I Don't Have A Title Yet

Three

1

A week had passed since Serena’s arrival and there was no news about their enemy. Neti-Erra, well Trista for the less formal, had determined that their enemy was in their present time. Where? She did not know but she working on it.

That was not what either Usa or Mina wanted to here but it was what they had to go on for the time being. The High Council wanted Usa to leave Terra for the safety of the Lunar palace and several of her Senshi expressed similar sentiments, Usa could understand their fear and worries but she would not leave. There was something hiding out in Usa’s kingdom and it was threatening her in both the present and the future and some how it was involved with Terra. She wanted this threat eliminated and she wanted it done now.

Ami and Trista got to work on it immediately while Mina went to coax Alex (aka Sailor Uranus) out of the woods. Mina had Rei and her grandfather before the Scared Fire everyday as they stepped up the search for the enemy.

While they were waiting for the enemy's first move, and when she had a spare moment, Usa was indulging in being a parent. She adored Serena. Once the child felt secure, she lavished affection and showed that she was a very bright, loving, curious little girl. She could light up a room with her smile and made Usa laugh on her lowest days. She seemed to brighten up the entire Tsukino household as everyone just seemed to have fallen in love with her.

There was only one person who did not fall the little girl tricks. Darien initially had a bad reaction when he first met Serena. In fact he though the child was evil (she had pink hair.) He tried to get the others to see his point of view only to be cuffed by both Mina and David for his immature attitude.

It didn’t help his cause with Usagi, who could not understand his jealously. He did a lot sulking and pouting whenever Usa spent too much time with the annoying little girl. Darien didn’t like the fact that the kid was always on his bunny when he wanted to be on her (not in the way that would have Kenji Tsukino wanting to castrate him). Darien just wanted to the focus of Usagi’s attention, you know, have things go back to the way they were before that little nuisance crashed landed on Dave’s head.

For six days, Darien had whined to anyone who would listen to him. He begged his friends to watch the kid for extended periods of time so he could take up what free Usagi had and he threw a couple fits when Usagi wanted that thing to accompany them on those rare outings. What did he get for his efforts? His friends called him spoiled and selfish, the child was his after all. Even his sister wouldn’t take his side on this. But what was worst than that he so-called friends could say or do--Usagi had given him an ultimatum.

Reluctantly, Darien surrendered to her demands. (He had bitched and moaned about it for a good twenty minutes before he slunk over to the Arcade with his tail between his legs and surrendered his manhood to the girl he loved. It just goes to show who was going to wear the pants in that family.) To prove that he harbored no ill will towards the little brat—the sweet face, little angel with the demonic hair—Darien offered to watch the kid that following Saturday while Usagi met with the Neptunian Ambassador and caught up on her school work.

The very grateful Usagi promised that to spend all of Sunday with Darien, doing everything he wanted as compensation for him taking care of Serena that afternoon and proceeded in making he feel like a cad. Before this mess had happened, no one could have ever accused Darien of being a neglectful boyfriend. He had always prided himself on being intuitive to Usagi’s needs and emotions. But while sitting on her bed after succeeding in badgering Usagi into giving up this day to make time for him, Darien for the first time saw how overworked his bunny was. He didn’t like what he saw and was somewhat hurt that Usagi had not shared some of the burden with him. But he promised to make it up to her and he would by earning his day with his bunny.

When Saturday finally rolled around Darien surprised the never early risers at the Tsukinos by showing up before eight. A sleep-eyed and grouchy Kenji let Darien in and sent death glares at the youth’s back as he raced upstairs to Usagi’s room.

There was a scream, a crash, and Darien’s startled oath that made Kenji grin, which turned into a full fledged smile when Darien came downstairs fifteen minutes later sporting a hand print on his left cheek. In his arms he carried the still sleeping Serena and had a pink and white little bag slung over his left arm. Kenji stood by the door feeling a bit more human as he sipped his morning cup of coffee. He gave Darien a mock salute and slammed the door behind his future son-in-law and granddaughter.

Darien carried the sleeping brat to his car and placed her in the back seat then draped someone’s jacket over her. Last night he had loaned his car out to Jiro who went to help Lita and Alex do something at their sorority and apparently his friend had picked up more than the two girls. The result was that Darien spent the better part of thirty minutes cleaning out his car.

From the Tsukinos’ it was off to breakfast with his father and sister. Artemis was surprised to meet his granddaughter from the future, but he quickly warmed up to the child. And much to Darien’s disgust, the kid actually took a shine to his father. After breakfast, the small family took in a couple rounds of golf while Serena played in the club house daycare. The intrepid group returned from battling the links to have lunch before calling it a day. Mina was meeting with Dave much to the surprise of her father and brother. She angrily rebuked all of her brother’s insinuation that her relationship with Dave was becoming civil.

She still wanted David dead or something worst, but for the moment she needed his help in preparing an exit strategy for a mass exodus of Terra if it came down to it, but that was not something that Darien needed to know about right now. After they all said their good byes and Artemis managed to get Darien to agree to having dinner with him sometime during the week and to bring Usa and her family with him, Darien and Serena were on their way.

With half of the day gone and his spirits somewhat lighten, Darien decided to take the kid to now kid friendly and mutated creature free park until it was time to feed her again. A few hours of that, a very happy Serena declared that she was hungry. As they left the park, Serena chatted on and on about the new friends she had made and asked if they could come again the next day so she could play with them.

As much as he wanted to deny it, Darien found that he was actually enjoying his time with the kid. Sure the thing was trying to steal his woman’s affections from him, but there was something about the child that made her special that made he like her a bit more. (He was now at acceptance.) Darien was mulling over these new thought as he watched the kid but a starving wolverine to shame. Several times he had to remind her to chew. She had already inhaled three hotdogs (just the wiener with catsup. Darien shuddered) and she was scarffing down a basket of fries and a large glass of milk at a speed that would have made her mama proud.

Andrew made his way to their booth just as Serena gulped down the last fry. He ruffled the little girl’s hair affectionately and smiled down at her. She was really a cute kid, sweet as honey and just as adorable as Usagi was.

“Serena, you want an ice cone?” Drew asked her.

Before Serena could respond with a very enthusiastic yes, Darien said, “Usa said fruit only.”

Serena started to protest but something else outside drew her attention to the large shop windows.

Hearing that almost caused Drew to have a heart attack. Such a thing coming from Usagi—Damn the though of her uttering such a statement.

“Are you sure that was something Usagi said or are just saying that to be mean to this poor child?” Drew asked in English.

“No,” Darien muttered. “Hell, she’s even given up sweets.” He shuddered. “Watching Buns going through sugar withdrawal is like watching a heroin addict get off smack. What’s worst, I can’t have any. Me! What the hell did I do to deserve this torture?”

“Cover-boy, you got a kid sitting here with you. Check the language.” Drew snapped at him. He caught a server by the arm and ordered three berry sorbets and for the little girl, he wanted extra fresh berries.

“I’m not paying for that,” Darien said grumpily..

“It’s on the house.” Drew slid Serena’s booster seat over then he dropped down in the booth beside her. “So where’s your baby’s mama?” He couldn’t help but to ask.

Darien glared at him. “You know, that wasn’t funny when Jiro said it all last weekend nor is it amusing today.”

“Well she is.” Drew pointed out.

“Dude, Usa’s still a virgin.”

“Meaning you are, too.” Drew smirked.

Darien gave him a look that clearly told him to shut up. “Fuck off…”

The two were interrupted by Serena who was pointing a dainty little finger accusingly at Darien. “Oooh,” the little girl said, her dark blue eyes were wide as saucers as she told Andrew, “He said a curse word.”

And they were back to that. This was the main reason Darien didn’t like that kid in the first place! She called him, “He”, “Him”, or by his first name (Endymion, not Darien), while she respectfully and lovingly called Usagi “Mama.”

“It’s not nice to point, Serena.” Drew gently admonished the kid, while inside he was dying with laughter.

Serena pouted, “But Mama said…”

“Sweetie, your daddy is little nuts. We can forgive him when he has these little slip-ups.” Drew hopped out his seat to avoid Darien’s kick. Drew stopped laughing at his poor twisted friend and he dropped back down in the booth. “Oh, yeah, speaking of nuts: Don’t you know some people in the Minister of Interior’s office or something.”

“My dad might,” Darien shrugged, “Why?”

Drew turned around and grabbed a copy of the Times from the booth behind them. “Because of crap like this.” He said as he pushed the paper under Darien’s nose. “Just how long is this investigation going to last?” He asked him.

Darien had stopped reading the paper after his received his first lawsuit. Some tabloid reporter in America, who had snuck into his party, had tried to sue him for a wrongful death suit as well for emotional stress and the lost of his camera. The judge in America had thrown the case out since the jerk was still alive (the reporter had tried to sue for his own death) and the judge went on to deny all the rest of the claims since the reporter took the risk by sneaking into the party. That did not stop others from trying to sue him or blame him even though everyone who had died or had been injured at the Crown was alive and their injuries healed. So far, every claim had been thrown out of court.

“I don’t know,” Darien shrugged, “I guess a miracle is too radical of a concept for the politicians to accept.”

“Yeah, well, because of this, my internship is being postponed until the summer.” Andrew slumped down in his seat and sulked.

Darien’s mouth fell open, “Dr. Fujita is canceling his program?”

“He’s part of the investigation so he won’t be picking up it back up until next year.”

“And what do you think I can do?”

“Hell, I don’t know. Maybe nothing, I just want this crap over with. You know my dad’s been subpoenaed and the commission wants the security tapes for your party.”

“Are there any tapes?” Darien asked. He knew that he had transformed in the open and was certain that everyone had as well. If their identities gotten out, Lord, Darien shuddered to think about of the kind of chaos would come about.

“Ami and Jiro came in the day after and cleaned house.”

Darien sighed in relief. “You know had you gone with Fujita this year you would have only been doing paper work?”

The expression on Drew’s face showed that he did not believe him.

“I’m serious. You wouldn’t be doing anything medical,” Darien told him. “Fujita uses undergraduates as secretaries.”

“Have you ever joined his program, Dare?”

“I never had the need. Besides, I freaked him out.” Darien pushed the paper aside as their server returned with their desserts.

Drew laughed. “You frighten a lot of people. The girl I’m supposed to be tutoring tonight dropped out of a class because you were the TA.” Drew grabbed a napkin from the dispenser and made a makeshift bib for Serena.

“Hey,” she cried as she ripped the napkin from her shirtfront. “I’m not a baby. I’m a big girl.”

“I know you are, sweetie,” he said trying to cajole her, “You don’t want to mess up your pretty outfit do you?”

Serena shook her head no.

Drew replaced the napkin and then gave her the dessert. “Darien, she is your kid, you should be doing this.” He scolded his friend.

“You look like you were enjoying yourself, I wouldn’t dream of interfering.” Darien smirked, “You stepped right into Mr. Mom role rather easily.”

“Only because you are neglecting your kid.”

“I’m doing nothing of the sort. I fed her.”

“You’ve been ignoring her.”

“Just let the kid eat.” His young friend scowled, “I have to drop by Mina’s before I take Serena home.”

After they finished their dessert and Darien left Andrew flirting with the girl he was supposed to be tutoring, Darien decided stop by a toy store before stopping by his sister’s. He didn’t know why, just the fact that one of his friends through he was being cruel to a child that he and Usagi would one day have did bother him. To make up for his behavior and to show his kid that he was nice guy, Darien was going let her pick out the most expensive doll in the shop, only she didn’t want the priciest toy. He was rather surprised when she chose a Tuxedo Kamen plush doll.

She told him that Usa had given her a Sailor Moon doll, but Kamen was her favorite. He was he was Endy. And that melted his heart. He was his little girl’s favorite parent (how quick they change.)

They swung by Mina’s place and had dinner. Darien asked how Mina’s meeting with Dave went. Mina just gave him some general information that he already knew about but she did not reveal anything new to him. Mina like the rest of the Senshi were being very tight-lipped about this situation and for the first since learning about Mina’s secret life as Sailor V, Darien found that he was being shut out of the Senshi business. Well fine, if they wanted to play this way, he could too. This was his planet, although he was not ruler, he would still protect it.

After leaving Mina’s it was a quick shot to the Tsukinos. It was a little after six when Darien rang the bell. Lita let him in after she swooped down to scoop up Serena.

“Usa’s in her room,” Lita told him as they went into the kitchen, to Serena she said, “Are you ready for dinner, little bunny?”

“We had dinner at Min’s,” Darien told her.

“Well, I guess it’s just bath time then.” Lita said as she nuzzled the little girl’s cheeks. “Darien, Usa wants to talk to you, so if you will go up…”

He stared at her blankly, “Why?”

She started to give him a sarcastic reply until she remembered how exhausted and dispirited her young cousin had looked after the Neptunian Ambassador had left. Neptune could not understand why Usagi had moved finding Anahita down on her list of major priorities. To them and most of the other planets, Terra was a planet open to conquest. With no central government for the planets to communicate with or representatives, Terra was ripe for anyone who was strong enough to take it.

Lita knew that Usagi had been keeping that from Darien. Usagi’s presence alone had forestalled the other planets from attempting to conquer Terra. Sadly, Usa could not remain here in defiantly. The day was going to come when they all would have return to Silver Millennium and their home worlds to rule.

Maybe by some divine act it would be possible for Darien to reclaim his kingdom. Usagi had reservations concerning that. The planet was so war torn and filled with suffering and hate that would be impossible for it to unite as one nation at least in their lifetimes.

The Uranian Ambassador was quick to point out the Terrans flaws when they last met. He was intrigued by the United States, the current world super power. He did not believe in the democratic process and found it laughable that the nation was trying to impose their opinion on Iraq when it failed to support the democratic nations in South America or the struggling nations in Africa.

Usagi spent two hours defending the land of her birth and it’s international policies. She knew the man had just been making conversation, yet before August Usa had shown little if any interest in the politics of the United States or any country. Now she discussing it with alien diplomats that she was forced to put up in lavish lodgings and give them everything they wanted within reason just to keep them happy while they were on Terra. Her Minister of Finance was pleased to give her anything she wanted and her Treasurer had sent Usagi a small chest loaded with jewels soon after the battle with Metallia that she had been selling off to pay for them Uranians’ up keep and to pay for the damage done to the Crown Arcade.

After the Neptunian Ambassador had left, Usa had returned to her room to catch up on her work. She was serious contemplating having her government coming to her with the amount of work they were constantly sending to her. She had budgets to approve, two treaties to sign with the star system next to hers as well as prepare for a summit she was to have with the planetary leaders in December. Oh, she could not forget that she was class project for World History that was due on Monday. She had just decided to take a break from the Punic Wars when she heard someone tapping on her door.

“Come in,” she called out. God, she sounded awful even to her own ears. When she heard nothing, Usa turned around with a sharp reply on her lips that turned into laugh of pure delight.

Poking through her slightly opened door was the largest bouquet of red roses that she had ever seen. Without hesitation, Usagi hurried over to the door and pulled it open and she threw herself into Darien’s open arms.

“Goddess, I’m so happy that you to see you.” Before he could reply, Usa grabbed him by the hand and started to pull him down stairs. “Get me out of here, please or I am going to go mad.”

Unable to do anything but comply, Darien said, “Your wish is my command.”

She flashed him a warm, grateful smile. “Thank you.”

Eiji had finally gotten around to asking Ami out (and to Josh’s every lasting joy), the pretty little genius had turned him. She said was overwhelmed by everything that was going on with her planet, Usagi’s problems with the Neptunians, and now with this new enemy. Of course she claimed to have been flattered that he had though of her but she really was interested right now.

As they strolled through the park, Usagi brought Darien up to speed on the girls’ “love lives.” She swore Darien to secrecy about Ami’s current crush (actually she wound up begging and promising him anything if he would just keep his mouth shut.) Rei and Asanuma had decided just to be friends. They had determined after their second date that neither really was interested in pursing a relationship at that time, however, they truly enjoyed each other’s company. Darien admitted that he wasn’t surprised by that which surprised her. She wanted to know why yet after his reasoning, Usa told him that she did not care for his insights concerning women.

Their wondering brought them out around to an open market and brought some noodles from a vender and their talk lead them Alex and Trista.

Whatever Usa had done to Ami, she had managed to duplicate with all the other Senshi. They were all able to reconnect with their pasts (,if that was even the right word for it,) and she offered to do the same for Darien’s Generals who turned her down only to explain that their memories of the past were just fine. It seemed the more Usa used her crystal, the stronger her bond with the crystal became, and it in turn strengthened her.

However, she didn’t mention what had sent her running from her bedroom. Several times Darien tried to stir the conversation around to what was going on with the other planets only to have Usa brush it aside or bring up something else. Darien could tell that she apprehensive about something and it bothered him that Usagi refused to talk to him about it.

They had come back to the park and had found and empty bench one of the water fountains and cuddled.

Usa rested her head on his left shoulder, her eyes drifted close as she luxuriated in the feel of his long fingers moving through her hair. If she hadn’t been so tired she would have yelled at him for taking her down her hair not to mention it felt good having that evil clip out. If she could have anything, Usa would have wanted this night to go on forever.

Alas that was an impossible dream for Usagi. In the morning she was meeting with the Martian Ambassador, King Ares along with the other planets were sending her greetings and gifts as overtures of peace and their fidelity to she and her rule. After that, she was going to try to squeeze in some time to study and spend time with Serena before showing her support for Rei by attending her school’s festival. Everyone was going to that and she had to remind Darien that he had agreed to go when he started to protest. Privately, Usa admitted the last thing she wanted to do was go to the thing, but she had made a promised to Rei thus she had to honor it.

She thought Darien was going to complain about the lack of time they have had together, (heck, she did so to Lita almost every night) and was somewhat stunned (and irritated) when he announced that he understood and would take a rain check on his day. It was so compassionate and thoughtful as well as generous, she only wanted to know one thing: Who was he and where the hell was her fiancé?

He laughed at her outraged expression and pulled her down for a quick kiss. He was upset that they wouldn’t be spending the day alone but at least they would be together and that had been a rarity since their return from the Moon.

“So I guess you don’t miss me at all?” She pouted.

“Of course I do,” he whispered. “I miss you all the time, even when you’re with me. But I kind of understand what you’re going through.”

She yawned as she burrowed deep in his arms. “When all of this settles down, we’re gonna go back to the way things were before, okay?” She murmured as sleep stolen through her voice.

They could never go back, he wanted to say; Usagi was the ruler of their universe and an alien Queen. They could never be as they once were. Instead of voicing his true thoughts, Darien pulled her close and tucked Usa’s head under his chin. Above them the full moon shone bright in the night sky. Not since Usa’s return to Terra had truly returned to its once soft pale light. The moon was alive and teeming with life. It was only a matter of time before the people of his planet became aware of the fact that they were not alone in this universe.

2

Rei awoke with a sense of foreboding the next day.

It was almost dawn when she left her bed and went to the pray before the great fire of her shrine. She had felt a great darkness moving through the astral planes shortly after Serena had arrived but had felt nothing since. Hotaru and Ami both suspected their enemy to have been cloaking itself and was hiding somewhere nearby. Until last night, Rei had sensed nothing about them, so she was left to wonder why was it showing itself now.

She contacted Ami and was still on the phone with her when Frankie arrived, ready to start on the temple’s chores. As she rung off, she noticed him standing inside the kitchen’s doorway, a worried frown marred his usually cheerful countenance, it was obvious that he had heard everything she had said. Rei didn’t like to see such serious expression on his face; it looked unnatural for someone like Frankie who was always filled with exuberance and joy.

Rei forced a smile to her lips as she motioned for him to enter. “Buena dias, Francisco.” She bowed slightly in greeting. Frankie rewarded her with one of his quicksilver grins. It was a mock grin, but at least he was smiling.

“Ohayo, Rei-chan.” He snickered.

“Stop laughing at me.” She snapped, but she couldn’t stop her own smile from appearing. “Is it my fault that you are awful teacher?” She turned around and reached for the teakettle, but Frankie had rushed over and grabbed the ancient monster before she could lay one finger on it.

“I’ll do that.” He told her. Frankie gently pushed Rei out of the way as he moved over to the sink. “I’m sorry about laughing, Rei, but your accent is—“

“Terrible?” She rolled her eyes and nodded, “I know, you say so all the time yet you insist upon my learning your confusing language when I barely understand English.”

“Spanish is one of the Romantic language.” He winked at her, “It is meant to seduce and charm una bonita señorita out of her underwear and into bed.”

She burst out in giggles. “And you say this from experience?”

“I never kiss and tell, Rei-chan. Besides it worked for my father when he was wooing my mother.” he smirked.

“Oh, I refuse to believe another of your stories,” She opened the cupboard and pulled out of box of cereal bars. Had she the time she would have had bowl of the rice porridge the cook had made.

“So, Rei, you’re going to tell me bothering you or do I have to guess?” Frankie asked after he put the kettle on to boil. He but his back to the counter top with his arms folded over his chest.

The easy going, laid back façade hid a very piercing mind and a dark, mysterious side, Rei had often been exposed to that other side of Frankie since he started volunteering at her family’s temple. Usually the monster would rise when Frankie was worried about her.

Rei stopped nibbling on her breakfast, “Our enemy is on the move.” She told him. Before he could comment she went on, “I don’t know where they are or how they are moving; with some luck we will have that information soon.”

He nodded, “I’ll inform David.”

“I’ve already shared this information with Mina. She says until the enemy shows, our status is still high alert.” A chill raced down her spine as she recalled an image from her dream. “Tell Dave to be aware of those who promise death.”

He looked at her questioningly, “Death?” He was confused.

Rei nodded, her violet eyes were empty as she stared into the flames on the range top, “I have a feeling that our enemy will not stop until they have brought death to this star.”

3

Usagi was a having bad morning. Since Mina early morning visit, Usa had been though several state of nervousness and anticipation. The enemy had moved, which was good. But they had no idea of where they had gone.

She had to postpone her meeting with the Martian Ambassador, rearranged her schedule all together, and plan for a possible attack somewhere in her Universe. After her briefing with her Royal Council, Usa made time to do some coloring with Serena after breakfast and take the little girl for a walk around the neighborhood. When she returned it was back to business. Mina was preparing an exit strategy for Usagi and had sent Alex over to discuss it with her. The Senshi had decided that it was time for the High Queen to return to Silver Millennium, she would be safe in her own palace. From the kitchen, her parents had overheard every word. Which was why it was no surprise that they sided with her guardians; they wanted their daughter safe and if it meant her leaving them, then so be it.

By this time Usagi had enough. She rounded on Alex and Lita and simply yet firmly told them no. She would not leave her loved ones or Terra until their enemy had been destroyed and that was final. She then excused herself to her get ready for the festival.

After wards, Usa and her Senshi met with Darien and his Generals at the Crown. Mina was reluctantly sharing information with the terrans. She didn’t like having foreigners interfering with her work and that was what Dave was doing with all his questions and suggestions. Josh wanted to know about their intelligence and where it was coming from. Jiro asked about their plans for defense and the possibility of exit strategy. Frankie had been talking to Rei and brought up something that neither Mina nor Dave had thought of. The Senshi were not of this world and everything felt the similar to them. However, the Generals were of this world and they knew what was of Terra and what was not. Why hadn’t they though to use them to help track this unseen foe?

Ami admitted that his was right. The Senshi had been arrogant by not including the Generals in their search which thus far had yielded nothing. Mina wanted to hold off on further judgment until the Terrans provided them with solid information that could be used in locating their enemy.

Dave turned to Frankie and Jiro which left the Senshi feeling embarrassed. Mina was seething; Dave had been sitting on this information and had not been forthcoming with it. Frankie said that Rei had unknowing confirmed his and Jiro’s assessments, then Dave revealed the greatest shocker: The enemy was already on Terra.

Lita wanted to know why they hadn’t they said something. All that time and the resources wasted when David could have just picked up the freaking telephone…She had to leave the booth or she would have attacked one of them.

Usagi wanted to know the same. She was angry that Darien had been keeping something so important and vital from her. Darien answered for his men. This was an internal problem and Terra would handle it.

Usagi felt sick and ashamed. She blamed herself for this. She had cut Darien out of certain parts of her life, all the while justifying it all by saying that she was trying to protect him and his planet. She had treated him as…Usagi pushed her emotions aside to focus on the matter at hand.

It was decided that they would continue with their initial plans and go about their day as if nothing was the matter. That meant they were going to festival.

Rei could not rid herself of the cloud of fear that hovered over her since that morning. She had been at her booth for two hours now, casting fortunes that and reading auras. The readings were not apart of her original program, but Rei was using it her customers as covers as she openly cast out a psychic net, searching for dark magics if they were out there. While with her last customer, she spotted Dave moving in through the crowd with Serena riding high on his shoulders. The silver haired youth stopped beside Frankie and the two had a brief conversation. Frankie nodded at something Dave had said and then his commander moved on.

Frankie had come with her and was there as her back up incase something were to happen. Rei was glad to have him there—each of them. Whatever was going to happen, it was going to happen today, until it did, they just had to wait.

Frankie did not like this. All this waiting business was play havoc with his nerves and was making him jumpy. It was why he started so violently when Jiro clapped him on the shoulders.

“Frank. Man, what the hell got into you?” His roommate demanded.

Frankie was hunched over with his right hand clamped over his racing hear. “Madre de dio,” he panted. “God, you almost gave a damned heart of attack.”

Jiro ignored that. “Dave said that you felt an abomination or something in this area and he sent me over here to check it out.”

It took him a moment, but Frankie did manage to get his heart out of his throat. “Sí, at that fortune teller’s booth over there.” He pointed to the one that read “Black Moon Supernatural Club. As soon as I had entered the school grounds, I felt that something didn’t seem right,” Frankie explained, “The feeling of uneasy only grew stronger the closer I came to that booth. There is just so much negative energy coming from that tent and that that chick in there, it just screams abomination. Do you feel that?” He asked Jiro, his voice hardly more than a whisper, but he knew Jiro had heard him.

Jiro nodded, his express was tight with barely suppressed rage. “I do. A black void surrounds that tent. Why the name The Black Moon Club? What does it mean?” His eyes narrowed even as realized that something was completely off with the tent and the chick with her crystal ball.

“Rei said she had a vision about inverted black crescents,” Frankie told him.

Jiro looked at him in shock. “She’s telling you about her visions?”

Frankie glared at him, “Just because she’s seeing that loser doesn’t mean we don’t talk. But seriously, Rei’s got these visions and they’re starting to worry her. We’ve tried channeling the negative energy, but with no luck. We gotta get Endy and Usa out of here. Something big is about to go down.” He watched as a girl went running from the Black Moon booth and others a couple others went running for Rei and the festival director. “Shit,” Frankie swore, “We’re too late.”

Rei looked up when she heard the commotion coming from the Black Moon’s tent. She met Frankie’s worried gaze over the crowd, he didn’t want her to go, but Rei was being pulled towards the Black Moon booth.

Swearing under his breath, Frankie trotted after her. He shouted to Jiro to tell Dave what was going as he went after Rei.

Rei pushed her way to front of the so-called fortuneteller’s tent and stepped between the dark haired girl under the purple veil and her latest victim. When the charlatan started to reach for her crystal ball, Rei slapped the offensive object to ground and caught the girl’s wrist in a painfully tight hold.

“What is the meaning of this?” Rei demanded angrily. “Why are you pretending to predict such tragedies for those who visit your booth?”

“What I speak is the truth,” the other girl declared. “You should not fear death. It should be embraced and welcomed.”

“Majo!” Rei snarled. With a flick of turn of her hand, Rei twisted the girl’s wrist almost to the point of breaking causing the witch to cry out. “You speak of curses and lies. Only those with nothing to live for fear death. What you are doing is needlessly frightening people for you own perverse pleasures.”

To her surprise the false seer smirked, a cruel look appeared in her eyes as she regarded Rei. “Maybe you are the one with the fear, Hino-san.” She smiled then and it was a ghastly sight.

Before Rei could reply, the festival director caught Rei’s right sleeve and pulled it slight. “Let’s go find the Mother,” Kate said imploringly. Then she turned to the seer, “Until we return, your booth is closed, Catzi.”

Reluctantly Rei allowed Kate to pull her away. Rei glanced back for Frankie, he gestured behind her, and Rei knew the strange girl was following them. They entered the closed off part of the school. Rei managed to pursuit Kate to return to the festival, she told her that she would find inform the Mother Superior of what had been going on. No sooner had Kate left when Rei heard a voice call out.

“Hino Rei. You are so different from everyone else in this place.” The speaker cooed, “We know about you. The difficulties you face because of your gift. You feel as if no one understands you. Your father has betrayed you by abandoning you to life of isolation and fear by leaving you in that run down old temple with only that old man to care for you?”

Suppressing a growl Rei turned around to where the sound of footsteps. Out of the shadows came Catzi. Rei was not surprised or impressed by the tacky outfit that witch was wearing, but she was curious about that black crescent in the middle of the other girl’s brow.

“Come join us, Rei.” Catzi said. Behind her appeared fifteen black droids. “Come to the Black Moon and we will take away all your fears and make you invincible.” Her voice changed to a low, melodious singsong that was meant to hypnotize and possess.

…The enemy was already here… Rei threw the thought out to her sister Senshi. “Who are you?” Rei demanded tersely. Her right hand closed over her transformation crystal as she stared at the smiling chimp. “Where do you came from and what do think you will accomplish here?”

Catzi’s drones moved to surround the girl. Rei slowly dropped into a defensive crouch as the Dark Moon witch came towards her.

“I am Catzi,” the strange girl was saying, “I am the youngest of the Four Sisters of Deception who serves Crimson Rubeus. And as for what we want. We want you, Hino Rei, to join our side.”

“Why should I?”

“To save our planet, Terra, from the cruelty of those who worship the accursed stone of illusions that will destroy our world.”

Stone of Illusions? Rei frowned. “What are you talking about? What stone could destroy this planet?”

“Terra is being threatened by the outside forces that will one day destroy our home. We need you to help us find the Silver Imperial Crystal and its keeper and destroy them before they can ruin our history and force us into subjugation while their puppet king…”

Outside, Mercury had been listening to the conversation and recording it for further analyst. The last part had her worried. “Venus, are you getting this?” she demanded of her commander who was rushing across from the other side of the schoolyard.

“I am,” was the grim reply. “It’s an assassination plot and they are trying to use the Terrans against the Queen.”

“Mars wants to eliminate the target.”

“Take her out.”

Frankie stood outside the gym, listening to everything was being said by the Black Moon freak. The girl, Catzi was apart of group of dissenters who wanted to overthrow Endymion’s government in the future so they had come to pass thinking they could so. That explained why Frankie felt Terra around the girl, but whatever it was that she and her comrades had hooked up with not of this world. It stank on her like three-day-old fish in the sun or a pair Dave’s gym socks; both were lethal on hot days just like the crap that Catzi was carrying around on her back and it was making Frankie worry.

“I am sorry, Catzi, however, I decline generous offer.” Rei said politely.

“You are a powerful psychic,” Catzi continued to press on. “We will help you develop your talents and give you a place to belong.”
“I said no.”

The kind, helpful façade fell from Catzi face, “We are not giving you a choice. You will join the Black Moon.” To prove that she was serious, black fire leapt sparked and danced around her closed fists.

For Rei, Catzi had just thrown down the gauntlet. Before the other girl blink, Rei had leap into the air and hit Catzi full in the face with jumping turning kick. The attack was so unexpected that she had caught Catzi unawares. Catzi fell back to the floor with blood and teeth exploding from her mouth; Rei landed in a crouch and immediately went after the other girl.

Meanwhile Frankie was caught up in his own trouble. He was swamped by drones and he wasn’t the only one. Dave had Sam and Hotaru with him and they were trying to protect Usagi and Serena from a gang of drones. The enemy had finally decided to attack in order to escape with their prize.

Mina felt it. A pain lanced through her heart and for a moment everything seemed to have slowed down. She heard Trista and Lita shouting as they raced to the gymnasium yet before they could reach the doors, the building exploded.
“Rei!” Frankie’s yells could have been heard across the school grounds. Mina turned and saw that David and Josh were wrestling him to ground to keep him from running into the burning remains of the building.

Usagi shrank back in horror as she felt Rei bring spirited out of this plane. This was too much for her already overwrought nerves. Silently, she called Rei’s name before she collapsed in a dead faint.

4

Rei had been taken.

Mars wanted answers when Usagi had none. Mina of course took the blame saying that she had underestimated their enemies, but she would not allow such an act to go unpunished. It was again that Lita brought up the idea of Usagi leaving Terra. The argument had turned almost violent physical confrontation when Darien learned that Mina had been trying to convince Usagi to leave before. Darien felt betrayed by his sister and her seemingly lacked of faith him in to protect Usagi and his planet.

Alex threw in that he could not protect his planet since he was not its ruler and had no real say in its destiny. She also let loose the secret Usagi had been keeping from him and until she realized the look of horror on the young Queen’s pale did she know it had been a secret.

Usagi did not know what do. Rei had been captured, Mars was blaming her since Usagi refused to leave Terra, and now Darien was angry with her. Darien left in a huff, he did not say anything to either she or Mina. His generals went after him with Dave promising that he would get Darien to calm down. Soon after the Senshi broke off into separate groups and went home.

Usagi had seen to Serena and had put the somber child to bed. Hours later, Usagi was the only person awake in the house and it did not seem that she would be sleeping soon. She sat in her bedroom window watching as the night grew longer, waiting for the dawn.

Over head the bright light of a still brilliant pearl moon hung ponderously in the dark blue sky a silent sentinel for it’s Queen. Some time before, when she realized that sleep would not come to her, Usagi spent a few minutes surfing the Internet when she had stumbled across a news report from Holland that had everyone from amateur astrometry to the NASA turning their telescopes to her planet’s pale surface.

Life had been discovered and of all the places, it had been on the Moon. A few days before, a group of Martians deliberately wrecked NASA probe. It was one of major issues the Martian Ambassador had wanted to address. Trivial things like the Terran dropping probes onto his King’s planet, instead the audience almost become at declaration of war. Ares and his people blamed Usa for Rei being kidnapped.

Again, Usagi blamed herself. Was she so selfish? Because she wanted to remain of Terra one of her dearest friends and allies had been captured by the enemy. And now she had had half of planets wanting to declare war on Terra because of her ineptitude. It was all her fault.
“Selene, what am I supposed to do?” She whispered. “How can I protect my kingdom when I can’t even protect those I love?”