Hi, everybody!  Stef-chan back with part three of "Nowhere to Run, Unable to 
hide."  I know that the second one was a cliffhanger, and I'll do better 
this time.  My brother got mad at me when I finished writing it because I 
had ended it like that.  Again, I won't bore you with author's notes, read 
'em at the bottom if ya like

DISCLAIMERS: If you people don't know that Naoko Takeuchi owns Sailor Moon 
and not me, then you should consider getting help.

RATING: PG (ALL my fics will probably be rated G & PG with occasional 

PG-13.  Never R or H.  Especially not H!  I will never write such 
disgraceful pieces of literature!)

NOWHERE TO RUN, UNABLE TO HIDE

CHAPTER 3

Serena looked at the woman called Emerald in shock. 'How does she know?!'  
Emerald stood their looking at the two obviously frightened girls.  Serena 
growled deep in her throat.  "Rini," she started, "You must go!"  Rini shook 
her head in defiance.  Serena raised her voice.  "Go now, Rini!!" Rini still 
hesitated.

Emerald laughed evilly, getting both girls attention.  "I'd run if I were 
you, Small Lady! You might have a chance at getting away!"

Serena once again turned to Rini.  She didn't say anything.  The look in her 
eyes was enough to get Rini moving.  She turned and ran.  She didn't run 
home, no one there would believe her.  She ran to the closest Sailor Scout 
home there was.

The two women faced each other.  Serena raised her locket above her head.

"MOON CRYSTAL POWER!"

She was instantly transformed into Sailor Moon.  She pulled out her scepter 
and challenged Emerald.

Emerald just laughed.  "You pathetic little girl.  Do you think that you can 
beat me with that puny weapon?!"

"NO," Moon said through gritted teeth.  "I *know* I can beat you."

"Sure you can," Emerald smirked, "Serenity."

Sailor Moon gave a start.  "How did you-"

"Know?" Emerald finished for her.  "The resemblance is remarkable.  I'm 
surprised that twit Rubeus didn't see it."

"HUH?"

"Rubeus failed too much.  Prince Diamond is now making us work together."  
Obvious displeasure with the assignment was in her voice.

Sailor Moon took notice of it and was startled.  'Great!' Serena thought.  
'Just great!  Rubeus wasn't the only one!  If she was appointed then there 
must be more of them.  She doesn't seem to like Rubeus, can I use that to my 
advantage?'

"Well enough with this little chat," Emerald said.  "You should just 
surrender.  It'll save you a lot of embarrassment."

"Dream on!"

"Can't say I didn't warn you," she sighed as she released a powerful blast 
of dark energy at Sailor Moon.

********************************************************************************

Amy sat at home, reading her homework, to make sure she hadn't missed any 
questions.  She was already taking eleventh grade courses, and she was only 
in eight grade. In a little over two years all her teachers were sure she 
would be in collage full-time.

Her thoughts wandered to the collage people she knew. The ones who could 
help her if she needed it.  She stopped when she thought of the most obvious 
one. Darien.  She felt awful for what she had said to him. She had meant 
every word of it, but hadn't meant to say it like she had.  She had told all 
the others this and they had agreed.  None of them were pleased with him, 
but they didn't mean for what they said to sound like it had.  They were 
just tired of the way he treated her. She was a person who deserved respect.

She sighed, and continued to study her text.  A sudden banging on the door 
interrupted Amy's studying.  It didn't stop and soon she could hear a voice 
form behind the door.  "AMY! Open the door!"  Amy hurried to the door and 
opened it.  Standing there was a flushed and very scared looking Rini.

She whisked Rini into her apartment.  "Rini, what is it? What is wrong?"  
Amy's voice began to shake slightly as she was talking.  "You're not hurt, 
are you?"  Fear welled up in her, but was calmed momentarily when Rini shook 
her head.  "Then what?"

Rini managed to choke out the story to The Warrior of Water and Ice.  Amy's 
face visibly paled and she put her hand over her mouth.  "Oh, Rini!"  Taking 
a deep breath Amy held in her emotions.  "Alright, Rini go call Darien and 
have him meet us at the spot you last saw Serena.  And I'll call the others 
on the communicator."

Rini looked up through her tear filled eyes.  "Why-" she asked, "Why should 
we call Darien.  He doesn't care about Serena."

"Rini, one day you will learn that what people's mouths say is not always 
what their hearts are telling them." The guilt in Amy's voice was almost 
unnoticeable.  Rini probably wouldn't have noticed it if she hadn't known 
Sailor Mercury her whole life.  "Just go call him."

Rini nodded and went to the phone, while Amy called the others and told them 
where to meet her.  When Rini hung up the phone she had a puzzled expression 
on her face. "Darien wasn't home," she told her friend.  "I called several 
times but he wasn't there."

Amy nodded and held up her transformation pen.

"MERCURY STAR POWER!"

When her transformation ended she turned to Rini, "Stay here, K?"  Sailor 
Mercury ran to her window and jumped onto the next rooftop.
********************************************************************************

Darien woke up with a start and clutched his head.  He had fallen asleep not 
to long after the girls left. He had been studying for his next test in hope 
that he could possibly forget his conversation with the angry Sailor Scouts. 
  He was grateful for waking up before having to watch Serena die again, but 
something else was wrong.  "Serena," he whispered.  His mind began to race 
as he realized what was happening.  She had just transformed, and she was 
*terrified*.  He concentrated hard on her.  When he knew where she was he 
ran out of his room and followed their link to the danger she was in.

********************************************************************************

Sailor Moon fell to the ground.  She hadn't been able to call for back up.  
Emerald had made sure that of that. Her communicator was lying on the ground 
about fifty yards away from her.  This was a losing battle; both she and 
Emerald knew that.  Sailor Moon got to her feet and held her scepter at 
ready.  Emerald easily blasted her to the ground again, and her scepter went 
flying.  It landed right beside her communicator.

Emerald stood above her and laughed at Sailor Moon.  "You can't win, 
Serenity."  Sailor Moon looked up at the witch and spit in her face.  Wiping 
the spit off her face she growled at Sailor Moon.  "You want to DIE 
CHILD?!?!?!"

She stood in defiance in front of Emerald when there was a shimmer of light 
behind her.  "Emerald, haven't you captured her yet?"

Sailor Moon turned around and gasped when she saw Rubeus standing there.  
She looked between the two and swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Well," Emerald started, flipping her green hair behind her back.  "I was 
just having a little fun, after all she has screwed up our plans pretty bad. 
I just want her unconscious.  She'd be easier to handle that way.  Not to 
mention, I never saw *you* get this close to defeating her."

Rubeus snarled at her but had to agree to one of her points.  It would be 
easier if she was unconscious.  "We're running out of time, Emerald.  We'll 
just have to take her conscious."

Sailor Moon gasped as a dark shield suddenly surrounded her and lifted her 
off the ground.  She felt the dark energy shoot through her as her body 
began to shut down. Unable to hold her transformation, she downshifted to 
Serena.

Looking up Serena saw Rubeus had his hands extended out before him, creating 
the dark dome.  Emerald was to the side laughing that lovely little laugh of 
hers.

She began to disappear with Emerald and Rubeus when she was suddenly 
released from the containment field.  She was about to crash to the ground 
when familiar, warm arms snatch her and kept her from collapsing.  Looking 
up, she saw that Rubeus was holding his hands in obvious pain, and Emerald 
was standing there looking with a shocked look on her face. The red rose of 
Tuxedo Mask was imbedded on the ground near the two.

"For attempting to hurt those who are pure and innocent I will not forgive 
you!" Tux shouted as he set Serena down on the ground.  He charged at Rubeus 
and lashed out at him with his roses.  Rubeus dodge and countered with a 
large amount of dark energy balls.

Both Serena and Emerald stood, watching the fight. Serena struggled to stand 
but it was no use, her legs were paralyzed from the dark power.  'Darien!' 
she thought, 'You can do it!'

Emerald sat watching the two combatants as Tuxedo Mask landed another blow 
to Rubeus' stomach.  'Perfect!'  She smiled as she watched the display.  
'With any luck, the two will destroy each other!  That will get two pests 
out of my hair.'  She continued to watch the fight until she heard grunting 
coming from the other side of the battlefield.

She laughed as she watched Serena struggle to get up and then fall down.  
'Well I suppose I could take care of Serenity while Rubeus gets rid of Cape 
Boy.'  She hovered over the battle to where Serena was.  "You ready to go 
Serenity?'

Serena looked up and gasped.  Emerald was floating above her.  She prepared 
to attack and the only thing Serena could do was scream.

Tuxedo Mask heard Serena scream.  He turned in her direction and saw Emerald 
standing over her.  "Serena!" Rubeus saw that he was distracted and tried to 
take advantage of it.  It worked just the opposite of how he expected it to. 
  Tux may have been distracted, but he was also angry.  Someone was trying 
to hurt his Serena.  When Rubeus struck out at him he jumped over behind 
Rubeus.  A careful blow to his back knocked him down, and almost 
unconscious.

Tuxedo Mask jumped over to where Serena was and grabbed her off the ground.  
He was almost too late.  When he jumped out of the way the blast singed his 
cape.  He turned and glared at Emerald and Rubeus.

Rubeus hissed through his teeth at the two as he stood up, "I don't care 
what Prince Diamond said.  I will kill you, Brat!"  He glared at the two and 
both dark generals prepared to attack.

"Mercury Bubbles BLAST!"

The entire area was shrouded in a thick fog.  The two Dark generals 
desperately tried to see through the mist.

"Mars Celestial Fire SURROUND!"

Sailor Mars's attack lit the way for the two generals who jumped out of the 
way at the last minuet.  The fog cleared and the two evil beings looked to 
see four Sailor Scouts standing protectively in front of Tuxedo Mask and 
Serena, who was still in his arms.

Deciding that she didn't like the odds, Emerald teleported away.  Rubeus 
called after her and then turned to the Sailor's. "I'll be back and then you 
won't be so lucky, brat." He teleported away and followed Emerald back up to 
the UFO.

The girls relaxed slightly and then turned to Serena and Tuxedo Mask.  
"Jeez, guys!" Serena exclaimed with a half smile.  "You taking lessons from 
Darien or something? That was a little TOO close."  Having partially 
regained function of her body, she slid out of Tux's arms and gingerly to 
the ground.

Mars respond to her comment with one of her own.  "At least *we* fight!  
What are you doing in civilian form in the middle of a battle, Meatball 
Head?!"  She sounded mad but was, in truth, concerned for her friend.  
Something was wrong if she wasn't transformed.  There was something *very* 
wrong with her.  'She looks awfully pale.'

"I was wondering the same thing," Tux started as he and the others 
de-morphed.  They could be in trouble if some people just happened to walk 
by and want autographs and pictures.  "I felt you transform, Serena, but you 
weren't when I got here."  He looked at her carefully, noticing that she 
didn't appear injured but he could *feel* that she was in pain.

The others voiced their agreements and concerns.  Except Amy.  Serena was 
about to explain but Amy began to talk before she could even open her mouth. 
  "How do they know, Serena?"  The others looked at her in confusion, then 
turned to Serena who didn't look the least bit confused, just extremely 
worried.

Taking a deep shuttering breath Serena began to cry.  This didn't startle 
the others.  But Raye didn't start in on her this time. She could tell 
something was very wrong.  Serena continued to cry for a few minuets.  She 
was in pain because of the dark power.  She was confused because they knew 
all three of her identities.  She was happy because if Amy knew, that meant 
that Rini must have made it to her house.

When she stopped crying she started talking.  "Rini made it to your house OK 
then, Amy?"

Amy smiled at her friend, "Yes she did.  She's worried about you."

Darien cleared his throat and the two girls looked at him and the others. 
All of their friends had the same questioning look on their face.

"Sorry," they said together.

"It's OK," Artemis said.  "But, it would be nice to know what is going on 
here."

Serena nodded.  "Let's sit down, K?  I'm kinda tired." The others followed 
her to a small grassy area that was covered in trees and secluded from 
unwanted people's eyes and ears.  They sat in a circle with Darien and 
Serena, out of habit, sitting next to each other.  No one seemed to take 
note of this, not even the would-be couple.

"Rini and I seemed to really be hitting it off, especially after last night. 
  She's been a little more open to me so I decided to be nice to her too.  
We went ice skating-"

Giggles erupted from all the girls except Amy.  "How many times did you fall 
down this time?" Mina asked through her laughter.

"This is serious, Mina.  I did fall down a lot, but the point is I had fun." 
  *THAT* shut all of them up.  Serena smiled smugly at their open-mouthed 
faces.  She never acted like this.  'Maybe I should be serious more often! 
The looks on their faces are worth it!'

"As I was saying, we went ice skating and then out for ice cream.  When we 
got to that street over there, I felt that something was wrong.  I stopped 
and began looking around.  After a minuet a woman came up to us and asked 
for help.  Rini recognized her as the Dark Moon general, Emerald.  She 
laughed, and believe me if you ever hear that laugh you'll want to scream.  
It is sooooooo annoying.  It sounds like-"

"Stick to the subject, Serena," Luna told her, slightly annoyed.

"Opps, sorry."  Serena blushed and then continued.  "She told 'Small Lady', 
as she called Rini, that today she wasn't after her.  She said that she was 
there for me.  Then she called me Sailor Moon."  She looked at all of her 
friends.  All of them, including Darien and the cats, had paled.  She 
inhaled another deep breath and went on.

"I sent Rini off and transformed.  I fought Emerald for a while and she 
knocked my communicator out of my hand.  She knocked my scepter away after 
awhile, too.  Rubeus appeared and encased me in a dome of dark power; you 
know like Malachite did.  I was too weak to stay transformed, and then 
Tuxedo Mask saved me."

She turned to the man next to her, "Thank you, Darien."

"It's nothing," Darien replied, not looking at her.

"No, it's not.  You saved me."  She waited a moment and when he didn't 
answer, went on.  "There's more," she said hesitantly.
Darien turned to her.  Serena noticed that he looked paler than any of the 
others.  "More?  What else could they know?"  His voice shook.  'This isn't 
good.  If they know who she is they can attack at any time.  I can't always 
be by her.'

Serena hesitated before she started again.  "Yeah, they know I'm Serenity."  
She looked up and started to cry again.  "How could they know?  I'm careful 
when I transform.  No one's around!  I don't know what to do."  She began to 
sob loudly again causing the others to cringe.

Mina stepped forward and tried to comfort her.  "It's OK, Serena.  This just 
means that all of us get to spend more time together."  She smiled, but when 
she looked at Serena's tear-stained face, she stopped.

Darien, who had been quieter than normal spoke up and tried to revive the 
cheerfulness in her.  He placed his hand on her shoulder.  Startled by his 
sudden kindness Serena looked up to him and gave a slight start. "Serena, 
Mina's right.  Nothing will happen to you."

He knew he might blow everything if he didn't choose his words carefully.  
"I promise you, Serena.  I won't let anything happen to you."  Serena looked 
up and her tears began to stop.  "I'll protect you."

Serena stopped crying when the girls agreed with him. "We've died for you 
before.  We'd do it again in a heartbeat," Raye told her in a voice that 
didn't lie.

Serena threw her arms around all of them.  She even gave Darien a quick hug. 
  He smiled and returned the embrace, but they had to let go too quick for 
either of their liking.

"Thanks guys," she whispered to them as she wiped the rest of her tears.  
The sun reflected out of Serena's eye and she realized that it was pretty 
late.  "Oh no! Rini's probably worried sick!"

"She's at my home, Serena," Amy told her with a smile. "Let's go and pick 
her up."  The two girls waved goodbye and left.

"Great," Darien said sarcastically after the two were out of sight.  "Damned 
great!  She's in danger all the time now, not just as Sailor Moon."  He 
looked down with a hopeless expression on his face.  "How can I protect 
her?"

The girls exchanged knowing looks with each other. Darien turned and got 
ready to leave but Luna stopped him.  "Darien."  He turned and faced the 
group.  "I'm calling an emergency Scout meeting and I want you to attend.  
It's going to be midnight at Raye's. Will you come?"

He hesitated before answering.  "I'll be there, Luna.  I need to start 
working more closely with all of you if I want to help protect Serena."  He 
turned and walked away from them and went home.

"If you want my opinion," Lita began, "what he's really upset about is that 
he can't protect her twenty-four seven."

The others nodded in agreement as they watched the ever-mysterious Darien 
disappear into the setting sun.

********************************************************************************

Rubeus and Emerald stood in front of Prince Diamond on their home planet of 
Nemesis and awaited their punishment.  They explained what had happened and 
now the prince was standing with his back to the two of them.

"She is key to this mission, and you let her get away?" The prince turned to 
his followers with his eyes flashing dangerously.  "You should have just 
destroyed Tuxedo Mask and been done with it."

Emerald stood up in her own defense, "We tried, but he has a power in him, 
too!  It feels like this power is all around and drawn to him.  Like the 
earth itself is at his command."

Diamond quickly whirled around and began firing questions at the two.  "What 
do you mean?  Like he drew his power from the earth?"

Emerald and Rubeus looked at each other.  "It did seem that way," Rubeus 
told him.  "But, there is not a warrior for earth."

"Exactly.  Wiseman."

Upon the prince's command, the Wiseman appeared in the room.

"Yes, Prince," the Wiseman hissed out.

"Wiseman, I need you to look into the future and see what Tuxedo Mask is 
doing at that time.  Could he possibly be Endymion?"

The Wiseman looked into his crystal ball.  After several minuets of staring 
at it he came to one conclusion.  "I can see nothing.  But I have a feeling 
you may indeed be right, Prince.  There is no Tuxedo Mask in the future, 
just as there is no Sailor Moon.  We should investigate him."

"Rubeus, Emerald," he turned to the two.  "You failed me miserably before, 
but now I have a new mission for you. You are to discover the true identity 
of Tuxedo Mask. His civilian form and if he is Endymion.  No matter what 
though, kill him.  If he is Endymion, then that means that the child is his. 
  Killing him will kill her. He is also in my way personally.  If you kill 
him, you will be well rewarded."

"Yes," the two said together.

Diamond waved his hand and all other occupants from the room disappeared.  A 
holo of Serenity came into view and he smiled at it.  "Soon, my love. Soon."

********************************************************************************

A woman stood alone in a vague gray landscape, an invisible wind blew her 
hair behind her.  She was watching a hologram of what was transpiring on the 
moon, Nemesis.  The woman looked to be in her early twenties with long, dark 
green hair and piercing eyes that were a dull shade of red, matching the 
bows on her outfit. "They are too close," she said to the emptiness of the 
cavern.

Shutting down the holo she turned on another one that was for communication 
purposes.  A man answered on the other end.  "Yes, Sailor Pluto, what is 
it?"
"Your Majesty, please forgive me, but I have urgent news on the events of 
the past."

"Yes," the man inquired further.

"They have discovered Serenity's identity and are very close to discovering 
Endymion's.  I'm afraid that we may need to move on to drastic measures."

The man considered this and was hesitant in his reply. "I hate to do that.  
The dreams have been hard on Darien.  And you know Serena..."

"They must know what they can survive," Pluto protested. "If this does not 
happen, then the whole future is likely to change."
The man sighed but smiled slightly.  "That's the only problem with talking 
to the Guardian of Time.  You know the past, present and future.  All right. 
  I'll do it.  If this does not go according to plan..."

Pluto cut the other off, "While the past can be changed, as long as Darien 
and Serena still love each other, there is no doubt that we will win.  We 
must win."

"Thank you for the information Pluto.  Endymion out."

The screen in front of the woman went blank and she sighed.  'Small Lady 
needs to figure out the truth.  She must see who her parents are in the 
past.  The sooner she does, the sooner this is over with.'

With a wave of her hand Pluto made another hologram appear.  Looking into 
it, she saw an image of Tuxedo Mask.  He was sitting in a tree, and looking 
into the window.  Sailor Pluto smiled as she saw whose window he was looking 
into.  'Hopefully, after tonight, you two will figure out what the dreams 
mean.'

********************************************************************************

Tuxedo Mask sat in a tree outside of Serena's window. She had fallen asleep 
over an hour ago and he just continued to watch her as she slept.  It had 
gotten dark not long after he had left the girls. It had been about seven at 
that time.  It was now after eleven.  As soon as he had left them, he had 
gone to her house and waited for Serena and Rini to get back.  When they got 
there, he was surprised to see them acting civil to each other.  He liked 
it, like it was somehow right.

Darien had listened to the conversations that the two girls and Luna were 
having.  Luna questioned her about the attack until she kicked the cat out 
of the room.  Darien started laughing at that.  After that Serena and Rini 
just talked to each other.  He noticed that Serena tried to get Rini to tell 
her who she was, but as always, Rini avoided the question and didn't answer.

After a while, the two went to bed.  Darien opened the locket after he was 
sure they were asleep.  He remembered how he used to do this on the Moon 
Kingdom.  He'd go to a tree outside of her room and jump into it. She would 
be asleep, but sense his presence and wake up. They didn't see each other 
often and when he came the two spent every moment they could together.  At 
night they'd sneak into the garden and just hold each other.

One night in the garden, Endymion had given her the locket.  Darien knew he 
had cast a spell on it, but for the life of him, couldn't figure out what 
the spell was. He knew it was important and would help them solve one of the 
many mysteries in their lives.

He sighed as he closed the locket.  Just in time, too. Rini had awaken and 
walked over to the window.  Tuxedo Mask sunk lower into the shadows.  Rini 
sighed and started to cry.  Startled at the young girls' unhappiness Tux 
started forward to comfort her.

Before he could get there, he watched as Rini touched the nose of her 
floating ball, Luna-P.  A second later a vaguely familiar voice came from 
the window.  Tuxedo Mask did not recognize the voice fully.  But he thought 
he should.

"Puu," Rini said trough her tears.
"Small Lady, what is wrong?  Why are you crying?" the female voice named 
'Puu' asked.

"I'm scared, Puu."
Darien felt like he should know that name too.  He felt he should know 
everything Rini was talking about. 'She's scared?  Why?  Wait, didn't Serena 
say that Emerald called Rini, Small Lady?  Could that be her name?  Her real 
name?'

"Why are you scared, Small Lady?  It can't be because you are lonely.  I 
have
been watching you from the Gates of Time, Little Princess.  You and Serena 
are getting along!  The other Scouts have become trusted friends. What are 
you afraid of?"

'PRINCESS?!?!?!'

Darien became very interested in this conversation.  Rini was talking to her 
Luna-P ball and it was talking back.  Someone who knew Rini also knew who 
they were. And she called her 'Princess'.  This could be a useful piece of 
information.  He continued to listen to the two people.

"It's about Serena," Rini told her friend.

Darien began listening more closely.  'Why would she be scared of Serena?  
Is it because of her powers?

Rini continued, "Puu, I don't want to lose her!"  The child was sobbing very 
loudly now.  It took every ounce of will power that Darien had not to run to 
her and hug her.  It was the same as when he saw Serena cry.  But he knew he 
needed to listen to what Rini was saying, not give himself away.  The next 
comment Rini made, made Darien's heart stop in pure terror.

"I know she will die before Crystal Tokyo!  I don't want that.  I want her 
to protect me in the future like the other Sailor Scouts.  And now, the bad 
people know she is Sailor Moon.  What will I do?  She's so much like Mommy, 
too!  And Darien, why can't he see he still loves her?  The girls and I can. 
  Puu, why?  Why must all this happen to the most caring girl in the world?" 
  Rini poured her troubles out to her trusted friend, and hoped she could 
help her.

The other hesitated.  "Darien will always love Serena. They will always love 
each other.  It is destiny.  About Serena, I am forbidden in telling what 
could happen.  Sailor Moon must fulfill her destiny.  She can never protect 
you the same way the others do.  But, I promise you, she will always be with 
you."

Rini's crying stopped and Darien himself felt like crying.  The words that 
had been exchanged between the girl and the woman sunk in.  'Serena will 
die...'

"Thank you, Sailor Pluto," Rini whispered.
'SAILOR PLUTO?!?!  SAILOR?!  She's a scout!'

"Think nothing of it.  Go get some sleep, Small Lady. Your father sends his 
love," Pluto told her.

"Oh.  And Mommy?" the girl asked hesitantly.

"No change," the other replied with great sadness.

"The Scouts?"

"They are in a trance.  They choose to go into it in order to create a 
shield to protect the palace.  But I know that, if they could, all of them 
would say 'I love you' to you Princess."

"Tell everyone that I love them.  Good night, Puu," Rini whispered her voice 
wavering.

"Good night, Princess Rini.  Small Lady."

Darien was in utter shock as he watched Rini go back inside.  He spent 
another forty-five minuets sitting in the tree trying to make sense of what 
he had just heard.  When he couldn't he shook his head and looked at his 
watch.  He jumped out of the tree and began to run to Raye's.  It was twelve 
ten.

Suddenly Darien stopped and turned around.  He jumped back into the tree and 
then to Serena's windowsill.  He took out the locket again.  Walking over to 
the bed he sat on it.  Darien gently opened Serena's hand, and being careful 
not to wake her, placed the locket in it. He watched as her hand carefully 
clutched the locket, but not too tight he noticed.  'She wouldn't clutch it 
too tight.  Even in sleep she knows what it is.  She knew what it was even 
after death.'

Darien took Serena's hand in both of his.  He bent down, and gently kissed 
her lips.  Pulling away, Darien brushed her hair from her face.  He touched 
her cheek gently and saw her give a slight smile in her sleep.  He couldn't 
help but smile back.  'I love you.  I always have and I always will.  Don't 
you dare forget that.'

A voice brought him out of his heaven, "What are you doing, Darien?"

Startled, Darien stood up and turned to face the voice. He saw Rini standing 
in the doorway glaring at him with her hands on her hips.

He decided not to lie to the girl.  'She has a lot going on in her life.  
More lies aren't what she needs.'   He spoke softly to her, "I came to give 
her the locket back.  The girls talked some sense into me earlier.  I gave 
it to her.  Even if I can't love her, she should still have the locket."

Noticing that he used the word 'can't' in stead of 'don't', Rini gave an 
understanding smile.  'Puu was right!  He does still love her!  Then why?  
Why lie for so long?' she thought.  "OK.  I'll tell her that, Darien.  You 
don't have to worry."

Darien smiled back and walked to the window.  Just as he was about to jump 
out he whispered, "Thank you, Princess.  Small Lady."  He then left.

Rini froze in position.  'How could he possibly know?!?!?!?!'

********************************************************************************

The four girls and two cats stood waiting impatiently at the temple.  It was 
twelve thirty and Darien hadn't shown up yet.  The ever patient Raye was 
being her ever patient self.  "Where the hell is he?!  He's older than us, 
shouldn't he be more responsible?" she screeched out.  "What's he doing, 
taking lessons from his ex or something?"

The others just sighed, but a second later jumped ten feet in the air.  
"Hardy-har-har, Raye," the voice of Darien mumbled.

The girls turned around and each did their best to smile at him.  Like Amy, 
they too regretted what they had said to him earlier.  "Hi Darien," Mina 
ventured, "why are you late?  That's not like you."

Darien sighed.  He looked up at them and tried to tell them what he had 
heard from Rini.  But he couldn't.  They shouldn't have to worry about her 
that much.  It would probably be his fault anyway.  No, he wouldn't tell 
them.  "I'm sure you'll find out later.  But let's get down to business."

The others knew better than to question him.  He wasn't nearly as open to 
them as he used to be.  He probably never would be.  Luna cleared her throat 
and all of them got to work on a plan to protect their princess.

********************************************************************************

Serena awoke with a start.  She was sweating and breathing hard.  The voice 
in her dreams echoed loudly in her head.  'Darien.  You must stay away from 
Serena.'  (I will not describe the dream.  Everyone should know what's in 
it.)

She stared into space for a few moments before she noticed that a very 
familiar melody was playing from her hand.  She gasped as she opened up her 
hand.  Tears began to fall down her cheeks as she saw what was in her hand.  
"My locket," she whispered.  "No.  Our locket," she corrected herself.  "But 
how?"

There was a little girl with a smile on her face sitting up next to her.  
"He brought it back because he felt it wasn't right to take it.  It is yours 
after all."

Serena smiled, but then that vision of the future came to her.  She let out 
another gasp.  "Serena?  You alright?"

Serena let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.  "Yeah, fine. 
  I'll thank him tomorrow.  Let's go back to sleep."

Rini nodded an agreement and snuggled into Serena's arms.  'She's so warm.  
Like Mommy.'  She then felt Serena plant a kiss on her forehead, where her 
crescent moon would be when she turned eighteen.

Serena let herself drift back to sleep.  Her last conscious thought was 
about the nightmare.  'What did that mean?  Is it the reason Darien is 
avoiding me?  The voice was talking to him.  I'll go to Raye's tomorrow.  
She'll be able to make sense of it.'

********************************************************************************

Serena awoke early the next morning.  VERY early.  When she got up it was 
only eight o'clock.  Grumbling, she went down the stairs while putting her 
hair up.  The nightmare had waken her up several more times.  Including just 
a few minuets ago.  Stifling the urge to yawn, Serena sat down at her place 
for breakfast.  Her entire family looked ready to pass out when they saw her 
take her seat.

"Oh my God!" her brother exclaimed.  "You're up early on a Sunday!"

"Yeah, so?"

"But you're Serena."

Serena gave a mock laugh and then started to eat her French Toast.  No one 
else said anything to her about being up early.

When Serena finished eating she stood up and told her parents her plans for 
the day.  "I'm going to Raye's most of the day.  I'll be home for dinner.  
See ya!"  She turned and began to leave.  Grabbing a purse and some money 
for lunch she left.  Standing out side on the doorstep was Rini.  Serena 
smiled at her, "I suppose you want to come, spore?"

Rini stuck her tongue out at the nickname.  "Sure do Meatball Head!  You'd 
probably get lost going there by yourself.  Got to keep you out of trouble."

Serena stuck her tongue out at Rini who did the same.  They stood there like 
that for a few minuets until Mina walked up.  She laughed out loud at the 
two.  They turned and met her gaze.  "You two are hilarious!"

"Kiss my a-"

"Serena!  Watch your language!  There's a kid here."

"Opps."

Rini just laughed, and, smartly, decided to change the subject.  "What ya 
doing
here so early, Mina," Rini asked the blond.

"Oh, nothing," Mina said a little too nervously.  "Just wanted to know if 
you wanted to do something."

"That's not it Mina.  I'm normally not even awake at this time," Serena 
pointed out curiously as she narrowed her eyes.  Mina didn't answer.  "It's 
because they know I'm Sailor Moon, isn't it?"

Mina kicked a stone that was lying on the ground by her.  "Yeah."

Serena became furious at this.  "I don't need a babysitter," she yelled.  
"I'm fourteen for crying out loud!"

Mina looked down somewhat ashamed.  "We know, Serena.  But we don't want to 
take any chances with you, Princess."

Rini's ears perked up.  'SERENA'S a PRINCESS?!  How can that be?'

Serena softened and smiled while rolling her eyes.  "I know.  You guys are 
way to protective, though," Serena told her friend.  "Mina, I know that you 
volunteer at the soup kitchen today.  Go on.  I'm going to Raye's."

"Why?  Is something wrong," Mina asked her voice showing concern.

"Nothing, I think.  I just had a really weird dream last night.  I want Raye 
to try and make sense of it."

"OK.  But I'm walking you there."

Serena sighed, knowing that she couldn't talk her out of it.  The three 
girls walked to their friend's house together.

********************************************************************************

Rubeus and Emerald sat in the UFO and watched as Mina, Serena, and Rini 
walked to the temple.  Rubeus laughed, "Now," Rubeus said, "we get her.  If 
she is in danger, Tuxedo Mask will come for sure."

Emerald looked up at her hated colleague.  "You sure?  In the past it seems 
he just throws a rose and leaves her to fight.  If he was Endymion shouldn't 
he fight for her?  Or at least with her?"

"No matter what, I know he will come for her.  We just have to get that 
other girl away from her.  If we play this right, we can take out all three 
members of the royal family."

"True.  Do you have a plan?"

Rubeus smirked, "Unlike you, I am not chasing after people who would never 
love me."

"What?!  How dare you, you incompetent fool!  I will win Diamond's heart!  
He will love me.  At least I haven't lost all the members of my team."  
Before Rubeus could come back Emerald asked another question, "So what is 
this brilliant plan of yours?"

********************************************************************************

Mina began to walk a little ahead of Serena and Rini on the way to Raye's.  
"Mina," Rini called to her, "slow down!  What's the hurry?"

Mina stopped and let the two catch up.  "Sorry.  I just remembered that the 
kitchen opens in ten minuets.  I'm gonna be late!"

The three of them started run to the temple.  As the three of them rounded a 
corner they crashed into (guess who!) Darien.

"OW!" Mina shrieked.  "Watch where you're going, pal!"

Serena began wailing, "OWWWWWWWWWW!  That hu-ur-rr-ts!"

Rini rolled her eyes at the two blondes and was surprised when a pair of 
arms picked her up and began dusting her off.  "I thought it was a Meatball 
Head thing at first," the man said, referring to Serena's klutzy nature and 
habit of running into people.  "I guess it's a blond thing, too!"

Serena and Mina looked up to the voice and realized that it was Darien.  
"You're a dork, Darien!" Mina yelled at him, but she was laughing.  "A blond 
thing?  I resent that!"

"No," Serena said, also laughing her tears forgotten.  "You resemble it!"

All of them were laughing now.  Darien eyed Serena as she stood up.  'I 
never realized how much I missed all of them until last night.  I always 
knew I missed Serena, but when there's two or more it can be a slap 
stick-comedy.  They apologized to me last night.  When I said that I 
deserved it, they became friendly to me again.  I hope that these dreams 
will be over someday.  I really need her.'

Snapping out of his own thoughts he came to the real world.  "So, what's the 
big hurry?"

The three told him what was up, leaving out why Serena was going to Raye's.  
Darien didn't think twice.  He had promised the others he would take shifts 
to be with her.  If he passed up this they would probably kill him.  "My 
car's over there," he told them pointing to his red sports car.  "You've got 
somewhere to go, I don't.  I'll take her for you."

Serena began to pout, saying once again that she didn't need a babysitter.  
The two ignored her.  "You are a life saver, Darien!  Don't let anything 
happen to her!  If you do you will feel the wrath of all four planets!  Or 
we would just send Raye to see you!  Nah, that's too cruel!  Later!"  The 
three looked at the cloud of dust that covered the space Mina had just 
occupied.

Darien set Rini down and the three of them began walking to the car.  When 
they started to cross the street, Rini took Serena's hand.  Darien took 
notice of this and smiled.

They didn't say a word until after they were in the car.

The couple sat in 
uncomfortable silence for a while.  Rini began to fidget in the back seat.  
Serena took in a breath.  "Thank you, Darien.  The locket means a lot to me. 
  I guess, I need it."

Darien let out the breath he had been holding and smiled.  "No problem.  The 
girls talked some sense into me.  I shouldn't have taken it back."

Serena smiled back and raised an eyebrow.  "Talked or beat?"

"Tried to beat," he replied dryly.

Serena looked down, ashamed.  "I'll talk to them.  This is our business.  
Not theirs."

Darien thanked her quietly and ventured another question.  "What's so 
important that you need to go to Raye's at nine in the morning?"

Darien saw Serena stiffen.  What made him more interested was that she 
hesitated before answering.  "I had this dream last night."  It was Serena's 
turn to see Darien stiffen.  She continued, "More like a nightmare.  It 
really scared me."

"What happened?"

"I died," she whispered.

Darien felt the blood drain from his face.  He didn't answer.  He just 
continued to watch the road.  They were about half way to Raye's when they 
stopped at a red light.  Darien noticed something in the sky.  He looked at 
it harder.  It's shape came into view.  It looked like a giant crystal with 
a thousand different pointed ends.

Rini practically screamed in shock when she saw it, "That's a Nega-Moon 
UFO!"

Darien swore viciously under his breath and tried to go, but was too slow.  
The UFO was right in front of them, very close to the ground.  Emerald and 
Rubeus appeared from it.  He turned his head to back up but saw dozens of 
droids behind him and to the side.

Emerald laughed, "Well Sailor Moon, Rabbit," she greeted the two girls, 
"looks like we've got you cornered."

Rubeus continued what she said, "Surrender and we'll let the man live.  If 
you don't, we'll kill all of you."

Darien looked at Serena, his eyes had a look that Serena had never seen 
before.  There was sorrow, regret, hope, failure and love all in one.  What 
they said was apparent, 'I'm sorry.  I love you.  I couldn't protect you.'

Serena took his and Rini's hands, and squeezed both of them.  She pulled 
Rini up front into her lap and held her.  Serena's eyes said what Darien 
wanted to desperately hear, 'It's not your fault.  I love you.'

"Serena," he whispered glancing at the incoming foes.  "What else was in the 
dream?"  He turned to her and looked deep into her eyes.

She looked down and then began to tell him and Rini what happened in the 
dream.  "It was our...wedding," she kept looking down, in slight 
embarrassment at that part of the dream.  "Then, I don't know, everything 
exploded and-"

Darien cut her off, "We were pulled apart.  A voice began to talk saying-"

Serena continued, "That if you didn't stay away from me, I would-"

"Die."  He whispered the last word, expecting to receive a vision of the 
dream, but none came.

Rini looked up at the two in amazement.  "Darien, Serena, what does that 
mean?"

"Serena," he whispered squeezing her hand tighter.  "I would never stay away 
from you unless I had a good reason.  I need you.  I'm sorry."

Serena nodded an understanding.  It *was* the reason he had stayed away from 
her.  "I know," she whispered back.

The three looked at the incoming forces and waited to be taken...

TO BE CONTINUED...

Gomen, gomen!  I didn't plan on leaving off at such a bad spot.  I just 
wrote so much that I had to leave it off there.  It was getting way too 
long.  7,251 words!  Whew!  That's it for this week.  I'll have a part out 
next week.

SEND ME E-MAIL!  I promise that I'll write back.  I need to know what you 
think or I may stop writing.  I love reading what people think!  E-mail me 
anything except flames!  Ideas, comments, questions, and as always 
MONEY!!!!!  I'M SO BROKE!

E-MAIL ADDRESS: stefaniecraig@hotmail.com