Chapter 8- Learning Some Truth
Serena groaned as her alarm clock went off. "Oh go away!" she muttered, pulling her covers over her head, "Just stop!"
But the clock didn't stop. If anything it got louder. "All right, all right", she muttered, pulling herself out of bed. She'd gotten a rotten night's sleep, and now she had to deal with 8 hours of listening to teachers going blah, blah, blah about things she could have cared less about. "Good time for a nap", she muttered, grabbing her school uniform, "It's not like I don't have enough on my mind without having to worry about school. I'm trying to save the world for heaven's sake! Not that I know exactly what I'm saving it from, of course…"
She seriously considered skipping school and just spending the day at the arcade. But no, she couldn't do that; she'd get in too much trouble. She spent a lot of time muttering to herself, and nearly screamed when she realized what time it was. "I'm late!" she cried, grabbing her bag, "Late, late, late!"
She shot out the front door yelling a quick goodbye to whoever might be in the house, and shot down the street, "Late, late, late!" she said as she ran, "Why, why, why am I always so—AH!"
She screamed as she ran into someone and flew backwards, hitting the ground with a thud and an "ow!" she looked around, not noticing who she'd run into at first, "Sorry, are you okay? I'm really late, I wasn't…Rei!"
She yelped and scrambled up. "What else is new meatball head?" Rei asked her sarcastically, standing up as well, "You're always late"
"Shouldn't you be heading to school?" Serena asked suddenly, "Your school isn't anywhere near here, you're going to be late too"
"What I do is none of your business", Rei snapped. Serena cringed, and she smirked, "Chill out, we're downtown in broad day light, I can't exactly get away with attacking you here, now can I?"
"That didn't keep you from attacking Mina", Serena said, stepping backwards.
"The temple was empty, it was an in and out job", Rei said, "Now why don't you just run along like a good girl and get to school?"
"Don't boss me around", Serena said testily. She knew Rei wasn't dumb enough to pick a fight in public, but then again, she wasn't sure.
"Fine, do what you want", Rei said, turning away, "But get out of my way"
Serena stepped aside and Rei pushed past her. Serena may not have been a genius, but she did know better than to start fight. She wasn't that dumb. She glared after Rei and shot down the street, knowing full well she was going to be late.
"What would Rei be doing down here?" Lita wondered out loud, "Weird"
"She has to be up to something", Amy said, looking up from her lunch, "It's the only explanation"
"Yea, but what?" Lita asked, "What could she possibly be up to that would require her to be here?"
"Maybe she's spying on us", Serena suggested through a mouth full of cookies.
"That actually makes sense", Lita said with a nod, "Yea, it fits"
"But it also risks her cover", Amy said, turning back to the keyboard. The girls were spending their lunch in the computer lab so Amy could work on some extra credit thing for class.
"What do you mean?" Lita questioned.
"If she skips school she'll get in trouble", Amy explained, "That would lead to a lot of questions she won't want to answer, Rei isn't usually a trouble maker after all"
"True", as always, Amy had seen angles Serena and Lita had missed.
"So why else would she be down here?" Serena asked.
"Maybe she was just trying to spy on us before school started?" Lita guessed.
"That might work", Amy said carefully, "Except that would still make her late"
"Better than skipping all together though"
Serena sighed and put down her cookie. For once she wasn't hungry. She and Rei had always had their differences, but in reality they had never hated each other. And after everything that happened, Serena thought it made up for the fact they never got along. Apparently she was wrong. It didn't make up for anything. She sighed and pushed her lunch away. "I'm not hungry"
"I hear you", Lita said, pushing her own lunch away, "This has got us all worried"
"Yea", Amy looked up from the keyboard, a weird look in her eyes, "There has to be a reason for this. But what?"
"One can only imagine", Lita said as the bell rang.
Serena spent the rest of the day in more of a fog than usual, getting yelled at in class about three times and finally being sent down to the principal for being inattentive. The principal gave her grief for a few minutes and finally the last bell of the day rang, and she was free to go. Why that made her so happy, she didn't know, after all, she had absolutely nothing to do, but just to be out of school made her glad, she supposed. She walked out of school, nearly walked into a tree, and got out onto the street. Nice day, she thought, looking up at the sky, No clouds, no rain, just wonderful sunshine. So why am I so down? I could do anything right now, I could go to the arcade, go out with Darien, hang with Molly, I could do anything I wanted! So why do I feel so depressed?
She knew exactly why. She had a lot of other questions she didn't know answers to, and it was bugging her. I need to distract myself, she thought, now what's the one thing I can do that would distract me from anything and everything no matter what?
Ten minutes later she was at the arcade. Perfect
"Okay", she said, digging a few dollars out of her pocket, "Time for some good, old fashioned video games. Nothing keeps me distracted like a shot at the Sailor V game"
She laughed. It was weird playing Sailor V games now that she had met the real Sailor V. But that didn't make it any less fun. She played for a solid hour before a voice not much different from Luna's popped into her head saying, you still have homework Serena.
"Darn conscience", she muttered, stashing what little money she had left away. There was always tomorrow, she supposed. She was glad she didn't have to meet the girls for study time anymore, she could just hear Rei:
You're always late Serena; you're such an irresponsible baby! Serena sighed. She actually missed Rei picking on her, as sad as it was. She wanted her friend back. More than ever, she really wanted her friend back. I wish Luna and Artemis were here, she thought, they might know what to do
All though she doubted it, it would have been nice to have someone there who could possibly explain it. She was completely against talking to Rei anymore (she'd nearly fried them on more than one occasion, Serena didn't want to face that anymore), but on the other hand, she was dying to know why Rei had turned on them. There had to be a way to find out other than spying and directly talking, but what? Reasoning? Bargaining? Bribery? Those might work with her, but Rei would never buy into it. She was too smart. There had to be another way…
"Where have they gone?" she asked as she walked into her room and seeing that Luna still wasn't back, "I'm worried, I hope they're okay…"
"Serena? Serena, wake up!" Serena groaned, and rolled over.
"I don't want to go to school!" she exclaimed, "Get lost!"
"Serena, it's not time for school, now wake up!" it took her a second to figure out who was talking.
"Luna!" she shot up in bed, wide awake, to face the black cat, "Your back! Thank goodness, I was so worried!"
"Artemis said you might be", she admitted, "We came back earlier than we expected to"
"So what were you guys doing?" Serena asked curiously.
"We were following up on the hunch of a new enemy", Luna explained, "Has anything happened here?"
"You might say that…" she launched off into the story about Rei's weird behavior, and finally about how she had suddenly become their enemy, "She blasted us and just didn't care!" she finished finally.
"Hmn", Luna nodded, "I see. Call the others tomorrow, and set up a place to have a meeting. Obviously we can't go to the temple anymore, so we'll have to think of someplace else"
"How about the park?" Serena suggested, "There are a lot of secluded places there, we'd have privacy"
"For once you're using your head", Luna nodded in approval.
They met the next day after school. Luna joined Serena on the walk, and Serena was thrilled to see Artemis with Mina. "It's so great to have you two back", she said cheerily, "And I never thought I'd hear myself say that"
"Lets get down to business", Artemis said, "Mina filled me in on what's been going on with Rei, sounds serious"
"It is", Lita said, nodding, "Do either of you know what's going on?"
"Well, we know who our new enemy is, that's definitely a clue", Artemis said, "His name is Lord Kejano"
"He leads the Trackers", Luna picked up, "one group of villains with something in common: at one time they were all just normal people"
"So what set them apart from everyone else?" Amy asked curiously.
"They all had some sort of darkness buried deep in their hearts", Artemis explained, "Darkness they didn't even know was there"
"So why Rei?" Mina asked, "She's a Sailor Scout after all, how could she possibly have any darkness in her?"
"Think hard girls", Luna said, "has there ever been any shred of evidence that may even sort of point to even the tiniest bit of resent or anger or hatred in Rei?"
"Well she does fight with Serena a lot"
"And she is short-tempered"
"And we all know deep down she wants to be leader"
"All valid", Artemis said, "It could all point to some sort of darkness"
"Shadow…" Serena heard Amy mutter distantly.
"What?"
"That was her new name for herself, remember?" Amy reminded them, "Shadow. Like she's a shadow of her former self"
"Does it mean something?"
"It might", Luna said, "I remember hearing something, a long time ago, in the Moon Kingdom. It was something about the princess of the planet Mars…"
"Oh, I know what you're talking about", Artemis said, "The princess of Mars was born right as the wars between the planets were starting, it was something about there being a dark shadow over her…"
"That's it!" Amy snapped her fingers, putting the puzzle together, "Rei was the princess of Mars, that must be what it is!"
"So can we fight it?" Serena asked, "Can we get her back?" she looked at Luna and Artemis, who both shook their heads.
"We're honestly not sure Serena", Luna said, "We can do what we can, but—"
"It might not be enough to get her back", Artemis finished. Serena felt like the air had been let out of her.
"But she's our friend…"
"Lets see we're we get first", Lita interrupted, "and take it from there"
"They catch on fast", Azumi gloated. Rei scowled.
"If it wasn't for Luna and Artemis they'd be stuck looking for an answer still", she said bitterly, "Those two are more of an annoyance than I realized"
"Then get rid of them", Azumi said, "the less brains we have in the group the better"
"What do you want me to do, ambush them in the park?" Rei asked angrily.
"They won't be able to transform", Azumi pointed out, "It'd be prime!"
Rei looked back at the Scouts through the viewing glass. Azumi had a point there. "You're on", she said finally, holding up her power stick, "time to crash the meeting"
"This isn't getting us anywhere", Amy said impatiently, "We need a solid plan. How about we just go home for the night and—?"
"You're not going anywhere", she gasped and whirled around.
"Rei!"
"No wonder you're the brains of the group", Rei scoffed, smirking, "you figured it out long before the others"
"We don't want to fight you Rei", Lita said, tensing.
"Well that's good", Rei said, "Because I'm not here to fight right now either"
"You're not?" they all said at the same time.
"Unless it comes to that, no", she said, "I'm here for one reason, and one reason only"
"And what's that?"
"If I told you, you'd try to stop me, wouldn't you?"
"Well duh"
"Then", she concluded, "better to do my job and get it over with. Mars Fire Ignite!"
A ball of flames shot out of her hand and hit the ground in front of the girls, throwing them backwards. Luna and Artemis slipped off Serena and Mina's shoulders. "Yes", Rei hissed. She disappeared into thin air and appeared again behind the two cats, "You're mine", she stooped down and grabbed them, smirking.
"Let them go!" Mina cried, stumbling up.
"Make me", Rei shot back, tightening her grip on the struggling cats.
"Leave them alone Rei!" Serena snapped, grabbing her locket.
"Would you really transform here?" Rei asked, "Here, where there are so many people to see?"
That stopped her cold. On the one hand, Artemis and Luna needed help. On the other hand, there were so many people who could walk by. And Rei knew that. Before she could decide what to do though…
"Ow!" Rei's hand slipped, and she dropped Luna and Artemis. Serena looked around and saw a red rose sticking up out of the ground. Rei saw it too.
"Well", she said silkily, "Well, well, well…come out Tuxedo Mask, I know your there!"
"If you've stooped as low as to go after cats", said a voice from a near by tree, "then maybe you really are lost Rei"
He was standing on a nearby branch. "I just follow orders", Rei snapped, glaring up at him, "Can't really fault me for that, can you? I didn't come here for a fight", she added, backing away, "But if that's what you really want…"
Without warning she shot a fireball at Tuxedo Mask. He jumped off the branch, and before anyone could stop Rei, she had teleported away.
"That was less than good", Lita muttered, standing up.
"See what we were talking about?" Mina asked, scooping Artemis up, "You two okay?"
"We'll live", Artemis assured her. He and Luna exchanged a look. Amy had a feeling she was the only one who noticed though.
"That was less then successful", Azumi scoffed as she watched Rei pace, "Tense much?"
"You might say that", Rei muttered, "I didn't expect either of them back this soon, I didn't think they'd be back for awhile…"
"Surprise", another voice chimed in. Azumi squinted and looked around.
"Shaikira is that you?"
"The one and only", a boy appeared right next to Azumi, "What can I do you for?"
"Very funny Shaikira", Azumi said, glaring at him. He'd have been cute if it wasn't for the fact he was always wearing black. Not that it mattered to Azumi, but still…
"Problems, Shadow?" he asked Rei, also watching her pace.
"Might say that", she said, finally stopping.
"Good, you were giving me a headache", Azumi muttered, "I don't see what the big deal is, go to their houses, fry them while they sleep. Quick and easy"
"Wouldn't work", she said at once, "Artemis and Luna stay with Serena and Mina, and both of them are light sleepers. Same with Amy and Lita. I take one step they'll wake right up. And sorry, but I'm not setting the entire house on fire"
"Why not?" Azumi questioned, "I would"
"You're a pyro", Shaikira reminded her gently.
"Be quiet Shaikira"
"This is my mission Azumi", Rei reminded her, "I'll handle it my way, got it?"
"Of course", Shaikira laughed and swept into a bow.
"You're a real jokester", Rei snapped, "I'd better get out of here, unlike you I still have a semi-cover to keep"
"With who?" Azumi asked, half laughing herself, "That washed up singer and your pathetic grandfather?"
For some reason the jabs annoyed Rei. She couldn't figure out why though. "Try not to have too much fun without me", with that, she teleported away.
"Careful Azumi", Shaikira said as Rei left, "You're pushing her. And you're going to push right down and out if you're not careful"
"What a shame"
"Maybe you've forgotten Lord Kejano's orders", Shaikira said silkily, "It's to train her, not push her out"
"I don't care", Azumi snapped, "The girl is trouble, nothing but bad news, I'd be more than glad to get rid of her"
"Well you can't", Shaikira shot back, "Deal with whatever feelings of hatred you might have, fine, but don't, I repeat do not try to get rid of her, otherwise it'll be your head"
"Hmn, too bad", Azumi said after a second, "I really don't like that girl"
"Again I say deal with it", Shaikira repeated, "As hard as it may be, I realize you don't like Shadow, but that's just too bad"
Azumi scowled and glared at the boy. She knew he was right. And it made her so completely mad. "Hate it all you want", Shaikira cut through her thoughts, "That won't change it"
"Stay out of my mind Shaikira", Azumi snapped, turning away, "I don't have to like anything, by the way"
Luna stooped down low, watching the temple raptly. She and Artemis had agreed to keep and eye on Rei as well as they could. It would be easier for them then it had been for Mina, they could go anywhere without being noticed, all they had to do was avoid Rei, and that wouldn't be too hard, seeing as they had yet to actually see her.
"This is boring", Artemis muttered from his spot next to Luna. They were both bored, but it was they had to do things like this, it was part of their job. Luna sighed wearily. This was less than fun for them, still…
"Look there", Artemis broke through her thoughts. Rei had just stepped out from behind a tree.
"Where'd she come from?" Luna asked, confused.
"No clue, but at least something is actually happening"
He was completely wrong, though. The biggest thing that happened through their spying was Rei's sudden appearance. Other than that she went through her normal chores and normal routine. By the end of the night, Artemis was asleep, and Luna was very close to joining him. "That's it", she said, yawning, "We haven't found out a thing, lets—"
"Can I help you?" Luna nearly slipped out of the tree they were sitting in. Rei was standing at the base of the tree, glaring up at them. Artemis snapped awake with a start.
"Help?" he repeated, "No, nope, just, er, enjoying the view"
"You know, that's the same lame line Mina used", Rei informed the cats, "I see where she gets it from now though"
"Er…"
Rei's eyes dodged to the house behind her; Chad was looking out at her. She looked back at Luna and Artemis. "Scram", she said, "You're lucky I can't transform"
They didn't need to be told twice. Before Chad decided to leave, they took off.
"Aren't you two supposed to be the smart ones?" Serena asked in shock. Luna and Artemis and Luna exchanged guilty looks.
"We didn't think we'd get caught", Artemis admitted. Mina shook her head slowly.
"This is crazy", Serena said, hitting one of the pillows on her bed, "I still want to know what made Rei do this. She's out of her mind"
"We figured that out Serena", Lita said, picking up one of the cookies she'd brought over, but not eating it, "We have to find a way to make her talk to us, somehow—"
"We're open to suggestions", Amy said, looking down at the floor. They were all pretty down right then.
"I hate to say it", Lita said after a second, "But I think we're at a lost cause here"
"Huh?"
"Maybe…" she looked like she really didn't want to say what she was about to, "Maybe we can't save her. I know she's our friend, but maybe…well, maybe she's just too far gone"
That didn't roll well with any of them, "How can you say that?" Serena asked, giving Lita a scandalized look. Mina and Amy had similar looks on their face.
"I know it's grim", Lita said over their protest, "But what can I say? Luna, Artemis, back me up here!"
"She may be right", Artemis said, trying to silence the girls, "We don't know yet, give it a break!"
"We'll just have to keep thinking", Luna added, "It's going to be hard, but what choice do we have?"
"Serena and think just don't belong in the same sentence", Lita said, laughing, "Kidding Serena", she added, catching the glare on the blonde girl's face, "Come on, lets just start trying to come up with ways to make Rei talk to us"
"I have an idea!" Serena practically yelled suddenly, making everyone jump.
"Spill", Lita said at once, "We're listening"
"Than listen good", Serena said, leaning in and gesturing for the others to do the same.
This story feels like a waste of time to me. oh well, review if you liked it (or even if you didn't)