a glimpse of color on her face that didn't look right.

The first thing he noticed was her vibrant green eyes, and then his own eyes widened as he caught sight of the bright green symbol for Jupiter glowing on her forehead between her bangs.

Artemis was stunned at what he was seeing. The last guardian scout was right before his eyes, and was clearly reluctant to leave. Either that was simply her personality or her scout instincts were already coming forward.

Whichever the case may be I need to awaken her quickly before she is injured. He thought as he looked around and cautiously yet quickly made his way toward her.

oOo

Lita Kino stared at the scene in front of her, eyes wide as adrenaline raced through her veins, her heart pounding against her rib cage.

She couldn't believe what had happened, what was happening! She had gone home after school and done her homework, and then headed to the largest public flower garden in the city to do some visual research for one of her school projects.

She had been kneeling on the ground in front of a breed of blue purple lilies she had never seen before when she began to hear screaming coming from behind her. When she turned around she saw people running, and then she spotted a strange looking woman.

Dark, black, hair slicked back wearing a black leather bodysuit with what looked like high heel boots, but what really caught her attention was the woman's eyes. Soulless black with veins snaking along her skin around the orbs. On top of that alarming sight the woman was unbelievably spitting white stuff out of her mouth that was wrapping around people.

She stood up quickly as she watched people going down left and right, still screaming even as the white stuff continued to wrap around them until they were no longer visible.

Lita was stuck between wanting to run and wanting to help them, and suspected the rest of the people still standing didn't think running would do them any good with how quickly the others had been taken down.

Then those fighters she had been hearing about showed up. Sailor Moon, Sailor Venus, and Tuxedo Mask judging by their clothes, and they were fighting the strange woman so seriously and intently without any hesitation.

"You can help them, join them." She suddenly heard a masculine voice say from near her feet.

Lita jumped slightly and looked down before skittering away quickly, surprised at seeing a white cat standing there. Where had it come from? Why was it there? Whose voice was that?! The questions raced through her mind as she looked around at the fighting before glancing back to the cat.

Did that voice come from it? She wondered.

"I can give you the means to fight with them as an equal." The cat said and her eyes widened as it was confirmed that the voice did come from the cat.

"What?!" Lita said as she looked from the cat to the fighting and back again.

"I can give you the means to help them, to fight like them." The cat said seriously.

"How…how? And how are you able to talk?!" She asked in confusion.

"I can talk because I am special, and I can give you the means to help them because you are one of them." The cat answered patiently.

Lita was beyond confused as she shifted her eyes back to the fight. She was scared at the fighting happening, but at the same time she wanted to help. She wanted to help those scouts, almost felt like she needed to help them, but could she really actually be one of them?

Oh! She just chopped off that woman's legs! She thought wide eyed as she grimaced and listened to the screams.

"What do you mean I'm one of them?" She asked as she suddenly decided to lower herself to kneel on the ground; maybe that would make her less of a target since she couldn't bring herself to leave.

"I mean that you are one of the chosen. One of the five guardian scouts. You are Sailor Jupiter; the last scout to be awakened." The cat said seriously.

"What?!" Lita said with a frown. "How do you know that? And who are you to know that anyway?"

"I am Artemis; a guide to the Guardian Sailor Scouts." Artemis answered.

Guardian Sailor Scouts. Lita repeated in her mind. Does that mean those scouts are supposed to do more than fight people like her? She wondered as she looked back to the fight, and then gasped at what she was seeing.

The woman had stopped screaming and suddenly long spider legs sprouted from her back as she rolled onto her stomach. Four long thin yet thick legs on each side steadied on the ground before lifting the woman…creature off the ground.

"And their job is to fight creatures like that?" She asked, horrified as she gestured toward the fight.

"That is part of their job." Artemis admitted as he looked on at the horrifying scene. "A sailor scout is a female warrior; one charged with the duty to support and protect the Moon Princess. The Moon Princess lives on the Earth, and fighting and defeating monsters such as that one helps to protect her home."

"And I'm really one of them? I can actually fight like them?" Lita asked as she looked to the feline next to her.

"Yes. You are Sailor Jupiter. I can see the symbol for the planet Jupiter glowing on your forehead. It is how I identified you." Artemis said seriously and assuringly. "And yes you can fight just like them."

"How?" She asked. "I can't change to be like them."

"You can. You simply need the means." He said before he jumped up suddenly and did a backflip in the air. There was a brief flash of light, and he and an object landed soundlessly on the grass.

"This is your transformation pen." He said as he lightly placed a paw on it. "To become the scout that you are you simply have to say 'jupiter power' and you will become Sailor Jupiter."

Lita picked up the pen and saw that it was green on the bottom half and gold on the top half with the planetary symbol for Jupiter engraved at the top within a circle. She guessed that symbol was the one he was talking about seeing on her forehead.

It's heavier than it looks, but it feels 'right' to hold it. I feel happy and proud to have it. She thought before she looked to the fight scene, and blinked in surprise to see that they had moved away. The creature woman was gone, and she could barely see the last fighter in sight.

"Jupiter Power!" Lita said firmly as she looked back to the pen in her hand, and flinched as green light flashed and shockingly streams of electricity came streaking out of the top of the pen.

The electricity flashed and crackled around her as it formed a series of rings around her body. They spun around her and she finally closed her eyes as they all seemed to flash at once. When the light cleared behind her eyelids she opened her eyes and blinked in surprise to see herself dressed like she had seen the other scouts.

Her color was clearly green to match her transformation pen. It made up her collar, although that had two stripes on it from what she could see, her short skirt, the border of her long white gloves, and her high heel ankle boots. The bow on her chest was pink, and a slight twisting look back showed her back bow was as well.

She felt her ears and knew she was still wearing earrings, but she couldn't tell what they looked like. A touch to her forehead proved to her that she was also wearing a tiara like she had seen the scouts wear.

"Alright. I'm a scout." Lita said as she took in the white skin tight bodysuit covering her.

"Then what are you waiting for Sailor Jupiter? Now is your time to join your fellow scouts." Artemis said seriously.

"Right!" She said with a nod before she stood up, and began to run in the direction she had seen the last fighter go in with Artemis right behind her.

oOo

Sailor Moon, Sailor Venus, and Tuxedo Mask ran after the spider monster as it scurried away making sure not to lose sight of it. The last thing they wanted was for it to have a chance to take energy from any more people or even to attack them unexpectedly.

They had long since left the large garden park and were moving along sidewalks and streets as the monster's long spider legs carried it over cars and along the sides of buildings as it crawled along; what was left of its humanoid legs still dripping blood.

Suddenly it paused and turned its head toward them as it opened its mouth. A stream of clear looking liquid came shooting at them, and they dodged before glancing back to see the ground smoking where it had landed.

They focused back on the monster as it continued to crawl across the side of buildings and concluded that liquid was some type of acid.

Sailor Venus saw a fire escape coming up and she jumped onto it before she set her feet and aimed her finger at the monster.

Crescent Beam! She thought as she sent her attack forward.

The light beam streaked through the air and struck the monster in the back between its legs. The spider female cried out and began to slide down the building it was crawling on.

Tuxedo Mask focused his chakra as he ran, making sure to keep the spider monster in his sight as it was distracted by Venus' attack, and lifted his hand as an open red rose blossom appeared in his palm.

He threw it hard toward the falling creature wanting to make sure it didn't fall short, and as it flew through the air the Earth, his connection to her having been opened as soon as the monster began to flee, alerted him to the rapid approach of a young woman behind him dressed as a scout.

He took in her green and white color, and easily recognized her as the reincarnated Sailor Jupiter.

The last guardian scout arrives. He thought quietly as he focused his attention outward toward the monster, and watched as his rose blossom hit and exploded against the creature.

The monster screamed as the force of the blast smashed it against the side of the building before it fell and landed on a parked car.

Sailor Moon pulled off her tiara and charged it until it was the glowing white disk she was familiar with intending to launch it at the monster before it could recover. However, before she could even shift her arm to begin the maneuver she heard a feminine voice shout.

"Supreme Thunder!" The phrase nearly echoed through the air before lightning came streaking through the air.

It slammed into the monster and it screamed, its spider legs seemingly cringing in its pain, as it wreathed on the roof of the car it had landed on.

Sailor Moon mentally shook herself, deciding to acknowledge the obviously new scout later, and threw her tiara at the monster.

Venus looked away from the screaming monster and down from her position on the fire escape, and spotted a young woman dressed just like her and Sailor Moon. Her colors were of course different, but it was obvious that she was a scout like them.

Suddenly her eyes widened as she began to see something playing through her mind, more vivid than if she was daydreaming or imagining something.

oOo

Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter dashed toward each other from where they each stood in their practice courtyard behind the Moon Palace.

Jupiter threw her arm forward, her fist going toward her fellow scouts face, but Venus blocked it and threw a punch of her own. Jupiter blocked the strike and kicked out, her foot connecting with Venus' stomach and sent her stumbling back.

Venus fell with a soft grunt and rolled with her momentum into a crouch before she pushed off and ran back toward Jupiter. She paused and spun as she aimed a back roundhouse kick at her, but Jupiter arched her body back to avoid the kick before she swung her leg in a kick in return.

Venus blocked the coming kick with her arms and tried to backhand her fellow scout. Jupiter swatted her hand aside and tried to punch her in return, but Venus ducked under the swing and tried to give her an uppercut to the chin but she avoided it by leaning out of the way.

Jupiter went to punch her in the chest, but Venus managed to use her other arm to block the blow and push the first aside before stepping back. They moved toward each other again with their fists flying toward each other's face, and they ducked, dodged, and blocked the potential blows.

Venus tried to kick Jupiter's legs out from under her, but instead the tall scout bent backward at her knees and turned the move into a backflip hoping to hit her fellow scout in the process. Venus skipped back before she stepped forward and aimed a kick at her chest, but Jupiter blocked it by crossing her arms in front of her as she landed on her feet.

Jupiter stumbled back but quickly regained her balance, and spun a back kick toward her fellow scout's head, but Venus blocked the blow with her arm and moved to kick her in return.

oOo

Venus blinked rapidly as she realized she had just experienced a memory; had remembered something from the past during the day while she was wide awake. She had no idea that could happen.

Although, I don't know why. Just because I remembered a memory while asleep doesn't mean it would always happen that way. She thought as she turned her eyes back to the monster.

With what I just saw I wonder if this scout will take her training as seriously as Serena and I do. She considered thoughtfully as she remembered what she saw. I think she might, so I'll hold onto hope. After all, we need another scout that's serious about what matters and not petty things.

Sailor Moon watched as her tiara slammed into the spider monster's chest causing it to scream even louder than it already had been. Still, she nodded slightly in satisfaction before she slowly stepping closer to her masked boyfriend since they were both standing in the street.

She looked to him and saw his eyes on the monster before he glanced her way briefly and back to the monster. She then turned her eyes toward the new scout since she was finally at an angle to see her without losing sight of the monster, and blinked a little blankly as a scene began to play through her mind.

oOo

"So…you have been seeing a lot of the Earth Prince lately." Sailor Jupiter said as she stood at the counter adding ingredients into a bowl.

"Yes." Sailor Moon confirmed as she stood next to her fellow guardian in the kitchen of the Moon Palace. "It has been a lot now that you mention it." She added thoughtfully as she carefully stirred the contents of the bowl in front of her.

"How do you like him so far?" Jupiter asked as she glanced at her before returning her attention to her bowl.

"I think he is a very gentlemanly, adventurous, and quietly passionate man." She answered honestly as she checked the recipe for the pastries they were mixing up for their fellow scouts and princess.

"Have you factored in the rumors about him?" Jupiter asked curiously.

"I have, and so far I have seen no sign of those rumors." She said. "I have watched and listened to everyone who spoke with him in my presence. He is either a really good actor or they are not true."

"I do not know what to think." Jupiter said and sighed heavily. "I like that you are spending time doing something other than reading and training, and I like that you seem to find joy in spending time with the prince, but on the other hand he is the man our princess holds affection for; the only man she has ever looked at in such a way."

"I understand." Sailor Moon said as she nodded. "I feel a mixture of enjoying his company, and thinking I should not be seeing him. At those times I would consider trying to tell his highness I am not interested in him, but how do you tell the prince of the Earth no without causing offense?"

"Not to mention he is persistent in his pursuit of me. Sometimes I feel like he can sense my concern and will distract me. On top of that he is bringing me to places that are strictly off limits to anyone but him. I have heard this not only from him, but from others as well. He is sharing his private sanctuaries with me." She explained.

"So romantic!" Jupiter squealed. "Now I am even more torn. I want you to be happy, but I also do not want our princess unhappy." She said with a sigh. "Do you think it can lead to something long lasting, permanent?"

"I do not know." Sailor Moon said as she shrugged delicately. "I do not see how since I am one of our princess' guardians. That is for a lifetime; I doubt I would be released from that duty if the prince actually did want something permanent."

oOo

Sailor Moon blinked rapidly as her mind came back to the present, and she quickly looked to the monster. It was still screaming in pain, and then she looked for her tiara and saw it was in the air hovering above her.

She glanced over to Tuxedo Mask and saw him look at her with slight concern, clearly having noted her distraction, and mouthed the word 'memory' and watched him nod in understanding before he looked back to the monster.

It was a simple little snippet, and she thought it was nice. She had never baked before and she wondered if it was a skill that she was good at or if she was just following the recipe and keeping her fellow scout company.

Either way it was nice, and she especially liked that the memory didn't show her fellow scout was completely against the relationship she had with the Earth Prince. Sailor Jupiter seem to find it romantic and wanted her to be happy, but was concerned since their princess liked the man as well.

Sailor Moon saw nothing wrong with that. It was a realistic concern that even her past self had, but unlike Mercury and Mars she didn't think she should not be with him at all. At least in that memory she wasn't telling her right off that she should, needed to, separate herself from him so the princess could have a chance with him.

Maybe I can be friends with her or at least get along with her more than I do with Amy and Raye. She considered thoughtfully. I guess I'll see.

Sailor Jupiter stared at the screaming monster, still surprised with the attack she had just launched at it. She had acted off of instinct, but it was still surprising that she had actually produced lightning from her hands.

She looked to Sailor Moon, and Tuxedo Mask since he was also in that direction, and saw that both of them were looking toward the monster and focused entirely on it and not her arrival. She shifted her gaze up to where Sailor Venus was on a fire escape, and saw that she too was focused on the monster.

She took a deep breath and let it out as she turned her attention back to the monster as well. She would meet her fellow scouts and the masked man when the fight was over and the monster was gone.

As she thought this the monster began to glow with a dark red light that brightened and seemed to thicken until the creature was completely blocked from view. The light flashed dramatically, causing her to close her eyes, and when it cleared she opened her eyes to see the monster's appearance had changed again.

Now the creature was half female and half spider. The top half was the head, torso, and arms of the woman it had first been, and the bottom half was spider; a black widow spider from the shape of it. It was also large or maybe it was only the spider half of it that made it look that way.

Jupiter didn't know; she just knew that it was scary looking and she hoped that she could hold it together long enough to help get rid of it.

Tuxedo Mask molded his chakra and pulled out a number of his exploding roses and threw them at the large spider portion of the monster's body. Some of them hit but the monster quickly moved away, jumping into the street, and avoided the rest.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought as she aimed her finger down on the monster sending her beam of light streaking toward it.

Sailor Moon pointed her hand at the monster as she focused on her connection with her tiara, and sent it streaking toward its chest.

Jupiter focused and that inner electric feeling she had felt when she first used her attack, and watched as lightning sparked and gathered around her hands.

"Supreme Thunder!" She yelled as she threw her hands forward in the direction of the creature.

The monster glared and jumped high and away and landed on the side of a building across the street avoiding the lightning, the glowing disk, and the light beam headed for it.

Sailor Moon frowned as she held in a sigh as she focused on guiding her tiara back toward the monster. Jupiter was another scout that loudly announced her attack, but she would withhold judgment since this was her first fight. Hopefully she wouldn't do that with the next fights she was involved in.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought as she once again launched her attack at the monster that was now directly across the street from her.

Tuxedo Mask pulled out a few roses and threw them all at the monster. While they were sailing fast through the air he focused on his chakra and what he wanted, and felt the end of his rose whip manifest in his hand. He looked down and watched it grow and coil on the ground at his feet.

"Supreme Thunder!" Jupiter shouted as she flung her hands toward the monster sending her lightning streaking through the air toward it.

The monster once again jumped away and into the air, avoiding the attacks, as if it intended to land on the building across the street.

Tuxedo Mask gripped his whip and flung it up toward the monster, and watched in satisfaction as it wrapped around all eight of the monster's legs. He grabbed the whip with his other hand and pulled sharply snapping its legs together as much as possible.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought and sent her light beam streaking toward the monster's chest, which thankfully landed since it was distracted by what Tuxedo had done to its legs.

Sailor Moon's eyes widened at the opportunity she saw before her and guided her tiara as quickly as she could toward the monster's secured legs. The glowing white disk sliced through each of the thin long legs above the whip holding them before starting to return to her.

The monster screamed in pain and anger as it was blasted back slightly and its legs were painfully separated from its body again.

"Supreme Thunder!" Jupiter shouted as she sent her lightning at the monster yet again.

This time the lightning hit the monster while it was still midflight and it screamed louder as it was electrocuted before it slammed into the ground.

Crescent Beam! Venus thought as she aimed her light beam at the monster again.

At the same time Tuxedo Mask lifted his free hand and focused his chakra and sent sharp rose petals spraying at the monster.

Both attacks hit it at the same time and the monster screamed loudly.

With the monster in pain and unable to get away Sailor Moon reached for her tiara above her and threw it so it was on its side toward the monster hoping it would remain in the position she had put it in.

"Supreme Thunder!" Jupiter shouted as she sent her lightning streaking toward the monster.

They all watched as the lightning hit the monster just as the beam of light and the rose petals stopped, and the monster screamed again before Sailor Moon's tiara hit and sliced along the end of the monster's spider body all the way along its chest and up to and across its face.

The screaming continued before it stopped abruptly. The monster gradually began to turn gray, but before it could crumble and turn to dust as they were used to it exploded.

All the fighters ducked to avoid getting hit by any flying spider parts before they straightened when it was clear the monster was completely defeated.

Sailor Moon grabbed her tiara as it returned to her, and released the charge of power before she placed it back on her forehead.

"Is everyone alright?" She asked as she watched everyone moving closer to her, including Venus who had jumped down from the fire escape.

"Yeah I'm good." Sailor Venus answered as she stopped in front of her.

"I'm okay." Sailor Jupiter said as she looked at all of them.

"I am fine." Tuxedo Mask said assuringly. "And you?" He asked in return.

"I'm alright." Sailor Moon said, and watched him nod.

"Then I will see you next time." He said before he nodded to Venus and took off running away from the three scouts.

"Welcome to the team Sailor Jupiter. This was certainly a surprise." Sailor Moon said as she looked to the new scout.

"Thanks." Jupiter said. "I was surprised as well when Artemis approached me."

"Where is he?" Venus asked as she began to look around.

"I'm here." A masculine voice called from behind Sailor Moon, and they looked over to see him jogging toward them.

"Well, since Mercury and Mars didn't show up let's contact them, so we can meet up and let them know about Jupiter's presence." Sailor Moon said as she pulled out her communicator.

oOoIRoOo

Sailor Earth stood in the middle of the forest with her eyes closed listening to the soothing sounds around her. It was peaceful and quiet aside from the sounds of insects and birds singing.

Within moments she sensed a familiar presence appear behind her, and she opened her eyes and turned around to see her friend and her prince's general.

He wore a white jacket top with lines of gold going down the center, along the sides of the chest, as well as edging the collar and bottom with double lines on the cuffs, cinched around his waist with a brown leather belt.

White pants covered his legs, silver armor that extended from the knees down lined his tall boots, and a brown leather crisscrossed sword belt and brown sheath sat around his waist and hips. A dark brown cape with a dark blue inner lining fastened with dark blue jeweled epaulettes hung elegantly from his shoulders finishing the polished look.

His green eyes sparkled with light mischief, and his long blonde hair was pulled back into a low ponytail.

"Thank you for coming Zoycite." She said calmly in a soft tone.

"Anytime Lady Earth." Zoycite replied graciously.

Sailor Earth smiled lightly at the shortened nickname he and the other generals sometimes called her. They had dubbed her Lady Sailor Earth when she was sixteen; the alternative to Lady Serenity when she wasn't transformed and they were in public.

Endymion had told her that the Generals had decided that once the two of them were married they would call her Princess Serenity or Princess Sailor Earth depending on the situation.

"So swords." She said in a questioning tone as she summoned her sword to her right hand. Its blade was silver, and it had a while hilt with bright gold accents.

"Yes." Zoycite replied in a drawl as he drew his broadsword with his right hand from the sheath on his hip revealing a silver blade with a white hilt and dull gold accents.

They stood relaxed, their eyes growing serious as they focused on each other.

"Swords only?" Zoycite asked.

"Yes. Swords only; no powers." Sailor Earth answered.

Zoycite nodded once before he lunged toward her, obviously making the first move, and she knocked the blade aside before the sharp point could reach her stomach with her own sword and carefully stepped to the opposite side for good measure.

She swung her sword toward the back of his neck while he was still moving forward, but Zoycite must have anticipated her action and twisted away so he was behind her. She ducked as he swung his sword toward the back of her neck, and twisted so she was almost crouched in front of him and swung her sword at his legs.

He jumped high and flipped forward over her and she turned in her crouched position as she watched his path, and lunged forward as he landed intending to plunge the point of her blade into his stomach.

He back flipped to avoid the blow and twisted away for good measure, which was just as well since her blade stabbed the trunk of the thick tree he landed in front of.

Zoycite swung his sword and Sailor Earth ducked and heard the blade slam into the bark of the trunk before she skipped back and held her sword at the ready. He stood ready as well, and they eyed each other; the only sound being the nature around them.

Then they both suddenly dashed toward the other and swung their swords. The sharp blades collided with a metallic clang before they pushed back from each other only to swing again.

The immediate area around them was filled with the constant sound of metal clashing against metal as they continued to swing their swords and block the strikes all the while carefully stepping along the forest floor; instinctively adjusting their footing and weight as they came upon small rocks, uneven ground, and tree roots.

Zoycite suddenly and quickly blocked and pushed her sword aside with his own before he reversed his swords course and swung the blade at her neck.

Sailor Earth quickly ducked down until she was almost on her knees before she instinctively jumped up high; avoiding his low swing. She kicked off the tree behind her sending herself forward and twisted in the air until she was facing his back and landed lightly on her feet.

She dashed forward and aimed the point of her sword at his cape covered back, but he turned around sharply and blocked the intended strike and pushed her sword aside.

He swung his sword in the opposite direction back toward her and, seeing that she was unable to get her sword up in time, she stepped closer to him before she spun backwards and off to the side.

She brought her sword up to swing it down along his back, but he dove to the side and rolled until he was back on his feet and facing her.

She ran toward him and brought her sword up and swung toward him. Zoycite quickly blocked the strike and brought his leg up, but before he could kick out toward her she moved to the side away from his sword.

She swept her leg toward the back of his but he jumped up high, and she watched him land on a thick branch that angled upward slightly.

Sailor Earth frowned before she turned to a nearby tree and ran halfway up it before she pushed off to the trunk of another tree. From there she went back and forth between the trunks as she made her way up to a tree branch that was slightly higher than the one Zoycite was on. She then pushed off and jumped toward him before he quickly leapt away.

She followed him and he continued to evade her until they were in a different area of the forest entirely.

Zoycite leapt down to the ground in front of a bubbling stream littered with rocks, and she followed and landed almost right on top of him.

He stepped back to gain some space and swung his sword like he wanted to take her head off and she allowed herself to drop down into a crouch before she swung her sword upward as she rose to stand straight.

He brought his own sword forward quickly enough to block it before he leapt backward onto a mossy rock in the middle of the stream.

Her eyes skipped along the available rocks around him before she leapt onto a dry one that was close enough to engage him with her sword. As soon as she landed she swung her sword at him as if she wanted to slice him in half at his waist, but he blocked it and swung at her in return.

Instead of blocking it she ducked under it and swung at his lower legs. Zoycite jumped over them and flipped over her head and landed on a rock behind her.

He stabbed his sword toward her head and she quickly leapt back onto the mossy rock he had vacated, and swung her sword at him as he jumped onto the rock she had just vacated. He blocked it and they both pushed off the other's blade and leapt back onto different rocks.

oOo

"Endymion!" She cried out and hurried toward him, quickly dropping to her knees at his side as she placed a hand on his shoulder and grabbed his hand with the other.

"Why?! Why did you do this?" She asked, angry and sad. "It is my duty to protect my princess!"

"No. It is not your duty and never has been." Endymion said weakly. "You were never supposed to be Sailor Moon. Your destiny was taken from you."

"I do not understand." Sailor Moon said in confusion.

This man had just saved her life, taking a clearly mortal wound for her, and it was clear from his words that he did it for her and not her princess. She had already admitted to herself that she loved him, but seeing him so hurt and knowing he was dying shattered something deep inside her.

They heard a scream and she looked up to see her princess being attacked by an earth soldier. She moved to get up but looked back to Endymion as she felt him squeeze her hand.

Sailor Moon looked frantically between Endymion and her barely struggling princess. She knew she needed to protect her, but her body was already settling back at his side and it made her abruptly aware that his life was more important to her then her princess' was.

"I do not want you to die. You cannot die. I love you too much for you to leave me." She said sadly as she gently ran her fingers through his hair.

"I love you as well my Serenity. I will find you again, and you will remember what we had." He said quietly.


Serena's eyes opened and she blinked in shock in the Saturday morning light streaming into her room. The memory she had just remembered filling her mind enough to cause her to ignore the familiar sadness flowing through her.

She was shocked at the man she had seen in her memory dream, because she recognized him as one of the men that was sending out the monsters; a man who was clearly part of her enemy. Even though she had only seen him once she recognized him easily.

She didn't understand. Clearly he was known to the Sailor Earth version of her, was a good guy, a friend even. How in the world was he part of the enemy in this life?!

Maybe something happened in the process of reincarnation or maybe he was a bad guy in the past. After all I don't know if he was a good guy in the past while I was Sailor Moon. She thought with a frown.

She blinked as it suddenly occurred to her that with Sailor Earth the man had been one of the soldiers, so that must mean that he was known to the Earth Prince. But what did that mean when it came to her past self as Sailor Moon? Did the Earth Prince know him then as well?

And what did that mean for the present?! If this man, Zoycite, was the enemy now did that mean the prince was an enemy as well?!

Beyond that Serena was again frustrated at learning that her past self knew how to use yet another weapon; a sword! A staff, bow and arrows, and a sword in addition to her elemental scout abilities!

Why, why couldn't I be Sailor Earth in this time?! Why did I have to be Sailor Moon, and only have my tiara to rely on?! It's so unfair! She cried out in her mind before she huffed in frustration.

Serena took a deep breath and let it out slowly to calm herself. It didn't work so she did it a couple of times until she felt calm. She then pushed aside thoughts of her past selves and their abilities, and focused on the fact that she had a date today.

She had a couple of hours so she got up, careful of Artemis since he was still asleep next to her, and went to her closet to pick out something to wear. After looking through her wardrobe and seeing that it looked nice but cold out she picked out light blue skinny jeans, a cream sweater shirt, and a white hooded zip up sweater.

She placed those on her bed and went and pulled out a pair of white tennis shoes, and the same brown suede hip bag she had worn on her rock climbing date at the indoor gym.

Silently stripping out of her pajamas she pulled on her clothes leaving her sweater and shoes for later before she grabbed her bag. She put in her wallet, keys, lip gloss, brooch, and after a moment of hesitation she stuffed in the Crescent Moon Wand. It all fit fine and she didn't see what it could hurt to bring it.

With that done Serena headed out of her room and stopped at the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth before she headed downstairs and to the kitchen.

"Good morning mom, Sammy." She said as she pushed opened the door and saw her mother and little brother.

"Hey." Sammy greeted sleepily with a slight wave.

"Good morning." Her mother said. "You're not usually up before noon on the weekend. Do you have anything planned?"

"Yup. I have a date with Darien." Serena replied as she poured herself a cup of orange juice.

"Do you know what you two are going to do?" Her mother asked.

"Yes." She replied as she grabbed a plate and went and sat at the table. "We're going bike riding."

"But you don't have a bike." Sammy commented.

"Neither does Darien." Serena replied as she helped herself to a serving of pancakes. "We're going to rent bikes and see where the wheels take us."

"Well I'm sure the two of you will have fun." Her mother said.

"Thanks. I certainly plan on it." She replied with a grin before she poured syrup on her pancakes and took a bite.

A few minutes later Serena was finished eating, drank the last of her juice, and placed her dishes in the sink before she left the kitchen and headed back upstairs. She stopped at the bathroom to brush her teeth again and then returned to her room.

"Good morning Artemis." She greeted, finding him now awake, as she closed her door.

"Good morning." Artemis replied. "You're clearly up and dressed already."

"I have a date today." She informed him with a smile as she went and sat at her vanity table and began to brush her hair.

"What do you and your young man have planned if I can ask?" He asked as he shifted on her bed to face her.

"We're going bike riding." She answered as she moved the brush over her hair. "Beyond that I have no clue."

"Well, I hope you have a good time." He said.

"Thanks. Do you have any plans?" She asked.

"I think I might go visit Lita and see how she is adjusting and check in with Luna." Artemis said thoughtfully.

"I guess that's a good idea. Lita might have some questions that Luna can't answer." Serena said since they both knew the black feline was staying with the new scout for the time being.

"That is what I was thinking." He replied as he watched her pull half her hair up and twist it into the familiar bun; his mind drifting back to the day Lita had been awakened as Sailor Jupiter.

oOo

"Here we are." Artemis heard Serena say and he looked around from his position in her arms to see they had reached the Cherry Hill Temple.

They walked up the long, almost steep, set of stairs and moved across the grounds before they were inside Raye's house and with Raye, Amy, and Luna.

"This is Lita Kino; newly awakened Sailor Jupiter." Serena said as she gestured toward the tall brunette before she set Artemis down.

"Lita, this is Amy Anderson who is Sailor Mercury, Raye Hino who is Sailor Mars, and Luna who is like Artemis; a guider to the Guardian Sailor Scouts and guardian and advisor to the Moon Princess once she is found." She introduced them, pointing them out as she said their names.

"Nice to meet you Lita." Raye said as she looked to the tall girl.

"Yes. I'm glad you're with us." Amy said with a smile.

"Welcome to the team. I'm so glad you're here." Luna said happily, obviously pleased that her princess' Guardians were complete.

"Why didn't you guys contact us?" Raye asked as they all sat at the table in the room.

"Yeah. Why didn't you tell us there was a fight happening?" Amy said with a frown as she looked to Serena and Mina.

"There wasn't time for that. I was there with them so I know." Artemis said even though he knew the two scouts had decided against contacting the others.

He still believed that even if they had they wouldn't have been there in time, and he actually agreed with what Serena said at the time. Amy had her minicomputer that could alert her to attacks in progress, so she should have known about it at least when Serena began to sense the dark energy; at the most when the fighting actually started.

"Besides, shouldn't your computer have alerted you to the attack?" Mina pointed out as she looked at Amy.

Amy frowned at Mina and opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted before she could.

"Enough of this nonsense!" Serena said, taking charge. "We are here so we can bring our new fellow scout up to speed on what's been happening, and everything she needs to know. We came straight here after the fight, so she needs to be informed about everything."

"Artemis told me I was one of five guardian scouts, and that we had the duty to support and protect the Moon Princess. She lives on the Earth, so fighting the monsters helps to protect her home." Lita said as she looked around at the others.

"Are there any other scouts besides the five of us?" She asked.

"We don't know." Luna admitted. "Neither I nor Artemis remember that fact. We only know that the Moon Princess has five guardians charged with her protection."

"We haven't recalled everything of the past yet, but I will tell you what we remember so far." Artemis told Lita before he began to do just that.

He explained how in the past all of them had lived on the Moon in the Moon Palace with the Queen and her daughter Princess Selene guarding and protecting her. She was heiress to the throne of the Moon Kingdom and next in line to wield and guard the imperial silver crystal, which was an extremely powerful object.

It was her eventual inheritance of the powerful silver crystal that warranted her being given five guardian scouts soon after her birth in order to protect and support her throughout her lifetime.

The end of the Moon Kingdom and that time period ended because of a great evil, and that evil had been sent along to the Earth along with the rest of them, and was now awake and responsible for the monster attacks happening around the city.

They were all awakened in their reincarnated lives because of that evil, which meant the princess was in danger and unfortunately the only one left to be awakened to her past life.

"In case that explanation didn't clue you in this guardian scout business is for life." Mina said to Lita, clearly wanting to make sure the girl knew.

Lita nodded with a frown, but then it cleared and she spoke.

"So what are you guys doing to find the princess?" She asked as she looked around at everyone.

"We're actually trying to find the silver crystal in the hopes that it will lead us to the princess." Serena said. "Luna gave me a wand that will alert to the rainbow crystals, the pieces of the silver crystal. So we'll have to find all the pieces first before we can put the silver crystal back together and hopefully find the princess." She explained, and the newly awakened scout nodded.

"Do you guys know what the princess looks like?" Lita asked with a frown.

"We know what she looked like in the past; Serena thankfully recalled that." Artemis said. "She had pale blue eyes, moonlight colored hair in the same style that Serena wears hers in and was also about her height, and had a golden crescent moon in the middle of her forehead."

"We all seem to look the same way we did in the past, so we can probably assume the princess will look the same way she did as well." Serena added.

"Does this mean you all are remembering the past?" Lita asked, and they all nodded. "Wow." She said.

"Yes. Now that you have been awakened as the scout of Jupiter you should also begin to remember." Artemis informed her.

"Now I need to inform you that there is a masked man that has been showing up to fights." Luna said seriously.

"Yeah I saw him at the fight earlier." Lita said as she nodded.

"Well, I need to warn you about him. He goes by the name Tuxedo Mask, if you hadn't heard that while there at the fight. He shows up and helps fight the monsters and then he leaves." Luna said. "He appears helpful, however, we have no idea who he is, where he comes from, or what his motives are. We simply cannot trust him."

"Yeah." Raye said as she nodded. "We have no idea if he's a threat to the princess just waiting until she's found."

"He's been helping without having to be asked or asking anything in return. That seems like a good thing, but he could be trying to trick us as well." Amy said. "He could be another enemy on top of the obvious one we're dealing with."

Artemis looked to Serena and Mina clearly seeing that they were remaining silent. Serena had remained silent before when it was Mina that had been newly awakened, and this time he understood why that was so.

He couldn't say for sure if the man was another enemy or not. He hadn't acted like a threat in any way he had seen. He had helped the entire time, was polite, and simply left after the monster was defeated as if he was about to continue on with his day.

Lita simply nodded at their words keeping any thoughts she might have to herself.

"Do you guys know why this evil is attacking? Do they have a purpose or are they just doing it because?" She asked.

"They have been trying to steal human energy as far as we can tell." Luna answered.

From there they all began to inform Lita about the guys that had been appearing and attacking sometimes after the monster had been defeated. How so far there were four of them, and they were clearly above the monsters in terms of authority; likely the ones sending them out.

Then they went about giving descriptions of the guys, and what they knew of their abilities so far.

oOo

Artemis blinked out of the memory as he saw Serena stand, having finished putting her hair up in her usual style, and move toward him and her bed.

Serena sat on her bed and began to pull on her shoes as she wondered where she and Darien would be going for their ride. Would it be through a park on a riding path or on the street? She couldn't wait to find out.

Will we be in a position where we can talk to each other while we ride? She asked herself curiously as she grabbed her brown suede bag. She wrapped it around her waist and secured it closed before she stood up and shifted it until it rested comfortably on her right hip.

She looked at the time and saw that not much time had passed, but she still decided to put her sweater on, so she grabbed it and swung it around her back before she slipped both her arms inside the sleeves. She pulled her hair free and straightened the sweater then sat back down on her bed with a sigh.

"Any news on your college application yet?" Artemis asked curiously. "Or is it too soon?"

"No news yet." Serena answered as she turned toward him. "I haven't seen anything in my email or the mail, so it has to be too soon. If I didn't get in then they would have sent me a denial letter."

"Ah I understand." He said as he nodded. "If you get in what will change? I mean around here? Will it be like attending high school or different?"

"I think it depends on what I decide to do." She said thoughtfully. "It could be just like it is now if I live at home and go to school from here, but I could decide to live on campus or get my own place as close to campus as possible. In those cases it would definitely be a bit different."

"Any ideas on which one you would prefer?" Artemis asked curiously.

"I like the idea of living away from home, but it would depend on the condition of the dorms on campus and if there were any apartments available to rent. I've read that the dorms are nice, but who knows." She said, and then hummed thoughtfully as she frowned.

"What's wrong?" He asked as he moved closer to her and lay down.

"I was just thinking. My parents are fine with my choice of school, but they don't know that my boyfriend goes there." Serena said as she looked to Artemis. "They might feel differently about my choice regardless of how good the school is. Or at least my father might."

"If they do have a problem with it that might guarantee me moving out of the house." She added. "Of course moving out might make things easier in terms of being a scout; make it easier to protect the princess once she's found."

Artemis hummed thoughtfully. Even he had overheard her father grumbling unhappily about her boyfriend, so it was highly possible that he would have a problem with her putting herself in closer proximity to her boyfriend.

Maybe think her studies would falter because of their relationship. He considered as he gazed at her. He wondered just how serious she was about her relationship with her young man. She seemed willing to move out of her house if it was going to be a problem with her parents.

Or is it the school she's willing to move out over? He asked himself, but just as quickly discarded it. They would only have a problem because of her boyfriend being in attendance at the school, so it would definitely be the relationship she would be moving out over.

"I suppose it is something to keep in the back of your mind in case the situation comes up. That way you'll have an idea of what you want to do." Artemis said, and then sighed. "Hopefully that situation won't come up and you'll be able to decide your living situation without it being because of a problem with your parents."

"You're right." Serena said as she nodded, but she was going to seriously start thinking about it.

Maybe it's time to actually go to the campus and take a look around. Maybe Darien will give me a tour, and I'll get to see the dorms. She thought. Yeah. I'll bring it up during our date if I remember.

"I haven't asked the girls if they have applied to any schools yet. Do you know if they have?" Artemis asked.

"No. I haven't asked yet either." Serena replied. Although, it reminded her that she had been meaning to ask Molly and Mina. "I know one of my friends has applied to two different schools, and another one is going to apply to the same school I have."

"So if you both get accepted you'll have one of your friends at school with you." He said.

"Yes, which will be great. I'm hoping we'll get to spend more time together than we've been able to in years." She said with a smile.

"Do I know this friend?" He asked. He knew he hadn't met any of her friends, but she had mentioned some of them. And it was clear she wasn't talking about her fellow scouts.

"It's the one I went camping with." Serena said. "She's kind of like Raye. Her family are shrine keepers living on the temple grounds, and she's really good at archery."

"Ah I wish I could meet her." Artemis said with a light sigh.

"Who knows. I might be able to get her over here to hangout soon." She said. "We'll just have to work around our school schedules, homework, friends, and boyfriends." She added with a shrug.

"Well! No pressure!" He said as he thought over that list.

It was a bit surprising, not so much as he thought about it more. They obviously went to different schools, had a different set of friends, were both in their last year of high school and the pressures that come with that, and apparently both had a boyfriend.

Realizing this made him curious about her friends in general. Luna didn't seem to be too concerned, or rather interested in, who Serena was hanging around with aside from her grumbling once about her going away with her boyfriend. He on the other hand wanted to know about the people who had clearly been in her life long before she was awakened as a scout.

"Tell me about your friends Serena. I'm curious about the people who have been around you since before you were awakened as Sailor Moon." He said, and watched her face shift into surprise before she smiled.

"Alright." Serena said. She was definitely pleased that he was showing an interest; especially since that meant he likely wouldn't try to eventually say she needed to distance herself from her friends just because she was a scout.

She made herself a bit more comfortable, reclining slightly, and began to tell him about her best friend Molly, and her friends Kagome and Keiko. How she and Molly went to school together, but the other two went to two different schools. How all three of them knew each other and got along well.

On and on she went mentioning what loyal friends they were to her and her to them, and describing each of their personalities.

Time flew by and before she knew it the doorbell was ringing. Serena stopped mid-sentence and got up and looked out her balcony window, and immediately saw Darien's car and knew it was time to go.

"That's Darien." She said as she hurried toward her door. "I'll see you later." She added.

"Have fun!" Artemis called as she began to open the door.

"I will." Serena said before she slipped out, leaving the door partially open, and headed downstairs. She arrived in time to see her mother opening the door, and she continued down the stairs as they greeted each other.

"Hi." She said softly as she reached the door.

"My lady." Darien said just as softly, wishing he could call her his Serenity outside the confines of his mind. "Are you ready?" He asked.

"I am." Serena said as she stepped forward. "I'll see you later mom." She added as she joined him.

"Have a good time you two." Mrs. Tsukino called.

"We will." Darien said before he placed a hand on his loves back and began to guide her away and toward his car.

"You look so comfortable." She sighed as they reached the car. He was wearing dark gray sweat pants, a matching zip up hooded sweater with a black shirt, and black tennis shoes.

"I thought you would like that." He said as he opened the passenger door for her.

"I do." Serena said with a smile before she got in the car and pulled her hair streams inside.

Darien closed the door and walked around to the driver's side and opened the door and slid into his seat before he closed the door.

"How was your morning?" Serena asked as she watched him start the car and put on his seatbelt.

"It was fine." He answered. "I didn't do anything particularly special; just woke up and got ready to come to you." He said, and she smiled.

"Did you sleep well?" She asked as he began to drive.

"I did. Although, I don't remember dreaming of anything." Darien said. "What of you? Did you sleep well, dream well?" He asked.

"I slept well, at least I was well rested, and I dreamed…of another memory." Serena said a little hesitantly.

"Oh? What of my lady?" He questioned gently.

"I was Sailor Earth this time, and I was sparring with someone." She said, and then sighed.

"Who was it with?" He asked sensing that that was the issue his soulmate was having with the memory, at least so far.

"Do you remember that man we fought a while back at the radio station? He had long blond hair pulled back into a low ponytail and green eyes?" She asked.

"Yes." He answered as he nodded, now understanding what her problem was.

"Well that was who she, I, she was sparring with." Serena said as she shook her head at the slight identity confusion. "They were in a forest sparring with swords, and he called her Lady Earth, and his name was Zoycite. He was one of the soldiers of the Earth, one of the Prince's generals." She explained.

"I was shocked when I woke up. He seemed like a comrade to her, a friend, someone she obviously trusted enough to train with in the middle of a forest, but he's an enemy now." She said as she shook her head.

"How did that happen? Was there some glitch in the reincarnation process or was he really an enemy in the past and she didn't know it? What does that say about the prince? If it's true did he not know or was he an enemy as well?" She wondered with a frown.

Darien held in a sigh. She had remembered Zoycite. Obviously for the first time from her reaction, and was as confused about him as she was about her duel past selves. Worse, it was making her question the prince, him, and if he was an enemy or not.

He didn't like that. He didn't like that she was so confused, and he definitely didn't like that it was causing her to question him; even though she didn't know it was him she was questioning.

Just another reason to hate the Moon Princess and her need to try and have everything and everyone she wanted. He thought unhappily.

"There is another option." Darien said as he drove. "He could have been kidnapped by the enemy in the present. Or he could have been led to believe he was supposed to be on the enemy's side."

"Just imagine how you became a scout. You had no memory of ever being a scout before then right? Did you believe it when you first learned or did you need proof?" He asked. "Perhaps this enemy produced something that convinced them. We simply do not know."

Serena frowned and remembered Luna showing up in her room telling her she was the scout of the Moon. She had needed proof. She hadn't really believed it until she transformed.

She hummed thoughtfully as she gazed out the window.

This was making her empathize with her enemy and she wasn't sure what to think about that. However, she did understand his point. It was definitely possible that someone had come along with the right tale or at least one that sounded believable and the man, Zoycite, thought it was true and that was the side he was supposed to be on; especially if there was no proof otherwise.

Or he could have been taken from his life and brainwashed into believing he was fighting on the right side. Maybe never even knowing he had been kidnapped. She thought with a frown.

"You're right. There are other options to consider." Serena said, and then sighed. "Well, I still think there was a glitch when it came to my reincarnation." She added as she looked back to him.

"Here I am as Sailor Moon in this life, but I seem to have had all the skill and power as Sailor Earth in the past." She said with a huff. "We were sparring with swords. Swords! That means I was able to use a staff, bow and arrows, and now a sword! It's completely unfair!"

"You're right. It is not fair." Darien said, and it truly wasn't fair.

The Moon Princess wouldn't have wanted her to be powerful and better than her Guardian Scouts. After all, the only point to taking her from her life, aside from the princess wanting a chance at him, was to put her under the princess' control.

"I still think you can grow powerful enough to create the weapons you instinctively know how to use. This simply means you have one more weapon that you could have at your disposal." He said.

"I agree. It's just frustrating. Why couldn't I be Sailor Earth instead of Sailor Moon? It would make being a scout so much easier." Serena said with a sigh.

Darien didn't comment as he continued to drive, because he knew that she was in fact Sailor Earth and that the scout of the Moon wasn't supposed to exist. Her role as a scout would definitely be easier if she had more abilities to use, but he still believed that she had those varied abilities in the first place because she had been responsible for protecting a planet and citizens and not a spoiled entitled princess.

Instead he reached over and stroked her leg soothingly before returning his hand to the steering wheel.

"Thanks." She said softly, and listened to him hum. "Earlier, before you picked me up, I was thinking that I should take a tour of K.O University." She said after a few quiet moments figuring they needed a change in subject.

"Oh? Why now?" Darien asked curiously. Not that he minded; it just seemed a little random to him.

"I was thinking about what I would do in terms of living situation; assuming I get accepted into the university." Serena said. "I could live at home with my parents, live in a dorm, or get a place of my own, so I was trying to get an idea of which way I wanted to go."

"I don't mind living with my parents, but I also thought with me being a scout it would be better, easier, to live away from my parents. Of course living in a dorm would mean living with someone else and trying to keep it secret from them unless the university does private rooms. If I was just going to decide off of being a scout then I would look into getting my own place." She explained.

"I also took into consideration the fact that my parents, my dad in particular, don't know that you're part of the reason I picked that university. Depending on how they react when they do learn I may not actually want to live with them." She added thoughtfully.

"So with the tour I figured I could see the school, get an idea of the size and layout, and get a look at the dorms while I'm at it." She said with a shrug.

Darien hummed in acknowledgment as he drove. Listening closely to her explanation alerted him to the fact that she was overlooking another option. The option to move in with him.

That wasn't surprising considering it likely hadn't occurred to her. She may be comfortable going away with him for the weekend, with friends around at that, but that was different from living with him permanently. He was still hoping she remembered her true self before a decision had to be made since he had no doubt that she would be accepted into the university.

That way her decision would automatically be made. He had no doubt that she would want to move in with him. He certainly missed living with her, waking up to her face every day, and he thought she would feel the same once her full set of memories and identity returned to her.

"I have no problem taking you on a tour. Whenever you are ready." He said as he glanced her way before returning his eyes to the road. "I don't know anyone who is currently living in the dorms, but I can see what I can do with getting a look in there. Maybe on a weekend, so it doesn't interfere with your school day and homework."

"I think that's a good idea. It can be an informative educational date." Serena said thoughtfully, and then grinned. "At least to start with." She added impishly, and he laughed.

"And what would we do afterward?" Darien asked in amusement.

"I would regal you with my thoughts and impressions of what I had seen while we found something to eat, and then we would go see a movie and enjoy the show; and the dark." She said with a smile. "I'll leave our activities after that up to you." She added a little suggestively.

Darien grinned as his imagination pictured the date she described, and just as easily continued on into what he would want to happen after that. They would go back to his apartment and enjoy a thorough make out session.

Perhaps even a repeat of what we did during our camping trip. He considered as he remembered the kisses they shared in bed with the crackling fire lighting the room, as well as the pleasure he had given her.

There is no reason we cannot experience the same while on a couch. He thought, since he was still unwilling to do so in his bedroom before it was time for them to consummate their relationship.

And perhaps I can experience the same pleasure as well. He considered since last time he had been intent on giving her that experience alone.

"Then I will endeavor to not disappoint you in that regard." He replied as he came out of his thoughts. "So do you have any idea when this informative educational date is going to be?" He asked curiously.

"How about next weekend? Or Friday?" Serena suggested. "Yeah Friday; after school. That way it wouldn't interfere with my school day or homework, but it leaves the weekend open for possibilities."

Darien nodded and considered suggesting she also spend the night with him since she wouldn't have school the next day, but immediately thought better of it. He didn't think she was ready for that step in their relationship, and he definitely knew he couldn't handle it. It was why he was imagining any intimacies they shared happening on his couch.

He could not have her on or in his bed before he knew she loved him, was in love with him, or completely remembered her true identity.

"Friday is fine with me my lady." He assured her. "And so are those possibilities." He added with a smirk.

Serena blushed since he made it sound suggestive, but she wouldn't deny part of her had meant it that way when she said it. Now that she had experienced some of his intimate passion she wanted to experience it again.

She couldn't help remembering back to the feel of his hands stroking her, his lips caressing and moving with hers with confidence, and the feel of his leg firmly between her thighs. The pleasure had been amazing and constant, and as a result she had received her first ever sexual release.

I want that again. She thought with a blush, and then blushed harder when she recalled the flash of memory that had come to her when he was giving her such pleasure.

She still didn't know if that had been her as Sailor Moon or her as Sailor Earth, but regardless of which identity it was it was her past self. It had been a version of her that the Earth Prince had been on top of, moving against, and kissing. She had recalled that pleasure, recalled the feel of the pressure of him thrusting between her thighs, the feel of skin against skin, and the radiating warmth.

And the golden eyes. She thought quietly as she gazed out the window. That gold must be his power. I suppose I should keep a look out for that power. She told herself not really considering why she was thinking that.

Almost twenty minutes later Darien pulled up alongside a sidewalk and parked in an empty parking spot on the street. They unbuckled their seatbelts and were out of the car and had it locked within seconds. He grabbed and held her hand as they began to walk down the sidewalk passing by people and stores.

As they reached the end of the block they slowed outside a store that had a large white decal of a bicycle on one of the windows, and a large white and purple sign that read: K-Cycle Bicycle Rentals. They shared a smile and walked inside the open doors, and looked around at all the various types of bikes available.

There were electric bikes, bikes with baskets on the front, bikes with baskets on the back, bikes with wide handles, two seater bikes, and even some three seater bikes. There were bikes for adults, bikes for little kids, and bikes that had a carrier for a baby.

After looking around the couple picked out two regular bikes that had no baskets or anything attached to them and went to the person clearly working at the counter. Within minutes they had rented the bikes and were on their way.

They walked the bikes out of the shop before they straddled them and seated themselves before they began to slowly pedal down the sidewalk around the corner from the shop. When they were sure of their comfort and control they began to go a bit faster with no particular destination in mind.

Eventually they came across a walking park and made their way inside and began to ride along the pathways.

"Tell me my lady," Darien began as they rode side by side. "what do you think of the new scout so far?" He asked.

He didn't care about Sailor Jupiter, there was only one guardian scout that he cared to know about, but he cared about how his Serenity felt about the scout. He also wanted to try and glean if there were any issues such as what he knew existed with Mercury and Mars.

Although, it may be too early to find out those things considering she has only recently joined the team. He thought quietly.

"Well, when I first saw her at the fight scene I saw a brief memory of the two of us baking in a kitchen at the Moon palace, and we were talking about my relationship with the Earth Prince." Serena said as she glanced to him.

"She didn't disapprove of the relationship, wanted me to be happy and liked the romance of it, but she worried that he was the same guy that the princess liked." She explained.

"I've only seen her at a meeting we had directly after that fight, but she seemed curious and excited to be a scout. It's too soon to know if she'll like being part of the team or remain excited about her new role, but so far there's no reason to be wary of her." She said as she thought about the new scout.

Serena had remembered seeing Lita back in junior high when she transferred into the school, because of her height and reputation for fighting. She hadn't been interested in making any more friends, so she had not bothered to try to get to know the girl. Although, now she wondered if it would have gone better than when she had tried to befriend Amy.

It was surprising that four of the five of them went to the same high school and had never known it; aside from the one time she had tried to befriend Amy. She guessed it was because they were all in different classes and barely had any overlap.

"That is good to know." Darien said as he considered her words. "I hope she doesn't give you any problems the way Mercury and Mars seem to be."

"Me too." She said as she nodded. She could handle Mercury's jealousy and Mars' issue with trying to connect her and his masked persona together, but that didn't mean she liked having to deal with it.

She was glad Mina didn't have any problems with her, real or imagined, and hoped Lita didn't either. However, she knew even if the girl didn't that could change when she started to remember the past.

"Now with the team apparently complete there's just the Moon Princess to find." Serena said with a sigh not looking forward to it with the memories she was remembering that involved the royal.

Darien held in a grimace and hummed noncommittally; once again keeping his true feelings to himself. He hoped that reincarnated royal was never found or at least wasn't found until after his Serenity remembered her true self.

The couple rode along, their feet pedaling, as they enjoyed the view around them. They talked occasionally about nothing in particular after their short conversation about the final guardian scout to be found, but now they were quiet and just enjoying each other's company especially since the area they were now in was quiet for the most part.

Only a few minutes into riding through the area their companionable silence was broken by the sound of beeping as they began to pass by a cemetery.

Serena slowed to a stop in surprise and glanced to Darien, seeing he had stopped as well, and opened her hip bag and pulled out the Crescent Moon Wand.

Darien closed his eyes as if that would block out the sound. He had only heard it once before but he already recognized the sound and already loathed it. Why had she brought it with her?!

Because she believes it is her duty to carry it and find the rainbow crystals, which will lead to the royal she believes she is supposed to protect. He told himself as he opened his eyes.

They both looked at the wand and saw that just like before the cluster of gems on the pink stick were glowing and pulsing with each beep. They looked at each other before they began to look around. Aside from passing cars there was no one around but the two of them.

Serena frowned as she tried to figure out who was causing the wand to alert. Her eyes scanned the sidewalks before she turned and looked at the cemetery. There was obviously no one alive in there, but she thought there could be someone visiting.

She scanned the rows of graves carefully before she spotted someone walking out from the side of a small mausoleum. It was a man wearing the white collar and black robe of a priest with a cross necklace resting on his chest.

"Him." She said as she looked to Darien before returning her eyes to the priest.

Darien looked over and saw the man walking calmly. He looked just as normal as the last guy that had a rainbow crystal inside him, and he idly wondered how his soulmate intended to get the crystal out of him without him knowing considering all the open space around them.

She should not be getting it at all! He thought angrily. He still hated that she was responsible for having to collect the pieces of the crystal that had torn her away from him.

He turned his eyes back to her as she watched the man, serious and thoughtful, and hoped mightily that she recalled her true self before she found all the pieces of the silver crystal.

"What do you intend to do my lady?" He asked, carefully disguising his distaste at the thought of the crystal that had ruined their lives.

"Find an out of the way spot, away from the passing traffic and out of his view, and get the crystal." Serena answered as she looked to her boyfriend before she returned her eyes to the priest; not wanting to lose him.

"Do you want to come or stay here?" She asked in the next moment as she began to come up with a loose plan.

"I believe I will remain here and watch over the bikes." Darien said, unwilling to watch her collect the crystal even if that meant not being in her presence for a few minutes.

"Okay. I'll be right back." Serena said as she put the kickstand down and got off the bike. She kissed his cheek before she turned and began to head for the entrance to the cemetery she had seen as they had ridden by.

She slipped over the short gate rather than risk opening it and the hinges squeaking, and quietly and respectfully stepped through the short grass and rows of graves. She went on and on until she came upon a small mausoleum, different than the one she had spotted earlier, and knelt down as she gazed at the priest.

He had stopped in front of a grave and was either praying, visiting, or both, so she figured now was as good a time as any.

But I'm not transformed. She told herself as she looked down at her casual clothes. Last time she used the wand she had been transformed, but she didn't know if she needed to be in order to use it.

Hmm…I'm able to run fast and jump high and do all kinds of acrobatic movements without being transformed so this shouldn't be too different. She thought. Plus, she didn't want to transform, so she guessed this was the time to find out if she could do it without being transformed.

She took a deep breath and let it out as she recalled Darien's words from before about focusing her will into the wand and being specific about what she wanted.

I want to get the rainbow crystal the priest has without hurting him, and without him knowing what is happening. She thought firmly as she lifted the wand and aimed it at the man focusing on what she wanted.

In the next moment, just as before, the crescent of the wand began to glow a bright white before a beam of light shot off it and streaked toward the priest. The white light hit him in the side, but he didn't react; he simply continued to stand there as if he didn't feel a thing.

Serena watched the beam of light closely and narrowed her eyes when she saw an orange object slip out of the priest's side as if it was passing through liquid.

As it had done with the last crystal the beam of light began to retract back toward her with the object at its end. Once it reached the crescent of the wand she grasped it out of the beam and the white light disappeared.

She hummed as she looked at the orange crystal before she looked to the priest, and saw that he was completely unaware of what had just happened.

Well, that's two down. She thought as she opened her hip bag and placed the crystal and the wand inside.

Serena wasted no time leaving the cemetery and returning to Darien who hadn't moved an inch from where she left him.

"I'm ready to go." She said as she straddled her bike and kicked the stand up.

"Then let us go." Darien said, not bothering to ask if she got the crystal since he really hadn't watched and didn't care to know.

With that the couple pushed off and continued to pedal along, going on with their date as if the rainbow crystal interruption hadn't happened. Instead of talking about the new rainbow crystal they began to discuss what they should do once they grew tired of riding the bikes.

They talked about going to the movies or going to his apartment and watching a movie there or going to see a movie and then going to his apartment afterward. They began to consider what movies were currently playing to decide if they even wanted to go the movies at all, and actually thought one or two of them would be something the both of them would enjoy watching.

"It's up to you." Darien said now that they knew they actually wanted to go the movies.

"I think I'd like to go to the movies and then maybe do something before going to your place afterward." Serena said thoughtfully as they carefully pedaled around a corner.

"Very well." He agreed. "How about we go find something to eat after we finish riding, and try to decide what we could do after the movie." He suggested.

"Sure! Sounds like a good idea to me." She replied as she glanced his way.

The couple rode around for almost two more hours before they made their way back to the bicycle rental shop. Hunger was setting in and they were ready to find a place to eat.

Once they arrived at the shop they returned the bikes and left moments later and began to make their way down the sidewalk toward Darien's parked car.

As they reached the car they slowed and Darien reached for the handle to the passenger side door, but before his hand could get close Serena grabbed his arm.

"I'm sensing dark energy." Serena said quietly as she focused to try and see what direction it was coming from.

"Then let us find a place to transform, so we can handle this new monster." Darien said as he locked his car.

Serena nodded and followed along, allowing him to lead her as she focused on the disturbing energy that didn't belong. She imagined it in her mind's eye as glowing black tendrils of smoke winding toward her and surrounding her like a smoke screen. She needed to see through the screen to see which direction to go.

Darien lead his soulmate, since she was clearly focused on her senses, to find a subtle place for them to transform. He still wasn't happy that she was currently masquerading as the scout of the Moon, but he was curious to see her transform and see if it was similar to her transformation as Sailor Earth.

It was also going to be interesting because it was the first time they would see each other transform. He usually transformed in a golden light, and he wondered if she would pay enough attention to notice it for the small clue that it was. Maybe she would remember it down the road with some other detail and put it all together; that he was the Earth Prince she was remembering.

He guided her into a side street that was for parking, but thankfully had no cars currently there. There was a wall at the end of what was essentially a wide alley, making it a dead end, and no windows or cameras on the walls of the two buildings.

"This is good. Although, we should hurry before someone passes by and becomes curious." Darien said, pulling his soulmate's attention away from her senses.

"Right." Serena said as she blinked rapidly, and then reached down and opened her hip bag.

She pulled out her brooch, careful of the wand since she didn't want to accidentally drag it out and cause it to fall to the ground, and held it firmly in her grasp.

"Moon Prism Power!" She said seriously, and narrowed her eyes as bright pink light flared from the brooch and surrounded her.

Darien watched, having taken a few steps back to have a better look, and squinted his eyes as he looked beyond the bright pink light. Surprise flashed through his widening eyes as he saw that her body was naked. It was the same way when she transformed as Sailor Earth, but he had somehow expected that it would be different with this identity.

He tilted his head as he watched dark ribbons of energy wrap around different parts of her body and become a piece of her scout uniform until the bright pink light cleared and she was fully outfitted as the scout of the Moon.

"Nice. Very nice." He said softly as she looked to him.

Serena instantly blushed as she realized Darien had watched her entire transformation. She didn't know what she looked like when she transformed, but clearly he liked what he saw so she suspected it looked intimate in some way.

"Your turn." She said shyly, and watched him nod slowly.

Darien focused on his masked persona, picturing the mask and tuxedo in his mind, and instantly felt the familiar and welcome warmth of his golden crystal pulse in his chest before he was engulfed in bright golden light.

Perhaps I shall ease the brightness so that my soulmate can see me naked, and make things equal between us. He considered. After all, it was a beautiful sight to see her so. He thought, before doing just that.

Serena watched as her boyfriend began to glow with a golden light. The glow grew brighter and brighter, but not so much that she couldn't see him beyond the light. Her eyes widened dramatically despite the bright light, and she held in a gasp at what she was seeing.

He's naked! He's naked in there! She thought in shock, but couldn't force her eyes away.

She was sure it was her imagination, but he seemed to look taller without any clothes on. All his muscles were on display, his skin looked amazing with the golden glow illuminating him, and his hair was ruffled in a breeze that his power was creating.

So handsome. She sighed as her eyes gazed at his body.

She was slightly disappointed as she watched the familiar black tuxedo appear. Unlike her transformation his tuxedo and accessories appeared all at once completely cutting off her view of his handsome body.

"You are so very handsome." Serena said as the golden light cleared away.

"Thank you my lady." Darien said with a light smirk.

"Alright. Let's get going, so we can get back to our date." She said with a blush before she shook her head and focused on the dark energy she could still clearly sense.

"Lead the way my lady." He replied with a serious nod.

Sailor Moon turned and led the way out of the side street, and dashed to her right as she began to run in the direction she sensed the dark energy coming from.

They ran down sidewalks, dashed across streets, and skirted around people before they were able to make their way up to a rooftop and travel on top of the buildings to their destination. Wherever the location was it wasn't far and yet it wasn't close, but they were getting closer and closer with their every step.

Finally, after nearly racing across the walkway of a bridge, Sailor Moon slowed to a stop across the street from a large, almost massive squarish building.

"It's in there." She said as she gestured to the building.

Tuxedo Mask gazed at the building, reading the sign and realizing that it was a swimming pool, as he took the opportunity to tap into his connection with the Earth. Instantly images raced across his mind's eye until they stopped on the location he was looking at.

"A swimming pool." He said as he asked the Earth to show him the inside, so he could get a clear view of the scene they were going into. "This should be interesting."

"Yeah." Sailor Moon said before she took a step forward and then dashed across the street to where she could see the main entrance.

As the disguised couple ran they saw a few people run out of the entrance with panic and fear clear on their face. One was half dressed, another was wearing only a swimsuit with a towel and some sandals, and the last was wearing a swimsuit but had no towel and was barefoot.

They went through the entrance and Sailor Moon doubled her focus to try and find the monster, to try and follow the glowing black tendril of disturbing energy through the building. They went down hallways, dodging running people, and eventually came to an open doorway where they were greeted by a swimming pool.

If they didn't know better they would say it was an Olympic sized pool, the ten lanes giving it away, and considering the size of the building they thought the place had likely been used by the last Olympics to be held in the country.

The pool in front of them wasn't surrounded by stands so it was likely a practice pool, and more worrying was the fact that there were people splashing around clearly trying to get away and other people that were floating in the water.

Neither one was sure if those people were still alive.

Stepping further into the area the disguised couple's eyes landed on a figure in the water that was obviously the monster. It was half man half creature. The top half looked like a male model with solid light blue eyes, short black hair, and pale skin. The bottom half was octopus-like water tentacles that were weaving and snaking through the air, and he was wearing a dark blue yukata that looked like it was made of water.

Sailor Moon held in a groan at what they were facing. This would be the first time she fought a monster in or near water, and she didn't know how she was going to make this work. There would be no getting close unless it got out of the water, and she would have to worry about slipping and falling into the pool.

At least I don't have to worry about losing my tiara in the water. She thought with slight optimism.

Tuxedo Mask for his part was also concerned about the situation. Had they both been able to fight as they had in the past this wouldn't be a problem. However, he was deliberately holding back until his soulmate recalled her true self or if he could chance it without being witnessed, and she didn't yet have access to her elemental powers to make this fight ridiculously easy for her.

Still, he was confident that together they could do it, and that there was absolutely no need to request the aid of the Guardian Scouts. Not that he thought she would even if she was worried about their chances.

The only one she might consider contacting is Sailor Venus. He thought as he eyed the monster.

"Let us think of this as a new training experience. After all, this will be a first for us since these monsters began to appear." Tuxedo Mask said as he glanced to his soulmate. "This can be practice in case we find ourselves having to fight near or in a lake or at a beach."

"Alright." Sailor Moon said as she nodded slowly. That was one way to see it, and she thought it was a good idea. If nothing else it got her mind away from the difficulty of how hard this fight was going to be.

"You're right. We can do this." She said with a firm nod. "We just need to be careful and creative. To think outside the box."

"Yes." He agreed with an approving nod.

"Okay. How about we separate and split its focus?" She suggested as she eyed the monster. "I don't know if it has to stay in the water, but even if it doesn't we can still keep it distracted enough to hopefully finish it quickly."

"Good idea." He agreed again. "That method will also give us an idea of what it's capable of."

Sailor Moon nodded and the two moved forward and split up, Sailor Moon to the left and Tuxedo Mask to the right as they headed for the sides of the pool.

Sailor Moon kept her eyes on the monster as she stepped carefully along the walking path. There was no need to hurry since the monster knew they were there, and running would only cause her to slip and fall. The last thing she wanted was to hurt herself on the floor or fall into the pool.

I don't want to know firsthand how hard it would be to swim while wearing boots. She thought before she quickly glanced around her immediate area as she made it to the side of the pool.

There was nowhere to hide in order to try and launch a surprise attack, which meant there was also nowhere to use as cover from an attack. She didn't particularly like that, but she didn't have a choice in the matter so she quickly returned her full attention to the male monster.

Tuxedo Mask eyed the monster as it seemed to focus on the people swimming and splashing away from it. He had no doubt that even though it hadn't looked it was aware of him and his soulmate.

He paused to help a woman out of the pool as he considered the abilities he allowed himself to use. His rose whip might be useful but he was not sure, and his piercing roses likely wouldn't be. His rose bombs would definitely be useful but be a bit much, however, his exploding roses would be perfect.

So maybe my rose whip, but definitely my exploding roses. He thought as he helped pull another swimmer from the water as they reached the side he was standing on. And I think I'll also use my sharp rose petals. He decided.

The monster finally looked to him and he decided to try to keep it distracted at the least, so the rest of the conscious people could get out of the pool. He raised his hand and focused on his chakra, briefly concentrating, and watched as sharp red rose petals came spraying out of his palm toward the male.

They spun and whizzed rapidly through the air, but the monster quickly drifted to the side out of the way of the sharp petals. The monster retaliated by shooting a thick stream of water from its mouth, and Tuxedo Mask ducked under it even as he pulled out two roses and threw them at the monster.

The monster slipped beneath the surface of the water, and the roses exploded on contact with the water throwing the liquid up into the air.

Sailor Moon watched her disguised boyfriend engage the monster as she leaned down and grasped the hand of a young man trying to hurriedly climb out of the pool. She pulled him up and gave him a slight push toward the exit before she reached up and grasped the v-juncture of her tiara.

She pulled it off and charged it up until it was a white glowing disk floating above her fingertips, and watched as the monster popped up near the end of the pool off to her left and shot a stream of water at her disguised boyfriend. She threw her tiara hard and watched it speed toward the monster while it was otherwise occupied only for it to suddenly slip low and disappear under the water.

As she willed her tiara back toward her she kept glancing at the water trying to see where the monster would pop up from. Suddenly it popped up almost directly in front of her and shot a stream of water at her.

Sailor Moon dove to her left to avoid the attack, and then rolled further away when she saw one of its water tentacles reaching for her. She grabbed her tiara from where it was hovering above her and swung it at the tentacle still reaching for her slicing it and causing water to splash onto the floor in front of her.

Tuxedo Mask raised his hand and focused on his chakra and sent his sharp rose petals spraying and spinning at the monster's back. He watched the petals hit and listened as the monster cried out in pain before it disappeared beneath the water.

He pulled out two roses and held one in each hand as he scanned the surface of the water. Unfortunately there were still a couple of people floating in the water, but they were at least floating on their backs. If they were still alive at least they were in a position to breathe.

Perhaps I should keep moving in case the monster tries to grab me with its tentacles like it tried to do to Serenity. He considered as his eyes flickered over to her. She was holding her tiara and scanning the water as well, but she was also standing still.

"We should keep moving, so we'll be less of a target." He called over to her.

She looked over to him but before she could reply or acknowledge what he said a wall of water suddenly shot up from the pool in between them and began to curve toward him.

Oh! He thought in surprise as he hurriedly stepped back in preparation to run, but it fell toward him before he could and all he could do was take a deep breath.

Sailor Moon's eyes widened as she watched her disguised boyfriend be overcome by a wave of water. Clearly the monster could do more than shoot water from its mouth and reach out with its water tentacles.

And it must be able to see fairly well beneath the water. She thought as she took a step back and toward the side intending to move further down the pool to the end. As soon as she did a tentacle shot through the air where she had been.

Her eyes widened but she still brought her tiara up and sliced through it before she turned and began to run toward the end of the pool. More tentacles burst through the water toward her, but she dodged them all as she ran.

She carefully turned at the end of the pool, not wanting to slip, and moved behind the starting platforms where swimmers jumped off into the water during races.

Tuxedo Mask, meanwhile, found himself surrounded in a bubble full of water unexpectedly from the wave that went over him, and was instantly thankful he had the sense of mind to take a deep breath. As he tried to figure out how to get out of his situation, before he ran out of air, he looked through the water surrounding him and saw the monster attacking his soulmate.

Sailor Moon glanced over to where she last saw her disguised boyfriend and gasped as she noticed his predicament. She moved to run toward him, but before she could go more than two steps a water tentacle flew pass her face.

She flinched as she stopped and stepped back. She noticed another one coming at her and she brought the disk that was her tiara up and sliced the first one and the coming one in two as it reached her.

She tried to move forward again, but before she could another water tentacle flew toward her. She quickly sliced it in two, causing it to fall into the small puddle of water the previous ones had created, and looked toward the pool only to see yet another tentacle rising up out of the water.

It streaked toward her and she sliced at it, but as she was doing that another one came streaking toward her. As she turned to slice at that one she caught a glimpse of another tentacle forming and rising up out of the water.

After that she was too busy slicing at the tentacles that started to come at her quicker and quicker to see them forming. Eventually there were too many for her to slice with her tiara, and when she tried to kick and punch at them she found the water latching onto her even though it was just droplets.

She tried to slice each tentacle as it formed around her leg and arm, but another tentacle wrapped around her wrist and she eventually dropped her tiara as water slid over her head and covered her face so she couldn't breathe.

The monster finally surfaced, slipping up from the water until it was at his waist completely dry, and looked satisfied before he started to lift Sailor Moon, and bring her toward him over the pool as he gradually began to surround her figure with water.

His master would be very pleased if he managed to kill at least one scout, and especially so soon after having received his orders. Once she was dead he could make sure the masked man was dead, even though he hadn't been given specific orders to kill him, and then he could get back to gathering energy.

Tuxedo Mask narrowed his eyes as he watched this, and decided that he was unfortunately going to have to tap into the abilities he had been refraining from using.

I hope my Serenity is too distracted to pay attention to what I am doing. He thought. Although, he was certain she would notice at least one of the things he planned on doing.

The secret prince of the Earth focused inward and began to pull his chakra to the surface of his body. As soon as he was glowing with the golden light emitting from his chakra he allowed it to spread into the water surrounding him.

As soon as he sensed that it was saturating the water he concentrated, focusing on his will, and took control of the water and willed it away from him. Within seconds it exploded away from him and he took a few gulps of air before he calmed himself, and turned his complete attention to saving his soulmate.

He channeled his chakra to his feet, the golden glow traveling down his body until there was only a thin layer along the bottom of his shoes, and leapt toward the water. His feet touched the clear blue liquid and he began to run along it like it was a solid surface toward the monster and his soulmate.

He pulled out a rose and channeled his chakra to it and watched it rapidly lengthen into the familiar thorn covered whip. He quickly converted his chakra to add an element to it so golden lightning was soon crackling along its length.

He flicked his wrist and the whip flew forward and cracked against the side of the monster's face causing it to scream. He did it again and the monster threw its arms and hands up as it drifted back and to the side to try and avoid his attack.

Tuxedo Mask then quickly looked toward his soulmate, seeing her struggling within the water, and focused as he switched the element around his whip from lightning to fire. He flung the whip once again this time toward the tentacles holding her up and trapped within the water.

It cut through them causing steam to drift through the air before she began to fall with a startled cry. He caught her in his arms, uncaring about the water that fell off her and soaked him, and continued to run before he jumped out of the pool and onto the floor.

Immediately he turned so his back wasn't to the pool and backed up until he hit the wall. He knelt down and placed his Serenity down, and listened as she coughed and gasped for air as he removed the golden fire from his whip.

"Are you okay?" He asked her as he gently rubbed her wet back, his eyes still on the monster.

"I'm fine." She croaked out as she coughed a bit more. "Or I will be as soon as I can breathe properly."

"Take your time recovering. I've got my eyes on the monster." He assured her as he continued to rub her back.

The monster stared at the pair with his solid light blue eyes before he slipped beneath the water briefly before resurfacing. The move soothed his wounds and stopped the pain, which was what he needed in order to get back to dealing with those two fighters.

He focused as he gazed at the pair, noticing how the masked male watched him, and sent four water tentacles flying at them.

Tuxedo Mask narrowed his eyes and flicked his whip a few times ripping into the tentacles and scattering the water droplets in front of them.

Sailor Moon looked up, coughing a little, and saw her tiara hovering above her. She reached up and grabbed it and shifted to get up, but felt a firm hand on her left shoulder and looked up to her disguised boyfriend.

"I meant what I said; for you to take your time recovering." He said without looking at her, obviously keeping his eyes on the monster. "I'll keep it away from you until you can breathe properly." He promised.

Sailor Moon nodded and relaxed a bit as she looked to the monster. She kept her tiara charged and in disk form, but she allowed herself to focus on completely clearing her throat of water; trusting her boyfriend to keep her safe.

More tentacles came flying at them and Tuxedo Mask once again flicked his whip at them rapidly to destroy them before they reached him and his soulmate. Almost immediately after that a somewhat thick stream of water came shooting toward them, and he quickly focused on his chakra and summoned an open red rose blossom to his free hand behind his Serenity's back.

He threw it hard over her head and watched as it collided with the stream and exploded sending water spraying everywhere.

He's so amazing. Sailor Moon thought as she glanced to her boyfriend, feeling his hand rest back on her shoulder. He was so confident and reassuring and protective. Even as he focused on the monster he made sure she was reassured and safe.

She looked back to the monster as she cleared her throat of the remnants of water and watched as tentacles formed up out of the water and pressed against the floor. The monster used the tentacles and its hands and climbed out of the pool. Two of the tentacles shifted into barefoot legs and the remaining tentacles became solid and octopus-like.

On top of that the monster was completely dry; there weren't even water droplets where it had climbed out of the water.

"I'm okay now." Sailor Moon told her disguised boyfriend.

"Very well." Tuxedo Mask said as he moved his hand away and helped her up as he stood himself.

They both stared at the pale skinned model-like monster, Sailor Moon holding her tiara and Tuxedo Mask holding his rose whip, wondering who would make the first move as its tentacles swayed behind and to its sides.

Suddenly the monster opened its mouth and shot a stream of water at them, and Sailor Moon immediately threw her tiara at it. The glowing disk hit the head of the stream and cut down it straight toward the monster's mouth, but the male ducked and gestured with a hand at the pool.

Water surged up out of the pool and split in half as it curved toward them and formed into two hands reaching out for them. The couple dashed away from each other, separating as they had at the start of the fight to split the monster's focus, but the water arms followed them.

Sailor Moon guided her tiara to slice the hand off at the "wrist" and watched it fall to the ground before she caught her tiara as it returned to her. Tuxedo Mask, meanwhile, pulled out a rose and threw it at the palm of the water hand, and watched the hand explode sending water flying everywhere.

He pulled out a handful of roses and followed up his previous attack by throwing them at the male monster. Water tentacles instantly rose up from the pool to intercept them causing the roses to explode and water to spray everywhere again.

Sailor Moon threw her tiara through the spray at the monster and it shot a stream of water at it from its mouth sending the spinning disk flying back and away. That wasn't at all surprising to her as she watched her disguised boyfriend use his rose whip to slice through the multiple tentacles that burst up from the water toward him.

They were coming from the water in front of him with small hands attached to them, but were stretching and curving to come at him from the sides as well.

She returned her eyes to the monster and guided her tiara around through the air, and sent it straight into the monster's back even as more of those same tentacles burst up from the pool toward her.

She ignored them despite the threat and continued to guide her tiara, and watched it slam into the monster's back causing it to scream.

All the water tentacles stopped and lost their forms dropping and splashing onto the floor with the monster's pain. Tuxedo Mask used its distraction to send his sharp rose petals flying at it in a loose continuous stream, which sprayed it in the face and chest adding to its pain and injuries.

The spinning glowing disk burst through the monster's chest, and Sailor Moon guided it back around and grimly aimed it for the screaming monster's neck; hoping mightily that the male didn't somehow have the ability to reform since it seemed to be at least partially made of water.

It sped through the air and sliced straight through the monster's neck abruptly cutting off its scream, and they watched its head fell off and into the pool while its body collapsed to the floor; both turning to dust fairly quickly.

Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon stared at the durst for a few long moments, making sure it would not somehow reform into the monster, before they began to make their way toward each other. She caught her tiara and released the charge before she returned it to its place on her forehead, and he absorbed the chakra back into his body and watched his rose whip disappear.

"Are you alright?" Tuxedo Mask asked his soulmate in concern as they reached each other.

"Yeah. You?" Sailor Moon said as she looked to him.

"Yes." He said with a nod before he looked to the people still floating in the water.

"We need to get them out of the water." She said as her eyes shifted to the people as well.

"I'll do it." He said as he looked back to her. "You keep watch for us and pull them out when I get them to you." He said as he began to take off his jacket.

Sailor Moon nodded, understanding that it would be easier for him since he didn't have her long hair and boots, and watched his jacket with his cape attached drop to the floor. He loosened his vest and pulled it off as he toed his shoes off, and dropped it before he rolled up his sleeves and stepped toward the pool.

He dove into the water and she walked along the side of the pool, keeping pace with him even as she looked around to make sure no one was around, and stopped as he reached the first person and began to pulled them over to her.

This went on with her pulling the people out of the water, and checking to see if they were alive, which they thankfully were. Five times they repeated the process until the pool was empty of people.

"What are the chances of our hair being dry once we release our transformation?" Sailor Moon wondered, looking at her soaked hair as her disguised boyfriend began to put his shoes back on.

"Slim to none." Tuxedo Mask answered as he pulled on his vest. "It's not part of our transformation like our clothes are. I'll honestly be surprised if our skin is dry." He added as he pulled on his jacket, grimacing at the heavy wet weight of it with his cape attached.

"Great." She said with a sigh.

"Come on. Let's get out of here before anyone we don't want to deal with shows up." He said as they began to walk toward the door.

They left the building and the area as quickly as they could and made their way back to his car, releasing their transformation in the process and unfortunately found their hair still very much wet, but thankfully not their skin.

In light of that they decided to get takeout since they were especially hungry after the fight, head back to his place to dry off and eat instead of doing anything else with their time.

On their way Serena mention that she wanted to train around water so she wouldn't panic if she ended up surrounded by water again. Now that the situation was pass them she could think of one or two things she could have done if she had been calm.

Darien had absolutely no problem agreeing to that. Any training was good as far as he was concerned; especially if it allowed him to spend more time with his soulmate.

oOoIRoOo

Monday afternoon found Serena, Molly, and Mina walking down the sidewalk together after school, still in their uniforms, holding their school bags. They were on their way to the Fruits Parlor Crown cafe to hang out with Darien since Serena was sure he wouldn't mind since they didn't have anything in particular planned.

Serena had introduced Molly and Mina to each other at school a week ago, and so far they seemed to like each other, which she liked and appreciated since she wanted all her friends to at least be familiar and comfortable with each other. This was the first time the three of them had spent time together outside school, and she was hoping it would further their friendship together.

"So are you curious about meeting Darien?" Molly asked Mina as they walked.

"Definitely!" Mina said. "I can't wait to meet this boyfriend of Serena's; especially with how she is when she's talking about him. I can only imagine actually seeing her with him."

"It is a sight to see." Molly said with a grin at Serena. "They are so cute together, and she glows with happiness."

"More so than when she's just talking about him?" Mina asked.

"Yup," Molly replied as she nodded. "and he does too for that matter."

"Molly!" Serena said as she shoved her best friend lightly even with the wide smile on her face.

She couldn't help it. She really liked her boyfriend, and she'd noticed her feelings had increased since discovering he was her masked companion. He didn't really act any differently with her. At least outrageously different. He just behaved a bit more gentlemanly and showed her a bit more affection.

I know he's happy with me, but I never noticed him glowing before. She thought with a light blush.

"What?! It's true. The two of you should see yourselves together." Molly insisted with a grin. "I'm definitely curious about what he says to his friends about you."

"Have you met any of his friends?" Mina asked Serena curiously.

"Yeah. His best friend works at the place we're headed to, and a while ago he introduced me to a few new friends that he made." Serena answered. "And I don't know what was said exactly, but I know that he has spoken of me to them." She added as she looked to her best friend.

"That's a good thing. Just one more thing to prove that he's serious about your relationship." Molly said.

"I think that also goes both ways." Mina said. "It shows just how serious you are about the relationship."

Serena blushed but smiled.

"I actually haven't thought about how serious we are, but I know that I really really like him." She said, and then mentally corrected herself.

Actually I have thought about it in some ways considering I've applied to go to the same university as him. She thought, her blush brightening.

They reached the building housing the arcade and cafe minutes later and jogged lightly up the stairs and entered through the glass door. Serena looked around and saw that Andrew wasn't at the front counter, but her boyfriend was sitting in their usual booth seat. Her lips smiled and she waved at him, and watched him wave in return.

"This way girls." She said as she began to lead the way down the aisle further into the cafe. "Hi." She said as she reached his standing figure, having watched him stand as she approached, and was greeted with a kiss and a hug.

"Hello my lady." Darien said as he pulled back from their hug.

"I brought a friend to meet you. I hope that's okay." Serena said as she moved to stand next to him.

"Of course it is." He replied as he looked to the girls accompanying her. "Hello Molly. It's good to see you again."

"It's good to see you too." Molly said with a smile.

"Darien, this is my new friend Mina Aino." Serena said as she gestured toward her fellow secret scout. "Mina, this is my boyfriend Darien Shields." She said as she smiled up at him.

"It is a pleasure to meet you." Darien said as he looked to the young woman he was sure was Sailor Venus' reincarnation.

Serenity must get along well with her. He thought as he considered what his meeting her meant for her friendship with his soulmate. Meeting him seemed to mean she was a close friend or headed that way with Serena since she had not even mentioned the reincarnations of Mars and Mercury even in passing.

A friendship with the reincarnation of the scout of Jupiter remains to be seen. He thought as he remembered that scout was now in the picture.

"The pleasure is all mine." Mina said as she unconsciously blushed. She wasn't embarrassed or attracted to him; it was just that he seemed so gentlemanly and she could admit that he was pleasing to the eye. What she also noticed was that he looked like the prince from her memory.

Is he the reincarnation of that prince? She wondered as they all sat down. She slid in next to the window with Molly on her right and Darien in front of her in the seat across the table from her with Serena seated to his left.

If it's true it's interesting that they're together again, and I highly doubt the reincarnated princess will be happy. She thought as she looked at the couple, and saw that Molly was right. They both glowed with happiness at just seemingly being in the company of the other.

"How was school ladies?" Darien asked, clearly seeing from her uniform that Mina went to the same school as Serena and Molly.

"The same as usual." Serena replied, and the others nodded.

"Yeah. Nothing unusual or interesting happened. It was just a normal school day." Molly said, and Mina nodded her agreement.

"What about you? How was your day?" Mina asked curiously.

"It was fine." Darien answered. "I went to a couple of classes and did some studying before coming here to wait for Serena."

"A couple of classes? You're in university?" Mina asked.

"Yes." He answered simply as he nodded once.

"Speaking of university, what do you plan on doing after graduation? Have you applied to a school yet or do you plan on doing something else?" Serena asked her best friend.

"I've applied to two different universities so far, and I'm working on the application to a third one, but I have no idea what I want to study." Molly said. "What about you?" She asked curiously since this wasn't something they had talked about yet.

"I've applied to K.O. University, the same one Darien goes to." Serena answered with smile in his direction, which he happily returned. "Kagome's applying there too, and her boyfriend goes there as well." She added as she looked back to Molly.

"That's one of the schools I applied to! Wouldn't it be cool if we could continue going to school together?" Molly said enthusiastically since they had been going to the same schools since they were little.

"What about you? Have you picked any schools or are you going in a different direction?" She asked as she looked to Mina.

"I've applied to two schools that have good sports teams as well as good education programs since I plan on joining the volleyball team, but I don't see anything wrong with trying for K.O. University as well." Mina answered easily. "Do they have a good volleyball team?" She asked Darien.

"We do." Darien answered. "If I have heard correctly the women's team does better than the men's team does."

"Then I'll definitely apply." She said with a grin. "Although, I'm unsure what I want to study. I know I like sports and singing."

"Don't worry. I'm still trying to narrow my choices down from creative writing, Japanese literature, and world literature." Serena said with a shrug.

Hmm..that reminds me that I should add to my own studies. Darien thought as he listened to the conversation. I want to be a doctor, that is not going to change, but I am going to be King at some point in the future. I think with that being the case I should add political studies to my medical studies.

It made sense to him. He was going to be King, ruling the Earth, but there were many countries with their own politics, and he would need to learn them all and then possibly mix them during his rule; maybe also adding in what he had learned in the past.

I will look into the classes available, but if that will not work then I will do self-study. He decided before he looked to his soulmate.

He wished he could somehow guide her into doing the same, because obviously she would be his Queen ruling beside him, but she wouldn't see a reason for it.

However, there is also the chance that she will remember her true self before she starts university. She could add it to her studies then; unless she too decides to study it on her own. He thought as he looked to her, hoping greatly that she remembered her true self long before she joined him on his university campus.

Beyond that he liked that her friends would be going to school with her; assuming they got accepted of course.

Molly, who just revealed that she already applied, Mina, if she actually goes through with applying, and Kagome, who has likely applied by now or will soon. He listed thoughtfully. The only one missing is the longtime friend I have yet to meet.

Mina watched and observed Serena and Darien as they all sat talking. They were a cute couple and clearly happy together. They smiled at each other nearly every time they looked in the other's direction, they leaned against each other, and Darien had his arm around Serena's shoulders or his hand disappeared behind her back.

She also saw that he was very attentive to her, listening intently every time she spoke. He even offered to go and get them food and drinks so she didn't have to stop talking to them. It was very kind and considerate of him.

He doesn't talk much, but when he does he's very clear and precise with what he says. She thought. She had the feeling that he just liked listening to Serena and watching her; as if he got enjoyment from simply observing her and being in her presence.

And that's perfectly fine. As long as Serena doesn't mind and is happy then what does it matter? She thought with a mental shrug, and decided to focus on her time with her new friends.

oOoIRoOo

Sailor Mars huffed ever so slightly as she stopped in front of her princess' bedroom door and knocked. She knew she was supposed to be in there, because she was nowhere else to be found. Not in the palace, and not in the gardens.

How she managed to slip away from her and her fellow guardian scouts was a mystery to her, and especially how she kept doing it.

Long moments passed as her knock went unanswered, so she slowly opened the door, not wanting to invade her privacy and hoping she was asleep, but found the room neat and empty. She checked the closet and the bathroom just to be sure, and frowned when she found nothing.

She left the bedroom with a huff after that empty discovery, and closed the door before she began to walk rapidly down the hallway. Since her princess couldn't be found anywhere in the palace or the grounds that left only one option, and she was irritated that that was the case.

Mars didn't know why her princess was infatuated with the man. Well, she did actually; at least somewhat. He was a very handsome young man, and he was a prince; heir to the throne of his planet.

But Selene has not even met the man. All she has to form her infatuation on is his physical appearance. Nothing more. She told herself as she shook her head lightly.

If she is serious in wanting to be with the man then she needs to actually meet him and get to know him. Maybe her mother can set something up; a private meeting or work toward an arranged marriage. She considered as she walked down a flight of stairs.

She made it to the ground floor of the palace within a few minutes, and stepped outside the front main entrance and paused as she focused on getting to her princess.

Within moments she was surrounded in the red energy of her power, and disappeared only to reappear in a bright sunlit garden standing a few feet behind her princess. She was standing behind a tall white pillar with green vines spiraling up and around it, and peering around it in an obvious move to not to be seen.

She quietly walked up behind her and looked over her shoulder to see what she was looking at, and saw the Earth Prince sitting on a bench in front of a wall of vines and bright flowers.

Mars placed her hand on her princess' shoulder, instantly feeling her jump, and watched as she looked back worriedly only to relax at the sight of her.

"It is time to go princess." She said quietly. "You know you should not be here."

She watched Selene bite her bottom lip and look back to the prince, and then sigh heavily and reluctantly nod her head.

With that agreement she tightened her hand slightly on her princess' shoulder, and within the next moment they disappeared from the Earth garden in a flash of red light.


Raye's eyes slid open as her alarm sounded throughout her bedroom, and she sighed tiredly as she reached over and turned it off. She stretched for a few long seconds before she relaxed and blinked in the slight Tuesday morning light illuminating her room.

She had just dreamed of another memory. She had seen a handful since becoming a scout, but it still surprised her that she was remembering the past. This was the first time she had seen the princess and she was exactly as Serena had described. It was also the first time she had seen the Earth Prince that Amy had mentioned.

The guy that Serena's past self was in a relationship with, and the guy that the princess liked. She thought as she blinked tiredly.

The prince was cute and Raye could definitely see why the princess had liked the guy. She supposed him being royalty himself made him more desirable and obtainable for the princess. She wasn't sure if that was an appeal to Serena's past self as well since it wasn't spoken of in any of the memories she had.

Even the memories Amy had remembered hadn't said anything about it since they had been sharing the memories they remembered with each other. Although, Amy had mentioned that Serena's past self had mentioned that the prince knew about the princess' feelings for him and he didn't seem to want anything to do with her.

Amy didn't seem to think it mattered that the prince didn't want the princess, and was more concerned about the fact that Serena's past self was with him while the princess had feelings for him.

I kind of think the same way. Raye considered thoughtfully. I mean shouldn't we be loyal to her in every way, which means not going after a guy she liked? But then again according to one of Amy's memories Serena's past self wasn't going after the prince. He was pursuing her.

So what do you do when you are a soldier whose job it is to protect a princess, and a prince decides he wants you regardless of how said princess feels about him? She wondered as she sat up and ran her fingers through her hair.

Raye sighed as she frowned. She wouldn't know what to do, was glad she didn't have to make such a decision and probably hadn't made such a decision in the past, but she thought there should be loyalty. Loyalty should come before a guy.

We're supposed to be protectors of the princess for life, so how would we be able to be with a guy? We couldn't; we would have divided loyalty. She thought as she shook her head.

Considering how the princess had looked in her memory, how she appeared to be stalking the guy she wondered if she would be interested in him in the present as well. She also wondered if Serena would be interested in the prince as well.

Amy seems to think so even though she already has a boyfriend. She thought, and wondered what her boyfriend looked like. Maybe Serena would be only interested in looks and if the prince was more attractive than her boyfriend than she might break up with him for the prince.

And now that she knew what the prince looked like she knew she hadn't seen anyone that looked like the prince, so she knew she hadn't run across his reincarnation yet. Assuming he had been reincarnated like the rest of them, which was highly likely since the rest of them had.

Maybe I should try to get a look at Serena's boyfriend to see if he's more attractive than the prince. She wondered as she finally got out of bed.

Raye wondered when she would be able to manage that. It was hard to get together when they both went to different schools. More importantly Serena had made it clear when they confronted her recently that they weren't friends, which is why she never talked about her boyfriend.

That's something I can understand. She thought as she began to get ready for school.

She didn't talk to them about what was going on in her private life. She didn't have a boyfriend herself, but she didn't talk about her grandfather and she had never spoken of her parents. They had no idea that her mother had passed and her father wasn't in her life.

And despite Amy's complaints she also hasn't spoken about anything personal, so yeah I can understand where Serena is coming from with that at least. She thought. Now how does Tuxedo Mask fit into all this? She wondered, moving her thoughts away from past memories, Serena, and Serena's boyfriend.

Raye still thought there was a connection between Serena and Tuxedo Mask despite what she had told them when she confronted them. She still thought it wasn't a coincidence that they both had been gone and not at the fight over the last weekend.

Serena had said it was possible he had been there and just decided against joining the fight, but he had been at all the other ones that Raye had known about. Why decide against not participating in the one fight that Serena wasn't at?

Raye wasn't sure she would find out any time soon, but she really wanted to find out.

But that's not going to happen today as far as I know. She thought as she pushed that aside and focused on getting ready for her school day.

Before long she had showered and was dressed in her school uniform. She brushed her hair, put in her red stud earrings, and collected her school bag before she left her bedroom. She met up with her grandfather and shared breakfast with him before she headed off to school.

She left the temple grounds and made her way to the bus stop just in time to catch the bus she needed. Almost twenty minutes later she was getting off and walking down the sidewalk toward her school.

It wasn't long before she met up with her friends and together they made their way through the main building chatting about what they had done after school the day before.

As they walked they came upon a group of girls, all wearing the school uniform, standing off to the side in the hallway most of them surrounding a girl with pale blue eyes and white blonde hair styled up in two high ponytails that trailed pass her back and almost to her knees.

Raye recognized her face from class but she didn't know her personally; didn't even remember her name from the teacher taking attendance. And as she watched she appeared to be almost holding court with her friends, which clearly indicated that the girl was popular; at least among her friends.

She shrugged slightly and turned her attention back to her friends as they headed to class.

From there the school day went as usual listening to the teacher and taking notes, and she was glad when it ended because she had more homework than usual that day. It wasn't surprising since the school year was coming to an end and their end of year testing would be starting sooner than they all liked.

She left the school campus and made it home quickly and changed and immediately started on her chores so she could get to her homework. An hour and half later she was finished and was back in her bedroom to get started on her homework. She was thankful her grandfather didn't need her help urgently since he knew her homework was piling on since it was her last year before graduation.

Raye set up her textbooks and paper, but before she could actually get started her communicator started beeping. She groaned and picked it up off her desk and saw the dark pink button with the blue Mercury symbol on it flashing.

"Raye here." She said after she pressed the button, and watched Amy's face appear on the tiny screen.

oOo

Sailor Moon ran along a rooftop following the trail of dark energy she was sensing with Tuxedo Mask right at her side.

She had met up with Darien after school as usual at the cafe, and they had caught each other up on how their day had gone so far before he had begun to help her with her homework. She had managed to finish two assignments while they worked through the snacks he had ordered and was getting started on the third when she had begun to sense dark energy.

She had informed him and immediately started packing up her things. As soon as she finished they left the cafe before they found a fairly secluded location and transformed. When they were standing as the secret warriors they made their way up to the roof and began to follow the dark energy.

"We're heading left." She announced for her disguised boyfriend's benefit before she did just that, confidently moving along the rooftop before she leapt across the air to the next one.

They only got half way along the roof before she heard her communicator beeping inside whatever space it went to when she transformed. She slowed to a stop as she gestured with her gloved hand, concentrating on wanting the device, and watched as the pink communicator appeared with the dark pink button with the blue Mercury symbol flashing.

Tuxedo Mask moved in front of her so he would be out of the line of view, and waited as he looked around to make sure they weren't garnering any attention that they needed to worry about.

"Sailor Moon here." She said after she pressed the flashing button, and watched Amy's face appear on the screen.

"Mina here." She heard a few moments later.

"Lita here." The feminine voice came a second later.

"There's a monster attacking at an amusement park." Amy said, and she guessed that Raye had already answered or was with her since she hadn't heard her voice.

"Where?" Mina asked seriously, and Sailor Moon didn't bother answering even though she now knew where the dark energy was leading her.

I'll leave that to Amy. She thought as she looked around instead, making eye contact with her patiently waiting boyfriend. That might make Amy feel important and less jealous for the moment. She added as she listened to her give the address and directions.

"I'm already on my way. Moon out." She said before she pressed the button to end the connection, not needing to hear more and not really caring to know if the others were coming. Her boyfriend was with her and that was all that mattered to her. She was perfectly fine fighting with only him at her side.

"An amusement park." Tuxedo Mask said as he watched his soulmate put her communicator away.

"Apparently." Sailor Moon replied. "Let's hope whatever monster is there doesn't have the ability to control people like some of the other monsters have."

"Yes." He agreed, and nodded before they took off running again, a bit faster now that they knew exactly where they were going since there was only one amusement park in the direction they were headed in.

A few minutes passed before they reached a large parking lot, and could clearly see a sign that read Dream Land marking the entrance to the amusement park. They ran between parked cars and swerved around incoming and outgoing cars as they steadily made their way to the park.

Instead of heading for the entrance they jumped onto the closest fence, and balanced on it as they looked below. The way was clear of any people or obstacles so they jumped down and took off running again.

Sailor Moon focused on her senses and carefully led the way through the park and around surprised people as she followed the dark energy she was sensing. They passed by realistic looking wild animals that they knew were robots and various familiar rides such as a Ferris Wheel, Merry-Go-Round, and a train for little kids that appeared to travel around a large chunk of the park.

Eventually they began to hear screams and saw people running away from the direction they were headed in, which turned out to be toward a large fairytale-like castle. They didn't know if the people were running and screaming to escape an attack, if they had just seen people unconscious on the ground somewhere, or if it was a combination of the two.

As they grew closer to the castle they saw a large sign that read House Of Sweets. They didn't know if that was the actual name of the castle or just the nearest part of the castle but either way they continued forward.

Running as they were Sailor Moon almost didn't see her fellow scouts running toward them from off to her right; Mercury in the lead with her minicomputer in hand.

Obviously she led them here once they all found each other. She thought, which she found was surprisingly quick as far as she was concerned since she doubted they were all as close as she and her disguised boyfriend were when the call came.

Still, she and Tuxedo Mask were closer in their approach, so they arrived at the large double doors to the castle first. She tried the handle to the doors, but they wouldn't budge.

"It's locked!" Sailor Moon said with a frown.

"I'll take care of it." Tuxedo Mask said before he moved forward and summarily kicked one of the doors in.

He and the Guardian Scouts filed in only to stop abruptly just a few feet in at the sight before their eyes.

In what appeared to be a large foyer were people scattered around lying on the floor with food and drinks spilled here and there alerting them to the fact that they had all suddenly collapsed where they stood without warning.

And standing at the far end of the foyer from them was a woman with curly light pink hair and light blue eyes. She wore a gold tiara crown on top of her head, and a pink, blue, and white dress trimmed in gold. In her hand, strangely enough, was a shiny red apple.

What wasn't so strange was the swirls of white energy flowing toward it from all the people lying on the floor. Clearly she was the monster and was gathering energy from those people.

"Welcome! I am Dream Princess. Please join me." The woman who proclaimed herself a princess said in a gentle tone as if she wasn't sucking the energy out of the people in the room.

"Supreme Thunder!" Sailor Jupiter shouted suddenly, and sent lightning streaking toward the woman.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" Sailor Mercury called out, sending out a stream of bubbles in the woman's direction.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" Sailor Mars yelled and watched as a ball of fire flew from her fingertips toward the woman.

Instead of attacking right away Sailor Venus, Sailor Moon, and Tuxedo Mask took the opportunity to spread out slightly, stepping over and around the downed people, and prepared to attack.

Sailor Moon took off her tiara and charged it up until it was a glowing white disk hovering above her fingertips, Tuxedo Mask focused his chakra to his will and pulled out a few red roses, and Sailor Venus lifted her arm and pointed her finger at the woman as they watched her almost glide out of the way of the attacks.

"You do not want to join me?" The woman asked sweetly even as her eyes narrowed.

Suddenly she slowly started to spin, her body rotating round and around to her left, before her head began to spin to her right. It was odd to see but then some of them grimaced and others stared with stony calmness as ominous clicking sounds started and her head lowered into her body; completely disappearing from their sight.

Right before their eyes her appearance changed, fading from the cheerful princess dress to a black, red, and blue sleeveless dress with long black gloves up to the middle of her upper arms. Her skin turned a greenish-yellow before her head reappeared, spinning up into view, with her hair still curly and light pink but her eyes were a solid white and she wore a red claw-like crown.

Her body and head stopped spinning revealing a ventriloquist doll-like mouth, and her eyes rolled until they revealed light green pupils.

"Then join my new friends in dreams!" The monster said darkly before her ventriloquist mouth dropped open wide.

Vibrant red misty fog streamed out almost like a beam and spread out through the room toward each of them.

Sailor Venus immediately covered her mouth and nose with both hands and quickly backed up, Sailor Moon took a quick breath and grabbed one of her streams of hair and covered her nose and mouth for good measure as she practically skipped back over a couple of downed people, and Tuxedo Mask also took a breath and held it before grabbing his cape and covering the lower half of his face as he leapt back.

Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Jupiter were unfortunately too slow in moving back and didn't try to prevent the mist from getting into their body. Almost instantly their eyes grew dazed and they found themselves in a peaceful field of flowers. They smiled at each other, finding nothing strange or wrong about their surroundings, and began to explore the field.

Suddenly Jupiter knelt down with a smile on her face looking like she was reaching for something, Mercury lifted her face as if she was looking at something but closed her eyes, and Mars began to take a step here and there as if she was looking at different things as she turned her head in different directions.

Tuxedo Mask, Sailor Moon, and Sailor Venus exchanged a quick yet exasperated look before focusing on the monster. Clearly since they were the only ones with enough sense not to breathe in the mist they would have to deal with the monster.

So far the monster seemed to only have the fog it could produce, which wouldn't be bad except for the fact that it clearly affected the mind. They would have to avoid breathing it in or risk ending up like Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury. Aside from that it had the apple, which they had seen was used to gather energy from people.

Beyond that they would have to be careful not to step on the people on the floor, and hope that the monster left them alone instead of injuring them or using them against them.

Crescent Beam! Sailor Venus thought as she raised her arm and aimed her finger at the monster.

Tuxedo Mask threw the roses still in his hand, and then raised his hand as he focused on his chakra. Red rose petals came flying out of his palm, spinning rapidly as they flew toward the monster.

Sailor Moon watched for a few moments to see where their attacks were headed before she threw her tiara low toward the monster where its legs were.

If it has legs. She thought as she eyed the voluminous dress covering its lower half as their attacks moved rapidly toward it.

oOo

A young woman with pale blue eyes and white blonde hair in two high ponytails sat half reclined on the floor as she looked around in confused horror.

She had just been walking with her friends laughing and having a good time. They had just been joking about the name of the castle, House Of Sweets, they were walking in while holding their own sweet snacks and drinks.

The princess character of the park had seemed to suddenly appear up ahead of them in front of another group and the next thing she knew red misty fog was streaming out of her mouth and flying all over the place and people started dropping like flies!

She had tripped over the feet of one of her friends as she tried to step back and fell. She had instantly felt pain in her head, and the next thing she was aware of one of her friends was lying across her face! She was surprised she had been able to breathe!

When she finally got free of her friend she saw that all of her friends were lying around her looking like they were asleep.

Now more than her friends were lying around. People were either unconscious or dead on the ground all around her, and those fighters she had been hearing about were fighting the princess woman that had attacked her, her friends, and everyone here somehow.

And worse, the princess looked very different. No longer was she sweet looking and pretty. She now looked like some kind of gothic puppet doll!

This was all just too much! She had just wanted to have some fun after school, not be attacked by some strange woman puppet thing! She didn't like this! She didn't like this at all! She didn't want to be here! She didn't want to die here! She was too young and pretty to die!

Unbeknownst to her a golden crescent moon faded into view on the center of her forehead and began to glow brightly.

oOo

The monster's head lowered into its body, avoiding the light beam, and somehow it avoided the roses which exploded against the wall and the sharp rose petals before its head rotated back up into place. Then it somehow moved up, almost like it levitated, and avoided the glowing disk streaking toward it.

Sailor Venus again launched her Crescent Beam and sent a beam of light streaming out of her finger toward the doll monster. Then she looked toward her fellow scouts who were affected by whatever the monster's fog did, and wondered if she should try to snap them out of it.

I might have to if this monster keeps avoiding our attacks. Then at least it would have three more attacks to contend with. She thought as she pursed her lips together and prepared to attack again.

Tuxedo Mask pulled out a handful of perfect red roses, idly noticing that the monster's fog had dissipated, and threw them sharply at the doll-like creature.

Sailor Moon watched her tiara sail through the air and turn in an arch before it began to head back toward her before she looked around. Mars, Jupiter, and Mercury were still moving around clearly affected by the monster's fog, and people were still lying around on the ground unconscious.

But as her eyes continued to scan the area she did a slight double take as she saw a girl that looked around her age looking around in horror from her seat on the floor. She had pale blue eyes, her long white blonde hair was up in two high ponytails, and she was wearing the same uniform that belonged to Mars' private school.

Beyond that she noticed a glow on her forehead, and she squinted her eyes to try and make it out despite the situation; only for her eyes to widen as she realized it was a golden crescent moon.

A crescent moon. She thought softly before a quiet gasp escaped her as a scene began to play through her mind.

oOo

Sailor Earth narrowed her eyes as she sensed a familiar presence arrive on the Earth yet again, and willed herself to the location. She instantly disappeared in a flash of soft blue green light and reappeared behind the intruder.

"You are not supposed to be here Princess." She said firmly, and watched the Moon Princess jump and spin around with her hand on her chest. "Leave! Return to your planet."

"No! I will not leave until I have spoken to Prince Endymion." The Moon Princess said as her startled heart calmed.

"That is not going to happen." Sailor Earth said bluntly. "His highness is not at your beck and call. He has more important matters to occupy his time rather than cater to your unwanted desires."

Before the princess could respond there was a flash of orange light a few feet off to their side to her left, and it cleared to reveal Sailor Venus looking serious and slightly exasperated.

"It is time to leave Princess Selene." She said as she looked to her princess. "You should not be here, and you certainly should not have come alone."

"No." Princess Selene refused. "I am not leaving until I speak to Prince Endymion!"

"You are not going to speak to him." Venus said firmly. "His highness is not going to stop what he is doing to speak to someone he wants nothing to do with. It is high time you realize that. Your feelings for a person do not guarantee that person will return them. You need to let your infatuation with him go."

"No! There is no reason for him not to want me; especially now that we have finally met!" Princess Selene said almost petulantly.

"There does not need to be a reason Princess." Venus said exasperatedly.

Sailor Earth watched silently, letting the conversation go on hoping that Venus would be able to get through to her delusional princess.

She felt sorry that Venus had to be a guardian to such an immature young woman, and wished the scout had other options. But she knew very well that being a scout was a lifetime appointment. It was only her bad luck that her assignment had been guardian to such a princess.

oOo

Sailor Moon blinked as the scene, the memory snippet, faded to an end. So many thoughts were racing through her mind at the moment, but she pushed the majority of them aside for later and focused on the only one that mattered at the moment.

This girl was the Moon Princess.

She ignored her returning tiara for the moment and dashed across the room, gracefully leaping over people, until she reached the girl's side.

"Are you alright?" She asked her as she knelt by her side, seeing the golden crescent moon more clearly and vibrantly.

"Yeah." The unknowing reincarnated princess said as she nodded.

"Okay. You're going to be alright. We're going to get you out of here." She reassured the girl and watched her smile slightly as she nodded hesitantly.

Sailor Moon glanced up and grabbed her tiara from where it hovered above her head before she stood up and took in what was happening. Sailor Venus and her disguised boyfriend were still attacking the monster, Mars, Jupiter, and Mercury were still affected, and everyone else was still on the floor.

She still believed she, her disguised boyfriend, and Venus could deal with the monster on their own, but the situation had changed drastically.

Now the Moon Princess was in their presence and in danger. Beyond the threat of the monster they never knew if one of those men would appear after the monster was defeated, and they needed the rest of the scouts aware and alert before the fight was over in case that happened.

It didn't matter what she personally felt about the reincarnated princess at the moment. It didn't matter what she had seen in her confusing gradually returning memories. What mattered was that the reincarnated princess needed to be kept safe since that was her duty.

"Venus!" She called firmly, ignoring the fact that the unknowing princess was getting to her feet just behind her.