Chapter 1: In the Dark

"Sailor Moon! Watch out!" Mercury yelled to her leader. As usual, her normal poise was destroyed and she had to be saved by Tuxedo Mask. She sighed in frustration and after a few more insults between the scouts and the ugly minion, she finally managed to get her tiara off and fling it at the weakened monster. Before she even had time to breathe once, Mars was on her case.

"Are you retarded or something?" she yelled. "Don't you have eyes in your head that can see that you're in the way?"

"Back off Mars." She said in exasperation. She gave herself enough grief as it is.

"No, I will not back off. You do this every time. Is this some plot to draw this clown in a suit out so you can moon over him?" she said waving a hand at the still present rose thrower.

"Give it a rest, Mars." Jupiter said.

"No." Sailor Moon said. "Let pyro say what she wants." She said looking directly at the fire scout. "So let me have it. Get it off your chest. Maybe you wanna hit me too."

"Moon-" Mars growled.

"What no words now that I'm standing up to you? You've wanted to be leader ever since you found out that I'm the leader of the scouts well guess what? Since I'm so inept at my job you do it. You do the stupid speech. You kill the youma. You get saved by Tuxedo Mask. You get targeted by that damn youma when there are four other people available to shoot at. You take it. Be the leader and I'll follow."

"Sailor Moon-" Venus started.

"No. She wants it; she can have it. Next time there is a youma; don't expect me to be the moving target." She spun around and came face to chest with Tuxedo Mask. "Get out of my way." She didn't look up but she saw him move to the side and then she was stalking off.

"Way to go, pyro." Venus said crossing her arms. "What are we supposed to do without her?" she added crossly.

"You heard her." Mars said. "I'm in charge now and she'll follow orders."

"I hope you know what you're doing." Jupiter said.

"Walk carefully." Mercury added. Said two departed into the night leaving Mars, Venus and Tuxedo Mask. The last of the three decided to add his two cents.

"You'll have a hard time convincing the youma that you're the one to go for but I'll do what I must if it is Sailor Moon's wish."

"You're saying you'll rescue me instead of her because she said you should?" Venus asked.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"She doesn't look like much at face value but she did her best as leader. Mars has large shoes to fill."

"Knowing her, she'll klutz out in her new position too." Mars said and walked away leaving Venus to talk further with Tuxedo Mask.

"Are you in love with Sailor Moon?"

"No." he said.

"Seems like you are."

"Can't love someone you don't know." He said and smiled.

"How true." Venus said wisely. "I hope we come out of this transition alive. Although Mars probably won't make a bad leader, I feel trouble coming on."

"We'll prepare for such. I must make my exit now."

"By all means." Venus said. "But before you go, do one thing for me."

"If I can."

"Look after her for me." She said looking in the direction Moon left. "If I know her, she hasn't detransformed yet so she's wandering around the town."

"I'll see what I can do." He said then they both left the park.

He found her at the swing set staring at her feet as they made marks in the sand. "Quite a night you've just had." He said sitting beside her.

"Leave me alone." She mumbled.

"You reminded me of someone just now." He said making his movements match hers. "Can you make this new arrangement work?" he said.

"I'll have to. She just doesn't understand how hard it is to attack a monster that won't stop attacking you for a split second." She sighed and looked over at her masked companion. "I don't want to be the damsel in distress. As much as I like having you jump in and make me feel important, I don't want to always be saved. I want to do stuff on my own."

"Then do it. I'll hold off whisking you away from danger for as long as it is possible without endangering you more than the obvious."

"You're too kind." She said. "You should go home and get some sleep. I'm sure you have a life outside of this crazy world."

"I suppose the same goes for you. We'll meet again soon."

"That I know." She rose and after a quick wave disappeared into the shadows of the midnight hour.

Serena crawled slowly out of bed and made her way to the shower. She sluggishly cleansed herself and then dressed for school at the same tempo. It helped that it was early and no one was awake yet to stand in shock. In her daze, she prepared breakfast for her family then ate in the silence. She trudged back upstairs and did her hair. She scooped up the dreaming Luna and headed out. She walked briskly to the shrine where Rei lived and left Luna at the door before hurrying to the crown arcade. For once, in a long time, she had time to grab a warm cup of the hot chocolate she loved so much. She saw Andrew start in surprise when she came through the door.

"Is it too early to get a cup of hot chocolate?"

"I think I hit my head a lot harder than I thought." He said rubbing an area in the back of his head.

"No, it's really me. So, about that hot chocolate-"

"Uh-sure. Anything for you, Serena." He said as he moved to the counter. "Any reason you're here so early?"

"Couldn't sleep last night so I decided instead of staring at the ceiling until I was late, I'd get up and go to school early. Maybe tomorrow, I'll sleep and actually wake up early."

"If that's what you want, then go for it."

"I think I will. I'll see you later." She said when he gave her the chocolate.

"Sure."

She made her way slowly to school and entered the classroom. It was strange to see the class empty and devoid of the chatter of her classmates. "Might as well, catch up on all that work I've been missing." She said to herself. She sat at her desk and worked assiduously until she heard the first sounds of student life. By then, she had done the back log and was halfway through one that was due the next day. She wrote the answer for the fifth question and closed the book just as her teacher entered.

"Serena?"

"That's me." She said and smiled softly.

"Are you okay?" Ms. Haruna said.

"Yep." She responded. Serena rose from her desk and lifted the stack of papers she had before her. "Here's all the work I had outstanding."

"R-Really?"

"Yes. And I was wondering if you could help me with the assignment due tomorrow. I did up to question five but I'm not so sure about the rest."

"Uh-sure. We can do that this afternoon."

"Thanks. I'll just go sit over here for the next half hour."

"O-okay."

"The teeth begin digestion by breaking the food up…" Serena took careful notes under the watchful gaze of Ami. She had only smiled and waved before delving into her notes. She didn't even lift her head to talk with Molly.

The hours passed and soon school was over. Serena stayed back and with the help of Ms. Haruna got through all ten math problems.

"I'm glad you're finally settling down to do your school work, Serena."

"Me too. It really takes a load off to get the work done." Serena smiled at her teacher then said her goodbyes.

She eventually started humming her usual song on her way to the arcade. She sighed when she opened the door and the bell chimed. "Hey Andrew!"

"Hey Serena! The usual?"

"No. I think I'll have mint chocolate today." She said taking her seat at the bar area. She soon had her ice-cream and was enjoying it when the door chimed. Serena could feel his gaze on her.

"You up to it today?" Andrew asked.

"It wouldn't complete my day if I didn't." She melted one more spoonful then turned to face her sparring partner, Darien Shields.

"I guess you were later than usual today, Odango Atama." He said. "You managed not to crash into me today."

"No, just early but I guess you'll find a way to tease me about that too."

"I-" he said.

"Go ahead." When he didn't say anything, she continued. "I've decided to avoid people like you as much as I can because you don't do much to encourage me so since I irritate you so much, when you do see me just ignore me. And if by the off chance I do crash into you, just walk away." She saw his eye shift to look at Andrew and guessed that said person shrugged.

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Wonderful actually." Serena said smiling at him. She turned to Andrew and added. "I'm going to go now. I'll see you tomorrow." She paid for her ice-cream then left a speechless Darien behind.

The next few days went uneventfully and Serena was glad. She managed to catch up with Melvin and Molly while keeping up with her schoolwork. Serena would discover that she was almost as brilliant as Melvin was.

It was the third day of her reform when Serena's life changed more than she ever wanted it to. "Serena! Youma in the park! Get here now!" Jupiter yelled as she dodged some more blasts. She closed her compact and quickly made her way to the park before transforming. Without a thought, she jumped into the fight throwing kicks and punches at the stunned youma.

"The Sailor brat got some new moves." It snarled.

"And they sting don't they?" Sailor Moon retorted before scanning the area. "Where's Mars?"

"Mars usually calls you so you have to call her now…Coconut cyclone!" she yelled sending a burst of electric energy at the youma.

"Fine!" she pulled out her communicator. "Mars! Get your scrawny ass down to the park now!" she yelled and shut the compact before jumping back into the fight. The youma instinctively aimed for Sailor Moon but she paid no mind to the barrage of attacks. She parried and countered as best she could. It was hard since she had never used her powers for anything but finish the fight. She was thrown back but before anybody could rush to her aid, she was on her feet going at the youma again.

"You gotta do better than that." She breathed. She looked over at Venus, Jupiter and Mercury and they nodded before launching a simultaneous attack. The youma stumbled just as Mars entered flinging fire at the disoriented youma.

"About time you showed up!" Venus yelled at Mars.

"Jupiter forgot to call me." Mars yelled back as she threw sutras at the youma.

"I'm not supposed to call the leader. I'm supposed to call my partner. That's Moon."

"Moon, you need to throw your tiara." Mercury shouted.

"Why?"

"It's the only way!" Mercury shouted back before she was thrown back by a blast.

"Mars! Do your job!" Moon yelled across the battlefield before sending some more energy at the youma.

The youma seeing that Moon wasn't letting up went for Mars who dove out of the way. "Keep it busy."

The others did their best with Mercury out of commission but it was hard. Fed up, Sailor Moon pulled off her tiara and threw it at the distracted youma who exploded with more force than they had ever seen. She was thrown back by the force, her eyes squinted against the blinding light. And then her world was dark.

"Sailor Moon?" she heard someone calling out to her but she couldn't find him. "Sailor Moon?"

"T-Tuxedo Mask?"

"You did good today. I didn't have to save you once." He said.

"Are the girls okay?"

"They're fine. They're looking after Mercury."

"Good. I think I'll go back to sleep, now-"

"No, you need to stay awake and open your eyes so I can see if they're okay."

"They hurt." She said shakily.

"I saw blood around them so I need you to try and open them." He saw her brow furrow then she sobbed and a single tear came out.

"I can't."

"Dammit-" he looked around and saw Jupiter carrying an unconscious Mercury towards him while Mars and Venus followed. "We need to get her to the hospital."

"She'll be fine." Mars said.

"No! Listen to me. Whatever happened when that thing blew up may have damaged her eyes. She needs medical attention now."

"Well we can't carry Sailor Moon into an emergency ward." Venus said. "Do you know what that could cause?"

"You don't get it. If she doesn't get medical attention now, she'll go blind. She could already be blind." They all looked at the shivering sailor scout as she hung on to Tuxedo Mask. "Well, if you won't do it I will!" he rose suddenly then disappeared with their former leader and friend.

"Great job, Mars." Venus said. "First day as leader and you possibly caused our real leader to go blind."

"Knock it off." Jupiter said. "It won't help to blame. We have to find out where this caped idiot took not just Sailor Moon but Serena." She added softly.

"What if he finds out who she is?"

"We'll deal with that when or if it comes." Mercury whispered. "Right now, we need to pray that he has her best interest at heart."

"He does." Venus said. "Which is more than I can say for Mars here." She held up her hand when Jupiter made to interrupt. "You know, Moon never did anything but her damndest best to make sure at the end of the battle we all went home to our families. Even if it meant that during the fight she'd draw the fire while we worked out a plan."

"She always-"

"She always made sure we were safe. She always made sure we were happy. You just wanted to show her up as a flake." Venus shook her head and chuckled. "It's ironic that while I tried hard to be her best friend, she always wanted you but you didn't give her a break. You just wanted to be the best. Even to show her up in front of Darien."

"This-"

"Do you even know how much she likes him? Do you even know how much he likes her?"

"She always-"

"She pushed him away because she's confused about her feelings for Tuxedo Mask. You would know this if you even bothered to talk to her instead of making her feel like crap everyday."

"Calm down, Venus." Jupiter tried.

"Calm down?" she laughed and looked back at Mars. "You have a lot to make up for when we see her again." She spun on her heel and left a stunned and close to tears Mars.

"I didn't mean to-" Mars started.

"No but you did and wouldn't listen to any of us when we said to back off. Moon is sensitive. I guess you know that now. Some leader you are." Jupiter said. "I'll see you tomorrow. I'm taking Mercury home."

Mars was left to wander around Juuban much like the former leader of the scouts. "Being the leader is pretty lonely, Moon." She said detransforming behind her shrine. "But I have to be the leader. I'm better for this than you are. It's for the good of all of us." She whispered as he folded herself into her futon.

"Is she doing okay?" Tuxedo Mask asked the doctor. He had considered entering as a civilian but thought better of it. As a civilian, he would have no reason to be attending to the infamous Sailor Moon. As Tuxedo Mask, her suspected love interest, he was where he was supposed to be.

"She's fine. Her only problem seems to be the damage to her eyes. We're trying to see what can be done but I fear that its too late."

"You mean-"

"The blast you described cast a large amount of light into her eyes and also a chemical we are not familiar with. It would be a miracle if when she's able to open her eyes, she can see."

"Damn."

"She'll need someone to look after her since I suspect you won't leave her here in our care."

"I have someone in mind to take care of her."

"Very good." He smiled then added. "I need to get back and see the patient."

"Can I come in with you in case she wakes up?"

"That would be good." They entered the room where he found the teen hero stretched out with an IV in her arm. He took her hand while the doctor examined the girl's eyes again. In the next seconds, she came out of her unconscious state.

"Where am I?" she asked groggily.

"The hospital." Tuxedo Mask replied squeezing her hand.

"Tuxedo Mask?"

"Yes."

"Am I-"

"You're still Sailor Moon. Don't Worry." He touched her cheek with his gloved hand. "Can you open your eyes now?"

She furrowed her brows and slowly, and obviously painfully, she opened her eyes. She sobbed lightly before a tear slid from her eyes. "Am-Am I blind?"

"It could be temporary or-"

"Permanent." She finished for the doctor. "Can I go home?"

"We're gonna give you some ointment then wrap your eyes so they can heal. Maybe you'll see when the bandages come off."

"And maybe I won't." She said sadly.

"You can leave when we're done. This young man has promised to take care of you." Sailor Moon nodded and then she felt the eye-drops and the ointment being applied. She closed her eyes and then felt the gauze being wrapped around her head. Minutes later, she felt Tuxedo Mask lifting her from the bed.

"Ready?" he whispered.

"Yes." She said her voice flat. She felt the whisper of the wind against her cheeks and she turned her head into the warmth of his chest. "How am I going to explain this to my family?"

"You're family?"

"Yes. How can I explain that I went to school with perfect vision then came home blind?"

"So they don't know you're Sailor Moon?"

"How could I look at my mother and tell her that her sixteen year old daughter goes off to fight deadly enemies with strange, unearthly powers?"

"I can see why you didn't." He said. "However, I can't just leave you alone to wonder home."

"Take me to the Hikawa Shrine. Ask for Rei. She's a friend of mine."

"Okay." He said and changed direction. In fifteen minutes, he was outside the shrine.

"Leave me out of site in case her grandfather answers." He set her down carefully then went to knock on the door. A little old man answered. "I'm here to see a Miss Rei."

"Is she expecting you?"

"No but a friend recommended her."

"I'll get her for you." He turned away from the masked hero and disappeared into the shrine. Soon, he saw Rei, Serena's friend emerge from the door the old man left through.

"Tuxedo Mask?"

"I have a delivery. Sailor Moon says you are a friend. Can I leave her in your care until I can do better for her?"

"Uh-sure." He nodded at her answer and then disappeared around the corner and returned with a bandaged Sailor scout.

"I assume you'll get her to the other scouts."

"Of course. Is she okay?"

"We'll know more when the bandages come off. In the mean time, I hope she can figure out a story to tell her family. She was very concerned about that."

"I'll take care of that."

"Goodnight then." He touched the now sleeping Sailor Mon's cheek before bounding off into the night.

Two weeks later, Darien was seated in his usual seat sipping on coffee. He had not heard from the scouts of Sailor Moon's condition. He nodded at something Andrew said then responded appropriately.

"Have you heard what happened to Serena?"

"No. What?"

"There was an accident at the Hikawa shrine."

"When? Was anyone hurt?"

"Rei got burned on her hands and Serena unfortunately got burned around the eyes."

"When?" his mind working quickly.

"Today's Thursday so it was on Monday."

"Oh." He quickly wiped away the suspicion that had clouded his mind. He shook his head at the silly notion of Serena actually being Sailor Moon. Of course, it would have simplified things for him. "Is she in the hospital?"

"Her friend Ami's mom is a doctor so she's looking after her at home. You should go visit her."

"Me? She hates me. I'd probably depress her."

"No. I'm sure she'd like it if you did show up."

"Really?" Darien said disbelievingly.

"Come on. Maybe a good fight between you two would cheer her up a little."

"I don't know where she lives." Darien said deciding if he couldn't see Sailor Moon, he would see Serena instead.

"Minako can take you. She's stopping by for some ice-cream for her."

"I guess it wouldn't hurt."

"Good for you." Andrew said then got back to work.

It was five o' clock before Minako showed up at the Crown Arcade. "Hey Andrew!"

"Hey Mina. I got the ice-cream."

"Good. Serena needs some cheering up." She spotted Darien and smiled. "Oh, hey Darien. Didn't see you there."

"Hi. I just heard about Odango. Is she okay?"

"As well as can be expected. A little depressed."

"Can I come visit her?"

"She'd like that very much." Mina said excitedly.

"You're the second person to say that." He rose from his seat. "I'll drive us there."

"Great. See you later Andrew."

"Okay. I'll pick you up at Serena's."

"You and Andrew doing okay?"

"We're great." Mina said. "Just take a right her then take a right again and keep going."

"Okay." A few minutes later, he asked. "Which house?"

"Second house on the right." He pulled into the garage and then entered the house behind Mina. He followed her up the stairs and into the room directly before it. "Hey Serena. Got the ice-cream."

"Thanks." Came the soft voice.

"And I brought company."

"Who?" she asked curiosity evident in her voice.

"Darien."

"Why is he here?" she asked a bit angrily.

"Thought I'd come and see how you were doing." He answered for himself.

"I'm not in the mood or condition to fight with you." She said wearily. Darien looked at Mina who nodded and exited silently.

"I didn't come here to fight with you." He said touching her cheek. "How are you doing?"

"Leave me alone." She said brushing his hand away. She sniffled. "I can't even cry properly with this stupid thing on my eyes."

"You're crying?"

"Yes I am." She said choking on her words. "I don't want you here." She whispered.

"Well, I want to make sure that you're okay." He said solemnly.

"I'm possibly blind." She said a bit of anger in her voice.

"And you could probably see when you take the bandages off." He said cupping her cheek. He felt a lot braver being affectionate when her crystal blue eyes weren't glaring at him.

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

"I wouldn't be a friend if a kicked you when you were down." He said a smile in his voice.

"Friend? We're friends?"

"Of course. What else would we be?"

"Friends don't quarrel all the time."

"You and Rei quarrel all the time."

"I can't help being her friend. It's a packaged deal."

"Well, I'm your friend if you want one."

She was silent for a while. "Can we still argue every now and then?"

"It's part of the package." He said. "I'll go now. Get some rest."

"No. I think I want you to stay. I need help eating my ice-cream." She said smiling a little.

"Okay." He got up and brought the ice-cream to the bed. "Okay, open up." She did and he spooned some of the cold treat into her mouth.

"Thanks." She said when she swallowed.

"For what?" he saw her hand come up and her finger signaled for him to come closer.

"For taking me to the hospital."

"But I did-"

"Shhh." She said. "I shouldn't be telling you this but since we're friends and I already figured out who you really are its only fair you know who I really am."

"Serena-"

"And that's what you call me when I'm not getting shot at by ugly monsters." She whispered.

"Are you seriously trying to convince me that you're Sailor Moon?"

"Can you seriously explain how both Sailor Moon and I came to be blind at the same time?"

"I tried but-"

"So you see, thank you. And thanks fro saving me all those times."

"You thanked me for them every time I did." Incredulity was in his voice.

"A nice shock, huh?"

"Yeah."

"I was excited at first when I figured out where I smelt that cologne before. Then when I remembered that you, as Darien didn't like me as Serena, I got sort a depressed."

"So you weren't depressed because of the eyes?"

"Yeah but when I though of you not liking me, the eyes didn't seem so bad."

"Me liking you was that important?"

"Yeah."

"Well, you know I don't hate you." He said.

"I'm glad." She said swallowing another spoonful of the cold treat. "Andrew really fixed this one didn't he? You should try some."

"I think he made this one especially for you."

"It'll taste better if I share it." She pleaded.

"Fine." He looked down at the spoon and wondered why he was suddenly having thoughts of tasting her lips instead of a cold spoon. "Serena?"

"What? Did you taste it?" she asked smiling.

"Forgive me for doing this." He said hurriedly before kissing her gently. When he pulled back, her jaw was slack and surprise was in her expression.

"Th-" she licked her lips. "There's nothing to forgive." She said her cheeks beginning to stain red. He smiled and kissed her again.

"I guess we have to upgrade that friendship status."

"I guess." She said wishing she could see what he looked like now. "Darien, what if I can't see when I take these bandages off? How will I continue to be Sailor Moon?"

"I'll always be there to help you."

"I know. But how will I do it?"

"We'll deal with that if it happens. Right now, stay positive."

"I'll try." She chuckled lightly. "Ms. Haruna is not going like that her new star pupil is blind."

"Star pupil?"

"I'm not as dunce as I behave. Just a little spaced out sometimes."

"I'll help with the studying."

"I'm so loved." She said dreamily and laughed. She yawned suddenly. "I guess I really am tired."

"I'll leave you to sleep then."

"Let me fall asleep before you go. It's lonely in this darkness."

"Okay. Got to sleep now."

He climbed in beside her and caressed her hair until he heard her breath even out and even then; he didn't have the heart to leave.