THE DAY AND NIGHT:  EVOLUTIONS SERIES
 
BOOK ONE:   BLACK MOON
By Princess Destiny
[ princessdestiny@hotmail.com ]
 
***
Prologue
***
"You cannot see each other any more" Queen Serenity's words rang through 
the hall. Any whispers that had started upon the entrance of the Queen had 
quieted. Any rumors to the topic of discussion halted. If there was 
anything the courtiers had expected to hear from the Moon Queen, it had 
not been this.

"Mother-you cannot be serious!" Princess Serenity cried out. ["Mother!"] 
Her hand reached up to grasp Endymion's arm in a frantic grip. This could 
NOT be happening! Their engagement had just been announced the night 
before at a great ball. It had been a momentous occasion, the joining 
between the Moon Kingdom and the Golden Kingdom of Earth. Never before had 
this sort of union been considered, and even more rare, that the Princess 
and Prince had been in love.

"My decision is final, Princess Serenity" The Queen said firmly. Her 
silver eyes softened slightly as she gazed into her daughter's tearful 
blue eyes. ["There is nothing to be done, daughter"] She murmured quietly 
into the Princess' mind. 

["This cannot be!"] Serenity whispered, her mental tone anguished. 

Almost unnoticed, the courtiers of the Earth slipped from the room, 
sensing something huge was about to happen in the Silver Millennium. If 
the Queen of the Moon Kingdom was breaking of relations AND her daughters 
engagement with Earth-

"May I ask why, your majesty?" Prince Endymion spoke for the first time. 
His tone seemed detached, but the Queen could see his eyes clearly and 
they were filled with an anguish to match the Princess'.

"Endymion" Serenity said informally, tone gentle. "Metallia had risen once 
more. There have been reports from my own sources that many of Earth are 
with her, under her power. How can I keep my people and my daughter safe, 
if I allow ANY from Earth here in my Kingdom? None can be trusted, when 
dark powers are at work. Many could not withstand the mind control of the 
Dark Kingdom"

"I see" The Prince nodded slowly. Then he turned his head to look at his 
love. He would not see her again for perhaps months. Maybe even years. Who 
could say how long the battle would go?

"NO!" Princess Serenity cried out. "This cannot be allowed to happen! Say 
that it is not true, Mother!"

"Serenity!" The Queen's voice lashed out like a whip. To disobey the Queen 
in public was a sever breach of protocol. Even IF she was the Princess' 
Mother.

"Yes, Mother" The Princess said proudly, tilting her head. "I am sorry"

Queen Serenity looked down from the dais, over the heads of her daughter 
and her love. Her face was calm and yet, eyes were steely with resolution. 
"Let it be known, that all Terrans henceforth that are found on the Moon 
Kingdom, are to severely punished. They will be taken as spies for the 
Dark Kingdom and treated accordingly as traitors to the crown" She looked 
at them all, eyes sweeping over their faces compassionately now. "You have 
until the Sun reaches it's zenith over the Earth"

["This is a nightmare! Endymion is no spy"] Serenity said, mental voice 
filled with tears. Her head lowered, clinging closer to her Prince. "No. 
Not this"

"Serenity" Endymion said quietly. He put a hand under her chin, forcing 
her face upwards gently. Then he gazed into her tearful eyes. "This has to 
be, Princess. It won't be forever"

"No. Not forever, Prince Endymion" The Queen said. She rose gracefully to 
her feet, looking at the courtiers briefly. "All of you, spread the word 
over the Kingdom to all parts. My decree must be heard by all, so that the 
Terrans have a fair chance to leave. Not ALL here are guilty, but be 
assured that there ARE spies of the Dark Kingdom amongst us. Even our 
people"

A steady murmur rose as the courtiers all glanced at each other, wondering 
if one of their number might be spy. Then, as one, they turned and swiftly 
left the hall. The Queen gestured to the guards, who quietly left and 
closed the great doors to the hall behind them. "Now" Serenity said, 
coming down the steps of the dais to the two there. 

"Mother?" The Princess said, lifting her face up towards the Queen. The 
blue eyes swam with tears freely, now that it was only the three of them.

"I am sorry,, Serenity. Endymion. You must understand. To have your 
engagement go forward when out worlds are at war would be foolish. You 
must see that your wedding would be the perfect means of destroying the 
ruling monarchy in this Solar System"

"What do you mean, Mother?" The Princess questioned, eyes widening.

Endymion had been looking narrowly at the Queen. "I understand, Princess" 
He said coolly, eyes burning a furious blue. But not aimed at the lovely 
Queen. "You, I, Queen Serenity and both of my parents would have attended 
the wedding"

"And because Serenity is the crown princess, the monarchs of the other 
planets would have attended" The Queen added quietly.

The Princess still looked bewildered. Then, slowly, it dawned upon her 
what they were saying. "They would kill us all!"

"Without mercy, daughter" Queen Serenity nodded her head. "In one swift 
blow, they would have rule of the System. By one act alone"

"Then" The Princess swallowed. "We shall not marry. For now"

"For now" The Queen and Prince Endymion murmured.

Princess Serenity looked at her Mother. "Can I-say goodbye to him, 
Mother?"

"Of course, Serenity. But do not be long. If you love your Prince, as I 
know you do, you must guarantee his safe passage by an early leaving of 
the Moon"

"The zenith is in less than three hours" Endymion said.

"My heart goes with you Prince" The Queen said softly. She stepped close, 
pressing her lips to his forehead briefly. For a heartbeat, a silver 
symbol for Earth appeared on his forehead, then disappeared. The Queen 
smiled bitter-sweetly at them both, then left the hall by a passage behind 
the throne.

Once alone, the two stood quietly.

["There MUST be something I can do. Endymion will be separated from me for 
a very long time. I will not let him go alone-"]

"What are you thinking Serenity?" Endymion said sternly. He looked into 
his love's eyes and saw mischief and determination there.

She grabbed his hand quickly, smiling sweetly. "Come with my, my love. I 
have an idea" She breathed. 

Endymion followed as she led him through a side door. Along a corridor and 
up some stairs, they went. They took so many corridors, turns and stairs 
that Endymion lost his way. "Where are we going, Serenity?" He questioned, 
feeling a slight unease.

"It is a surprise, Endymion" She smiled at him reassuringly. "It is 
something that will keep you in my heart always. And I in yours"

"You are always in my heart already, Princess" He said softly, smiling 
back gently.

"Come, Prince" She teased, pressing against a seemingly solid section of 
wall. Beneath her hand the stones began to glow silver and then the wall 
slid back. The Princess immediately went inside the darkened chamber, 
taking the Prince with her. 

He blinked as the wall slid back into place, leaving them in darkness. "I 
cannot see anything"

"It is not for ling" She promised, leading him blindly forward. 
Apparently, the Princess could see very well in the surrounding darkness. 

Endymion walked behind her until he saw a faint light ahead. Gradually, it 
became more light and he could see a chamber ahead. Suddenly, they stepped 
into the chamber. Endymion looked around and gasped. Th chamber was domed, 
pillars of pure white marble stretching towards the ceiling. Across the 
domed roof was the night sky, stars scattered brilliantly amongst-all nine 
planets of the System. They were painted in perfect detail. In the center 
of the room was an alter of sorts, made of the same pure white marble. And 
there, glowing a foot from it's surface was the most beautiful thing he 
had ever seen. It was like a large diamond, but glowed with an incredible, 
impossible power. "What IS it?" He gasped, enthralled.

"The power behind the throne of Serenity. The guardian of the Silver 
Millennium. It is older than time itself and passed from Mother to 
daughter" The Princess let go of his hand, walking forwards gracefully to 
the alter. 

To Endymion, the Princess seemed to also be surrounded by the silver light 
of the jewel. it glowed all around her, in a comforting light as she 
reached for it. The Prince held his breath, aware of being in the presence 
of great power.

"It is the Silver Imperium Crystal" Serenity's fingers closed around the 
Crystal, bringing it down from it's height. It rested in the palm of her 
hand as she turned towards him, smiling with joy. "Only those of the Royal 
Moon family can touch this Crystal. It means death to any other"

"Perhaps you should not be touching it, Serenity" Endymion felt a disquiet 
as she walked towards him. He was also wary after her words. She was, 
after all, bringing it towards him!

"It is quite safe, unless you seek to touch it" She laughed, a musical 
sound. The Princess stopped a foot from her Prince, the crystal in the 
hands cupped between their bodies. "Please Silver Crystal, help us. Keep 
our hearts together always-"

["Serenity! What have you done?"] Her Mother's voice sounded in her ears, 
sounding frightened and disbelieving. 

The Princess knew her Mother was close and glanced down the passage behind 
Endymion. She hurried her words, not letting Endymion know the true danger 
of HER touching the Crystal. It had not been passed onto her by her 
Mother- "Let us be together for all eternity! Never let anything come 
between us and no matter how far apart we become, let us always find each 
other again!"

"Serenity!" Queen Serenity called out, coming into the chamber quickly. 
Artemis and Luna were with her.

Endymion whirled, his back to the Princess. "Queen Serenity" He said, 
flinching as he saw the terrible look in her eyes. It suddenly clicked 
that the Princess had done something-forbidden. He turned back to the 
Princess quickly, in time to see the Silver Crystal glow with a blinding 
Light.

"Silver Crystal, I evoke thee! Moon Crystal Power!" Princess Serenity's 
words echoed around the Chamber.

"NO!" Queen Serenity cried out.

The glow faded, revealing the Princess smiling triumphantly. "Now we can 
never be separated. Not even by time"

"What have you DONE, Serenity?" The Queen said, silver eyes glittering 
with fear.

Abruptly, the Crystal flared. They all turned to look at it as it floated 
from the Princess' hand. And then-there was a terrible sound as the 
Crystal cracked.

"Great Selene!" Luna shouted, horrified. "The Crystal!"

"Mother!" The Princess screamed as two bright lights broke from the 
Crystal, shooting swifter than the eye could follow into the bodies of 
Endymion and herself. Both were thrown backwards, unconscious.

Queen Serenity reached up for the Crystal, which fell back to it's faint 
glow. She studied it closely as Luna and Artemis checked the Prince and 
Princess. The Crystal seemed undamaged, the crack having disappeared. But 
the fact still remained that two parts of the Crystal were now inside her 
daughter and Endymion's bodies. The Queen placed the Crystal back onto the 
alter and then knelt beside her daughter. "Oh Serenity. Did you love him 
this much?" She whispered.

"The Crystal, Queen Serenity. Is it-damaged?" Artemis said slowly.

"It seems to be all right-" The Queen began.

"It is irreparably damaged" A voice said from the shadows. The three 
watched as Sailor Pluto stepped out into the light. "The Silver Crystal 
will never be the same again. Not for a millennia"

"But-the battle" Queen Serenity said quietly. She looked into Pluto's eyes 
and saw an ageless sorrow.

"The Crystal has been weakened" The Scout of Time said simply. 

Nothing more need be said. Serenity understood completely. Her daughter, 
through her love of the Prince, had destroyed them all. The Queen looked 
down at Endymion's body coldly. He had been part of this. So be it. "Take 
him back to Earth and give him to his Kingdom, Artemis" She spoke softly.

"Yes my Queen" the white cat blurred, becoming human. He slid his arms 
under the Prince's body and lifted him easily. Then the golden crescent 
moon on his forehead glowed, consuming them both. The Prince and the 
white-haired man disappeared.

"I will take the Princess" Luna said slowly, becoming human also.

When they had gone, Queen Serenity sank to her knee's before the Scout of 
time, face devastated. "She does not and perhaps never will know what she 
has done this day"

"I know" Pluto said solemnly.

"Tell me Pluto" The Queen slowly, raising her eyes to meet Pluto's red 
one's. "I am to die, am I not? And my Kingdom with me"

"I-" Sailor Pluto hesitated.

"Do not answer, my friend" Serenity whispered, getting to her feet. She 
stood tall, acting the Queen she was. A doomed Queen for a doomed 
civilization. "I can see the answer in your eyes"

"Then, I have not broken any of the rules" Pluto said, smiling faintly. 
The staff in her hand glowed red for a moment. "I will return, Serenity" 
Then she also disappeared.

The Queen stood there, bathed in the light of the Silver Crystal, for a 
long moment. She knew her duty. She would protect her daughter and their 
people until her last breath...

***

The sword was stuck right through his chest. It had pierced through his 
armor like a knife through silk. Serenity felt her own heart die then. 
Without Endymion, there was nothing. She had stood frozen until that 
moment, like a motionless statue, but now a cry burst from her revealing 
all the agony and horror and heartbreak that she was feeling.

"Endymion! NO!"

Unnoticed, her grip on the Star Locket had become loose. As the Princess 
fled towards her fallen Prince, then locket flew from her hands. It fell 
slowly, playing the Prince and Princess' song for the last time. As it 
reached it's last notes, the Locket hit the stones on the ground, 
shattering into a thousand pieces. Never to play again...

"Serenity! NOOOO!"

***

"The Crystal wasn't at it's full strength, My Queen" Pluto murmured 
solemnly. Her red eyes were blank, as if trying to hide her emotions.

Queen Serenity smiled slightly, even that small movement cost her agony. 
Truly, the Silver Crystal asked a terrible price for it's powers. But to a 
Serenity, daughter of Serenity, it should not have been so. "I know 
Setsuna. I knew when we caught Serenity and Endymion. She did not realize 
what she had done-" The words trailed off weakly, as the beautiful Queen 
coughed up a small amount of blood.

Sailor Pluto put down the Time Staff, moving to kneel beside her fallen 
Queen. She put a gloved hand to her short skirt and ripped off a piece 
roughly. "Stay still Serenity" She said gently, leaning over the pillar on 
which the Queen's body rested. She daubed softly around Serenity's mouth, 
taking all traces of blood with it.

"Thank you, old friend." Serenity murmured. The light in her silver eyes 
began to fade, taking the soul with it. The Queen raised a slender hand 
with difficulty, grasping Sailor Pluto's wrist in a surprisingly firm 
grip. "You must take care of her also, Pluto. I haven't sent Artemis and 
Luna to find her, when a millennium has passed. But you must guard her 
also"

"Of course, Serenity" Pluto swore, eyes filling with a betraying wetness. 
To see her beloved Queen thus, hurt her more than she had hurt in a 
thousand years or more. Even though she knew what would come of this 
sacrifice. "You will watch over her also"

"What?" Serenity blinked at Pluto, perplexed.

"Your spirit is connected ever to the energy of the Silver Crystal" Pluto 
explained, staring into the silver eyes before her. "When the Scouts are 
awakened once more, your spirit will rise"

"Then" Serenity's eyes closed peacefully, the words falling from her 
trembling lips. "I will see her again, one day"

"Yes. One day" Pluto smiled. She continued to watch her Queen for a long 
moment, waiting. Slowly, her smile faded as she noticed the eyelids of her 
beautiful Queen had not again opened. She tremblingly reached forwards, 
fingers wrapping around Serenity's wrist. The Scout bowed her head, 
sighing silently.

Slowly, stately, the Scout of Pluto went about her duty. She gently picked 
up the body of her Queen and walked through the ruins to where the Temple 
of Selene had rested. It was nothing more than a few pillars now, but had 
once been the center of the Moon Palace. Gently, she lay down Serenity on 
the ground and went back to get her Staff. She pointed it carefully, 
drawing in the power. "Dead scream!" Purple energy shot out, blowing the 
rubble out of the way. Pluto gestured. A slab in the smooth floor slid 
back silently, revealing a stone staircase beneath. Pluto picked up the 
Queen carefully once more and descended the stairs. The chamber beyond was 
darkened. A look at the garnet orb and it became to glow brightly, 
illuminating everything in red.

The room had once been domed, but now, not much remained. The mural on the 
roof had almost fallen completely to rubble, leaving the marble bare. Many 
pillars had fallen also. But the alter, where the silver Crystal had 
rested was in one piece. There, the Scout of Time placed her beloved 
Queen. She crossed the slender arms over the chest, then stroked the 
silver bangs back from Serenity's cold forehead. The golden crescent moon 
had dimmed, but still rested proudly on the Queen's brow.

Pluto stepped back, bowing her head in respect for a long moment. "Goodbye 
my Queen" A lone tear fell from Sailor Pluto's eyes. No matter how long 
she had known this would happen, she would always grieve this moment in 
time the most. "We will meet again-in a thousand years"

***

Chapter One

***

Serena walked swiftly down the sidewalk, blue eyes gleaming with 
excitement. Her bag dangled from the slender fingers of her left hand, an 
ice cream in her right. Amy walked close beside her, trying to keep up. 

"Can you walk a little slower please, Serena?" The blue-haired girl asked 
with slight desperation. Her feet were almost tripping over themselves in 
an effort to keep up with her blonde friend. Amy's bag was clutched to her 
chest, blue eyes anxious. Serena turned her head and smiled brightly.

"Why? It's a great day Ames" Serena gestured with her ice cream towards 
the clear blue sky. Her eyes were lit, as always with an innocent delight 
of life that at times made Amy envious. "There's no more School for today. 
Lighten up!"

"I AM lightening up" Amy said calmly. She deliberately slowed down her 
pace so that Serena was forced to slow also. "I've got a computer course 
in-" She looked down at her watch. "Twenty-five minutes"

"So you can come with me to the Arcade" Serena finished for her 
mischievously. Her eyes glinted as she spun around so that she was walking 
backwards. Amy watched with some trepidation, her friend's clumsy nature 
well known to her. 

"Watch where you're going, Serena" Amy murmured absently. She reached into 
her School bag and brought out a book. Serena glanced at it distrustfully, 
nose wrinkling. The before Amy could gasp, the blonde had snatched it from 
her hand.

"No studying before class...come on!" Serena called out gleefully. She 
turned and dashed off up the sidewalk. Amy gaped after for a moment.

"SERENA!" She shouted indignantly, running after the blonde. Serena 
grinned over her shoulder, making sure that Amy was following. She 
finished off her ice cream while still running and glanced down at the 
book in her hand.

"Basic computing" Serena read out-loud. She grimaced. Computers were more 
Amy's thing than hers were. She looked up and stopped when she saw that 
she was just around the corner from the Arcade. Amy was just a few feet 
behind.

"Serena. Don't do that again" Amy admonished. Serena turned her head, 
sticking her tongue out as her friend finally caught up. She gave the book 
back to Amy quickly and winked.

"Now we're hear sooner and we can play more games" Serena told her with a 
smile. Amy shook her head, blue locks falling into her eyes.

"I don't play video games Serena, you know that" The genius reminded her 
as they turned towards the doors of the Crown Games Arcade. Serena noticed 
there were people hanging around the place. More than usual. It was 
crowded. 

"Gee, you think there's something going on?" Serena wondered with 
interest. Amy nodded, going up on the heels of her school shoes to see 
over the people's heads. The doorway was full of milling people and the 
two girls could hear the sound of many people inside. They exchanged a 
glance. Serena grinned.

"I'll find out!" She announced. The blonde turned to the nearest guy and 
tapped on his shoulder. "Hey, what's going on?"

The guy turned, frowning down at her. Serena noticed immediately that he 
was good-looking and blushed. Serena knew Amy wouldn't be looking at the 
guy in THAT way, so couldn't ask her what she thought of him.

"Some sort of competition" He said shortly and turned away. Serena stuck 
her tongue out at him, deciding he reminded her too much of Sammy.

"Jerk" She muttered. She turned to Amy, who was watching with a faintly 
amused smile.

"I heard" Amy murmured. Serena got onto the balls of her feet, trying to 
see over everyone. She jumped around a little, but was really too short to 
see even over people shoulders.

"I want IN!" She demanded after a moment. Her face turned slowly red. 
"There's a game comp and I can't even SEE and-!"

"Lower the decibels Serena!" a voice ordered cheerfully. Lita pushed her 
way through the crowd easily and smiled at her two friends. "I thought I 
heard your voice"

"It was hard to miss" a familiar annoying voice commented. Serena 
stiffened, already knowing whom it belonged to. Her eyes narrowed.

"Who asked you!" She snapped, whirling to face Darian. He grinned 
unpleasantly down at her. Eyes mocking as usual. He was dressed casually 
in black slacks, black t-shirt and his usual green jacket. 

"If it isn't the empty Meatball Head" He said. Serena glanced at her 
friend's and saw with disgust that Lita was watching Darian with a star-
struck look. It made her even angrier.

"Don't CALL me that!" Serena shouted at him furiously. He laughed, eyes 
glinting. She turned her back on him, pushing her way through the crowd. 
Serena boiled inside. He was such a conceited JERK!

"Excuse me. Outta my way!" She called, thrusting her way past people. She 
finally made her way into the crowded room and her eyes went wide. It was 
over-flowing with people. Her blue eyes scanned the place and saw that the 
attention as centered around three video games.

"I haven't noticed them before" She said to herself.

"That's 'cause they're new" Andrew said, appearing at her side. He smiled 
at all the people happily. "Best thing I ever did too!"

Serena's eyes gleamed. "Are they Sailor V?" She squealed eagerly. Andrew 
shook his head. He raised his eyes towards the closest of the games.

"Nah, something new. It's called Energy Darian" Serena stared at him for a 
moment, not sure she's heard right.

"Weird name" she commented. Andrew nodded, running a harried hand through 
his orange hair. He looked tired, though happy, Serena noted.


"Yeah, but it sure got the crowd. Almost as soon as I opened up"

Serena crossed her arms, eyes thoughtful. She frowned and then her eyes 
began to water as she looked around. "It's too crowded. I'll never get a 
go" She wailed. Andrew gave her an apologetic look.

"Sorry Serena-gotta go" He moved into the crowd and was swallowed. Serena 
stood there, ignoring everyone. She'd get a go if it killed her!

"Oooh, I gotta get a go" She bit her nail nervously.

"You won't get near it, give it up girl" Lita said. She and Amy stood next 
to Serena. The blue-haired girl looked harried. She checked her watch and 
sighed.

"I've got to go guys. See you at school tomorrow?"

"You bet" Lita grinned and took Serena's arm. "Come on Serena. We'll walk 
you there Amy"

"But-" Serena protested, fighting against the hold. "I want to play the 
new game!"

"No Serena" Lita told her. Serena looked appealingly at Amy.

"No" Amy agreed. They pulled the blonde through the crowd, but it wasn't 
an easy task. Amy looked around, trying to keep her head above everyone's 
shoulders. "Is it my imagination or is it even more crowded?"

"Yeah...looks like everyone from School's here" Lita said slowly.

"Everyone?" Serena questioned, staring around. "Hey, you're right. There's 
Molly"

She pointed to the far side of the Arcade, where the three could see 
Melvin and the red-haired girl together. Serena's eyes narrowed.

"They got a good place too" She grumbled. There was no answer from Lita 
and after a moment, Amy and Serena looked up at their tall friend. Lita 
was staring at the 'Energy Darian' game closest them with a blank 
expression on her face.

"Lita?" Serena waved her hand in front of Lita's face and the brunette 
snapped out of her trance. 

"Hehe, sorry 'bout that guys" Lita said in slight confusion. "I spaced 
there for a second"

"No more than Serena does at the sight of a game" Amy said seriously. 
Serena glared at them both indignantly.

"I do not, Amy!" She hesitated. "Well, maybe"

"No maybe's about it, Meatball Head" Darian said from behind her. He had 
to raise his voice slightly to be heard over the crowd, but Serena heard 
him loud and clear. She whirled on him, glare intensifying.

"Are you following me or something?" She demanded. Darian stared down his 
nose at her.

"Why would I do a thing like that?" He asked her mockingly. Serena turned 
red in the face.

"Why you-" She began. Just then Amy gave a little scream.

"Oh my god! The Computer class, I am so late" She cried. 

Oh right. Serena winced. They'd completely forgot Amy's class! She grabbed 
Amy's hand and pulled her through the crowd, Lita close behind.

"See you!" Lita called back to Darian. Serena scowled as they pushed their 
way out of the Arcade. Why was Lita even talking to that jerk? She hadn't 
realised she had even spoken aloud until Lita answered her.

"He reminds me of my old boyfriend"

"Whaaat?" Serena shouted. "You have GOT to be kidding me!"

Lita rubbed the back of her head as they rushed down the street with Amy 
between them. "Well, actually...Darian's a lot cuter"

"Ewww!" Serena protested loudly. "The words Darian and CUTE do NOT go 
tother in once sentence Lita!"

"Amy?" Lita appealed. Amy shook their hands loose, dashing towards a 
building. She turned once before disappearing inside. 

"I'm sorry-I'm really late you guys"

Serena and Lita watched till their friend had disappeared and then turned 
back towards the Arcade. Serena's feet dragged a little, bag trailing 
carelessly from her fingers. Lita flashed her a glance.

"What's up?" She teased lightly. Serena threw her a sad look.

"Just that I look forward to the Arcade and Andrew after school and now 
it's so crowded I can't even play! What am I going to do now?" She 
complained. Lita blinked at her, thinking.

"Buy you an ice cream?"

"I've already had one-" Serena began. She grinned. "What am I saying. I 
never give up an ice cream. You're on!"

***

The sun was beginning to go down, the first shadows of night closing in. 
Serena barely noticed. Lita had gone home an hour ago, but Serena hadn't 
wanted to go. There were few people out this late, only those coming home 
from a day of work. A man in a briefcase and coat gave Serena a glance, 
but she never noticed as she passed him. She sighed and raised her head. 
Her mom would be furious when she got home finally, but Serena just hadn't 
felt up to explaining her latest test paper.

"She'd have just thrown me outside anyway" Serena said miserably. She bit 
her lip and tightened her grip on her bag slightly. Her eyes lit up. "Hey, 
maybe the Arcade is empty now" She exclaimed.

Serena looked around and realised she was about a block from the Arcade. 
Her steps picked up and soon she was hurrying towards her favourite place. 
Sometimes Andrew kept the place open late. It was half a cafe after all 
and a lot of adult customers came after school hours. As she neared the 
place, she saw that it had emptied quite a lot. The lights were on out 
front; chairs set out for people eating outside. Serena walked up to the 
doors and peered inside. Her face fell as she saw that the Arcade part had 
closed down, all the games off.

"I was too late!" she muttered angrily. Serena hesitated, then sighed and 
walked forward. The glass doors opened for her and she stepped past a 
couple ordering at the counter. Andrew was there, serving food. She tried 
to signal him, but he was too busy.

"He's working Meatball Head. What do you want?" an annoying voice asked 
her. Serena whirled around to see Darian, sitting at a table behind her. 
He had books all over the table, a cup of coffee in one hand. Serena stuck 
her nose in the air, immediately on the defence around him.

"I have a right to be here to, Darian Chiba!" She told him haughtily. He 
chuckled, blue eyes on her face in amusement. After a moment, she turned 
her eyes back to look at him and saw that his attention was on his books. 
She fumed for a moment.

"What are you doing?" She demanded, hovering near the table. Darian 
glanced up briefly.

"Studying. Which Is what people do when they want to leave School" he 
raised an eyebrow in her direction, sipping from his cup. "You could take 
some hints here, Meatball Head"

"Don't CALL me that!" She shouted at him angrily. Here eyes blazed. "And I 
KNOW what studying is"

He nodded patronisingly. "Uh huh"

"You-you...jerk" She muttered under her breath. A shadow fell over her and 
she glanced up to see Andrew there. He smiled at her warmly and she 
flushed.

"Serena. I thought I heard your voice" He said pleasantly. Darian snorted.

"Wail you mean" He commented. Andrew laughed lightly, patting Serena's 
shoulder.

"Don't be so mean to her Dar" He said jokingly. Serena blushed.

"I can...handle it" She said awkwardly. 

"She can handle it" Darian agreed. He closed his book and looked up at his 
friend inquiringly. "You taking a br4ak so we can go over this?"

Andrew nodded. "Yeah, just a sec. You want a drink Serena?" He offered.

Serena beamed. "Cocoa?" She said hopefully. Andrew smiled and ruffled her 
fringe in a brotherly way.

"You got it. Just sit with Darian and I'll be right back"

Serena waited till Andrew had gone and rolled her eyes in dismay. "Do I 
have to?" She asked the air, eying Darian's table.

"Ditto on that Meatball Head" He told her in amusement, leaning back in 
his chair. Serena glared at him and deliberately took the seat across the 
table from him. The further the better. She put her bag by her feet and 
sat nervously on the edge, waiting. It was bad enough that she was out 
without permission, but sitting with Darian was even WORSE! She really 
hated the guy.

"So" Darian said after a long moment. "How ARE the grades going?"

Serena glared at him indignantly. "It's none of your business" She 
snapped. Darian closed his eyes and smiled with satisfaction. He leaned 
back easily and crossed a leg over the other.

"As I thought" He murmured. 

"What's THAT supposed to mean?" Serena almost shrieked at him. Strangely 
incensed by his manner. Andrew came hurrying back, two steaming mugs in 
his hands. He placed them on the table and regarded Darian and Serena with 
exasperation.

"I can't leave you two together for a moment, can I?" he demanded. Serena 
blushed bright red, feeling like a little kid caught at fighting.

"Sure I-we can Andrew" She stammered. Darian chuckled and she glared under 
her lashes at him. Andrew shook his head and sipped from his drink 
thoughtfully.

"Serena, how are the grades coming?" He asked her with interest. Serena 
was taking a sip of her cocoa and almost spat it across the room when the 
question was asked.

"Not you TOO!" She wailed. Darian laughed out-right. Andrew looked 
confused.

"What did I say?"

"Andrew, there you are" a woman walked up and Serena looked at her 
enviously. She recognised Rita, Andrew's girlfriend. She leaned over and 
kissed his cheek lightly, then sat down in a spare chair.

"Rita. I thought you were working late" Andrew said. He looked pleased, 
Serena thought with worry. She nibbled on her bottom lip, eyes glued to 
the two.

"This is Rita, Meatball Head" Darian said, almost in her ear. Serena 
jumped and jerked back to see that Darian had leaned forward on the table. 
His elbows rested on his books and she noted absently how slender his 
fingers were. "Andrews GIRLFRIEND" He added with slight emphasis.

Serena glared at him, moving as far back into her seat as she could. 
Taking her eyes from Darian's annoyingly smug face, she saw that Rita and 
Andrew were looking at her. Serena blushed and thrust out her hand quickly 
to the woman.

"Hi, I'm Serena" She offered. Rita shook her hand, smiling friendlily. 

"I think I've met one of your friends...Lita, wasn't it?" The red-haired 
woman mused. Serena nodded.

"Uh, yeah" She was remembering a few days ago when Lita had tried to get 
to know what sort of woman Andrew liked. Her friend had pretended to want 
to be an-um, Serena frowned. Arch-ar-something.

"What's wrong Meatball Head? You'll swallow your face with that frown if 
you don't watch it" Darian taunted. His voice broke into her thoughts. She 
ignored him.

"You want to be a um arc.." She stumbled over the name, really trying to 
think.

"Archaeologist" Rita supplied. Serena's frowned cleared.

"Yeah, that's it" She murmured. "How'd you know that Lita was my friend?"

Andrew smiled at her and then at Rita fondly. "I've told her all about you 
guys"

"You-you have?" Serena gasped, flattered. Andrew continued to smile 
charmingly.

"You girls are my favourite customers, you know" He added. Serena's face 
fell.

"Oh" She murmured. She cast her blue eyes about, feeling uncomfortable. So 
it really WAS true. Andrew cared about Rita and Lita and Serena were just 
'customers' to him...Serena glanced outside and gasped as she saw the moon 
in the sky. Daylight had fled completely as they talked.

"Oh my god!" She shrieked, leaping to her feet. "Mom's going to KILL me!"

She pushed her chair back, groping for her school bag. It seemed just 
beyond her reach and she leaned over for it. Darian reached for it at the 
same time and their hands touched briefly. Serena stiffened as a strange 
feeling went up her fingers, like an electric shock. She was so startled 
that she stumbled over her chair when she straitened.

"Arrggggh!" She shouted as she fell back onto the plastic seat. Andrew, 
Rira and Darian laughed. Serena blushed and then went pale; leaping back 
to her feet with her bag clutched at her chest. She couldn't even look at 
them, so embarrassed was she.

"I have to go-bye!" She called, rushing from the place. The glass doors 
almost didn't open and she hesitated, but made it through. Some people 
looked at her with interest as she ran past their tables and down the 
sidewalk. Serena ignored them all, thinking only of getting home. She 
glanced up at the moon as the voices of the cafe faded behind her and the 
cool night air swept over her face. She slowed down, panting slightly.

"Why can't I EVER be graceful?" Serena complained, staring upwards. The 
moon was beautiful that night, she thought. Silver and almost full. The 
night sky was dark, dotted only by a few stars. Serena had passed a few 
blocks when her skin tingled in warning. It was a feeling she knew well, 
danger. 

"Oh boy" She whispered, looking around carefully. The streets were 
relatively deserted, but for a few cars passing here and there. She 
swallowed. The shadows suddenly looked deeper and more scary than usual. 

"I shouldn't have been out so late" She whispered to herself, moving into 
the shadow of a shop. Her eyes scanned the street, seeking the source of 
danger, but could find nothing. She sighed, thinking maybe that she had 
been mistaken. "I'm too nervous is all"

Serena kept to the shadows all the way home, confident in the fact that 
she could defend herself if attacked. One didn't be a super heroine 
without learning SOME things! The lights were on outside her house when 
she got there and Serena hesitated. Before she could raise a hand to 
knock, the door was jerked open. Her Mum stood there, looking anxious.

"Serena! Where have you been?" Ikuko demanded, with a strange mixture of 
anger and relief. Serena flushed guiltily then got an idea.

"I uh, failed another test mom" She admitted, stepping inside. Ikuko's 
eyes changed to anger and Serena held up a hand quickly. "So I went to the 
library and I've been studying"

Ikuko's anger faded slightly as she stared at her daughter. "Oh, Serena" 
She sighed, placing a hand on Serena's shoulder and leading her into the 
lounge room. "I'm proud that you did...but please let me know if you're 
going to study late like this again" 

Serena couldn't believe that it had actually worked and a slight grin 
worked its way onto her mouth. "Sure mom" She said happily, heading for 
the stairs. Ikuko's voice stopped her when she was almost at the top.

"Don't think that's all young lady, I expect you to come down and scrub 
all the vegetables for dinner. And do the dishes after" Ikuko told her. 
Serena winced, but didn't turn. Luna came out onto the landing and watched 
Serena with accusing eyes.

"Sure mom" Serena said quickly. She hurried past Luna, but the cat slipped 
into the room as the door was closing. She jumped onto the bed and 
regarded Serena as the blonde threw down her school bag.

"You can lie to your mother Serena, but I KNOW you weren't studying!" The 
black cat told her sharply. Serena sighed, flopping onto the bed beside 
Luna. The guardian almost went flying, but dug her claws into the cover at 
the last moment.

"Fine. I wasn't" Serena admitted readily. She lay back, staring at the 
roof. Luna was silent for a moment. Then her face came into Serena's view 
above her.

"What's wrong?" Luna asked carefully, sensing Serena's pensive mood. 
Serena blinked at her.

"What do you mean?" She asked, not understanding. Luna shook her head and 
jumped off the bed. She grasped the lock of Serena's bag carefully with 
her teeth and opened it, dragging out a book. Serena turned on her side to 
watch.

"You know, we could still do my idea of opening a circus, Luna" Serena 
suggested mischievously. She raised a hand to toy with a long blonde 
strand of hair absently, blue eyes teasing. Her adviser glared at her.

"Serena! The royal adviser to Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom does NOT 
act like a common cat!" Luna announced haughtily. Serena grinned at her.

"You act almost like a person sometimes Luna" She told her friend. Luna 
glanced at her as she took the small book in her mouth and jumped onto the 
table. She pawed through it till she came to the day's work.

"I wa-never mind" The cat changed her words quickly. Serena noticed, but 
couldn't think what the cat had been going to say. She got to her feet and 
walked over to the table, staring at the homework book with distaste.

"Do I have to?" she whined. Luna's eyes glinted.

"Of course you do, Serena. As a Sailor Scout, your education is very 
important" Luna pointed to a math sum with a slender paw. "This is 
terrible Serena!" She exclaimed, looking at the barely distinguishable 
numbers.

"It's BORING, Luna!" Serena complained. She took off her uniform and flung 
it on the ground carelessly. Luna's eyes popped open in horror.

"Serena! The Moon Broach!" She yelled, leaping for the clothes. Serena 
flushed as the cat fished through the pile and brought out the broach in 
her teeth. She snatched it from Luna quickly and put it on her bedside 
table.

"Sorry, sorry" Serena muttered. Luna scowled at her, somehow looking cute 
despite her expression. The cat and Serena exchanged glances and Luna 
finally looked away, sighing.

"Honestly Serena" She murmured, heading for the windowsill. "If you expect 
to be a better Scout-"

"I'm doing okay" Serena protested. Luna jumped onto the sill, turning 
briefly to glance at the blonde.

"Okay just isn't going to cut it Serena. There will come a day when you 
will need all the skills that you gather as Sailor Moon. You are sworn to 
protect the Moon Princess" Luna shook her head and leapt out into the 
night. "You aren't even trying"

Serena stared after Luna, hurt by the accusation. "I'm trying!" She 
shouted. She stood there, her eyes going by instinct to the Moon Locket. 

"Serena! Come and help with dinner" Her mom's voice broke into her 
thoughts. Serena turned towards the door, giving the open window one last 
look. She'd show Luna. 

***

The Moon was much higher in the sky as Darian pushed away his books. After 
three cups off coffee and heaps of studying, he finally thought he was 
ready for the test on Friday. Andrew wandered over, wiping a cup.

"You finished? It's late" The man commented. Darian gave him a faint grin 
and stretched widely. Muscled screamed at him and he winced with slight 
pain.

"Yeah, I'm wasted. But at least I'm ready" He gave a triumphant smiled. 
Andrew smiled back, sinking into the chair across from his friend. 

"You know Darian, you work too hard. I own the business here, but you work 
almost as hard just to get the grades" Andrew said seriously. He was 
concerned, Darian could see.

"I want to get into medical School, it's as easy as that" Darian told him 
calmly. He gathered his books into a pile and got to his feet. A yawn 
escaped him and he glanced down at the watch on his wrist briefly. A grunt 
of surprise escaped him.

"I told you it was late" Andrew laughed, going back to his counter. Darian 
nodded. The watch had said that it was 1 O'Clock in the morning. Something 
else occurred to him and he looked over to his friend.

"You close at 11, you should have kicked me out" He admonished. Andrew 
smiled easily, shaking his head.

"What are friend's for?" He glanced towards another of the tables and 
Darian saw with surprise that Rita was sitting there, reading a book. 
"Beside's, Rita was here"

"So I see" Darian sigh somewhat wistfully. Andrew looked at him slyly, 
putting the dry dishes away.

"Wish you were in my place?" he said. Darian choked back a laugh, 
incredulous. Him, wanting a girlfriend to complicate his life?

"Not on your life, buddy. There's no WAY I need a girl to ruin my life"

Andrew looked at him with a grin and exchanged a glance with Rita. She 
came up tot eh counter and leaned against it, eyebrows raised.

"That's a novel way to put it" She drawled. Darian grinned tauntingly.

"It's true. Give a girlfriend a chance and she'll take over your 
life...not that you take over Andrews" He finished quickly when Rita 
glared mock-warningly. Andrew laughed, drawing Rita close into a hug.

"There's no way Rita complicates my life. Rather, she makes it complete"

Darian waved it away, a slightly disgusted look in his deep blue eyes. He 
backed towards the door, books held to his chest.

"I don't want to hear it. Really!" He joked. Andrew gave him a smug look, 
joined shortly by Rita at his next words.

"You'll see Darian. One day some girl will come crashing into your life 
and you'll never be able to image life with her!" He called. Darian shook 
his head, walking out the glass doors. They closed behind him and he began 
to walk towards home. He chuckled at the thought of a girlfriend. Not that 
he hadn't given it thought at one stage. It was just that no one seemed to 
suit him. They were too giggly or serious or-or- 

"Never happen!" He repeated sternly. "Absolutely NEVER-" His words were 
broken off by a faint scream and the sound of breaking crockery. Darian 
spun around, realising it had come from the Arcade. He dropped his books 
and ran back to the glass doors, peering inside carefully. The lights had 
been dimmed, Andrew and Rita having about to leave. At first he couldn't 
see anything, but then there was movement from the video games. Darian 
pounded on the glass doors and realised the electricity had been turned 
off.

"Andrew!" He shouted through the crack in the door. Another scream 
sounded, followed by Andrew yelling. Darian backed off and looked around 
quickly. He picked up a chair and stared at the plastic. It wouldn't break 
the door. His eyes lightened on the table frame.

"But metal will" He muttered grimly. Darian kicked off the plastic top of 
the table and picked up the metal frame easily. He swung it towards the 
large glass doors hard. They cracked, but didn't break and he swung again. 
The alarms went off, sounding through the night. It almost obscured the 
sound of breaking glass as the doors finally gave way and shattered. 
Darian was through them in a moment, running towards the sounds of 
fighting. Through the dim light, he caught sight of Andrew wrestling with 
some large guy. Rita was cowering in the corner, holding a hand to a 
bleeding cheek. She saw Darian and her eyes lit up with hope and fear.

"Darian, be careful. It's not-human!" She warned him. Darian stared at her 
momentarily. Not human? He got closer, edging around a video game until he 
got a clear view of who Andrew was fighting. His blue eyes widened 
incredulously. 

"Definitely not human" He agreed. His orange-haired friend was fighting a 
creature that was easily seven feet tall-with only a small knife as a 
weapon against the beast. Darian called it beast because it was covered in 
course brown fur. It hands were at least a big as Andrew's head and the 
claws long and black. Also razor-sharp. Long jagged white teeth sprouted 
in a mass from its long muzzle, it's eye glaring a menacing green.

"Give me your energy!" The monster growled, it's voice like grating metal. 
Darian paused. 

"It talks?" He muttered, unable to think for a moment. Andrew nodded 
dizzily, dodging the large hands trying to grab him.

"It talks, it claws...how do we get rid of it?" He yelled in fear. Darian 
looked around, realising hat there were no weapons he could really use 
against the creature. Only Andrews knife.

"Give me a sec!" He shouted to his friend. Andrew grinned weakly.

"I'm not going anywhere, Darian" He assured. He turned his head to watch 
his friend and the monster swung out, grabbing with his hairy hands. 
Andrew got caught by the apron and was lifted. 

"Hehe" The monster slobbered. It began to glow greenly and Rita screamed 
as Andrew's body was consumed. 

"Jupiter Thunder Crash!" a strong voice called out. Darian watched in 
amazement as the Arcade was lit up with green lightning. It snaked towards 
the monster and consumed him in seconds. Andrew was dropped 
unceremoniously. A figure appeared in the dim light and Darian saw the 
brief flash of white gloves as Andrew was dragged away from the creature.

"Andrew!" He yelled, running after the figure. He raced around a few games 
and came to a dead halt at the sight of two young girls leaning over his 
friend. They both looked up as Rita joined them. The tallest of the girls, 
a brunette with her hair in a ponytail checked Andrew over quickly.

"He seems okay...Mercury?" the girl asked, voice faintly anxious. Darian 
watched in further amazement as the shorter blue-haired girl reached into 
the air around her drew out a compact. No, not a compact, Darian soon 
realised. A computer of sorts. The girl scanned Andrew and nodded quickly.

"Just drained. He'll be fine" She told Rita quietly.

"Mars Fireballs...Strike!" The cry came from behind them. They all whirled 
and Darian saw fire light up the Arcade briefly. There was a bellow of 
anger and pain from the creature.

"Evil Begone!"

The two girls exchanged a quick look.

"I better go help Mars till Sailor Moon gets here" The brunette murmured. 
She rushed out of the safety of the surrounding video games, but the blue-
haired girl stayed behind. Darian studied her, realising finally that 
these girls were the elusive Sailor Scouts Tokyo had heard about. The girl 
wore a clinging white body suit, a short skirt and blue bows. A golden 
tiara was on her forehead, blue boots covering her legs. The other girl 
had been in green and pink. He watched as the Scout bit her lip, listening 
to the fight.

"You should go help" He told her abruptly, certain she ought to be helping 
her friends. She gave him a quick look, then glanced at Andrew doubtfully.

"Go" Rita urged. Andrew nodded weakly.

"I'll be fine" He confirmed, coughing harshly. The Scout nodded and was 
gone, swallowed into the dark of the room. Darian and the other two 
crouched, listening as the girls battled the monster with amazing flashes 
of power lighting up the room. 

"Mercury Bubbles Blast!" came the cry. Darian blinked, feeling the 
temperature into her room suddenly drop to almost freezing. He shivered, 
unable to see anywhere in the room. Suddenly a horrible pain consumed him 
and he fell to his knees.

"Darian?" Andrew cried out, worried. Darian tried to answer, but the 
darkness rushed in on him.

***

Chapter Two

***

"Serena!" Luna's voice came out of the darkness. Serena shot up in bed, 
gasping for breath. Her eyes were wide, staring at nothing. She'd been 
dreaming. Deeply. About a beautiful place. She'd been dancing in someone's 
arms, a person she loved with all her heart-

"Serena!" Luna shouted in her ear. Serena jumped the glared into the black 
of the room. She could barely see her fury companion, the moon having gone 
behind clouds sometime in the night.

"What?" Serena demanded, irritated. Her mind sought after the dream, 
elusive though it was. She'd had such a feeling of belonging. Luna's 
weight on the bedspread disappeared, only to be replaced a moment later. 
Serena saw something glinting faintly in the cat's mouth had reached for 
it curiously.

"Uf ooch oopd" Luna muttered. Serena's hands closed around cool metal. 
Familiar. 

"Oh, my communicator beeped" She said, heart sinking. She'd hoped it 
wasn't something like that. Serena felt for the buttons and pressed Mars. 
After a moment, the Scout came on screen.

"Finally!" The raven-haired girl snapped. Her purple eyes flashed with 
irritation as she glared into the communicator. Serena noted her hair 
looked rather windswept. "We've got trouble down here at the Arcade. Some 
sort of wolf-creature"

Immediately Serena was on the alert. "I'm on my way" She promised. The 
communicator went blank and the blonde leapt out of bed quickly. Luna 
scrambled out of the way, amazed at how quickly Serena threw on her 
clothes.

"You aren't usually this...prompt, Serena" Luna commented, following the 
blonde to the window. Serena glared at her through the darkness, reaching 
for the sill clumsily.

"I'm not totally without responsibility, Luna!" She snapped. Serena 
touched the sill and pulled herself onto it, balancing for a moment. Just 
as she was about to drop, she slipped and fell into the bushes below with 
a crash.

"Arrggggh!" She shrieked. The leaves and branches of her mom's plant bit 
into her and she froze for a moment. Her parents hadn't seemed to have 
heard her and she sighed with relief. Luna dropped down beside her nimbly 
a smirk on her face.

"So I see" She commented. Serena had no time for her and got to her feet, 
wobbling slightly. Something felt...wrong tonight. She paused for a 
moment, then headed off the lawn and down the street. Luna trailed behind. 
At that time of the morning, there was no one around and she reached for 
her broach confidently. She bit her lip as her fingers closed around it. 
She'd never tell Luna, but she'd almost forgotten to pick it up from her 
bedside table on the way out the window!

"Hurry, Serena!" Luna urged, catching up. Serena nodded, holding the 
Broach up to the moon. It glinted eerily, almost seeming to take the 
moonlight into itself.

"Moon Prism Power!" She shouted. As always, the power surged through her, 
giving her confidence. It consumed her and she felt a surge of fierce joy. 
As the power faded, she broke from her pose and continued down the street. 

As Sailor Moon reached turned the corner from the Arcade, she saw what had 
worried Sailor Mars so much. Tables were upturned, shattered glass lying 
all over the sidewalk. Lights were coming crazily from inside, showing the 
Scout's different powers as they battled the monster.

"Ahahaha!" a high voice laughed, annoying familiar. Sailor Moon's eyes 
narrowed.

"Zoisite!" She murmured. Sailor Moon looked down at the black cat at her 
feet. "Luna, I want you to go back home and wait for me there"

Luna looked up at her, eyes worried. "I'd rather see..."

"No" Sailor Moon said with unaccustomed firmness. she startled both her 
and Luna. The blonde touched a gloved hand to Luna's forehead gently, 
tracing the crescent moon there. "I-I just want you at home safe, Luna. So 
I know you're there"

"All right" The adviser agreed, backing away. "For Serenity's sake, be 
careful Sailor Moon"

"I will" Sailor Moon promised. She took a deep breath and ran through the 
doorway, boots crushing glass beneath them. Luckily she hadn't been heard, 
the Scouts repeatedly firing their attacks at something very tall. Sailor 
Moon's eyes widened when she saw the latest monster.

"Eww. Ugly" She muttered, creeping closer. It was really tall, covered in 
fur and looked furious. It's fur showed signs of fire and electricity. 
Sailor Moon scanned the room and saw Zoisite floating a few meters away. 
She was holding a small purple crystal in her hands that looked familiar.

"You Scouts are such a laugh. I don't know why I bother to show up" 
Zoisite sniffed haughtily. Her eyes turned towards the monster. "However, 
Queen Beryl is pleased with the huge amount of energy Worella here 
collected. The new video game was my idea of course"

"Video game?" Sailor Moon, Mercury and Mars said in surprise, glancing 
around them.

"That's a GIRL?" Jupiter demanded, staring at the monster. Sailor Mars 
turned to look at her.

"Does it MATTER?" She yelled at her friend. Sailor Jupiter scratched the 
back of her head in embarrassment. 

"Uh, no" She said, flushing. Zoisite watched them, a frown on her face.

"Enough talk, Worella, get them!" She ordered coolly. The monster growled 
and charged Jupiter, who dodged nimbly. It's arm swung back though and 
knocked the Scout off her feet. She flew back with a gasp of surprise.

"Jupiter! I'll get it" Mars cried out angrily, stepping forward. "Mars 
Fire-!"

"Uh, uh" Zoisite taunted, flinging her hand towards the raven-haired 
Scout. "Zoi!"

A black ball of darkness formed in the palm of her hand and shot towards 
Sailor Mars almost before she could gasp. Mars dodged, but got caught on 
the shoulder. She fell to the floor, wincing. Zoisite looked at Mercury, 
who was standing defiantly between the others and the monster.

"Mercury, I gotta do something" Sailor Moon whispered. She moved closer, 
reaching for her tiara automatically. She couldn't use the Moon wand; her 
friends were in the way. The wand was good yes, but it had never been 
aimed at a Scout. What if it accidentally hurt her friends?

"Are you going to stand up to me, Mercury?" Zoisite laughed at the 
thought. Sailor Moon narrowed her blue eyes in concentration, aiming for 
the monster's shoulder.

"I will if I have to-" Mercury shouted defiantly. Sailor Moon removed the 
tiara, golden energy forming in her hands.

"Moon Tiara magic!" She shouted, flinging the energy. It flew from her 
hand like a bullet, streaming golden energy. Mercery stepped back, the 
monster turning away a little too late. It howled chillingly as the tiara 
hit it square in the shoulder. Sailor Moon watched with awe and horror as 
the smell of burnt fur filled the room. The monster's shoulder smoked and 
Sailor Moon saw with a fascinated horror that the skin was black. It 
roared again in agony, rearing back. Zoisite fell back in shock as it 
raced past her, heading where Sailor Moon was standing. 

"Urgh!" Sailor Moon shrieked in terror as the wolf-creature sprung at her, 
faster than she could blink. Blinding pain bit through her and she 
screamed. At the same time, the creature howled in her ear, seemingly 
echoing the agony of the Scout. Sailor Moon fell back, the creature on top 
of her. 

"Sailor Moon!" a deep voice called out, full of fear and pain. Her eyes 
cracked open as the weight of the monster was lifted from her. In the dim 
light overhead, she saw the shape of a top hat.

"Tuxedo mask?" She gasped weakly. Sailor Moon tried to move and agony shot 
up her side. Her entire arm felt heavy, yet pained and she was sure it was 
bleeding. The monster was pushed from her and warm hand slid under her 
shoulders gently. A comfortable feeling swept over her as she was held in 
Tuxedo mask's arms. She saw the faint glint of his eyes through his white 
half-mask.

"Are you okay?" He asked anxiously. She felt his hands run over her form. 
Sensed his pause as he saw her arm. But she didn't want to look. It would 
heal, she was sure. Since she could still feel her arm.

"It's okay...what about Zoisite?" She whispered. His teeth glinted briefly 
in a grimace.

"She left as soon as her creature was killed" He said coldly. Ice in his 
voice. She blinked at him, wondering suddenly why he was still with her.

"Is she okay?" Jupiter asked from behind Tuxedo Mask's back. Sailor Moon 
felt him stiffen. He pulled away from her, arms sliding to his side.

"Sailor Moon, are you hurt?" Sailor Mars rushed to her side, kneeling on 
the floor. Sailor Moon smiled weakly, feeling a bit nauseous. But it was 
nice to have Mars worry over her.

"I'm fine Pyro" She said teasingly. Sailor Mars snorted. She got to her 
feet, hands on hips.

"And here I was worried about you. Uh" She stomped away. Jupiter grinned 
faintly at Tuxedo mask.

"Hey, thanks for your help. You showed up just in time" She commented. 
"Like always"

Tuxedo Mask said nothing. He got to his feet, leaving Mercury to help 
Sailor Moon. The blonde got to her feet, shaking slightly. She looked down 
at the monster lying a few feet away.

"It's ugly" She commented. Tuxedo Mask nodded slightly, as if his part 
were over and turned to go. He paused suddenly, staring at the monster 
hard.

"Why hasn't it-" He began.

"Hey. I just wanted to say thanks" Andrew said, walking up. He and Rita 
came into the faint illumination of the security lights. She was 
supporting him under one shoulder, a worried look on her face. The Scouts 
all blushed.

"It was nothing" Sailor Jupiter clasped her hands in front of her, looking 
at Andrew with a star struck gaze. She completely ignored Rita's presence. 
Sirens were suddenly heard in the distance and the Scouts all stared at 
each other in consternation.

"Gee, they took their time getting here" Jupiter commented. Andrew looked 
faintly apologetic.

"I uh, turned off the alarms. I didn't think you'd want the police to see 
you fighting" He hesitated. "Or the reporters"

Mars rolled her eyes. "Oh yes. DEFINETLY not the reporters" She said 
dryly. Sailor Moon sighed, turning her eyes towards Tuxedo mask. She 
frowned in puzzlement when she saw he was standing over the monster, cane 
out. Sailor Moon walked over, wincing as she jerked her arm. She reached 
out a hand to touch his Tuxedo lightly.

"What is it?" She asked him quietly. He jumped slightly, moving out of 
reach of her hand. Sailor Moon lowered it, hurt. He was silent a moment.

"Don't the monsters usually dissolve into dust...not just die?" He asked 
her. She frowned at the question, staring at the ugly creature. It didn't 
connect.

"Yeah?" She said hesitantly, wondering what he meant. Her eyes widened as 
he poked the wolf-creature with his cane. "Oh-look out!"

The creature abruptly stirred and reared back, fangs flashing in the 
light. Things seemed to move in slow motion for her. She saw the creature 
get to its feet, claws extended. Tuxedo mask raised his cane and the claws 
sheered right through them.

"Jupiter thunderclap Zap!" Jupiter screamed from behind. Tuxedo Mask was 
grabbed by the shoulders and lifted up to dangle above the monsters head. 
Sailor Moon gasped with horror, reacting on instinct. Her hand reached 
into her sub space pocket even as the muzzle lowered towards Tuxedo mask's 
head.

"No, Tuxedo Mask!" Sailor Mars shrieked. The monster's muzzle ripped into 
Tuxedo mask's jacket to the skin below. There was a sickening crunch...and 
then lightning hit both he and the monster. 

"Nooooo!" The monster howled, dropping Tuxedo mask's limp body. Sailor 
Moon eyes teared over as she stared at the body, then the blue of them 
hardened icily.

"Moon Healing Activation!" She screamed out her power. It exploded from 
the Moon Wand in a blinding display of light. They were all blinded. 
Golden light filled the place, fuelled by Sailor Moon fear, agony and 
fury. The monster screamed one long agonised sound and then there was 
silence. The light died abruptly.

"Oh my" Mercury said. It was a vast understatement. Everyone blinked 
around. The room had almost been obliterated behind the monster. Luckily 
there had only been wall. But what had once been white floor and roof was 
covered in black soot. The monster was also gone, completely. Sailor Moon 
stood frozen for a moment, then her eyes blinked. They fell on the hunched 
form of Tuxedo mask and she raced over to him. He groaned and opened his 
eyes. The Scouts raced over.

"Is he-he's okay" Mars said with relief. She stared at Sailor Moon with 
awe. "Remind me never to get on your bad side, Moon"

"Mmm" Sailor Moon said. Her eyes all for Tuxedo Mask. His shoulder was a 
mass of blood and ripped cloth. "Are you okay" she asked him anxiously. To 
their surprise, he pushed their hands away and got to his feet.

"I'm fine" He told them, straightening. His eyes glinted at Sailor Moon. 
"Like you Scouts, I heal fast in this form"

Before they could open their mouth, his cafe had swirled around him and he 
disappeared into the darkness of the Arcade. The Scouts gaped for a 
moment. 

"Some gratitude" Andrew commented. "Is he always like that?"

The Scouts sighed. "Yeah." Mars said. "Always"

"Hello? Is anyone is here?" a voice called out crisply. The Scouts 
exchanged a quick glance.

"It's the police" Jupiter whispered, looking towards the front of the 
store. Sailor Moon looked that way, seeing the red and blue flashes of 
light that announced the Tokyo Police had arrived. Several people entered 
the Arcade.

"Time to book it" Mars looked at the other three Scouts. Sailor Moon 
nodded.

"Right" She said. she and the others raced swiftly out the back entrance, 
sparing only a brief glance at Andrew and his girlfriend. Outside in the 
alley, they jumped onto the roof of the place. Using the rooftops as an 
escape, they moved rapidly away, towards Raye's Temple. As they passed 
Mercury's place, she stopped.

"See you at School, you guys" She called, dropping down the side of the 
house. The others paused, looking at each other. Sailor Moon sighed, 
shifting. The pain in her arm was less, but still fiery. Sailor Mars 
stepped closer, eyes on her friend.

"You okay Sailor Moon?" She asked testily. Sailor Moon nodded, looking 
down at the wound. The cloth of her sleeve was bloody and ripped, but the 
skin underneath seemed no too badly damaged.

"It seems all right. Nothing that won't heal quick" Jupiter said 
confidently, also looking at the wound. she touched it lightly. A frisson 
of pain and a strange sensation went down Sailor Moon's arm, but she said 
nothing.

"I'll be fine guys" Sailor Moon's words were punctuated with a wide yawn. 
She smiled at them both sheepishly. "I think we need to get some more 
sleep before the sun rises"

Sailor Jupiter yawned also, stretching her arms above her head. she 
hitched up her ponytail automatically. "I bushed guys, later!" She called, 
leaping away. Sailor Mars and Sailor Moon watched as she disappeared from 
sight, a blurred figure moving with inhuman speed over the roof tops of 
the Tokyo houses. There was a short silence, strangely awkward.

"I'm sorry I couldn't stop the monster, Sailor Moon" Sailor Mars clenched 
a fist with silent rage. Her mouth twisted with anger. Sailor Moon blinked 
with surprise. It wasn't often that Mars showed her feelings.

"I'm fine Raye" Sailor Moon aid gently, touching her fingers to her 
friend's cheek softly. Purple eyes glinted at her, looking suspiciously to 
be filled with tears. Sailor Mars turned her face away before Sailor Moon 
could be sure, facing her back to the blonde.

"See you tomorrow, Serena" The raven-haired Scout called out. She leapt 
away, leaving Sailor Moon standing there alone. When Sailor Mars had 
disappeared from sight, she turned towards her own home. Luna would be 
waiting there for her, wanting to know what happened in the fight.

***

Darkness. It was all he saw for a moment. It scared him until things began 
to become distinct. Darian blinked rapidly, eyes focusing. His face was 
lying on something soft and after a moment he realised it was carpet.

"What's going on?" He muttered groggily. Other things became distinct and 
he saw he was in his apartment. His blue eyes widened with incredulity. 
"How did I get HERE?" He exclaimed.

Getting shakily to his knees, he used the back of his couch to get to his 
feet. Things wavered for a moment, a great feeling of weakness invading 
his body. The second thing he noticed was a terrible pain in his shoulder. 
Darian raised a hand to it, gasping as he touched ragged flesh.

"Don't panic Darian" He murmured to himself, staggering into the bathroom. 
The light switch was hard to find since he seemed to be disoriented. Like 
nothing was real at that moment. In fact, everything seemed too bright. 
Darian walked to the sink and looked reluctantly in the mirror. His blue 
eyes widened in shock as he saw his left shoulder. His green jacket was 
torn from the throat to the elbow. His skin showed through and both it and 
his clothes were caked with a horrifying amount of blood. His blood.

"Oh gods" He gasped, head reeling. He clutched at the sink, trying to keep 
focus. His eyes raised again to the wound as he slipped his jacket 
carefully off. Then his shirt. He stood naked to the waist and studied the 
bleeding wound carefully. As an aspiring doctor, he knew it was crucial to 
see how bad it was. How much blood he had lost. Darian turned to the side 
slightly, forcing himself to look. The wound itself was not as bad as he 
had first thought. The skin was torn jaggedly, about a finger width long. 
There were three of them, from the joint in his shoulder. Darian stared 
closer, then got a cloth a wet it. He carefully cleaned the wound and then 
just stared at it silently.

"Teeth marks" He whispered, almost under his breath. Teeth marks. Where 
had he gotten them? Darian opened the cabinet above his sink and took out 
a bandage. He waled back into the lounge room and sat down on the couch 
while he rapped his arm up. It was awkward, but he was loath to call 
anyone to help. How was he supposed to explain it when he couldn't even 
remember where he had been bitten? 

He sat back casually, sinking into the smoothness of the leather couch. 
Darian's blue eyes raised to the roof as he thought back, trying to make 
sense of the mess. His mind was a whirl. 

"Lets see" He mused aloud. "I was at the cafe with Andrew and Rita. I 
remember leaving and then...screaming" his eyes widened as he began to 
remember. He had run back inside and seen a monster attacking his friends! 
Then the Sailor Scouts had come and-

"Nothing" He breathed. His mind was a blank from then. He couldn't 
remember what had happened. Darian looked down at his bandaged shoulder in 
worry. He must have been wounded somehow by the creature and somehow 
gotten home. Darian turned to look at the phone, there was only one way to 
find out what happened. Shakily he dialled out the number and waited. 

"Hello?" Andrews' voice said on the other end, sounding weary.

"Andrew, it's-"

"Darian!" Andrew almost shouted. He sounded relieved and angry. "Where 
have you been? Rita and I were worried sick"

Darian smiled slightly at his friend's tone. "I'm home" He paused, running 
a hand through his dark hair. 

"How did you get there. Why did you just leave...are you okay?" Andrew's 
voice rushed from question to question anxiously. Darian chuckled. Then 
his eyes fell on his shoulder and he abruptly sobered.

"I'm fine. I don't really remember how I got home" He admitted. There was 
a long silence on the other end. Andrew sighed, sounding confused.

"Maybe the Sailor Scouts-" He trailed off suggestively. Darian suddenly 
felt an enormous relief. The Sailor Scouts, yes, they must have brought 
him home! His mind immediately baulked at that idea though he never said 
anything to Andrew. 

"Yeah, that must be it" He said quietly. A few minutes later, he hung up 
the phone. The apartment was eerily silent and Darian felt cold to the 
bone. It just made no sense to him. And what was worse, he had had these 
black outs in memory before. It would have been so easy to just say the 
Sailor Scouts had brought him home unconscious...but how would they have 
even known who he was. Let alone where he lived?

***

The air swirled, alive. It pulsed with multi-colours, dazzling to the eye. 
A breathtaking view for any to see. The only who could, however, had seen 
it for so long that she barely acknowledged it any more. A beauty that was 
accepted merely for itself. Sailor Pluto watched the swirling vortex with 
an expressionless face. She stood before the Time Gate, red eyes 
constantly seeking. It was her duty. As the Guardian of Time.

"So pensive, Pluto" a quiet voice said. The green-haired beauty never 
turned her face. The figure that had addressed her stepped through a 
Portal, materialising. "You always were too serious" The person went on.

Sailor Pluto nodded slightly, finally acknowledging. "Is that not what is 
required?" She murmured. Her eyes sought something far into the Time 
Vortex. Things that no one else could see.

"Seriousness perhaps, but not entirely lacking in emotion" The figure 
smiled gently.

"Is that what you think?" Sailor Pluto laughed lightly. She turned, hand 
resting lightly on her staff. The Garnet Orb glinted with an eerie red 
light. Pluto's eyes sought out the figure, looking for something.

"Are you well?" she asked the figure. Slender fingers reached out to touch 
Sailor Pluto's face, but passed right through them. Pluto flinched 
slightly, but her slight smile never faded.

"I am well, Pluto. Do not worry for me, old friend" the figure laughed, a 
musical sound. Sailor Pluto bowed her head for a moment, hiding the 
sadness deep within her eyes. "How fares time?" The figure went on, voice 
filled with many undefinable emotions.

Sailor Pluto raised her head, turning back towards the swirling Vortex 
that was the Gate of Time. "Everything is exactly as it should be. I've 
been doing this for too long for anything to go wrong"

"Too long Pluto" The figure said sadly. "Are you weary?"

"It is my duty" Pluto replied. Her eyes never wavered from the Vortex. "I 
have never regretted it"

"Never? Not even when you knew-" The figure broke off, falling silent. 
Pluto turned, a soft smile on her face.

"I knew that better things would come. More peaceful times. All 
destruction that I have ever witnessed in all of time has been for a 
reason" Pluto sighed, passing a hand over her red eyes momentarily. "I 
know that all the Millennia of silence will bear fruit"

The figure nodded. "Soon"

***

The day was calm. A bright blue sky and a shinning sun overhead made the 
mood perfect for the four girls. They were walking through the park, 
talking. It was a Saturday and Serena was glad to be spending the day with 
her friends, instead of having to clean her room. With a strange insight, 
she realised that if she cleaned her room late on Friday, there would be 
nothing to hold her back on the weekend. Not even chores. Lita folded her 
arms behind her head, green eyes gleaming.

"Can you believe what a perfect day this is?" She asked the others 
happily. Amy shook her head, smiling.

"It IS a great day" She looked upwards. "Really bright too"

"Mmm, good for the flowers" Serena agreed enthusiastically. Her eyes 
alighted on all of the flowers surrounding them. They were walking through 
the multi-coloured flowerbeds. They were in full bloom. With tones of red, 
yellows, blues and pinks.

"You guys, can we go to the rose gardens?" She asked suddenly. Raye 
smiled, eyes lightening with excitement.

"Yeah, it hear they're really beautiful this year" The raven-haired girl 
said eagerly. 

"Lets go then!" Lita led the way down the path. They came to a hedge, 
which separated the flower gardens from the roses. Before them was a large 
courtyard, familiarly known as the rose gardens. Collage students had made 
it about a year ago. Serena's eyes lit up as she gazed at them all, her 
feet automatically taking her towards her favourite part. She found 
herself wandering away from the others, down a path. She reached the roses 
and smiled. The red ones were her favourite, without a doubt. They always 
reminded her of Tuxedo Mask.

"Red is for passion" She murmured. She'd heard it somewhere. Her fingers 
reached out to touch one. It's petals felt soft under her fingers. Her 
blue eyes were dreamy as she stroked them. An abrupt pain bit into her 
fingers and she jerked them away.

"Ow" She muttered, staring down at her index finger. It had been pricked 
by a thorn and was bleeding lightly. Her eyes stared at the blood, for a 
moment as if mesmerised. It was so red, so pure and warm-

"You can't be left alone for a second can you, Meatball Head?" an annoying 
voice said. Serena's head jerked up. Darian stood a few feet away, looking 
at her. Her blue eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"What do YOU want?" She snapped. Darian's eyes gleamed, their blue seeming 
to deepen.

"So rude" He murmured, a smile in his voice. He turned away, staring at 
the roses near him. "You really should learn to read"

Serena was confused and angry. "What?" She demanded. Darian grinned at 
her, pointing to a sign. Serena looked and a flush started on her face. A 
'don't touch the roses' sign was stuck in plain view.

"I didn't see it" She told him coolly. 

"Obviously" 

"Huh!" She turned her back on him, looking at the roses. They really were 
beautiful, gleaming red with moisture. She stuck her finger into her mouth 
absently. A flash of white came into her vision and she glanced down in 
surprise to see a handkerchief being thrust at her.

"Don't suck on it" Darian advised. "They put stuff on the roses to make 
them grow better"

Serena snatched the white cloth from him. "I knew that" She grumbled. It 
stung her finger, but she wrapped it carefully. Her eyes glanced at Darian 
sideways, noting he was ignoring her. Her eyes went again to the roses.

"They're beautiful, aren't they?" He said quietly, sincerely. Serena 
started slightly.

"Yes" She admitted. "They are"

There was a short silence and she realised that perhaps that had been the 
first thing they had ever said to each other that was a normal 
conversation. She hadn't liked it. She didn't like HIM! And he was 
invading her privacy.

"Why don't you go look somewhere else?" She snapped at him, unreasonably 
angry. Darian turned his head to look at her in amusement.

"Why don't YOU Meatball Head"

"It's SERENA, you big zero" She shouted, taking a step towards him. He 
turned fully to face her, arms crossing. "Say it"

"MEATBALL HEAD" He said calmly. Serena felt her face go red.

"Ooooh! I don't know why I bother talking to you!"

"Then don't" He advised calmly. He smiled and she felt her heart contract 
suddenly. It was unexpected and left her feeling stunned. She looked away, 
swallowing. She whirled away.

"Fine, then I'LL leave!" She announced haughtily. Suddenly a large 
explosion rocked the area. Serena staggered. The ground shook violently 
and she went flying. She hit something hard and warm and tumbled over. 
Shaking the hair from her eyes, she realised her nose was pressed into a 
green jacket. Darian's.

"What's going on?" She shouted. The ground continued to shake for a moment 
and then all went still. Serena's fingers clung to Darian's jacket as they 
lay on the ground. She went to move and his fingers tightened on her 
waist. She stiffened as she realised exactly where she was.

"Wait a minute" Darian said in her ear. "The earthquake might start again"

Serena lay there silent for a long moment, both of them waiting. Slowly, 
she became aware that she was pressed close against Darian, his body half-
covering hers. Her face was pressed into his shoulder and she could feel 
his breath stirring the hair of her fringe.


"Okay, I think it's safe" Darian said. She nodded shakily. It had been a 
bad earthquake. Darian sat up and she moved away. She couldn't look at him 
and her hands were shaking slightly. She bit her lip and stood. Serena was 
shaken not only by the quake. She knew it had been Darian's presence. But 
she didn't even LIKE him!

"You okay, Meatball Head?" He asked her quietly. Serena was suddenly angry 
at the confusion she felt. She glared at him.

"Don't call me that! I'm fine" She shouted, storming away. She strangely 
felt-knowing somehow-that Darian's eyes were on her the whole way. Until 
she disappeared around a hedge and from his sight. Serena slumped against 
a hedge, closing her eyes. What had happened just then? When she'd fallen 
against Darian, her body had felt so...alive. Like it'd been filled with 
an electricity. Her heart had pounded, her hands shaking. 

"All because I TOUCHED him?" She muttered disbelievingly. Her eyes 
narrowed for a moment. The other night too, at the Arcade. When she had 
reached for her bag and their fingers touched-

"THERE you are, Meatball Head!" Raye snapped. Serena opened her eyes to 
see her friends coming around a hedge.. Raye looked particularly annoyed. 
The raven-haired girl opened her mouth, but Serena dove in quickly.
"That jerk you call a boyfriend is here" She said rather darkly, rubbing 
her fore-finger and thumb together unconsciously. There was an itch there, 
a tingling. Immediately, Raye's face lightened into a pleased smile.

"Darian? Here's here?" She exclaimed in delight. The girls watched in 
amusement as Raye smoothed down her hair carefully. She turned to Lita 
expectantly. "How do I look?"

"Good enough for Darian to eat" Lita teased. Raye smiled and dashed off. 
She turned at the last minute to call back to them.

"I'll see you later at the Arcade!"

"Sure! Bye!" Lita shouted. 

Serena was silent. She watched as Raye disappeared, frowning. What did 
Raye SEE in him?! Serena crossed her arms, glaring at a bush of yellow 
roses. Okay...he has beautiful black hair and his eyes were absolutely 
gorgeous. "But he's DARIAN! And he's a jerk!" She shouted aloud.

Lita giggled and Serena realised she had talked out loud. She turned beet 
red. "You really have a thing about Darian, don't you girl?" Lita 
commented. "I don't understand how you two hate each other so much"

"Quite easily" Serena said normally, anger fading. What did she care 
anyway? Her day was too nice to be thinking about Darian! "How 'bout we go 
get some ice cream guys?"

Lita grinned and even Amy smiled. "Sounds like a plan" Amy murmured.

***

The day was bright and sunny, a few clouds in the sky. Serena contemplated 
them wistfully from her desk by the window. It really was too much a good 
day to be inside, she complained to herself silently. However-she glanced 
over at Miss Haruna, who was facing the board and writing math on it. One 
of Serena LEAST loved classes. Math, yuck.

"Who needs it anyway?" She muttered. Serena put her arms on the table and 
crossed them, resting her chin on her arms tiredly. She was so sleepy. Why 
did they have to start School so early in the morning anyway?

"Serena!" Molly hissed warningly. Serena jerked her closing eyes open 
quickly, in time for Miss Haruna to shoot her a warning look. The blonde 
keep her eyes innocent until the teacher had turned back to the wall. 
Serena then turned to face Molly, smiling her thanks.

"Thanks Moll. I guess I should watch her more carefully" Serena commented.

"You need to stay awake you mean" Lita said teasingly from behind. Serena 
turned to face her friend, watching as the brunette stretched tiredly. 
Having to be a Scout my night was not always a plus. Okay, you kept fit-
but you barely got any sleep. Serena frowned, turning back to rest her 
head on her arms again. There was also a certain annoyingly smug Moon cat, 
who never let Sailor Moon forget she had to be this great Warrior in order 
to serve the Moon Princess better. Who was she anyway and just exactly how 
were they meant to find her? 

"Why can't she just find US? It's not like we don't fight the Negaverse so 
much that the Scouts aren't easy to find. The battles make heaps of noise 
and all-" Serena mumbled, yawning. She yawned again.

"Serena, what Miss H" Molly warned her. Her friend's voice seemed to come 
from far off.

"Uh huh" Serena muttered. Everything seemed to drift and she was so tired-

"SERENA TSUKINO!" a voice bellowed in Serena's ear. Serena shot up so fast 
she almost bashed her head on Miss Haruna's chin. "What have I told you 
about sleeping in my classes?" The teacher continued to shout, despite the 
fact that Serena was now wide awake.

"I wasn't sleeping" Serena protested automatically. She heard Lita and 
Molly groan and realised how lame an excuse that had been. Miss H thought 
so too, from the glare she was giving, Serena though in dismay.

"Oh REALLY?" Miss Haruna said sweetly. "Then you won't mind giving me the 
answer...will you?"

Serena stared at her in worry, a fine sweat breaking out on her forehead. 
The teacher had her there. Serena bit her lip. If she didn't say something 
then she'd get detention and Luna would kill her!

"Uh" She muttered. Miss Haruna crossed her arms smugly, ready to order 
Serena out of the classroom. A favourite punishment of the red-haired 
woman was standing outside with a pale of water of your head. Serena 
rubbed at her head absently, remembering the last time that had happened. 
The blonde glanced around, trying to get help. Molly was mouthing 
something frantically, but unfortunately, Serena couldn't lip-read.

"Well?" Miss Haruna demanded impatiently. The teacher rubbed a hand 
through her hair, rolling her eyes skyward. Both she and Serena knew that 
she was stalling and didn't know the answer. Serena gnawed more 
frantically on her lower lip, mind seeking frantically for something to 
distract Miss Haruna.

"54 Serena. 54" Amy's voice came clearly to Serena, who glanced over at 
her, wide-eyed. Amy stared back, blue eyes full of resignation. She met 
Serena's gaze and shrugged to say that she couldn't help her. But Amy had 
just told her the answer. Serena glanced at the teacher, knowing she would 
have heard Amy say 54 also and punish them both. Amazingly, Miss Haruna 
had not even glanced Amy's way. Serena swallowed her astonishment.

"54?" She blurted tentatively. Miss Haruna's jaw dropped. There was a dead 
silence in the class. Serena glanced over at Amy to say a silent thanks, 
but saw an equal look of shock on the blue-haired girl's face. What was 
going on? Serena glanced around uncertainly.

"HOW did you get that-? It's the right answer" Miss Haruna said 
suspiciously. She glanced around, but saw nothing that could have given 
Serena the answer when she had clearly been asleep during the question. 
Snoring even! Serena straightened proudly.

"I told you. I was awake" The blonde announced. Miss H rubbed a hand over 
her eyes wearily, walking back to her desk. Serena clearly heard her 
mutter under her breath.

"But Serena would have known that answer even if she HAD been awake. She 
doesn't study! Arrggggh! I need a stiff drink"

Serena's eyes widened. She looked at the teacher and giggled. Strangely, 
no one else had seemed to hear Miss Haruna's talking. A hand slapped her 
lightly on the shoulder. Serena turned her head to meet Lita's mirthful 
eyes.

"Okay, spill the beans Serena. How'd you get the answer?" The brunette 
demanded. 

Serena shrugged lightly, not understanding herself. Surely someone else 
had heard Amy say the answer? But the girl was three rows across. "Luck I 
guess" Serena murmured, unblinkingly.

***

The long slender fingers clenched around the handles, resting against the 
clutch. Darian sat on his motorbike and watched the blonde coming fast 
down the sidewalk. Like clockwork, he mused. Serena was ALWAYS late, that 
he had noticed-but still, she passed this place about the same time each 
day. If she got up a little earlier she'd be at School on time. Darian 
frowned darkly when he realised what he was thinking. 

"I don't CARE if she's late or not!" He growled. Serena past him just 
then, dashing past people expertly. She'd been doing it for a long time, 
Darian supposed. He waited, but she never tripped once. His eyes widened 
in amazement as she disappeared around the corner swiftly. She hadn't 
tripped once, was it possible that Serena was somehow graceful when 
running? 

"Or maybe-and more likely-she's so scared that she's late that she forgets 
to think entirely" Darian grinned at the idea. That sounded more like the 
Meatball Head! Before he thought, he'd kicked the stand up and started his 
bike to follow her. Truth be told, he'd gotten up and waited for her to 
come past. Darian frowned darkly. He couldn't understand it. He hated the 
girl, but something had drawn him here this morning. It was only after he 
had stopped his bike in wait for her to pass that he realised he knew her 
pattern so well. When had that happened? Darian cruised slowly along the 
road, gradually catching up to the whirlwind that was Serena Tsukino. He 
was glad that even if she had noticed him, his helmet hid his true 
identity from her eyes. Serena never turned her head though and Darian 
followed her all the way to Juuban Middle School.

The blonde dashed through the gates, disappearing from Darian's sight all 
together. He parked his bike slowly and got off. The wind brushed lightly 
through his hair, but he ignored it, thinking hard. Why was he here in the 
first place? "I don't like her, so what is it?" Darian murmured. He was 
genuinely confused.

He knew though, that what had started all this-what had changed-had been 
the other night. The Meatball Head had been late home and come to the 
Arcade when he was studying. Their fingers had brushed and he had felt 
something. It wasn't enough to disturb him though. It was really the 
incident at The Rose gardens that had nagged in his mind. The way he 
hadn't wanted her to move away from him. The strange electricity that had 
flowed through him-and he knew she had felt it too by the way she had 
jerked away. This was SERENA though! The Meatball Headed klutz that was 
WAY too young for him.

"Woah! Wait a second Chiba, where did THAT come from?" He demanded out 
loud. A man passing gave him a strange look and Darian glared back. "What? 
A man can't think out loud?" He said coolly. The man quickly scuttled 
away. Darian suddenly calmed. She wasn't worth the grief. The dark-haired 
guy looked towards the School. What the heck was he DOING here anyway? He 
was about to walk away, but a flash of blonde hair caught his eyes. He 
walked closer, staring through the gate at the School building. It was 
Serena, sitting at the window. Her head was resting on her arms, her face 
tilted towards the sunlight. Darian unconsciously drew in her features. 
She really was a pretty thing, he thought.

"Okkkkay! That's it. I'm going to be late anyway, so backup there Chiba" 
He muttered, horrified at his thoughts. The Meatball Head...pretty? Darian 
hopped back onto his bike lithely, pulling away from the curb. Maybe 
Andrew and Rita were right. He really DID need a girlfriend if he was 
thinking 14 year olds were good-looking!

Darian pulled into Juuban Collage car park 10 minutes later. He parked the 
bike, collected his books and headed inside. A few people passed him in 
the hall, even fewer greeting him. Darian was a quiet person and had made 
some friends, but not many. Mostly girls, who were attracted to him for 
his good-looks, Andrew had teased frequently. Darian grimaced. It only 
strengthened the red-head's resolve to get Darian hooked up with some 
girl. It just wasn't Darian's thing-

"Hey, Darian. In here!" Rick shouted. Darian blinked, coming out of his 
thoughts. He realised he was outside the music room and that his friend 
Rick was hailing him from within. He went in quickly, eager to take his 
mind of girls and a particular annoying blonde. A girl, Sally Bergman was 
playing at the piano in the corner. A piece that Darian recognised as 
'Moonlight Sonata'. It was one of his favourites. He winced as she hit a 
wrong note.

"So, how've you been, Darian?" Rick asked eagerly. Darian had a few 
classes with the guy. They'd become quick friends, though Rick hadn't made 
many others. He was a shy, brown-haired guy. A bit on the lanky side. 
Definitely not football material, Rick had said once jokingly. But he was 
a nice guy and Darian was glad to see him.

"Good. How about you though?" Darin said with concern. "Is that cold 
totally gone?"

Rick smiled and waved a hand negligently around. He'd had a bad cold for 
weeks and had to stay in bed. "I'm fine. It's all gone...Are you all 
right, Darian?" He trailed off as Darian winced again.

Darian glanced over to where Sally was playing, her hands gliding 
gracefully over the keys. The girl had been playing for years. A regular 
genius. So why was she playing so many wrong notes?

"Darian?" Rick urged, a puzzled look on his face. Darian grimaced as Sally 
made two more mistakes on the music. He turned and backed towards the 
door, Rick following.

"Yeah" Darian muttered. They reached the door and Darian paused, glancing 
back at the blonde girl at the piano. She finished the song and was 
glaring at him slightly, almost accusingly. "Look I'll see you around, 
okay?"

"Yeah, sure" Rick murmured. Darian and left. As he did, heard Sally and 
Rick talking.

"What was with him?" She demanded. "He acted like my music stank"

"I don't know, he kept wincing though"

"But I only played 8 mistakes! He couldn't have heard them" There was a 
snigger from her. "We all know how tone-deaf Darian Chiba is! Remember 
when Mrs Wilson ordered him to take music classes as a relaxation course?"

"Oh yeah...I remember that one all right" Rick laughed in amusement. 
Darian leaned on the wall, a few meters from the room. How he was still 
hearing them so clearly, was beyond him. But the fact that he was, was 
troubling enough that he had stopped in the middle of the hall. Students 
passed around him, glancing at his face as if trying to see what he was 
doing. Darian supposed he looked rather weird, laying against the wall and 
clutching his books to his chest. He felt as if the wind had been knocked 
out of him. His heart was thundering in his ears, though he continued to 
hear Sally and Rick clearly.

"When did Darian become such a music expert?" Sally demanded. 

"Maybe he was just being a snob?" Rick suggested, laughing rudely. 
Darian's eyes widened. Had Rick, quiet Rick said that?

"He doesn't need any lessons in THAT!" sally sniggered, beginning her 
playing again. Darian could hear all the deliberately wrong notes she made 
as if to mock his absence. Darian had head enough. He stood up straight 
and stalked down the hall. Apparently, not everyone who pretended to be 
his friend-was.

***