"I'm LAAAAAAAATE!" Serena wailed swiftly slipping on a pair of pink thong sandals. They matched her baby pink mini-skirt which she wore with a white tank top and denim jacket. Grabbing her black canvas bag she rushed out of the apartment. Some things never changed, and her being late was one of them. Oh, Jon was going to be so mad!
She ran down the short hallway and into the street. She hardly noticed the trees in full bloom, she sped down the street and around the corner ignoring the concrete and glass skyscrapers to her left. Serena definitely wasn't looking as she rounded the corner near Crown arcade on her way to the park, and smacked dab into a brick wall. A brick wall that reached warm hands out to steady her.
Serena was rubbing her sore nose when she looked up. "I am soo sor..." She started. "Darien."
Darien was looking down at her, his hands still on her shoulders. "Odango?"
"I gotta go," She took off.
"Wait, Odango! Odango! Serena!" He shouted after her.
She had to go, she had to get away from him. Her heart was racing and not because she was still running full speed towards the park. She hadn't seen Darien since that day last year when he treated her broken wrist. She could hardly believe at the time that he was a doctor now, and it had to be him. She'd lied and said she fell down the stairs, y'know klutsy ol' Serena. He didn't look like he'd believed her. There were too many bruises fading. He'd asked her all sorts of awkward questions. It was the only time she thought she would have preferred his usual teasing.
"How did you hurt yourself?"
"I fell down the stairs" She didn't meet his eyes.
"What about the other bruises?"
She smiled lightly trying to look sincere. "Oh you know... I'm always running into something, it's amazing I still have a head sometimes.
Darien had just stared at her with those intense blue eyes. Jet black hair hung loosely over his forehead. For a moment she imagined brushing at those strands, she hated herself for it. She looked at the floor.
"Does Jon treat you well?"
"Of course, he pays for everything and makes sure I have what I need. He takes care of me when... I mess... When I hurt myself." She stuttered briefly. She felt heat rise in her cheeks. He didn't say anything for a few minutes.
"Serena, did someone hurt you?" His voice was lowered, and it sounded like he actually cared.
Serena's eyes widened, her mouth dropped. How did he know? She opened and closed her jaw a few times, but no words came. Darien's midnight eyes were searching hers.
"I, uh, no... I fell down the stairs."
"Have you talked to anyone lately? A girlfriend? What about Mina, or Raye?"
It was Serena's turn to be quiet for a moment. "No, I only talk to my real friends." She whispered the words.
Darien paused, searching her intently. "Andrew misses you at the arcade. Why don't you go see him, talk to him. Y'know he's a good friend and listener." His voice was soft, as though there was a hidden meaning behind the words
"It's inappropriate for a married woman to be fraternizing with single men." Serena's voiced was high pitched. She was incredibly uncomfortable, undoubtedly blushing furiously , and her wrist was aching. She paused for a moment again, chewed slightly on her lip before continuing accusingly. "Why don't you fix my wrist and leave my personal life out of it."
He looked like he'd been slapped in the face. Her words had been harsh, but she needed him to stop asking questions. If he kept on like that she'd probably blab that Jon had broken her wrist because she'd burned dinner and broke a plate on the same day. Then he would think that Jon was a bad guy, but he wasn't. He took care of her. Jon loved her when no-one else did, especially not Darien. Darien hated her; called her names, teased her until she cried. She never would've admitted her crush on him. But that was before Jon came, before Jon loved her.
Darien's midnight eyes continued searching for something. She tried so hard to remain neutral, to pretend that she didn't care that she hadn't seen the girls or Andrew in two years, to pretend that she wasn't embarrassed because of the bruises that dotted her body. She tried to pretend that she didn't find him attractive.
Darien was very professional after that. His large hands were soft on her skin as he set the bone and put a cast on it. He only spoke of how the wrist would heal. But then he watched her leave the ER and walk down the street, twin tails trailing behind her, hand clasped with Jon who had waited for her.
It took all of her effort not to turn around and look at him again then, and it took all her willpower to do it again now. Jon was going to be so mad, she was so late. It would be better not to tell him she literally ran into Darien.
Puffing air Serena rounded the last corner and saw the park. She glanced down at her watch, maybe Jon would be late too. It was wishful thinking. There, visible above the back of a bamboo park bench, was the glow of Jon's white hair in the afternoon light. He didn't look to angry yet. That was good news.
______________________________________________________________
Jon sat on the park bench, enjoying the rays of sunshine on his face. Today was a good day. Today was a good day indeed. He had seen that black cat with a crescent bald spot earlier wandering around the park. He paid some kids $3 to stick a band-aid over the wretched mark. Right now they should be taunting it. He would just have to lead Serena near the scene...
"I.... Am.... So... Sorry..." Serena collapsed on the bench breathing heavily. Jon took a moment to soak in her beauty. He loved the twin buns on the top of her golden hair, the way it flowed so gracefully down her back. He was drawn to her cute heart shaped face with big cerulean blue eyes; eyes that used to bounce with life, and now only lit for him. Her pale cheeks were flush with exertion, and a light sheen of sweat made her skin glisten. He wanted to take those small rosebud lips with his and never let go. She was his queen, even if she didn't know she was a queen yet.
"Not a worry my love," He leaned over and kissed her. She tasted a little salty from the sweat, but still had a hint of strawberry. His hands rose to her thin waist and he pulled her onto his lap. She was his. She kissed back with just as much enthusiasm. His tongue lightly touched her lips, which she parted obediently. He dove in savouring every inch of the wet space. He loved when those sweet lips were wrapped around his member. She moaned slightly and He felt pressure in his groin. Though he would've loved to take her here on the bench, he had other important matters to attend to.
Reluctantly Jon broke the kiss and looked at her with a smile. He saw uncertianty in her eyes. Yes, on any other day he would've been furious that she was late. He would've needed to punish her so she could become the queen he wanted her to be, totally and completely submissive to him. Today was special however. Today she would meet the black cat.
"You're not mad?" beautiful lips formed the words, her slender arms around his neck. He had his hands resting on her sexy hips.
"No, not today, today is a grand day!" Jon stood and spread his arms wide for effect. "Come my beautiful wife, let's walk."
Serena seemed confused. Surely this wasn't so out of character for him. They stood and she quickly slipped her arm through his to fall into step with him. They walked silently for a few moments deeper into the park. Oak trees towered to the right of the paved path while the left boasted a sunny field. What a beautiful place Earth was. Patience Diamond, it would soon be all his.
They were close now. They were nearing the flower gardens. It was Serena's favourite place in the whole park. Jon saw a smile curve on her lips as they neared and he couldn't help but smile too. They approached a raised flower bed filled with marigolds and daisies. Sweet aroma filled his nostrils seeming more fragrant in the sunlight. Three heads were visible beyond the flowers. The boys were laughing and poking at something on the ground. Jon knew what it was.
"Stupid cat!" said a boy with short brown hair.
"What's wrong kitty kitty, are you hungry?" said a boy in a red ball cap before he threw a rock at it. The black cat dodged the rock but as she tried to run away her path was blocked by another boy.
Serena's eyes widened at the scene. She looked pleadingly at Jon. He nodded and let go of her arm. She stood still.
"Aren't you going to save it?" Jon asked his brow arching.
"I thought you would, you save me all the time," she said, looking at the ground.
"Go ahead, this one I know you can do." Jon said softly. He watched as uncertainty crossed her features again. She looked at the boys who still had the black cat trapped, then back to Jon, then back to the cat. Fury creased her brow then and she ran at the boys.
"STOP THAT you big bullies!" she shouted. She waved her arms at them.
The boys shrieked and took off, a little cloud of dust rising on the path behind them. The black cat stared at Serena. It had two band-aids across its forehead, just like Jon asked the boys to do. Serena knelt and offered her hand to the cat. Crimson eyes stared back at her. The cat hesitated and took a step towards Serena's outstretched hand. It's pink nose bobbled slightly as it sniffed her then it curled itself around her hand. Serena picked up the cat and stood. She turned back to Jon.
Serena was glowing. Her hair shone a little brighter, her eyes a bit happier. Serena's skin flushed not with exertion, but something else. Jon stopped breathing. She was stunning. She was always beautiful, but there was something else here. Something he remembered seeing in Serenity.
Serena walked towards him. She was cuddling the little black cat up to her cheek. "Isn't she so cute. Oh Jon, please, let's take her home."
"I was hoping you would say that." Jon said. He draped an arm over her shoulder and they started walking again.
Serena held the cat out at arm's length. "What did those mean boys do to you? Hmm? Why do you have a band-aid on your head?" She asked and pulled the band-aid off at the same time.
Jon looked down as Serena gasped and stopped walking. There it was, the crescent shaped bald spot; just like it said in the legend. Jon smiled. He'd found the right cat.
"What a strange mark you have little kitty," Serena said, he held the cat a little closer so she could see it better. It was a perfect crescent moon, with the tips pointing to the sky. The cinnamon eyes of the cat looked intelligent, different than the other cats.
"Have you ever seen such a mark Jon?"
"No, I've never seen such a mark on a cat," he said pointedly. He looked up at the fading light in the sky and started walking again. Yes today was a good day, now he will take Serena home and finish what he started on the bench... his musing was cut short when a piercing scream hit their ears. Damn Beryl!
Serena was looking around wildly. She was holding the cat with two hands but turned her body towards Jon. His arms came up around her shaking shoulders.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you," He whispered. He pulled her towards the raised flower beds they had just left and crouched behind them. Serena was crying, holding tightly onto the cat. The cat seemed calm and continued to look at Serena with those intelligent eyes. Jon faced the raised flower bed and looked beyond it, Serena whimpering in front of him.
He knew what would be coming, but which one? It came from behind the oak trees. The youma was tall, probably eight feet, and looked a lot like an oak tree. It had a distinctly feminine form, leaves covered it's curves quite like a bikini. It had full bosoms that bounced with each step. It had dark brown bark on it's limbs, feet looking like roots, and it's hands like the tree branches. Leaves spilled from it's head much like a willow tree to form long flowing hair. It tossed a young girl with red hair to the side of the path.
"Stay here!"
Serena nodded, tears leaving wet trails down her cheeks. Jon ran, still crouched to the next raised flower bed. He looked over that one. The youma looked to be searching for someone else to drain.
"Mercury Bubbles Blast!"
A cold wind and mist suddenly rose. So another sailor scout had been found. Beryl could take care of them, he only needed Serena. Unfortunately he couldn't see anything now. He gathered dark energy in his palm and shot it towards where the youma had been. He heard a tree branch cracking, did that mean he hit it?
He stood completely and squinted to see through the heavy fog. He didn't see the wooden tendril making it's way toward his foot. Not until it grabbed his ankle and lifted him into the air. Oh, DAMN BERYL! Blood was rushing to his face but the fog was clearing. He could see the outlines of two Sailor Scouts. He couldn't let them know who he was. DAMN BERYL TO HELL! Now he couldn't use his powers either.
"We are the Sailor scouts! We fight for justice and against evil! On behalf of Mercury I will punish you."
"On behalf of Venus I will punish you! Venus Crescent Beam Smash!"
The Youma was remarkably quick for a tree, and nimbly dodged the attack swinging Jon through the air behind it. What was he supposed to do now? This was not in the plan. His face wore his anger and his arms were crossed in front of his chest. The youma stamped hard on the ground sending roots toward the sailor scouts. The ground lifted and broke as the roots shot through it. Mercury and Venus didn't even move before the roots popped out of the ground, encircled them and squeezed.
"Lovely energy! So strong!" The youma spoke like wind howling through the trees. Jon could see energy cackling around the ensnared scouts. They shouted in pain. He hoped it hurt. Hoped it hurt more that the stupid limb crushing his ankle leaving him dangling like a piñata from it's stupid branches.
Then he heard a hesitant "Moon Prism Power."
DAMN BERYL TO THE FIREY DEPTHS OF THE CRUELEST HELL!
Pink light flashed and a moment later right where he left Serena stood Sailor Moon. She had red jewels on her buns, a gleaming tiara with a red stone rested on her forehead. She wore a skin tight white body suit with giant red bow over her breasts, in the center was a pink and gold locket. Elbow length white gloves protected her hands, and knee length red boots protected her feet. Jon could still see a lot of leg before it was hidden under a blue mini-skirt. She was beautiful. She looked terrified, shocked and uncertain.
"For love and justice a pretty soldier in a sailor suit, I am SAILOR MOON, In the name of the moon, I will punish you."
Her arms waved as if on their own accord. Performing the dance the world would come to recognize as that of their queen. Her face betrayed that she didn't know where the words came from. Jon needed to get down from here.
Trying to be discreet he folded in half to karate chop the branch holding his leg. He could still hear the screams of the other sailor scouts, though they were running out of energy. The branch broke, and he nimbly flipped to the ground and scurried away. In the protection of the trees, Jon watched as Sailor Moon ran in circles and screamed as the youma sent attacks at her. That black cat always at her heals, a high pitched voice shouting instructions he couldn't make out. He was gathering a lethal blow of dark energy in his palm when Sailor Moon tripped over her own feet, fell to the ground and started wailing; the youma took the opportunity to send a sharp branch right at Sailor Moon. Jon's face fell as he realized he wouldn't be able to stop it, and she wouldn't be able to dodge it.
The attack stopped. The Youma and Jon stared at the perfect red rose embedded in the ground. With a flourish of black Sailor Moon was lifted out of harm's way. Jon was frozen. No, no, no this is not what was supposed to happen. Tuxedo Mask was never supposed to have realized who he was. He was not supposed to ever meet Sailor Moon!
"Believe in yourself Sailor Moon, you can beat her!" Tuxedo Mask's voice boomed with authority. A man dressed in a black tuxedo with a top hat, white mask, and cape with crimson lining set Sailor Moon on the ground a few feet away from where she had been standing.
"Say Moon Tiara Magic and throw your tiara at her!" came the high pitched voice of the cat.
Serena obeyed. With two fingers she lifted her tiara holding the gleaming red gem. Once it was off her head it glowed and transformed into a discus. She held it just outside of her reach and did a slow circle before tossing it toward the youma who hadn't moved since the rose.
The youma screamed and turned to dust. The other sailor scouts collapsed to the ground, Tuxedo Mask jumped away, and the black cat looked so proud. Sailor Moon looked stunned. Jon had to act fast. He used a fingernail to quickly draw blood from his forehead, and then jumped out into the clearing where the fight had taken place. He lay pretending to be injured; eyes closed, mouth slightly open. He lay half on his side, one arm under his body and his legs twisted. He listened.
There was no sound for a moment and he imagined Serena looking around. He imagined her forehead crease with worry as she decided what to do; head turning from the fallen scouts to him, and back to the scouts. He heard her boots on the pavement. Two steps towards the scouts. Anger boiled in his gut, but the steps paused. He imagined her looking his way, and biting her lips ever so cutely, arched brow furrowed with indecision. Quick steps now towards him. He struggled not to smile. He owned her.
The steps slowed and he felt her gloved hands roll him onto his back then lift his head and shoulders into her lap. He remained slack. He felt a tear drop onto his face. She brushed some hair away from his face ever so softly.
"Jon, oh Jon. Be okay. Jon. Wake up Jon. Please." Serena whispered.
He fluttered his eyelids, then opened them, squinting up at her. Sky blue eyes shined with tears, her hair was falling into her face obscuring her tiara. Yes, things didn't work out exactly as planned, but he still had her.
"Serena?" He asked, pretending to be hoarse.
"umm..."
"Your identity must remain a secret," the cat spoke.
"Serena?" He whispered again. "Is that you my love?"
"ummm... it's Sailor Moon..." her voice was hesitant.
"no..." he could still turn this to his advantage. "You are my Serena, I feel it."
"Oh Jon." Serena leaned over him and hugged his head as best she could with him leaning on her lap; her breast pressed into his face. Jon liked that. He lifted an arm to wrap around her back. He could feel her tears soaking into his shirt. "I was worried about you."
He moved to sit up, continuing to feign injury. She kept her hand on his shoulders. A groan came from where the other sailor scouts were starting to move. The black cat was looking from the scouts to Sailor Moon and back, eventually walking over to Sailor Mercury. Jon looked at Sailor Moon. She turned and pulled his arm over her shoulder to help him stand. He smiled gratefully at her. She pulled him up and he leaned on her unnecessarily. They limped towards the other sailor scouts.
Sailor Mercury was sitting up holding her head blue hair falling over her white gloves. Her blue skirted fuku was dirty and torn a bit on the side revealing pale skin. She had one leg straight, the other bent supporting her weight a bit more. Sailor Venus was on her hands and knees, dirt across her cheek and blonde hair mussed, falling out of a bright red bow at the back of her head. The black cat was licking a cut on Mercury's leg.
"Are you Okay?" Sailor Moon asked quietly.
Two sets of blue eyes turned to the voice. Sailor Venus jumped up, seeming to forget her injuries. She ran over to where Sailor Moon and Jon were standing. Sailor Mercury shook her head and looked at them again.
"Hi! I'm Sailor Venus. I am so glad that you are here." Sailor Venus had a melodic voice, bouncing a tune as she spoke. "It's just me and Mercury right now, but Artemis says that there are a few more scouts and we are still looking for the Princess. Have you found her yet?"
Sailor Moon opened and closed her mouth a few times, then the cat spoke up. "Hello Sailor Venus, I am Luna. And this is Sailor Moon. She is your leader, but you are her second."
"Leader?" Sailor Moon whispered.
Luna continued as if she hadn't said anything. "I am happy to have found other sailor scouts already. We must meet again soon to discuss what is going on and how to face our enemy. We have not found the Princess, as I have only just met Sailor Moon and introduced her to her powers. Are you and Sailor Mercury well? It seems you took quite a hit."
"I'll be fine, I am just so glad to see another Sailor Scout, I thought we were toast back there," Sailor Venus said.
Sailor Mercury braced both arms on the ground before standing, keeping all of her weight on one leg. "I'm fine also. This will heal shortly."
Sailor Moon stared at the two scouts facing her. Jon watched the scene with keen interest. It was true that he knew Serena was Sailor Moon, but he was unsure as to the other Sailor Scouts. What was their true identity? Perhaps Sapphire would know. He may even be able to get Sailor Moon to spy for him. That could be useful.
"Perhaps we should continue this conversation away from civilians," Luna added looking pointedly at Jon. "We are eager to work with you, but this is scout business. We will need to convince him that a talking cat was a hallucination from the attack..."
Did the cat ever shut up? Jon decided it was time to go. He still wanted to make this work to his benefit, and as always, he wanted to be inside of Serena. His Goddess.
"Serena," Jon whispered. "Come, let's go home and talk. This is much for you. Please. I can help you, I know. Just trust me."
Sailor Moon's sky blue eyes turned to his. They were wide with shock and confusion. She was starting to shake a bit. Jon took most of his weight back and shifted his arm to around her waist effectively taking her weight. He turned them away from the cat who was still talking to the other Scouts and started walking towards their apartment. She finally had too much and fainted in his arms. He picked her up bridal style and touched the brooch at the center of Sailor Moon's bow her transformation slipping instantly. A gasp caught his attention.
The two other scouts were looking at his turned back, they could see the twin buns of Serena's civilian dress. He could see two pairs of wide blue eyes and gaping mouths. Damn, he's got to get out of here. He took off running faster than he should've allowed himself, slowing only when he got out of the park and couldn't hear any footsteps behind him. He looked around, sweat starting to warm his skin. Heat had returned since he left the park and the remnants of Mercury's bubbles. Good, Luna wasn't following them either, he didn't want to have to kill the cat now that Sailor Moon had her brooch. He walked calmly home, considering how much information he should tell Serena when she woke up. He still needed to control her. Perhaps a talk with Sapphire first would be best.