Author's Notes: Hello, everyone, thanks for dropping in. I'll be as brief as possible. "Interval" (a time between events) takes place somewhere after the events at Starlight Tower that led to the realization of the Scouts'and Tuxedo Mask's true identities. Of course, this means that Tux hasn't been swiped by the Negaverse yet, so no...I'm not completely following the anime story line. I'm taking creative license with my first attempt at fic writing, thanks. *cheesy grin* I'm still learning a lot about the Sailor Moon universe, so be patient with me. Most of what I've learned comes from my knowledge of the dubs (I know, I know), and wonderful fanfics from people like you! Thanks go to my sweet and wonderful editor Abby (a.k.a MoonDolphin) and Alicia Blade for helping me find her! Also, Aimee-chan, my fellow webmistress at Moonlit Eclipse, who first inspired me with the first fic I ever read, which HOOKED me (go read "The Coldest December", folx!). And to all of you, who are braving my first piece. Finally, Moonlit Eclipse is OPEN! Check it out at: http://www.geocities.com/moonlit_eclipse Standard Disclaimers apply here: I do not own, in any way, shape or form, the characters of this story. Sailor Moon is copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi, everyone bow to her. On with the story! ~Angela (coltdancer@hotmail.com) ^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^- "Interval" Chapter One "Oh, honestly, Ami!" Serena wailed, disturbing the silence of the early-evening study session for the fifteenth time. "I just don't *get* this!" The girls were sprawled out on the floor in Ami's usually pristine room, their books and papers scattered across the velvety-blue carpet. Mina and Ami looked up from the Algebra problem they had been working on to glance at Serena's rather disheartened expression. "I really think you're trying too hard, Serena," Ami replied in her chipper voice. "The problems aren't all so different...Just break them down in the same way..." she glanced over at Serena's paper, heavily marred with doodles, and studied the last four problems she had been working on so 'diligently'. "Here, Serena...you're doing these right. You've just got to remember to finish showing your work! You get ahead of yourself, and try to rush through them." She pointed a finger at the last equation, where Serena had jumped a step ahead, and then been unable to keep the work straight in her head. "I-I am?" Serena asked incredulously, sneaking a peek at Ami's paper just to be sure. Mina took the opportunity to look as well. "Wow, Serena! She's right! Our study groups must be paying off!" Ami nodded in reply, and Serena suddenly remembered the mathematics quiz that had been returned to her that day. "Mmm," Serena replied, digging into her folder and retrieving the paper. Even Ms. Haruna had been impressed, her elegant educator's penmanship scrawled across the top with, 'This is a nice improvement!' Mina and Ami leaned over in unison. Although they had seen the paper earlier, they wanted to see the 75% mark again. Ami reached over and patted Serena on the back. "See?" she asked with a grin. "You really are doing better!" Serena couldn't help but feel good about it. It wasn't a perfect score like Ami was so accustomed to receiving, but that wasn't the point. She felt her cheeks flush lightly with pride and she looked across her work at Ami and Mina. "Yeah...I guess I am. Maybe it does help that we study together." "Yep! And of course, it helps your concentration now that you are no longer pining over 'Tuxedo Mask'. I still can't get over it! Darien Chiba being Tuxedo Mask! I'd have never guessed it. . ." Mina chided her friend, who responded with an indignant gasp of surprise and reached into her empty soda glass to chuck an ice cube at her in retaliation. "Mina!" Serena screeched, folding her arms across her chest in a huff. Why, oh why, did she have to bring up that subject? Ami rolled her eyes bemusedly, welcoming a break from studying in spite of herself. "Really, Serena... don't you have anything to share with us?" she inquired, taking a sip from the straw in her glass. Her indigo eyes twinkled mischievously, and Serena knew that Ami was just as interested in juicy gossip as the rest of the girls, although she'd never admit it openly. "Anything to share?" Serena echoed, trying to think fast. She knew her friends were digging for any information on their ally, sordid or otherwise, especially with all the new developments. She sighed inwardly. Things had been awkward of sorts, though not in an entirely bad way. After recovering from her initial shock of discovering Tuxedo Mask and Darien Chiba were, in fact, the same, she had grown to accept the situation. Serena frowned amidst her thoughts. Come to think of it, though, once the smoke had cleared, things between them seemed to return to quasi-normal. Admittedly, Serena had been aghast to discover that her Tuxedo Mask, her most stunningly mysterious and hunky dream guy, had turned out to be that cranky old thorn in her side, Darien. At first. However, as the reality settled in, she began to almost relish the idea. Despite their mortal conflict, she felt she had perhaps always been attracted to the tall, raven-haired boy. He *was* gorgeous, yes... "Yoo-hoo?" Mina waved a hand in the field of Serena's suddenly glassy, far-away gaze. "Oh-no," she whispered aside to a giggling Ami, "I think I triggered a relapse!!" Serena blinked, then half-screeched at the poke to her ribs. "Wha..?" she glared accusingly at two sets of blue eyes that were set amongst eagerly awaiting faces. "No, of course I have nothing to share!" she replied in a huff, then continued with an almost wistful sigh, "I guess that's the problem..." "Oo, I knew it! You *do* like him; admit it!" Mina exclaimed triumphantly, and Serena stared incredulously as she actually heard a tiny squeal of delight from Ami. "You guys!" Serena protested weakly, almost in a whine. But could she truly deny it, she wondered? One eyebrow arched quirkily as her thoughts drifted one more time. . . ~.~.~.~ It was a rare occasion in which time constraints did not dictate Serena's path to school. A major mishap with the snooze button had managed to rearrange the numbers on her alarm clock, at the time leading her to believe she was even further behind schedule than normal. After making record time in the bathroom, thanks to a gracious "good hair day" and naturally rosy cheeks, Serena had catapulted herself down the stairs to grab her clean school uniform from the laundry room and a granola bar from her lunch stash. Her mother had nearly fainted, and her father had choked on his morning coffee. "Serena, honey?" her mother inquired slowly, carefully sidestepping the breakfast preparations and peering at her daughter. "Yeah?" Serena replied through a mouthful of apple-cranberry granola mush. "Are you well this morning?" Mrs. Tsukino asked with concern, while Mr. Tsukino eyed his daughter warily from behind his warm mug. Serena swallowed dryly, "Sure, mom! Dandy as always, why? Hey!" she blinked. "Where's Sammi?" Mrs. Tsukino blinked, shifting her weight hesitantly as she lowered her spoon to the table. "He's probably just now getting up for school, dear..." Serena froze, then rearranged the uniform she held draped over her arm. That's when she finally glanced at the softly ticking clock on the wall above her father's head. Suddenly, as her eyes focused in on the Roman numerals, the remainder of the granola bar in her mouth was stifling. She swallowed hard. It was only 6:15, not 7:15 as she had believed! She didn't have to leave for school for almost another hour! Duly horrified, she sank into the wooden chair across from Mr. Tsukino, who was finally chuckling at her. "I-I thought...I thought it was later..." she whimpered. Mrs. Tsukino laughed softly alongside her husband. "Well!" she exclaimed cheerfully. "I thought something strange was happening! My goodness, but it's so nice to see you up and about, and so ahead of schedule! And, since you are, perhaps we should commemorate this grand occasion with your favorite breakfast!" The rain clouds that hovered above Serena's gloomy exterior suddenly popped and fizzled away as her eyes lit up. "Pancakes and eggs?!" she squealed jubilantly. "The Works!" her mother replied, patting her on the shoulder as she skirted her way back to the stovetop. Serena was gulping down the last of her milk and moving towards the sink with her empty plate before her little brother even made his way into the kitchen, leaving his backpack by the front door on his way in. "AHHHHHHHHH!" he howled uncharacteristically, having been completely taken aback at the sight of his sister. And that was just it. The *sight* of her. He could not remember the last time he had actually seen her in the morning, as she was always a flash of blue and white uniform and flying blond whips. "M-Mom? What's...going on?" he ventured carefully. Serena stuck her tongue out at him good-naturedly, but not too good, and gave him a well-placed whack in the arm as she brushed past him. She hopped up the stairs, two at a time, to retrieve her shoulder bag and shoes from her bedroom. Taking her descent a bit slower after realizing the consequences of too much activity on a full stomach, she called her morning good-byes to her family and exited the front door. Reaching down behind her to pull her shoes over her heels, Serena situated her bag over her shoulders and was about to continue on her way when the door opened behind her. "Serena, sweetheart...you forgot something," came Irene's voice as she stretched her arm out the door, the pink-vinyl lunch bag endorsed with bunnies in hand. Serena grinned slightly. "Thanks, mom. Just keeping you on your toes, you know!" she giggled and thanked her mom for her lunch with a quick kiss on the cheek, then bounded down the porch steps and across the sidewalk. The day was dawning a bit chilly, the morning air still clinging to the frigid dampness of a cold night. The sun was steadily climbing the horizon, promising a beautiful day nonetheless. Serena smiled to herself and picked up her pace slightly to keep warmer. She couldn't dawdle, but actually did have some time to enjoy the walk this morning. Indeed she would if she could see Darien. He was just about always out at this time, taking one of those insanely health-conscious jogs of his. She had only seen him a few times since that fateful day at the Starlight Tower several weeks' back, he having to give himself a chance to recuperate before resuming his morning rituals. Although the moments were awkward, she didn't mind so long as she was near him briefly. She still got to see him at the arcade after school, when she didn't have detention... which she would not have today. What a day it was turning out to be! 'I really should consider messing up my alarm clock on a regular basis!' she thought bemusedly. The thought was quickly interrupted as her eyes finally relayed a message to her brain: Across the street, sure enough, was Darien. His long, muscular legs carried him at a rather respectable pace, despite the fact that he had taken several days off. Serena couldn't help but stare. He looked like a gazelle, moving effortlessly across the pavement. She was so enamoured with his movements that she didn't realize they had carried him through the crosswalk, or that he had now slowed to a halt in front of her. "Hey there...Meatball Head." Darien's familiar nickname sounded almost forced. "This is certainly unexpected!" he chuckled, with just a hint of arrogance. Serena blinked, feeling a flush creep into her cheeks as she realized she had been staring at this gorgeous man in front of her with her mouth agape. She cleared her throat quickly, trying in vain not to notice how incredibly appealing he could look in a white T-shirt and black sweatpants. "Um, yeah, I know. I goofed up the alarm clock this morning, and well, I suppose it was to my advantage," she stammered. 'In more ways than one . . ." her mind amended. Darien chuckled slightly. "Looks like you'll be breaking a record today. I don't want to keep that from happening, so...see ya 'round, I guess," he finished rather ineptly, before finally tossing a wave over his shoulder and continuing on his way. Serena didn't detect the chastising remarks he directed at himself as he picked up his stride, but simply stood at the corner gawking helplessly after him. She forgot that, given their freshly uncovered history together, she should have been at least slightly miffed by his comments. A shiver traveling up her spine shocked her back to reality, and with a squeal Serena realized she would be late for school in spite of it all unless she ran the rest of the way... "Oooh, that blasted man!" she groaned to the lampposts and mailboxes as she whisked past. "How does he do this to me all the time?! Get a grip, Serena!" ~.~.~. Serena's reverie finally began to fade away to the sound of Ami and Mina's giggling. She blinked and looked to them, wondering how long she'd been staring off into la-la land. Mina gasped and nudged Ami once their laughter had subsided from her tasteless joke. "Oh! Her passport's expired!" she giggled again, flopping on her side and looking up at Serena from her position on the floor. "Welcome back! Have a nice dream about...Darien?" she chided. Serena could do little to keep the heat from creeping up her neck and into her cheeks. Mina responded ith a high-pitched squeal of triumph, followed by Ami. "Oh, that's enough, you two!" Serena stormed, effectively silencing them. They stared back at her sheepishly, and she sighed. "I have a hard enough time not thinking about the whole situation and how majorly strange it is without you and Lita and Raye reminding me of it." She finally smiled wanly at their suddenly sympathetic expressions. "Anyways, I think I've gotten enough of this started. There's only a few problems left, so...I think I'll head home and finish them after supper tonight." Mina glanced down at her watch, and sputtered. "Wow! It's later than I thought! I hope my mom doesn't kill me!" she quickly gathered her own belongings as Serena did the same. Serena felt Ami's hand on her arm as she finished stuffing her books and papers in her overflowing bag. "Don't let this get you down, Serena. It's really not all that unusual, how you must be feeling right now." She blushed when Serena furrowed her brow at her questioningly. "What she's trying to say, is," Mina continued gently, "It's awkward to find that two men--one your mortal enemy, the other the object of your affections, are ne and the same; but, it sure makes it easier to care about and be friendly towards both." Serena frowned. "No," she replied decidedly, "It's just way weird, is what it is. Thanks you guys. I'm sure we'll all get back to normal real soon. They say that shock has to run its course." She stood, and followed Mina from Ami's room. "See you guys at school tomorrow. Hey! Let's tell Lita and Raye...Milkshake run after school, 'kay?" The other two girls chorused their "okays!", and Serena and Mina called out their good-bye's as they scampered home to dinner. * * * The following afternoon, the Crown Center Arcade was ransacked by giddy teenagers and boisterous chatter. On this particular Thursday, every student in the Juuban district rejoiced the coming of "Curriculum Planning"-an event which called for the cancellation of school that following Friday in order to give the teachers a day of planning and collaboration. Most of the video games were surrounded with rings of players and onlookers, and the majority of the tables and booths overflowed with groups of lively students who were there to enjoy the brief vacation and 'blow off steam' after weekly quizzes. Luckily, having the good sense to call in extra help for the day, Andrew was able to leave the snack counter and take a large, round mug and saucer to a nearby booth and its lone occupant. Darien sat huddled in the corner of the booth, a textbook open on the ceramic tabletop. He wasn't actually concentrating on it, instead glancing out the window as he tucked his arms inside his jacket. Andrew set the steaming black coffee down in front of him. "Hey man, looked like you could use this," he said. "Working on that monster report for your class?" Darien offered his friend a half-smile and closed his book, reaching out to wrap his hands around the warm mug Andrew had placed before him. "Thanks," he replied, trying to stifle the shiver that ran down him as his hands warmed. "It's freezing in here." "Well, the door does keep opening every other second, but it's not as if it's cold out there today..." Andrew frowned slightly. "You all right, Dar? You're looking a little ragged. Pulling too many all nighters working on that paper of yours?" Darien chuckled dryly. "Probably. I'm just tired. But hey, I finished it, last night sometime. It's *done*," he replied with a weary tone of relief. Andrew shook his head. "You're sick, man. Finishing a paper like that a whole day ahead of schedule. No wonder you look like hell!" he grinned, reaching over to slug Darien lightly in the arm as he stood up to return to the counter. Darien grimaced, keenly aware that although completely unintentional, Andrew's little 'sucker' punch had actually hurt some. "Hey, that's behind schedule for me, buddy," he retorted to Andrew's retreating form, taking a long drink. The hot liquid felt uncharacteristically good to him today. He rubbed his arm, vaguely wondering if his fatigue was due to more than a few late nights--well, several late nights, with all of his obligations--despite downing a few aspirin the previous night, it had been all he could do to drag himself from his bed that morning. He had felt sluggish all day, an acute ache creeping into his muscles. He leaned his head against the back of the booth, closing his eyes for a moment. The roar of conversations around him lingered about his ears until it was cut by a gale of laughter accompanied by a familiar flock of high school girls. "You study way too much, Darien! You shouldn't wear yourself out to the point of sleeping in public places like the common bum. . ." He didn't need to open his eyes to recognize the silvery voice of a giggling Serena. "Someone has to pick up the slack," he responded more haughtily than he intended, his weariness erasing all caution of his manners towards her. Her eyes widened slightly, her expression taken aback at his tone. "Well! Aren't we grumpy this lovely afternoon?" she huffed. "Maybe little Darien should go home and take a nap. . .Gees, I was only kidding!" Serena stuck her tongue out at him before trotting over to the booth holding her friends, all the while shaking her head and doing her best to ignore the sinking feeling that everything between them had just returned to normal. Darien sighed reproachfully and finished his coffee. For some reason, her comment had set him off; however his response made it even worse. Rising from his seat, he left his money tucked under the empty mug and headed for the door, books in tow. "She's got a point, Dar," Andrew called to him as he passed by the vending counter. Darien responded with a grunt and tossed a half-hearted 'see ya later' at Andrew before dodging through the automatic doors of the arcade. He didn't feel a second pair of eyes join in with Andrew's concerned gaze as he left. Serena's brow drew together in a slight frown as she glanced over her shoulder at Darien. Something seemed amiss. Scrunching up her nose, she shrugged and turned back to her triple mocha chocolate shake and the conversation at hand. Mina and Ami were nearly splitting in two with laughter; Raye was holding a napkin to her face in an attempt to keep her vanilla shake from coming through her nose as she giggled. "I'm serious," Lita admonished. "You think I jest! I'm telling you that thing was at least the size of a top of a pop can! You could see it's fuzzy, double-jointed legs! Its eyes! All bazillion of 'em!" "Oh come on," Raye finally choked out. "I'll bet that spider gets bigger every time you tell it... just like a bad fishing tale! Do they really have that many eyes?" Ami was quick to pipe in. "Actually, they have eight." "See!" Lita demanded. "I could see it blink! I took a picture." This sent all the girls into renewed peals of laughter, their eyes beginning to water from the exertion. "You actually got close enough to it to take a picture?" Mina squealed incredulously, and a disgusted shiver ran down each girl's spine. "Naw, I won't buy it unless I see your hand next to it in the picture, for perspective," Raye said, taking another drink from her straw with a mischievous grin. "EWWW, gross! Bleah!" Serena shuddered before continuing with morbid curiosity, "So how'd you kill it?" Lita swallowed. "Well, I unleashed at least a half a can of bug spray on it until it was well-coated... then I found a snow shovel in the closet and smashed it when it skittered out into the hallway." The other four groaned in nauseous protest. Ami was the first to break the disgusted silence. "Well, Lita!" she exclaimed. "I don't know what kind of place you are living in when you have to go around hitting spiders over the head with a shovel!" Once again the booth was filled with raucous laughter as they all doubled over, clutching their stomachs. "That was a good one, Ami!" Mina cried, swiping at the amused tears that now spilled over her flushed cheeks. "Okay, okay. . ." Lita grunted. "Have your fun. But, I tell you, you won't be laughing when I get those pictures developed!" "Well, I have an idea," Mina continued. "Let's get together tonight. Sleepover! It'll give Lita here a chance to escape from her eight-legged stalkers." The others giggled slightly, then Raye added, "Why don't we gather at the temple? Grandpa never minds all the company around, and it's been kinda slow up there anyways. We've got the most space...sound like a plan?" "Mmm, I think it's a great plan, guys. Just what we need," Serena grinned. Her four companions suddenly seemed to drop their cheerfulness a few degrees with the thought of what possibilities could arise. "Hey, if something happens, at least we'll all be together to handle it!" she offered. It was enough to bring back their smiles. "Great!" Raye replied. "Let's meet there in a couple of hours, say around six or so. That give everybody enough time to head home and gather up some necessities?" "Yeah! And then we can order pizza!" Mina said, who received a chorus of "mmmms" in reply. "Somebody be sure to bring a baseball bat, or something, just in case Lita has any stowaways," Ami quipped as they were adjourning. Lita gasped in indignation and tossed a wadded up napkin at her as Serena shook her head. "Wow, Ami, you are on a role today!" * * * Serena slammed the door with a "Bye, Mom! Bye Dad!" and hopped down the porch steps. She was on her way to meet up with Mina so they could walk the rest of the way together to the temple. She hefted her heavy shoulder bag and bedroll, realizing too soon that it would be a long walk with the way she'd packed. It was no matter; she was looking forward to the evening. The sun was nearly at its setting position on the horizon, casting a luminous pink and orange hue over the landscape. It was chilly, but the thought merely made Serena smile as she imagined snuggling under her covers and sipping hot chocolate with her girls while Raye spun one of her fabulous ghost tales. She had continued along in such a way for some time, heading down the street blindly when a lithe arm shot out from the alleyway she had just passed, and snatched her from the sidewalk with a yelp. She was about to scream bloody murder when her eyes adjusted to the dimming light and she could make out some features. "MINA!" she screeched. "Shush!" Mina whispered, gripping her by the shoulders and spinning her around so that she could look down the sidewalk again. Serena gasped in horror at what she saw. A ghastly creature was slinking along the lampposts, slithering around and around them as scaly tentacles tasted the air. The girls swallowed the foul taste that burned their throats as the creature slid to the cement in a liquidy brown pool, then bubbled and sputtered as it shifted into its dreaded true form: Youma. Its shape was barely human, which made the situation all the more terrifying in Serena's mind. She felt her stomach turn queasy with fear. It was a nasty one! It resembled something from "The Swamp Thing", grotesquely callused and discolored a vile mix of mustard and brown, with gnarled teeth and a fan club of water bugs. In its wake it left a trail of calcified slime, and the vaporous stench was enough to make her stomach heave. "Eww, almighty...if that doesn't put Lita's eight-legged friend to shame..." Mina murmured as she reached into her overnight bag for her scout communicator. Serena stared wide-eyed at the youma, her hand trembling as it closed around the transformation locket at her chest. As Mina finished her transmission to the other scouts, a high-pitched wail filled the air. Mina and Serena glanced around the edge of their cover and gasped. The youma's layered antennae had snared the first victim. People were now scattering into the streets, the air filled with angry shouts mingling with startled cries and honking horns. Adrenaline took over, and powerful energy crackled through the dusk sky as chants of "Venus Star Power!" and "Moon Crystal Power!" erupted from the heroines' lips. The heat of transformational energy forced the youma to spin on its heels, dropping its latest victim without a second thought. "You! Minion of the Negaverse! Enemy to all that is human! Stop right there. I am Sailor Moon! I am sworn to protect the life you seek to suck dry! I fight for love and justice, on behalf of the moon..." "And on behalf of Venus..." "We will punish you!" The youma snarled, a sickening noise that sent the hair on the scouts' necks standing on end. It sucked in a deep breath, held it just long enough to make them wonder about the oncoming attack, then hurled a mighty slew of spindly projectiles. The two shrieked in horror as the razor-sharp orbs impaled the cement around them. "Mars Fire! Ignite!" "Mercury Bubbles! Blast!" The fiery bolt slashed through the rain of sharp pellets as Mercury's cold blast enveloped the youma in a shoulder-height case of ice. The onslaught did not phase the youma's attack as its antennae burst further from its head and spurt towards each of the scouts. Sailor Moon's voice escaped in a grunt as she rolled over and pushed herself off the ground in a flurry of movement, absently brushing at a tear in her fuku. It stung, but barely. It was only scratch, fortunately. She skidded to a hault nearby a towering Sailor Jupiter, whose energy was crackling and swelling about her in anticipation of the next release. "Jupiter Thunder..." "Moon Tiara..." "Crash!" "Magic!" Jupiter and Moon pitched their attacks in unison, creating an electrified disc of power that skillfully slashed the scaly chains rocketing through the air. "Venus Crescent Beam! Smash!" White-hot beams of energy erupted from Venus' fingertips, singing the youma's body. They felt a surge of victory as they maneuvered their attacks, when their enemy suddenly screeched in anger and liquefied once more to pool through a storm drain at the edge of the curb. "Mercury! Reading!" Venus shouted, bracing herself on the sidewalk. "I'm on it, but I can't seem to get a lock!" Mercury replied, her visor directed to the street below them. "Well now what?" Jupiter growled, dismayed at putting the battle on hold. She and Mars fell into place beside each other, Venus backing up to join them. Mercury stood in the street facing them, directing her readings to the curb. "Wait! Ohmigosh!" She retracted her visor, throwing her stance to the left as the gurgling sounds of the youma repositioning itself from a drain several feet away could be heard. Having taken its evasive maneuver underground to full advantage, the youma was already poised and powering up its release before the scouts could brace themselves. A collective gulp escaped them as the thought of a counter-attack came too late. As the scouts prepared to call out their attacks and take the brunt of the hit, a flash of crimson ripped through the night air, revealing the glistening form a perfect, steel-tipped rose...that had completely missed its intended target. ^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-