An Ecstatic Member of STAR (Story-teller's Association of 
Romantics)!!!  Join NOW!!!!  ^_^

I'm apologizing RIGHT NOW!  I'm suffering from insomnia, too much 
schoolwork, and a nasty little cold that is making me MISERABLE!  But 
enough griping.  ^^;;;  What I WANTED to say was that I know that 
I've been REALLY late in responding to e-mails, but due to the above 
mentioned, plus the fact that I actually have *meetings* at school 
now, would like to WRITE some 'fics, and I still have to READ 
everybody else's fanfics (Hey, I love you all, and how can I possibly 
write without reading?) my responses to e-mails are going to be 
*extremely* sporadic.  (If I don't get back to you in a month, I'm 
probably dead, though, unless I warn you ahead of time.)  All right, 
that's all about *that*.

My sweet Onee Jay-chan pointed out the fact that in Episode Three, 
the cardian is holding a razor-sharp card to Sailor Moon's neck, and 
the next (after Mercury's transformation), she's miraculously free.  
^^;;;  Er . . . Sailor Moon managed to wriggle free as the cardian 
stared at Sailor Mercury's transformation, 'kay?  As Luna would say: 
"Whooh boy!"

Okay, now I'd just like to mention a couple of authors that you MUST 
read and some good ones just starting out:
Lianne-sama (it's a given, she *is* the Goddess), Ninx (we'll sic the
Gens on you if you don't), RAZZZ (the *coolest* person, makes me 
laugh and cry, and whose "Propositions" was so GREAT), Sue Mei (Muse 
of Romance & co-Pres of STAR), MJ ('nother co-Pres and cool in her 
own right), Sailor Kity (always manages to brighten up my day), 
Crystal Heart (intense, complicated romantic plots), Sailor Dolphin 
(We hafta wait 'til MAY?!  Ack!), Alina (writes complicated 'fics), 
Veronica (one of the more original twists on the end of R), and Jade 
(Who wrote a very sweet 'fic.)

YOU MUST READ THEIR STUFF NOW!!!

Corina, and Tiga Shadow, I'm GOING to read *your* stuff as soon as I 
get a chance!  (No doubt you're both wonderful too!)

This episode is especially for Mimin ('cause it features a certain 
Senshi in red) and Jade (whom I made wait for this part too long!).

In a time of peace  . . .

In a time of war . . .

Two kingdoms lived side by side . . .

Two hearts cried out for one another . . .

And thus was a legend born.

SAILOR MOON
IN ANOTHER LIFE:
THE LEGEND'S BEGINNING

by Fushigi Kismet

   A dark-haired girl swept the steps to a shrine.  Two crows were 
perched on her shoulders and she smiled a little as they cawed 
soothingly at her.  "It's okay, Phobos, Deimos . . . It's only my 
birthday . . .  I didn't expect anyone to remember anyway . . ."  But 
a single tear trickling down her cheek belied the statement.
   "Hey, it looks like *somebody* needs some cheering up."
   "And what would *you* know?!" she demanded, whipping around, broom 
in hand.
   "I guess you don't want these then," a blonde-haired man said 
airily, pulling the flowers away.
   "Hey, wait!" she cried, chasing after him as he laughed . . .

   Hino Raye's eyes snapped open in the darkness and she stared 
unseeingly up at her ceiling.  "Why do you haunt me so, even in my 
dreams?  Why can't you just go away and leave me alone?  Haven't I 
paid enough for allowing myself to love you?"  Then she turned over 
and went back to sleep.

Passion: Sailor Mars
aka
Looking Into a Sacred Flame

   Ann, newly recovered, and Ailan sat in the dimly lighted room, 
gazing with eyes dark with hatred and suppressed rage at their Tree.  
Its leaves were wilting and falling off to land like crumpled brown 
pieces of brittle paper at its roots.
   Ann bent and delicately picked up one of the leaves.  She stared 
at it for a long moment when everything was still.  Ailan watched 
her, unable to do anything else.  Finally, she straightened and 
crushed the leaf in her hand, then letting its tiny pieces trickle 
out like sand from her hands and fall to the ground.
   "Those Senshi have to pay for this!" she screamed, loosing control 
of her emotions again, but in a more violent manner this time.  The 
events of before had been nothing but a dream to her and Ailan let 
her believe it, unwilling to bring the subject of his feelings for 
Serena up again.
   Ailan moved to comfort her but she shook off his comforting hand.  
"Leave me alone!  All you want to do is hang around those stupid 
Earth girls!  You don't care about me or the Tree!  But . . . you 
forget . . . neither you or I can survive without it."  She turned 
blazing tear-filled eyes on him, seemingly having forgotten that he 
had just spoken those very words to her.  "We'll both die."
   "That's right, Lady Ann," a voice shouted from above their heads.
   They both turned to look as someone materialized above Ann's head 
and floated there.
   "It's you," Ann said simply.
   "It's *YOU*!!!" Ailan yelled angrily.  "Where have you been?!!  
More importantly, why are you here?!"
   "Temper, temper.  For the first, all in good time.  As for the 
second . . . why, you know perfectly well why I'm here, Lord Ail of 
the Fifth Branch."
   "Get out of my sight, YOU WORM!  I'll never forgive you for what 
you did, you damned traitor."  He whispered the last, but his eyes 
never left those of the other.
   "Come now," he answered slowly, his eyes hard, "you cannot blame 
me for what happened.  That was your fault as surely as it was mine."
   "I won't forgive you.  I won't.  No force on this Earth can make 
me."
   "Not even the fact that you're going to die?"
   "Not even that."
   "Not even the fact that you're going to take your precious Lady 
Ann with you to the grave?"
   Ailan hesitated, then turned to look at Ann who gazed back at him 
steadily, but he couldn't help but see the fear in her eyes and 
recall a childish voice . . .

   'Never leave me, Ail . . .  Promise you won't.  Promise.'
   'Never, Ann.  I'll never leave you.  That I swear as one of the 
Fifth.  Now, come.  We haven't much time . . .'

   "You can't ask that of me!" he shouted.
   "Can't I?"
   "Oh, stop this!  Both of you!" Ann interrupted, flinging her arms 
out as though to separate the two of them.  She opened her eyes as 
they stopped and turned to look at both of them, first to Ailan with 
a pleading look, then to the other with a look of steel.  Her voice, 
when she spoke, was quiet and hard.
   "Stop this.  I outrank both of you.  Now, step down," she 
commanded the newcomer who was still floating and reluctantly he 
stepped to the ground.  A vine snaked around his leg with a slivery 
sound and all the way up his arm.  Ann averted her eyes from the 
somehow sickening sight, then over Ailan's protests as he sensed her 
intent, she looked to the stranger and said, "We . . . welcome you.  
Any help that you could offer would be appreciated . . ."
   The newcomer smiled, his face full of dark delight as Ann finished 
speaking, gazing at him as she spoke his name.
   ". . . Fiore."

   "So how did it go, Odango?"
   "None of your business."
   "Of course it's my business . . . I'm your tutor!  Now, how did 
you do on that history test?"
   "Well, if you must know . . ." she shuffled her feet a little in 
the loose gravel and held her test paper behind her back like an 
errant child . . . which, in a way, she was.
   Darien waited patiently, his hand out for the paper.  After 
another moment of stalling, she handed it over.
   All was silent . . . until Darien declared, "85?  Great job!"
   Serena squealed and leapt into the air, jumping up and down in her 
excitement.  "I got a GOOD GRADE!!!  Mom's gonna be PSYCHED!!!"
   Darien smiled, his eyes twinkling.  "Yeah, it's a good grade . . . 
but it could still be better."
   Serena's face fell.  "Aw, you're NOT gonna make me do MORE work, 
now are you?"
   Darien deliberated for a moment, his face unreadable, and Serena 
felt a heaviness sink onto her heart at the thought of more studying.  
"Well, maybe another time . . . but right now, we're going to 
celebrate!"
   Serena beamed, her eyes as brilliant as jewels.  "ALL RIGHT!!!"  
She ran into Darien, wrapping her arms around him in a bear hug, her 
cheek pressed against his chest.
   Darien winced as he thought of her hearing the deafening pounding 
of his heart.  Yet, he could not still it, the feeling of her body 
pressed against his, the enticing dark circles her lashes made 
against her face, the sweet temptation of her lips all served to 
increase the racing of his heart tenfold.  She made such a pretty 
picture against him, the sun glinting off her golden hair, one wispy 
gold curl framing her ivory cheek . . . he could not take his gaze 
from her and that made him terribly, terribly afraid.
   He did not wish to, but his mind urged him to act against his 
heart and with a groan of agony and despair, he pulled away.
   Serena let go of him, feeling the motion, two blue eyes opening to 
meet his.  She pulled the wisp of hair behind one ear and whispered, 
"Gomen nasai."
   "For what?" Darien gently asked.
   Serena was silent, her eyes gazing at his form with confusion.  
Who was this man who had been so irritatingly brash before and yet . 
. . was now so quiet and uncertain . . .  Where had he gone to?
   "Speak up, Odango!"
   And Darien was back.
   And Serena was annoyed.

   Later, walking home, Serena reflected that Darien must have 
multiple personalities.  No *normal* person could make her heart 
pound so hard one instant and want to rip his face off the next.  He 
*had* been really sweet and had treated her to a round of games at 
the arcade and a chocolate sundae at the Crown Fruit Parlor instead 
of studying any more.  She supposed that he did at least keep his 
word, but other than that . . . he was just plain weird!  Hai, Darien 
was definitely *odd*.  Any further thoughts of him were swept from 
her mind as a familiar voice called out, "Serena-chan!"
   She looked up and spotted a familiar blue head.  "Amy-chan!"  She 
sped up and met Amy and Luna, who was slung over Amy's shoulder.
   "Hey, Serena," Amy said with a smile, handing over Luna. "I'm 
coming from juku.  Where've you been at?"
   "Tutoring."  She made a face, but was secretly smiling inside.  
Darien and she had made a deal that if she did really well on tests 
from now on, they'd "celebrate" but only as long as she didn't tell 
anyone . . .  After all, he wasn't exactly tutoring her then, except 
for maybe in video game playing . . .
   "Oh."  Amy looked at her curiously.  "Don't you like the extra 
help?  I'm sure that if I had a high school student helping me, I'd 
do twice as well on my exams!"
   Serena rolled her eyes, then took Amy by the shoulders.  "Amy-
chan, you DON'T need to do better.  You get 100%'s now.  It's not 
*possible* to do better."
   "What about the extra credit?"
   "AMY-CHAN!"
   Amy blushed.  "Gomen.  It's . . . it's a habit, I guess.  I *have* 
to do well in school.  I'm good at that."
   Serena put a hand to her forehead and shook her head.  <This must 
be what Mom feels like . . .>  "Luna, tell her that she doesn't 
*need* to do any better."
   Luna spoke up from where Serena held her in her other arm.  "Amy-
chan, you're doing *fine* in school.  Serena, on the other hand . . 
."
   "LUNA!!!"
   Amy giggled, then together, the two girls and the cat turned the 
corner that branched off from the main street and led in the 
direction of their homes.  Serena and Luna's squabbling rang out in 
the night, but luckily no one was around to wonder why the cat was 
yelling.

The next day . . .

   "You looking for part-time help, Andrew-kun?" Serena asked 
blithely, the tip of her tongue sticking out one corner of her mouth 
as she focused her concentration on the Sailor V video game before 
her.  She had just stopped in for a quick game before meeting Darien 
in the park for her tutoring session.  It seemed that she had less 
and less time these days for video games . . .
   "Yup.  The sign's been up for a week now.  Are you looking for a 
job?"
   "Nope.  I'd love to help . . . Really, Andrew, but I am *SO* way 
too busy, what with school and getting tutoring and homework and . . 
. all."  <Ooops, almost slipped there.  Being a Sailor Senshi is 
something that I definitely should NOT talk about.  Luna would kill 
me.>
   "That's okay, I'm sure someone will show up."  Andrew sighed and 
leaned against a nearby unoccupied game.
   "Why not ask Darien?  I'm sure that *he* has nothing better to 
do."  Serena blasted away at a monster, jerking the joystick and 
pushing buttons furiously.
   "Darien?" Andrew asked with a laugh.
   Serena looked at him out of the corner of her eye, surprised by 
his behavior.  <What's so funny?>
   "With all the jobs he has, I'm surprised that he isn't working 
here already.  He must be employed by half of Tokyo by now!"
   "Huh?  Why?"
   "Well, he has to work, Serena."
   "Why?  Won't his parents pay his way through school and 
everything?"  On the screen, her character executed a backflip and 
pulled out a crescent moon wand.
   Andrew sobered abruptly.  "No, Serena.  You see . . . Darien's an 
orphan."
   The video game character died amid a blaze of light.  Serena 
opened her mouth, but found herself strangely silent.  <Darien?  An 
orphan?>
   "He's been by himself ever since he was six.  It's been really 
hard for him all of these years."
   <An orphan?>
   "He has to work to pay for school.  He's got big dreams, too.  He 
wants to go to Med. school.  Both of us do, as a matter of fact.  
Except, I've got it easier that he does."
   "Gomen, I didn't know . . ."
   Andrew looked at her for a long instant.  "No, I don't suppose you 
did."
   Serena was silent, then she glanced at the clock and grabbing her 
schoolbag, she said, "I'm going to be late.  Ja, Andrew-kun!"
   "Ja, Serena-san."
   She paused as the doors slid open, turning her face to look at 
him.  "I didn't know."  Then she walked out.

   During the entire lesson that day, Serena could not concentrate at 
all.  She kept on stealing glances at Darien and wondering about his 
life, about the things that he kept hidden deep inside.  An orphan . 
. .
   Finally, frustrated by her inattention and seeming lack of mental 
capacity at the moment, Darien called it a day.  Serena gathered her 
things together and was surprised when told her that he'd walk her 
home.
   She could only sputter, "Wh-why?"
   "Because I'm worried about you, Odango Atama.  You must not be 
getting enough sleep and I don't want you to wander out into traffic 
and get run over by a car, just because you're not paying attention."
   "HEY!"

   They walked together past the shrine atop Sendai Hill.  A girl was 
sweeping the steps, but upon catching sight of them, she dropped her 
broom and waved.
   "'Nii-chan!" the girl called, happily, running to meet him.
   "Hey, imouto!" Darien cried, ruffling her hair as she gave him a 
big hug.
   Serena looked on, rather peeved.  <Who is this girl, anyway?  
Darien's an orphan, he doesn't *have* a sister!>
   "Are you coming over for tea tomorrow, 'Nii-chan?" the girl asked, 
her eyes shining with pleasure.
   Darien heaved a mock-sigh.  "Hai, imouto.  When have I ever let 
you down?"
   "You forgot the sugar for Phobos and Deimos last time!"
   "All right, I promise I'll bring two lumps for each of them this 
time, okay?"
   The girl pondered for a moment.  "Weelll, okay, but you had better 
bring me something too!"
   "All right, I'll bring something for my girl, too."
   <*His* girl?  What's WRONG with him?  He's so . . . so NICE around 
her!  Something's weird here.>  Serena scowled at the girl.
   "Oh, hey, 'Nii-chan, you didn't introduce me to your friend here."  
The girl looked at Serena suspiciously.  "Isn't she a little young 
for you, Dare-chan?"
   <YOUNG and DARE-CHAN?!!!>
   Darien sweatdropped.  "No, no, we're nothing like that.  
(NOTHING?!!!-Serena)  I'm tutoring her.  Usa Serena, Hino Raye.  Hino 
Raye, Usa Serena," he said, making introductions.
   Raye paused a moment then stuck out her hand.  "Nice to meet you . 
. . Serena."
   Serena hesitated a moment, then took her hand.  "Same here . . . 
Raye."
   "Hey!" Raye exclaimed.  "Why don't you bring her along to tea, 
Darien?  It'll be fun!"
   Darien and Serena exchanged a look then turned to look at Raye as 
if saying, 'Are you serious?'
   A slow wicked smile spread across Raye's face.  "Yeah, this'll be 
great . . ."

   From her spot across the street where she had been waiting for 
Serena, Luna stared suspiciously at Raye.  Her eyes flashed amber as 
a sudden thought occurred to her and she mused, <It can't be . . .  
But, I sense something from her, even from here.  Perhaps, she is one 
of them . . .>

   "So . . .  What've you two been up to?" Fiore asked, looking 
around at their apartment as he sat on a chair facing the other two 
on the couch.
   Ailan remained silent, as Ann spoke up.  "We've been trying to 
gather energy . . . for the Tree."
   "Trying is right.  It's *dying*."
   Ann glanced away and at her long nails.  "I suppose you could do 
better?"
   "Undoubtedly."
   "Why are you here, Fiore?!" Ailan interjected harshly, slamming 
his hands down on the coffee table.
   Fiore's eyes flicked to him, gazing at him coolly.  "You need me.  
Don't forget that.  I am the only one here not bound to the Tree."  
He stood and began walking around the room.  "I am here because I am 
seeking someone.  Someone I knew a long time ago."
   "She's dead, Fiore."  Ailan's eyes blazed.
   "Don't be an imbecile.  I am not seeking *her* <Though, I would if 
I could.  If there was the slightest chance . . .>, I am seeking 
another.  Regardless, I felt that you needed my assistance.  We three 
are the last of our kind, are we not?"
   "We are," Ann assented.
   "Well then, command me, O Lady Ann.  What is it that you wish me 
to do?"
   Ann looked at Ailan and carefully sent him a thought.
   Ailan threw back his head and laughed.
   Fiore shivered.

That night . . .

   Serena lay on her bed, the covers pulled over her and her face 
half-buried in her pillow.  Luna was curled up next to her on top of 
the covers.  She had long since learned that sleeping at the foot of 
Serena's bed was a BAD idea, unless you wanted to be kicked in the 
face by a bunny-slippered foot.
   Right now Luna was staring pensively out of the window at the 
brightly shining sliver of moon.
   "Serena-chan?"
   "Hmmm?"
   "You're meeting with Hino Raye tomorrow aren't you?"
   "Meeting?  We're having tea together, yeah."
   "Be careful."
   "Careful?"
   "Raye is more than she seems."
   "Huh?  What do you mean, Luna?"
   "I'm not sure yet."
   "Is she an enemy, Luna?"  Serena asked sleepily.  Then her eyes 
widened and she suddenly bolted upright in bed.  "Is she a Senshi?"
   Luna smiled and pretended to clean her whiskers.  "Now I've made 
both of us paranoid."
   "Luna . . . tell me.  Please, Oneechan?"
   Luna curled up once more.  "I don't know, Serena.  I just don't 
know."
   "Can't you check at Central Control?"
   "Later, Serena . . ."
   "Why later?"
   "Because I want to sleep!"
   "But Luna, this is important!"
   "So's my sleep.  Go to sleep, Serena.  It'll keep for tomorrow.  
Just be careful and see if you can sense anything about her."
   "Okay, Luna."  <It's like we've changed places or something.  Way 
weird.>
   "G'night, Serena."
   "G'night, Luna."
   Soon Luna was asleep, but Serena lay awake, staring up at her 
ceiling, the moonlight shining in through her window, bathing 
everything in tones of silver.  "A Senshi . . ." she whispered.  
"Which one?"  And the answer came to her as sleep came to claim her, 
and she murmured it aloud, her eyelids closing, her breathing 
slowing, "Mars . . ."

   Raye's eyes snapped open in the darkness, and she gazed up at her 
ceiling once more.  <I can't sleep.  That girl Darien's tutoring . . 
. I think I've seen her somewhere before, but I just can't place her.  
I hope we'll be friends . . . It would be nice to a have a real 
friend for once.  Darien's like a brother, but it's just not the same 
. . .>  She yawned.  <Not the same . . .>  Soon, Raye too was fast 
asleep . . .

The next day . . .
(Sunday)

   Serena dashed along the sidewalk, running up to Hikawa Shrine.  
"Why'd the stupid shrine have to be on the top of a hill?" she 
panted, as she ran.  <Oooh, I'm late again!  Darien'll never let me 
hear the end of it.  'So, you're late as usual, huh, Odango?'  GRRR . 
. .  Must run faster!>
   "Hey, in some kind of a hurry, Odango Atama?" Darien's mocking 
voice asked.
   Serena turned her head a little and saw Darien jogging easily next 
to her.  "I'm late for Raye's tea, so *you* must be too!"
   "Don't be silly.  The tea's not for half an hour."
   "WHAT?!"  Serena stopped dead in her tracks and stared at her 
watch.  After a moment, a suspicious look surfaced on her face and 
she shook it irritably.  "The stupid thing stopped!"
   Darien laughed.  "Well, that's okay, isn't it?  I mean, you're 
*early* now, for once.  Hurry up, Odango!  I want to see how fast you 
can run."
   Serena crossed her arms and sat down on the pavement.  "You go on 
ahead.  I'm beat.  I ran ALL the way from my house over here and up 
this hill, and I'm not moving another step until I get my breath 
back."
   He called back to her, "You can't just sit in the middle of the 
sidewalk!  People have to get by."
   "They can go around me."
   Darien stopped walking and looked at her for a moment.  Seeing 
the stubborn look on her face, he sighed, walked back, and grabbed 
her hand, dragging her to her feet.  "C'mon, Odango.  If you don't 
move AT ALL, not only will you look stupid sitting there, you'll also 
be LATE.  Raye wouldn't like that at all, and believe me, my imouto 
would have some choice words for you."
   "She seems really nice," Serena said, reluctantly walking beside 
Darien.
   "Oh, she is, but that girl has got a TEMPER that you wouldn't 
believe."
   "I'll be sure to tell her that you said so."
   Darien turned to look at her, incredulity mixing with a deepening 
dread.  The smile that she greeted him with halted both emotions.  
"Why, you little . . ."
   She laughed, breaking into a run.  "I'm not sticking around for 
your insults!  If you want to issue them, then you'll have to catch 
me first!"
   Darien groaned, putting his hand to his forehead.  <What is *with* 
this girl?!  Either she doesn't want to move at all, or she wants to 
have a race!  Women!>  He began jogging after her.  "Hey, Odango, has 
anyone ever told you that you're insane?!"
   "All the time!" she shouted back.  "There's Molly, and Melvin, and 
my parents, my brother, Sammy, oh, and Haruna-sensei-"
   "I'm sorry I asked!"
   She blew him a raspberry and kept running, but with a surge of 
speed, Darien easily caught up to her and passed her.  Then he 
dropped back and ran beside her.  They continued that way in 
companionable silence until they reached the shrine a few minutes 
later.

   A little old man greeted them.  He took one look at Serena and 
said, "Hey, you wanna work at my shrine?"
   Serena looked confused, while Darien tiredly shook his head.  "No, 
sir.  She doesn't have time."
   "Ah, Darien.  She your girlfriend?"
   "WHAT?!" they both exclaimed.
   The old man looked startled, then began to chuckle.
   "OJII-SAN!" Raye's voice screeched from somewhere within the 
shrine.  "Leave them alone!  They're company!"
   "Okay, okay.  I guess I'll just go say a prayer or something," the 
old man muttered.  He looked up at Darien.  "Pray to Kami-sama that 
you never have a granddaughter with a temper like *that*."
   "I HEARD THAT!"
   The old man frowned and yelled back, "So what?!  I'm allowed to 
talk, aren't I?"
   "Yeah, but not until AFTER I serve my tea!"
   "Fine."  Once more he looked at Darien and winked, gesturing with 
his head towards Serena.  "Hang on to that one.  She's cute, UNLIKE 
MY GRANDDAUGHTER!"  The last part he yelled back at the shrine and a 
loud "HMMPH!" was the only reply.
   Then he ambled off after some other visitors of the shrine.  
Naturally a trio of cute girls.
   "Who *was* that?" Serena asked.
   "That?  Oh, that was Raye's grandfather.  Don't mind him.  He's a 
great priest and a decent soul, just a little . . . um . . ."
   "Too wrapped up in his youth?" Raye asked smoothly, appearing 
before them in her red and white shrine robes, her hair all pinned 
up.
   "Yeah, that would about cover it," Darien said, embarrassed.
   Serena tried to change to subject.  "So, you live here?" She 
asked, looking around.
   "Duh, Odango," Darien replied, gazing skyward.  "I *don't* think 
that she'd invite us to tea at a stranger's house."
   Serena was just about to exclaim that Darien was being mean again, 
but Raye beat her to the punch.  Literally.
   She whacked Darien hard in the arm.  "Be nice, 'Nii-chan," she 
growled through her teeth.
   "Okay, imouto," Darien hissed back through his teeth, as he 
painfully rubbed his arm.  "You've *got* to learn to control that 
temper of yours."
   Raye stuck her tongue out at him.  Then she and Serena exchanged a 
look and burst into giggles.

   "Where will we go, Ailan?" Ann asked, as the two of them flew over 
the city in their alien forms.
   "Where there is a build-up of energy."
   "Downtown?"
   "No, too many people.  We haven't had much practice at this.  I 
wish we could send a cardian."
   "I'm sorry, Ailan.  I'm . . . too weak."
   "I know.  Don't worry about it.  This mission, we will accomplish 
ourselves."
   "So where are we headed, then?"
   "Someplace secluded, but where a lot of people go . . ."

   "You're early," Raye observed.
   "My watch stopped."  Serena held up the wrist bearing the faulty 
time piece.
   "That's okay, it's just that I'm not quite ready for you too.  
Everything'll just take a sec to set up, though.  You can just wait 
somewhere until everything's ready.  Follow me."  She lead them 
across the shrine grounds.
   Two crows flew down and walked up to them.  She turned to Darien, 
with a smile.  "I hope you remembered their sugar.  Otherwise . . ."
   Darien held up four lumps of sugar and tossed them to the crows.  
"I'll bring corn next time."
   Raye grinned.  "Good.  They like corn."
   "Are these your crows?" Serena asked, bending over to get a good 
look at them.
   "Kind of.  They're not really *mine*.  They just hang around the 
shrine.  That one's Phobos and that one's Deimos."  She pointed each 
out to Serena.
   <Phobos, Deimos, the names of Mars's moons . . .>  Serena looked 
at Raye carefully then broke into a smile.
   Raye smiled back and led them into a building.  She slid open a 
door and said,  "Here, Serena.  You and Darien can wait in my room 
while I get the tea things ready.  I'll just be a minute."  She left.
   After a little while, Serena began examining things in the room.  
She found the huge manga collection hidden under the bed particularly 
interesting, but soon tiring of crawling on her knees, she turned her 
attention elsewhere.
   "Who's this?" Serena asked, staring at a framed picture of Raye 
hanging onto a tall, blonde-haired man's arm.
   "Kaidou-san."  The words came out as a hoarse whisper from the 
direction of the door and Serena turned to see Raye standing in the 
doorway, one hand gripping the door frame tightly, her knuckles
white.
   "G-Gomen," Serena began putting the picture down.  "I didn't mean 
to . . ."
   "It's all right," Raye said calmly, walking into the room and 
putting the picture frame face down on the table.
   "Raye . . ." Darien began, but Raye waved him aside.  "No, it's 
all right.  He's just some guy that I knew . . . a long time ago.  We 
were very close, but like my father, he had a career to think of 
first.  Family always came second with him.  I guess that's the way 
things are when you're a politician.
   "I'm glad that my father doesn't expect me to follow in his 
footsteps.  Being a miko is just fine with me.  At least then . . . 
you don't have to turn your back on the people that you're supposed 
to love."  She seemed to crumple a little, but looked to Darien and 
gained some strength.
   "C'mon.  The tea should be ready now.  Do you want some or not?"
   "Yeah!" Serena bounced up on her feet and was halfway through the 
door when she turned to Raye and said, all amusement wiped from her 
face, "I really am sorry."
   "It's all right."
   Serena went through the door and Raye turned to Darien, who held 
his arms open for her.  She buried herself in his embrace and let out 
a sob.  "Don't think of him, imouto.  Don't think of him," Darien 
murmured.
   Outside the door, Serena rested her head against the wall and 
closed her eyes, letting one fist pound *hard* against the wall.  
<Why do I always do the wrong thing?  Gomen, Raye-chan.>

   The tea was nice, but the atmosphere was strained, and afterwards 
Serena unhappily went home  However, she decided that she *would* 
make it up to Raye.

   "What a primitive place!  How can people live here?" Ann 
complained.
   Ailan shrugged.  "Who knows?  These humans aren't that civilized 
after all.  Anyway, lots of people come here and it's a good source 
of energy for the Tree . . ."
   "Should we go ahead with the bus scam?"
   "I don't know . . ."
   "May I help you?" a voice called out.
   Ann and Ailan (in their human forms) turned to face a girl with 
long black hair, dressed in red and white shrine robes, broom in 
hand, and two crows perched on her shoulders.
   <<Oh goody!  Look, we get to talk to the wicked witch.  Fly, my 
pretties!   Mwahahaha!>>
   <<Ann, you have been watching *too* many of those idiotic human 
"movies.">>
   <<Hey, at least *I* wasn't the one watching "Bambi" last night!>>
   <<But it was SO SAD!  The poor deer, left all alone in the world . 
. . like us.>>
   Ann's mental snickering faded, and she echoed his words quietly, 
<<Like us.>>
   "HELLO!" Raye yelled.
   The two aliens turned to Raye.
   "Yeah, what do *you* want?" Ann demanded.
   "This is *my* shrine and I'll thank you to have a little more 
respect!"
   "Oh, shut up!  I don't care if this *is* your shrine, it looks 
like something a little kid built!  It's not worth the match sticks 
that it's built on.  I wonder if it would burn easily?"
   "OUT!" Raye shrieked and an minute later, Ann and Ailan found 
themselves forcefully removed from the shrine grounds.
   "I don't believe this."  Her bottom smarting from the hard feeling 
of the pavement, Ann stared at the girl's retreating back, then her 
eyes glowed red.  <<What' *her* problem?>>
   <<Don't you think that you were a bit insulting, Ann?  After all, 
this is her home.>>
   <<Oh, like *she* was Miss Manners.  Honestly, Ailan, I can't 
*believe* you!  Defending an Earth girl!  That's all you think of 
nowadays . . . girls, girls, girls!  You're turning into one of 
*THEM.*>>
   Ann's remark stung and Ailan got to his feet still smarting.  <<I 
am not!>>
   <<Oh yeah?  Then prove it.  She's gotta be made to PAY, Ailan!>>  
Ann glared at him, her arms crossed across her chest, her foot 
tapping impatiently.
   Ailan heaved a huge sigh.  <<All right, Ann.>>  To himself he 
thought, <She's getting more and more impatient.  It must be the lack 
of energy from the Tree.  Speaking of the Tree, I wonder how Fiore's 
faring . . .>  This thought put him in a better mood, and with a 
smile on his lips, he turned back to Ann to discuss strategy.

   "I CAN'T believe that they left me to watch the Tree!  Since when 
have I been a Tree-sitter?!" Fiore grumbled, sitting cross-legged 
amongst the great curling roots of the tree.
   "Quiet . . ." a feminine voice murmured to him.
   "WHY?"
   "Because I command you to, Fiore of the Third . . .  Because I 
command you to . . ."
   "Yes, Kisenian-hana-sama."  Fiore bowed his head and caressed the 
petals of the flower embedded in his chest and the leaves shivered as 
the plant laughed huskily.  "Soon, this world will be ours . . ."

   Serena and Amy walked down the street towards Hikawa Shrine.  Amy 
was reading a book as usual.  Serena might have been able to drag her 
away from her studies, but she couldn't drag Amy away from her books.
   Feeling guilty, Serena had called up Amy seeking her advice.  Amy 
had suggested that she go and apologize to Raye again if she felt 
*that* guilty.  Seizing upon the idea, Serena had cajoled until Amy 
had reluctantly agreed to come as well.  Now, she was gushing with 
enthusiasm to introduce Amy to Raye.
   "It's like this really cool place, Amy-chan!"
   "I should be studying . . ."
   "Loosen up!  Anyway, this is Sailor business."  She tapped the 
pink watch-like communicator that she sported on her left wrist to 
emphasize her point.  She had abandoned her watch upon returning home 
when Luna had presented her with the new device.
   Amy looked up with slight interest, realizing that it was not a 
watch.  "Where did you get that?"
   "Luna gave it to me."  She pulled out another blue one and tossed 
it to Amy.
   Amy examined it carefully, flipping the top open.  "Interesting . 
. . it seems to be a very advanced communications device . . .  I 
wonder if the government even has devices this advanced?"
   "Y'mean spy stuff?" Serena asked, her ears perking up as she 
turned to look at Amy.
   "Yes and no.  Anyway, that's besides the point since these are 
*ours* and NOT the government's."
   A bored look appeared on Serena's face as she looked away from Amy 
and off to the horizon.  She began to muse to herself, "Do you ever 
wonder how much stuff Luna has hidden away?"
   "Well, no, but I guess we could ask her . . .  I wonder if she has 
any more sophisticated gadgetry?"
   "Well, there's the command center under the arcade.  It's full of 
computers and stuff."
   "Hmmm . . ."
   "Look, we're here!"
   Amy looked up, strapping the communicator on at the same time.  
"Right.  I'll scout the perimeter."
   "Amy!  This isn't a commando raid!  Let's just go talk to Raye."
   "Uh . . . okay."  She blushed as she replied.
   Suspicion surfaced in Serena's eyes.  "What *are* you reading?"
   Amy handed the book over and Serena read the cover.  ""The Art of 
War?"  Amy, try reading a romance novel or something!  It'll do you 
good."
   "A romance novel?"  She blushed again and Serena rolled her eyes, 
handing the book back to her and pulling her along as she ascended 
the steps.
   "RAYE-SAN!"

   Raye jerked her head up and immediately hit it on the underside of 
table above her.  She carefully extracted herself, and put away the 
rag and bucket of soap and water that she had been using to scrub the
floor.  Pulling a work-scarf out of her hair, she went to the door
and slid it open.  "Serena?"

   "Um . . . there's something that I forgot to tell you, Amy."
   "What's that?"
   "I think Raye's Sailor Mars."
   "WHAT?!"
   "And we have to convince her."
   Just then, Raye appeared and said, "Serena?  What are *you* doing 
here?  I thought you just left!"

   Staring at the dark-haired girl with her flashing eyes, Amy 
thought to herself, sarcastically, <Serena had to wait till NOW to 
tell me?  Oh boy, this is going to be fun.>

   "I just brought my friend, Amy-chan, to meet you!  I hope you 
don't mind!"
   "Er . . . no, not at all.  Konnichi wa, Amy-san."
   "Konnichi wa, Raye-san."
   The three of them stood awkwardly for a moment, no one speaking.
   "Well, Amy, *say* something," Serena hissed out from the side of 
her mouth.
   "This shrine's design was plotted out quite well.  If the sacred 
fire catches this building afire, the rest of the shrine will still 
be safe."
   Raye sweatdropped.  "Uh-huh, whatever you say."
   "Raye . . . we just came to tell you . . . You're the Bishoujo 
Senshi Sailor Mars and we need you to help us fight the monsters and 
things that are attacking Tokyo, so if you'd just help us, that would 
be great!" Serena blurted out in a rush.  She wiped her brow with the 
back of her hand.  "Whew, glad that's over with."
   "Serena, have you gone insane, or are you just naturally that 
way?" Raye deadpanned.
   <That's another one to add to the list.  I wonder if Darien'll be 
pleased?>  "Huh?  Naturally, I guess."
   Amy interjected mildly, "Serena's not insane.  She's telling the 
truth.  Only, her explanation lacks what is commonly known as 
"tact"."
   "Uh-huh.  You're both nuts.  Are the men with the white coats 
going to be taking you away soon, or do I have to call them?"
   "Raye, I'm TELLING THE TRUTH!"
   "NO, YOU'RE NOT!  This is the MOST RIDICULOUS story that I've EVER 
heard in my life!"
   "Don't deny the truth, Raye!  You know it as well as us."  Serena 
stared at her seriously.
   "Yes, your country needs you as a defender.  You cannot turn away 
from your duty," Amy added.
   <All right, that's it!>  "I would appreciate it if the two of you 
would GO AWAY!"
   "But, Raye-"
   "I've had ENOUGH weirdoes hanging around here lately!"
   "Huh?  Weirdoes?  Who?"
   "Oh, some weird couple."
   "Weird couple?  Wha-"
   "Now, LEAVE, please!  This shrine deserves SOME peace and quiet!"

   Amy did not seem at all perturbed, holding her book and walking 
off.  Serena glanced back at Raye, then ran after her.
   "Amy, Amy!  Matte!" Serena panted.
   Amy slowed down and turned to look at Serena.  "Yes, what is it?"
   "Amy, about Raye . . .  She's really not that bad, I don't think."
   The blue-haired girl let a smile flicker across her face.  "Don't 
worry about it, Serena.  I'm sure that she's just having a bad day.  
We simply caught her at a bad time."
   "Then you aren't . . . mad?"
   This time Amy giggled.  "Mad?  Me?"
   "Yeah, you just kind of walked off . . ."
   "Silly, I just wanted to go check out that command center you were 
talking about!"
   "OH!"  Feeling embarrassed, Serena bid Amy good-bye, but before
she could leave, Amy turned and caught her wrist.  "Wait, Serena.
You should go and talk to Raye.  Who knows when the enemy may
surface?    She may very well be in danger.  You have to convince her
that it is necessary that she be Sailor Mars, even if she doesn't
believe us."
   "Amy . . ."
   "Try, Serena.  I *know* you can do it.  Personal experience."
   Serena pursed her lips doubtfully.  "All right, Amy."

   Back at the temple, Raye was meditating before the shrine's sacred 
fire, seeking some inner peace.  Usually she found it.  Today, she 
did not.
   She gazed into the flames of the sacred fire, then shut her eyes 
and let the familiar feeling of warmth surround her, the red hot 
crackling of the flames burning with a clean pure light.  <Show me 
what you will, Sacred Fire.  I would know the secrets of the world, 
but I shall settle for the truth which burns bright in your flames.>
   The fire flared up higher and brighter and Raye opened her eyes, 
ready to see the truth . . .
   The flames danced before her, brighter and brighter, more and more 
red.  She saw nothing but the flames, nothing but the glimpse of a 
face that might have been her own, wreathed by fire.  Nothing but the 
fire which she had always known.
   She rose to her feet reluctantly, the knowledge that the fire had 
shown her nothing heavy on her heart.  She moved towards the door, 
but at the last instant, she whirled about and screamed, "Am I so 
unworthy?!  Why can I not see into the future as always?!"
   The flames roared louder in response, and again Raye caught a 
glimpse of her own face, staring out at her from the fire.
   <What does this mean?>  Then the fire burned away the image and 
with one last troubled glance, she left the room, sliding the door 
closed behind her.

   Amy had crept into the command center by a side door that Luna had 
told her about when asked.  Now, she was happily typing away at the 
keyboard of one of the super computers, several magic devices neatly 
laid out in rows on a table next to her for her later inspection.
   As Luna lazily watched, one eye half open, she asked, "What are 
you looking for, Amy?"
   "Confirmation that Raye is Sailor Mars and the location of our 
enemies."
   "Do you really believe that Raye is a Senshi?"
   "I do, Luna.  I don't know exactly why.  It's a feeling, I guess . 
. . but, Serena's sure."
   "Serena." Luna shut her eyes.  "That's a scary thought.  That girl 
couldn't make a decision to save her life."
   "Actually, she could.  She *is* the leader of the Senshi and the 
whole world, or at least Tokyo, is counting on her to defeat those 
cardians and protect everyone."
   "And that's the scariest thought of all."
   "Hang on a minute, Luna.  I think I've got something."  For a few 
moments, there was nothing but the sound of Amy's typing.
   Amy's fingers were shaking as she pulled them away from the 
keyboard and stared at the screen in shock.  Then she bolted out of 
the chair, knocking it over in the progress and grabbed one of the 
transformation pens from the tabletop, racing out the secret side 
entranceway.
   "Amy, what-?" Luna began, staring after the fleeing blue-haired 
girl.  Then she turned her gaze on the screen and her eyes widened, 
her whiskers twitching a little.  "Kami-sama . . ."
   On the screen was a picture of Raye's face with "Sailor Mars 
Confirmed" typed under it in red, and pulled slightly over it was 
another window.  It was a map of Tokyo, the Serena's house, Amy's 
house, the arcade, and Hikawa shrine outlined in green.  Right on top 
of the shrine were two flashing red dots, with moving text next to 
them on the screen.  *Danger!  Danger!  Extreme negative energy 
build-up!  The ENEMY.*
   Luna paused for only an instant, then she leapt down from the 
table and was off and running after Amy.
   <No time to transform.  Gotta hurry!  I just hope Amy gets there 
in time!>

   "Just go away, Serena!" Raye shouted.  "I just want to be left 
alone!"
   "But, RAYE, YOU'RE IN DANGER!!!!"  Serena was begging now.  She 
had come back and spent the better part of an hour trying to get 
Raye's acceptance without success.
   "What part of "go away" didn't you understand?!!" Raye responded, 
her eyes flashing angrily
   "Raye," Serena pleaded, "you've GOT to listen to me!"
   "Why?"
   "There's no time, Raye . . ."
   "No time . . . no time . . . no time . . ."  her words echoed 
around the shrine suddenly gone silent but for the cawing of Raye's 
crows as they swooped into the yard.
   "Phobos, Deimos," Raye said softly, looking from one to the other.  
"What's wrong?"
   "SERENAAAA!!!!!!" Amy shouted, running up the shrine steps.  "The 
enemy . . . they're on their way!"
   "Now do you believe me?" Serena asked Raye in a quiet voice, her 
eyes intense and hard as she looked into her eyes.  Gone was the 
crybaby of moments before, gone was the klutzy, ditzy, terrified 
girl, and in her place stood someone that Raye did not know . . . did 
not understand.  Someone with the quiet intensity of gaze and 
strength of will that bespoke a leader.  Someone . . . different.
   "Hai," Raye responded and everything after that seemed to happen 
in mere instants that blurred into one another so fast that 
afterwards no one could remember if they had all occurred in the 
brief span of a second or not.
   "HERE!" Amy cried, reaching the top of the steps.  Phobos and 
Deimos scattered in a flapping of dark wings and a flurry of black 
feathers as she tossed a glittering red pen into the air that spun 
and flew towards Raye.
   Raye caught the pen and held it aloft.  Her eyes turned to Serena 
who whispered, "Mars power . . ."
   Raye didn't need to hear anymore as she began twirling the pen, 
flames engulfing it and spiraling around it as she called aloud,  
"MARS POWER MAKE-UP!"
   The henshin wand burst into a red ball of flame that engulfed Raye 
for an instant, her hair flaring up and her body bathed in a read 
light.  Then the fireball split apart into streamers of flame 
encircling her arms, legs, and body.  Once they touched her, they let 
out a little flash of light as they winked out of existence and red 
high heels, gloves, fuku, and tiara appeared.  Then she stood there, 
the flames all gone, in her full battle glory as the Bishoujo Senshi 
Sailor Mars.
   "Sailor Mars," Serena and Amy said together in awe-filled voices.
   Luna ran onto the scene.  "Quickly, henshin-yo!"
   Raye goggled in amazement at the cat.  "You can talk!"
   "I am aware of that!"
   Serena and Amy exchanged small smiles, then raised their henshin 
wands aloft and shouted:
   "MOON PRISM POWER-"
   "MERCURY POWER-"
   "MAKE-UP!!!"

   There were flashes of pink and blue light . . .

   Ann and Ailan had finally built up enough energy to attack the 
shrine, taking it from hapless people passing by on the street or 
leaving the shrine grounds, as they waited half a block away.  One 
little old man had tried to fight them and they had taken his energy 
quickly.  Instead of returning home with it, Ann was still adamant 
that the insulting shrine maiden be made to pay.
   Dropping their human disguises, Ann and Ailan clasped hands and 
rose into the air to hover a little above the shrine.  Ann's eyes 
glazed over and she gathered a ball of energy in her right hand 
staring in its black depths.  With a cackle of amusement, she threw 
it into the shrine's courtyard, ripping up the ground and destroying 
part of the walkway in a wave of destruction.
   She turned to look at Ailan.  "Where's that annoying shrine maiden 
gone?"
   "NO WHERE!!!" three voices shouted simultaneously, and Ann and 
Ailan turned to look at the rooftop of the shrine, where three 
figures stood back to back.
   "We are the Bishoujo Sailor Senshi!" they cried.
   Ann looked at them in surprise, then a snarl curled her lip.  
"There's THREE of you, now?!  Well, no matter!  We will STILL 
prevail!"
   <<We can't let them win this, Ailan!  If we destroy them now, then 
they will no longer be around to hinder our mission.>>
   <<True enough.  The Tree must live.>>
   <<Ready?>>
   <<Ready!>>
   "SHINDE, Sailor Senshi!!!" the two aliens screamed, holding hands 
and blasting the Senshi with an enormous blast of energy with their 
other hands.  The Sailor Senshi dove out of the way of the blast, and 
off the rooftops to the ground.  A second blast caught them unawares 
and they tumbled backwards and slammed into the walls of the shrine 
with outcries of pain.

   Sailor Mars struggled to her feet.  Her eyes flashed like dark 
fire.  "NO ONE harms the sanctity of this shrine!  In the name of 
MARS, I am the Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Mars, and I will NOT allow you 
to continue defiling this holy place!"
   Mercury rose up right next to her.  "And in the name of Mercury, I 
am the Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Mercury!  You shouldn't disturb the 
peace of this lovely shrine . . . people need to study! (Sweatdrops-
Ann & Alan)  You can't be allowed to continue making so much noise!"
   Mars and Moon shot Amy looks of disbelief.  <Not even *I'm* that 
bad . . .  Oh well, she just needs more practice.>  Sailor Moon 
turned to the two aliens, her tiara in hand.  "Finally, in the name 
of the moon, I am the Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon, and for nearly 
wrecking this place and *daring* to attack three warriors of love and 
justice, I WILL PUNISH YOU!"
   Luna shook her head, a *huge* sweatdrop on her temple.  <Those 
girls . . .  Where do they come up with this?!>
   "Those were the *corniest* speeches I have *ever* heard in my 
life!"  Ann glared at the three Senshi in disgust.  "Pitiful humans, 
why don't you just give UP and STOP interfering with us?!"
   "NO WAY!"
   "All right then, prepare to meet your deaths, Earthlings!"
   "Now who's being corny?!" Moon shouted.  "Scatter, Senshi!"
   The three Senshi darted off in opposite directions as Mercury 
yelled, "Shabon Spray!"
   A blue mist spread over the shrine grounds and Moon's tiara came 
arcing towards the two aliens with a shout of, "Tiara Action!"
   Ailan grabbed the tiara, stopping its spin and crushed it in his 
hand.  He dropped the twisted metal and crushed it beneath his boot 
heel.
   Ann sneered, "Look at your little toy now, Sailor Moon.
   Moon let out a cry of outrage from somewhere in the fog.  <Now 
what are we going to do?>  "Mars, it's time for your attack!"
   "Huh?  Me?  What can *I* do?"
   "You're a Senshi!  Think of something!"
   The aliens laughed as Ann said, "Pathetic.  First, we'll destroy 
this shrine.  Then, we'll destroy you, little Sailor Senshi."
   "No you won't!"  Sailor Mars felt a wave of rage wash over her, 
then a sudden calm as she focused on an image of the sacred fire.  
Placing her two index fingers together, she thought to herself, <This 
had better work!>  "FIRE SOUL!"
   A stream of flame shot forth and blazed over the area where the 
aliens had been but moments before.  Ann and Ailan were not stupid.  
Upon viewing the flames, they had quickly departed.  Especially since 
their energy reserves were running seriously low.
   Noticing that they were gone, Sailor Moon said in an unsure tone 
of voice, "I guess we won."
   Sailor Mars could only sigh in relief.

   Tuxedo Kamen drew back into the shadows and smiled.  <Good job, 
Sailor Senshi . . .>  He vanished.

   Ann and Ailan had hastily transported back to the Tree and in 
doing so they had forgotten about their "visitor."  Fiore looked at 
them with a sigh and smug smile.  "Having trouble, eh?"
   This time Ann *did* round on him.  "Shut up."  Then she fainted.  
Ailan dove to catch her, but Fiore got to her first.
   Ailan growled, his hands clenched into fists at his side as Fiore 
gently laid Ann down on the ground.  Fiore stood, dusting off his 
hands, as he gazed at her prone figure.  "Poor Lady Ann.  As the Tree 
weakens, so does she . . . and so do *you* for that matter."
   Ailan gritted his teeth and stepped forward.  "I can still take 
you!"
   Fiore laughed, a harsh bitter note.  "Don't try to be a hero.  
When you're dead, *I'll* be the only one left to look after Lady Ann, 
and you wouldn't like that, would you?  Perhaps you *might* have been 
a match for me a long time ago, but no longer.  Unless you retrieve 
some energy for the Tree, both you and she will be dead before long."
   Ailan turned away, defeated.  "And would you dance on our graves?"
   "Think you so little of me?  Your grave, perhaps, but not hers.  
Still, that is a ways off yet, and I *will* assist you *if* you allow 
me to, O Great One."  He said the last as sarcastically as he could.
   "You will serve your purpose," Ailan replied, turning back around 
and walking past Fiore towards Ann.
   "It wasn't my fault, you know," Fiore said conversationally.
   Ailan stopped mid-stride and his back stiffened.  "Go to hell."
   "She wouldn't have approved of that kind of language."
   "Well, *she* isn't here now, is she?!"
   "And who's fault is that?  It wasn't mine.  *I* tried to save her 
. . . it's not my fault that I failed."
   "No, it's your fault for not joining her in the grave."
   "She wanted me to live.  And I . . . could deny her nothing."
   He vanished, and behind him, Ailan clenched his fist so tightly 
that his nails bit into his flesh and green blood trickled down his 
hand.  He shut his eyes tightly as he knelt next to Ann, taking her 
in his arms.  "Be well, my love.  Be well."
   She stirred a little.  "Ail . . ."
   He kissed her, tears running down his face, "Be well."
   She looked at him with wondering and saddened eyes.  "Ail . . ."

   Detransformed, Amy, Serena, and Raye stared at one another.  Then 
they burst into good-natured laughter.
   "Welcome to the team!" Serena declared.
   She and Raye high-fived.  Amy simply said, "It's go to have you 
with us."  Then she pulled out a book and began to read as though 
nothing unusual at all had just happened.
   Serena and Raye sweatdropped and looked at one another.  Sighing, 
Serena pulled the book from Amy's hands and tossed it to Raye.  
"Catch!"
   Raye caught it and gestured for one of her crows.  "Phobos!"  
Phobos flew down and took the book in his beak, flying off with it.
   Serena smiled in satisfaction, then turned back to Amy.  "You have 
*got* to get out more.  C'mon, let's go for a walk!"
   "But . . . my book . . ."  Amy began protesting helplessly.
   "AFTER the walk!" Raye said, playfully pushing Raye forward.  She 
turned to Serena.  "Gomen . . ." she looked at Amy, "to both of you."
   "'Skay."  Serena grinned.  "Let's go!"
   "Yeah, you have stuff to fill me in on.  Like, who was that 
talking cat?"
   "Luna . . .?"  Serena looked around.  "Where is she?  Oh well.  
Anyway, Luna's our mentor and advisor.  It's her *job* to find us . . 
."
   "Who *are* we?"
   This time, Serena and Amy chorused together: "The Sailor Senshi!"
   Then, as Raye broke into a smile, all three girls walked out of 
the shrine grounds, down the steps, and out onto the street, 
chattering as only three friends who have been known each other for a 
*long* time, could.
   Raye felt as though a lifetime's worth of changes had occurred 
that day, and indeed, they had.  But she was happy.  She had friends 
now, and despite the evil that they had to face, her future was 
blazing brighter than ever.

   Luna watched the three go with eyes shining with pride.  "You did 
well preparing her," she said to what seemed to be nothing but air.
  Then two voices whispered back, "The fire did that.  We did nothing 
more than watch her."
   Luna smiled as two black feathers fluttered down on the breeze.

   A man with short blonde-hair stepped out of the arcade, as Andrew 
pulled the HELP WANTED sign out of the window.  He stuck one hand in 
his jacket pocket and pulling off his dark sunglasses with the other, 
he stared off down the street for a moment and watched as a dark-
haired girl and her friends walked past.
   He stared intently at the dark-haired girl and she stiffened for 
an instant, then shaking off the feeling, kept walking.  The man 
sighed.  <She reminds me so much ofั>
   "Hey, Jed!" Andrew called, sticking his head out of the doorway of 
the arcade.  "You'll be here tomorrow, right?"
   Jed looked back at Andrew, an unfathomable look in his blue eyes.  
"Yeah, Andrew, I will."
   Then putting his sunglasses back on and putting his other hand in 
his pocket, he walked off.

To be continued . . .

Usa Serena/Tsukino Usagi
Luna/Luna
Mamo Darien/Chiba Mamoru
Anderson-Mizuno Amy/Mizuno Ami
Hino Raye/Hino Rei
Motto Andrew/Furuhata Motoki
A(i)lan Galaxy/Ail Ginga
Ann Galaxy/Ann Ginga
Fiore Et/Fiore
Jed (Better known as the *new* mysterious man)
The two mysterious men (Who did *not* make an appearance this episode, but 
will be reappearing soon.)
Phobos/Phobos
Deimos/Deimos

Arigato=Thank you
Bishoujo=Pretty
Fuku=Uniform
Gomen=I'm sorry
Gomen nasai=I'm really sorry
Hai=Yes
Hana=flower
Henshin-yo!=Transform!
Imouto-Little sister
Konnichi wa=Good afternoon
Juku=Cram school
Miko=Shrine maiden
Odango Atama=Dumpling head
Odango=Dumpling
Oneechan=Big sister
Oniichan=Big brother
Senshi=Soldier(s)
Shabon=Bubbles
Shinde=Die