Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Promise Kept ❯ Promises ( Chapter 3 )

_____________Part Three_____________

"Promises"

 

"It can't be, it just can't be!"

 

"Oh, NO! What have I done! I've never done anything so stupid! Stupid, Serina, just plain dumb!" Serina marched off, disappearing from the Scouts' sight behind trees now glistening like star-struck tears in the sunlight after the brief thunderstorm. Once gone from view she took off at a dead run, for once, not sliding over the slick grass. 'You said it yourself, Meatball head, it's probably for the best. They can fight better without needing to wait or worry about you, and Rei did always want to be the leader.' Serina continued rushing down the sidewalk, blinking away burning tears that threatened to shatter her vision. After all the crying she'd all ready done today, she would have thought she'd reach her limit after all this! 'Tokyo should be underwater by now.' She thought wryly, then stopped. Now she was starting to sound like Rei! She shivered in mock disgust then smiled sadly. 'It's for the best. Besides, if they really wanted you back, they would have come for you by now.'

 

"And now you can have what you always wanted, Serina Tsukino!" Serina whispered excitedly to herself, forcefully boosting her attitude as she began walking home, her pace getting faster as her delight grew, blanketing her regret and pain in false enthusiasm. "Now you can be a NORMAL teenager!" She wiped away the last of her tears, unsure if this heavy feeling slipping from her shoulders was her giving up her previous life, or just her imagination.

 

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Serina skipped into her house, running into Luna on her way out.

 

"Oh, Serina, I've been looking for you everywhere! I was worried after the way you stormed out of Rei's temple, I was afraid you'd accidentally fall down the temple steps and break your neck, or run out in the middle of the road a get yourself hit by a car, you looked so upset!"

 

"Well, you don't have to worry about it anymore, Luna. Everything's fine now." Serina smiled sweetly, though Luna caught the thinly veiled remorse in her voice. 'Oh Goddess, what has she gotten herself into this time?' The black cat studied her ward as she hopped up the steps to her room. 'She doesn't seem to be too worried about it, at any rate.' Luna left the blonde Moon Princess and went to find the Scouts.

 

'Oh no, I forgot about Luna! What am I gonna do when she finds out? She'll yell at me, she'll never forgive or let me be alone! I- I guess, I'll have to leave, or something. I can't go back to them, they don't want me anyway. Rini hates me, the Scouts hate me, EVERYONE yells at me, even Darien- well, I don't know about him anymore. He keeps teasing me, playing games with my heart . . . I- I guess this is good- bye, Luna . . . I can't believe I'm even THINKING this!'

 

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"Serina! Aunt Ilene says you have to take me out to the park!" Serina jumped at the annoying high-pitched voice issuing from an equaling annoying pink-haired little girl sitting on HER bed!

 

"Rini! Who said you could come into MY room! You didn't touch anything, did you, you little spore?" Serina charged into the room, searching her stuff to be sure everything was as it should be, in the chaotic mess she'd left it in this morning. She let years of instinct take over, pretending everything was normal and all right. Little Rini didn't need to worry about her problems when she had plenty of her own.

 

"Of course not, dummy. Aunt Ilene said you would take me to the park, and I was just waiting like a good little girl." Rini hopped off the bed and stuck her tongue out.

 

"Ohh!" Serina growled, hands on her hips before she was abruptly whipped backward as Rini snatched her hand and dragged her out the door and down the stairs. "Hang on, you little rabbit! Wait a sec so I can at least-" Rini pulled harder, whining.

 

"No, Aunt Ilene said you promised! You PROMISED!" She looked up at Serina with hurt cinnamon eyes, then leaned closer conspiratorially. "And Sailor Moon would never break a promise." Rini glanced up smiling; she knew she had the black-mailing edge here, but she started at the flash of pain in Serina's eyes. She frowned in concern, but the look disappeared, replaced by a soft understanding and she dismissed it.

 

"You're right, Munchkin, let's go!" Serina wrapped Rini's little hand more comfortably in hers, then they raced out the front door, her mother smiling after them from the kitchen.

 

__________________________

 

"Hey, only Darien can call me that!" Rini called as they left the house. Serina glanced down at the kid, amused but painful memories were raised by listening to her.

 

"I once said that too, Rini."

 

"Huh? What do you mean?" Rini's mouth quirked uncertainly. She was kind of torn between pulling her hand from Serina's and letting it stay there. It felt comfortable but this was SERINA, the Meatball headed ditz. She wasn't supposed to be comfortable except at night when she was asleep and she could sneak into her bed.

 

"I mean, I once said only Darien could call me Meatball head. He used to call me that when we hated each other, before we realized we were in love, but back then it drove me nuts. Soon others started calling me that too, especially Rei and I always yelled at everyone that only he could call me that. When Darien became my boyfriend he still called me Meatball head so I called him Muffin because he was so sweet and made me feel happy and energetic like my chocolate muffins in the morning. But now- when he says my name, it only hurts me." Serina's voice was soft and serious as she finished, almost as if forgetting she was talking to the little fungus. Rini frowned again as she watched the older girl's face. Was she opening up to her? Being nice? Telling her secrets?

 

"Oh. Serina, do you know why Darien hates you so much?" Rini saw Serina wince but didn't take back her question. Darien hadn't told her much when she asked, maybe Serina would. Besides, maybe Serina would feel better if she talked about it. It was better than sleeping away the days, crying all the time, or starving herself. That was something Rini had noticed lately. Serina didn't eat as much as she used to inhale. She was starting to get worried.

 

"I don't know, sweetheart. He wouldn't tell me."

 

"What a jerk! He can't leave like that without an explanation! It's not nice!"

 

"Rini, don't speak badly of Darien. He said it was for the best and I'll not have you question his judgment even if I agree with you. I won't lose hope in him and you can't either. Hope is a very valuable thing and it can see you through anything, even the worst break up. Don't you ever lose hope in the things you believe in, Rini."

 

Rini's brow creased as she listened to Serina's wise words. She sounded like her mother and that frightened her. There was no possible way Serina- Sailor Moon was-

 

No, she wouldn't lose hope in him, or Serina, or Sailor Moon. She had to believe in them to help her and see her through HER problems. "Okay, Serina. I won't, I believe in you, and Darien. He'll come back to you, I'm sure. Now," Her face brightened in a huge smile. "How about some ICE CREAM!"

 

__________________________

 

"Ya know, Rini, you don't have to be afraid of me." Serina licked her rocky road ice cream cone as they walked through the park and she glanced seriously down at the enigmatic little girl beside her. She watched her frown with proud eyes.

 

"I'm not afraid of you, MEATBALL HEAD!" She declared with one hand on her hip and chocolate smeared all over her defiantly glaring face. Serina nearly toppled over laughing at the sight. She didn't mind at all when Rini called her that. She could be fairly sure she used the name affectionately after the little story Serina had told her behind the nickname. She pulled out a couple napkins from her pocket and knelt to wipe the sticky ice cream mess from her 'cousin's' face.

 

"I'm sure you're not, little one, but- I just wanted you to know, you don't have to be frightened of talking to me- or the Scouts. About your mother, or your home, or even just the bullies here at school. Anything." Rini glanced away from Serina's coddling, the tears forming in her eyes quickly being held in check. Now Serina was reminding her of her own mother a LOT.

 

"I can take care of myself. Why are you suddenly being so nice to me, Serina?" She turned a defensive face back to the older girl who was normally her enemy. All this change and nice stuff could still be some kind of trick even if it didn't feel like it and Serina seemed to be honest. Serina took the little girl's accusation in stride but Rini again noted the pang of sadness in Serina's soft smile.

 

"I'm sorry I've been so mean to you, Rini. I promise I'll never do it again. You really are one of my friends, we just fight a lot too." Serina still knelt before Rini, both their ice creams forgotten and melting in the summer heat.

 

"Like you and Rei?" 'Ouch! Direct hit, little princess.' Serina thought as she winced.

 

"Yeah, like me and Rei. And just like my friends, you know I'll never let anything hurt you. I promised we'd help you, in the name of the moon, and that's a promise I will NEVER break. But only if you want us to; you've got to help me out too. We can't do it alone." Serina stood up, tossing the dirty napkins in the trash then recovering Rini's hand and glancing down at her, smiling. "Whenever you want to, you can tell me." They started walking, this time in silence as Serina followed the birds' songs on the wind and the wispy clouds above the park's dried green glades. If what she suspected about Rini were true, she NEEDED to help the little girl, and nothing could ever keep her from protecting and loving her- like a daughter.

 

Rini contemplated the sudden change in Serina. This could be nice, the past Tokyo certainly didn't seem as scary with a friend nearby. And Rini DID feel like she wanted to talk to Serina, tell her everything just to get it over with. Serina had told her important personal stuff, and she should return the offer. She knew she'd feel better if she did. So what was holding her back?

 

Then Rini remember the fact that had kept her away from the Sailor Scouts and had kept her from getting too close to Serina once she'd discovered her secret identity. The information she'd kept to herself when she remembered. It was too painful to say out loud, too scary to even think about. The danger this girl was in, so innocent and nice, much more like a normal ditzy, klutzy teenager than the moon's superheroine, fighter for love and justice, was what kept her from being nice. If she grew attached to her Serina, she'd lose her, just like she'd lost her mommy. But she could fight for Mommy, she was just asleep.

 

History couldn't be changed and Rubeus hadn't been bluffing at the construction site battle although what he'd said seemed to have been forgotten by everyone else. Rini had remembered though, he was what reminded her of the dreadful fact she couldn't tell anyone or fix in any way. The one that drove her away from this new-found friend and protector, and why she had slept in Serina's bed every single night since she'd found out, just to make sure she was still there. She would never mention it again, she wouldn't remind the Scouts of what Rubeus had predicted.

 

There was no Sailor Moon in the future.

 

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"Rei! This is all YOUR fault! If you hadn't been pushing Serina so hard-" Lita argued, practically screaming at the raven-haired hot head. The girls were gathered again at Rei's temple, supposedly to calm down but it didn't seem to be working at all.

 

"If she didn't jump to conclusions like some kind of impetuous FROG-" Rei began in her defense before Mina interrupted.

 

"Don't you EVER give up, Rei? Even when she's not here anymore, you still insult her." Mina sat in a chair with her arms wrapped disconsolately around her knees. Artemis hung silently around her shoulders; he'd all ready learned to keep his mouth shut while they discussed this topic. He'd been swatted on the head for trying to take charge and get them to apologize to their princess and leader. His ward, Mina, was so full of emotion she didn't know what to do with herself so she just sat, quivering with anger and misery and dread.

 

Even Ami was silent, her eyes downcast with shame. It had been her suggestion that they head back to the temple in hopes that they could all calm down and reflect on Serina's unexpected reaction. It had been Rei's idea to let Serina be until she felt like coming back. Ami knew Rei was just too proud to actually go back and apologize first but then she understood that Rei's words had hurt Serina so deeply that she had taken such a drastic course of action. The subject was probably just too tender to be addressed immediately by either party.

 

She'd tried calling Serina's house but her mother said she'd left with Rini and wasn't sure where she had gone. Serina also didn't answer her communicator, if she even had it with her. She was so stubborn, as bad Rei when it came to her pride. It was certainly foolish to leave her communicator at home and more foolish to give up the Silver Crystal and the fight for justice just because of what THEY thought. They shouldn't have let her leave, let her be alone. It wasn't right. It was their job to protect her . . . They were best friends, that was a promise of the heart, a vow that was more important now than any made in the Silver Millennium.

 

Ami abruptly shook her head, blinking away sudden tears of guilt. No, Serina would have never wasted a moment to help a friend in need. She didn't need time to think about what happened, it only made it more real and irreparable. That painful memory would likely scar her delicate spirit! "Guys, we've got to go." Ami whispered. All eyes turned to her.

 

"I thought we agreed that she needed time to be by herself." Rei reminded the blue-haired genius. She used to be so quiet and shy before Serina had met her. Now she argued with a quickly sparked fire.

 

"No, I no longer believe that, and neither should you! Serina never let any of us go through something so hard by ourselves and yet here we are committing her to the same nightmare we all faced ourselves before we met her! All that loneliness we felt that she was NEVER meant to experience!" Ami stood angrily, and even Rei relented beneath her Mercurian glare.

 

Artemis raised his head. It was about time they realized he was right! But he refused to open his mouth lest Mina smack him again.

 

Ami noticed Rei's shoulders sag, defeat and regret replaced her fiery attitude, even a vague horror dawned in her eyes as she realized what Ami had said was true. All their loneliness, sadness, fear, and hopelessness, compounded and thrust upon a free-spirited girl who had never been prepared for such as they had growing up. She'd never be able to handle it! She'd die before living without her friends!

 

"You're right, Ami. I'm so sorry, guys! I- I just, my mouth has a mind of it's own and it runs without me telling it to! I'm only trying to help her, make her be a better leader who can take care of herself. How can she forgive me? I didn't mean everything I said, half of it maybe-"

 

"Rei . . ." Mina warned, standing up.

 

"I know, we've got to find her. I've got to apologize." Rei whispered so the others couldn't hear her last word though they knew what it had been.

 

"We've all got to apologize, we just stood there, without a word while you carried on and that's just as bad." Lita said, also standing and electrified with determination. They now had a new mission, to recovery their runaway princess!

 

Just then Luna burst into the room, scaring all them out of their wits.

 

"Luna, what's wrong!" Mina asked, quickly rushing over to the distraught cat and picking her up.

 

"I was hoping you girls could tell, me, Mina." The scouts looked at each other, guilty but silent. And worried.

 

"Why, what's wrong?" Rei was startled to attention, she squeezed Serina's brooch that now hung on a chain around her neck under her shirt. If Serina was in danger- she'd never forgive herself!

 

"I'm not sure, actually. Serina came home not twenty minutes ago, looking all right, a little soggy from the storm, I assume, but with a completely artificial smile, as if she were hiding something that was bothering her. But she acted like everything was normal. I guess I shouldn't worry so, what with her mood swings, it was probably nothing."

 

The girls grimaced with further remorse. 'Probably nothing'. "Actually, she's been having a REALLY bad day, Luna." Lita started off gently.

 

"Don't I know it." Luna sighed. "She was even yelled at particularly harshly by her mother this morning about her kicking Rini out of her bed again last night. And then Rini exploding at her like that last night- Serina felt so bad about it." The girls winced again as if being hit by rocks.

 

"Luna, we're sorry, you're not gonna like this-" Lita picked up again, hoping the overprotective cat wouldn't jump out of her skin when she heard what had happened.

 

Rei looked away from the group, darkness covering her in a cloak, her black hair draped over her face. She knew how to hide her tears with a shield of angry emotions. No one ever wanted to get close enough to notice her pain. 'Except Serina, it never worked for her-' "I'm surprised the crybaby didn't tell you-"

 

"Tell who what?" A masculine voice suddenly entered the conversation. Darien had appeared as if from no where.

 

"Hey, how did YOU get in here, Darien! Who let you in- Did Chad let you in? I'll kill him, I said this was a PRIVATE meeting!" Rei exploded, she needed to vent her feelings on someone, Darien or Chad, it didn't matter, she didn't like feeling guilty and here Darien waltzes in just to add to her grief!

 

"I let myself in, Rei, I have my ways. Besides, you were talking about Serina and that's what I came to find out about." Darien stood by the closed door of the fire room they all stood agitatedly in. He had his arms nonchalantly crossed, waiting for answers like a prince. 'Ha! He USED to be a prince, now he the KING of jerks!'

 

"What's with the sudden interest, Darien? Looking to find more dirt to insult your ex-girlfriend with? Don't you think you've hurt her enough?" Rei asked coldly. Her best friend lamented for weeks over this guy, so aloof and distant, and she still pined for him. He was disgusting, still trying to be their friend as if nothing happened, as if he hadn't broken Serina's heart! She didn't care about the feelings she thought she saw when he'd come to Sailor Moon's rescue at the death-scare at the Hypnotica battle. If he'd been there in the first place, she might not have fallen asleep to begin with! She could have DIED!

 

Darien hid his reaction well, her remark stung, he would never purposely hurt Serina, they should know that by now. But only Serina could have seen the pain the priestess's insult and the Scouts' mistrust caused in his eyes. "No, of course not, Rei. I'm concerned. I saw her earlier today. She wasn't- herself." He would put up with Rei for now, just because he needed answers. He kept up his emotionless expression and waited for a reply or reaction.

 

There was one. All the girls started, even Luna and Artemis glanced up expectantly. 'They've noticed too. Or they know why.'

 

Rei sighed and sat before her fire, carelessly waving everyone else to their seats. "I'm sure you've got a part in this somewhere, Darien, but then what we all ready know about you is probably enough explanation by itself. So before we all over-react let's try to get this whole story in order." It was the first SENSIBLE thing the mean-tempered priestess had said all day.

 

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Serina and Rini headed over to a distant corner of the park, a less traveled tree-lined path surrounded by greenery, ornamental shrubs, and roses of various colors. The two walked along, oblivious to all else but the fragrance of the red roses and the dappling sunlight of the old asphalt path.

 

"This is so cool, Serina! Thanks for taking me! I've never had so much fun just by walking through the park!" She ran and skipped ahead of her blonde caretaker. Serina laughed and leapt to join her.

 

"No prob, Rini." Serina followed the child to a row of roses. Rini carefully picked a handful of roses of various colors. Serina plopped down on the grass to watch her. Rini turned to the meatball headed blonde and handed her the roses, sitting carefully next to her.

 

"See, my daddy gives my mommy roses every day. A white one in the morning because he says she's so innocent and pure and hopeful, a red one in the afternoon for their true love and a peach one for my baby brother Travis- he's not born yet." Rini spoke without looking up at Serina, if she looked, she might stop talking. Serina was caught by surprise by the stream of information but remained silent. 'She trusts me! She's finally opening up to me- this isn't so bad being nice to my little one.' She inhaled the scents of the white and red roses. The last was a pale gold with pink highlights- it made her think of the sunrise, just as the other two invariably reminded her of Darien's roses.

 

Rini continued telling her story, tears tickling her eyes as she remembered the family she left behind, the trouble her mother was in and her brother Travis too. "Daddy gives me and Irene pink roses because we're a mix of the red and white- because they love us." Rini kept the two pink roses close to herself. Her sister- Irene- she missed her so much . . .

 

"Who's Irene?" Serina asked softly, afraid to scare the child back into stubborn silence. Rini looked so lonely and vulnerable. A child her age shouldn't have to keep secrets.

 

"Irene's my twin sister, I'm older by five minutes- that's why I'm Serenity, Princess of the Moon and she's Imbrium the Princess of the Earth. We're identical but she takes after Daddy like I take after Mommy. I've got Mommy's moon powers just like she's got Daddy's earth powers. We can both use them but she can all ready make roses out of thin air and I can't yet, but I can use my moonbeam and SHE can't." Rini continued softly, gazing intently at the carnation pink rosebuds as if she could see her sister in them. She heard Serina gasp softly beside her and wondered if she'd revealed too much.

 

Serina was just noticing the rose's pink color was very close to the flamingo pink of Rini's hair when she heard the child. She abruptly focused on what Rini had just said, her heart freezing for an icy, panicked moment. Serina suddenly had confirmation- her thoughts, her dreams, her most far-fetching wishes, her suspicions on Rini's true identity- they were real. Rini really was-

 

The small princess suddenly glanced up, smiling weakly as she plucked two more roses from the bush over her head, never in fear of the thorns Serina noted absently. A pure gold one and a dark red, almost violet rose were now clasped in her tiny hand. She continued her ramblings when she saw Serina smiling down at her with a look of contentment and hope. "And then Uncle Tranq always gets a yellow rose, cause he's as sunny and cheerful as Mommy, and Auntie Rose always makes her own roses, right out of the air like Daddy. Pretty purple ones!" She smiled as she handed these roses to Serina as well, finally letting her eyes lift up to meet the older girl's blue ones. She was pleased with the love she saw there.

 

"Oh, Rini, thank you for telling me all this. I promise we'll help you and your family. It sounds like they all love you very much and you obviously love them too. Come here," Serina set the roses aside and held her arms out for the little girl, her little princess. Rini hesitated a half second before launching herself into Serina's embrace, crying softly. Serina held her, stroking her hair gently and cooing.

 

"It's all right, Rini, I promise everything will work out. Shh, sweetheart." Rini calmed under Serina's soothing caress and she snuggled deeper, almost forgetting where she was for a moment.

 

"Thank you, Rena. I really don't hate you- I'm sorry what I said last night." Serina hugged Rini tighter a moment before releasing her.

 

"I'm sorry I was so harsh, little one. I was just tired and took it out on you. Luna's got some nasty claws so I can't yell at her anymore." She smiled tenderly. Rini stood, smiling blissfully and took off again, laughing. Serina picked up her roses and went off after the child.

 

"Come on, Rena! This is much more fun than I thought it was gonna be!" Rini called from ahead. Serina ran to catch up. She began talking, feeling it was her turn to share some family memories with the Small Lady.

 

"My parents used to take me walking through here all the time. I can remember back even before Sammy was born, running around here, chasing frisbees and wrestling with Dad. I hope to do the same with my kids someday. But I suppose you're close enough for now!" Serina smiled secretively again and tagged the little girl on the head between her pink rabbit buns before darting off. "You're it!"

 

"No fair! You legs are longer than mine! I can't run as fast as you!" Rini whined while she chased Serina up the path. When they reached a small garden shed, Serina hid on one side, thinking she had fooled her when Rini suddenly popped up beside her. Serina jumped in fright and took off again before Rini could tag her.

 

Rini smiled mischievously. 'Time to make this game more fair.' "Luna Ball, tag!" Rini's floating black ball suddenly came to life, chasing Serina around the shed as she wailed.

 

"Not fair, Rini!" Serina called and dropped to her knees just behind the smiling child. Luna Ball stopped just behind her head and Rini reached out to tag Serina.

 

"Gotcha." She said, grinning impishly.

 

Serina looked away shaking her head. Beat by a five-year-old. Suddenly something caught her eye. A shimmering of air on the other side of the path, directly across from them. Serina instantly sensed something evil and stood, pushing Rini safely behind her. A Dark Moon droid appeared, this time in the shape of something more akin to a fifteen-foot dragon!

 

As Serina stared at her opponent with a familiarity of weeks of fighting the Dark Moon, her heart stopped as she suddenly remembered she no longer had her brooch. She couldn't transform! 'But that definitely won't keep me from protecting her!' She dropped her forgotten roses and held Rini's arm in a viselike grip behind her, as the droid spoke.

 

"Give me the child! Sssurrender the rabbit or forfeit your life, puny human!" The dragon spat out in a hissing voice.

 

"You won't get this girl without a fight! I am Serina Tsukino and I will protect this child with my last breath!" Serina stood defiantly, she could feel Rini trembling behind her.

 

"Ssso be it! DIE!" The dragon creature let loose a ball of blue fire. Serina hardly had time to react before the thing hit her. She kept herself between Rini and the dangerous threat as she tried to dodge but it still slammed into her shoulder. Searing pain lanced through her arm, and straight to her head. Serina grimaced and bit down on her bottom lip to smother her cry- Rini would be scared if she heard her scream.

 

They hit the ground and Serina rolled, gathering the child in her arms as she managed to get to her knees. Serina realized her mistake as soon as she was upright again. She twisted her head as Rini squeezed her arms around her neck, shrieking; her back was to the monster and Rini saw the next blast coming.

 

Serina managed to jump to her feet only to be knocked down by the second fireball hitting her square in the back. She was flung forward, landing on her side, nearly unconscious from the pain of her burned shoulder, the impact, and the last direct hit. But Rini was still safe. That was all that mattered- THAT, and keeping her safe, Serina dazedly thought. She'd never realized how much her Sailor form had protected her from such blasts and she really regretted not being able to transform now. She might want to a normal teenager but it was also the only way to keep Rini safe as long as she was with her.

 

"Transform, Serina, you're supposed to transform!" Rini whispered wildly, scared and confused. 'Why isn't she transforming?! She's gonna get herself killed!' Rini suddenly caught herself as she remembered the future and Serina dying. 'Please, not for me! Not now!'

 

Serina painfully got her feet and just gave Rini a sad smile as she set the girl down behind her again. Once again she turned to face the dragon, eyes desperately searching for a weapon. All Serina could see was the shed to her right but she knew it was empty. It hadn't been used for at least ten years, not since Sammy was born.

 

"Ssstill fighting, urchin? You should be roasted by now!"

 

"Yeah, funny thing about moon royalty- we don't die easily . . ." The dragon hissed again and took aim. All Serina could do was keep herself between it and Rini. Rini COULDN'T get hurt! She promised she'd protect her! And- and Rini was her- Serina grabbed the little girl, dodging and rolling, evading several rounds of fireballs while keeping Rini shielded behind her. Several shots exploded the cement around them, sending shards into the air to cut and imbed themselves in her arms and legs. Rini yelped only once when one grazed her little hand clamped around Serina's shoulder.

 

Finally, a third blast caught Serina full in the chest. She was practically beyond pain now; she barely felt anything of the fiery attack beyond the weak feeling of her knees giving out beneath her. Rini still cowered behind her, whimpering as if she could feel Serina's pain.

 

"Run when I say, Rini." The older girl whispered over her shoulder, her quick-thinking mind had finally come up with a desperate plan, one that might give the kid a chance if she took it. But Rini had to be smart and run for dear life. She could trust her to do that. 'Maybe the Scouts will find her before this thing does. I wish I'd brought my communicator, I was such a ditz to leave it at home like that!'

 

Serina still faced the dragon-droid, swaying slightly and weak beyond fighting. She managed to push herself to standing but she was quickly nearing the end of her strength. Her chest ached to the point she couldn't breathe, her bruised back kept her movements short and jerky, and she had no feeling left in her right arm. 'Mom's going to kill me when she sees my jacket, and this will never come out of my white blouse!' Then Serina winced, 'I must be losing it if I even think I can get out of this one ALIVE!' The creature ahead of her just stood there, measuring it's competition and slowly flapping it's wings intimidatingly.

 

Serina was jerked back to reality when she felt Rini start to edge away from behind her, unnoticed by the red and green dragon. Serina had to distract the creature while the girl she vowed to defend tried to get away.

 

Plain old Serina Tsukino, a normal, klutzy, energetic blonde girl, suddenly ran at the dragon, full speed across the pavement, her scream nearly unintelligible through the pain in her voice. "RUN!" Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rini take off behind her, headed for the shed, as Serina ran headlong into the scaly dragon. The shocked creature was so surprised that it only instinctively reacted to the physical attack by backhanding Serina away from it. She sailed through the air, barely conscious.

 

When Serina hit the ground, her twin hair buns were ripped out and picked up stray dirt and leaves, a bloody cut appeared where she bumped the side of her head, her right cheek was red and black with bruises and scrapes, and was quickly swelling. Her hands had unconsciously reached before her to stop her fall but they only managed to be crushed and chafed beneath her. She could only hear as something snapped, a wrist, a finger, maybe her arm had broken. She fell like an old rag doll tossed aside in the grass and dirt and forgotten. Serina never felt any pain from the new injuries, her last thought was the hope that Rini had escaped before the suffocating blackness swallowed her whole.