Living On: A Sailor Moon fanfic. By Alice S. Serena bolted upright in her bed, feverishly sweating and with numbness all over her body. She was shaking, with fear and chills pricked on her spine. Luna effortlessly leaped onto her sheets and purred affectionately against her bare skin. "Serena this is the fifth time you've woken up in the middle of the night like this! You have to tell me what's going on and then maybe I can help you!" Luna nearly screamed at her. "I?.I'm sorry Luna. It's just a bad dream. That's all?." She bit her lower lip. *That same dream again?.?* Serena curled up under the covers and sighed. *If only Darien were here?.maybe he would know?..* She closed her heavy eyelids with the joyful conscience on her mind with that of Darien coming back and hold her in his arms and just be able to look in his beautiful, dark eyes?. "Serena! Wake up already! You've fallen asleep too many times! Get a grip!!" "Hey, give her a break, Rei! She has had a long night last night and I don't blame her for sleeping now." Mina paused and took a deep breath. The she suddenly blurted out, "This meeting is hopeless! We shouldn't have all come." "Wait guys. Let's get down to business. Everyone, this is very important. We all have to stick to the point. Don't you remember those evil Negamoon monsters at the shopping mall the other day? They weren't normal! They were very strong. I think we have to watch it for a while." "Aww, no sweat Ami. We can handle those Nega-trash anyday, no matter how ugly they are! Right, everyone?!?" "..Hmmmm.??? What? Who?" Serena was on her knees at the short little table, leaned over and was resting her head. Slowly she raised her head up to face them. *this is really annoying..* "Serena, c'mon you have to stay awake long enough to get through this meeting. Then you can go home and sleep all you want. Ok?" Mina watched anxiously for a reply. *groans* "hmm? Oh, yeah whatever?." *snores* She closed her eyes and mumbled distinctly. "oh?Darien?" The four girls gasped at her, then changed their expressions to great pity. No thought of him had crossed their minds at all, because it was blocked by extreme fear and the idea that no word of it would make it disappear. As the awkward silence grew, the flames from the Great Fire jumped and leaped into the air, casting tall shadows against the beige-colored wallpaper. The night air swept into the room, Rei's kimono ruffling in the breeze. They all seemed to fumble with their hands and look down at the floor, from a strong feeling of shame. None of them could handle the event well, so they took the liberty to just forgetting it and hoping none of it would ever be mentioned again. One of them searched her mind for her real feelings instead of her fear and childish ideas that Darien would just come over any day, joke at Serena again and they would all be together, happy and safe. A strange, sudden chill overtook the temple. Indeed they all felt it in their hearts as one, even the sleeping Serena. What were they thinking? Were they really that weak to try and forget their problems and settle everything normally? Mina spoke first. "Well, what do we do about it? Really?.I mean what's the difference between those guys and the others we have fought before?" "Well, I did notice something when Serena accidentally hit the diamond-shaped pillar behind them. It somehow weakened them. What if she hadn't have hit that? Would we been able to defeat them?" "Maybe?but that guy just gets on my nerves! It felt good to take it out on his stupid minion." Lita started to do imitation kicks and punches. Ami choked back unsuspecting sobs. "I can't TAKE IT!" Rei cringed, trying to block it out like before. But not when her friend was trying to help them all realize the truth. "I CAN'T JUST SIT BACK AND FORGET THAT NIGHT! I CAN'T! NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY!" Mina tried to comfort her and put her hand on her shoulder, but she pushed it away. "Ami -." Ami shut her eyes tight, but then she calmed her breathing and looked out to everyone. She took a deep breath. "No, please. I?I'm ok?I'm so sorry everyone! I didn't mean to get so emotional." Rei stopped her with a wave of her hand. "Ami?you're right. It's been hard on all of us?especially poor Serena. I can't help trying to feel sorry for her, but it will only get in the way of our duties. We have to accept it. Darien?is -" "Dead." Serena's head turned up and gazed into all of them, with an empty emotion and cloudy eyes. "He's dead. Dead. Dead. Dead dead dead dead." Her mind was spinning rapidly. Flashes in her mind were so bright of that night she shut her eyes tight. She saw Rini in his arms. Then Darien on the road covered in blood. She saw his face smiling, mouthing something but she couldn't hear. Then she saw it. Headlights speeding closer to the sidewalk, tires squealing on the asphalt. She had no time to think, until her eyes caught a glimpse of a dark figure on the other side of the street, waving his or her arms wildly. The car swerved left, and a bloodcurdling, soft splat sounded. Silence. A car door opened. She knew there were loud bawls and cries at what they saw, but she didn't want to hear them. Her feet suddenly moved by themselves; her arms were limp at her side. Her foot felt wet and warm and sticky. As she paused to look at it, Serena saw red coated all over the crosswalk. On her bare foot was the same red color. It dripped onto the pavement with a 'plop'. Still the shouts and sirens were not at her ears. Her feet steadily inched to the car. She saw fingers pointing to something resting up against a chain link fence. A little girl was crying. She wanted to comfort her, to reach out to the strange girl for some reason, then her eyes - were open to the greatest and most horrible sight to ever have even come across her mind. Her knees buckled form the sudden weight on her head. Her legs scratched on the cement. Flashes of photographs blinded her. Suddenly her eyes turned blank, and she collapsed. Her head made a sickening thud on the edge of the table while the girls rushed to her side. Her head was throbbing. Her hands were numb. Blood oozed out from under her hair onto the floor. Serena's breathing turned shallow and small. She heard voices. "Oh my God, Serena! Please hang on!" "ER Stat!" "Serena please don't die on us!" "We're here for you!" "Where are you taking her!?" "She'll be fine now." "We need a blood transfusion A.S.A.P. " "CLEAR!" "Still no pulse." "CLEAR!" "Wait?" "We've got a pulse going..?get Dr. Carey in here?" "Take her to Neurology-34?" "She was lucky..." "Oh, God! Serena is awake! Quick, everybody! Serena's awake! Look!" Serena found her head in a white bandage and soft, distant beeping noises were heard beside her bed. *Bed?? Where am I? Who's there?* "Serena it's ok we're all here! How do you feel? Are you ok?" Questions were thrown at her weak mind and body. She tossed her head from side to side and coughed. "Guys stop she's fine!" Ami held them back with one hand and looked at all the girls straight in the eye sternly. She placed her other hand on Serena's, locking her fingers with hers. The frustrated girl's heavy panting slowed to calm breaths. Suddenly Mrs. Tsukino burst through the door, with Rini by her side. "Is Serena?.!!" She clasped her hand over her mouth to hold back her cries. "She's fine Mrs. Tsukino. She'll be fine." "Oh, thank God!! Oh!" She reached for her daughter and stroked back the hair on her face. She was sweaty and cold. Rini peeped out from behind a tray of needles and medicines. Her eyes were watery, and her hands trembled. She couldn't lose them both. Not now. But when her fear subsided she ran to Serena and hugged her as tight as she could. Serena looked down on the little pink-haired child about her. She forced a smile to her lips as their eyes met. "Oh, Rini?you're here??" She sniffed. "Yup! I sure am." It was then Serena noticed her surroundings. "Hey...where?Hey! all of you are here! Mom, Ami, Lita, Mina, Rei?" "Don't forget me," said a familiar voice. "I heard about it from Rei's grandpa." His short blonde hair hung over his eyes. "Huh?! Oh?Andrew!! I?I haven't seen you in so long!" "Ditto, Serena." "Andrew! Wow?" Lita somewhat eyes him a little more than normal. Andrew coughs, embarrassed. "Oh, so you're the guy that used to work at the arcade, right? I thought you moved somewhere?didn't you?" Serena's mom inquired between sniffs. "Yeah?but it didn't really work out?..look, I'm going to be staying here for a while, so I thought to say hi, but then I ran into your grandfather." He looked at Rei. "So what exactly happened?" "She hit her head really bad. But she's okay. How are you feeling, Serena.?" asked Rei. "Oh?I'm a little tired, that's all. I just need some rest now." "Yeah, ok. We'll leave now and you just sleep. If you need anything, we'll be right outside." "Thanks, guys. You're all so great." "Serena, after you're better we can go get some ice-cream and pig out for a while. How's that sound?" "Oh, I can't wait!" She tried to perk herself up. But they knew and soon left her alone. Her mother and Rini lingered for a moment, but they too exited and the nurse left the door slightly ajar. She dreamed. Serena dreamed that she was flying, over the sea. Soft clouds kissed her face and sent delightful chills through her body. Seagulls cawed and swooped beneath her. She saw no land, only the crystal, icy blue water below, flat and placid. Serena closed her eyes, and let her arms drift out from her body. Her fingers ran through the wind like running water. She smiled. When she opened her eyes, she saw beautiful blends of orange and purple and magenta all across the sky. At the sea she saw her shadow, broken in lines by the reflection of the sun's rays. Then she laughed. It felt so good to laugh again. And she gazed out over her scene with serenity and pleasure. She was calm. Then a darkness swirled at the end of the horizon. It stretched far across the sky, sweeping everything in it's path and twisting the birds' bodies like scrunched paper. The sea raged and roared, the waves so high she could feel the mist spray up at her underside. Her heart was racing wildly, and she couldn't slow down from flying closer and closer to the blackness. But what she saw in the blackness had her bones quiver. She saw two huge eyes. Enormous, dark blue eyes filled with anger. But the expression changed drastically. She saw tears coming from the massive eyes. The streams of water from them glistened and floated out to her. She impulsively reached out a hand to touch the phenomenon before her. It felt so cold against her fingers. It almost glowed with its own light energy. She admired it in awe and stared in curious disbelief. Then it disappeared with a tiny spark of light into nothing. And as she looked up the blackness disappeared as well. It was sent back to the horizon, far, far away from her. The sky was clear and blue. Then sun was beating down on her back? "Andrew, do you think you can do a favor for me?" Mina turned on her heel. Her hair danced then fell down on her shoulders. Her ponytail was out and she was in her night clothes. "Yeah, what?" "Could you take this to Serena? I know it is a little late and all but I really think she needs this right now. Could you please?" she handed him a little, light-weight box in pink wrapping with little rabbits decorated on it. "Oh?." He thought for a second. "Yeah, ok. May I ask what it is?" "Well?I might as well tell you. But if you bring it up with Serena?" "Don't worry, I won't. If you feel like don't telling me, you don't have to." "No, it's ok. It happens to be a gift from someone she knew?actually from Darien?.he?" "Oh yeah, speaking of Darien, I wanted to see him, but I couldn't find him. Do you know where he could be?" "Andrew?.Darien is?he passed away. Only a week ago?.he?was?hit?" She clenched her hands together tightly. "Oh?my God?.I?.you mean?oh my God?.not Darien?" "Yes?.it has been so??I'm sorry I shouldn't have brought that up now.." "No, it's all right. I'll?take this to her now. I just?can't believe.." "Well?.I'm sorry Andrew I'm really tired I've got to go to bed. Thank you for doing this for me at such a late time." "Yeah?your welcome?" He silently closed the door and started to his car. He paused at the front steps for a moment. *Darien can't be?he just can't. I talked to him only a few days ago...It's not true?* As Andrew turned into the hospital parking lot, his mind wandered. *Darien can not be dead. He's not the person who just?dies?at such a young age He can't be. I'll find him and I'll see him again?.* He shook his head. *No. He is. I have to accept that. But?!!* "DAMN!!" he said aloud. He hit the steering wheel with his fist. The nurse opened the door to room number 678 and let him inside. She seemed almost in a trance, he noticed, but he shrugged it off. Andrew listened for her footsteps die away in the hall before he closed the door behind him. He glanced at Serena's face for a moment, then set the gift down on the tray beside the bed. Then she woke up. "Luna!? Mom!" she called. But when she saw Andrew she calmed down. "Oh...Andrew what are you doing here?" "I?came to deliver something from Mina?but I'll leave now; sorry to wake you, Serena." He turned to leave. "Wait!...please?don't go yet. I've been so lonely. I hate being cooped up in a hospital." "Oh...ok?I guess I can stay for a little while." He pulled out a chair and sat down, tapping his foot slowly in time with the clock. "So, Andrew-." *I'll be with you always, my love* Serena sat up straight. "Did you hear that?" Andrew looked around. "Hear what?" "That?oh...nevermind. I just thought I heard something." *Please listen to me, Serena. Don't lock me out* She clasped her hand over her mouth and gasped. "What is it?" Andrew was concerned. "Oh?nothing?I just remembered something, that's all." *Am I going crazy??* *No you're not. Don't you remember me, Princess Serenity?* She threw off the covers and stood up. "Don't you hear that Andrew??" she asked frantically. Her hospital gown could not keep cold from getting through. She shivered. "Serena?are you ok?" She spun around, looking for the voice in the room. Andrew grabbed her shoulders and shook her gently. "Serena, what is going on?" She snapped. She tore away from him, knocked him over onto the floor and made her escape. *I'm so sorry, my Serena. I shouldn't have come so soon...I'm so sorry?sorry?goodbye?.* Those last words echoed in her head as she stumbled down the hall. She felt so weak, and dizzy. She grasped the railing along the side of the wall and exited down the fire escape. An alarm was sent through the building, red lights flashing all around her before she blacked out. "Serena, wake up. Please wake up. Please?" Serena opened her eyes. She found someone's eyes searching her face for any movement or reaction. He sighed, relieved. "Wha?" "Serena you just rest. Don't try to say anything, okay?" She nodded her head. She felt dizzy. "I'll go now but your mom and all your friends are outside the door. You can just call. Goodbye." *Goodbye??* She wondered why that stuck in her head for the rest of the day. "I'm so worried. She went hysterical and ran away from me. I?I feel like it was my fault. She just lost someone and was already scared in the hospital. I...I think I shouldn't see her again for a while. What do you think?" "I think you're insane! You should talk to her every chance you get! She does miss you, Andrew. She needs someone right now from her past. It is best for her spirit." "I don't know?maybe I should come when it's daylight." He chuckled to himself. "When she's asleep." Luna sighed. "Well, if you feel that uncomfortable then wait a while. You'll see." "Thanks?I guess?.but it is strange I'm taking advice from a cat." "Well?you'll find that sometimes it's better than people's advice. They're not always as wise as me." She purred. He scratched her head and rubbed her ears for a moment. "Well, see you around, Luna." *did that just happen or what?this is turning out to be a weird week..* "Darien, oh Darien why did you die?" She put her hand on her head to try and stop the spinning. *Oh, Serena??.* Her eyes went wide. Who was that? *I've missed you so much?.I'm so sorry?* *Who?who are you?why are you talking to me?.?* She closed her eyes to try and picture the face of the person's voice, but failed. *I? -* The voice was cut off. Rini entered the room suddenly. "Oh?Rini?hiya what's up?" Her weak attempt to cheer up around her went without success. "Serena?I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute?please?" "Sure,. What is it?" She paused for what seemed like hours, then finally spoke. "I?I've been hearing this weird voice in my head?not all the time?but last night I did?when I was about to go to sleep?" Serena patted the bed, motioning Rini to come and sit beside her. Rini diligently obeyed, climbing up onto the plastic-feeling sheets and resting her head on her chest. "Oh, Rini. I didn't know it was real when I first heard it myself." "Huh?" She looked up at her with her big, beautiful pink eyes. "Yes. I heard it, too. I've been trying to figure out who it was, but I can't. I seem to know the voice from somewhere...but I don't know. At first I thought I was crazy." "That's strange?I felt the same way, too. But how come only we can hear it? Can anyone else?" "I don't know yet. But, Rini, don't be afraid of it. I think it wants us to listen. You let me know immediately when you hear it again. Okay?" She nodded shyly. "Okay?but Serena? I thought it was someone?I knew?but?" She started to cry. Her tiny fists balled up and she whimpered. "But I don't wanna to think about him!!" She clung to Serena's shirt and buried her head into her chest. Her tears rushed out unexpectedly and her knuckles turned white. Her sobs touched Serena deeply. Suddenly she felt like crying, too. She felt like she used to be, crying whenever something wasn't her way. But this was different. This was a physical pain, tearing her heart inside and out. She tried to soothe Rini with her reassuring words, but it only made her cries louder and more dreadful. It was hopeless. She had to just let her cry, for now. Then she saw something. It was beside her on the tray, wrapped in pink paper and little drawings of cute, tiny bunnies. She almost reached for it, but Rini hung onto her. She petted her head and began to sing very slowly and softly? "Fighting evil by moonlight?.winning love, by daylight?never running from a real fight, she is the one named?. Small Lady?." Rini shivered. Her grip loosened and her tears fell less. She looked up at her future mother and smiled through choked sobs. "She will never turn her back on her friends?she is always there to eat cheesecake?" She smiled wider and wiped her eyes with her hand. "She has so beautiful eyes, that anyone has ever seen?." Serena lifted her chin to her face. "Rini?" "Hmmm?" "I know I'm not really the person that knows how to cheer people up, but I understand as much as you do that we both grieve and regret for Darien?.Prince Darien?about the way he died. But Rini, I want you to be very brave, like you always have been. And we'll be brave together. We'll stick together. Won't we?" For a moment she stirred uneasily beside her, then replied, "Uh- huh . We'll stick together, Serena." She sniffed and wiped her eyes again. *oh.. Rini is such a good kid?poor darling?*. "When are you going to get out of the hospital?" "Actually, today I'm getting out. Then we can go and have some cake and ice-cream?maybe go to the park and buy those big pretzels and sodas?what do you say?" Andrew held Rini in his arms, with many sarcastic protests and she wriggled about until he put her down. She happily skipped off, humming to herself and stopping at a pretzel cart, eyeing the food hungrily. "I've never seen such a cute kid. She almost looks like your younger sister, Serena." "Uhh?yeah?she does, doesn't she?" they walked together down the sidewalk, looking down at the ground, and Andrew awkwardly trying to speak with enthusiasm. But they just walked on, listening to the sounds of children shouting and laughing, noisy chatter and watching the peoples' heads bob up and down through the crowds. It was a gorgeous afternoon, the sun just below the buildings' roofs, different shades of green in the trees' leaves from warm, yellow-orange rays, people all about and Saturday's slow, steady traffic made possible for young kids play street hockey and chase one another up and down the old streets. A perfect day. The kind of day where warmth fills you up, where you wish that you could forever just walk until you could walk no more, into the horizon with the beautiful sunset behind you. Where your surroundings should be noticed but can't be because your mind is so light and empty with no worries or cares and you want to just stay in the sun's rays and let the heat absorb you. Serena closed her eyes and stopped. She smiled. This day was just like the day when she and Darien had their last kiss. She remembered holding onto him, never wanting to let go, his hand under her chin, raising it ever so slightly to his lips. She could feel the breath of him on her face now, and she reached up to stroke his black hair. But she felt only the breeze slide through her fingers. "Serena??" She snapped back into the now, searching around if anyone was looking. Then she remembered Andrew. "I think I lost you back there for a while..." She wanted to glare at him for that comment, but she held it back. She felt that she is always holding her feelings back now-a-days. She brought her hand down and hid it behind her back. So what do you think so far? I know I'm not that good, so if you have any suggestions or comments e-mail me at princess_moongiril@hotmail.com. Thanks :D Sailor Moon Part 2: Rini's last hour. "Serena! I want this one!" She turned and grinned at the little girl. "Do you think you can eat all of that?" "Uh-huh!!" Andrew laughed. "Get out of the way!!" Someone yelled from across the street. A speedy, silver convertible flew through downtown, as old newspapers and soda cans were thrown into the air. "Geez, the nerve. People like them just don't care, do they?" Andrew expected an agreement, but when he looked at Serena he was dumbfounded. She was staring out after the car, then her feet stepped uneasily onto the pavement. Then she ran. *Red??a car?.* was all her mind could think of. At a stoplight she had her chance. Revenge. And then on impulse she transformed. "MOON?.PRISM??..!!!" Her hand was held high. She would get all of them. She'd show them all? Something black slithered through the alley, large glowing green eyes on Serena. The creature sped out into the open street, eyes burning with anger and some confusion. Before she finished Luna jumped in her face. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!!!??!?!?!" She quickly scratched her on the nose. As if she had just awakened, Serena blinked in the sun, finding herself in the middle of the street beside a silver car. Andrew came running up from behind her. He caught his breath before he spoke. S...Serena?.What???!? What are you DOING?!?" Then she felt the burning stares of people's eyes on her, watching her every move, whispering and pointing. "I?..I have to go home?.." "She WHAT?!?!" Rei sounded worried. "Yeah, that's what Andrew told me. He said she just ran really fast down the street, then shouted something that he thought sounded like, 'Moon?' something. I think she was going to transform! Thank goodness Luna came in time!" "What about Rini?" "Andrew took her?though she hated it. Andrew is such a great guy! He's so nice and charming, isn't he?" Mina paused and looked up at the ceiling. "Serena just walked home all by herself?." The four sat, waiting for a reasonable conversation to approach. "Mina, I've been wanting to ask you something lately?" Ami's cheeks flushed slightly. "Hmmm?" "What is with you and Andrew all of a sudden? Are you?. ??" Mina perked up and said in a defiant tone, "Yeah. He's my new boyfriend!" She tossed her hair off to one side and smirked. "WHAT?!?! NO WAY!! How could you take Andrew away from me!!" Lita growled and put her fist in Mina's face. "Lita, are you going crazy? What makes you think he was yours to begin with??!" "That's it!!" Lita stood up, shaking her fist. "I know of a perfectly good way to solve this: an Arm Wrestle!!" "What? No, there's no way I'm going to arm wrestle over my boyfriend!" And the argument resumed for about five hours?. Ami sighed heavily. She wished that Serena would stop torturing herself. But then again, she would probably feel guilty about not torturing herself. At least Ami knew that's how she herself would feel. Her book plopped to the ground. As she bent down and reached for it, a sudden flashback overtook her and she swayed, grasping a lamppost for support. Her mind ached so much to remember? It was precisely 9:00PM, and as Ami had gone to sleep, her phone rang. "Hello..?" she had said almost irritably. "A?Ami..-" static was cutting off Serena's voice. "Y...you got?.*static* you got to come here?.*static* help me?A..A..Ami *static* I'm ssss?I'm scared?I'm at?ssss?Old ssss old school *static* please help?.the?the car *static* car ?ssssss?..hit?there's people ev- *static* where?ssss?.A...Ami please come ?..here I?your?help?" The phone went dead. Immediately Ami put on her shoes and leapt from the bed, grabbing her wand just in case. She ran down the street in her pajamas, her tired feet racing for life to her friend's cries. Next thing Ami knew she was being helped up by some young boy. "Are you okay?" "I'm?I need to sit down a minute. I'm just a little tired?" Her feet would have collapsed beneath her, hadn't it been for the stranger. He held her by the waist, gentle and almost loosely. He blushed slightly as he held onto her waist. Brown hair danced over his eyes, which were clear blue and hidden by the shadows. "Yeah. I'll bet. Let's get you over here to the shade." Under a large, Japanese Pagoda tree he sat her down on a wooden bench. Her hand was held against her forehead and her face was pale. He noticed that immediately. "Can I get you something to drink?maybe some water or tea?" "Oh, no. You've done enough already. I'm really grateful." "Aww, it's no biggy. You stay there." He stood up, bowed quickly and slightly, then jogged off to the nearest vending cart. Ami smiled, but thought to herself : *where have I seen him before?* She pondered until she realized her headache was back again, worse than before. Then she began to press hard on the front and back of her head to ease the pain, until the boy was back, glancing suddenly at the new apparition. "err?here's your tea?" "Arigato." She took it from his hands and started to take a sip, but her eyes shot wide open. Something shouted in her mind: *GREGG!!!* She had just finished breaking up the arm wrestle with Mina and Lita when she had herself some tea. As she sat before the fire, she remembered the other day when all of them had been here, discussing, laughing, joking, until Serena spoke up about Darien. What a lousy day that turned out to be. Serena is almost killed herself, then Grandpa goes nuts about why she isn't there for help when she was at the hospital, then Serena goes crazy and tries to run out of the hospital and faints, then she has to break up a fight, Grandpa tried to fly again, and then that Chad had to come over as always and hit on her. But he didn't bother her anymore when he left with a bleeding nose. And now as she sipped her tea again, she felt lonely for that ditzy meatballhead to come over and read all her comic books or singe her hair in the Great Fire or scream her head off and whine and cry. What happened to that Serena? *Serena?Serena?my Princess?* A voice whispered in the darkness. Serena reached for the lamp, but changed her mind. "Who?who is there?" she said shakily and hoarsely. *I've missed you so much, my Serena?I can no longer bear it?* The voice was so far away, yet as if it was right in her ear; she could feel the breath from the stranger on her neck. It was so close, and so warm, so comforting? "Yesss?." She hadn't realized she said it until it echoed in the night. Why had she just said that?? *Remember me, Serena?don't forget me?* "But I don't know who you are!" She waited anxiously for a response. No answer. Luna purred in her sleep as the little clock ticked silently away? *Remember me??* the voice died away with the stirring of the trees outside. The moonlight poured into her room, with a blue glow across her bed. Streams of water dropped onto her white sheets, the curtains ruffling in the wind. What happened the next day was the most dramatic experience the princess could have ever imagined. As Andrew picked her up to go by Mina's house, Rini had been trying to listen for the voice that called to her for the past nights. She knew deep in her mind exactly who it was, but didn't want to accept it. She also knew why the voice was here, and ever since Andrew was here she had been having this strange feeling of joy and sadness all mixed together at one time. But only when she heard the voice. Andrew had parked his car in front of the Tsukino household, when Serena came bursting out of the doorway, carrying a startled Luna in her arms. She hurried out the door, her shoes slipping off her feet. When she stopped to bend over and put them back on, she saw Andrew. As their eyes met, she suddenly burst into silent tears, then ran back behind the house with the black cat struggling wildly in her grasp. It was Rini who came out when Luna had ran from behind the house. She closed the new screen door quietly, as if not to shatter the morning's serene dampness. Her eyes were so cold and looking beyond that of Andrew's car, but to the deepest darkness in the sky ahead of her. Her eyes were so cold to Andrew. He felt suddenly intimidated by their emptiness. "Hiya, Rini." He waved his arm in a gesture to say to get in the car. She paused for a moment, looked both ways, then her eerily tiny, petite footsteps echoed through the dawn and out over the crosswalk. Serena's head popped from behind the side of the house. Her eyes were red around the edges. "Don't go Rini. Don't leave me! You're all I have left. Don't leave me, Rini!!" "I have to go, Serena. It's time I do go now. The voice told me I was ready for it. And I want to know what the voice wants me to do. I must follow it." "No, Rini! Don't go! Please!! I couldn't live without you, Rini! You know that!" "I'm sorry Serena. I have to. The voice wants to show me something. I think it is a wonderful thing he is going to open to me. I have no other choice but to accept it. I now know that my destiny lies with that voice. When I was afraid, I learned what the voice really is. It is something deep in my heart that I have known all the time. I've got to meet it, Serena. I have to say goodbye." Serena had not known to whom Rini was saying goodbye to, but she assumed it was to her. "Rini, I'll never let you go! I'll never let go of you! You're all I have! Rini!!" She clung to the little girl's skirt, but her hands slipped down to the floor, as if she was too weak to hold them up. Rini walked steadily down the stairs. Her sobs reached Luna's ears, and soon Luna found herself rubbing against Serena, purring softly as the new day creaked through the window and sent a glittering light all over Serena's body. She could feel the warmth, she wanted it so much, but she ignored it. She also wanted to stay cold, and that feeling was much stronger. She wanted to feel cold forever. The two most important people in her life had left her so cold and lonely. She was terrified. And when Rini died that day, her heart turned to nothing but ice. ? So what do you think of this part 2? E-mail me with any kind of questions, suggestions, or hey! Even compliments. (those mostly?) @ princess_moongiril@hotmail.com. by the way, if any of those comments happen to be about the sucky comedy I threw in there, don't bother. I know it's bad. :D Sailor Moon Part 3: Souls bonded. Another loss was too much for Serena. but the thing that frightened them all, was that she never cried when it happened. She had been so still, her eyes never blinking. The other wailed, bawled even, they held each other in their despair. Shoulders were soaking wet from salty tears, but none of them were from Serena. Her teeth grinded against one another from their sorrow. She had now been angry and jealous, seeing everyone able to cry out to each other, laying their burdens on one another's head. So much pain it was to take the grief for someone else. How Rini died is not to be explained, for Serena never wanted to know when she heard it. She didn't hear that Rini was with Andrew. She never heard that Andrew had gone inside for a moment, and Rini waited in the car. She never heard about the sudden explosion. She learned to expect the worst that month, and her heart ceased to live in justice and love. She had become a lost soul, wandering in her own shadows, trying to find her way back to her right mind. She was alone, deserted and stranded, silent in the cold fears and icy chills of her dreams. But also in her dreams there was light. So many times she wanted to reach for it but the strength to be cold was always too strong. She was now lost forever. Lost in her own mind, and no one could get her out. There was no key, and there was no door. When Serena had opened her wrist, had seen the dark liquid dribble down her fingers to the carpeted floor, had felt the sharp sting all up and down her arm, she turned afraid. She remembered a sudden headache, and she fell to the ground. The pain grew much greater and stronger, like the cold of her heart. And as it grew, it changed from pain, to a thought. It was a simple thought, one she could understand clearly in her new world, in her new ideas. *Remember me?* The thought that was a link to her once beautiful and strong soul, a link to the past she had forgotten. The past she was forced to have forgotten. However, that one thought sent her lost self into chaos. She had found a crumpled towel by her bedside, though later she had wondered how it got there, wrapped her hand in an almost feverishly manner and cut off the blood flow. The light towel was soon turning a dark, purplish red. She panicked, but didn't lose her control. Keeping the towel tight around her wrist, she started for the bathroom. But her feet were swept out from beneath her. The wind was knocked out of her lungs, and she gasped, sucking for air but couldn't find any for a moment. She struggled to see, and she staggered up to her knees, aching all over. The loss of blood was so tremendous, but her thoughts were to live. To live. The Moon Princess is going to LIVE!! The sultry night caved in over the town slowly and comfortably, and Serena was wide awake on her bedspread. But her eyes were closed. Then the voice came back. *Serena?.* someone whispered in the wind. A chill sent goosebumps all over her body, and she sat upright, her eyes still closed. "Yesss?.?" There was now a different voice. *Serena?forgive me?* "Who?" *Serena, try to remember?for us?for all of us?* It was the first voice. "I?.can't?.can't?" She realized she was whispering. And a picture flashed before her mind. She was in a lighted place, and she seemed to be by herself. But the voices were there, too. *Princess Serenity?search your mind here?remember?* The place was empty, and she was floating in the air, listening to the soothing voice in her ears. And then there was music?soft, distant music, traveling closer to her. It was a song. A silent song, with no words. It had so much sadness and grief in the melody. It drifted so slowly before her, and she felt like she could hold it in her hands. She felt something. She was grasping onto it, trying to reach for it, reaching farther and farther forward; reaching for the music. She felt she must get closer to it, feel it in her hands, and she knew it would lighten and show so many things that she didn't see before. And as the melody grew louder, but still soft, she was overwhelmed by the sudden happiness and joy as she felt the cool texture of a gold chain. She pulled it to her bosom, feeling her heart against the music, and her heartbeat was in perfect rhthym with the sweet, sad music. But then the sound turned to joy, as much as her heart felt it. It was brighter, more clear, and it calmed her ears, a lullaby to her tortured mind. A blinding light burst from her eyes? When Serena was awake, blue moonlight sprayed into her shoulders, her hair glistening and absorbed in her own light. *I love you, Serena?* *I remember, Darien?I remember everything?I know that you had taken some of Andrew's spirit to have the power to speak to me now?* *Thank you, Serena?you have freed us?freed us?* *Serena, I'm going to miss you so much?* A small, child-like spoke just above a whisper. *No?no?you?you can't go now?no?* *Serena?you freed us?you let us go?* *We have to leave?have to leave?* "NO!!" *We love you Serena?we love you so much?* "No?NO!!" Her screams turned to horrid sobs. "You can't leave me alone?you can't leave me again?..!!" *I can't live without you! I can't!* *You have to live, Serena, you have to live. You must* *I can't?.I won't?* There was a pause for a long time. A gust of wind sounded like a deep sigh. *Serena?your purpose?your destiny...is to live on, because you are a great leader, and you are what we will be watching forever. * *Why can't I go with you! I want to be with you, Darien! Rini! I want to go with you! I want to die now! I want to be with both of you always and forever! I'm ready to die to be with you!* *You have a responsibility, Princess Serenity. You are leader of the Sailor Scouts. You have a future waiting for you, as Queen. You will fight against evil, live your life, and be happy. You will be happy. For the rest of your life.* *I don't care! I'll never be happy without you! Never! NEVER!!* She sobbed until Darien spoke again. *Wipe your tears, my Serena?you can't cry?you are stronger than this?you have to be strong, in this world you must be strong...free yourself, Serena! You must free yourself!* *I free myself by dying! I don't want to live! I don't deserve to live!* The sweet melody ringed in her ears. It was?the locket? She looked down at her hands, finding the locket clasped between her fingers. It was playing their tune. Her finger traced along the design on the front, admiring it through warm tears in her eyes. She whimpered as the tune faded to a soft, distant note, then fading to silence. The song ended, as Darien's voice ended. She cried with no sound, only with the ringing of those last few notes in the melody. Suddenly a breeze filtered in through a crack of the window, seeping like a gas. Her paper thin curtains fluttered slightly, the air whistling through the fibers and threads. And then something went straight through her body. A wind, so powerful, so forceful, but it was somehow gentle?like it tried so hard to reach through her, to run through her. Her back arched from the sudden chill, and she gasped. Her eyes shot wide open from the sudden force, and she wailed a cry of sadness that no one ever had before. She felt her heart expand, for they went right through her body. She felt their souls in hers. She felt Rini and Darien again! They swept through her body, through her heart in an instance. And she heard their voices in time with one another as they went: *Never forget us, Serena. Live and fulfill your destiny?live your life as much as we would have lived our own?remember us, Serena?never forget?* *They're right?I will live on, I will fulfill my destiny?for you?I will live as Sailor moon, I will live to be Queen Serenity?I will live on and be happy?I promise?* So, what did you think this time? Again, e-mail me @ princess_moongiril@hotmail.com. Thanks. By the way, that's all there is. :D