Chapter 4

Back to Chapter 3
Chapter 5

"Ok, what are we doing at the park, and why are we even up at 5 in the morning?" asked a very sleepy Alex.

"Come on, Alex, we have to train hard. Andrew did tell you guys what we're up against didn't he?" Serena asked glaring at Andrew slightly.

Heather spoke up for the first time and answered, "Yes, he said they were immortal demons from the underworld."

"Well, since we've got that covered how about a game of Scout tag?"

The six scouts eyed Serena carefully, thinking of whether or not it would be a good idea to challenge the goddess of hunt. Each nodded slowly and the game began.

"Neptune Planet Power!"

"Pluto Planet Power!"

"Saturn Planet Power!"

"Uranus Planet Power!"

"Jupiter Star Power!"

"Sun Solar Power!" Andrew shouted as strands of pure light encased his body forming a golden tuxedo similar to Tuxedo Mask's, and the only difference was that instead of a rose he held a golden sword that seemed to glow with light, Sailor Sun stood ready.

"Universal Cosmic Power!" A black shimmering cloud surrounded Serena's body, when it cleared Serena was standing proudly in a sailor fuku. The bows and skirt both black, and if you looked close you could almost see stars shining brightly. Making a final twist, her short blond hair flew into a ponytail. Standing tall Sailor Universe was ready for action.

As each transformation ended the scouts scattered heading in different directions.

Frowning, Darien walked a little faster towards the Temple. Rei had just called him, sounding a little depressed, and had told him that there was an emergency scout meeting. 'What is going on?' he thought to himself as he entered the temple.

"There you are, we were just about to start."

Darien looked over slightly startled to find that it was Rei. "Where's Artemis?"

Frowning, Amy answered, "We haven't seen him or Mina since yesterday and I have the feeling we won't be seeing either for a while."

Puzzled, he asked, "What is going on?"

Amy and Rei looked at each other. Nodding slightly Rei calmly retold the story that Artemis had told them the day before.

"So, you're telling me that Serena was sick, and you didn't even give her a chance to explain herself?"

"No, Artemis never said when she was at the doctor's he just said she was there. And if I know that Meatball Head then I'll bet she was at the arcade trying to blow every penny she had." Rei sneered.

Darien looked at Rei, and what he saw was the same thing Mina had been afraid of. It was pure hatred, and for some odd reason, it was all pointed towards Serena.

Standing up he started to walk out, only turning back once to say, "Rei I don't know what has happened to you but I would seriously think about getting help."

Mina looked at the rising sun, for some reason it seemed to find the courage to rise and set everyday. It seemed to her, that it was that courage, which she lacked. Everyday was a new test, and each day seemed to get worse.

It seemed to happen so fast and there was nothing she could do about it. Mina was not only a sailor senshi, but also a goddess, the only senshi that was a god besides Sailor Moon and Sailor Sun.

Life for Mina had gotten tiring, and she needed an escape, but none had been offered. Ever since Serena left life had become meaningless. Everyday was the same: she got up, went to school, went to a senshi meeting, and went to bed.

Only one thing changed and that was when she began her search for Serena. She never told anybody, but during the last 4 months she had been searching desperately for Serena. Once, she had even thought she found her in LA but a few days later the person moved leaving no forwarding address.

"Mina, what are you doing?" Artemis asked as he joined her.

"Artemis, did I ever tell you that I have been searching for Serena for months?" Knowing she hadn't she continued, "I don't understand why but I seem to have an unexplainable bond to her. I think I almost found her too, but then she disappeared."

Artemis looked at the floor. He knew where she was, but he wasn't supposed to tell anybody. He looked up about to tell her to give up, but when he saw her eyes he knew she was truly desperate to find the Moon Princess.

"I know where she is," he said quietly.

Shocked she looked up, and in a moment a brief flare of hope lighted in her soul. "Artemis, will you tell me?"

Hoping he was doing the right thing he said, "Mina, if you want to know then you first must promise me never to tell the other senshi what I tell you here."

"I promise, by my loyalty to the Moon Princess Serenity."

"She is staying either at her parents' house or Andrew's. Mina, please be careful she has had a rough year, and has many secrets which she may or may not tell you," he warned.

Serena smiled lazily as she walked with Lita, "So, Li, has Drew popped the question yet?"

Blushing Lita smiled, "No, but I think he will soon, and if he doesn't I might just ask him myself!"

Giggling the two friends joined the rest of the group.

"I must say I have no idea how you did it, Serena," said Susan.

Serena smiled they had finished training about fifteen minutes ago and were heading to get some breakfast. "Well, you of all people should know that the Goddess Artemis never explains herself. Right, Drew?"

"Yes, unfortunately I've had to live with that rule for a very long time." He answered emphasizing the word 'very'.

Giggling, Serena turned the corner.

*WHAM*

Before she could even think about what was happening she was on the ground rubbing her sore bottom. Quickly, she got up and started spewing excuses at the poor person.

Looking up, she froze as blue met blue.

I froze, it was Darien. The one man in the world I didn't want to bump into.

"S-Serena?!" he stuttered.

Looking from Andrew to Lita, I realized none of my friends could help me. I had to do this on my own. Calmly and confidently I stated, "Darien."

I looked him over, he was still as handsome as ever, but I wasn't about to let that fool me again. No matter how you dress a loser, they're still a loser. 'But he sure is a handsome loser.'

Running a hand through his hair he looked at me seeming almost afraid. "Can we talk?"

'NO, I can't let him do this to me!' I looked around trying to find some kind of distraction. Luckily the Fates were being kind today.

"SERENA, can I talk to you?" Mina joined the large group.

Taking my chances, I smiled at Andrew and teleported myself and Mina to Andrew's apartment.

Mina stood shocked. This wasn't the same Serena. The Serena she knew wouldn't be able to teleport a fly much less two teenagers. "Serena, I know you may be mad at me, but would you give me a chance to tell my story?"

Serena eyed Mina thoughtfully, not sure whether she should risk the pain. Rolling the choices over in her mind she decided it couldn't hurt, and nodded slightly.

Mina let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding and began her story, "Sere, I know you have no reason to believe me, but that night I didn't mean anything that I said. I was just mad, and afraid that Lita wasn't going to live." Pausing she added, "I know I was, stupid."

Serena opened her mouth about to forgive Mina.

"No, wait till I'm finished." Smiling regretfully she continued, "I was scared, when I found out you were gone. Nobody had ever related to me the way you did. I was hoping that the others would help me find you, but when I told them, they scared me." Afraid she'd lose her courage she quickly continued, "They made me agree that I would never feel sorry for what I did to you, but there's no way I could have done that. You were my best friend, but I got scared when I looked in they're eyes, all I saw was pure hatred, and it scared me so I agreed. I'm sorry Serena, I know you can never forgive me."

Serena smiled softly at her crying friend, "Mina you know me I could never hold a grudge! Plus, what would I do without someone to consult about fashion?"

Mina looked up, "You mean, you'll actually forgive me?"

Nodding Serena hugged her friend, as they started to chat about what had gone on since she left.