Something About That Girl

By : Rhyaniwyn, Lady of Crying Shadows

Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and all associated characters are the exclusive property of Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha Ltd., Toei Animation, Co., Ltd. The English dub is copyright 1995 DiC.

Foreword: Ye gods, but school is boring. About the only thing it does is take up time when I could be writing. I've got two classes that I actually learn things in. Perhaps one that is useful. Anyway, here is Part VI. This one's about Rei, Ami and Serena. Lita will join soon, don't worry. This takes place a few weeks after Rei saved Serena and she is now transferring into Serena's school. Rei's already formed her infamous opinion of Serena's worth. Please email me at alyanawhitemage@hotmail.com. I like getting e-mail, again, so I'll worship you if you tell me you like my stories. An author needs feedback of some sort, you know, to feel as if they have self-worth.

Dedication: To myself, because I feel the need to have something dedicated to me.

~Something About That Girl~ (Part VI: The Midnight Black)

Serena smiled happily, Rei was going to start coming to her school now. Rei had said that it would be a good idea if they were all together. Serena paused, Rei had waltzed right in and taken over... She really didn't mind, in fact, that took the pressure off of her to do things... But Rei could be really mean. She was always making fun of Serena. She hoped Rei was only kidding--she really admired Rei. Rei was beautiful and smart, and very talented. Plus, she was a priestess. Serena shook away the thoughts and skipped toward where Rei had told Ami she'd be.

'Why didn't she tell me?' Serena wondered. She shook her head again, becoming a Sailor had made her paranoid.

She went to the meeting-place and sat down to wait. Rei was taking forever, and that suprised her. Rei seemed like the type who was never late and never clumsy. Suddenly the sky blackened. One moment it was a clear blue, the next a brooding dark. Serena stared at it blankly. "What the?" she asked aloud.

"Serena!" It was Rei!

Serena jumped up, grinning. "Hey, Rei! What took you so long? I was starting to--"

"Oh, shut-up, Serena! There's a monster in the school! Get your ass in gear now! We don't have time for chatter!" Rei looked at her disgustedly. "You did bring your transformation brooch?"

"Well, yeah. I--"

"Serena, NOW!"

"Sorry," Serena whimpered. "Moon Prism Power Make-up!" 'Wait a second, what's she yelling at me for? She's not transformed either!' Serena thought.

"Mars Power Make-up!"

"Mercury Power Make-up!"

They ran toward the courtyard where the students sat before class. There loomed a monster of nightmarish ugliness.

"Ewww!" Serena shuddered.

The thing looked up at them. It's eyes narrowed and it released the student it had been mauling. Tossing the body away like it weighed nothing, it stepped toward the three scouts menacingly.

Serena shook slightly. It was like something from one of her dreams, that evil aura, the blacked, pocked skin.

Ami and Rei took defensive postures, waiting for the monster's first move. It didn't do anything but stand there, face hidden looming over them.

"What the hell is it doing!?" Rei demanded of Ami.

"How should I know?" Ami responded. "Maybe it's waiting to see what we're going to do about it--"

Rei interupted, "Like it's challenging us?"

"Well, something like that," Ami agreed.

"So, what _should_ we do?" Rei inquired.

"Wait for it to get bored and move?" Serena suggested.

Rei gave her an ugly look. "That sounds promising," she said acerbically.

Suddenly the thing looked up. Straight at Serena.

Serena cried out. 'It's eyes,' she thought frantically, 'There's something about... It's eyes. I can't move. The eyes--they're so blue, so human. It reminds me of someone! Who? Who do I know with dark blue eyes like the ocean on a stormy day? Who?' Whimpering, she sank to the ground. Her hands were clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms and drawing blood. 'I can't move. I can't look away. I can't think clearly. I don't know ANYONE with blue eyes like that. It's eyes... I don't understand!' Tears began to stream down her face. 'I... can't--move.'

Rei turned to her angrily, her dark purple eyes flashed with rage. "What are you DOING!!??" she shrieked. "You're such a wimp!"

"It's eyes," Serena choked out hoarsely.

"What are you talking about?!" Rei slapped her, hard, knocking her face away from the creature's eyes.

Still trembling, she looked at Rei. "Why did you do that?"

"Because you're useless! In case you haven't noticed, there's a monster there, and you're sitting there crying!" She jerked away with a noise of disgust. "Mars Fireball!" she cried.

The creature dodged deftly. It's bulk had hidden its agility, apparantly.

"Mercury ice bubbles--freeze!" Ami cried out, freezing the creature's legs.

Sailor Mars ran forward, doing a tiny twirling leap to land gracefully just out of range of it's periphial vision. "Mars Firebird--strike!" she yelled confidently.

A firebird formed from flames and hurtled toward the creature. It's head snapped up, blue eyes wide--and the firebird swerved. Only slightly, and it soon moved back on course, impacting with the creature in a sickening thud. But, instead of consuming it, making a smolering funeral pyre of it, the creature disapeared.

"What the...? Is that supposed to happen?" Ami asked.

"I--don't know, really," Rei said. "I don't know much about these powers. But, say, do you want to come over to the temple and talk about it?"

Ami looked at her suspicously, "Okay..."

"Serena, why don't you go home and get some rest," Rei said condescendinly.

Serena lowered her head, shielding her face from Sailor Mars. "That sounds like a good idea," she said slowly, trying to conceal the tremors in her voice.

Serena collapsed onto her bed. "Luna, doesn't Rei like me?" she asked the worried cat.

Luna was quiet for a moment. "I'm sure she does, Serena. Why don't you ask her about it some time. You may be surprised at what she tells you."

"What makes you think she'll tell me anything at all?"

"You have a gift, Serena, you see the good in everyone. Rei knows that, and she'll know that if you ask, then you're really concerned. People will tell you things they wouldn't tell anyone else all your life, Serena, it's just--something about you." Luna sighed. "Ooops. See what I mean? I didn't mean to say so much... I'm going to go outside. Will you be okay?"

"Yes," Serena told her, "You go on."

Luna hopped off the window sill to bat open the door. Serena thought she heard, though she'd never be sure, Luna faintly say, "Artemis..."

That night, Rei and Ami lay in Rei's bedroom at the temple. "Ami?" Rei tried hesitently.

"Yes, Rei?" Ami replied.

"Did I wake you up?"

Ami sighed, "No."

"Good. Um... What do you think of Serena?" she asked.

"What do you mean? I think she's very kind and sweet, maybe a little flakey, but very sensitive. Why?"

"I was just wondering. Well, no, I meant what do you think about her as a Sailor?"

"I've only seen her in action twice! But... She did save my life, Rei, I'll never forget that. She was born clumsy, she can't help tripping every once in a while. And she's not overly bright... But she's loyal and she WILL sacrifice herself to save someone, Rei."

"I don't think so," Rei hedged, then exploded, "I think she's a coward and a brainless dolt! I don't think she should be a Sailor Scout at all, Luna made a mistake. And, she's the LEADER! How can such a crybaby, weasely, loudmouth be the leader! And she can't even fight! She's weak!"

"Shut-up, Rei," Ami commanded softly. "I understand what you're saying, but you're wrong. Serena just doesn't want to be a scout. She wants to be normal--I'd like to be normal too. Something is making you blind to Serena's good points, Rei. You'd better take care of whatever it is so that we can all work together. We need all of our strengths combined to fight these monsters effectively. And remember, Rei, you have faults too."

Rei was speechless. "Okay. Good-night!"

"Goodnight. And, Rei?"

"Yeah, Ami?"

"I'm sorry for snapping at you."

Rei laughed, "Oh, Ami!"

Rei woke to the sound of the grandfather clock tolling midnight. 'It's so black out there!' she thought, 'Why can't I sleep? Am I feeling guilty about Serena?'

There was a quiet tapping at the window. Rei jumped, then looked out to see Serena, shivering in her pajamas.

She opened the widow and grabbed a blanket. Pushing it at Serena, she asked "What are you doing here so late in your underwear?"

"They--aren't--underwear--they're--bunny--paj--am--as," Serena said with chattering teeth.

"Whatever," Rei said, "Why are you here?"

"Why don't you like me, Rei?"

Rei nearly jumped out of her skin. "You came all the way over here to ask me THAT? I do like you, what are you talking about?"

"No, you don't, Rei. What's the matter?"

Rei shot her a penetrating glance. "I don't get along well with others," she said in a fixed manner.

Serena laughed. "You sound like you're quoting your kindergarden teacher, 'does not play well with others.'"

"No," Rei said bitterly, "In kindergarden my mother was alive."

"Your mother is dead?" Serena gasped.

"Yeah. She died when I was really young. I guess she was kinda sick and very unhappy, because she just got weaker and weaker. Finally, she couldn't get out of bed and I had to take care of her and the house since my dad was always out at political functions. He never stayed home once or helped me, and she just wasted away," Rei spat.

"Oh, Rei, I'm so sorry. Is that why you live with your grandpa?"

"Yeah."

Serena went over to Rei and put her arms around her. "I'm so sorry, Rei. That must have been terrible." She squeezed Rei tightly. She felt moisture on her neck. Rei was crying! "Shhh-shhh," Serena crooned to her friend. "Just go ahead and cry. If I know you, this is probably the first time." Serena understood that tomorrow, outwardly, nothing would change, but here, hidden by the midnight blackness, Rei could cry.

End Part VI

Afterword: That is a fact about Rei's mother and father. Next to come "A Prelude to Nightfall" part VII. e-mail me with comments. Please visit my homepage at http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Field/9869/ and tell me what you think of it. Man, this one was kinda short too, wasn't it? Don't worry, the next one should make up for it in length.