Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or her characters, and have no right to it except as a long time fan.

Imperfect Reincarnation
Chapter Three

Serena snapped her eyes open, leaving her dream abruptly, as her alarm sounded through her room. She blinked in confusion at what she had seen in her sleep, and blinked again before she reached over and turned her alarm off. She leaned back on her forearms and blinked slowly as she looked around her room, and spotted Luna lying at the end of her bed watching her.

She laid back down with a tired sigh and looked to her nightstand and saw the gold brooch, and realized with the sight of it and Luna that the events from the evening before actually happened, which made her dream all the more important.

I've never had a dream like that before. Could it have been a memory? She wondered.

Only she didn't think it was a memory since the sailor uniform hadn't been what she had transformed into the night before, and her hair had been completely loose. These days the only time her hair was loose was when she was fixing her hair back into her usual style and sometimes for bed as it was now.

Not only was she feeling confused by those facts, she was feeling very sad and didn't understand why. The dream wasn't sad, but she had the sense that there had been more to the dream then she remembered. After all, she couldn't recall what that Endy man looked like.

Serena shook her head and decided to think on it more later. Right now she needed to get up and start getting ready for the day.

She climbed out of bed and gathered her things and went and took a quick shower and got dressed. She returned to her room and brushed out her hair before styling the mass back up in her usual bun style with the rest of her hair flowing free in twin streams. She then headed downstairs and ate a quick breakfast of sausage, egg, and toast sandwich with her parents.

When she finished eating she finished off her drink and went to brush her teeth then returned to her room.

"Don't forget your brooch!" Luna reminded her as she saw her heading toward her school bag. "It needs to be with you at all times."

"Right." Serena said as she changed directions and grabbed the brooch off her nightstand. She then moved around her room and grabbed her school bag from her floor desk and headed for her door.

"Bye Luna. See you later, and don't be seen!" She said before she pulled the door, leaving it halfway closed. She headed back downstairs and grabbed her lunch from the kitchen. "Bye!" She called to her parents, who replied before she headed out of the house.

Serena walked through the neighborhood to the bus stop as she secured her brooch to the bow on her uniform top, and got there just in time for the bus to arrive. She stepped up onto the bus, and used her bus pass and found an empty seat.

She breathed in a deep breath and looked out the window as she allowed herself to think about the dream she had had during the night.

She looked just like me. Exactly like me. The same shape of my face, the shape of my eyes, the same color of my eyes, the same nose and mouth. Even the color of her hair was almost the same as mine. She thought as she remembered her appearance. But Luna didn't mention there being a Sailor Earth.

She couldn't help recalling the girls outfit. Her scout uniform had been different from what Serena had worn the night before. There was more white, the blue was darker, there was green, a cape, and no red to be seen. The gloves were much shorter, there were no shoulder pads, and the boots had high heels.

The girl looked like me, so it must have been a memory. She thought with a slight frown. But how could it be a memory when Luna said I was Sailor Moon in the past? She questioned. Maybe it was just a dream and not a memory. Something my mind came up with after learning I was a reincarnated sailor scout. She considered thoughtfully.

Luna had named the guardian scouts very clearly, and they were named after planets except for the Moon, so maybe her mind just made up the Sailor Earth business because she was obviously living on the Earth and her imagination came up with it.

But that still leaves the man in my dream, Endy. She reminded herself. She couldn't recall what he looked like, but she remembered that he was tall and had a deep voice. Could she have made him up? She had never dreamed of a guy before. At least not like that.

Maybe I made him up based somewhat on that jerk I ran across yesterday. She considered after a few long moments. He was tall and had a deep voice. Or it could've been based on the masked man that helped me since he had those same traits.

Serena nodded to herself. It was just a dream. Nothing more than my mind trying to adjust to what I've become and what I learned. She decided. Although, she couldn't explain the sad feeling she woke up with, so she shrugged and just ignored it. After all, it was only a dream.

Almost twenty minutes later she got off at her stop, and walked the last few blocks to her school. She walked on to campus with her fellow students who were trickling in and headed straight for her classroom. She saw Molly as soon as she stepped through the door, and was relieved that she seemed fine after last night.

"Molly!" She called out to her friend as she started to move toward her seat.


Hours later school had ended and Serena walked toward Fruits Parlor Crown cafe. She had parted from Molly on her way there since her friend needed to help at her mother's jewelry store, which wasn't surprising since she was sure there had have been damage done with the fighting that had happened.

She herself wasn't ready to go home yet and be around Luna. She needed time to process what she now was and what she had done last night, and she couldn't do that with Luna staring at her.

She bypassed the sliding glass doors to Game Center Crown arcade and walked up the flight of stairs next to it, and turned right as she stepped onto the landing and pulled one of the glass doors open.

As she stepped inside she groaned quietly and closed her eyes briefly as she spotted the jerk from yesterday.

oOoIRoOo

A loud annoying sound echoed through the silent bedroom waking the single occupant from his sleep. Darien quickly turned the alarm off and flopped slightly onto his back and stared up at the ceiling tiredly.

Why did I stay up so late studying? I don't have a test today, so why? He wondered tiredly as he blinked slowly, but suddenly he felt a warm pulse in his chest, and his eyes widened as it all came flooding back.

He was Prince Endymion, heir to the throne of the Earth, and soulmate to Sailor Earth, protector of the planet; his Serenity.

Who I unknowingly met yesterday, though she lingered persistently in my mind, and is unfortunately once again scout of the Moon, who- if she doesn't already think so- likely will soon believe herself a guardian protector of the Moon Princess. He thought quietly.

The selfish, conceited, impertinent, bratty, bitch that had torn her from him.

Darien's eyes flashed gold as his anger flared. He loved his soulmate, but absolutely hated that he was going to have to court her a second time to once again regain her affection, to get her to fall in love with him a third time.

As soon as he could make it happen he was going to cement their bond, so nothing like this could ever happen again. They could have avoided all this if they had not been waiting to get married before becoming lovers in the past.

If we find ourselves as frisky as rabbits once we consummate our bond then I am more than willing to deal with it, so long as we are never separated again and her memories of me are never taken or altered. He decided.

He sighed heavily and closed his eyes. He never wanted to see that princess again, but he was well aware that he probably would. He just hoped her Guardian Scouts kept her well away from him, because he was very liable to become violent. After all, this was the girl that had ruined his life as far as he was concerned.

Yes, he had still been prince of the Earth, but everyone had different memories of him, unflattering ones at that, he had gained a bad reputation overnight, something that would have ruined him had he not been heir to the throne, and his soulmate and fiancée had been taken from him in the same amount of time.

Beyond that she had definitely ruined his Serenity's life. Ripped her from her destiny as Sailor Earth, the protector of the planet, deposited her on the Moon to be a guardian scout to the very one that had changed her destiny, and the one to be injured or die in her place should she be targeted for assassination.

Or terra forbid, should she be targeted for kidnapping. Then Serenity would have been the one to be taken, possibly tortured, and possibly sexually assaulted. He thought angrily.

And of course she changed the course of his planet, by taking away not only the planets protector, but the position of Sailor Earth altogether!

Darien had great reason to be highly furious with the princess, and he didn't care if she didn't remember what she had done. He hadn't cared that she hadn't remembered in the past.

The very sight of her had angered and disgusted him, and he had done all he could to stay away from her. Only being in her vicinity because his soulmate was near her. He definitely had not spoken to her after what she had done. Had, in fact, made sure they were never introduced to each other.

Whether she had ever realized that or not he didn't care. If she had gone running to her mother about it, the Queen had never said anything or tried to change it. Not that it would have changed anything if the Queen had lost her mind and tried. He wouldn't have stood for that.

Darien opened his eyes and got up, deciding he needed to stop thinking on the upsetting subject and start getting ready for his day, and headed for his bathroom. Once he had showered and dressed himself he ate a quick simple breakfast of French toast and orange juice and then got his school things together and drove himself to school; slightly amused by the dichotomy of being in the present time driving and yet feeling like he was only used to riding his horse and using his powers to get around.

After his classes he decided to visit his best friend at his job. He knew the location was such that he could drop by and visit without compromising his friend's position since it was family owned.

He parked in the area and walked to the Game Center Crown arcade and once inside he saw that his friend wasn't there, so left and headed up to the Fruits Parlor Crown cafe and smiled slightly to see him standing behind the counter straightening things up.

"Hey." He greeted as he walked toward the counter, and watched him look up.

"Hey you." Andrew said in return. "How was school?"

"It was fine." Darien answered. "How was it for you?" He asked.

"It was okay." He answered. "I had a test and I'm not too sure I did well on it, and I can't stop thinking about it."

"I'm sure you did well. You know you studied and did the best you could. You likely did well on it and are only doubting it now because you've had time to think about it." Darien said, and Andrew sighed.

"You're probably right. I just need to stop thinking about it." He said, and Darien nodded.

"I had to tell myself something similar this morning." He said. "My classes managed to distract me, so I think you need a distraction as well."

"Obviously work isn't distraction enough." Andrew said with another sigh.

"Well, I'm here so maybe my presence can distract you in some way. I don't know how, but here I am so." Darien said, and Andrew laughed.

"Thanks." He said, and Darien merely bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment.

Andrew raised an eyebrow at the action, but before he could say anything he heard the door to the cafe open and looked over to see a school girl enter. He recognized Serena easily and looked back to Darien, and was surprised to see his face practically light up.

This is definitely a distraction. He thought as he watched his friend to see what he would do.


Darien held in a gasp at the sight of his Serenity entering the cafe. It was unexpected but he was beyond happy to see her, and pleased that he had come across her so quickly.

He watched her reaction to seeing him and acknowledged silently that he deserved that, but he was going to fix it. She took a few steps forward and he walked toward her, and watched as she paused and looked at him warily.

"I would like to apologize." He said as he stopped in front of her. "I should not have made fun of you. Your name is not meatball head, and what was on your test was none of my business regardless of how it came to be in my hands. It was wrong of me to say what I did."

Serena blushed at how formal he sounded.

"Thank you." She said, accepting his apology. "I'm sorry for throwing my paper at you. I didn't know you were there, but I shouldn't have done it in the first place to avoid such a thing happening." She said.

"Thank you for the apology." He said sincerely. "I would like to start over with you. Let me introduce myself; my name is Darien." He said as he bowed slightly and held out his hand.

Serena blushed all over again as this guy she had pegged as a jerk was turning out to be gentlemanly.

"I'm Serena." She said as she grasped his hand.

Darien's eyes softened slightly at hearing her name, it was so close to her past name and that pleased him.

"I am pleased to meet you." He said as he held her hand in a firm yet gentle hold as he shook it. "What are you getting since you are obviously here for a reason? It will be my treat." He said as he reluctantly released her hand.

"Why?" Serena asked as she blinked in confusion.

"It's a further apology, and I want to join you and get to know you." He explained.

"Aren't you here for a reason yourself?" She asked.

"I was just here to visit with my friend." He said as he gestured toward Andrew.

"Hi Andrew." She said with a wave, and he waved back.

"You know each other?" He said as his eyes lit up with the discovery, and watched her nod.

"I've been coming to the arcade since I started junior high." Serena said, and he nodded.

"So, will you let me treat you?" He asked, and she nodded hesitantly.

"I was just going to get a chocolate milkshake." She said, and he nodded again.

"How about you pick a seat, and I'll order." He suggested, and she nodded and walked away.

Darien turned and walked back to Andrew.

"Can we have a chocolate milkshake, a blueberry soda, and some fries." He asked.

Andrew nodded and watched his friend pull out his wallet.

"What was that all about? When did you meet Serena?" He asked curiously.

"I came across her yesterday." Darien said before he explained what happened. "After thinking about it I felt bad for what I had said. I'd been distracted by her looks and simply reacted." He said, and Andrew hummed in understanding.

"You like her." He said simply.

"She is attractive, but I don't know her well enough to like her. That is why I want to get to know her." Darien said. Of course Andrew didn't know that she was his soulmate, and he loved her regardless of not knowing her in this life.

"Then you better get going and see what you can learn." Andrew said.

Darien laughed before he walked toward the seating area, and found his soulmate sitting in a small booth next to the windows overlooking the street. He silently slid into the booth and sat across from her.

"Our order is coming." He said as he looked her over. He took the time to search his mind for their connection, hoping it would be strong enough to sense without her transformation, and strengthen it so he could find her easier.

As he did that he took in the hairstyle he found so upsetting, her school uniform, and the brooch on the bow of her uniform top. It was the same one he saw on the bow of her sailor uniform the evening before, so it was obviously what she used to transform. The crescent moon on it upset him, but he pushed it away in favor of using his energies elsewhere.

"Tell me about yourself." He said, and watched her blink in surprise. "I was serious when I said I wanted to get to know you." He added, and she nodded.

"Well, I'm seventeen, and I go to Juuban Municipal High School. I have a few friends. Some from school and a couple of closer ones I met a few years ago, but my best friend is a girl I've known since childhood, Molly." Serena explained. "What about you?" She asked softly.

"I'm twenty-one, and I go to K.O. University. I'm studying to be a doctor, and my best friend is Andrew." Darien said. "Beyond him I don't really have friends; more like acquaintances here and there." He added, and she nodded.

"What kind of doctor do you want to be?" She asked curiously.

"A children's doctor." He answered easily, and she nodded thoughtfully.

"So, how long have you known Andrew?" She asked.

"Years." He answered. "We met in junior high, and have been going to the same schools since then."

Just then their order came, delivered by a girl, and they thanked her as they arranged their drinks in front of them.

"Thanks for this." Serena said as she gestured to the milkshake in front of her.

"You're welcome." He said easily. "Will you share with me?" He asked as he glanced to the fries on the table between them.

He knew his soulmate had loved food, and he wondered if it was the same now. Although, he was well aware that a few fries wouldn't tell him if her love of food had traveled with her soul.

"Okay." She agreed, and grabbed a fry and bit into it.

"Where did you get that hairstyle?" He asked. "It's something I haven't seen before."

"I don't really know." Serena answered honestly. "It's something I've been doing for years. It started off as just pigtails and then the buns were added when I turned ten. I don't remember why. I guess it might have been because my hair was getting longer and my mom didn't want to cut it."

"Well, I'm glad it didn't get cut, and I hope to one day see your hair down." Darien said as he gazed at her; well aware that his eyes were soft and uncaring to change that.

Serena blushed and looked out the window to briefly escape his gaze.

"So, how are you doing in school? The score on your test wasn't really bad." He said before he took a sip of his soda.

"I think I'm doing well in all my subjects." She answered. "And you're right about my test score. It wasn't really bad, but I was frustrated because I knew I could have done better." She added, and he made a sound of understanding.

"I know the feeling." He said sympathetically. "I've felt that way a few times. Especially on the rare occasion where I didn't study for a test when I had the time and left it to the last minute." He explained, and she nodded.

"That's exactly what happened with that test. I'm definitely going to study earlier next time." Serena said, and he nodded.

"How are you doing in school?" She asked.

"I'm doing fine. My professors don't give out much homework, so my grades rely more on tests and end of term papers and exams." Darien said.

"So instead of doing daily homework you spend your time studying for tests or working on papers that are due at the end of the school term." Serena summarized.

"Yes." He said as he nodded. "Especially since my professors usually want some kind of progress report on what we have done by the middle of the term."

"Ah. I would hate that, but I can understand why they would want to know. Especially if it's the first time they're learning about the topic the students picked for the paper." She said.

"Exactly. I've heard first hand from some of my classmates that didn't pick a good enough topic. Either it was too broad and they had to narrow it down or it was a topic that didn't have enough information out there to fill the length required for the paper." He said. "So they have to worry about picking a whole new topic or subject altogether."

Serena nodded before she took a sip of her drink.

"What subjects do you like since all your classes can't be medical ones?" She asked.

"You're right. I am taking more classes than medical ones, but only a few since the medical ones are enough work. Out of those few I really like the history and astronomy ones." He said.

"The history class is world history." He elaborated. And now I know why I picked that class. Somewhere inside I knew this was my planet and I wanted to know what had been happening since I died; or at least since record keeping for the entire planet began.

"It's certainly enjoyable to learn about more than just the country we live in, and the astronomy class was simply because I'm interested in learning more about the planets surrounding us and the solar system we're in." He said.

"Those definitely sound interesting. My history class is just Japan history. It's important but learning about events and people from the entire world sounds more interesting." Serena said as she grabbed a fry. "Astronomy sounds interesting as well. Maybe I should take it when I get the chance." She added thoughtfully.

"I think you should. It's definitely attention grabbing." Darien encouraged. "So what subjects do you like and not like?" He asked curiously before he took a sip from his drink.

"Well, I really like gym class, Japanese literature, and foreign language which for me is French." She answered. "What I don't like is trigonometry, social studies, and biology." She added with a grimace.

"Ah, so you like to read." He said with a smile and watched her nod. His Serenity had liked to read as well. "Very nice. I took English for my foreign language. What is French like?" He asked.

"It's a very romantic language, especially if one has a nice voice to go with it." She said. "It's a bit hard to learn, at least for me, but I still enjoy it and hope to be able to speak it fluently one day."

"I'm sure you will. I had the same hope for speaking English, and I managed to accomplish it." Darien revealed. Of course he now knew that his life as Endymion was the reason why. He had always been able to pick up languages and different dialects likely because of his connection to the Earth.

I have no doubt she will learn the language considering her own connection to the Earth. It is just a matter of her remembering. He thought softly.

"Thank you." Serena said softly.

"So what exactly do you do in gym class that makes you like it so much?" He asked as he picked up a fry.

"I like to run and play sports. Baseball, volleyball, kickball, and badminton just to name a few." She revealed. "It's fun and gives me the exercise and entertainment that I need."

From there the conversation then shifted into talking about their likes and dislikes in general. They talked about different types of food, different types of books, movies, TV shows, animals, and sports that they liked and didn't like.

They talked and talked until the fries and their drinks were gone, and then they continued on to talk some more. Finally when they noticed how crowded it was getting they decided to call it a day and leave. However, before they parted ways the two exchanged phone numbers, and promised to talk to each other later.

oOoIRoOo

It had been a week since Serena had become a sailor scout, and all had been quiet for the most part. There had only been one attack since her first fight.

She had been surprised to find herself actually sensing the dark energy coming from the monster's location. It had been a sensation that felt disturbing, sinister, and as if whatever it was simply didn't belong. She had actually been ignoring the feeling for a couple of days, unsure if it was actually real or her imagination, before she decided to try and follow the feeling.

It led her to a small alley next to a bakery. There had been a long line of people leading to it where a woman was telling each person their fortune. Beyond that Serena had noticed that she had been giving off the same dark energy as the monster she had first fought.

She hadn't even known she had noticed that about the monster, and when she told Luna about what she had sensed the feline had seemed more surprised than her. She said it must have been a new ability she developed, because she hadn't had that ability in the past.

Serena had transformed and gone back to have another look and see if she could try to understand what the disguised monster was doing since she wanted to try and learn more about their enemy since Luna didn't seem to know any more.

She realized the monster was gathering energy, and that the process was having an adverse effect on the people the energy was coming from. It was making them uncaring and violent almost instantly.

She could actually sense the energy changing, becoming dark, which is why she could sense it in those regular people who had no connection to the monster. She couldn't sense the energy in people who hadn't gotten their fortunes told by the monster, so it made perfect sense to her.

Serena also realized the loss of energy was why the people in the jewelry store had been unconscious, though she couldn't remember noticing a change in them besides the fact that they had been controlled by the monster.

Once she understood the monster was gathering energy, human energy, she decided to try and deal with the monster. She was going to have to do it at some point, so there was no reason to wait and delay the inevitable. There was no need to go get Luna. The feline didn't need to be there for her to fight. She would just be there to watch, and she didn't need that scrutiny.

oOo

It was beginning to get dark out but that didn't stop Sailor Moon as she knelt on a rooftop across the street from the alley where the monster was giving out fortunes to the last few people there. She wanted to stop the disguised monster from continuing, but she didn't want innocent people getting hurt when she confronted the being.

So she waited patiently and tried to plan what she was going to do. She wondered if she should speak to it, but remembered the last monster. She had only spoken then to stop it from hurting her friend. She had no reason to speak this time.

It would probably be nothing more than a waste anyway. I could be using that time to attack. She thought with a slight frown.

She wished she knew what the monster could do. That would be a real help, and mean she wasn't going in blind on top of being inexperienced.

With the last fight she thought she did well fighting against the people who were being controlled, but when it came to the monster she hadn't known what to do. Whatever scout instincts she had had failed her. All she had been able to do was stay out of reach and evade its attacks.

I know to use my tiara now, but it seems like all I'll be able to do against this monster is more of what I did before until I have a chance to use my only weapon? Attack? Whatever it is. She thought with a wary frown; unhappy with her conclusion but understanding that was all she had to go on.

"Hey." She suddenly heard a male voice, and she turned slightly to see the masked man from her first fight walking toward her.

"Hey you." She greeted quietly as he knelt down next to her.

"Are you simply hanging out here or is there a purpose?" He asked casually, and followed her gesture as she pointed down toward a small group of people in an alley.

"That woman down there giving out fortunes is a monster like that woman from before." Sailor Moon explained. "I decided to wait until she finished so there wouldn't be any innocents in the way or for her to use against me."

"Smart." He said with a nod as he watched the monster.

Only a few more minutes passed before the last of the people wishing for fortunes left smiling like they had been given the best treat. Sailor Moon shook her head knowing that if that monster wasn't destroyed those people would be affected by the dark energy.

"Ready?" The masked man said as she looked to him, and she nodded before she stood up.

She took a deep breath before she leapt off the edge to the ground. Her mysterious companion followed and they both darted across the street toward the disguised monster stopping just inside the alley and blocking it in.

Now that they were in front of the female they could see that she had long black straight hair with blue undertones, narrow dark blue eyes with red markings streaking off to the side, a circle dot mark on the center of her forehead, and she wore a loose flowing pink gown that just hung from her shoulders.

"Oh. Do you want me to tell you your fortunes as well?" She asked softly.

Neither answered. Instead, her mystery companion launched a series of red roses at the female. Sailor Moon would have done the same, but she didn't want to risk losing her only weapon if she missed.

Almost instantly the female produced tarot cards from thin air and threw them at each rose causing tiny explosions to go off in the air between the fighters. Within moments more cards were coming their way, passing through the sparks and smoke of the explosions before shifting into knives as they sailed through the air.

Sailor Moon and the masked man dodged to the side toward the alley walls, and briefly watched the knives pass by them before moving their gaze back toward the disguised monster. The masked man quickly launched more deadly roses at the monster, and they both took advantage of her distraction dealing with the roses to move closer.

The disguised monstered sneered at them and Sailor Moon narrowed her eyes as the woman's skin tone began to change along with her appearance. Her eyes took on an evil look becoming yellow with a vertical slight of red as her skin turned a nauseating shade of bright lime green, fangs appeared in her sneering mouth, and her hair began to sway and lift up into the air like long black snakes.

Sailor Moon looked at the hair waving around the monsters head and decided she was going to have improvise with her only weapon because her instincts were telling her that the hair wasn't just reacting to the change in appearance.

She took off her tiara and it immediately began to glow a soft white that brightened before it morphed into a glowing disk floating above her fingertips.

The monster lifted its arms, its hair mimicking the action as small clawed hands formed at the end of the gathered locks, and point its clawed hands at them. The hair shot toward them like arms stretching unnaturally as they clearly aimed to grab them.

Just like a saw. She thought as she steadied herself and willed her tiara to stay above her fingertips and spin. Her glowing tiara began to spin and she swung her arm at the hair headed toward her, and chopped it right off before it could reach her.

While Sailor Moon moved her hand quickly, using her tiara like a saw blade, chopping off the hair appendage as it came at her she could see from the corner of her eye her masked companion tossing rose after rose at the appendages after him. She couldn't help idly wondering if he was stuck with only one weapon as well; his roses.

If so then at least we have that in common even if it is a sucky reason. She thought as she narrowed her eyes at the monster.

She needed to get a good shot in on the monster but the hair appendages kept coming. She was coming to the realization that she might have to let the hair get her since she needed to attack this monster to finish it. Once again she lamented that she only had one weapon.

Sailor Moon took a few steps back to gain some space before she threw her tiara as hard as she could at the monster, hoping the speed would stop the hair from trying to stop its path. Immediately she was wrapped up in two hair appendages, but just as quickly two roses streaked toward her and cut the hair. They instantly loosened and fell off her, and she moved away before focusing on the monster as her tiara slammed into the female.

The monster screamed, her stretched hair appendages stopping all movement, as the tiara continued its path until it punched through her back and out of her body. The two warriors watched as the monster began to turn to dust, the gray color spreading as the scream continued. Slowly its body began to disintegrate from the bottom up, its scream finally cutting off as the disintegration reached its chest.

Sailor Moon caught her tiara and put it back on her forehead as it stopped glowing and watched as the monster's head turned to dust and disintegrated. She shared a look with her masked companion and they both hurried out of the alley and up onto the nearest roof before they ran across the surfaces and leapt rooftops until they were well away from the area of the fight.

"Thanks for helping back there." Sailor Moon said as they came to a stop on a flat rooftop.

"No problem." The masked man said quietly.

Sailor Moon gazed at him, taking him in fully as she hadn't been able to do before, and he seemingly did the same.

"So, what's your name?" She asked curiously.

"As in my real name?" He asked, and she blushed.

"No." She said. Although it would be nice to know who he is. I'll respect his privacy just like he's doing for me. She thought. "Like how I'm Sailor Moon."

"I don't have one." He answered. "How did you get yours?"

"Apparently it was what I was called in a past life." Sailor Moon said with a shrug.

"Hmmm...then how about you make something up for me." He suggested.

"Really?" She asked in surprise.

"Yes. You'll need to call me something." He answered.

She nodded and tried to think of something as she looked him over, standing there patiently waiting for her to give him a name.

"How about Tuxedo?" She said, and then shook her head as she tried to come up with something more. "Mask. Tuxedo Mask." She added as she gestured toward him. "How do you like it?" She asked with an amused smile, and he shook his head.

"It is certainly accurate and amusing. I can live with it." Tuxedo Mask said.

oOo

It had also been a week since she had met Darien. Darien Shields as she had learned his last name was.

They had met every day, since he had apologized and they had talked, at the Fruits Parlor Crown cafe after she got out of school. She didn't know if it was some unspoken agreement or coincidence.

All she knew was that she found him there every day, and it was the only place she knew she would see him, so she returned more frequently than she would have.

She was surprised that he always seemed happy to see her, and eager to talk to her as if it was the best part of his day. She was also surprised to find that she actually felt that way. This guy had gone from being a jerk that she never thought she would see again to being a gentleman who she looked forward to seeing every day.

He was attractive, something she hadn't denied even when she thought he was a jerk, but now that some days had passed she was surprised she thought so.

She hadn't ever found any guy attractive, to the point where she had wondered if she was into girls, but she found she wasn't attracted to girls either, and she realized she just found no one attractive for some reason. Until he had come along, and he was so very attractive. The very definition of tall, dark, and handsome. Something she had thought before.

He was also very intelligent. In university and studying to be a doctor. That was very impressive to her; especially since he was passionate about it. She'd learned he wanted to be a children's doctor because of his own childhood experience.

Some of the doctors had good attitudes and some didn't, and he thought there should be more with better attitude's since children were very impressionable.

Darien was quiet, seeming to like or prefer to listen to her talk, but when he did talk he was a good conversationalist. He always spoke with knowledge of a topic, and if he didn't know then he would make educated guesses instead of making something up or spouting something completely off the wall.

Beyond that she found herself watching his facial expressions to get an idea of what he was feeling. They were small expressions, nothing big and bold, but if she paid attention then she could tell what he was feeling and a little of what he was thinking.

After they parted ways from the cafe he would call her later and they would talk for hours. If they had done anything since they last saw each other they talked about that or they talked about whatever homework they had.

Last night had been different though. After they had seemingly run out of conversation he had surprised her by asking her out on a date for the next day.

He had certainly picked the right time to ask. They had pretty much talked the whole week, and she was comfortable in his presence. Not to mention he had picked a Saturday for their date, so neither of them would have to worry about school.

The only thing she worried about was the possibility of an attack or something that would involve the enemy, but she decided to not think about it and focus on the positive.

She had agreed to go out with him and he'd suggested she dress casually and comfortably, nothing formal. She couldn't help wondering what he had planned for the day.

Now it was the day and she was getting ready for her date. She'd showered, redone her hair, and was in the process of getting dressed. She had thought about what to wear for a long time. She was going to do as he suggested since he knew what they were doing, but she also wanted to look good.

She was excited. This was her first date, and it was with an older good looking guy. She was obviously nervous; though she hoped that would go away once they got started.

Serena looked in the mirror when she finished dressing and was pleased with how she looked. She turned and grabbed her brown purse and made sure her keys, wallet, and brooch were inside. Luna was good at making sure she had the transformation item whenever she left the house.

She then left her bedroom and hurried to the bathroom and quickly brushed her teeth. She returned to her room and grabbed her lip-gloss and put it on before she dropped it into her purse.

"Are you really going to go on this date?" Luna asked her as she was taking a last look around to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Serena said as she looked to the cat sitting on her bed.

"Maybe because you've only known him a week." Luna said with a slightly sarcastic tone, and Serena huffed.

"I'm going on a date with him; not moving in with him." She said in exasperation. "This date is to get to know him better while doing something enjoyable. That's the point of dating."

Luna just shook her head, but Serena ignored her as the doorbell rang. She moved to the balcony window and saw the red car he said he owned and smiled. She grabbed her purse and hurried out of her room and downstairs to see her mom open the door.


"Hello." Darien said as he found himself face to face with an older woman as the door opened, but before he could say any more the one he came for arrived.

"I'm here!" Serena called as she moved toward the door. "Thanks mom." She said as she stopped at her side. "Hi." She said softly as her eyes landed on her date.

"Serena." He said simply, and yet Serena blushed as her name sounded like a greeting and a caress rolled into one. "These are for you." He said as he held out a bouquet of his own roses, not that she would know that.

"Thank you." She said as she accepted the flowers and brought them up to her nose to enjoy their scent.

"How about I put those in water, and put them in your room for you." Her mother offered.

"That would be great; thanks mom." Serena said as she handed her bouquet to her.

"You're welcome dear. Have a good time." Her mother said as she waved her out the door.

"Thanks; bye." Serena said as she stepped out the doorway and next to Darien.

He smiled slightly and placed a hand lightly on her back as he began to guide her toward his car. He opened the passenger door and waited until she and all her hair were inside before he closed the door. Then he walked around the car and joined her inside.

"You look beautiful." Darien said as he glanced toward her after he had started the car and began to drive. She wore knee high brown boots, skinny dark blue jeans, a forest green long sleeve wrap top, and a matching Afghan sweater.

He absolutely loved that she was wearing Earth colors. She looked great. The only thing that would make her look better was if she took down that hair style and wore her hair loose.

"Thank you." Serena said. "You're looking good yourself." She added as she looked him over again. He wore black jeans, a navy blue button up shirt, a black blazer, and black shoes. His outfit brought out his dark looks and kept drawing her eyes.

"Thank you." He said as he focused on the road. "So, did you sleep well?" He asked.

"Yes I did." She said with a small smile. She really had slept well and got plenty of rest. She was even glad she hadn't had one of those strange memory dreams. She'd only had the one so far, and she wasn't sure she wanted to have another one anytime soon.

"What about you?" She asked.

"I slept well." Darien said, and he truly had. He'd been determined to have a good night's sleep so he could be well rested for his first date with his soulmate. Now that it had started he was quietly excited for what was to come.

Silence descended after his answer and Serena was afraid it was becoming awkward. She wanted to break the silence but she didn't know what to say. They didn't usually have this problem. They talked every day, most times twice a day; once in person and then later on the phone. They always had something to talk about, but right now she couldn't think of anything.

Maybe that was the problem. They had talked last night, and nothing of interest had happened in that time. The only thing she had that was remotely interesting was her still new occupation as a scout, but she obviously couldn't talk about that with him.

That leaves me with nothing. What am I going to do?! I don't want things to be awkward between us. She thought worriedly.

"Tell me, how's your friend Molly doing these days?" Darien asked, thankfully alleviating her worry.

From there they spent the rest of the drive talking about their friendships with their closest friend, Molly and Andrew, until they reached their destination.

Like the gentleman he continuously showed her he opened the car door for her and helped her out once he had parked, and held her hand as they walked down the sidewalk toward a location only he knew.

Serena looked around the area trying to guess at where he was taking her and took in the tall trees and manicured bushes. There was occasional seating in the form of iron benches and concrete shaped into seats. Still, she had never been to this area, so she had absolutely no idea where they were going. Not even the occasional sign posted high on poles gave her a hint.

"Our destination." Darien said simply as they turned a corner.

Stretched out in front of them was a green lawn with three paths leading up to a large white metal and glass fairytale like building. Serena couldn't help gasping at the sight, and as they walked up one of the paths closer to the building she spotted a sign that read Botanical Greenhouse & Gardens.

"Oh wow." Serena said as she smiled at the view, and then up at Darien.

Darien smiled in return, pleased that she was pleased with the location he had picked for their first date, as he walked with her toward the building. He hoped bringing her there would show her that he appreciated flowers and nature in general.

Within minutes they were headed inside, and began to explore the various flora with the other visitors.

He enjoyed watching her reactions to the different types of plants and flowers available. It reminded him strongly of the time he brought her to the Earth to show her around after he had found her on the Moon as Sailor Moon.

Eventually he guided her to the rose section of the flowers inside the greenhouse. The red roses brought back fond memories of his rose garden, and the many different times he spent there with his Serenity as both Sailor Earth and Sailor Moon.

After thoroughly exploring the entire greenhouse they walked outside to the back of the greenhouse to walk through the garden paths. They instantly spotted an open air theater with permanent seating for what looked like musical and theatrical performances. Both expressed an interest in coming back to view a performance there.

Once they were on a quiet path, secluded among themselves, they resumed their quest to know each other better.

"Tell me of your family." Darien said as they walked. "I have now seen your mother even if I have not yet met her properly."

"Aside from my mother there's my father." Serena said readily. "My mom's name is Ikuko, and my dad's name is Kenji. I have a little brother, Sammy, and some assorted aunts, uncles, and cousins that I'm not exactly close to." She explained, and he nodded as he took in that information.

"What about your family?" She asked curiously.

"I'm actually an orphan." He replied, and listened to her gasp. He looked over and saw her looking at him with a sad frown. "It's okay." He assured her as he squeezed her hand. "I lost them in a car crash when I was a child. I was lucky to survive."

"You were in the car?!" Serena asked in surprised horror.

"Yes." Darien said with a nod. "I don't recall the actual crash. I only remember waking up in the hospital with my head bandaged and a massive headache."

"Oh I'm so sorry you lost your parents, and so young at that." She said softly as she squeezed the hand she held.

"Thank you." He said, squeezing her hand in return.

He may have lost his birth family in this present time, but as his soulmate he thought of Serena as his family. It didn't matter if they had only just found each other in this life. She was his soulmate, his Serenity, and very much still his future princess and eventual queen.

"Well, where do you live since..." Serena trailed off with a blush at what she was about to say.

"Since I don't have parents?" He finished understandingly, and watched her nod. "I live in a high rise apartment building."

"After my parents died I lived in an orphanage, and once I reached my mid-teens without being adopted I was moved into a sort of group home with other teens. Then once I turned eighteen and came into the inheritance my parents left me I quickly moved into the apartment building I'm currently living in." Darien explained.

Serena listened closely, her heart aching for the childhood he had. To lose his parents so young, then to never be adopted, and never experience family life; at least not since his parents were alive and who knew if he actually remembered that time.

She didn't know what it must have been like living in a group home, but it must not have been very pleasant because he had said he quickly moved into his apartment.

And now he's living alone there. She thought softly.

"Do you like it there?" She asked.

"Yes I do." Darien answered. "It's a nice, safe, and quiet building. I'm near the top of the building, so I have a great view of the city."

"Sounds nice." Serena said.

"It is. I'll show you where I live if we have time later, and if not then the next time we hangout." He said, and she nodded.

"Okay." She said. She was definitely curious about where he lived.

"So what are your plans for when you finish high school?" Darien asked as they turned on to another path and passed a group of girls.

"I'm going to continue on to university and maybe study creative writing or some kind of art or type of literature. I'm not sure." Serena answered with a slight frown.

"It's okay not to know. You can spend the first semester or two focused on taking the general lot of classes everyone has to take before focusing on your major." He said. "And you can always change your major if you aren't satisfied with it." He added.

"Hmm, that's good to know." She said thoughtfully. "Are the general classes hard?" She asked.

"It depends on the person." He answered. "It's just the same classes you take in high school except they're more extensive. Mathematics, science, physical education, foreign language, literature, and history." He explained, and Serena nodded.

"I suppose you mean higher levels of each subject?" She asked.

Darien nodded and as they finished exploring the garden he told her about the different levels of each subject, and how long the classes usually were and how they weren't everyday classes.

They made their way back to his car and he drove them to a casual restaurant so they could satisfy their hunger. As they ate they talked about the fact that they were both athletic and like to play sports, and liked to do physical exercises and other physical activities such as bike riding, hiking, skating, and climbing.

"I've never been hiking or climbed anything besides trees when I was little, but I've always wanted to. I just don't want to go alone since none of my friends are interested in going." Serena said.

"I would be happy to go with you anytime." Darien said sincerely, and she blushed and looked down.

"Thanks." She said as she looked back up to him with a shy smile.

She couldn't help wondering what that would be like. To go hiking or climbing with him. It likely wouldn't be mountain climbing since she thought you needed experience before trying something like that, so it would probably be wall climbing.

Even bike riding would be nice to experience with him riding with me. She thought as she grabbed her drink and took a sip.

As she put her glass back down and picked up her fork she began to sense a trickle of dark energy. She blinked and looked around as she sensed it growing stronger and stronger by the second.

Oh no! Why now? Of all the times why when I'm with Darien? She thought in dismay as she put her fork down and slid her chair back. What am I going to say to him? She asked herself as she looked to him.

"I'm sorry." Serena said with a sad look as she stood up. "I have to leave." She added.

"Is everything okay?" Darien asked as he blinked in surprise, and she frowned not wanting to lie.

"I can't explain." She said apologetically, feeling frustrated that she couldn't tell him.

"It's okay." He said understandingly. "We can continue this another time." He assured her. "Will you call me later so we can arrange it, and so I know you are okay?"

Serena blushed, embarrassed that she was running out on her first date and at the fact that he wasn't upset and wanted to go out with her again, and nodded before she kissed him on the cheek.

"I'm sorry." She said again. "I'll definitely call you later." She promised before she hurried toward the exit.

Darien watched her leave before he called for the waiter to get his check.


Serena ran down the sidewalk away from the restaurant, her purse bouncing against her hip, as she looked for somewhere to transform. She still couldn't believe she had just run out on her date. Unhappily she was now seeing a disadvantage to being a scout, and she didn't like it at all.

I hope he really meant what he said and he wants to go out with me again. She thought morosely before she ducked into what she realized was a small side street only good for parking.

There were thankfully no cars but she moved all the way to the back, which led to a dead end, to make sure she couldn't be seen clearly if someone walked by. She pulled out her brooch from her purse, and looked at it before she held it up.

"Moon Prism Power!" She called out and squinted as a bright pink light flared from the brooch and surrounded her. When the light cleared she looked around to make sure no one was around then glanced down to herself to see the sailor uniform that was slowly becoming familiar.

She shook her head and leapt up onto the top of the wall that made up the dead end and jumped up onto a fire escape before making her way to the roof. From there she began to run once again, leaping rooftops as she followed her senses toward the source of the dark energy.

A few minutes later she stopped suddenly as she realized she was standing on top of the location of the dark energy. She moved toward the front of the roof and looked down toward the ground. There was the occasional person walking by on the sidewalk and of course cars driving on the street.

She could see that there was a sign on the building indicating what the business was but she couldn't see it from her angle. She sighed and looked around to see where she could go to get a better look at the building and situation, and saw that the only thing available was rooftops.

I'm going to need to get to one of them; preferably without being seen. She thought as she analyzed what she had to work with.

She saw that the street was wide but it was only one lane going each direction, and there were electrical and light poles to work with. Her eyes flickered all over and before she could think about it too much she took a few steps back, and ran toward the edge and leapt over and onto a light pole.

She quickly jumped high, not wanting to lose her momentum, and through the air over the moving cars below and landed on another light pole before she leapt onto the roof.

Sailor Moon breathed out a huff of breath at what she had just done, and turned around to see what she had needed to see in the first place. There in dark orange letters lined in black was Cat Cafe in large letters.

She hummed in surprise and knelt down as she trained her eyes on the windows. They were large allowing plenty of light to get in as well as people to see inside, and likely allowing the numerous felines inside to see out. She noticed it was the same way with the door, mostly glass, and she wondered if this particular fight was going to be that much more dangerous because of it.

"Hello you." She heard a masculine voice drift to her ears from her right, and looked over to see Tuxedo Mask walking toward her.

"Hey. You're just in time." She said as he knelt down next to her. "The cafe is our destination." She said as she gestured with a nod toward the building across from them.

"Do you suppose there is any way to take the fight outside without damaging the building?" Tuxedo Mask asked with a slight groan.

She understood his concern since she was just worrying about the danger of the windows. The last thing she wanted was to experience being thrown through a window; not to mention there was the worry of hurting the cats and however many people were down inside there.

"I hope so." Sailor Moon answered as they looked at the cafe. "Perhaps the monster will give us an exit so we won't feel too bad about any broken glass." She suggested after a heavy silence.

"Let us hope the monster's attacks are only damaging to people. That way we won't have to worry about an exit at all." He said as he glanced to her.

"It would be for the best; at least it will if there's not too many people down in there and the cats hide." She said with a groan.

"How about we just go in before we end up talking ourselves out of it simply to avoid damage to the establishment, people, and cats." He said, and she chuckled lightly.

"Yes; let's." She said as she stood up.

Tuxedo Mask joined her a moment later and they both stepped off the side of the roof and landed lightly on the ground before they darted across the street. He pulled open the glass door and stepped in first, and she entered behind him and allowed her eyes to take in as much detail as possible of the large room.

There was some kind of cat structure along one wall, a structure mounted to the top of the opposite wall, and a tiny bridge stretched just beneath the ceiling connecting the two. There was very little floor space for fighting with the tables for people to sit at, and even that was currently occupied by unconscious bodies. The people had obviously been drained of their energy since that was what the enemy seemed to be intent on doing every time they were seen.

Sailor Moon grimaced slightly as she stood next to Tuxedo Mask and looked over to see he wasn't happy with what he was seeing either. She turned her head and looked closer at the structures to see some cats hiding within them, and she hoped they stayed there out of the way.

"Would you like to enjoy one of our little kitties?" A feminine voice asked, and they looked ahead to see a woman come from around a corner.

She wore cream colored pants with a white button up shirt, and had black hair hanging loose just pass her shoulders and brown eyes.

"We always have a cat available for each person, so everyone gets the chance to pet one of the soft little ones." She continued cheerfully.

Neither Sailor Moon nor Tuxedo Mask said anything. They simply stepped to the side away from each other to give one another room to fight as best they could in the space available.

"No? I guess this isn't a friendly visit." The woman said and then sighed. "No problem. If you don't want to pet the kitties then I'll just have to pet you." She added with a wicked smirk as she lifted her hands, sharp claws glinting in the light.

The woman swung a hand at them sharply and five green blades of energy streaked out of her claws toward them. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask quickly moved further to the side away from each other to avoid the energy blades. They passed by them harmlessly and Sailor Moon strained her ears to listen for any sound they made when they connected with the window behind them.

There was nothing. No sound of the attack dissipating or of the attack destroying the window. It looked like they wouldn't have to worry about damage to the area.

Unless that only applies to glass. A wall or one of these cat structures might be a different matter altogether. Sailor Moon considered as she took off her tiara, her eyes never leaving the woman as it began to take on a white glow.

The woman's eyes began to glow a slight green, proving without a doubt that she really was a monster in disguise, and she hissed at them like a cat that belonged in the cafe; which was disturbing coming from a humanoid mouth.

Tuxedo Mask threw a rose at the disguised monster and Sailor Moon stepped forward as her tiara shifted into a glowing disk and hovered above her fingertips. She huffed through her nose as she found her progress slow in moving forward with the chairs and tables in the way as well as the people crumbled and sprawled on the floor.

The disguised monster dodged to the side to avoid the rose, making an awkward leap onto a counter, as if it had forgotten it was there, and crouched there as its glowing eyes watched them. Its eyes flickered around the space and realized there wasn't room for her to dodge the way she needed to; never mind being able to fight properly.

It hissed again as the man threw another rose its way and jumped back off the counter and onto the floor before it dashed around the corner and out of sight.

"Come on!" Tuxedo Mask called as he ran forward. "We can't let it out of our sight for long or it might catch us off guard."

"Right!" Sailor Moon said as she hopped over the people on the floor.

She let her tiara morph back into a glowing object as she followed her masked companion and placed it back on her forehead as the light disappeared. She slipped behind the counter and swerved around the corner, and continued to follow Tuxedo Mask as she saw the tail end of his cape before it passed out of her sight.

She turned the corner where he had gone and realized it was a stairway, so she hurried up and quickly yet cautiously moved through the doorway just after he did and immediately saw that they were on the roof. She hadn't seen a door when she was on the roof, but as they moved around the door structure to the wider part of the roof she realized she had seen the back of the structure and had dismissed it.

Sailor Moon made a mental note not to do that again before she moved next to Tuxedo Mask and focused on the disguised monster standing practically on the other side of the roof.

The disguised monsters eyes began to glow brighter and its body soon followed, green light surrounding it until they had to squint their eyes since neither of them was going to close their eyes in front of an enemy.

When the light cleared the monster was no longer disguised as a woman. It was still obviously female, but was now an odd looking half cat half human person; literally.

The top half was a pale human female with long wavy red hair with pointed cat ears covered in reddish brown fur on top of her head, lime green eyes with narrow black pupils, claws on her fingers, and wearing some kind of tube top. From the waist down, just below the stomach, skin shifted into short reddish brown fur, and there were human sized cat hind legs with a long skinny tail moving idly behind it.

The monster grinned at them, showing she had fangs in her mouth to go with her feline appearance, and swung her clawed hands at them as if she was swiping at them. Once again green energy blades came flying at them and they quickly dodged to the sides to avoid them.

Tuxedo Mask immediately began to launch rose after rose at the monster and frowned, his eyes narrowing behind his white mask, when the feline monster easily dodged each and every one. Practically dancing around them while barely moving from where it stood.

Sailor Moon took off her tiara again, idly glancing at it as it began to glow before returning her eyes to the monster. As she watched the monster dodge Tuxedo Mask's roses she was once again frustrated to know that she only had her tiara and could do nothing more to help.

If she threw her tiara and missed the monster then that was it. She had no other attacks available to her. She would either have to get her tiara back or fight it physically up close. Fighting it up close had to be a last resort, but if she got her tiara back and used it she could be in the same position she started with if she missed the monster.

And that's if I managed to catch my tiara when it comes back. This monster could always make it so I have to dodge an attack. Will my tiara come to me even then? She wondered as she looked at her tiara, now a glowing disk floating above her fingertips.

She shook her head and focused back on the fight. She was sure she would find out the answer to her question during the heat of the fight. If not during this one then surly one of the next ones. Right now she needed to join Tuxedo Mask, and not leave him to do all the fighting.

Sailor Moon narrowed her eyes slightly and threw her tiara toward the monster hoping it was distracted enough not to notice the glowing disk heading in its direction. She watched as the monster flicked its tail around its body and flicked her tiara away as if it was waving away a fly then swipe its claws at her sending energy blades her way.

She dodged out of the way and frowned at the monster. Her tiara obviously hadn't gotten the job done, but it let her know that the monsters tail was much sturdier then the rest of its body. This meant she needed to make sure she didn't get hit with it if the monster decided to use it that way.

Looking around for her tiara she found it circling above her, and as soon as she realized that it came down to her. She grabbed it and let it hover above her hand again as she focused back on the monster.

She was glad her tiara would seemingly follow her around and wait for her to notice it if she missed its initial return, but it still didn't change the fact that it was her only weapon and she could easily be screwed if her reaction time wasn't quick enough if the weapon missed.

Is it possible I have other attacks available to me and just don't know how to access them or is this tiara really all I have? She wondered as she tried to see a way she could attack the monster and not miss.

Sailor Moon sighed quietly as she saw that there was no way. If the monster deflected her attack again that was that, and she knew just as quickly that she was going to have to get close and fight the monster physically to have a chance at defeating it since long rang wasn't working. Even Tuxedo Mask's roses kept getting dodged.

She carefully moved closer to Tuxedo Mask glad that the monster wasn't attacking her even though it could clearly see her as it avoided the weaponized flowers.

"I'm going to attack the monster up close since long rang isn't working." She said in a low tone.

"Alright." Tuxedo Mask said as he glanced to her. "I'll watch your back."

Sailor Moon smiled in thanks before she launched her tiara and ran behind it toward the monster. Just as she thought would happen the monster deflected it with its tail, but thankfully Tuxedo Mask had thrown some of his roses at it which distracted it enough for her to get to it without being attacked.

She slowed to a stop and already the monster had its hands up, its fingers curved so the claws were pointed at her. It swung a hand at her, clearly intending to at the very least scratch her and at worse flay her skin open, but she blocked it with her forearm at its wrist and swung a punch at its face. The monster caught her wrist and began to bring its other hand forward, and she quickly pushed the arm to the side toward the monsters body to avoid getting clawed in the face.

In the next moment she kicked the monster in its side causing it to stumble slightly to the side while releasing her wrist. Just as quickly though its tail swung around toward her. She stopped thinking in that moment and just reacted on the instincts she had since they were faster than her thoughts.

She moved to the side away from the whipping tail coming toward her and grabbed onto it with both hands. She pulled sharply, causing the monster to turn its back on her uncontrollably with a hiss, and then pulled harder and swung the monster around and let it fly through the air.

Tuxedo Mask took that opportunity to launch a series of roses at the monster since it couldn't avoid them while in midair, and Sailor Moon looked up and grabbed her tiara as it sped toward her as soon as she acknowledged it was there and quickly launched it at the monster.

The monster cried out as it was pierced by the roses, but still managed to twist and land on its hind legs and hands and crouch low just to avoid the glowing disk as it whizzed by. It hissed angrily and swiped a clawed hand toward Tuxedo Mask sending its green energy blades at him.

Tuxedo Mask easily jumped over the attack and rained down roses on the monster as he came back down to the roof.

Sailor Moon caught her tiara as it returned to her and shifted it until it was floating above her fingertips before she once again ran toward the monster; still convinced that fighting it up close was the only way to defeat it.

She watched as the monster got to its feet and began avoiding and deflecting the falling roses then just as she got close it swung its claws at her. The green energy blades instantly came streaking out toward her and she once again stopped thinking and relied on her instincts.

She dropped to the ground and slid beneath the attack and as she moved by the monster she shocked herself by swiping her tiara across the monsters legs cutting them in half and causing the monster to fall with a hissing cry of pain.

Sailor Moon quickly got to her feet as she spun around, and threw her tiara down at the monsters chest before it could react even more; the spinning disk cutting into its chest and continuing deeper and deeper.

The two warriors listened as the monster cried out in pain before it shifted into a scream, and watched as its skin and fur began to darken to gray as it grew silent. Within moments its body slowly began to crumble; each piece disintegrating as it came away from the main body until the monster was gone entirely as if it had never existed.

Sailor Moon stared down at the spot where the monster had been, not seeing her tiara, as her mind flashed back to her tiara cutting into the monsters legs. It had happened so quickly but she remembered the pieces had fallen over before the monster fell.

Tuxedo Mask looked over at his companion before he stepped forward and knelt down. He picked up her tiara, the piece of jewelry no longer glowing, and stood back up. He turned to her and put a hand on her shoulder, and watched as she blinked up at him with wide eyes.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"I cut off its legs." She said in an almost blank tone. "There was blood. There was never blood before. They just turned gray and began to disintegrate." She added.

"It was a disturbing sight to be sure," He said as he gently placed her tiara back on her forehead. "but you must remember that it was a monster. A monster that was more than willing to slice you to pieces with its attack. You simply got to it first."

"And may I say that you reacted very well and very quickly." Tuxedo Mask added with a smile. "I am proud of you."

"Thank you." Sailor Moon said with a blush, and then sighed. "I wish I had another weapon beyond my tiara. It's starting to get frustrating that I don't have anything else to use."

"I can understand." He said with a nod. "My roses did not seem to be as effective against that monster, but it is what I have so I must make due."

"Then I guess I have to as well; especially since there's nothing I can do about it." She said with a sigh. "Well, thank you for the help." She said sincerely as she gave him a light smile.

"You are welcome." He said with a slight nod. "Until next time." He added before he turned and began to run along the rooftop and jumped to the next one in the original direction she had come from.

Sailor Moon blinked and turned and ran toward the back of the rooftop and jumped to the next rooftop as she began to head away from the fight scene. She needed to get home quick so she could call Darien and apologize again for leaving like she had.