Disclaimer: I do no own Sailor Moon, etc, etc.
AN: No reviews this time. I must've done SOMETHING wrong. :P Maybe, just maybe, I'll be lucky enough to get reviews next time. Wishful thinking, no?
B-chanz
Legend:
'Thoughts'
"Normal speaking"
-Dream Sequences-
Chapter 2 to Dreams and Wishes
She looked around for her friends after her little encounter and began making her way towards them. Mina, however, was wondering where she went and as soon as she spotted Serena. "Serena! Where did you go?" Her face held a look of concern and only caused Serena to smile at how much she was worrying over her. She was only gone for about five minutes, but Mina took no heed to that. "Sere?"
"Oh." She smiled again and blushed lightly. "Well, I bumped into someone by accident back in Japan and I saw her here again and went to apologize. That's all." Serena smiled cheekily at Mina and sighed in relief as she didn't retort to her clumsiness like Raye would have. Mina only nodded after listening to her explain, just as long as she received an answer, it was good it enough for her.
Same old Mina. Never one to ask questions.
Jason heaved the last luggage onto a cart and turned to the group. "We're all ready to go. Everything's here." The group had begun to split up once again. Raye and Jadeite went with Zoisite and Malachite for they found a place in that apartment building. The rest were all heading to a different apartment complex.
"Let's go home, everyone." Serena smiled as she heard that and linked arms with Amy as they headed into the parking lot.
Home. Our new home. She sighed as she got into the back of Greg's car with Darien. I just hope we find Abby and Hans here. Then I'll be happy.
"Here are you keys, Sir, Miss." The receptionist handed over two identical set of keys for room 609. The man pressed a button and waited. A young man somewhere in his twenties appeared in a uniform. "Johnny, please bring their luggages to the top floor." He turned his attention back to Serena and Darien. "Please call me Mac, I will be here if you need anything. Just push 1 on your phone and you will directly reach me here."
They both smiled at him in appreciation. "Pleasure to meet you, Mac, bye." Serena gave him a gentle smile and followed Johnny to the elevator, Darien right behind her.
It seems more like a hotel than an apartment building.
Mac was a man in his mid-forties, with slightly graying hair, smoke gray eyes, and standing at a height of 5'10". She observed him with a friendly smile.
"You're going to love it here, Sere." Amy explained as Johnny pressed the button to floor number six. Her, Greg, Mina, Jason, Lita, and Ken all lived in the same apartment. Mina and Jason also lived on the sixth floor, Mina wanted to be closer to Serena, other than the fact she loved the top floors. Amy and Greg decided to live on the third floor. Something about not being too high or too low in the building. Lita and Ken lived in between them on the fifth floor.
The apartment complex they were all currently residing in was larger than you would think. Each condo was as big as a regular house, slightly bigger. "By the looks of it so far, I love it." She exclaimed as they reached the sixth floor and everyone piled out, Johnny in front.
They stood at the door, which indicated room 609, Johnny opened the door for them with the keys Mac had given him and placed their luggages inside. "Here you go, Sir." He handed them to Darien as a tip was placed in his hand. "Thank you, Sir. If you need anything, just ask for me, Johnny. Good day." And left, closing the door behind, but not before greeting the rest of her friends.
Must be a regular job. Serena looked around the room as it was much bigger than Darien's apartment. This must be twice as big as Darien's old place, the balcony even looks bigger!
"I take it you already know him." She winked at Mina, Amy, and Lita. They each sent her a cheeky grin as Mina responded.
"He's a nice guy with a wife and a soon to be born baby." Mina looked at her watch and gasped slightly and received puzzled looks from everyone. "Jason. She'll be here soon, I have to go get her from Sori-san." He nodded in confirmation and Mina dashed out of the apartment and down the hall. Then everyone, but Serena and Darien, understood.
Jason saw the puzzled looks of the couple and shrugged. "You'll see." He noticed someone else was missing. "Hey, where's Luna? I bet Artemis wants to see her." Serena paused before opening the bag she had with her on the plane. 'Have to be careful about this.' A black figure leaped out and landed gracefully in front of everyone.
"Finally! It was getting quite stuffy in there." She stretched in a very cat-like way to get rid of the cramps.
"Are animals allowed in the building, Jason? If they're not, we have to hide her every time someone comes in that doesn't know about her..." Serena stopped her ranting for Jason, Amy, Greg, Lita, and Ken had begun to laugh lightly. Darien stood there, watching the scene unfold before him, wondering what in the world was going on.
"Geez, Sere, why do you think Mina and Jason recommended this apartment building in the first place?" Lita crossed her arms and Serena shrugged. Lita shook her head and was about to explain when Mina came back with a small animal in her arms.
"I'm back!" She closed the door behind her and turned around. The puppy in her arms looked around and stared at the two new people.
Serena gasped and gushed at the little puppy in her friend's arm. "Mina! It's so cute! I didn't know you got a puppy, but what about Artemis?"
Mina blinked for a few seconds and then it dawned on her about what she meant. "Oh, you mean this little girl here." Serena sweat dropped at just how clueless her friend was, but chose not to say anything. "She's not mine. I was actually just looking after her for a friend. I could never replace Artemis."
Knocking came from the door causing everyone to turn and look at it. Again, the person knocked. "I guess I should be the one to answer that." Serena got up from the chair she had recently sat on and opened the door with slight caution. "Can I help y-..?" She blinked and opened the door wider for a better view. "Tina? What are you doing here?" The girl on the other side of the door stared for a second until it registered in her brain of who it was.
"Serena? Wow. Three times in one day?" She smiled down at Serena for she was two inches taller than she was. Tina had black hair with barely visible red streaks dyed into it. She also had hazel eyes and a fair amount of tanned skin. Her hair was let down, cascading around her shoulders.
"So, how can I help...?" Serena stopped, mid-sentence, as she heard footsteps behind Tina. She, too, turned around to find out who it was and just stood there.
"Tina! Did you find Cirri and Mina?" The figure appeared just behind her friend, three inches shorter than her, but just visible enough so that Serena could see her. At the sound of this other voice, the puppy's ears perked up and jumped out of Mina's arms. She bounded out the door and towards the owner of the voice and barked, Mina shook her head and followed her out the door. "Cirri! There you are!" The girl picked up the puppy as she began licking her face in delight. "I missed you too." She giggled and just hugged the beagle puppy.
(AN: Think Shiloh.)
Mina, who had been surprised, and wondered what had happened to the puppy, gasped at the sight of the girl. "Steph! You're back!" Mina nearly tackled her to the ground as she hugged the girl holding the dog.
"Air...Mina...air..." The blonde laughed and released her. The next thing that happened was Tina being hugged by Mina. "Um...Mina?" Stephanie laughed as Tina began to turn a bluish color. "I don't think Tina has enough air to actually tell you to release her." At this, Mina blushed slightly and let go. She was known to give death-gripping hugs, but that's what makes Mina, Mina.
"Sheesh, Mins, we've only been gone for a week." Tina managed to say while still taking in long, deep breaths to get her lungs working again. "And boy, you were right, Andrew IS a hunk." The two beamed at each other and giggled.
Stephanie rolled her eyes at the two. She watched people beginning to pile into the hallway and decided to greet them. "Hey Jace, Ames, Greg, Lita, Ken."
(AN: Jace and Ames are her nicknames for Jason and Amy. Like that wasn't obvious.)
"We didn't know you would also be coming back today." Lita went around the group and placed an arm around Stephanie's shoulders in a friendly manner. Stephanie and Tina had only met Lita and Ken a week ago, the day they were leaving for the tour. It was a very brief encounter, but they managed to make friends with each other. "Oh, sorry. This is Serena and Darien, the friends we were telling you about." Lita pointed them out as she introduced them by name.
Serena stepped up and held out a hand. "Hi! I hope we can become friends." Stephanie smiled and gladly shook her hand, but shyly. She was shy when it came around to meeting new people. But once she got to know them better, the shyness disappeared, but not entirely.
Darien repeated the action and also introduced himself. One question still lingered in his mind as Cirri barked once again. "Are animals not allowed in this building?"
Stephanie looked at her best friend and Tina decided to speak up. "Actually." She came around and took Cirri from her and the puppy attacked her with various licks of greetings. "The owner of this building makes it possible for animals to stay. They really love animals." Darien nodded, accepting her answer, and excused himself for a second as he went back inside. She turned her attention to Serena. "That's why these apartments are so popular." concluded Tina.
Serena smiled and thought it was some sort of sign that she was to bump into Tina again. "That's really great!" She was happy to know that she wouldn't have to hide Luna. "Oh, Luna, you can come out now." She turned around and was greeted by Darien standing in the doorway holding her black cat. "So that's why you went back inside." He just grinned and handed her Luna.
"Whoa!" Everyone's gaze turned to Stephanie and she blushed in embarrassment, rubbing the back of her neck out of habit. She laughed nervously and stepped closer to Serena. "I've never seen anyone own a black cat. Some people believe too much in that bad luck stuff." She paused. "May I pet her?"
Serena nodded, surprised at the manners this girl had. Her hand reached out to scratch Luna under the chin. She purred in response and leaned into her hand more and she giggled. "Nice crescent moon." She studied the symbol on the cat and was about to touch it when she realized something.
Tina sensed it and turned around, puppy in arm. "Is there something wrong, Steph?"
Worry was evident in her eyes. She only shook her head in response, though. "Nothing. Cirri just has a symbol on her forehead too, remember?" Everyone glanced at each other then at the puppy in Tina's arms. "Oh, um, here. Look for yourselves." She took Cirri from Tina and turned her around in her arms so that her forehead was in clear view. Just among the patch of dark brown fur was a faint yellow symbol. It looked something like this; ยค
"Stephanie, Tina, I see you've found her." Ms. Sori came out of her apartment door of 606. She was an elderly woman in her 60's. She lived alone and the girls took it into their account to visit her whenever they could.
Both girls turned around and smiled. "Hai." Tina bowed her head as did Stephanie. They had learned Japanese from her for they found it quite interesting to learn.
"Ah, Greg. Would you please introduce me to our new neighbors?" Greg, having kept quiet the whole time, nodded.
"Sori-san this is Serena and Darien, they just arrived from Japan. We told you about them when we first came here, remember?" Greg pointed to each of them and Luna meowed. "Oh, and this is Luna." Ms. Sori moved closer and scratched Luna behind the ears and smiled.
"A pretty cat she is." She glanced up at Serena. "I hope you visit a poor old lady like me."
Serena smiled. "You are not as old as you seem, Ms. Sori."
The old woman smiled and motioned for Darien to bend down to her height. "She's a keeper, I say." He smiled and whispered in her ear.
"I know." Then she began heading back to her apartment, ready for some sleep.
"I don't know about you young people, but I'm turning in." Everyone stifled a yawn, some from jet lag, others from lack of sleep, or just from waking up too early in the morning.
"Good night, Ms. Sori." They all chorused as she disappeared from their view.
This has been one exciting day.
Serena looked around at her friends and the two, no, three friends she had just made. Actually, make that four if you include Cirri.
"We'll be heading back now, hang out later?" Ken, the other male that had been quiet, suggested as four of them headed for the elevator. The other four nodded in response as the other group stepped into the elevator which was to stop on the fifth and third floors.
Stephanie pulled out her cell phone and looked at Tina. "I'll have Jim drop you off, okay?"
Tina had been rubbing Luna's head and stopped to face her. "Are you sure?" She shrugged in response. "If you say so." She speed dialed a number and handed Cirri to Tina and moved a couple of feet away from the group.
"Jim? How come I've never heard of him?" Mina nudged Tina, hoping to get some answers.
She shook her head in amusement and kept up a playful smile. "Oh? He's a driver. And that's all you're getting out of me." Her smile grew as Mina frowned at her response. "Don't worry, you'll figure it out sooner or later." No one caught what she mumbled after.
"He'll be downstairs in five minutes, Nan." She pocketed her purple flip phone and took Cirri back from Tina.
Poor girl.
The puppy was starting to fall asleep after all the excitement. "Um, it was nice to finally meet you. They told us so much about you." She gave a small smile towards Serena and Darien. Something was missing when she smiled, though.
Serena nodded. "Hopefully it has all been about good things." She sent Mina a look while she just whistled innocently.
Jason chuckled and saved her. "Don't worry, nothing bad at all..." He paused and whispered to Darien. "...At least in our opinions." He winked and Darien laughed along with him. Serena pouted and Mina kissed her boyfriend on the cheek.
Tina was stretching as she yawned. "I better get going. Jimmy can be cranky, if you know what I mean." She winked as Stephanie, Mina, and Jason laughed. She gave one last wave before disappearing through the elevator doors.
Stephanie yawned as she cradled the beagle in her arms. "I guess I should get Cirri's stuff, eh?" She turned to Mina for acknowledgement and received it. "Maybe I'll finally get to see what Artemis looks like also." Mina and Jason were always too busy to getting around to showing her the cat that happened to be the talk of many chats.
'We need to speak to Artemis anyway.' Serena thought as she watched them walk away. "I'll come along, too, Luna has been missing him lately." In response to what she said, the black cat gave a short 'meow'. "Darien, do you mind starting to unpack without me?" She gave him one of her pouts, but with her famous puppy dog eyes.
Maybe he'll get the message if he gets it right.
Darien looked skeptical for a moment and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, yeah. I always start without you anyway." She kissed his cheek and joined the little group walking towards Mina and Jason's apartment, which was suite 608.
They opened the door and the group split into pairs. Mina went with Stephanie to retrieve the puppy's items, while Jason went with Serena and Luna to see Artemis.
Jason looked in the basket that was Artemis' bed. "Hm. He was here when we left this morning." Then he checked behind the kitchen counter and laughed. "Artemis! We told you not to eat the strawberry jam while we were gone!" He picked up the white bundle of a mess and placed him in the sink. It was big enough to fit five cats as big as Artemis.
"No! Please, Jason, anything but water!" Serena and Luna laughed as Jason sprayed him full force with water. "Ahh! Glub. Glub." At least he was clean.
Mina and Stephanie chose that moment to appear as Mina pulled the cat out of the sink and began to dry him off. "I thought I heard somebody else's voice in here..." Jason sweat dropped, Serena looked at Luna, Luna looked at Mina, and she looked at Artemis. "Did I say something wrong?"
Serena turned around and put on her best poker face. "Jason likes to use Artemis as a ventriloquist dummy. He was showing us, Luna and me, his latest act."
Her attention was now on Jason. "Yeah, Steph, um, today's act was, 'What a cat would say if he were plunged into a sink and was forced to take a bath' act." She slowly nodded and chose not to say anymore about it.
"I'll just nod and agree." She picked up the box with all the items in it with one hand and headed for the door. "Well, thanks for taking care of Cirri for me. I really appreciated it. And a pure black and white cat was really great to see." Serena opened the door for her for it was nearly impossible to do it with a dog in one arm and a box full of dog items in the other. "Thanks." She went through and turned left. "Oh, by the way." Serena waited. "I live in 607." And she headed to the room at the end of the hallway.
She closed the door behind her and heaved a sigh of relief. "That was almost too close, Jason." He only shrugged and plopped down onto the couch.
"I wouldn't say it was that bad." Mina had finished grooming Artemis and now he looked like a large puffball. "Hehe. You don't look that bad, Arty."
Luna was trying her best to not laugh and her face turned red in doing so. "Y-yeah...Not b-bad at a-ll." Then she cracked and began rolling around on the floor in laughter.
"Laugh it up, chuckles." Artemis retorted and jumped up onto the living room chair. "Now, about Scout business." This caused Luna to calm down immediately and joined him atop of the chair.
Her eyes held a serious look as both cats waited for Serena and Mina to sit down. "Well, Artemis? Is there something you should be telling us?"
Jason turned off the TV as there were no good shows on at the moment. "There are actually two Scouts and two other Generals here." Both Serena's and Luna's eyes grew wide. "One Scout always appears in every battle along with the two Generals. But the other..."
"What about the other one?" Serena felt like she should know these new people, but somehow didn't.
Maybe they know where Hans and Abby are.
Perhaps they were apart of her past that she still did not remember. "Jason?"
Mina continued for him. "The other Scout we've only seen once. While the others we know their names, their superhero names." She paused and noticed how everyone waited. "They don't use 'Sailor' before their names. The girl scout we see every battle is Xantara. Her uniform is the same as ours, but where we have signature colors, hers is of a pale yellow."
Artemis nodded in confirmation. "She is truly powerful. Maybe even more powerful than all of the scouts combined. I'm just glad she is on our side." He jumped down and onto the table. "Mina and the others have tried to talk to her, but have failed countless times."
Jason sighed since he knew he was of no help, having no powers, of course. "Shadow is one of the Generals names. His is like the guys' uniforms but more of a pitch black." Serena's, as well as everyone else, had turned their attention to him. "And the other is...Yue. His suit is partially white and partially blue."
(AN: I know! Card captors. But I had to use it. All these names have some meaning.)
Luna still had some questions running through her mind. "What of this other Scout you told us about? Does she not have a name?"
Mina glanced at her boyfriend and loyal cat and sighed. "Well, she also does not use the term 'Scout' before her name." Serena nodded and urged her to continue on, no more suspense. "Xia, that's what she said her name was. Then she disappeared, literally, before our eyes."
"Disappeared?" Serena asked, but Mina didn't have a chance to answer.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Three quick beeps and Serena pulled out her communicator. "Raye? What is it?" Raye was transformed in her scout form and seemed to be running.
"Serena! There's an attack going on at the stadium. I've already contacted Amy and Lita, everyone is on their way. Take Mina and Darien and head over there!" She didn't even wait for a response as she closed off the connection.
"You heard her, I'll go get Darien really fast." Serena bolted out of Mina's apartment, Artemis following her in the process after a quick instruction from Mina. "I'm guessing they went on ahead and you're going to show us where they are." He nodded as she and Darien transformed and leapt out the window to their destination.
AN: Hm, this turned out longer than I expected. Is it just me, or is every chapter getting longer than the one before it? Well, thanks for reading what I have so far.
B-chanz
Translations:
Hai - Yes.
Meanings:
Xantara - Protector of the Earth
Shadow - Shade from Sun
Yue - Moon
Xia - Glow of the Sunrise