Disclaimer: I only own the story, not Sailor Moon.

Chapter 10

Serena looked over at the entrance and gasped. She wasn't ready to face them, not yet. She came back to Tokyo with a purpose and determination to do what she needed to without their help. She looked at Katri who nodded to her in understanding.

"Don't worry; they won't recognize you just yet." Katri stood up and motioned for the others to do the same. "We better get back home and get going on phase one. We don't have much time until all will break loose."
Serena nodded and followed her towards the doors confidently and determined to believe in her friend. She waved bye to Andrew and watched as the scouts looked at her in puzzlement. Their eyes were clearly showing that they didn't recognize her.

"Andrew, who was that?" Rei asked as the small group of women left the arcade.

"Yeah, I've never seen them here before, but they seemed to know you." Mina interjected.

"They are some good friends who just moved to the area. I've known them for a long time." Andrew responded vaguely. "Can I get you ladies anything today?"

"Actually we were wondering if you heard from Serena lately." Amy asked politely.

"Just that she wasn't coming back to Tokyo. She doesn't want to face the pain she left behind." Andrew told them calmly.

"Does she know about Darien?" Rei asked in concern.

"No, I won't be the one to tell her about him cheating on her like he did." Andrew told them vehemently. "He was the one to hurt her and he needs to be the one to tell her about that."

The girls nodded sadly as they realized they may have lost their princess and friend forever.

"Thank you Andrew." Rei turned and walked out of the arcade with the others following her. Once outside she turned to her friends. "I think he is lying to us."

"Rei, Andrew would never do something like that." Mina stated firmly.

"He would if her were trying to protect someone, especially if that someone was say Serena." Rei pointed out bluntly. "She didn't know about Darien, but she might have known what we said. I've been wondering something about the day that Serena went missing. What if she overheard our conversation and that is why disappeared. We have never been able to find a trace of her and now suddenly that house goes up and then Andrew acts this way. My gut is telling me that he knows what is really going on with Serena and he knows where she is."

"Rei, Andrew is our friend and he will protect Serena at any costs." Lita pointed out. "I think you might be right about him knowing more than he is letting on, but right now I think we should just lay low and keep an ear out for any unusual activity."

Serena looked out over the city from her new home, sadness and despair filling her heart. She didn't feel prepared for what she was back in Tokyo to do and after facing her friends at the arcade she was more ready to run than face her destiny.

"I thought I might find you here." Katri spoke up from behind her. "Are you okay, Serena?"

"I don't think I am ready to do this, Katri. I have spent so much time away from here and now I am back in the very city that I protected and was betrayed in." Serena sighed and looked at her new friend. "I just don't think I can do this."

Katri smiled at the young woman. "Sure you can. Serena, let me tell you a little bit about the Silver Millennium. I finished my training and had just found out that Darien had taken over my grandmother's position as the leader of the royal guard. I petitioned to your mother to be fully reinstated into her position.

"But Darien refused to give up his new position of power. So it came down to a duel. If I won, then I would take over my rightful place and he would no longer have the authority to make decisions on protecting you. If I lost, then I would walk away and leave the guard completely. I just happened to win after several hours of going at it in front of the other Senshi. When I realized what that meant exactly I panicked.

"I told your mother there was just no way that I could do this and she told me something that I have never forgotten. She told me that no matter what anyone said to me I was the one who made the choices that kept you safe. She then said these very powerful words. She said 'Katri, just simply do your duty and all will fall into place. Forget about the chance of making mistakes and just believe in yourself.' Two days later I was in charge and the Senshi had been reorganized to fit the needs of protecting you to our fullest. It was at that time that you and I became friends."

Serena looked at Katri in surprise. "I didn't realize that happened."

"It is probably part of the memories that you have yet to get back. Don't worry about it. Now, Setsuna just finished getting dinner made why don't you go inside and get something to eat." Katri suggested as she headed towards the gated entrance. "I'll be back in a few hours. Andrew called me about something important."

Katri arrived at the arcade to see Andrew pacing inside. She walked in and saw a mixture of relief and anger on his face.

"Thank heavens it's just you, Katri." Andrew sighed.

"You said that this was important and should be discussed in person. I didn't think Serena needed to be here when she is already feeling so much conflict about being back here in Tokyo." Katri sat at the counter. "So what is the emergency?"

"Well, you probably aren't going to like this." Andrew started out before Katri interrupted him.

"Andrew, I am not one to play games. What is going on?"

"Darien is engaged to marry Akusai in one month."