CHAPTER 3 - Plan of Attack

Luna ran through the intersection along with the herd of people who were crossing. "Hey, someone's kitty is running loose!" she heard someone say as she dashed past the crowd. Where could she be? Luna thought frantically. Serena knew better than to go off alone and not tell anyone where she was going. For goodness sake, she didn't even bring her sailor communicator with her! What if she got into trouble and needed help? How would the other scouts know?

Luna rounded the corner and looked left and right for that trademark hair style. No such luck here. Luna kept running and running until she began to feel frustrated. Just as she was about to turn around and head home, Luna saw that familiar hairstyle belonging to a girl who was looking out over the ocean near the harbor. Luna sighed with relief. Serena appeared to be physically unharmed, but Luna wasn't sure about the emotional aspect.

As she neared Serena, she heard a faint sound of a song and as she continued to get closer, she realized that it was the star locket. Her hand held the star locket as she looked out over the sparkling water with the wind blowing through her hair making it seem as if her hair were dancing to the star locket's song. The sun's rays shone down beautifully and Luna couldn't help but think that this would be a good photograph.

"There you are. I've been looking all over for you." Luna said as she neared Serena. At that instant, Serena seemed as if to snap out of a trance as her head quickly shot towards the direction of Luna's voice. "Oh, Luna. It's you." Luna had always been one that liked to stay with the program and help keep the everyone on track especially when a scout was losing her focus, but Luna knew that Serena needed this time to hurt in order to heal.

"Serena, I can't imagine what this is doing to you." Serena's eyes widened. As long as she could remember, Luna had never talked to her about relationships. Serious talks were always comprised of Sailor scout business. "I'm here to train you as a sailor scout, but I'm also here to be your friend." Luna said and meant it. Serena looked at Luna and saw that Luna was being true in every way. Her gaze was steady and the look in her eyes were truthful.

"Oh Luna..." Serena began, her voice breaking yet again. "I'm tired of crying...but this hurt, it never stops. In all my days of being a sailor scout and of being thrown around and beaten, this is the worst pain yet." Luna looked at Serena compassionately wishing that there was something she could do make everything better. "It's so hard for me to believe that he doesn't care for me anymore. Tell me Luna, what would you change about me? What would make me better for Darien?" Luna vigorously shook her head. "No, Serena. Don't change anything."

Serena inhaled deeply. "Why is all this happening?" Luna was silent for a few moments, not quite knowing what to say. Serena gently ran her fingers along the edges of the star locket. "The only time he'll even come near me is when Sailor Moon is in danger." Suddenly, Serena gasped. That's it! "What? Serena, what is it?" Luna asked wondering what the sudden realization was. Serena's wide eyes quickly softened and she shook her head. "Nothing. Thanks for listening Luna."

Luna nodded and said, "Anytime. Now, let's go home. Your parents are wondering where you are." Serena agreed and followed Luna down the street with a new bounce in her step.


\Rei's temple\

The next day, Luna had scheduled an emergency meeting. Ami looked up from her quantum physics book to see Rei reading a romance novel while Lita flipped through a magazine. Mina was chowing down on cupcakes, Artemis was leisurely stretched out across a mat, and all the while Luna was pacing in front of the door. "I guess some things will never change." Luna said. Everyone knew Luna was talking about Serena being late. "Well while we're waiting, it's a great opportunity to get some studying done." Ami said as she returned to her book. The rest of the girls groaned. "So why exactly did you call this meeting Luna?" Lita asked as she continued to flip through her magazine.

"We'll have to wait for Seren--" The door suddenly opened and in stumbled a very late Serena. "So sorry!" Serena quickly sat down in between Mina and Lita. "Ooh! Cupcakes!" Serena said as she eyed the tray of goodies. With a delighted look on her face, she bit into a cupcake. Ami, Rei, Lita, and Mina exchanged glances that said She's oddly happy today. The rest of the scouts watched as Serena hastily grabbed another cupcake while she licked the frosting off her lips from the mess of the previous cupcake. "Lita, did you make these? They're delicious! You're gonna have to teach me how to make these!" Serena said with a mouthful of cupcake. The rest of the girls sat quietly in wonderment. Mina mentally shurgged. She had probably made up with Darien.

"Alright, scouts. Listen up!" Luna said to commence the meeting. "We've got important matters to discuss." All the scouts gave their full attention to Luna. "Artemis and I have found the enemy base." Upon proclaiming this piece of information, Luna saw all of the girls' eyes widen in surprise. "It's located at the northern point of the base of Ohamen mountain. From there, they've been sending out their henchmen to do their dirty work. According to my research, it's protected by an invisible barrier that gives off some sort of energy. I doubt that the barrier is easily penetrable. We'll have to find a way to get past it somehow." After looking at all the scouts' faces, Luna continued.

"We have to decide our plan of attack, and when we will attack. What do you girls think?" Serena was the first to jump up and get on her feet. "Let's go now! I'm ready to do it!" Not one person or cat in the room could have hidden their shock. There was a reason she was called the crybaby of the group. Rei lifted an eyebrow. "Why the sudden eagerness?" Rei asked, her dark brown eyes peering up at Serena. Serena looked out at all of the scouts and the cats. "Isn't it about time we stop their terrorizing of innocent people once and for all? How long are we going to let this keep going on?" Lita was the next to stand up. "I say we just go in there and sock it to 'em!" Ami quickly stood up and objected. "No, we should carefully plan this so there isn't any mistakes."

Rei continued to watch Serena as she agreed with Lita. Something smelled fishy, but Rei couldn't quite put her finger on it and neither could she point an accusatory finger. "No, Ami's right, we shouldn't go in there unprepared. We need to know what we're dealing with." Mina took Ami's side. "Remember what happened last time? We all got thrown in different directions." Lita and Serena's faces fell as they realized Mina and Amy were right. "Oh alright." Lita said.

Luna nodded as if to confirm the plans."It's settled then. We attack tomorrow night."


Author's Note: I know chapter 2 wasn't very long so chapter 3 sort of makes up for that.) I hope you guys like what's going on so far. I already have the next 2 chapters written. I'm just waiting for comments.