Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Stars Sometimes Fall ❯ Solace ( Chapter 1 )

Stars Sometimes Fall

Chapter 1

Solace

“I'll always be here when you need help.”

 

Lightning flashed and the rumbling of thunder was immediate. So was the small scream that issued from under a tent of blue covers. The young girl, in pink bunny pajamas, whimpered and held close to the sheets. Her azure eyes were squeezed shut and she trembled with terror at the brilliant flares of evil electricity. `This is pathetic.' She thought to herself even as she peeked an eye open after a brief silence. `Lightning and thunder shouldn't scare me, one of my best friends controls the storms- Lita is the Scout of storms!'

 

Serina relaxed her death grip on her sheets and eased herself from their hot, protective embrace. “Is it over, Luna?” She whispered to the black cat that slept undisturbed next to her. The feline didn't stir. “Err, she can sleep through anything!” Serina gave up on her guardian and glanced at her clock. 2:23 a.m. Too early! Serina plopped back against her pillow. `Thank goodness it's summer, I'd never make it to school on time cause I'm never going to get to sleep tonight!'

 

A sudden flash of light out the window drew another frightened moan from the teenager as she grasped again for her covers and held them to her face. The creak of her bedroom door tore her eyes from the window where she anxiously awaited the resounding thunder. “Who's there?” Serina asked, her voice shaking with fear. She caught sight of a pair of wide, cinnamon eyes, pale blue-green pajamas, and locks of pink hair. “Rini?”

 

The child peeked inside the dark room, her frightened face identical to Serina's. “I'm scared! Serina, may I-” BOOM!! The thunder roared right above the house, the electrical explosion rattling the windows and everything under Serina's skin. Her luminous clock blinked off. Both girls shrieked and Rini broke into a run for the safety of the older girl's bed. Serina didn't waste any time letting the child sneak inside her little tent and holding her close. They were both terrified of the storm.

 

Suddenly having someone else to protect and comfort, Serina let instinct take over: She was Sailor Moon, protector of love, justice, and innocents. Rini might not be completely innocent but she was young enough to change. Serina clutched the little rabbit-bunned girl as close as possible, wrapping her arms around the whimpering child and hiding her from the loud thunder and lightning. She found her voice as the rumblings died down. “It's okay, Rini, I won't let it get you.” She whispered. The smaller girl snuggled against her chest and nodded silently, sniffling shyly. `She's so much like me when I was little . . .' Serina thought sadly. It was times like these that she wished she had a little sister; it felt nice to be looked up to and depended on. Not at all like Sammy and his smart remarks! The little brat-

 

“Don't let it hurt me, Rena, I hate thunder! It's loud and mean!” Rini confessed, her whine a little muffled under Serina's covers and her pj's shirt.

 

“I know, sweetheart, I hate it too-” Serina reassured, soothingly. She rubbed Rini's small back, twisting and stroking her pretty pink hair. `Did I just say sweetheart? I'm surprised she hasn't beat me up or screeched and tried to get away from me-' She glanced down at the little spore, her infamous enemy.

 

She was asleep. Tiny tears glittered on her cheeks and Serina gently wiped them away with her sleeve, unconsciously kissing her forehead before settling back down in bed to sleep. `Since when have I grown so attached to this little fungus?' Serina asked herself. She knew the answer; she had always loved her, she was just so tenacious! It was expected now that they were supposed to hate each other, fight and argue, tongue wars and name-calling. Rini didn't trust anyone. `So why is she sleeping like a baby in my arms? I know she hates me, but I never really didn't like her. She's annoying sometimes but she's just a kid, all by herself. No one should be alone, especially not a cute little girl. She's just like my poor Darien.'

 

Serina flinched at another quiet glare and tightened her hold on Rini as the thunder responded, quieter now, further away. The power still hadn't returned and it was completely black outside the blankets. She felt Rini shiver and she eased her covers up to her chin, placing a guarding arm over her. `I promised to protect you. Sleep well, my little princess.' Serina sighed softly and drifted off, the storm forgotten, and feeling strangely content with the little child in her arms.

__________________________

"I just hope you know how much you mean to me."

 

Rini wriggled closer into the warm arms holding her tight. This felt more like home than anything she'd found so far. If she didn't know Serina was Sailor Moon, and Sailor Moon's dark, foreboding future, she would almost think she'd finally found her mother.

 

“Thank you for all you've done for me, Serina . . . Sailor Moon . . .” Rini whispered as she cuddled up against the older girl's body, tears escaping her again as she clung to Serina's arms wrapped so lovingly around her.

__________________________

 

Morning came bright and cheerful, warm and busy. Serina rolled over, squinting at the sunlight sparkling through dewdrop prisms into her room. Beside her, Rini still lay curled up close to her and Luna was just arcing her back in a cat stretch.

 

“Morning, Serina, good to see you up before noon on a Saturday.” The guardian cat quipped.

 

Serina yawned and grumbled in mock-annoyance. “Who said I was up?” She carefully slipped from her bed, away from Rini's limp arms. She smiled as she murmured in her sleep. “Be quiet, Luna, let her sleep.” Luna gave her a weak glare then a weird look.

 

“Of course, I would let her sleep.” She whispered indignantly. “Why the sudden concern? I thought you hated her.” Luna watched curiously as Serina quietly pulled out her clothes and headed for the bathroom. Serina gave the cat a reproachful look as she stood in the doorway.

 

“I've never hated her, Luna. I don't hate anybody, you know that. I just hope she knows how precious she's become to me.” She sighed sadly and shut the door. Luna raised an eyebrow then shook her head at her departing ward. Serina's mood swings constantly caught her by surprise- The last time she had such strong feelings against someone was when she thought Darien was a `conceited jerk', though now she thought her Earth Prince was the only reason for living. Even though he had recently announced that he didn't have the same feelings towards the reborn Moon Princess.

 

The guardian cat studied the little girl dozing in Serina's bed. She wondered if she and Serina would become as close as Darien and Serina once had been. Best friends.

 

Luna kneaded the blankets a little before settling back down to watch over the child. It was amazing how alike those two were, perhaps that was why they didn't get along at first; if opposites attract, they were like sides repelling each other. Rini, a mysterious child with strange powers and accused of being a runaway princess by the Dark Moon, was very special somehow. This `rabbit' with the royal hair style, her moon beam, and knowledge . . . The inexplicable connection both Serina and Darien seemed to have with the child- perhaps she was a missing part of the Silver Millennium no one could remember . . .

 

A few minutes after the water had stopped running, Serina stepped out of the bathroom, dressed and toweling her long golden hair dry. She checked to see if Luna and Rini were still there and smiled when neither had moved. She quietly padded over to the vanity and sat down to brush her hair. She tied it up in her customary twin `meatball' buns and slipped on a necklace she wore with the Silver Crystal hanging from it. She'd taken to wearing the sacred stone thus when she had no place to hide her brooch now that school was out for summer. She dropped the glittering pendant under her light blue blouse and searched out a pair of mother-of-pearl and silver moon earrings to match the dark blue and silver embroidery on her skirt.

 

She stood and headed to her bed, hesitantly brushing away Rini's carnation bangs from her eyes. `I wonder if she'll still hate me. Maybe if I'm nicer to her all the time then we can get along better.' She sat down on the edge of the bed and traced Rini's cheek. She had the same peaceful look Darien got when he was sleeping. Rini stirred under her fingers and slowly blinked.

 

“Mommy?” She murmured. Serina smiled gently, a little surprised that she might remind Rini of her missing mother. It kinda felt good. That she could be anything like her mother, that is. Rini spoke of no other more highly.

 

“Come on, little one, it's time for breakfast and then we can go out somewhere if you want.”

 

“Serina? Wha- Is the storm gone?” Rini sat up abruptly, clutching Luna Ball and one of Serina's old stuffed bunnies close to her chest. Her wide eyes shot to the window and the brilliant sunlight teasing her from outside.

 

“Yes, and it's beautiful outside! Come on, we can go to the park or go see the girls or anything you want.” Serina smiled, standing up. Rini looked up at her, a little confused and worried.

 

`Why's she being so nice all of sudden? She never let me sleep all night in her bed before and now she wants to spend the day with me? Is this some kind of trick?' Rini looked dubious but honesty and tender hope shone down on her from Serina's face. She really cared. `Why? Doesn't she hate me? I- guess I want to . . . last night almost felt like home. I like being with Serina . . .' Rini reached a small hand for Serina's. “I'm hungry, Rena. Can we go out for ice cream after breakfast?”

 

Luna watched raptly at the unusual display of emotion; it was like a dream come true for either girl. They had made up. Then Luna's head dropped when she heard Rini's last sentence. `Just like Serina.'

 

“Ice cream? This early? Sure, I can do that!” Serina beamed and took the child's hand, pulling her from the bed. “Do you want to get dressed before we go down?” She asked leading her from the room. Luna saw her bunny-bunned head nod. The two girls disappeared giggling into Rini's room.

__________________________

 

“So, little bit, what do we do now?” Serina popped the slightly mushy end of her ice cream cone into her mouth and licked the last of the fudge and chocolate off her fingers. She let her hand fall above her head to clasp with the other. She and Rini lay splayed out and relaxing in the cool grass beneath a cherry tree in the park. She took deep breath, echoed by Rini, as she peered through the dark green leaves for flashes of blue sky and warm sunlight. The warm wind picked up her bangs, tickling her face and she smiled in spite of the slight irritation.

 

Rini rolled over on her side, her ice cream long gone, and propped herself up on her elbow. “Don't you have plans? You always have meetings with your friends on the weekends- don't you today too?”

 

“Nope, meeting's tomorrow; I'm all yours today. Anything you want. We can go to the arcade or shopping or the carnival opened up over at the school yesterday-”

 

“Oh yeah! Can we go to the carnival? Do they have rides?” Rini squealed as she leapt to her feet. Serina followed a little slower, her hand being pulled by a tiny pink hurricane.

 

“Yeah, sure! They've got some rides, I think. You're not scared of the high ones are you? Some are fast and some make you go upside down-”

 

“No problem! As long as you're with me!” Serina's nose scrunched at the compliment, her cheeks flushing noticeably with embarrassed modesty, and she allowed herself to be dragged through the park towards her school. Rini tugged her arm and leaned close to the older girl's ear, whispering conspiratorially. “Cause I know your secret- I can never be in trouble when you're with me, Sailor Moon.” Rini laughed at Serina's shocked expression and let her hand go to spin away, giggling.

 

“Rini, what are you talking about? I'm not Sailor Moon, no way! I'm too much of a klutz and that stuff's way too scary! Thanks for the compliment but whatever gave you that idea?” Serina's voice was an obviously nervous squeal as she stumbled to a dead stop in the middle of the rose garden at the entrance of the park, wary eyes searching for Dark Moon spies or eavesdroppers. Rini looked up at her with a condescending glare of impatience. Her hands on her hips, the child looked positively frightening- for a midgit.

 

“Well, it might have been the fact that I saw you and the girls transform when Catsy and Birdie were taken a couple days ago. I'm not that dumb, ya know. And you may be a ditz sometimes but you've saved me a lot too. Thank you, Rena.”

 

Serina looked about to protest again but her head abruptly dropped. She silently caught up Rini's hand again and started walking. After a moment Serina's pale blue gaze fell on the child looking inquiringly up at her. “You're welcome, little one. I guess this means you get to come to the Scout meeting tomorrow. Remember, this is a secret.” She said softly. Rini smiled at the thought of surprising Rei and Lita and the others.

 

“So that's what those meetings were!” Rini announced in a triumphant tone, as if she'd suspected it all along. “I knew you guys weren't studying!”

 

Serina frowned indignantly though her eyes twinkled with laughter. Then she remembered she was going to have to tell Luna their secret was out. `Oops. Oh, well. At least Luna can't yell at me for this one. Eventually Rini would have found out anyway- she sleeps in the same bed as I do; sooner or later she would notice that I tend to disappear in the middle of the night sometimes.' The two girls walked down the street in comfortable silence for a while before Rini looked up at Serina.

 

“Rena, do you want your friends to come too?”

 

“They're your friends too, Rini. Do you want them to come? You could get to know them better. I can call them on my communicator. I'm sure Lita and Mina wouldn't mind taking you on some of the rides that I'd be too scared to go on.” Serina offered. She held up her watch/communicator for Rini to see.

 

“Yeah! Let's make this a big party day, with all our friends!” She squealed happily. Serina mirrored her enthusiastic laugh. “Can we call Darien too?” The laugh choked in her throat and the blonde's mirth died in her eyes. Her pace immediately faltered as Serina shut her eyes and took a deep breath. She felt her legs trembling at the mention of her once-upon-a-time love. `I can't break down, not now when everything's been going so right! I can't think about it- he's probably not home and if he is he wouldn't want to go with me there. I can handle this- it hurts but when I'm with Rini nothing else matters but her being happy. I've got to make up for all the times I was mean and she deserves to get what she wants for one day at least. She's my little princess, my small lady.'

 

“I- if you want to, Rini. If you think he'd be home I can have one of the girls call him-” Serina choked out. She continued walking, looking straight ahead of her so Rini wouldn't have to see the tears shining in her pained eyes.

 

“Are you okay, Rena?” Serina couldn't hide her sad expression from Rini, she could sense her hurt like it was her own. Why was it Darien could hurt Serina so bad? She obviously loved him a lot but he didn't seem to like her at all. Once he had, but a couple days after she showed up- `Oh no! I hope it wasn't my fault! Sure, I wanted Darien to be mine but Serina can have him back- we can share.' “I'm sorry, Rena, it's my fault, I stole Darien from you and now he's mean to you. We don't have to bring him.” Rini sniffed, her eyes downcast. She really wanted Darien to be there. It felt good to be with him, as good as it did with Serina; like being home again.

 

“No, Rini, honey, it's not your fault at all! It's mine, something I did upset him and he can't forgive me. I know you want him to come with us and if he's willing to put up with me then he should come. Maybe you can cheer him up.” Serina stopped again and lifted Rini into her arms. “Come on, sweetie, today we're going to have fun- All of us.” `Even if it kills me.' Rini let a small, shy smile spread across her face and threw her arms around the blonde's neck.

 

“Thank you, Rena! I promise I'll be good!” `Serina's so nice! She protects me from bad guys and takes me out and even puts herself in danger against Darien for me- just to make me happy! Maybe if I talk to Darien, I can find out what she did and get him to be nice to her again . . .'

 

“I'm sure you will, Rini. Now-” Serina pulled off into an alley and maneuvered around the girl she still carried to flip open her communicator. She pressed the `All Call' and Rei's face instantly appeared.

 

“Hey, Meatball head, what's up? Please say there's another droid, I am so bored and Chad is driving me up the wall!” Serina smiled brightly at her friend's anger and Rini chuckled in the background.

 

“Nope, nothing that bad. Actually, I'm taking Rini to the fair over at Crossroads school and wanted to know if you and the others wanted to join us.”

 

“Maybe you weren't listening when I said I was bored. Of course I wanna come!”

 

“Me too! I can't wait!” Mina's grinning face replaced Rei's as she bubbled on about cotton candy and cute guys. Mina's lovely image very quickly blinked away as Lita's heavily sighing head appeared. She rolled her eyes at Serina.

 

“Ugh, she sounds more and more like you everyday, Serina! I was invited to this bash too, right?” Lita's green eyes glinted with mischief and dreamy remembrance. “I happen to know there's a guy operating the tea cup ride that looks just like my-”

 

“Oh dear goddess- don't say it! `Your old boyfriend'- Err, you're all alike! Boy-crazy, airheads!” Rei's flushed face reappeared, rolling her eyes in exasperation. “Why I hang out with you guys-” Serina heard her muttering.

 

“It's not our fault you're all ready settled on Chad-” Lita replied, laughing. Rei's face turned bright red with fiery anger as she fumed at Lita's smug grin.

 

“WHAT?! Why I oughta-” Serina heard her begin before Ami's pale, calm visage flicked on.

 

“Serina, thank you for inviting all of us. I would be glad to go, I just finished studying for the English test next week so I'm free for a few hours.”

 

“Test- school's out!”

 

“It's for cram-“ Ami began but Serina quickly cut her off.

 

“Great! I'm all ready on my way over there so get going and meet me and Rini out front, `kay?” Serina grinned at everyone's enthusiasm. They didn't get to go out and have fun together as friends nearly often enough.

 

“Ten minutes, I'll be there!” Lita declared. Her shout was quickly echoed by Ami and Mina.

 

“Bus just stopped outside- be there in a few, Meatball head!” Rei cried and Serina sensed her take off running.

 

“Hey- wait! Can- can one of you do me a favor real quick?” The last three girls paused momentarily to listen to their leader's request. “Um, Rini kinda- uh, she wants Da- Darien to come. Can one of you guys, um, call and ask him for me? It's for Rini. Swear.”

 

All three scouts looked a little confused- Mina looked the most suspicious but they nodded. “I'll call from here, Serina.” Ami volunteered. Serina sighed in relief. `Good, the most neutral of us so he won't be scared off. She'll think of a way trick him into going.'

 

“Thanks, Ames. See you there, girls!” Serina called and flipped her communicator off. “Well, that didn't take much.” They stepped back into the sunlight and pedestrian traffic of the sidewalk and continued to the school. “Now we'd better get going!” Rini nodded in Serina's arms, yawning slightly. She rested her head on Serina's shoulder, under her chin. For a moment, the world drifted away and Serina felt pure happiness for the first time in weeks. The child in her arms, her warmth so close and tiny body nestled in her arms felt so right- so complete. In some deep part of her heart but more than that, like deep in her memory but the memory wasn't there yet. She hadn't been this content since she'd gotten her prince back after the Doom Tree battle.

 

She gently squeezed the little girl closer and sighed before remembering why Rini was letting her hold her like this. “Oh, honey, I forgot you were up late last night! Are you sure you still want to go-”

 

Rini's head shot up. “No! I want to go more than anything, Rena, please don't take me home! Once we get there we can have some cotton candy and ice cream and candy apples and hot chocolate-”

 

“All that sugar will definitely keep you up!” Serina grinned, shaking her head at the resemblance to her own self. “Okay, just rest for now. You can nap until the others get here, `kay?” Rini nodded again and her head fell back to nestle under Serina's chin, her small arms tied loosely around the moon princess's neck. Sometimes Serina forgot she was still just a little kid.

 

Serina smiled gently and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. She was surprised to see the sleeping child faintly smile. `She's mine. My small lady, my little lost princess. I hope you can be a little girl today, forget your mission, little one, and have fun for once. I promise, once Rubeus is taken care of you can have the Silver Crystal and we'll go save your mother. I hope she loves you as much as I do . . . I know she must.'